WITNESSING FOR PEACE 

By Pastor Renata Eustis 

“Pick me, pick me!” called out the friend who was standing next to me.  Though she sounded like someone hoping to be chosen as a game show contestant, the target of her plea was a police officer.  “And you’ve got to take my friend, Renata, too.  I’ve never done this before.  She’s got to go with me,” she said as the officer told her she was under arrest. I was relieved when the officer returned a short while later, telling me not to worry that he hadn’t forgotten about me.  

I know it sounds strange but I was thankful to finally be arrested.  We had come to the White House as a part of the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, intentionally risking arrest by stopping to pray and refusing to disperse when asked to do so by the police.  It was 1:30 a.m.  The temperature was below freezing and we had been outside for more than four hours.  If the truth be told, I was so ready to be warming up on that Park Police bus.  My desire to be on that bus was abundantly fulfilled---I think we spent at least three hours sitting on it.  

We were released at about 5:00 a.m.  As we were riding another bus back to New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, a man sitting next to me asked me if I’d ever done this before.  I said I had but that it had been close to 20 years ago.  We started talking about how different it was then and soon

realized that we had been in the same affinity group (small action group) for one of the actions.  What a small peace movement!  Actually, there were several people there who had been actively involved in nonviolent protest ever since I’d stopped.  Rather than feeling disheartened about “the same old people “ (who were, like me, getting older)”, I was actually very inspired by their persistence.

I’ve reflected on some of the differences between what we did in the Christian Peace Witness and my earlier experiences.  In the past we called them actions or protests.  This was the first time I’d ever been involved in something called a “witness”.  The “Information Sheet” had a welcome that began with these words:  “With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you to the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq and Washington, DC.  God’s Spirit has multiplied participation beyond what we dreamed…”  Among the things we promised to do in the pledge of nonviolence we made was to “be open and respectful toward each person we encounter.”  We also pledged to “be positive examples of Christ’s love for all people.  Whenever possible, our witness will be for the power of that love rather than against the evil we deplore.”

Witness.  What is it that distinguishes a witness from an action?  It seems to me that a witness—whether it is with words or with actions—is always pointing toward something beyond.  As Christian witnesses for peace, we were trying to point to something that goes beyond what we actually did on that cold night in front of the White House.  The point was that we were trying to follow Jesus, the one “who consistently chose to meet injustice with life-affirming action.”  

We enter now into that holiest time of the year when we live again the story of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.  On the cross, there was the picture of injustice—the agonizing death of an innocent man.   The witness to whom God is has been silenced.  But three days later, it is God’s turn to witness.  In the raising of Jesus from the dead, God shouts a reverberating “YES!”  This way of Jesus is truly the path of life. Follow him!  

VISIONING UPDATE 

By Phil Hecht 

During March, the Visioning Committee continued to make substantial progress on the plan for renovating the sanctuary and main floor of the Parish Hall.  Together with interested members of the Stewardship and Building Committees, we met to discuss the issues that we first identified at our Committee meeting on March 6.  

Specifically, we spoke with MTFA about developing an overall project budget to track our spending.  We contacted the ELCA Mission Investment Fund to gather information about a construction and permanent loan for the project.  We engaged an independent appraiser who will appraise 1516 Hamilton Street.  Finally, we interviewed KCM, a construction management firm that was recommended by MTFA, and we are scheduled to interview other firms for the purpose of deciding the type of representation we need during the contract bid and construction phase.  We reported our progress to the Congregation Meeting on March 25.  

THEOLOGICAL BOOK CLUB: READING AND SHARING TOGETHER 

By Carla B. Howery 

The Theological Book Club welcomes anyone to come on a one-time or continuing basis, to share thoughts about books that aid our faith journey, 

We are meeting about every 6-8 weeks and we rotate who selects the book to read and kicks off the discussion.  We will meet promptly at 12:15, now in the Wenchel Chapel.

April 29 --- J.B. Philips  Your God is Too Small  (David Blakemore)

June 10 --- Parker J. Palmer   Hidden Wholeness  (Carla Howery)

July 22 --- Elizabeth Sifton   The Serenity Prayer (Herb Turvey)

September 16 – Ken Wilber  Integral Spirituality  (TBD)

Holy Week Services 2007       

Palm/Passion  Sunday, April 1, at 10:30 am: Come early for the Procession with Palms.  We’ll gather outside the main door of the sanctuary to walk and sing.  This year we’ll hear the Passion according to Luke.  

Wednesday, April 4, at noon:   Bible Study, Prayer and Holy Communion, followed by lunch in the Fellowship Hall.

Maundy Thursday Seder, April 5, 6:30-8:00 pm, in the Undercroft:   We remember the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples with a unique service that connects the traditional Passover meal (the Seder) with our celebration of Holy Communion.  There will be Footwashing and Holy Communion as a part of this ritual meal.  (And for those who have never been before, there is plenty to eat!)  It helps greatly with planning, if you can let us know you’re coming by calling (202/829-6727) or emailing the office (clcoffice@verizon.net) by Monday, April 2.  Don’t worry if you can’t make it by 6:30 pm, just come when you can!

Prayer in the Memorial Garden, following the clean-up (around 8:45 pm): Weather-permitting, we’ll meet in the Memorial Garden, remembering that on this night Jesus went into a garden to pray and was arrested and interrogated.  We’ll pray together a litany by candlelight.  The actual prayer is brief (less than 10 minutes) but you are welcome to remain in the Garden as long as you wish. If it’s raining, we’ll pray in the Chapel instead.

Good Friday,  April 6, at 7:30 pm:   In this meditative service, we’ll hear the story of our Lord’s suffering and death from the Gospel of John.  There will be a series of seven readings with a time of silent prayer and a hymn or anthem.  After each reading, a set of candles will be extinguished.  

Holy Saturday, April 7, 4:00-6:00 pm:  This is a time of waiting between the intense pain of Good Friday and the intense joy of Easter.  We will pray in the Chapel, lit with the Christ Candle, reminding us that there is no place where Christ is not.  Our prayer will be mostly silent, with spoken prayers at

4:30, 5:00, 5:30 & 6:00 pm.  You are invited

to come and go as you wish.  

Easter Sunday, April 8, at 10:30 am:   Festival Service of Holy Communion with special music provided by the choir and a trumpet player.  After our journey through Lent and Holy Week, we come to the day that marks God’s triumph over death–the biggest celebration of the Christian year!

Easter Breakfast & Egg Hunt, at 9:00 am,  Come early and enjoy a delicious breakfast with your church community.  The Sunday School children and youth will share some of the things they have been doing this year.  Before worship begins we’ll have an egg hunt!

This is a new graphic in the Messenger and in our bulletin! It is the Stephen Ministry logo, which consists of a cross and a circle, together with a broken person and a whole person. The broken person stands behind the cross, symbolizing the brokenness in our lives as a result of our sin. The whole person stands in front of the cross because it is through the cross of Christ that we are again made whole. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness we receive through Christ and God’s unending love for us. As a Stephen Ministry Congregation, each of us is called to be instruments of God’s healing love for each other and all of creation. For more details about our newly forming Stephen Ministry, contact Pastor Renata, Carla Howery or Vicar Jeanne. 

STEPHEN MINISTRY FIRST COHORT’S TRAINING BEGINS 

By Carla B. Howery,  

Stephen Ministry co-leader 

At the March 25 congregation meeting, with sunshine pouring through the windows instead of heavy snow falling outside, the Stephen Ministry team (Pastor Renata, Vicar Jeanne and myself) gave an overview of the Stephen Ministry program.  We described the qualities sought in Stephen Ministers and the 50 hours of training they will receive.  If you missed the presentation an want to see a short DVD on Stephen Ministry, check out the DVD from the church office.  

Stephen Ministers Selected  

Members of the congregation interested in being a Stephen Minister completed an application to serve and were interviewed by the Stephen Ministry team.  I am pleased to announce that we will have an initial class of five Stephen Ministers:  Debbie Coker, Carolina Glauster, Karin Klingman, Linda Ott, and Jana Shepperd.

Stephen Ministers’ Training Begins 

Starting April 18 and running through July 25, the Stephen Ministers will meet and undertake their fifty (50) hours of training to do their work effectively and ethically.  When I describe Stephen Ministry to people (in church and outside) I say that the Minister mainly needs to listen and pray.  One might think that most of us have the potential to do that (if we control our urge to talk) and so what is the 50 hours of training about!  The training centers on common situations that the care receivers face, giving insights and resources to even a listener.  Knowing about an issue can lead to asking more helpful questions, and then listening carefully to the answers.  The training helps the Minister know when to make a referral and the importance of confidentiality.  Of course the training helps the Minister in many ways, but does not prepare him/her to be either a counselor or a pastor!

We are Collaborating 

We will continue to communicate with our colleagues at St. Alban’s Church in particular, who are also starting a Stephen Ministry Program and attended the leadership training in early January with us and came to the March 25 orientation.    They will begin their training in the fall and we might have our second cohort train with them.

We are Building on Our Strengths 

At the congregational meeting, Pastor Renata emphasized her enthusiasm about the Stephen Ministry program.  She indicated that she not only not threatened by it, but saw it as a complement to her pastoral care.  She knows the needs of our congregation and knows that needs of people exceed the number of visits she can possibly make.  She will continue to offer the same tender pastoral care, but, in some cases, when a care receiver requests it, a Stephen Minister can provide weekly attention and prayer for someone in need.  Chris Lutheran Church has a caregiving culture.  In additional to the informal caring among friendship networks, and more organized care around moments of need (e.g., new babies), we now have a third piece of carework in Stephen Ministry.

DINNERS FOR 8 -- round two! 

By Carla B. Howery 

Last year about this time, the Congregational Life Committee (which I then chaired) started a new social initiative called Dinners for 8.  The idea was that members who expressed interested (no forced socializing!) would be put in groups of eight and would meet 4 times over the course of the next year.  These dinners (some of which happened in restaurants, as well as in homes, and some of which were brunches!) would afford an opportunity for people to have more quantity and quality time with one another, to learn about one another's interests and form deeper bonds, all while having FUN. 

Five groups were in place in the last year and they all took their own path to food and fun.  The Dinners for 8 are for singles, couples, young and old, loosely organized and solely for the purpose of having social time with one another. 

One of the principles of the Dinners for 8 is that people would not stay together as a group longer than a year, so that we would meet new people in new groups.  I feel a chorus coming on of the old Girl Scout song, "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."  So, it is now time to “regroup.”  Another reason for regrouping is the remote possibility that a group might not click and would like to know "this will end," an unlikely scenario at Christ Lutheran!

So it is time for form new groups.   Here's the easiest path: 

1 -- if you were IN a Dinner for Eight, we will assume you still want to be in a new one, unless you OPT OUT.  So, to opt out, send me an e-mail asking to take a breather for a year; otherwise, you will be put in a new group. 

2 -- if you were NOT in a DInner for Eight and want to be, send me an e-mail with that information and you will be put in a group, and let the fun begin! 

Please communicate your wishes no later than May 1, when new groups will be formed and information sent to all about who is in which group. 

Carla.howery@gmail.com 

 

The Five Wishes Program 

By Vicar Jeanne Befano 

I get pretty jazzed this time of year. I love the spring and the new life that seems to pulse through every nook and cranny of creation. During this warm weather, I have a heightened awareness of the city noises that rise up and stream into my open window, offering music that would rival even the best of symphonies. OK. Maybe that’s a stretch. It’s really not even close to the “best of symphonies,” but it is musical none the less!

This morning’s stream of cars played their notes, along with a couple of tire squeals and one beeping horn sounding its crescendo. In the wind section various song birds chirped, while a lone red-headed woodpecker kept time with his tap-tap-tapping. Two squirrels bounded silently through the air from tree branch to branch, making their rhythmic clicking sounds, like castanets, at a man walking his dog. The dog barked in response, and in the distance came another bark from a dog I could not see, but knew was listening as intently as I. It must have been sitting somewhere in the third tier. 

The melody somehow seems more lively and fresh in spring; its tune stirring up new life in me that I’m not necessarily aware of during the closed-window days of winter. I feel enlivened and lightened as I hear it. There are other things that affect me this way; my favorite recorded music, pieces of art, poetry, Scripture, and the laughter of children. I try to fill my home with these in an attempt to create an atmosphere that brings out liveliness inside me and provides healing. What I surround myself with has always been very important to me, and I choose these with great care. 

When my Dad got sick, I introduced something called the Five Wishes program to him and my Mom. It’s a Living Will that not only speaks to medical wishes, but also addresses the personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes of people. The goal of this legal document is to help folks determine, ahead of time, exactly how they wish to be treated if they get seriously ill. In this regard, it steps way beyond the typical Living Will document and its topics of life-support, medication, and do-not-resuscitate orders.

Five Wishes looks into all aspects of our lives and makes space for us to spell out for others the kind of environment we wish to live –what we want to surround ourselves in— as we die. Do you want to have photographs of loved ones in your room? Do you wish to be massaged with warm oils? Do you have a favorite book you would like to have read to you, or is there particular music you want to listen to? Would you like to be surrounded by family and friends, or might it be better for you to have just the immediate family present? If you’re really not sure at this time, is there someone you would like to make this decision for you? Who might that be?

The Five Wishes document goes into specifics about exactly what you would like to have happen when you are unable to speak for yourself. It asks such things as how you wish to be remembered, how you wish to be treated, what you might like to have happen in a memorial service, and where you wish to be buried.  

We will be offering a workshop on the Five Wishes Program here at CLC on Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. in the library/ fellowship hall. Please call the office if you are able to attend. A short DVD will explain more details, and then we will go through each of the Five Wish segments together. Several attorneys and physicians have volunteered to be on a panel, along with Pastor Renata and myself, to answer questions that might come up.

Who is the Five Wishes Program geared to? Anyone who thinks they might die at sometime in their life and who wants to communicate to their loved ones the things they wish to be surrounded by. It is a conversation that none of us would want to miss out on. As for me, I’m going to ask that the TV be turned off, and please, open a window if it’s springtime so I can hear the symphony! 

Have You Seen the CLC Website Lately? 

WWW.CHRISTLUTHERAN-DC.ORG 

By Carolina Glauster 

For those of you who don't make it to the CLC website regularly in your travels around the Internet, might I suggest that this is a good time to stop by and have a look? Go to www.christlutheran-dc.org.  Although much of the site stays the same, the page called "Current Information" (click on the link at the top of the page) has new content every week.  The Messenger still makes it onto that page whenever it is published, and so do the bulletin announcements and upcoming events (click on "This Week at Christ Church").  In addition, there is a new section listing worship participants for the coming weeks (click on "Worship Participants").

Perhaps most exciting (at least to the webmaster who has been putting it together), is the brand new Sermon Archive project.  Just click on "Sermons" and you'll be taken to a page listing the readings and the preacher for every Sunday since this liturgical year began back in December.  Handy links at the top allow you to navigate to any liturgical season or to the current week.  

Have you been thinking about Mack Ott's Epiphany sermon since the day he gave it?  Trying to remember the stories about Joseph's House that Paul McLaughlin so lovingly shared on World AIDS Day?  Searching for that quote that Vicar Jeanne shared that touched you so much you wanted to share it with a coworker?  Wishing you could go back and hear for yourself the sermon Pastor Renata gave the week you were away, the one that everyone keeps telling you about?  Well, now you can!

For each Sunday, you can click on the preacher's name, and you'll be taken to a page displaying the text of the sermon for that week.  Sure, it's no substitute for being at worship in person, but it is invaluable for those who can't be there on a given Sunday or for those who want to read and reread a particular tidbit that spoke to them in a special way when they heard it in the pew.  If you click on the readings for a given Sunday, you'll be taken to a page displaying all the readings for that week's service--an excellent and easy opportunity to study and meditate on the readings before coming to church that week, or reread any that might have touched you when you heard them read or preached on. 

I hope you'll have a chance to explore this great new resource for yourself! 

Bookmark it – put it in your “favorites” list – 

www.christlutheran-dc.org.

The Ear of Christ

THE EAR OF CHRIST 

Sharon Kelly spent the week of March 18-25 in Baton Rouge, LA, building a house with a group of ten volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. As with her build in Ecuador last year, the Baton Rouge trip was sponsored through a partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity.

Lizzy Hecht plays soccer with the DC Blast, a U-16 girls’ team from the DC area.  They plan to go to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, this summer through the  "Goals for Girls" program.  They will pass on their soccer skills to underprivileged girls 12-15 years old who will also learn about HIV prevention and awareness from trained professionals who are part of this special program.  (If you would like to financially support this team, contact Lizzy at LHecht08@sidwell.edu  Donations are tax deductible.)

Seen in the spring 2007 issue of VALPO, the magazine of Valparaiso University, under the Alumnotes for 1970: "Paul Sieving '03 D.Sc. has been elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors in the fields of medicine and

health. He is an ophthalmologist and the director of the National Eye Institute."

Join us for an Easter breakfast and egg hunt on Easter morning at 9:00 am in the Undercroft, before the 10:30 Festival Service! Enjoy breakfast casseroles, hot cross buns, colored eggs, and other goodies.  An egg hunt will take place on the church lawn weather permitting.  All you children, bring your parents! Be a part of the joy and fun of the day!   Volunteer to lead the egg hunt or make part of the breakfast!  Joanne Noll, 301-530-2265 or nollcaljo@juno.com.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship 

After a process lasting nearly six years, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has published a new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship.  The ELW (or “cranberry book”) has ten settings for Holy Communion and many other liturgies.  There are 893 hymns (though the first 150 are the psalms)! The ELW even has devotional resources such as the daily lectionary and the Small Catechism.  

In our March 25, 2007, Congregational Meeting, we decided to purchase the ELW as our hymnal, meaning it would replace the LBW and With One Voice (as it is designed to do).  Anyone who would like to purchase one or more hymnals in memory of or in honor of a loved one is invited to do so.  The cost is $20 for each hymnal.  In addition to these memorial gifts, you may want to purchase a hymnal for use at home.  Just make sure you indicate this on the form.  

Please make your check payable to Christ Lutheran Church (write “new hymnals” in the memo line) and mail to the church office or place in the “church secretary” mailbox.  Thank you.

------------------------------------------

I would like to purchase ______ (#) of new

hymnals as a gift to the congregation. 

In honor of ___________________________________ 

___________________________________

In memory of ___________________________________

___________________________________

I would like to purchase _______(#) hymnals 

 for my own use.

Enclosed is ___________________  

($20/hymnal). 

NEWS FROM SAMARITAN MINISTRY

Dear Friends,

As a member of the Board of Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington I have been asked to serve as a "Table Captain" for SMGW's Next Step breakfast at the National Press Club on Tuesday, May 8, from 8:00-9:00 a.m.  Ray Suarez, senior Washington correspondent for PBS, will be the master of ceremonies.  The breakfast is FREE and without obligation, and is designed to introduce interested people to SMGW's many programs and, of course, to attract new donors to SMGW.

Please let me know if you can attend-should be fun-free though a fundraiser by design and interesting.  I will transport anyone who needs a ride!

Thanks for the consideration of Samaritan ministry!

Marty Jewett

CIRCLE THE WAGONS    

April 29, 3:00 pm  

Barbara Hibben’s home 

Mark the time and date!!

All CLC women are invited to come for an afternoon of relaxing fellowship away from the slings and arrows of daily life!  No need to bring anything but yourself.  

The July 29 Circle will be a grand send off for Sandy Smith, who is moving to Jordan.  That Circle will be at Carla Howery’s home.

Circle the Wagons formed as a more “modern” option for church women’s circles.  Using the Washington Post “out and in” format, here’s a quick way to understand the change from former to present Circles.

CHURCH CIRCLES