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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
This Sunday, January 29, 5:45 pm
To be preceded by a potluck dinner at 5:00 pm
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
This month we are thinking, talking, and praying a lot about what it means for us to be a church. We are doing so at just the right time. As a nation, we are going through a big transition. In many ways, Christianity itself is going through a major transition.
We are not a church that sits back to watch the world go by. We engage! That is why Pastor Tim and I are preaching a series about what the Church is called to be and do. That is why the leaders and staff of this church have been doing some difficult discernment and prayerful reflection on what God is calling us to as Ark and Dove. And that is why we are offering plenty of opportunity to gather together.
This weekend, especially, we have some great opportunities to grow and engage as a church. Tomorrow, we are having a new members/inquirers class of over 10. On Sunday morning, we will host a conversation with Rev. Migde Lucas at the 11 am in the Marshall Room and following the 11 am worship service. Rev. Lucas is starting Communidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad, a new worshiping community that seeks to engage and connect the Hispanic population in Anne Arundel County, with the support of our church and others in the Presbytery. I hope you will join us Sunday to hear from Rev. Lucas about this new and vital ministry.
On Sunday evening, we are hosting our Annual Congregational Meeting. A potluck dinner begins at 5:00 pm and the meeting begins at 5:45. Please sign up HERE with the items you'd like to bring. Earlier this week, we provided the Annual Report to you in digital form. You can find it HERE. Please read the report and come to the meeting. Your input is crucial!
Lastly, our Long Range Planning Team has been hard at work and the plan is now ready. Read it HERE. I believe this report accurately reflects where we are as a church and where we would like to be. It is the product of prayerful listening and discernment and includes very practical steps toward our future. Thank you to the Long Range Planning Team!
I look forward to seeing you this weekend! I am blessed to be a part of such a caring, compassionate, and engaged church!
Peace,
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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We need hosts: coffee makers, greeters, parking advisors, table movers, chair movers, and people to hang around smile and point to restrooms and other rooms. Please sign up in the lobby or send an e-mail to admin@arkanddove.org. We will take you for two hours, three hours or all day.
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VERSE AND PRAYER
Jesus unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.'
-Luke 4:17b-19
God of good news: Open us to receive this gospel of yours, proclaimed by Jesus Christ. May it move us, encourage us, and motivate us to do as Jesus and announce your goodness in word and deed. Fill us with faith, so that we might serve this broken world. You have set your Spirit upon us and in us. Let us attune ourselves to your presence, so that we may truly proclaim and bring good news to all. Amen.
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N
TES FOR YOU
 We got word this past week that unfortunately the Choir's trip to NYC is going to be postponed until 2018, due to there not being enough singers to do the Mozart "Requiem". I will be choosing a new cantata to do this summer, so I hope that if you were coming to sing the Mozart with us, that you might still consider singing with us this season and again next Spring for the Mozart.
You all should have received an evite invitation to Jon and Christina Nelson's' baby shower on February 19th. If you did not, please let me (Rebecca) know so that I can make sure I have the correct email address. We are asking everyone to bring a side dish to share. We will have vegetarian and gluten free options as well. If you have general questions, please contact one of the baby shower hosts: Rebecca Echols, Kelly Stern, Kim Young, Christine Caufield-Noll or Cheryl Walcutt.
rebeccaebell@gmail.com
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THE BLUES BROTHERS CONCERT FUNDRAISER
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THE BLUES BROTHERS SOUNDTRACK Ark and Dove's upcoming fundraising event -- in support of our youth mission and ministry summer programming -- is on
The Adam Levowitz Orchestra
The Blues Brothers Soundtrack
A Live Music Rhythm and Blues Review
All the hit songs
from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Tickets are $20/person and profits from ticket sales will support our youth as they participate in mission trips and the GenOn Summit this summer. Come out and enjoy great music in support of a great cause--our youth! Tickets are available at church or online. BUY NOW!
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PARENTS NIGHT OUT! YOUTH FUNDRAISER Parents, the next Parents Night Out (PNO) event is this coming Saturday, February 18, 2017. It's only $20 per child ($10 per additional child) for 4hrs of childcare!!! The PNO will be from 5pm-9pm and includes dinner, movies, and activities. Bring a snack to share. If you'd like to sign up, check out the sign-up sheets on the board in the lobby. All proceeds from these PNO will go to send our youth to the GenOn Conference and the Youth Mission Trips. Questions? Please contact Laura Talbert at lauramay77@aol.com.
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING POTLUCK
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ANNUAL MEETING POTLUCK will take place at 5pm on Sunday before the meeting. Please sign up online or on the sheet in the lobby with the item(s) that you would like to bring. Fellowship team will provide drinks. We also need help with set up and clean up. Set-up will take place in two parts ... immediately following the 11am service, we will set up all the tables and chairs. The second part of set-up will take place at 4:30pm and will involve making drinks (tea, lemonade, coffee) and helping to organize the food as it comes in. Clean-up will commence immediately following the meeting. You may sign up for the Set-Up and Clean-Up teams on the link above. Please email Amy Stavely amy@stavely.org with any questions.
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NEW MEMBERS' AND INQUIRERS' CLASS
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NEW MEMBERS' AND INQUIRERS' CLASS Tomorrow, 8:30am thru 12:30pm. Please join us for a New Members' and Inquirers' Class where you can meet other people who have been visiting Ark and Dove and enjoy breakfast and fellowship. This "no obligation" class is just for you if you want to learn more about Ark and Dove and what it means to be a member. We'll provide breakfast and childcare. Hope to see you there! Sign-up sheet in the lobby, or email Donna Anderson, Outreach and Connection Elder, donna.anderson30@aol.com.
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Call us Friendly -- FRIENDLY SENIORS, that is. The new name for the seniors' group is 'Friendly Seniors'. We are planning to have our open-invitation next event where a group of panelists will talk and answer questions about "Tell and PUBLISH Your Story". EVERYONE has a story! All panelists have written and published memoirs and are going to tell about the ups and down of their experience as well as giving guidance should you want to do the same. The event will be on Sunday, February 19 (snow date February 26). The place --TBD. We're looking for a convenient venue with a private room for ordering food and drink. We have several ideas, but are open to more. Such a location will allow us to have a book signing and sale for these panelists as well. So look for details on location in February, but put this on your calendar and invite your friends. Yes, there will be a registration because any restaurant will need to know the size of the crowd! Questions or a place to recommend? Please contact Joan Berry, 410-672-5237, berry962@verizon.net, or Frances Keyes, 410-874-7253, frkeyes1005@gmail.com.
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HANDS-ON SESSION Dot Bruno will be selling her home soon. Dot's daughter, Tara Johnson, is organizing a spruce up the home hands-on session, TOMORROW, and is issuing a call for help. Please send her a text at 301-467-5304 if you can help.
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SOUPER BOWL OF CARING STARTS NOW! Be a champion and tackle hunger with your donations to the Souper Bowl of Caring, a nationwide mission project that we have supported for 17 years. Between now and Sunday, February 5th, bring in cans of soup and place them on the platform steps in the sanctuary. Help us to reach our goal of 1,000 cans of soup! All proceeds support the Christian Assistance Program's food pantry in Odenton. Thank you! Christine Caufield-Noll, Mission Elder, ccnmission@outlook.com.
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ANTI-RACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITRY
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ANTI-RACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITY NEWS
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!
- SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) Annapolis and AA County Monthly Meeting, Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 333 Dubois Rd in Annapolis. Sat, Feb 4 from 3-5pm.
- Lester Spence, JHU professor of Political Science and Africana Studies speaks on Freddie Gray and the 21st century Black politics dilemma. Wed, Feb 8 at 6pm at the Severna Park Library. This meeting is for adults.
- April Ryan White House Correspondent, journalist, and author will be at Anne Arundel High School Media Center discussing How to Begin the Talk on Race Relations, Thurs, Feb 9 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Reserve your space at http://evite.me/Q7bdhgq5m3. For adults and teens.
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ANTI-RACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITY Saturday's Women's March was definitely a place "where two or more" were gathered from our church and others "marched in spirit" with us. Despite the fact that most were white women, the issues that were addressed were inclusive of race, gender, LGBT, immigrant status, religion, health, and protecting our Earth. For some of us our presence was being the love we want to see in the world, moving toward the Beloved Community. But actions must follow. And yet who can possibly keep up with all these issues that relate to anti-racism and social equity? Perhaps only God, and if you take an issue for which you have passion and listen to God, you will discern where you are being led to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in the world."
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EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Calling all elders, deacons, team leads, and those individuals who want to get involved! Please join us for Equipping the Saints, on Wednesday, February 1st, from 6:30-8:30, in the Marshall Room where we will be discussing the important topic of "Building Effective Teams." Panera will be provided for dinner, and we can accommodate dietary restrictions upon request. You can sign up in the lobby, and childcare will be provided upon request. Contact Sam Dewey with any questions: samanthadewey@gmail.com
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2017 PER CAPITA SPECIAL OFFERING
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PER CAPITA SPECIAL OFFERING Ark and Dove pays per capita to the Presbytery of Baltimore every year to support the programs of Presbytery and the General Assembly. For 2017 the amount is $35.00 per adult member. Each member is encouraged to assist with this amount.
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INTERFAITH ENVIRONMENTAL BRIEFING
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY BRIEFING
- Are you yearning to get more involved in the legislative process, but not sure how?
- Are you feeling like there is more you can do to make your voice heard on important environmental bills?
- Do you want to make sure your state representatives know you are concerned?
Here is an upcoming events to help you get more engaged:
For the Faithful ~ An Environmental Advocacy Briefing Webinar. Please join IPC and IPL for a free online webinar and conversation to learn about top priority environmental issues that Maryland state representatives will be discussing this session. Learn what these bills will achieve and what actions you can take to get more involved. No matter what is happening at the federal level, we can't lose sight of what's happening at the state level because this is our home! A Spanish translator will also be offering translations throughout the webinar.
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NEW LAY READER TRAINING If you would like to bless us with your gift of reading, we will be having a New Lay Reader Training, on Monday, January 30th at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. There will be a signup sheet in the lobby. If you have any questions please contact Debbie Saylor at debsaylor1@aol.com.
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THE WAY-WORDS STORYTELLERS
are looking for new members. Meetings are bimonthly, occurring every other Saturday, starting February 4th, 9:30 am (this is not a cut-off date.) Please sign up if you would like to join this ministry, or contact Anthony Saylor, anthonys1111@aol.com, for more information. Come spread the word of God by sharing the stories of the Bible with the congregation, bringing the people and miracles of Scripture to life.
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BEING CHRISTIAN What does it mean to call yourself a Christian? Christianity is a widely diverse religion. So, what are the essentials? In a four week course, we are discussing the basics: Bible, baptism, communion, and prayer. Following Rowan Williams' short book
Being Christian, we will discuss some of the essentials of Christianity. This is a class for those of us wondering what Christian faith is about and for those who want to get back to the basics. The course will be led by Betsy Baer at
11 am on Sunday mornings starting February 5. Please see Pastor Betsy (bbaer1216@aol.com) or Pastor Jon (jgnelson19852gmail.com). Books will be available soon for $6.
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TWELVE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE
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THE SPIRITED SISTERS SMALL GROUP is continuing the
Women of the Bible DVD series. Each session of this study stands on its own, so please come even if you haven't come before. Kim Champagne will lead our discussions of Mary of Bethany, Martha, and The Syrophoenician Woman on
January 14 and 28, and February 11. We meet from 9-10:30 am in the Marshall Room. We always begin by connecting in sistership.
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 PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Kim Schroen; Zach Murray; Ray Mosella; Lance Bergersen; Ann Hirschy; Rob Yeager's mother; Dot Bruno; Christy Yeager's mother, Linda Jordan; Barbara Reynolds mother, Ruth Campbell; Chip Burnett; Joe and Ann Devers; Laura Talbert; Fred Barrow's nephew, Sam Jackson; Nora Chidlow; David Chidlow's mother, Betty Jayne Chidlow; Dot Forloines; Henry Duncan; Helene Marchand-Stancil's parents, Paul and Mimi Marchand; Judy Cooper's sister, Barb Eardley; Mary Benson; Mary Benson's nephew, Peter; Mary Stum's sister, Barbara Kendig; Pat Stanton's aunt, Evelyn, and uncle, Hallie Hawn; Ellen Makar's father, Don Erickson; Janet Dabbs' sister, Diane Maloy; Preston Ritchie; Alden Carlson; Paul Doughty's mother, Ruth; the Brown family, friends of Sue and Hank Hanburger; Scott Howe's father, Ron; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Laurie Barrrow's sister-in-law Victoria and her niece; Claire Henderson's friend, Ginger Manning; the Nichols family; Gail Gilespie; and Dick and Carol Baily.
THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Amy Carskadon, Connor Boswell and the Rockie family upon the death of Amy's grandmother, Ann Rockie.
THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Pat Devers and the Devers family upon the death of his father Joe.
If you have prayer concerns or blessings that you would like to share, please contact Deacon Sue Hanburger at avongypsygal@gmail.com, and she will add your concern to the prayer partners email chain.
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