what s at redeemer today - … · june 3—festal choral evensong june 6—safety at redeemer...

THE REDEEMER SPIRIT JUNE 2018

A monthly publication of The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda, Maryland

WHAT’S AT REDEEMER TODAY

Looking Ahead: June 4—Taize June 3—Festal Choral Evensong June 6—Safety at Redeemer presentation June 8—Strawberry picking and hulling June 9—Strawberry Festival June 18—CAIF Potluck Dinner June 24—”Silent” Movie Night August 4-13—Choir in Bristol, U.K.

Volunteers needed for Summer Water Ministry at St Columba’s This summer Redeemer will be joining St. Columba's and St. Dunstan's in serving the guests who come to St. Columba's for the summer water ministry services which include showers, laundry and lunch. Water Ministry is open Mon, Tues, Thursday and Friday from June through mid August at St. Columba's church in Tenleytown. Volunteer jobs include: setting up the lunch room and helping with clean up enrolling guests and monitoring the laundry and

shower services, preparing a simple sandwich and salad lunch and

cleaning up. You can volunteer for one day, everyday or anything in between. If you are interested in participating see Karen Stewart at coffee hour, email [email protected] or text at 301-310-1014.

See page 6 & 7

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The Redeemer Spirit June 2018

THE SENIOR WARDEN

From the Senior Warden Dear Friends, Perennials in DC gardens are slowly turning from pink to blue and purple. I’m not sure why there are these color stages in the spring garden, but it gives us a temporal compass—a color gauge of where we are in the run-up until summer, that sunny chaos of months. Several of us from Redeemer took part in the prayer service and candlelit vigil at the White House on Thursday, May 24th, Reclaiming Jesus. This was another compass, a re-orienting and centering of what we believe—in Jesus Christ and in his first two command-ments: to love God completely and to love all people as ourselves. I was proud to be there, silently processing with 3,000 believers as we digested the words we had just heard from various Christian leaders. See you at the Strawberry Festival! This year, for the first time, we will open the doors of our sanctuary to any who want to enter that light-filled space and listen to our choir. There may be folks at the festival interested in our church and what sets it apart; be a witness. Peace,

Susan Graham Fitzgerald, Senior Warden

Redeemer Book Group Our next book we will be reading is Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp, a New York Times best-selling author. A parlor maid, Cluny Brown, upends the lives of an aristo-cratic family in prewar England. The book will be discussed on June 10 at the home of Huda & Jochen Kraske, 4550 North Park Avenue, Apt. 410, Chevy Chase, MD. 20815. After that, we will be reading the following two books: Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward and the Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. More on these two books later.

Questions: contact Huda Kraske at [email protected] or by calling 301 656 2087.

Coffee and Conversation with friends from Redeemer and St. John's Norwood congregations. Every first Wednesday, starting June 6, from 10-12 come for morning coffee (or tea) at Barbara Thackray's apartment in Kenwood House, at 5100 Dorset Ave., Chevy Chase, next to the Crescent Trail. Plenty of off-street parking. 301-656-5787.

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FROM THE HEARTH—OR THE DOGS!

I dread it. Every year. The letter that says it’s time for my annual mammogram. I didn’t put it off this year, like I sometimes do. Not for long, mind you, but sometimes for a month or two. I’m glad I scheduled it immediately. This year, they found something called atypical ductal hypoplasia and a papilloma. I’m calling it “stuff”. Since April 23rd, I’ve been in a doctor’s office every week. A second mammogram to confirm the “stuff”. A needle biopsy. A surgical consul-tation. Pre-op physical. Surgery is scheduled in June to get the “stuff” out. Good News: It’s an outpatient procedure and I should not be away long, but probably not at full steam, so please bear with me. More Good News: At this point, all indications are that the ‘stuff’ is benign. The doc is doing pathology work anyway, just in case. Even More Good News: Thanks to you, I have insurance. All of this has made it so much more clear how fortunate I am. It’s been nerve-wracking to say the least, but things could be so much worse. I’ve confided, up to now, in my staff and the vestry and my family; the outpouring of prayers and positive energy have been overwhelming. Hubby Steve has been wonderful. Thank you all. I also have a better sense of what it means to pray to God to ‘shield the joyous’. There’s nothing like a serious health scare to turn a positive attitude into fear. Many of you know that all too well. Believe me, you all have been in my heart these past few weeks. I’m grateful for your witness to your faith in God, in the medical community, and to your families…and now to me. So, this summer, take stock of your blessings. Give thanks to God for all of them. Sign up to volunteer at the Strawberry Festival if you haven’t already. And, (dang it) get your annual exams.

Amma Cricket

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STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

The Strawberry Festival’s success is dependent upon everyone’s volunteering. There are plenty of ways to help. Michael Mershon will be gathering signatures for the many, many opportunities to serve. You could volunteer to lead or participate in: Picking strawberries on Friday morning Hulling strawberries on Friday afternoon Sorting and arranging clothing for the Boutique Sorting and arranging books for the Book Sale Asking restaurants, salons, and other places you frequent for a gift certificate for the Silent Auction Arranging the collectibles sale Setting up the morning of the Festival Selling tickets Selling grilled items Selling strawberry items Selling boutique, books, and collectibles Supervising the bounce house Painting faces Supervising the Silent Auction …and inviting your friends and neighbors to come to the Festival!

Contact Michael Mershon at [email protected] or sign up on the volunteer sheets.

If you have an item for the Silent Auction, get the form on the Redeemer Website! Bill MacBain [email protected] Toyin Rose [email protected]

We already have a number of items donated for the 2018 Strawberry Festival Silent Auction. They are: Silk Scarf Sparkly Shawl Pet sitting Baby’s first library House cleaning Tour of the Southern Shenando-ah Valley Tickets to the ballet Flower arrangement Autographed books from Liz Coley ++K. J. Schori Jewelry Nordstrom gift certificate Dinner for eight with the bishop of Washington

What will you add to the list?

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS TO DATE

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REASSESSING VALUES

By Laura Rose I have occasionally listened to Suzi Orman, the financial guru. One thing she once said has stuck with me. This is not a quote: We need to learn to value the saved dollar (over the bigger house, newer car, latest technolo-gy, most exotic trips, etc.). I tucked that away and pull it out now and then to keep myself from buying something I can easily do without. I’ve been reading The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz with a couple of friends. Basically, the book is about how much of what was instilled in us in our formative years is not true and ways we can replace much of what we were taught with truths. I think I can use Suzi Orman’s advice as a template to help me do this. As I write this, I’m in Phoenix visiting my parents. My father and I do not get along, we never have. After decades of arguing, calmly stating the truth, attempting to reason with him and begging for compromise, I’ve learned that the only way to avoid arguing with him is to keep quiet. This is difficult when he is belligerent, insulting, hypocritical . . . you get it. To help me keep my mouth shut when home, I want to learn to value the silence following his ugly comments. I’ll value the fact that I’m not contributing to the ugliness as I have in the past. I’ll value the reality of him having no fodder whatsoever from me. I’ll learn to let the brazen bells of his words and actions ring alone. I have long sought comfort in sweets and alcohol. (My father is a decades long alcoholic, and a rare festive-like atmosphere came to our house when he’d decide we should make a run to the store and each get a bag of candy – gedunk, he called it.) I’ve made long strides of progress over the years in taming my drinking, but the sugar bug holds me fast. Some dieticians say to replace candy with something like raisins. Oh, puhleeease. A bunch of raisins instead of a box of chocolates? If I’m going to replace candy with something so unlike it, I think I’ll head to-ward the pride I feel when I resist eating it and, instead, get myself lost in writing or practicing music or preparing a healthy meal. Raisins. Ha! I have a quick temper and lose patience too easily sometimes. I can hold it together for the big stuff, thank God. I’ve had to fly home to help my parents with errands and my mother’s stints in rehabilitation (finding a longer-term care facility for her, talking with their financial advisor and attorney to be sure eve-rything is in line, etc.) During one visit, my husband and I were closing on a house which I had to do remotely while helping my parents. I managed things quite well. But when I stopped off to get a well-deserved fountain-serve Pepsi (one of my favorite treats) and the 7-11 was out of Pepsi, I returned to the car curs-

ing. Good grief. My younger self would never have done that. I’ve picked up that behavior from somewhere and I don’t like it. Sometimes I can gently berate myself. Oh, poor me. Here I sit in this healthy body, money in my purse craving a particular drink I must now drive (in this well-running, paid off car) another three blocks to get! That’s about the time I recognize that I have no real problems. There’s an old picture of me taken one Christmas morning. I was about eleven years old. I stood in my new Christmas clothes (pants too long, cuffed up about four inches) holding a big basket of fruit. There was an elderly couple living down the street and I, in my child’s mind, thought they must be lonely and hungry. So I made them a basket of fruit for Christmas. We were strangers. The lady was sure I had the wrong house. It turned out they were neither lonely nor hungry, and we each had a new friend. I want to find that picture and put it on the refrigerator. That picture embodies my true spirit. I haven’t lost that spirit, but it gets shoved aside too often. If that original spirit can sing louder than the voices that have taught me to yell, curse and argue, I think I can replace the anger with goodness. That little girl holding the fruit basket was up against a lot at home, but she went into the world with a gift. I hope I can remember that I’m still her the next time I feel ugliness well up in me. I know I need to stand up for my-self because there won’t always be someone else to do it, so I’m not talking about returning to a place like childhood when I was more helpless. I’m talking about systematically removing learned practices (like cursing) and replacing them with what is in my true self (gifts of the spirit). Every time my husband and I move is a new opportunity to somewhat reinvent myself. It would be nice if, this September, I could establish myself in Russia as someone who passes on desserts, has no limit to her patience and can laugh at daily annoyances. Perhaps I can replace the temptations and aggrava-tions I feel with a walk out into the city of Vladivostok to let in the newness of my new home. And perhaps the newness of Vladivostok will compliment or encourage the renewal of my spirit.

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See more on page 12

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Reclaiming Jesus: Next Steps? On May 24, Amma Cricket and Redeemer parishioners joined over 1,000 people led by our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Reverend Jim Wallis of Sojourners and other faith leaders in a vigil in Washington D.C. entitled “Reclaiming the Integrity of Faith During Political and Moral Crisis.” The vigil included a 90 mi-nute service at the National Christian Church in Washington, followed by a can-dlelight procession to the White House. The purpose of the vigil and procession was to explain and publicly present “Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith In a Time of Crisis” during Pentecost, when the early Christians took their faith to the streets. The Reclaiming Jesus declaration avers that “we are living through perilous and polarizing times as a nation, with a dangerous crisis of moral and political leader-ship at the highest levels of our government and churches.” It recalls Martin Lu-ther King, Jr.’s reminder that the church “is not the master or servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state,” and declares that “it is time to renew our

theology of public discipleship and witness.” The declaration lays out six core affirmations of Christian faith and six rejections of policies and practices that contravene them. The ecumenical Reclaiming Jesus declaration and movement evolved out of discussions between Bishop Curry and Rev Wallis and a meeting hosted by Curry with a range of church leaders at Episcopal Church House in New York on Ash Wednesday. It has been signed by 23 Protestant, Catholic and evangelical leaders and remains open to signature by others who share a commitment to use the declaration and the resources created to support it to begin a process of discernment, prayer, reflection and action with their con-gregations (see reclaimingjesus.org). The Reclaiming Jesus initiative reflects the conviction of faith leaders that the soul of the nation and the integrity of the Christian faith are at stake and Christians must respond. According to Presiding Bishop Curry, however, “we are not a partisan group, we are not a left wing group, we are not a right wing group, we are a Jesus Movement...and we came together, Protestant, Catholic, evangelical, we came together Republicans, Independents, and Democrats, we came together liberal and conservative...we came together because what binds us together is Jesus of Nazareth and his Way.”

The Reclaiming Jesus declaration is a call to action. Curry stated that “it can be used to help people identify what are the core Chris-tian beliefs that actually matter in my life and how do I live them out following the teachings of Jesus...my hope is that our folk will take it and study and reflect on it, pray on it and the decide what are we going to do about it.” Redeemer began this process with the five week Civil Discourse curriculum it studied over Lent. The Reclaiming Jesus website also offers a 9 session Bible study. The Declaration concludes that “our urgent need, in a time of moral and political crisis, is to recover the power of confessing our faith...we believe it is time to speak and act in faith and conscience, not because of politics, but because we are disciples of Christ.” How shall we respond? Anne Derse

h ps://www.episcopalnewsservice.org /2018/05/25/presiding‐bishop‐co‐leads‐service‐candlelight‐public‐witness‐to‐the‐

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MUSIC AT REDEEMER

Looking ahead to August, the keen-eyed among you may notice that choir members will be absent from the pews. This is because we are going on a pilgrimage week to Bristol Cathedral in the UK (August 5-12) a culmination of two years of planning by my predecessor, Chris Betts (who will be attending to play organ and direct on the Friday). In Bristol Cathedral, as Choir in Residence for a week, we will be taking part in a tradition of daily worship of Evensong. This pattern of Evensongs dates back to the foundation of the Cathedral in 1542 after the dissolution of the monasteries, and is a classic English compromise of melding the old into the new, with the formation of the then new service from the ancient monastic offices of Vespers and Compline (sung in the same building since the Augustinian foundation of 1140). Not everyone gets to be part of this Cathedral’s story, and it is a huge honor for an American choir to be entrusted with this privilege. The first question British Cathedrals ask a visiting choir when it makes an enquiry is regarding the quality of its Psalm singing: it is their litmus test. Like at Redeemer, this treasury of text that we share with Judaism is essential to worship, but in an Evensong, the Psalm rises in status in a service where there is no Eucharist. I am glad to say that because of the store Redeemer places on its weekly Psalm singing, and the training my predecessors have instilled and on which I build, I am confident that we are up to the task! Besides Psalm singing, one of the main reasons for going to Bristol is that we will each grow from the experience musically and strengthen our relationships socially. A choir is a team like any other, and we grow as Church musicians by singing with different people and in different configurations. Also, crucially, we grow by singing in different spaces. For classical singers, the room is another member of the ensemble – some would say, the most important one! In order to sound as one, and to give intelligibility and emotion to sacred text, we match our vowels, and we listen out for other voice parts; yet we each sound, hear and listen differently in different spaces. Therefore, it is not an understatement to state that the way we approach our task and responsibility to contribute to worship, is fashioned and informed by the sum total of the experiences each individual has had sing-ing in many rooms—from small to large, and from acoustically ‘dry’ to acoustically ‘wet’, and the skills developed in the process. What sound we get back from the room, (how long it takes to reach us, and for how long it lasts…and indeed, if it even comes back in the

same key…), impacts artistic choices regarding pace, artic-ulation, tone and diction to communicate text and emo-tion to the best of our abili-ties. At Redeemer, as a Choir, we make our words sound clear, working with the modest yet warm acoustical return, by creating a vibrant and blended sound of matched vowels, and by focusing on what feel like fussy details, such as end consonants (in particular “D”s on “God” and “Lord”) —and through these details we strive to give intelligibility to the text. If we are weak with our final “d” consonants, the end of the word is replaced in the acoustic space by a continuance of the acoustic “tail” of the preceding (unified) vowel. Thus, “Go” and “Law” might well be heard…instead of “God” and “Lord”. These would be very different Psalms. In order to counter this without the aid of artificial, expensive and ultimately self-defeating, digital means, we sing a pitched and languid “d” that lasts a little more than usual, that acoustically “overwrites” the preceding vowel. This is just one of the many lessons that can only be learned by singing together in other rooms, and by investing in widening and deepening our own knowledge and abilities. A comedian who only plays one small room her entire career will not grow—an office worker who stays in one organization their entire career without ever having an opportunity for secondment or attending conferences will be unlikely to fulfil their full potential, an artist who only ever paints in watercolor on a 10x8 pad…and so it is with singers. By traveling to Bristol, our gifts will be enriched and our spirits uplifted by the ability to hear—in wetter acoustics—our sound naturally come back to us, bouncing off centuries-old hand carved stone and filtered through the dusty shafts of light from stained glass. Our experience will gladden the heart and train us to be an even better Choir. We look forward to the show and tell on our

return! Geoffrey Silver Interim Music Director

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MUSIC AT REDEEMER

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED ORGANIST, DAVID BRIGGS, BRINGS HITCHCOCK'S "THE LODGER" TO REDEEMER JUNE 24 On Sunday, June 24 at 8.00pm, Concert Organist, David Briggs, will be pre-senting a performance of Alfred Hitchcock's first great (and silent) movie, "The Lodger" with organ accompaniment. David Briggs, Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC is one of the most successful of all concert organist working today. He is particularly famous for his per-

formances all around the world of his own organ transcriptions of the the symphonies of Gustav Mah-ler, and of improvised organ music to silent mov-ies. The movies themselves, plus the improvised mu-sic, create an experience that is extremely mov-ing. 'The Lodger', released in 1927 and starring Ivor Novello, is the movie in which Hitchcock is generally accepted to have found his 'voice'. This event will definitely be a time to invite your friends and family to come to Redeemer, as we expect an enthusiastic audience. It is the last in a year-long series of events that highlight the 10th anniversary of our DiGennaro-Hart pipe organ. Very special thanks for the Friends of Music at Redeemer, whose generosity makes this event possible.

Music Department launches a new venture Exciting prospects ahead: This September we will be launching a combined commu-nity non-auditioned outreach chorus with St Dunstan's in an initiative called the Glen Echo Singers, a 501(c) 3 that will work alongside Friends of Music at Redeem-er to enrich our music, strengthen our identity, and grow our community-without draining our core budgets.The mission of this ensemble, which will meet on Wednesday nights, is to bring music in particular to those who can't travel easily (the elderly, the sick), music therapy to dementia patients, to bring an uplifting mo-ment to carers and volunteers at soup kitchens etc., and to nurture the new ensem-ble's membership through new artistic experiences. The first rehearsal will be Wednesday, September 12.

Festal Choral Evensong June 3 at 5:00pm Recep on to follow

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Interfaith News

CAIF families helped KindWorks set up another apartment for newly resettled refugees. "Many hands" truly "made light work" as about 20 volunteers from ages 6-60+ transformed the piles of donations into an inviting home for a family from Eritrea. The neighbor also helped. They

are also from Eritrea and have a child of similar age! One can imagine the stress of a move, needed because of instability in one's home country, and it is so meaningful to be able to hopefully ease the transition by having an inviting home set up with all the essentials, from toiletries to toys. KindWorks always sees the pantry is stocked with culturally relevant food and usually a fresh home cooked meal from their culture.

Dominique Rychlik

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Homelessness—Do we care?

Join us Monday June 11 for a program on Homelessness in Montgomery County at the newly named Connie Morella Library in Bethesda from 7 to 8:30 pm. The program will start with a 16-minute film from the County Council called “A Place to Call Home,” which focuses on the January Point of Time Count of homeless people in the county. Then there will be a panel discussion on programs and solutions for homelessness in Montgomery County with John Mendez from Bethesda Cares, Betsy Bowman from EveryMind, Christine Hong from Interfaith Works, and Susie Sinclair-Smith from Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless. This event is free and open to the public. The library is at 7400 Arling-ton Road, Bethesda. Sponsored by Bethesda Friends Meeting. Bethesda Cares provides extensive street outreach services throughout the down county areas of Montgomery County. It partners with other programs to conduct supportive housing activities for persons formerly homeless. It works to prevent homelessness through its Homeless Prevention program with utility shut off assistance and eviction prevention funds. www.bethesdacares.org EveryMind provides case management services for street homeless adults in Montgomery County. Services include shelter referrals, outreach, engagement, needs and housing assessments, entitlements and beneficiary referrals, advocacy, educa-tion, and connection to resources with a goal of connecting clients to shelter or permanent housing options. www.every-mind.org Interfaith Works serves Montgomery County residents through programs that prevent, stabilize and empower. These pro-grams provide emergency shelter in weather extremes, permanent supportive housing to men and women who have experienced chronic homelessness, and vocational services to connect un- and underemployed men and women to sustainable employment. www.iworksmc.org Since 1990, Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) has provided solutions to end homelessness in Montgom-ery County. MCCH’s mission is to ensure that homelessness in Montgomery County is a rare, brief, and nonrecurring experience. MCCH’s vision is to build a community where everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. www.mcch.net

Stephen Ministry Annual Area Network Meeting and UpComing Training Stephen Ministers are trained, caring listeners who can walk with you as you face a life change or challenge. On May 12, St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Silver Spring hosted an ecumenical gathering of nine area churches which offer Stephen Ministry to their congregations. The network supports training for Stephen Ministry, networking for Stephen Leaders and continuing education. Another 50 hour training session for Stephen Ministers will be held this fall at St. John's. Interested Redeemer parishioners are welcome to join! For more information on how you take the training and become a Stephen Minister or to obtain a referral for you or a loved one to be assigned a Stephen Minister, you can email St. John’s Stephen leaders Penny Winder ([email protected]), John Mertens ([email protected]), or Toni Hartman ([email protected]) or ask Anne Derse.

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Pastoral Care Committee Update The committee is working on the structure of their work and hopes to move full force into action this month. Please let Cricket know if you know of anyone who might not be on the prayer list, but who would appreciate a phone call or a card. Cricket is working with this list to help determine and prioritize the needs of people who are in our hearts and pray-ers. If you would like to join the group, please contact Carolyn Rutledge ([email protected]). Emails to this group can go to [email protected] You can help by contributing to the two new resources the Ministry is setting up. Food and transportation are resources we want to be prepared to offer whenever someone is in need. Please help if you are able by: 1. Contributing to the Redeemer "casserole bank." Cricket has offered the use of her large deep freezer for this pur-pose. You can make an extra casserole when it is convenient. Use a disposable container, label it for Pastoral Care with the date, contents, and number of servings, and bring it to Redeemer. 2. Offering to drive fellow parishioners in need of transport, for example to a medical appointment. Place your name on the 'Drivers List' if you are willing to be called and consider responding to an occasional opportunity to help as needs arise. As the Ministry develops, we would welcome offers of other specific talents or resources you think could enhance Redeem-er's Pastoral Care Ministry. Please feel free to contact Ministry members or chat with us on Sunday at coffee hour. We are happy to speak with anyone who would like to provide or request assistance.

Educa on for Ministry Who: YOU! Educa on for Ministry (EfM) is one of the best lay ministry for‐ma on programs available in the church. What: EfM is a four‐year program you commit to one year at a me. The first two years you read the Old and New Testaments. The third year is Church History. The fourth year explores theology and interfaith rela on‐ships. The seminar groups have mul ple years in them and func on much like a “one‐room schoolhouse” where ideas and discus‐sions bridge all areas of learning. You will create a spiritual autobiography, learn methods of theological reflec on, develop ways to sustain your spirituality, and explore how to integrate your beliefs and your behavior. Where: We have two groups at Redeemer. Jo Barclay‐Beard mentors a class on Tuesday evenings. Amma Cricket mentors a class on Wednesday mornings. When (do I sign up): Registra on for the 2018‐2019 program year is now! How: Complete an applica on form (available from either mentor), or if you are already a student, register on the sheet provided

by your mentor. Cost is $375 for the en re year and includes materials. You will need a study Bible, preferable a New Oxford

NRSV, but others are completely acceptable. Please pay by check. Credit cards are accepted; ask for a credit card form.

h p://efm.sewanee.edu/

What if? What would you do if you are a parent in church and your kids are downstairs and there is a fire in the kitchen? What if the stairway is blocked (it won’t be)? There have been 4 school shootings this month; are churches next? Flood, Fire, Accident, Terror, or anything! These all need a response from outside and we need to work with first responders so that we know what they will do and they know how to help us. We have a representative from Montgomery County coming to us on Wednesday, June 6th from 7 to 9pm to discuss this. Will you join us and then be aware of the potential, and be able to act in unison? Bill MacBain is heading up this adventure and can answer your questions.

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June 3, 2018 Second Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 Service, Lector: Marie France, Chalice: Susan Grigsby Ushers: Jefferson Arrington, Mary Helen Carlson, Meredith Griggs Crucifer: Youth Choir Acolyte: Olivia Tyler Lectors: Dawn Fairbanks, Meredith Griggs Intercessor: Michael Mershon Chalice: Michael Mershon, Judy James, Patricia Snowden Counters: Jane Dealy, Melinda Nelson Altar Guild: Ann Hartman, Marie France, Cathy Baker Coffee Hour:

June 10, 2018 Third Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 Service, Lector: Susan Grigsby, Chalice: Tami McMinn Ushers: Jefferson Arrington, Rick Tyler, Madeleine Tyler Crucifer: Youth Choir Acolyte: Anne Derse Lectors: Huda Kraske, Michael Mershon Intercessor: Peggy Tucker Chalice: Jenny Nachbar, Nathan Price, Justin Hess Counters: Cathy Arrington, Clark Downs Altar Guild: Susan Fitzgerald, Diana Dial, Helen Zitomer, Judy James Coffee Hour:

June 17, 2018 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 Service, Lector: Rachel King, Chalice: Marie France Ushers: Jefferson Arrington, Bill MacBain, Mary K Young Crucifer: Youth Choir Acolyte: TBD Lectors: Jenny Nachbar, Patricia Snowden Intercessor: Dawn Fairbanks Chalice: Chrissy de Fontenay, Helen Zitomer, Michael Hart Counters: Jane Dealy, Mary K Young Altar Guild: Patricia Snowden, Tami McMinn, Cathy Baker, Ann Taylor Coffee Hour:

In the summertime, worship assistants will sign up on the board in the Narthex. You can sign up on Sunday, or after for the following Sunday. If you are a lector, we will send you the readings on Friday by email. Young people are encouraged to partici-pate in this, even if you have not done it before. Training will be available if it seems necessary. We resume the regular schedule on Sep-tember 9th. The September schedule will be in the August Redeemer Spirit. Worship assistants are listed in the This Week At Redeemer on Tuesdays, which is also on the Redeemer web site.

Summer me

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR

JUNE

Summer Sundays & Liturgy Changes Due to popular demand, we’re going to do the summer sign-up for acolyte/crucifer, lectors, intercessors, and chalice bearers when you arrive on Sunday morning. Sign-up on the whiteboard. Please try new things. Please don’t hog a ministry. There’s plenty of things to do and lots of opportunities to go around. Check out the readings at https://lectionarypage.net if you want to prepare ahead of time for a lesson. Our young people are ENCOURAGED to sign up. No one has to be perfect. Note: we are using Track One for the Old Testament readings this summer. Much to learn about Samuel, Saul, and King David. Welcome to “Canaan Place”! Final-ly, please let Geoffrey know if you are a musician and are interested in playing something this summer in church. We began on Trinity Sunday a new means of getting out of church. The choir will be seated during the final organ selection and then leave the church with everyone after the dismissal. We’re instituting these changes for logistical reasons. We’re all dismissed at the same time so that all can arrive at coffee hour at the same time. Many of you stay to listen to the Organ Voluntary at the end of the service, which is great. It’s not so great for visitors who have no one to greet them downstairs. Let’s all gather for prayer upstairs and coffee/conversation downstairs so that no one is left out.

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Catechism Corner Sunday morning – The Word of God Beginning in 1979, with the ratification of the Book of Common Prayer, Holy Eucharist (communion) became the principle liturgy of Sunday mornings. This month, we’ll look at the first half of the service. The first part of the Eucharistic service is called The Word of God. It’s made up of these sections:

Gathering Scripture Response to Scripture

Gathering The opening sentences differ according to the church year and the occasion. Usually, the priest says, “Blessed by God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” The people respond “And blessed by his/God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.” This changes during Lent or Advent or Easter. More is added on if there is a baptism or confirmation. Next comes the “Collect for Purity,” which asks God to help us make all of our thoughts worthy of the worship we are embarking on together. Next is a song of praise. This “song” can be spoken or sung. It can be the Gloria, the Kyrie, or the Trisagion. What are these? The Gloria praises God in the Trinity. The Kyrie – Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy – asks Jesus to be with and near us. The Trisagion, or “Three Holies,” praises God and asks God to be with us. The Collect of the Day follows the song of praise. A Collect is not a place or time to gather money! Put the emphasis on CO and not LECT. Collects are prayers that the prayer says on behalf of the entire congregation. It’s a “COllection” of the people’s prayers for the occasion. There are specific col-lects for each Sunday and many are written for other occa-sions. Scripture Sunday mornings usually include four readings from Holy Scripture. They are one from the Old Testament/Hebrew Scripture, one from the New Testament/Christian Scripture, a reading from one of the four Gospels, and a Psalm. In Eastertide, the Hebrew Scripture is replaced by a reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. The New Testament reading usually is from one of the epistles of Paul, James, John, Timothy, or the Letter to the Hebrews. Response The first response to the readings is the Sermon. Note that at each celebration of the Eucharist, a sermon is required. Sometimes, it’s called a homily. The terms are nearly interchangeable. The preacher in the Episcopal Church is bound to the scripture of the day.

The second response is the recitation of the Nicene Creed. This is said on Sundays and other Major Feasts (we’ll get to those in another article). The Nicene Creed was developed at the Council of Nicaea in the 4th century. They are ancient words we use to describe how we understand God to be present in our world and function in our world. The words “I believe” are not a requirement to take everything as scien-tific fact, but to “take into your heart” a desire to be in relationship with our Triune God and the church in which we live. After the creed, we pray for the people of God. We usually use the forms provided for us in the prayer book, but they can be written specifically for a season. The requirements of the Prayers of the People is to include intercession for the Universal Church, the Nation, the World, the Local Community, for all who suffer or are in trouble, and prayers for the departed. The priest reads a concluding Collect at the end of the Prayers of the People. Unless we are in Eastertide, we follow the prayers with a Confession of Sin. This is a generic confession. We acknowledge that we have not been the best human beings by choosing our own priorities over God’s. We ask God’s forgiveness for our misdoings. The priest, or the bishop if she is present, absolves you. (There is individual confession available, but we’ll talk about that sacrament in a future article.) The final response to scripture is to be “in peace with one another”. The Peace is not a mini-coffee hour. There is a fine line between a friendly exchange of The Peace of the Lord and a full-out time for conversation. The purpose here is to seek out anyone with whom we might have had a disagreement, or greet someone we don’t know, and offer them God’s peace. We enjoy a very friendly Peace at Redeemer, but we need to remember the real purpose of this liturgical moment and save our ‘catching up’ conversations for coffee hour. Please consider how this might make you feel if you are visiting for the first time. Next month: The Holy Communion

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Last month Lily Vivyan McGurrin was baptized at Redeemer, the same church her family has been attending for six generations. Lily is the daughter of Sarah Nelson and Evan McGurrin, the granddaughter of Melinda and John Nelson and the great granddaughter of Vivyan (Kim) Barrett. Lily joins a long line of women active in the Lay Ministry at Redeemer, including our founding mothers. There is a bronze plaque hanging outside the parish hall door that

commemorate Lily’s great, great, great aunts. These women were ac-tive in the life of the church work-ing on the altar guild, singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday School. In the Sacristy hangs a framed hand-laced altar cloth, with pictures of these women, inherited by Kim from her Aunt Jeanette. Lily’s great, great grandmother, Helen Ryan Stevens, inherited one of the Balzley castles in Mohican Hills from her Aunt Jeanette Stevens Gamble and she raised most of the azaleas in Mohican Hills, regularly providing flowers for the Redeemer altar. Her Great Grandma Kim rode from Mohican Hills on the handlebars of her brother’s bike to the church in Glen Echo, where they helped put coal in the furnace so the chapel would be bearably warm for the service. Kim sang in the choir and attended Sunday School with Dee Beilstein in the 1930s. Kim went on to buy a house a block from the

church in the 1960s, so she could run over whenever there was a need and actively participate in parish life; Lily now lives in that same house. Great Grandma Kim was a Sunday School teacher, on the Altar Guild, and an active Stephen Minister; Grandma Melinda has taught Sunday School at Redeemer for 45 years. Lily’s Mom, Sarah, was baptized at Redeemer and with Lily’s aunt and godmother, Katey, has helped with the Strawberry Festival all her life, starting out in 1989 at age 2 months, sitting on her mom’s lap selling tickets to the moon bounce. At the bottom of the plaque, given in loving memory of Theresa Smith Stevens, Jeanette Stevens Gamble, Mollie Stevens Stock and Mary Adams Stevens, is a quote from Proverbs 31: “Who shall find a valiant woman?” That Chapter goes on to

say: “She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard; She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm; She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night; She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle; She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.” May little Miss Lily follow in the footsteps of her valiant foremothers.

Six Generations at Redeemer!

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Parish Calendar Fri Jun 1 Justin, Martyr at Rome, c. 167 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Sanctuary

6:30 – 7:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall 8:30 – 9:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Sat Jun 2 The Martyrs of Lyons, 177 9:30 – 11:30am Yoga/Parish Hall Sun Jun 3 Ordinary Time, Proper 4 The Martyrs of Uganda, 1886 8 – 9am Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 9:15 – 9:45am Choir Warmup/Sanctuary 9:45 – 10:15am Youth Choristers Warmup/Sanctuary 10:30 – 11:45am Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 5 – 7:30pm Festal Choral Evensong & Re-ception/Sanctuary & Parish Hall Mon Jun 4 Church Office Closed 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Tue Jun 5 Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz, Missionary to Germany, and Martyr, 754 1 – 2pm Staff Meeting/Rector’s office 7:30 – 8:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Wed Jun 6 9 – 9:30am Morning Prayer/St. Luke's Chapel 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall 12 – 1pm Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 4:30 – 5:45pm Youth Choir Rehearsal 7 – 9pm Security Presentation/Nave Thu Jun 7 6:30 – 9:30pm Balkan Dancers/Parish Hall 7:30 – 9:30pm Adult Choir Rehearsal/Nave Fri Jun 8 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Sanctuary 6:30 – 7:30pm AA Meeting/Sanctuary 8:30 – 9:30pm AA Meeting/Sanctuary Sat Jun 9 Columba, Abbot of Iona, 597 11am – 3pm Strawberry Festival!

Sun Jun 10 Ephrem of Edessa, Syria, Deacon, 373 Ordinary Time, Proper 5 8 – 9am Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 9:15 – 9:45am Adult Choir Warmup/Sanctuary 9:45 – 10:15am Youth Choristers Warmup/Sanctuary 10:30 – 11:45a Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 12 – 1pm Sunday School Teachers Mtg/Large Classroom Mon Jun 11 Saint Barnabas the Apostle 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Tue Jun 12 Enmegahbowh, Priest and Missionary, 1902 1 – 2pm Staff Meeting/Rector’s Office 7:30 – 8:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Wed Jun 13 9 – 9:30am Morning Prayer/St. Luke's Chapel 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall 12 – 1pm Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary Thu Jun 14 Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, 379 6:30 – 9:30pm Balkan Dancers/Parish Hall Fri Jun 15 Evelyn Underhill, 1941 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Sanctuary 6:30 – 7:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall 8:30 – 9:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Sat Jun 16 Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, 1752 9:30 – 11:30am Yoga/Parish Hall Sun Jun 17 Father's Day Ordinary Time, Proper 6 8 – 9am Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 10:30 – 11:45am Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary Mon Jun 18 Bernard Mizeki, Catechist and Martyr in Rhodesia, 1896 Church Office Closed 12 – 1p AA Meeting/Parish Hall Tue Jun 19 1 – 2pm Staff Meeting/Rector’s Office 7:30 – 8:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Wed Jun 20

9 – 9:30am Morning Prayer/St. Luke's Chapel 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall 12 – 1pm Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 6:30 – 8:30pm Vestry Meeting Thu Jun 21 6:30 – 9:30pm Balkan Dancers/Parish Hall Fri Jun 22 Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c. 304 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Sanctuary 6:30 – 7:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall 8:30 – 9:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Sat Jun 23 Eve of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist 9:30 – 11:30am Yoga/Parish Hall Sun Jun 24 Ordinary Time, Proper 7 The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist 8 – 9am Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 10:30 – 11:45am Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary 8 – 10pm David Briggs & Silent Movie/Sanctuary Mon Jun 25 Office Closed 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Tue Jun 26 1 – 2pm Staff Meeting/Rector’s office 7:30 – 8:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Wed Jun 27 9 – 9:30am Morning Prayer/St. Luke's Chapel 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall 12 – 1pm Holy Eucharist/Sanctuary Thu Jun 28 Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, c. 202 6:30 – 9:30pm Balkan Dancers/Parish Hall Fri Jun 29 Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles 12 – 1pm AA Meeting/Sanctuary 6:30 – 7:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall 8:30 – 9:30pm AA Meeting/Parish Hall Sat Jun 30 9:30 – 11:30am Yoga/Parish Hall 12 – 5pm The Advent Project concert (4.00pm)/Sanctuary

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VESTRY MINUTES

Vestry Minutes (unapproved) Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

6201 Dunrobbin Drive, Bethesda, MD 20816 May 16, 2018 6:30 p.m.

Attending: Rev. Cricket Park, Susan Fitzgerald, Karen Stewart, Brooke Anthony, David Brown, Bill MacBain, Steve Gibson, Ma-rie Caulfield, Randolph Court, Shannon Hoogerheide Guest: Geoffrey Silver Absent: Judy James, Catherine Sands Bill MacBain opened the meeting with prayer. Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the April meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Steve Gibson noted that we are ahead of budget year-to-date and look to be in “solid shape” as of today. We’ve received $15,000 in donations in memory of Peter Carlson. Thanks to these dona-tions, Steve believes we may end the year with a balanced budget. Steve plans to contact our current auditor, Michael Febrey, for an estimate for this year’s audit. Motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurers re-port. Motion passed unanimously. In addition to her written report, Amma Cricket reported that the emails have gone out to those folks who participated in the photo directory shoot. She hopes to finalize all of this soon. She also will ask the office staff to double check our insurance policy to ensure in covers the organ and pianos in total. Susan Fitzgerald reported that there was a very small turnout for garden clean up day. May does not seem to be the best month to do this! Landscape professionals will be hired to do what volun-teers weren’t able to accomplish. Karen Stewart reported on an offer to donate gutter guards. Hear-ing no disagreement, she plans to proceed with the donor. She is also proceeding with gathering a group of our senior members to move forward with the spirituality initiative we approved last month. Geoffrey Silver updated the vestry on his idea regarding a commu-nity choir, which will be secular and a cappella. He has had several conversations with St. Dunstan’s and they are willing to provide rehearsal space as well as one board member for the new group. He plans to recruit members from the local vocal singing groups. The county cycle for arts grants is to review requests in the late fall for the season beginning the following September. It was suggest-ed that he find some angel sponsors, but that may make it difficult for regular giving at the parish level. Geoffrey suggested that we need to grow the program a bit before we can develop accurate grants. At the vestry’s request, he recounted his experience with this concept with other choruses in the DC metro area. David Brown asked that we be sure that this chorus is covered by our Director & Officers insurance. Geoffrey assured us that as a sepa-rate nonprofit, they would need to purchase that insurance sepa-

rately. Geoffrey plans to compile a songbook for the Glen Echo Singers over the summer. In other music news, Geoffrey has plans to perform the Durufle Requiem and Bach’s St. John’s Passion next program year in coopera-tion with Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church. Bill MacBain reported that a committee on Emergency Prepared-ness is in formation. He has contacted Joe Corona, an official with Montgomery County, who is willing to do a training for us. It was suggested that St. Dunstan’s be invited to join us. Bill said that assistance is available from first responders to research hazard-ous conditions. A series of safety plans would be the product of this work. Motion was made and seconded to empower Bill to continue to form the Emergency Preparedness Committee and proceed with risk assessment and subsequent safety plans. Motion passed unanimously. At a worship committee meeting held on Monday, May 14, a few changes were discussed for the liturgy. The organ voluntary at the end of the service will be placed before the dismissal. This will enable the entire congregation to be dismissed for coffee hour (or elsewhere) at the same time. Currently, we have a split in our exo-dus, and it has caused many a newcomer to arrive at coffee hour to be greeted by no one. The choir will be seated and not process out of church. Amma Cricket will take time to explain the liturgi-cal meaning of the Peace in the hopes to curtail extensive conver-sation until coffee hour. Strawberry Festival: Susan will chair the collectibles section and we will consider new projects for next year. The church will be open for tours throughout the day and a brief choir presentation at noon. Karen and Chrissy deFontenay have agreed on new coffee hour procedures. Karen will write them up for the June newsletter. Karen also reported that we will participate in the Water Ministry at St. Columba’s again this summer. Meeting was adjourned with prayer. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Cricket Park, substituting for Catherine Sands. Our next meeting is June 20 at 6:30 p.m.

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Order with Amazon? Support Redeemer!

If you are ordering from Amazon, please consider registering with Amazon Smile. (smile.amazon.com) When you order through ‘Smile,’ a percentage of your order automatically comes to Redeemer. You can also click through the link on the “Other Donations” page of our website. Thank you!

(http://www.redeemerbethesda.org/stewardship-giving/other-donations/

FINANCES

Redeemer Men’s Third Friday Luncheon Group Beginning a while ago, a group of mostly retired men began gathering for a fellowship lunch on the third Friday of the month. The group discusses whatever is on their collective minds and catches up on how they are all doing. Being older and retired, sometimes the discussion centers on health, other times on household management, sometimes investment phi-losophies, national politics, the economy, and, of course, life in the parish. Monthly attendance has varied from as few as 4 to as many as 11. We usually gather in the bar at the Irish Inn at Glen Echo at 11:30. But we have ventured to other locations, including the home of Ben Ivins. A reminder email with the location and time is sent to all interested persons early in the week we are meeting. If you would like to know more about the group, or be put on the email list, contact Denny Shaw ([email protected]) or Bob Dresser ([email protected]).

Treasurer's Report Church of the Redeemer's 2018 oper‐a ng results through the end of April are set forth in the adjoining table. Year‐to‐date pledge payments, total income, and net income all are ahead of budget as of the end of April. If you have any ques ons about Re‐deemer's finances, please feel free to contact me.

Stephen L. Gibson Treasurer

Church of the Redeemer Profit and Loss Statement

January‐April 2018 Jan‐April Budget

Jan‐April Actual

Over (Under) YTD Budget

Annual Budget

INCOME

2018 Pledge Payments 227,772 245,513 17,741 422,156

2018 Over Pledge 1,167 1,512 346 3,500

2018 Non‐Pledge 4,000 20,671 16,671 12,000

2017 Pledges 0 3,067 3,067 0

Loose Plate Offering 1,500 1,597 97 4,500

Special Offerings 1,300 1,942 642 3,900

Event & Ac vity Income 2,050 2,035 (15) 23,650

Facili es Use 6,667 6,714 47 20,000

Other Income 0 871 871 0

Total Income 244,455 283,923 39,468 489,706

EXPENSE

Administra on Expense 13,317 10,161 (3,156) 39,950

Diocesan Giving 11,333 11,333 0 34,000

Discre onary Account 167 0 (167) 500

Maintenance Expense 23,167 26,427 3,261 69,500

Outreach Giving 1,667 0 (1,667) 5,000

Personnel Expense 92,295 92,340 45 276,884

Program Expense 12,150 11,847 (303) 39,450

Property Expense 15,584 15,601 17 46,752

Total Expense 169,679 167,709 (1,969) 512,036

Net Opera ng Gain (Loss) 74,777 116,214 41,437 (22,330)

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PARISH LIFE

Happy Birthday! ON-LINE PLEDGING AND DONATIONS

Pledge payments: Payments can be made on a pledge (one-time/monthly/weekly) using a checking/savings account or with a credit/debit card. Participants can create a profile, set up recurring payments and make one-time donations. Donors may also choose to cover the service fee if they wish to do so. A receipt for each and every payment will go to the donor and to the Parish Office. For donations of stock, please contact the Parish Office.

For the 2018 Fall Pledge Campaign, you may complete an electronic pledge card, send it to the office, and then continue on to set up payment. Printed pledge cards are available in the Narthex and in the Parish Hall. Donations: Donations can be made using the on-line service for parish programs, such as Altar Flowers, Friends of Music at Redeemer, Memorials, and other ad hoc donations. These will all be one-time payments.

Payment Information: Payment information is secure. Access is only possible by the donor, Vanco and the Parish Office through specially set up passwords and access codes.

Church of the Redeemer Social Media Please connect with Redeemer and the rector through these social media platforms:

Facebook: Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda, Maryland Facebook: Cricket Park Twitter: @VicarVirtual Linked In: Cricket Park Instagram: parkcricket

Events are posted on Facebook only. Please respond to these invita-tions so that we have accurate information about who will be attend-ing. Thanks!

And Happy Anniversary to Jefferson and Cathy Arrington David Schlafer and Peggy Tucker Howard and Julie Wolf-Rodda Joanne Bowman

PARISH CLERGY & STAFF The Rev’d Cricket Park, Rector [email protected]

The Rev’d Dr. David Schlafer, Assisting Priest [email protected] Rev. Sue von Rautenkranz, Deacon

[email protected]

Geoffrey Silver, Interim Director of Music [email protected] Chuyoung Suter, Interim Organist [email protected] Margaret Church, Bookkeeper [email protected]

Parish Office [email protected] VESTRY & OFFICERS Susan Fitzgerald, Senior Warden 301-229-3430 ▪ [email protected]

Karen Stewart, Junior Warden 301-310-1014 ▪ [email protected]

Randolph Court 202-441-9896 ▪ [email protected]

Bill MacBain 240-464-5330 ▪ [email protected]

Marie Caulfield 302-562-1687 ▪ [email protected]

Shannon Hoogerheide 774-279-4002 ▪ [email protected]

Judy James 301-922-4023 ▪ [email protected]

Brooke Anthony 301-493-9368 ▪ [email protected]

David Brown 202-262-6868 ▪ [email protected]

Steve Gibson, Treasurer 301-229-1168 ▪ [email protected]

Catherine Sands, Secretary 301-742-8342 ▪ [email protected]

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

6201 Dunrobbin Drive at MacArthur Boulevard Bethesda, Maryland 20816

Phone: 301-229-3770 Website: www.redeemerbethesda.org

The Parish Office is open Tuesday — Friday,

9:00 am — 4:00 pm

Emails at Redeemer. Cricket: [email protected] Geoffrey: [email protected] Chuyoung: [email protected] Margaret: [email protected] Bob: [email protected] The office: [email protected] Pastoral Care Ministry: [email protected]

EMAIL

Welcome

Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Bethesda, Maryland, a vibrant, growing parish community of “inquiring and discerning hearts”, where all – the doubter, the seeker, and the believer – are welcome to join us in living and wrestling with the often difficult questions of faith. Here we value an Anglican spirituality – one that is open to the mystery of the Holy and which celebrates the dignity of human nature and the beauty of all creation.

what s at redeemer today - … · june 3—festal choral evensong june 6—safety at redeemer...

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