Putting the “Value” in Evaluation 

By Pastor Renata Eustis 

Last week was standardized testing week for DC Public Schools.  I am so thankful that the main impact of testing in our household is that we make some effort to get to sleep a little earlier.  The way Clare talks about testing week, it almost sounds as if she enjoys it.  The fact that there’s no homework and that they get to eat candy and cookies during the tests could have something to do with it.

But I think the real reason behind our family’s lack of anxiety around these standardized tests can be traced to the wise words spoken by my husband, Paul, several years ago.  It was Clare’s first year of testing and she was feeling the pressure and anxiety that filled her school.  Paul told her not to worry, this test was not about her.  The purpose of the test was to measure how well the teacher and the school were doing their job of teaching her what she needed to learn.  Clare’s job was to give her best effort—just as on every other day.

Elementary school is only the beginning of our experience of being evaluated.  There are performance goals, annual reviews, and evaluation meetings.  I am not discounting the usefulness of evaluation—I think it is important to know whether or not someone is doing what they are supposed to be doing – I am observing how large a place evaluation has in our lives and culture.

I wonder what it would be like if we amplified our understanding of evaluation, if we shifted the focus as Paul did with Clare and standardized testing.  At the center of “evaluation” is the word “value.”  What if we deepened our understanding of evaluation to include looking at what we value?  The question is not primarily, “How well are we doing?” but “Is what we are doing what matters most?”  As we take stock of our individual lives and our life together in community, have we considered and named the values that guide us?  Or do we evaluate based solely on how close we have come to achieving our stated goal?

As I look at the life of Jesus, I would say he was an extremely goal-oriented person.  His public ministry had a clear focus and a driving passion:  the kingdom of God.  The kingdom of God is where all of history is headed, to that moment of fulfillment when the justice and grace of God fill the earth.  A simple way of describing the kingdom of God is what it would be like if God were ruling instead of the current political and economic powers-that-be.  One of the centerpieces of God’s rule is that “the poor have good news preached to them.”  Good news for the poor is that they have what they need to have a dignified and meaningful life.  If we evaluate his life according to this central goal, we would have to say there’s still a long way to go.

But one of the intriguing things that Jesus says is that the kingdom of God is among you.  The kingdom of God is seen in the life of Jesus, in the way he lived.  What matters most to God, what God values, what God longs for us to value, is seen in the life of Jesus.  

A couple of things stand out for me when I look at Jesus’ life this way.  The first value is inclusivity.  Jesus reaches out and draws close to all kinds of people, especially to people who have been excluded.  The inclusivity of Jesus even goes so far as to encompass love of enemies.

The second value is related:  Jesus wants to make life better for other people.  His focus is on those who are in need, and those needs are many-faceted.  They include friendship, a sense of God’s presence, comfort and joy, as well as healing from illness, fair wages, and food.  The value is living in service of others, in a way that brings life.

We are a community that is growing and changing.  We have some significant goals ahead in terms of the renovation of this building.  And we have the privilege of thinking about how we might use what we have been given (this facility, our own talents, our financial resources) in ways that reveal the kingdom of God among us.  As we make these decisions, let’s not forget to do some evaluation.  Let’s talk about and remind each other of what matters most, what we value.  Our specific goals may change.  And if they do, it will be these values that continue to guide and inspire us.  

It may help to remember that we’re part of a faith that was first known as the Way, not the End.

VISIONING UPDATE 

By Phil Hecht 

April saw some important developments in the Visioning process.  First, Visioning Committee members interviewed two potential owners’ representatives/construction managers, JFW, Inc. and KCM Construction Management.  Both of these organizations were very impressive and, we believe, could help us achieve significant cost savings.  Second, we received an independent appraisal of 1516 Hamilton Street.  Third, we commissioned a hazardous materials survey for the Parish Hall, which is necessary whenever renovation of older spaces is planned.  Fourth, our architect MTFA is finishing the construction drawings and will send them out for an updated cost estimate, which we should have by mid-May.  

Members of the Visioning Committee and other interested CLC members met on April 14 to discuss these developments and to begin to develop a consensus on how to move forward.  We will continue these discussions at Committee Night on May 1 and at Council on May 15.

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK  

By President Mark Rohrbaugh

Synod Assembly 

With the coming of Spring, we naturally begin to think about plans for summer.  One event to keep on your prayer list is the upcoming Metropolitan DC Synod Assembly meeting in Gettysburg June 7-9.  For those less familiar with the term, "synod" comes from the Greek word for council or meeting, and in the Lutheran tradition it can refer to a national body like the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or regional administrative bodies similar to a diocese.   We are part of the regional Metropolitan Washington DC Synod of our national church body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).    Our regional synod includes the District of Columbia, the Virginia counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William, including the cities of Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church, and the Maryland counties of Montgomery, Prince Georges, Charles, Calvert, and St. Marys. There are 75 congregations and almost 40,000 baptized members in the synod. 

The Metro DC Synod Assembly meets every year.   This year we will elect a new bishop, as our current Bishop Theodore Schneider is retiring at the end of two 6-year terms.  We give thanks to God for his 12 years of service to our Synod.  Please keep Bishop Schneider in your prayers as he continues his ministry in other capacities and for the guidance of the Spirit to those who would nominate and elect our new bishop and those who would be called to serve. 

In addition to conducting the business of our regional administrative church body, Synod Assembly will look forward to the national meeting of all the regional synods at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Chicago August 6-11.  We will elect voting members to represent us in Chicago where they will consider business of the ELCA, resolutions from regional Synods, and election for our national bishop, currently Bishop Mark Hanson.  In Gettysburg, our regional assembly will consider resolutions to go forward to national assembly.  Two of these are the ones the CLC Council presented to the Congregation for its adoption at the Congregational Meeting on March 25.  These relate to the ministry of Pastor Schmelling in Atlanta, Georgia, and requests for modifications of the Vision and Expectations Document of the ELCA to make the requirements for all clergy similar in permitting gay, lesbian, and bisexual clergy to serve as pastors when there are in committed, long-term, same-sex relationships.  Please keep the voting members to the Metropolitan Washington Synod Assembly and the Churchwide Assembly in your prayers. 

Music Director 

We have had the pleasure of listening to and worshiping with the musical gifts of Robert Saladini in the last few months as our first interim organist.  From the outset, our plan was to have two interim organists, each of several months duration.  Robert's time as our interim is over in April, and we hope to see Robert from time to time in the future as a substitute organist.  Robert has extended his thanks to members of the Congregation for their helpfulness and appreciation of his music.  Beginning in May, our second interim will be Stephen Ackert, who has substituted with us in the past.  We look forward to worship with him at the organ console and leading the choir.  The committee is in the process of reviewing the ten applications we have received to date.  We have been blessed with strong candidates from around the country.  The plan is to have the new organist on board in August.

Yard Sale Beneficiaries 

With the coming of Spring and the anticipation of Summer, we begin our plans for the annual Yard Sale in September.  While it is nice to decorate our church with formerly owned furniture each summer, the purpose of the Yard Sale is, of course, to raise money for charitable organizations.  Part of this annual process is to seek your input in the selecting the organizations to be the beneficiaries.  If you would like to make a nomination, please give the name of the organization and a short description of its mission to a member of the Social Ministry Committee (Kendall Bentz, Sylvia Glauster, Jill Eckert, or Karin Klingman), Joanne Noll or Mark Rohrbaugh.  

As our schedules become busy with spring and summer plans, may we take time as a Congregation, as family members, and as individuals to follow God's words spoken through the Psalmist to "Be still and know that I am God."

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)

Please come when you can or when a book catches your attention.  And we welcome suggestions for books!

DINNERS FOR 8 -- round two!  Please join in!

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 four 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 

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STEPHEN MINISTRY EXPANDS OUR CAREGIVING 

By Carla B. Howery, Stephen Ministry co-leader 

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. 

Having been on Council twice, and led other activities at CLC, I know the syndrome of the “dog-eared directory.”  One clutches the church directory and frantically flips through it, hoping that a new name will have magically appeared overnight….just that “perfect someone” who is able to serve on a committee, prepare a lunch, or contribute to the worship service.  Sometimes it is discouraging to find that this magic did not happen; we have the same wonderful and busy people, most of whom seem to be making quite a few contributions to the church’s life.  There never seem to be enough volunteers, however.

So when a new initiative like Stephen Ministry begins, it is a fair question to ask: “Will this activity ‘take away’ some key people from other CLC tasks that need to get done?  After all, there are only so many people who volunteer, who drive, who come to night meetings, etc.”  For myself, I can say that I finished my Council term and then turned to be the lay leader for Stephen Ministry when, I suppose, I could have stayed on Council or offered to take on another major church job.  Adding new projects, as Transitional Housing once was, can “redeploy” volunteers from basic CLC positions that are important to our church being vibrant and well-led.

But I would like to think differently about our human capital.  First, I would like to believe that our human capital is not zero sum.  The saying goes, “if you want something done, ask a busy person.”  Perhaps another way to express my point is: “Even a busy person may volunteer for something where s/he feels a ‘call’, some efficacy, and a community in which to work.”  All of the eight people involved in the initial cohort of Stephen Ministry are quite involved in the church and family and professional work as well.   This is a ministry, not a task, and they have been called to extend themselves.

Nonetheless, it is the case that time is finite and zero sum, and some people who were interested in Stephen Ministry could not pursue it (at least now) because of business travel, work obligations, child care, and so forth.   But as their circumstances change, I suspect they will be able to join a future cohort and yet will continue to lead busy lives at work and home.  They will stretch the boundaries of their lives to make choices that aren’t quite zero sum.

A second possible way to look at our human capital (to use the financial metaphor) is to see it investing and compounding our ministry.  I hope this will be the case with Stephen Ministry.  I hope the eight people initially involved and the care receivers with whom they will meet, will be enriched and empowered as people.  We are sure that the giving and receiving will go both ways!  As people renewed in Christ, we hope that members will express their love for one another in a variety of formal and informal activities in the church.  Our goal is not to expect more volunteers in the church’s business, but we would be surprised if people are not more committed and engaged.

So I bristle to think that Stephen Ministry, like THC before it, might be seen as taking people “away” from CLC and the basic work that needs to be done to keep our congregation vital and functioning.  I prefer to imagine, with conviction, a scenario where this new ministry enriches and emboldens members to service.  In this way, the names in the directory may be the same, but they are refreshed and alive, anything but dog-eared.  May this be a self-fulfilling prophecy!

YARD SALE BENEFICIARY SUGGESTIONS, ANYONE?

Yes!  It's that time again!  The 2007 Yard Sale is September 29 and 30. As President Mark noted, you may make your beneficiary suggestions to anyone on the Church Council or the Social Ministries Committee (Jill, Kendall, Karin, Sylvia) as soon as possible.  Please include something about the organization. The beneficiary suggestion list will be voted on at the June congregational meeting.

Sharing about Sharing Our Stories 

By Vicar Jeanne Befano 

If it were offered again, 12 of the 14 parishioners who participated in Sharing Our Stories: an Exercise in Holy Listening said they’d like to do it all over again, and at least three of them said they would be willing to be facilitators for the small groups if it were offered at another point in time. At the completion of the six-week program, I questioned the participants on their participation. This article includes much of what they had to say about it.

What was it about the program that stood out as being the most significant part of their experience? Just about everyone commented on the time spent with others in silence! It is an unusual experience to simply sit with others in prayerful silence. Actually, for many, it was unusual to sit in stillness at all! “Usually I feel guilty; like I ought to be doing something,” said one person. Another said that being able to “take time out of my week to contemplate the circumstances in my life and issues of life in general” was something “I normally do not take time to do.” Yet, we know at some level, our profound, human need to be still and to know God in that stillness.  

Often, when we’re with others, silence can be awkward, and there is an increase of chatter that happens as an attempt to ease our disease. Silence spent with others is quite counter cultural, when you think about it! One person in particular said that it took some getting used to “becoming comfortable with what seemed like an eternity of silence.” Yet, it was the quiet that helped her to focus on “actually hearing what others had to share and then helped in responding to that person.” On the flip side, when they were sharing, it was the group’s silence that helped participants to feel they were listened to. “But very importantly, I felt listened to with a different awareness…an awareness of what God may be bringing to me through each story” that was presented. 

My Internship Project, Sharing Our Stories, was introduced as a Lenten discipline that gathered folks into small groups for the purpose of noticing God’s presence in our own lives and the lives of others. It was based on a model called Group Spiritual Direction, by my mentor at Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, Sr. Rose Mary Dougherty. People had mixed feelings about signing up to participate. For some, it was the attraction to the opportunity for a disciplined prayer time along with others, or to grow in faith and fellowship. For others, it was simply their spouse’s decision to be involved that prompted their own. Still others – God bless them – wanted to support the Vicar’s project!

While the reasons for participating varied, almost everyone agreed that the program offered a new way of listening and being attentive to others. For some, it took time to get used to the new environment and way of sharing to reach a point where they could “relax enough to feel the Holy Spirit.” Once that happened, there were some eye-openers! One person recognized the intention of the group was to simply be present to each other and to the Holy. “This is not meant to be a problem-solving or counseling session; it’s too easy to digress toward the idea that we need to come up with answers!” Similarly, but from the opposite stance, another made note of that very tendency within himself! “It was difficult for me to resist the urge to offer advice. I never realized how much I do that!” 

Most importantly, how did this Lenten discipline affect their way of praying or being attentive to the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives? One person said that while the sharing was important to her, “the listening and growing understanding that God was with me and others was the most important part of the experience.” It was an experience which this same participant made her own by bringing it into her home spiritual practice. “I could re-create the experience at home” in my personal prayer time, she said.  

Noticing that he felt “more receptive to the Holy Spirit during the sessions,” another participant offered, “I also felt more receptive during other times of my daily life. Occasionally, in between our meetings, something would just pop into my head during the day, and it really seemed like the Holy Spirit was telling me something. I just felt more in-tune with God all the time!” Prayer has changed for him. “Spending time thinking in silence helped me to realize that I did not necessarily need any words to pray. I still vocalize my requests and thankfulness, but I also pray occasionally by just sitting in silence, without thinking or speaking any specific words.” Similarly, another participant said that she is “more willing to leave my prayers unformulated and simply be in prayerful silence.” 

The pattern of silence, listening to a person share, and then silence (all the while being present to God) before responding to what was shared was described by one participant as “a gift.” “It was a gift to be praying with others and listening for God’s voice. Seeing the way God was active in our lives during our weeks together was wonderful. It was amazing that so many of us received answers to prayer so clearly during those few short weeks. This experience was truly a blessing to me and the others in my group. I believe it will have a long-term impact on our relationship with God and with each other.” 

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YOU’RE INVITED TO EXHIBIT! 

Messiah Lutheran Church, at  6510 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA, is holding an art show. The theme of the show will be "Praising God Through the Arts."  The show will be held on June 15,  6:00 pm - 8:30 pm,  and will be exhibited in the church until July 12,  with takedown on July 13 and 14. 

All types of media are welcomed including painting, fabric, sculpture, photography, metal work, and any other 2-D or 3-D submissions.  There are no size restrictions.  Art may or may not be for sale depending on the artist's own choice.  All pieces must be clearly religious in nature and suitably prepared for exhibition, containing no nudity.   

We are asking for participants to drop off their art on June 7 and 8.  For more information or questions you may have, please contact Emery Lewis, at (703) 768-7114 or via e-mail at e.lewis@cox.net

The Ear of Christ

A note from former CLC Vicar Kiri (Johnson) Solberg, kirijohnson@hotmail.com

Our baby boy decided to come early!  Clayton Oscar Solberg was born on March 14, 1:07 am.  He was breech, so was born by C-section.  Clayton was 5lb 14 oz, 19 inches long. Since he was 4 weeks early, he had to spend some time in the Level II nursery. He ended up being there 8 days, after some projectile vomiting and other feeding difficulties early on.  But we finally got to bring him home last Thursday.  It's wonderful to have a baby with no IV's attached!

He's doing well, still having some trouble keeping food down, but we think it's because he such a zealous eater.  Our challenge is to slow him down. He was anxious to meet us, and now really anxious to eat and grow!

I'm on maternity leave until June 15, so I look forward to calls and  

emails, now that things have settled down a bit.  We are grateful for all your caring thoughts through the pregnancy and now that we have Clayton home.

Carla Howery retired from the American Sociological Association after 25 years, effective April 30.

From Bob Sylwester: WETA, channel 26, will broadcast "Luther" on Monday, May 21, 9-11 pm.

For months we have been praying for Artie Harris’s cousin, Lt. Col. Rod Arrington, a member of the Marine Reserves who just served his second tour in Iraq.  We are thrilled to report that Rod has returned to the U.S. safe and sound.  We offer praise for his safe return and prayers for an easy re-entry into American life.  Many thanks for all the prayers on his behalf!

Kiri, Previn, and Clayton Solberg 

A CHANGE FOR TAIZE 

By Sylvia Glauster 

For the past two years, Christ Lutheran Church has hosted a Taize service on the third Sunday of every month.  This service of meditative chant and the potluck dinner following have been a meaningful worship and fellowship opportunity for members of CLC, as well as the wider Lutheran and Christian communities.  We will have two more services here: one on May 20 and one on June 17.  Please join us for one or both services. Weather permitting, we will be singing outside in the garden. 

After June, however, our services at CLC will come to an end, and First Trinity Lutheran Church will be beginning a new Taize series.  We will be losing our worship space this fall as the chapel undergoes renovation, and a member from First Trinity offered to host the service in their church downtown.  Their church is also Metro accessible, which will make it possible for more people to attend.

If you would like to receive email invitations and reminders about the new services, just email Sylvia Glauster (sylvia.glauster@gmail.com).  We hope you will join us, either in the next two months at CLC, or later at First Trinity.

Financial Secretary’s Report: Third Quarter Update 

By Ann Marie Nelson 

Since last year at this time, we have closed the gap in envelope giving and are actually now on track to exceed the estimated $220,000 budget. The turnaround is due to several factors.  With the addition of several new members we have increased the number of giving units as well as the annual average amount.  The charts show our progress since Howard Bell first issued a challenge in 2002.  We met the 25% increase after 2 years and current giving is about 40% more than it was in 2001.

Thank you all. 

VBS on the GREAT BIBLE REEF!! 

By Sylvia Glauster 

It's that time of year again – time to start looking forward to Vacation Bible School at CLC.  We're doing VBS a little earlier this year: we'll meet from 6:00 to 8:00 each evening from June 25 through June 29.  Registration forms will be available soon.  

Not only are all the young people at CLC (and their parents) encouraged to save those dates, so are all the not-so-young!  VBS is such a good time that we don't want anyone to be left out.  Grownups!  If you think you might be interested in coming along to sing and play and celebrate God's love with us any or all of those evenings, please contact Carolina Glauster (carolina.glauster@gmail.com or (301) 429-0977).  We need volunteers to help with dinner, with crafts, games and song leading, and so much more. We'll be happy to find the perfect way for you to get involved in all the fun, however much or little time you have to spend with us.

2007 National Race for The Cure 

By Janet Kelly 

The 2007 Komen National Race for the Cure – a 5K run/walk to benefit breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment programs – is Saturday, June 2, The National Mall, Washington, DC, Rain or Shine! 

It's easy to register online ($35) at www.nationalraceforthecure.org, and your shirt and race bib will be shipped to you (you can also choose your tee-shirt size).  If you prefer to register on paper and in person ($35), I will be glad to hand-carry your registration and pick up your bib and shirt.  If you register online, please consider registering for our Holy Cross Hospital Team - enter the team code HCH in the appropriate box so my team will get "credit."  The Holy Cross Hospital team will also sponsor a "one-stop" registration site at Whole Foods in Silver Spring at 833 Wayne Avenue on Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, 10:00 am-3:00 pm.

Remember, as always, you don't actually have to participate in the race itself when you register. You will still get a nice shirt (which you can wear wherever you are on June 2), and you still have the satisfaction of supporting a good cause.

Other options are "Sleep-In for the Cure" ($40 and you get a pink sleep mask) and "Kids for the Cure" ($25 with kid-sized tee-shirts).  Donations of any amount are always welcome!  Remember to indicate if you are a breast cancer survivor (you get extra goodies!).

To those who have already registered, thank you for supporting the Holy Cross team in the fight against breast cancer!  Please contact me if you have questions about this event (home 301-593-4910, work 301-754-7059, cell 301-351-7895, kellyja@holycrosshealth.org or janet.kelly9@verizon.net.

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 29th Circle will be a grand send off for Sandy Smith, who is moving to her new State Department post in Jordan.  That Circle will be at Carla Howery’s home in Takoma Park, MD.