St. Patrick's Episcopal, DC - Publications

This Week At St. Patrick's - April 9, 2008

Dear Friends in Christ,

The Third Sunday of Easter at St. Patrick's was, in many ways, a very special one that, at the same time, felt reflective of the constant and regular life, breadth, and commitment that are at the heart of this parish. The scriptural theme for this week in the Great Fifty Days focused on our incorporation into the Body of Christ through our baptism and within the Eucharist that nourishes us and sends us out to proclaim the Risen Christ to our world. It is indeed time, as the children of our Jubilate Deo Choir sang, to "tell all God's creatures that Jesus arose." It is about ministry, mission, and community in the New Life of Christ.

Much of that commission was reflected in the glimpse of the life of our parish we saw and heard today at 10 o'clock and, especially, during the Announcement time. We began by honoring Keaton Lee. Tony and Janet's son has been working with Peter Jobusch on the Episcopal expression of the Scouts' God and Family Project. Having completed the course with distinction, he was presented with the pin and certificate for the award as we prayed for him and our own commitment for education and service. Then we heard from Mike Tongour and Miren Beitia about the involvement of many of St. Patrick's parishioners with Samaritan Ministries, a program to aid the homeless of Washington and help them learn the skills and take the steps toward a better life. They challenged us to discover more about the program by coming to the annual Samaritan Ministry Breakfast at the National Press Club on Thursday, May 8. We also announced two expanded opportunities for adult Christian Formation: The Rev. Don Bitsberger is beginning a new course in the Letters of St. Paul Sundays after the 10 a.m. Eucharist, continuing the Scripture study he has been leading on the Gospel of Mark; and The Rev. Andrea Martin, our new Associate Rector, will offer a four-week Inquirers' Class for adults on the Episcopal Church for those interested in baptism, confirmation, or simply wanting to know more about the nature of the Church. We then heard a report from the Chair of the New Rector Search Committee, Cheryl Crispen, who announced that there would be Focus Groups after each of the services on Sunday, April 20 to explore ideas about what is most important as we look toward the discernment process for the next Rector of St. Patrick's. Finally, after the Eucharist, we adjourned to the Great Hall where we had a gala parish-wide Wedding Shower for Betsy Baumgarten and Robert Wetherington.

What we had in all of this is a sampling of what is at the core of this parish's life and commitment: children and young people; Christian Formation for all ages; outreach to the neediest; the meaning of ministry today and tomorrow, and the celebration of our life in community with each other. Sometimes, in doing the work of the Church and carrying out our vocation and ministry, it is easy to lose sight of that larger context. But sometimes, just a single, simple Sunday can reflect that context with real clarity and vision. I think we had just such a morning this week. It is in moments like this that call to mind to words of the 126th Psalm: "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed."

Faithfully yours,
John E. Lawrence+
Interim Rector

Prayers for Our Community

Prayers of thanksgiving for the upcoming wedding of The Rev. Deacon Betsy Baumgarten and Robert Wetherington
Prayers of healing and strength for George Anderson, The Rev. Deacon Betsy Baumgarten's 91 year old grandfather, who suffered a ruptured appendix yesterday

Christian Formation

9:45am Nursery care available
9:45am Pre-K Downstairs, Indoor Play
9:45am K-2nd Grade Downstairs, Room 212
11:15am 3rd - 6th Grade Downstairs, Room 207
11:15am Confirmation Class for Youth in the Mini-Gym
11:15am Inquirers Class, Music Room downstairs, Room 212
11:15am Adult Forum with The Rev. Don Bitsberger on the Letter of Paul in the Church Library

St. Patrick's Inquirer's Class

A crash course on all things Episcopal, will meet Sundays after church, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., for four sessions: April 13, April 20, April 27, and May 4. Lunch and childcare will be provided Everyone is welcome, however you might be especially interested if: (1) you are new to St. Patrick's. The Inquirer's class is a natural first step toward getting to know clergy and fellow parishioners and finding your ministry among us; (2) you would like a refresher class about what distinguishes the Episcopal Church from other denominations; (3) you are considering getting baptized; (4) you grew up in another Christian tradition and would like to officially transfer your membership to the Episcopal Church through confirmation or reception. There is a $15 materials fee. To register for the class, please contact the Rev. Andrea Martin: martina@stpatsdc.org or 202/342-2800.

Music Update

Music in Motion for our K-2nd graders meets this Friday at 4:30 for our usual sing-along, dance-along, crafts and PIZZA! This active group of budding young singers will also share a song in worship on Sunday so I hope you have this on your calendar and plan to join in the fun!

This Sunday's Participants

8:00am Server:
Altar Guild: Karen Melchar
Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Shannon Small
Ushers: Josh Firebaugh, Alison Sackman, Keith Powell
Greeters: Ele & Chapin Carpenter
Reader: Keith Powell
Intercessor: Bill Pugh
Psalmist: Tom Black
Acolytes (Server): Mariah James
Acolytes (Crucifer): Ian Malone
Torches: Parker Smith, Miriam Dupree
Flowers: Marilyn Mix, Carol Hylton
Refreshments: Allison & Brent Shaw
PVLEMs: Vestry People of the Day: Kathy Sommerkamp
Nursery Helpers: Yaa Addison
Pre-School Helpers: Elena Zarabozo

This Week's Calendar

Thursday, April 10: 7:00am Holy Eucharist in the Chapel; 7:30 pm Cantoris Choir Rehearsal
Friday, April 11: 4:30 pm Music in Motion
Sunday, April 13: 8:00am Holy Eucharist in Chapel; 9:45am Nursery/Toddler Care Available; 10:00am Holy Eucharist; 11:15am Confirmation Class for Youth in the Mini-Gym; 11:15am Inquirers Class, Music Room downstairs; 11:15am Adult Forum with The Rev. Don Bitsberger on the Letter of Paul in the Church Library
Wednesday, April 16: 9:15 am Women's Bible Study; 7:00pm Vestry Meeting, dinner at 6:45pm

Coming Up

RUMMAGE SALE COMING UP ON SATURDAY APRIL 26 Have you cleaned out your closet yet? Are your bookshelves awash with books you'll never read again? Do you have too much STUFF? Now is the time to drop off items to be sold in the April 26 Rummage Sale. Please call Karen if you have a car full of items so you can arrange drop-off in the garage under the gym across the street from the church, or drop off small loads in the church office. Last day to drop off donations is APRIL 20. Please sort and label your items as much as possible (clothes in separate bags marked women/men/children, books in boxes). Our storage limitations mean that large items such as furniture need to be evaluated on a case by case basis. We're still looking for volunteers for pre-sort, set up on Friday, April 25 and for day of sale workers on Saturday, April 26 from 7:30am to 4:00pm.

MANY THANKS go out to our 3rd-5th grade Junior Youth Group for planting spring flowers in our entranceway planters this week. This group gets together throughout the year for service projects and social activities. After sprucing up our courtyard, we played some good old-style carnival games and relays (remember "bucket brigade" and "wheelbarrow"?), even though we were forced indoors by the uncooperative weather. Lots of smiles and laughs! Have a student in this age range next year? Talk to Nicole Chapin Duke or Adele Lynch.

KUDOS TO ALL THOSE WHO MADE BETSY BAUMGARTEN & ROBERT WETHERINGTON'S WEDDING SHOWER such a huge success! Special thanks to Mariah, Chuck, & Mary Beth James and Marjorie Gerbracht-Stagnaro who co-hosted the event. Additional thanks go out to caterers Carol Hylton, Miren Beitia, Benno Schmidt, Erin Monroney, Kankunda Klingenberg, Lorry Moe, Debbie Fickenscher, Jane Battle, and Claire Smith as well as Andrea Martin for her beautiful flower arrangements. Many thanks for all those who also contributed to the group gift.

SAMARITAN MINISTRY OF GREATER WASHINGTON NEXT STEP BREAKFAST Did you know that St. Patrick's is one of the leading partner parishes that supports the work of Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington (SMGW)? We do that with our leadership on the SMGW Board, with our volunteer work, with our active participation in the annual SMGW Gala, and with our financial support. Did you know that SMGW provides employment services (helping participants get a job and keep a job), HIV/AIDS services, transitional housing, and a variety of other social services to over 1000 participants per year? Did you know that 20,000 people in our area are homeless? The National Low Income Housing Coalition says Washington is the least affordable place to live in the country. A person making minimum wage has to work 141 hours per week to afford an average two bedroom apartment! Would you like to learn more about Samaritan Ministry? Our SMGW parish representatives, Miren Betia and Peggy Beers, and table captains Jane Battle and Mike Tongour would love for you to join them at the Annual Samaritan Ministry "Next Step Breakfast" on May 8 from 8 to 9 am at the National Press Club. It will be an opportunity to hear from volunteers and participants about Samaritan Ministry's wonderful work in our area. Judy Woodruff will be the Mistress of Ceremonies. We would love to have a large crowd of St. Patrick's parishioners in attendance! Remember, our mission statement emphasizes our commitment to outreach. Please call or email Mike Tongour, tongour@tongoursimpson.com or 202-544-7600, if you would like to attend, or if you have further questions.

FORMER RECTOR CELEBRATES NEW MINISTRY The Rt. Rev Catherine S. Roskam, Bishop Suffragan of New York, will preside at the Celebration of a New Ministry and institute The Rev. Elizabeth S. McWhorter as Rector of St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 20th, at 4 p.m. We offer our congratulations and our prayer for our former Rector as she is officially installed in this new position.

COMPUTER DONATIONS the Rummage Sale committee asks that you don't donate computers as they don't sell, and we are burdened with getting rid of them. The Day School Parents Association is sponsoring an electronics recycling drive until April 25 to collect cell phones, ink jets, DVDs, MP3 players, digital cameras/photo frames, and GPS devices. Look for the bins at the Day School front entrance. If you have a lap top or video game consoles, contact Brannon Greene (greeneb@stpatsdc.org). If you have desktop computers, please check out this site suggested by parishioner Carter Eltzroth: http://www.firsttimecomputers.org.

Emergency numbers:

Church office: 202 342-2800
Parish Administrator Karen Melchar 301 229-9049 (h)
Interim Rector: Canon John Lawrence 202 342-2800 (o) 703.527.2370 (h)
Associate Rector and Day School Chaplain: Marjorie Gerbracht-Stagnaro: 202 342-2818 (o) 703 379-5720(h)
Associate Rector: Rev. Andrea Martin 202 342-2800 (o)
Senior Warden: Ellen Teplitz 301 654-6920 (h)
Junior Warden for the Church: Todd Purdum 202 244-3424 (h)
Junior Warden for the Day School: Charlie Johnson 301 229-6342 (h) 202 225-7373 (o)