FROM THE HEARTH - The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer€¦ · · 2017-02-05The book narrates first-hand accounts of ... PARISH LIFE Print Communications ... Her email is [email protected]

THE REDEEMER SPIRIT FEBRUARY 2017

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

FROM THE HEARTH

The Redeemer Parish Directory is available for download. To get a copy send a request to Cricket at: [email protected] . Every once in a while there will be updates and a new link will be sent to all parishioners. The directory is not available to vendors or the public.

Worship Committee Meeting Those who play a part in the logistics of Sunday morning liturgies (which means all of you) are invited to a conver-sation regarding Lent and Easter this year. We’ll meet after the 10:30 a.m. service on February 5. Where de-pends on how many will be in attendance. If you would like to attend, please let Amma Cricket know by e-mail.

Last month I attended a conference on Christian For-mation. As much as I wanted to learn new things, I also wanted to check in to see how Redeemer was doing regard-ing formation. I was pleased to discover that we were right on track with national priorities. As you probably could guess, there was a lot of discussion about digital Christiani-ty. The speaker asked us put aside any of our own notions about social media. Why? Because our kids are visual peo-ple and they are telling their stories in virtual media – that IS their reality. So, we need to open ourselves to the possi-bilities that digital media can bring to the formation of Christian discipleship in our children and all ages. I met a woman from South Carolina whose priest and con-gregation voted to leave the Episcopal Church. The rem-nant families wanted to continue, so they looked for a new way to be church. They began meeting in a funeral home! The downside? Well, sometimes they had to find alternate space for Sunday School because there was a dead body in the room. The upside? The members had the perfect ‘in’ to talk about death in a healthy way. I also met a priest from New York City who described her church as “scrappy”. They are people who have been told they don’t belong. But they are survivors and warriors. Her church understands that God wants you to show up and share your joy. God “doesn’t need perfectly choreo-

graphed liturgy.” She asked us to rate our church’s “scrappiness” by how the church smells, sounds, feels, and even tastes. Wow – how scrappy do you think Re-deemer is? The keynote speaker, Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, was the real reason I attended (I confess). I admire this women very much. She’s a Lutheran pastor who grew the House for All Sinners and Saints from 6 people in her living room to 250 people sharing space with a community church in downtown Denver. She is orthodox in her theology and extremely creative with how she lives out that theology. She wants to build a place where “you can hand someone bread and say ‘Child of God, this is the Body of Christ. You are a sinner. Come to a God who loves you in your shimmering imperfection.” (sigh) I want to be her when I grow up, just without the tattoos. For more about Nadia, check out her book Pastrix. I hope to be able to share more about the week as time goes by. Blessings,

Amma Cricket+

Looking Ahead: Feb 19—American Boy Choir in concert Feb 28—Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Talent Show Mar 1—Ash Wednesday Mar 6—Taize Mar 8, 15, 22, 29 and Apr 5—Dying on Our Own Terms Series

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The Redeemer Spirit February 2017

VESTRY NEWS

Dear Redeemer Family: The vestry is thrilled to welcome Brooke Anthony, David Brown, and Erik Devereux, who were elected by acclima-tion by the parish during our annual meeting. When you see them, please thank them for answering the call to serve Redeemer in this important role. Brooke is returning to the vestry, having served in the 1990's. She is part of our outreach efforts at Oak View Ele-mentary School. David has been active in our Adult Forum series and brings both legal expertise and a theology degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Erik has already served as chair of our Finance Committee and has led the way in recording our services for all to hear and share on the web. While we will miss the wise counsel of David Riggs, John Nickum and Jenny Nachbar as they transition off the vestry, we look forward to the contributions and perspectives of our new members. Speaking of service - you can do it, too! Please consider volunteering to be an usher, a greeter, a lector, a counter, or an intercessor. Anyone can do it, and a larger pool of participants will help spread the wealth. All it takes is for you to say "Hey - I can shake hands for 10 minutes after church!" Talk to me, Cricket, John Harbeson or Bob Yates for more information. Even though Easter is late this year, as I write we're just a few short February weeks away from Ash Wednes-day. While I still find Advent and Christmas to be my "favorite" liturgical seasons, I have been profoundly moved in recent years by the spirituality of Lenten discipline and the steady progression of Holy Week. I hope you are read-ying your extraordinary talents for our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, a fun and festive way to be in community with one another before Lent. See you in church! Blessings,

Michael Mershon Senior Warden

The Book Group

The next reading of the Book Group is: A Rage for Order --- The Middle East in Turmoil, from Tahrir Square to ISIS by Robert Worth. The book narrates first-hand accounts of how various countries rose up against dictatorship and then why they were not able to sustain democracy. Rob-ert Worth is a New York Times journalist who has writ-ten an eye-opening read for anyone interested in under-standing the raging crisis in the Middle East. Discussion of the book will take place at 3 pm on Sunday, February 26 at the home of Juliet Grant-Suttie, 4986 Sentinel Drive #301, Bethesda, Md. 20816. For questions, con-tact Huda Kraske at [email protected]. The author may be able to join us for the discussion.

All are welcome.

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 Snapchat: revcricketpark Events are posted on Facebook only. Please respond to these invitations so that we have accurate information about who will be attending. Thanks!

Olive Oil Ministry Parishioners supported Redeemer’s membership in the Olive Oil Ministry during the Alternative Gift Sales in December and through their individual purchase of Pal-estinian olive oil products throughout the year. Proceeds support family farms in the West Bank including the Tent of Nations near Bethlehem. As a ministry member, Redeemer is an official sponsor of the upcoming Voices from the Holy Land Film Series presented by the Companion Diocese Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. -- Marie France

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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 2017 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.

PARISH LIFE

Print Communications at Redeemer Information about upcoming events are communicated through three printed materials. This Week at Redeemer is updated every Friday and sent Tuesday afternoons. If you would like something in "TWAR" please be sure the office receives it no later than noon on Fridays. The Sunday Announcements are finalized on Wednesday afternoons and run on Thursdays. Send Sunday announcement information to the office no later than close-of-business on Tuesday. The Redeemer Spirit is a monthly publication. The deadline for the Spirit is the 15th of the month prior. Send TWAR and Announcement infor-mation to [email protected]. Send Spirit stories and ideas to Bob Yates at [email protected].

Tutor Program The tutor program is going strong at Oak View elementary. The tutoring sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday between 11:45 and 12:45 for grades 3-5. If you are interested in becoming a tutor or would like more information, please contact Jane Dealy at 301-654-0385.

Join THE GUILD! Officially, they are known as the Altar Guild. The rector prefers "Angel Guild". These faithful servants make it possible for us to worship in the beauty of holiness. Hel-en Zitomer and her crew set up for each service, clean the sacred vessels afterward, make sure the frontal and other paraments are the correct color for the season or occasion, and put up hymn numbers every week. This faithful band of sisters would love to welcome a few more angels into the fold. Gray or blue hair is not re-quired! Psst. Men can do this too. Please contact Helen to volunteer. She can answer your questions about how frequently you would serve and when you could be trained. Her email is [email protected].

h ps://www.edow.org/about/bishop‐mariann/wri ngs/2017/01/28/both‐faithful‐and‐frui ul

From the Diocesan Convention Bishop Maryann’s address

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PARISH LIFE

Confirmation/Newcomer Classes Scheduled

Bishop Mariann Budde scheduled the Spring Confirma-tion Service for May 13 (Saturday) at 10 a.m. at the Ca-thedral.

Classes remaining:

March 4 (Sacramental Life/Book of Common Prayer)

April 1 (Living in Christian Community)

All meetings are on Saturdays and will start at 11:30 a.m. Each class should last about 90 minutes. If you are new to the Episcopal Church, high school age and above, or would like a refresher, these classes are for you. You must attend these four classes to be presented for confir-mation. Please schedule accordingly. If you have questions, please see Amma Cricket.

HOMESTAY HELP REQUESTED FOR AMERICAN BOYCHOIR During the weekend of the American Boychoir perfor-mance here at Redeemer, we are looking for homestay ac-commodation for 23 boy choristers. They will be with us for the nights of Saturday February 18 and Sunday February 19. Hosts must be able to accommodate two or more chor-isters, and because of child protection policies we are lim-ited to asking for hosts who are married couples or single women. We don't have all of the schedule details yet, but if you think you might be able to help, please email Chris Betts [email protected]. Thanks!!

Join the 2x4 Fight for Refugees Campaign The Episcopal Public Policy Network is launching a nationwide advocacy campaign in support of refugees. Over the next two months, we're challenging Episcopalians to call their national, state, and local elected officials at least four times. Now, more than ever, people of faith must make their voices heard. We have created a 2x4 Fight for Refugees Campaign page with numbers to dial and a sample script on our website. JOIN THE 2x4 FIGHT FOR REFUGEES CAMPAIGN

On January 27, President Trump signed an executive order that halted the refugee resettlement program for 120 days, significantly lowered the number of refugees admitted to the U.S., and barred Syrian refugees from being resettled to the U.S. We recognize the need for our nation to be secure, but we believe that the thorough and often multi-year vetting process eliminates those with violent extremist ideologies and those who seek to harm our country. We believe our current policies balance hu-manitarian needs with security priorities. This pause in the program and the orders to bar entry to certain individuals will have devastating effects on the lives of refugees waiting for protection through resettlement. The Episcopal Church, through Episcopal Migration Ministries, is one of the nine refugee resettlement agencies in the U.S. Refugee resettlement is a life-saving ministry. Episcopalians around the country engage in the work of welcome every day. We have seen that refugees, once wel-comed to our communities, become integral parts of our neighborhoods as friends, business owners, students, doctors, and more. We urge you to join the 2x4 Fight for Refugees Campaign to let your elected officials know that you wel-

come refugees.

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MUSIC AT REDEEMER SERIES

MUSIC AT REDEEMER SERIES 2016-2017

Sunday, 19 February, at 5:00 p.m. THE AMERICAN BOYCHOIR IN CONCERT

America’s most widely touring and per-forming choral ensemble returns to Re-deemer with its unique blend of musical sophistication, spirited presentation and ensemble virtuosity. Sunday, 12 March at 5:00 p.m. THE DISTRICT EIGHT IN CONCERT The season of Lent and Holy Week have in-spired generations of composers to write hauntingly beautiful and evocative choral music. Acclaimed by The Washington Post for its "fine singers who blend and balance" and its "consistently beautiful performances”, the District Eight presents a program exploring this rich repertoire of liturgical works.

Sunday, 2 April, at 5:00 p.m. THE INSCAPE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

In its second concert of the 2016-2017 season, Redeemer’s Ensemble-in-Residence brings us a program of more introspective and thought-provoking music, suitable for the season of Lent. Thursday, 13 April, at 7:30 p.m. CHORAL EUCHARIST FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY

This traditional for Maundy Thursday, the

first of the Triduum Sacrum (the Three Sacred Days), includes the Washing of Feet, the Stripping of the Altar and music sung by Re-deemer’s choirs. Friday, 14 April, at 12 noon and 7:30 p.m. THE SOLEMN LITURGIES OF GOOD FRIDAY

At 12 noon we gather around the Stations of Cross to meditate on the Passion of Christ, interspersed with beautiful sacred music. At 7.30 p.m. the traditional liturgy of Good Fri-day leads us towards redemption through the Cross. Saturday, 15 April, at 8:30 p.m. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER

Beginning in complete darkness on the church lawn, the liturgy includes the Lighting of the Paschal Candle, the Exsultet, the Prophecies, the First Eucharist of Easter, and special music sung by Redeemer’s choirs. Sunday, 16 April, at 10:30 a.m. FESTAL EUCHARIST OF THE RESURREC-

TION

Celebrate the Resurrection of Christ at this festal liturgy, including music sung by Re-deemer’s choirs with brass ensemble.. Follow-ing the liturgy, join us for traditional hot cross buns and an Easter egg hunt on the lawn.

Sunday, 9 May, at 5:00 p.m. THE SHEPHERD TRIO

A relative newcomer to the DC area chamber music scene, The Shepherd Trio formed to explore the beauty and diversity of music writ-ten for the unique combination of soprano, clarinet and piano. The mission of The Shep-herd Trio is not only to perform standard works written for the group, but to pursue new and exciting arrangements and composi-tions for this simple yet versatile ensemble. Sunday, 21 May, at 5:00 p.m. THE INSCAPE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

In its final concert of the 2016-2017 sea-son, Redeemer’s Ensemble-in-Residence brings music for Spring into the church’s beautiful sun-filled Sanctuary. Sunday, 4 June, at 5:00 p.m. EVENSONG FOR THE FEAST OF PENTECOST Redeemer’s Adult and Youth choirs lead us in the beautiful liturgy, using a form that has been practiced in the England and around the world for more than five hundred years, and including some of the favorite music of the Anglican choral repertoire

American BoyChoir February 19th On Sunday, February 19 at 5:00 p.m. we are very fortunate to have lined up a performance by the American Boychoir, our country's most popular touring choral ensemble and one of only two residential choirs that teach the boy choristers at their own school. Thank you to the Friends of Music at Redeemer, whose generous donations make these events possible.

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CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Contemplative Mondays

Taizé Feb 6th

March 6, 13, 20, & 27

April 3

Sunday Adult Forums All are welcome. The Adult Forum takes place on Sunday mornings, September through May, at 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall. For more information on the Adult Forum, contact the office at [email protected]

At the publishing time of this Redeemer Spirit, the forums are not firm. Please see TWAR for details of Feb 12 and 26. February 5: John Smallwood shares his experiences volunteering for Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington and how you can be a part of their work. This will take place later. February 12: TBD John Harbeson? Sarabeth Goodwin? February 19: The Rev. Elizabeth Gardner comes to share information about how the diocese supports young adult ministries. She will also preach at both the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services. February 26: TBD John Harbeson? Sarabeth Goodwin?

1st Monday—Taize A service of prayer and contemplation in the style of Taizé 2nd Monday—Christian Contemplative Group—Discussing the Gospel of Thomas 3rd Monday—Centering Prayer 4th Monday—Welcoming Prayer A discovery of mind and body peace All are welcome at all of these gatherings in the church.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

By Laura Rose

As part of my regular prayer, I pray that I will love. Though it’s February, I’m not talking about Hallmark greeting card love; I’m talking about a force-to-be-reckoned-with love. The kind of love that leads people to adopt someone else’s child. The kind of love that drives some to take a thankless job like working in congress.

I pray that we go to God to learn to love and learn to be loved. Learn to be loved so that we never find ourselves in abusive relationships. There is obvious abuse that leaves bruises and bad memories and there is more subtle abuse that leaves one ignorant or unable to make good, informed, moral decisions. A lot is written about parents who tell their average kids how exceptional they are. Jesus’s approach with His disciples was different. When they argued about who was the best, Jesus confused them by telling them that the least among them would be the greatest. He wasn’t going to feed into their egos. Enablers may believe they are loving the addict, but what the addict may need is the tough love of the intolerant, not a very popular concept these days. If we’re looking to have our ego’s stroked or free rein in life, we are not looking for love.

I pray we learn to love because it’s right and because it’s powerful, like prayer which I will write about next month. I begin with our love of God, the fount of all love. Whereas God supposedly once destroyed nearly all of man-kind for his wickedness, we are still here. God believes in us. That’s love.

I then pray that we will love ourselves. Too many people don’t. They see self-love as an inflated ego or selfish, or they see themselves unworthy of their own love. When someone doesn’t love themselves, it can manifest in three ways that I’ve seen: depression, an inability to love others and a self-sacrificing love of others.

Clinical depression, as I understand it, requires treatment in therapy and medication.

When someone lacks self-love to the point that it spills out to those around them (bullies) or they go to ex-tremes to love and be loved (peer worship) then love itself can be the healer.

I went through a long period of not loving myself. What helped me was recognizing what drove me to becom-ing so unlovable to myself: my behavior, cued by my up-bringing and society. When I found sympathy (love) for my young, formative self, I began shedding the shame and dis-

gust I’d developed. Forgiving myself was good practice ground for forgiving others. We cannot, however, allow our-selves to be our own enabler. We must demand standards and do our best to uphold them.

People who don’t see themselves worthy of love are often most loving and generous. They overcompensate their lack of self-love in their loving acts to others. They so want others to be happy that they don’t realize that what would make us happy is for them to see their own goodness and love and care for their self.

As I pray that we love God, I pray we love ourselves; as I pray we love ourselves, I pray we love those with whom we are closest. These I string together because I see them as interconnected. I pray that this love be steadfast, joyful and creative. Occasional selflessness goes a long way to show someone they are loved and worthy of love. Setting a good example is a strong show of love. I know; I married a man who does this. I came into our marriage with an argumenta-tive, rather lazy spirit that was brought to peace and life through his example. And sitting back and allowing the oth-er to love us is itself love.

Love is a blend of communication – giving and re-ceiving – and action. Kind of like faith, love without works is dead.

Loving those we are closest to is usually easiest be-cause we have chosen these people and continue to choose them every day we stay with them. I like praying that we love steadfastly, creatively and joyfully so that our love will never be doubted.

Loving family and friends is sometimes the most difficult. We didn’t choose our family, we’re pressured to love them, and distance – physical or character – can make it seem impossible. But we’re committed by default to love them. Friends are random encounters made to last, but fami-ly was ordained. My prayer for friends and family love is that we learn to disagree respectfully and talk things out to an end. Sometimes that end is separation and sometimes even that is a show of love.

Lastly, I pray that we love acquaintances and even strangers so that everyone will know that there is love for them in this world. Some people’s encounter with us may be the only experience with love they have.

When I was a young Christian, I heard a lot of talk about how demand-ing the Bible is on our behavior – all the thou-shalt-nots. They forget, or don’t know, that the Bible also tells us to do two wonderful things: rest one day every week and love.

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We avoid it, deny it and joke about it. Dealing with death, especially our own death is a difficult issue. But if there is anything the church should be able to do, it is to speak frankly about loss and look directly at death. This five evening discussion program at Redeemer will use a series of video vignettes to explore the ethical, medical and economic forces that often drive a person’s choices. The time to talk about these difficult issues is before they happen, before you’re in the emergency room and un-der pressure to make a difficult decision “right now”. Armed with courage and knowledge, each of us can help one another, our families and the clergy to make those decisions which allow us to die on our own terms. There will be some homework. There are directives to consider and decisions to be made to plan your own burial service. These actions are the kindest and thoughtful gifts we can make to those we love the most.

Rev. Joe Clark, re red Episcopal priest and former member of Redeemer with his wife Meredith, a ends St. John’s Norwood, Bethesda. Joe earned degrees from Northwestern University, Virginia Theological Seminary, and a post‐graduate degree from General Theological Seminary in NYC. During his 45 years in the parish ministry, Joe led more than a dozen Lenten series pro‐grams dealing with death and dying. He served as Chaplain to the Connec cut Hospice Agency from 1986‐ 1990. He was rec‐tor of Church of the Ascension, Gaithersburg from 1991‐ 2006. Joe and Meredith live in Washington Grove; have between them 6 children and 9 grandchildren. He is an ac ve woodworker and gardener.

Wednesdays during Lent. Starting on March 8 and ending on April 5. 7:30pm to 9 pm at Redeemer.

Cost for the series: $40.00 (payable to Church of the Redeemer) Questions to Cricket or Bob Yates bob@bobyates—240.205.5783

Dying on Our Own Terms

5 weeks of exploring a difficult issue.

The gang at the bus stop. January 21, 2017

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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/

Lent Madness 2017

Why do we love the season a er the Feast of the Epiphany? Be‐cause it means we're closer to Lent, of course! This year at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, as we have done for the past several, we will again ask for your dona ons for Bethesda Cares. For each $10 dona on, you'll draw a saint from the Holy Grail. Then vote throughout Lent on lentmadness.org to usher your saint into the match for the Golden Halo. Here's the bracket for this year: h p://www.lentmadness.org/wp‐content/uploads/2013/07/LM2017Bracket.pdf Let's put a li le fun in penitence this year and raise some cash

for Bethesda Cares.

Backpack Ministry Here is an updated version: Backpack drive for homeless families in rapid rehousing through Housing Up Redeemer provided backpacks and school supplies to 100 children tin rapid rehousing programs. At an adult forum, 10 Redeemerites spoke with Quinn Miller, the manager of volunteer programs at Housing Up, and learned more about the extensive services Housing Up provides and the impact our donations make. At the packing event there were ap-proximately 10 Redeemerite children who ably organized and handed out supplies for the adults walking from station to station and the children stuffing the backpacks full of new pens, pencils, paper, dividers, binders, glue sticks and more. There were at least twice that many adults--some did one backpack and others did dozens. It was a very efficient process with good quality control. In the end, they were all packed and ready for elementary, middle and high schoolers to start the school year. Due to the generosity of the congre-gation late in the fundraising period, an additional dona-tion of 24 backpacks and an $830 check was made directly to Housing Up. I hope this helps, I have been very busy with school but I always love working on this project. The total donations came out to be $2500 if you would like to add that infor-mation. Thanks, Mildred

Thanks to Mildred Devereux and Charlotte Betts for leading this ministry!

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FINANCES

St. Dunstan's Rev. Sue von Rautenkrantz would like to gage the interest of parishes in par ci‐

pa ng in and helping to host a collabora‐ve Lenten series. Patricia Lyons would

be the speaker and her program is tled

"The Theology of Harry Po er." The pro‐gram is a duplica on of one she did at Episcopal churches in Alexandria 2016. It was very well received and a ended. If you are interested in hos ng and sup‐por ng this effort, please contact Sue at forma [email protected]. Faith and Sexuality Montgomery County Episcopal parishes are hos ng a conversa on with specialist Jenny Beaumont (co‐author of These Are Our Bodies) on faith and sexuality. "Faith and Sexuality: Church Staff Conversa on" will take place on March 3 at Christ Church Kensington. "He, She, We and God" will take place on March 3 and 4 and is a program that empowers parents to talk with their 5th and 6th grade kids about sexuality in a safe environment. A corresponding program for preschool and elementary‐aged kids and their par‐ents, "How to Talk to Your Children about God and Bodies," will be held on March 4 at 7 p.m. Both events will be held at Grace Episcopal Day School. You must register in advance for each event and there is a fee associated with the discus‐sions. For more info, contact The Ven. Sue von Rautenkranz or The Rev. Amanda Akes‐Cardwell ([email protected]) St. John's Norwich Parish St. John's is launching a new ministry of volunteers that go to the dwelling plac‐es where sick or shut in members are and offer to reading‐out‐loud to persons who

Treasurer’s Report Below is a chart showing Redeemer’s 2016 financial operating results and 2017 budget. More detailed information on 2016 results and the 2017 budget can be found in the Financial Statements sec-tion of the 2017 Annual Meeting edition of Redeemer Spirit. Stephen L. Gibson Treasurer

Around the Southern Montgomery County Region:

2016 Budget

2016 Actu-al

2016 Over

(Under) Budget

2017 Budget

INCOME

Current Year Pledges 437,441 412,119 (25,322) 432,000

Over Pledge 7,000 13,857 6,857 7,000

Past Year Pledges 0 10,582 10,582 0

Non-Pledge Donations 12,000 38,008 26,008 12,000

Loose Plate Offering 5,000 6,473 1,473 5,000

Special Offerings 6,700 4,465 (2,235) 5,000

Event & Activity Income 33,900 26,413 (7,487) 28,000

Facilities Use 25,000 21,681 (3,319) 20,000

Interest Income 0 5 5 25

Gain (Loss) on Stock 0 363 363 0

Other Income 0 16 16 0

Total Income 527,041 533,982 6,941 509,025

EXPENSE

Administration Expense 39,950 31,295 (8,655) 39,300

Diocesan Giving 30,000 30,000 0 34,000

Outreach Giving 5,000 5,000 0 6,000

Discretionary Account 1,300 1,300 0 1,500

Maintenance Expense 66,500 56,542 (9,958) 70,500

Personnel Expense 308,039 282,205 (25,834) 268,898

Program Expense 29,500 21,080 (8,420) 42,075

Property Expense (Mortgage)

46,752 46,752 0 46,752

Total Expense 527,041 474,174 (52,867) 509,025

Net Operating Result 0 59,808 59,808 (0)

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PARISH LIFE

We wish a happy birthday to those born in February:

Ann Harbeson, Christy Wade, Judy Austin, Mary Packard-Winkler, Cathy Arrington, Cara Price, Linda Lear, Muriel Croston, Jenny Nachbar, Charlotte Betts, Janet Davis, Gabriela Noya, Toria Rose, Tim Yehl, Dominique Rychlik,

and a Happy Anni-versary to Justin and Gwen Hess!

Redeemer Men’s Third Friday Luncheon Group Beginning about 15 months ago, a group of mostly retired men began gathering for a fellowship lunch on the third Fri-day 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 philosophies, 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, last month, 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]).

are unable to read to them‐selves. Leadership an cipates this will fill a number of needs, such as mi ga ng loneli‐ness, offering op ons for visits beyond the sacramental, and le ng non‐verbal persons experience a social visit and enjoy intellectu‐al s mula on. A grant is funding the pur‐chase of Kindles (for low‐vision situa ons including large‐print needs and low‐light environments), addi onal reading materials both sacred and secular, and even a fund for Uber so that the ministry is not dependent on those with personal transporta on. For more info, contact the Rev. Elizabeth Tesi ([email protected]) Church of the Ascension Annual Auc on Church of the Ascension is hos ng, "Building the City of God," their annual auc on to ben‐efit the ministries of Ascension on Sat‐urday, February 25. The evening in‐cludes an auc on, dinner, and enter‐tainment. For more info, contact the Rev. Joan Beilstein ([email protected]).

Flowers on Sunday: Praise God and create a Remembrance for your loved one! Sign up now for a future flower arrange-ment on the altar. You can be specific about colors—say if the person always liked yellow flowers. The sheet is on the bulletin board down-stairs and has lots of free spaces. Suggested donation is $70.00. You can drop it into the offering plate, with a notation flowers on your check. You can also make the contribution online.

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

The Rev’d Dr. David Schlafer, Assisting Priest [email protected]

Christopher M. Betts, Director of Music [email protected] Margaret Church Bookkeeper

Parish Office [email protected] VESTRY & OFFICERS Michael Mershon, Senior Warden 301-229-1606 ▪ [email protected]

Karen Stewart, Junior Warden 301-652-8470 ▪ [email protected]

Clark Evans Downs 301-656-4193 ▪ [email protected]

Susan Fitzgerald 301-229-3430 ▪ [email protected]

Michael Hart 301-613-1400 ▪ [email protected]

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

Jenny Nachbar 202-237-8624 ▪ [email protected]

John Nickum 301-469-9503 ▪ [email protected]

David Riggs 301-365-3675 ▪ [email protected]

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

Lois Burleigh, Assistant Treasurer 301-814-1407 ▪ [email protected]

Catherine Sands, Secretary 301-229-5159 ▪ [email protected]

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

6201 Dunrobbin Drive at MacArthur Boulevard Bethesda, Maryland 20816

Phone: 301-229-3770 ▪ Fax: 301-320-8037 Website: www.redeemerbethesda.org

The Parish Office is open Tuesday — Friday,

9:00 am — 4:00 pm

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.

New emails at Redeemer. Cricket: [email protected] Chris Betts: [email protected] The office: [email protected] Bookkeeper: [email protected] Please start using these and adjust your contact lists!

EMAIL

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES

Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at all services.

7:30am, Noon and 7:30pm

Documents

FROM THE HEARTH - The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer€¦ · · 2017-02-05The book narrates first-hand accounts of ... PARISH LIFE Print Communications ... Her email is [email protected]