The UMW Book Club meets about every other month, providing women the opportunity to read and discuss books with friends. We will meet this Sunday, April 15, at 12:00 noon, in Room 109 to discuss What is the What? by David Eggers. This novel was inspired by the life of Valentino Achak Deng who, like thousands of other so-called Lost Boys, was forced to leave his village in Sudan and trek hundreds of miles across the desert, pursued by militias, government bombers, and wild animals before resettling in the United States. What is the What? is moving, suspenseful, and unexpectedly funny.

Join us on Tuesday, April 17 starting at 12:00 noon in the Octagon room for a hymn-sing, fellowship, and lunch. Those attending are invited to suggest a favorite hymn to start the gathering, then Rev. Claire Matheny and Meg Baker lead as we sing together and learn a little more about the people behind some of our best-loved songs. This month will feature the music of Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister and gospel hymn writer whose stirring tunes include "Up from the Grave He Arose" and "Shall We Gather at the River," and other hymns that have been beloved for generations. There will be a tasty lunch to follow provided by Ginny Hagberg. There is no registration and no cost, and no singing expertise required!

The Justice & Compassion Team invites you to a pot-luck dinner in Heavener Hall on Wednesday, April 18 starting at 7:00 p.m. to meet Nan McCurdy & Miguel Mairena, long-time missionaries with the UMC's Global Board of Missionaries. St. Paul's has been supporting Nan and Miguel in their work for many years, and they will be telling us about their new assignment with "Give Ye Them to Eat" in Puebla, Mexico. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Phil Rush ( [email protected]; 240-426-9907). You can also read more at  http://stpaulsk.org/service/justice-and-compassion

St. Paul's is a sponsor of the Biblical Archaeological Forum, a series of scholarly lectures. This month's lecture "Ancient Venues for Sport and Spectacles" will be presented by Dr. Lindley Vann on Wednesday, April 18, starting at 8:00 p.m. at Bender JCC (6125 Montrose Road, Rockville MD). The Roman period was a time of unparalleled military power and territorial expansion that led to centuries of peace known as Pax Romana. Some of the most obvious features in the archaeological record are the structures that were built as venues of public sport and entertainment: the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, the theater of Pompey, the baths of Caracalla and Diocletian, and thousands of smaller versions situated from the borders of Scotland to Arabia. These structures witnessed gladiatorial combats, chariot races, traditional Greek theater, concerts, and Greek-style athletic events.This richly-illustrated lecture will investigate these activities and their architectural settings.  Reservations are not required. Fees per lecture are $10; high school students are admitted free of charge. For more information please visit: http://www.benderjccgw.org/event/ancient-sports-spectacles. 

Another Yard Sale is coming up!  The Spring Indoor Yard Sale, sponsored and organized by the United Methodist Men, will be on Friday, April 27 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) and Saturday, April 28 (8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.), with our "receiving day" on Thursday, April 26 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). This event is a big fund-raising opportunity and helps us support the church's ministry and outreach efforts. The items you donate provide a real benefit to others, especially recent immigrants and those with limited income. We happily accept such things as small appliances, furniture items, toys, books, clothes, knick-knacks, costume and fine jewelry, china, and other collectibles. (We cannot accept mattresses, sofas, car seats, or computer equipment.) Your volunteer work at the Yard Sale is a great contribution in itself! If you can volunteer, please use the sign-up sheet in the church office and simply add your name to the lot you prefer.

All are welcome at our Community Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 5, 8:00-10:30 a.m. in Heavener Hall. We will feature regular pancakes, specialty pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, fruit, and grits. Proceeds from this breakfast will benefit UMCOR. Instead of a fixed price, we invite donations. (As a guide, we suggest $8 for adults, $2 for children, or $20 for a family of four.)

As the number of families we serve continues to grow, so does our need for additional volunteers. Communion Collect generally happens the first Sunday of the month (we shift the date by a week when a holiday falls on the weekend). Please note our next food collection and distribution will be May 6 & 7. Your donations are always appreciated! Volunteers are needed after both church services to sort food and bag items. On Monday evenings, we meet at about 6:45 p.m. to bag the remaining food and to be ready for the 7:30 p.m. distribution. We are in great need of volunteers to help make deliveries! If you're able to make a delivery or two, even occasionally, we'd be grateful. To volunteer, contact Dawn Ely ( [email protected]) and read more at:  http://stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry 

St. Paul's, through its Council on Youth Ministries, will once again provide a monetary Educational Award to one or more graduating High School Seniors with plans to attend college, university, or some other type of post-secondary education. Each applicant will be considered based on several criteria including academics, service to St. Paul's, financial need, and personal statement. The application deadline for the 2018 Educational Award is Friday, May 18. Go to http://stpaulsk.org/community/youth to download the form and accompanying letter. Award recipients will be notified in late May and will be announced in church on Youth Recognition Sunday, June 3. Questions? Contact Mrs. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education, [email protected] or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.

All adults and youth are invited to a workshop on Saturday, May 19, 12:00-4:00 p.m. in Heavener Hall, where we'll have lunch together and talk, learn, and pray as we explore how our congregation might address the United Methodist Church's forthcoming decisions (not yet known) regarding policies on sexual orientation and homosexuality. We will briefly review what the United Methodist Church is doing, then in small groups we will explore questions that are close to home. We may look at what issues members of our church might agree or disagree about, how decisions are made at St. Paul's, and what St. Paul's individuals and groups hold as bedrock beliefs about God, the church, Biblical authority, and inclusivity. Although some individuals may want to express personal opinions about these questions, our emphasis will be on thinking and talking about the life of our congregation. An end goal for this session is a clear-eyed view of what beliefs unite all of us at St. Paul's, what might separate our members on matters of sexuality, and how we might consider the forthcoming results of the greater UMC's 2019 Special Session called to address sexuality and church policy. To participate, please sign up in the church office. For more information, please contact Bill Butz, [email protected], 240-205-0964.

Would you like to read Scripture or help serve Communion at the 9:00 a.m. Worship Service? We are looking for Liturgists and Communion Stewards to assist in the first worship service on Sunday mornings. There are dates available now for April, May, and June 2018. To sign up online, simply add your name and email address to the sign-up sheet found at this site: goo.gl/Xz5T79.  Contact Rev. Claire Matheny ([email protected], 301-933-7933 ext. 103) if you have questions.

St. Paul's will hold our popular Vacation Bible School program this year, June 19-22. We welcome VBS Campers, age 3 through those entering grade 5, from throughout the community for Bible stories, crafts, games, fun, and snacks based on the theme "Once Upon a Mountaintop." Youth who've finished grade 5 or higher are welcome to apply for Staff Helper Volunteer positions. Go to http://stpaulsk.org/community/vbs for more details or to download Camper or Volunteer applications. All applications are due by May 31.

Can you spare an hour this summer? Summer Sunday School runs from May 27 through September 3 and we are looking for adults who can volunteer their time for one or more Sundays. At least two adult volunteers are needed each week. All materials - curriculum, suggested activities, and snacks - will be provided. Youth helpers are also welcome and encouraged to participate. Please consider serving our church community in this way! Sign up in the church office or online at http://stpaulsk.org/community/children.  Thank you!

We are blessed to gather each Sunday following worship for good conversation and fellowship, and cookies and coffee! We are always in need of a few volunteers who can assist with serving coffee and a few cheerful bakers who can provide baked treats (nut-free, please) for fellowship time after 10:30 a.m. worship. Please sign up on the sign-up clipboards available during coffee hour or in the Octagon kitchen during the week.