“and for a single moment, our the scroll nation stopped
TRANSCRIPT
September 2017
The Scroll “And for a single moment, our nation stopped, looked up at the sky, and forgot about hate” -Damien Von Dunn
2
6:30 PM Chapel
Service Times
8:30 AM
Traditional 9:45 AM
Contemporary 11:00 AM Classic
In a world filled with distressing trends and
frequent heartbreaks, we might be tempted
to ask the question, “Where do we see
God anymore?” As people of the
resurrection, let’s flip that question around
and ask, “Where do we not see God
anymore?” This is not flippant rose-colored
glasses thinking. This
is the worldview of a
people wedded to the
gospel of Jesus of
Nazareth, who died
for sin and defeated the grave in real time
and real space. For real. Really. If this is
indeed the case, then neither wrongdoing
nor loss poses any ultimate threat to us or
to our world. The real question then, for us,
is “Where do we not see God anymore?”
So, if this question is our question, we
ought to see God in places like the movies
too (and not just
portrayed by Morgan
Freeman). God’s
presence is often found
in movies that had no
intention of expressing
anything of Christ. This affirmation is based
in prevenient grace, the reality that God is
moving in and through all people, often
unbeknownst to them, to draw them and
others to Christ.
From September 10 through October 1,
we’ll share a sermon series called “Faith
Flix.” Over the course of these four weeks,
we’ll see if we can hear the Lord speaking
through four movies:
• Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (September 10)
• Cars (September 17)
• Casablanca (September 24)
• The Shack (October 1)
If you are able (taking their ratings into
account) to view these movies before we
wrestle with them in church, our worship
experience will be enhanced on those
days. Be on the lookout for
a viewing of The Shack at
church with discussion to
follow! If we are able to
remember that Jesus
speaks through the most
unlikely people and in the most unlikely
places to wake us to our need for him, we
may just hear a word from God.
Your Fellow Minister in Christ,
Mark Mrini
Letters from Our Church Family
God Is Everywhere
3
Building More Than Houses
By: Jerry Taylor
My eighth opportunity to serve on an
Appalachian Service Project work week
started like the other seven. On Sunday at
5:30 a.m. we set out on our 11-hour drive to
Leslie County, Kentucky. The per capita
income is about $10,000, with 33%
of the population living below the
poverty line. Coal mining being the
major industry, unemployment affects
every family.
The theme for this year matched my
expectation for the service week: “Love In
Action,” taken from 1 John 3:18. And so, the
work week began on Monday as the crews
settled into their projects and I settled into
my insulated view of our trip. We were
Christ’s hands and feet, in Hyden, KY to
serve our less fortunate brothers and sisters
in Appalachia.
That all changed with the morning devotion
on Thursday! Pastor Drew spoke about the
parable of the Sheep and the Goats from
Matthew 25. Jesus goes on to explain how
the righteous will question him asking when
did they see Jesus in all those situations and
He answers, “Truly I tell you, whatever
you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of
mine, you did for me.” Suddenly, I
realized that this was not about me
being the hands and feet of Christ.
Rather, it was about me, Jerry,
serving Christ in the flesh and blood of the
folks in Appalachia. Reflecting on those
words, Thursday and Friday began a
different approach to serving. It was more
the Christ in me meeting the Christ in the
families we were serving. Seems more like
“Love In Action” than I was inclined to
understand on Monday. Can’t wait until next
year.
Just Dinners and Lasting Memories
By: Mary Morrison
Thanks to the encouragement of church
members who are wonderful at outreach, I
began participating in "Just Dinner(s)" this
summer. My only regret is that they have
ended for the season. Just Dinner has
offered a low-key, nourishing (yes, bad
pun) opportunity to meet fellow
congregants, discuss today's critical issues
and the challenges that accompany them,
and Methodist thought in a comfortable
setting. The discussion leader suggests
discussion topics for each week and the
group chooses by consensus. Reading
materials have prompted me to explore
additional sources, such as magazine
articles. Participation is flexible, making it
easy to participate as your other
commitments permit. This season's
suppers have taken place at the Rolling
Road Panera. I appreciated the venue
choice especially because it was an
opportunity to show appreciation for their
support of our Grace Ministries food
distribution. Next season, please join us
and bring a friend. That's how I got there.
4
Announcements
Save Lives
The St. Stephen’s blood drive conducted by Inova Blood Donor Services
is September 18 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. You are eligible
to donate if you are in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, are at
least 16 years of age, and have not donated whole blood since July 24.
The Inova team will have the system available to donate “double reds.”
Contact Roger Hartman to schedule an appointment or for more information: 703-425-
7268; [email protected].
Endowment Fund
Opportunities
How do I make a gift?
One way is to include the endowment fund
in your financial planning. You could give a
set amount or a percentage of your estate
by including in your will “I give $50,000 to
the St. Stephen’s Permanent Endowment
Fund,” or “I give 10% of my estate to the St.
Stephen’s Permanent Endowment Fund.”
The income from these funds will be used to
fund current or future ministries of the
church.
Contact Jim Allison, Endowment Committee
Chair, at 703-323-8132 to further explore
your opportunities.
BBQ!
On September 10 after the 9:45 a.m.
service join the church for a BBQ Cookout
on the front lawn and in Fellowship Hall.
Moon Bounce, Corn Hole, Volleyball, and a
variety of fun and games for
all ages. This is a
GREAT Sunday to invite a
friend to one of our worship
services and then stay for
food & fellowship as we kick
off the fall season together.
Two drawings will also be
held that Sunday during the BBQ for a 4-
person movie pack (equivalent value $50) --
one for all first-time guests and one for any
of our regular members and worshippers
who have invited a friend! Winners must be
present to win!
Sneedville News Thanks for all you as a congregation have done for Sneedville. If you have In-Kind donations to give, there is still time to do so. We will need them no later than September 10 so we can pack them into boxes for our trip on September 14. Please label them Sneedville and place them in the hall closet across from the church office. We will load our vehicles on September 13.
If you are interested in going with us on September 14, please let Jeanette Parham know as soon as possible.
We will be commissioned at church on September 10.
5
Lunch With Friends
Lunch With Friends (formerly Senior Ladies Lunch Group) will meet the third Tuesday of the month, September through June, at 11:15 a.m. in the room next to the kitchen. Participants do not need to be members of St. Stephen’s.
Please bring your own lunch and we will provide a variety of delicious desserts and gourmet coffee. We often play a few rounds of BINGO after lunch with prizes provided by members.
If you would like to drop by and join us, we would be delighted to have you. If interested, please contact Diane Yim, 703-978-7521 or [email protected].
Join Us Where Moms Connect: 2nd Cup
Attention moms, grandmothers, and other female caregivers of
children. We are excited to share a 2nd cup of coffee, a snack,
and visit with you in the Welcome Center September 18. We
will talk about the "Adventure" we plan for our year together.
We will meet at 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m., so if your child is
attending preschool you have time to deliver him or her to their
class and then join us for a lively discussion, sharing, and
support.
We also offer child care for your other preschool children in the
church nursery during our meeting time. We only meet when
Fairfax Country Public Schools are open.
Phoenix Rising Month
Meal Packing
Phoenix Rising is a ministry that seeks to support those who are homeless or nearly homeless living along the Route One corridor in Fairfax County. Join us on Thursday, September 28, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship hall for our meal packing event.
Delivery
We also need help with delivering the meals on Friday, September 29, 5-9 p.m. If you can help, please email Melissa Dutcher at [email protected].
Donations
We need donations for food and snacks for the meal packing event. Donations needed: individual bags of chips or crackers, Capri Sun drink pouches, peanut butter cracker packs, squeezable bottles of grade jelly, and fruit snack packets. Please put your donations in the box in the Gathering Place during the month of September.
6
September 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
5:00 PM First Fridays - Green Groceries
2
10:30 AM
Great Salvation Christian Fellowship, Liturgical Dance
3
9:30 AM
Cherub Choir
4:30 PM
Mustard Seed Productions
5:00 PM
Tai Chi
4
Labor Day
7:00 PM
ESOL Class
5
9:30 AM
Maranatha Singers
11:00 AM Staff Meeting
6:30 PM Girl ScoutsTroop 559
6:30PM Source Planning
7:00PM Cmmte:Stewardship
7:00 PM Cub Scout Pack 1131
7:00PM
Source Band
6
6:30 AM Youth Breakfast Study
9:15 AM Wednesday Women's Study
6:00 PM Youth Free Wings & Bible Study
7:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 1131
7:30 PM Children's Sunday School Teacher Training
7:30 PM Cmmte: Outreach
7:30 PM Cmmte: SPPRC
7:30 PM Cmmte: Trustees
7
3:30 PM
Youth Frozen Yogurt
6:00 PM
Girl Scout Troop 559
7:00 PM
ESOL Class
7:30 PM
Bits & Pieces
8:15 PM
Mostly Men Choir
8 9
9:30 AM
Children's Sunday School Teacher Training
10
9:30 AM
Cherub Choir
9:45 AM
Sunday School
Service
4:30 PM
Mustard Seed Productions
5:00 PM
Tai Chi
5:30 PM
Youth Group-Tailgate Kick-Off
11
9:15 AM
Where Moms Connect
6:45 PM
Orchestra
7:00 PM
Brownie Troop
7:00 PM
ESOL Class
7:30 PM
Chancel Choir
7:30 PM
Mighty Peals of Joy
12
9:30AM
Maranatha Singers
11:00 AM Staff Meeting
5:30PM
Brownie Troop #1186
6:30 PM Girl ScoutsTroop 559
7:00PM Cmmte: Stewardship
7:00 PM
Cub Scout Pack 1131
7:00PM
Source Band
7:30 PM Girl Scout Serivce Unit 54-15
13
6:30 AM
Youth Breakfast Study
9:15 AM
Wed. Women's Study
10:00 AM Creative Hearts/Hands
12:00PM
Sneedville Packing
6:00 PM Youth Wings, Bible Study
6:30 PM Cmmte: FIT
7:00 PM Cmmte: FACE
7:30 PM Boy
Scout Troop1131
7:30 PM Cmmte: Church & Society
7:30 PM Cmmte: Communications
7:30PM Stephen Ministry
14
10:00 AM UMW Book Club
3:30 PM Youth Frozen Yogurt
5:30 PM Girl Scout Daisy Troop 1186
6:00 PM Girl Scout Troop 559
6:30 PM
Cmmte: Music
7:00 PM Boy Scout Order of the Arrow
7:00 PM Boy Scout Round Table
7:00 PM ESOL Cl.
7:30 PM
Bits & Pieces
7:30 PM
New Horizon Group
8:15 PM
Mostly Men Choir
15
4:00 PM
Deadline for SCROLL Articles
6:00 PM
Mission Possible Kids
6:00 PM
Wedding Rehearsal
16
9:00 AM
NVAEYC Training
10:00 AM
Great Salvation Christian Fellowship, Choir
12:00 PM
Wedding
7
September 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
17
9:30 AM
Blood Pressure Clinic
9:30 AM
Cherub Choir
9:45 AM
Sunday School
Service
12:30 PM
Church Table
4:30 PM
Mustard Seed Productions
5:00 PM
Tai Chi
5:30 PM
Youth Group
18
9:15 AM
Where Moms Connect
2:00 PM
Blood Drive
6:45 PM
Orchestra
7:00 PM
ESOL Class
7:30 PM
Chancel Choir
7:30 PM
Mighty Peals of Joy
19
9:30 AM
Maranatha Singers
11:00 AM
Staff Meeting
11:15 AM
Lunch With Friends
6:30 PM
Girl ScoutsTroop559
6:30 PM
Service4Others
7:00 PM
Cmmte: Stewardship
7:00 PM
Cub Scout Pack 1131
7:00 PM
20
6:30 AM Youth Breakfast Study
9:15 AM Wednesday Women's Study
11:00 AM UMM Men's Bible Study
12:00 PM Retired Men's Lunch
6:00 PM Youth Free Wings & Bible Study
7:00 PM Cmmte: Youth Ministry
7:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 1131
7:30 PM Children & Family Council
7:30 PM Cmmte: 50+
7:30 PM Cmmte: Finance
7:30 PM Cmmte: Worship
21
3:30 PM
Youth Frozen Yogurt
6:00 PM
Girl Scout Troop 559
7:00 PM
ESOL Class
7:30 PM
Bits & Pieces
8:15 PM
Mostly Men Choir
22
First Day of Autumn
4:00 PM
Grace Ministries Set-Up
23
7:30 AM
Grace Ministries
24
9:30 AM
Cherub Choir
9:30 AM
UMW Board Meeting
9:45 AM
Sunday School
4:30 PM
Mustard Seed Productions
5:00 PM
Tai Chi
5:30 PM
Youth Group
25
9:15 AM
Where Moms Connect
9:30 AM
UMW Board Meeting
6:45 PM
Orchestra
7:00 PM
Brownie Troop
7:00 PM
ESOL Class
7:30 PM
Chancel Choir
7:30 PM
Men's Gathering
7:30 PM
Mighty Peals of Joy
26
9:30 AM
Maranatha Singers
11:00 AM
Staff Meeting
5:30 PM
Brownie Troop #1186
6:30 PM
Girl Scouts Troop 559
7:00 PM
Cmmte: Stewardship
7:00 PM
Cub Scout Pack 1131
7:00 PM
Source Band
7:30 PM
Boy Scout Patriot District Committee
27
6:30 AM
Youth Breakfast Study
9:15 AM
Wednesday Women's Study
10:00 AM
Creative Hearts/Creative Hands
6:00 PM
Preschool Back to School Event
6:00 PM
Youth Free Wings & Bible Study
6:30 PM
Grace Ministries Praise Band
7:30 PM
Boy Scout Troop 1131
7:30 PM
Church Council
28
3:30 PM
Youth Frozen Yogurt
5:30 PM
Girl Scout Daisy Troop 1186
6:00 PM
Girl Scout Troop 559
6:00 PM
Preschool Back to School Event
6:30 PM
Phoenix Rising Food Preparation
7:00PM
ESOL Class
7:30 PM
Bits & Pieces
8:15 PM
Mostly Men Choir
29
5:00 PM
Phoenix Rising Delivery
30
8
United Methodist Women is open to all women in the church. For more information
on any of our activities please pick up a red UMW Activity Sheet in the Gathering
Place or on the UMW Bulletin Board.
Betty Whitehurst Circle: will meet on Monday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck at Nancy Hoyler’s, 11503 Clara Barton Drive, Fairfax, 22039. Call Marion Gunnell (703-978- 1950) or Jane Keck (703-250- 1935) to let them know you will be our guest for dinner.
Faithful Friends Circle: will meet at Valerie Bates’, 9583 Bronte Drive, Burke, 22015 on Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. We will have a potluck, will share our summer adventures and plan for the new year. For information contact Valerie Bates (703-425- 5470).
Frances Allen Circle: will meet Thursday, September 14 at 9:30 a.m. at Doris Gearing’s, 4827 Tabard Place, Annandale, 22003. We will plann our programs for the coming year. Visitors and prospective members are welcome. For more information, call Priscilla Parrott (703-865- 6042) or Betty Ann Van Matre (703-978- 7089).
Teen Circle: will meet at the church on Sunday, September 3 at 11:00 a.m. in Room M9. For more information, contact Betty
Baumgartner (703-239- 0125) or Sara Alexander (703-470- 2656).
Service4Others: will make dinner for Homestretch on Wednesday, September 20. For more information contact Jean Sclater (703-323- 9620) or Jarlene Phelps (703-851- 6043). On Thursday, September 21
Service 4Others: will meet at the Fairfax County Shelter to make cat treats for a fall adoption event. For information contact Cindy Sbrocco (703-764- 8913).
Creative Hearts, Creative Hands: will meet the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month (September 13 and 27) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room M9. Bring a project that is portable, your lunch, and a beverage. Contact: Jean Taylor (703-644- 9480 or [email protected]).
New Dimension Circle: An e-mail circle for women of our church who cannot participate in a monthly circle meeting, but would like to be informed about UMW and St. Stephen’s. Contact Linda Baird, (703-591- 6023 or [email protected]).
UMW Board Meeting: will meet on Monday, September
25 in Room C40 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For questions please contact Suzanne Bottoms ([email protected] or 703-978- 4871).
Book Club: will meet on Thursday, September 21 at 10 a.m. in Room C40. The book is Last One Home by Debbie Macomber. For more information and/or any child care needs, please contact Rachel Martinez ([email protected] or 703-425- 0480).
Wednesday Women’s Bible Study: will meet on Wednesday, September 6 at 9:30 a.m . We will study Fearless by Max Lucado. For more information please contact Patti Keppler ([email protected] or 571-214- 4296) or Vicki Mazzocco ([email protected] or 703-425- 1820).
The UMW Reading Program: Fully Awake and Truly Alive - Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul, by Rev. Jane E. Vennard. It expands our understanding of prayer and spiritual practices. Each chapter ends with guidelines for more extended practice and includes steps to take and questions to ask.
9
Youth Ministry News for 7-12 Graders
Kick-Off Party
This year's fall party has been designed and led by
students, particularly Abby Guckenberger. Abby and
many of the other students have answered the call of
God to take leadership roles in our ministry. Thanks to
Abby, all the youth, and to parents Susan and Hope
for all your efforts to start the year off with a great
and welcoming party.
New Youth Ministry Bulletin Board
Stop by the Bulletin board by the Fellowship Hall.
Hope Caggiano and family worked hard to put
together this great artwork which conveys what
God is up to in our Youth Ministry. Thanks to the
Caggianos and to all who help the Youth Ministry
fulfill its mission.
@ssumc_youth
@saintstephensyouth
http://www.ststephensfairfax.org/opportunities-for-youth/
SummerCon by Matthew Lydon
SummerCon was an interesting experience. We had fun playing games and seeing places and things,
but it was all deeply rooted in theology. I think the best part was the 'curriculum' wasn't pre-
dictated by some handbook on teaching teens about the bible. It was about the questions we had
been asking. We were encouraged to ask the hardest questions we could. It wasn't an atmosphere
we were familiar with and the new experience was exciting. Drew did his best to answer all the
questions and it paid off. I gained new insight into what God is and I hope to go along for the
next few years. - Matthew Lydon, 11th Grader, minister in the AV booth and member of the
Youth Band.
10
AUGUST PICTURES
SummerCon for Youth
SummerCon for Youth Sound of Music Performance
11
Rev. Mark Mrini
Senior Pastor
Extension 104
Rev. Abi Foerster
Associate Pastor
Extension 103
Rev. Drew VanDyke Colby
Associate Pastor
Extension 105
Tammy Lydon
Director of Music Ministries
Extension 107
Veronica Mayes
Preschool Director
703-978-9024
Ashley Hill
Coordinator of Communications
Karen Wells
Office Manager
Extension 102
Susan Snow
Financial Manager
Extension 106
Anita Febbo
Administrative Assistant
Extension 100
Leslie McAndrew
Preschool Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Sarah Backes
Assistant Youth Minister [email protected]
Mike Faunda
Director of Media Ministries
Dr. Ingrid Lesturd
Children’s Music Ministry Coordinator
Esther Lee Accompanist
Harold Mansfield
Maintenance Engineer
Contact Information
St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church
9203 Braddock Rd., Burke, VA 22015
703-978-8724
ststephensfairfax.org
12
September 2017
ST. STEPHEN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 9203 Braddock Rd. Burke, VA 22015