In This Sunday's Gospel at St. Columba's ... we’re reminded that it’s not uncommon for great transformations to be born of time, attention and even a little manure. Life itself will provide the manure, it’s up to us to carve out time and nurture those life giving practices and relationships that will turn that pile of manure into a glorious fig tree. With Lent at the half-way point, there’s still plenty of time for you to be carving out time and refocusing your attention on God, the One already at work tilling the soil of your soul.
~ A message from Amy Molina-Moore

Join us for Worship this Sunday
 Our regular schedule of services offers Eucharist at 8, 9 and 11:15 am in the Church Nave, and at 9:15 am in the Great Hall (for preschoolers and their families). Try our new Worship Lab service at 11:15 am in the Great Hall ! We invite you to introduce yourself to the members of our Welcome team and join us for refreshments between services in the Common.

Be sure to take in our Sung Compline, a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day, offered on Sundays in Lent at 7:30 pm in St. Aidan's Chapel.
Meditating
SUNDAY FORUM
Sabbath: The Gift of Mindfulness
The Rev. Fay Acker, noted meditation leader and former Dean of the Chapel at Howard University will lead us in a guided meditation session. Come, experience the gift of mindfulness and presence that Sabbath offers. Join us Sun., Mar. 24 at 10:15 am in the Church Nave.

Next Sunday ...
March 31: “Sabbath: Movement and Mindfulness”
You’re invited to combine the gift of presence, awareness and movement on the Labyrinth path in the Great Hall.
Nurturing
CHILDRENS' FORMATION
Walking with our Children Though Lent
Legos for Lent is a program for children ages 4-10 to hear a Bible story, talk about the story and create a Lego scene depicting the story. Join us Wednesday nights in Lent (Mar. 13-Apr. 17) in Rm 205, from 4:45-5:45 pm and from 6-6:45 pm. There is no dinner this year.

Lent and Easter Activity Booklets
For everything from prayers and puzzlers, to pretzel-making and pictures to draw, pick up your child's Lent and Easter Activity Booklet available in the Common and Great Hall. The booklets are designed for children ages 3-10 and offer an engaging path to walk through Lent and Holy Week as a family. Get one free copy for each child in your household.

Church Lady Chats
Pattie Ames will be at Starbucks Tenleytown (4513 Wisconsin Ave NW) every Wednesday in Lent, through Apr. 10 from 7-9 am, for "church lady chats." Parents are invited to join her for a cup of coffee and to talk about anything.

For more information about childrens' activities, contact: Pattie Ames
Caring
FORMATION
Lenten "Living Green" Workshop
Wed., Mar. 27, at 7 pm in the Great Hall
Join us for this week's workshop on “Green Community.” Speakers include:
  • Green Banks – Alex Kragie
  • Green Investing – Will Buno
  • Community Gardens, Trees, Rain Gardens, Transit – Dan Guilbeault, Chief, DC Sustainability and Equity Branch
Celebrating
60th Anniversary Bash
Help St. Columba’s Nursery School mark its 60th anniversary this year. Come and bring friends from the St. C's Nursery School in years past! Join us Sat., Apr. 6, 7-10 pm at the Chevy Chase Village Hall (5906 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase). Buy tickets, support the Auction and learn more at: www.60thbirthdaybash.com
Inquiring
Interfaith Book Group Examines the Border
A weekly book study on "identity" by the Interfaith Partnerships Ministry will start discussing "The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border," by Francisco Cantu, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm in Rm 238. Come explore with us this inside story about living and working on the U.S. border with Mexico. Questions?
Contact: Andrew Trotter
Remembering
William Alfred Ratcliff
William Ratcliff died Feb. 8, 2019. May his soul and those of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
A funeral will be held at St. Columba's on March 23, at 1 pm.

Earl Lindveit
Earl Lindveit died Mar. 18, 2019. May God receive him into loving arms of eternal embrace.
A service in celebration of Earl’s life is being planned.
Easter Flower & Music Donations
Parishioners are invited to donate toward special flowers and music for Easter. Dedications in "Memory of" or "Thanksgiving for" will be acknowledged in the Easter bulletins. Sign up in the Common on Sundays, March 24, 31, and April 7, or make your request online. Forms and payments must be received by Mon., Apr. 8 in order for listings to appear in the Easter bulletins.
Contact: Cindy Anderson
Gathering
For more event info, go to Calendar at Columba.org

Youth Sunday
On Sun., Mar. 31, Grant McNavage will share his faith story with the St. Columba's community. Grant is in 11th grade and has grown up at St. C's with mom and dad, Kristin and Ryan, and sister Lindsay, and is an active participant in the youth program on Sunday mornings. Next Sunday all non-pledge offerings will go to support our youth at St. Columba's. Please consider giving generously and remember that you make your offering by texting “SCEC” to 73256.

SUNDAYS
Bible, Coffee & Conversation 
Come Practice Bible with Christ. Scripture passages from our Sunday Worship service read and reflected upon, at 10:15 am, Rm 238.

Healing Prayer 
During Communion at the 9 and 11:15 am services, you are invited for a healing prayer for yourself or others in St. Aidan's Chapel or at the 42nd Street entrance.

MONDAYS & THURSDAYS
Centering Prayer
Join us Monday evenings (6:25-7:30 pm) and/or Thursday afternoons (12:55-2 pm), Rm 202.

TUESDAYS
Interfaith Book Group Discusses "The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border," by Francisco Cantu, 7-8:30 pm, in Rm 238.

WEDNESDAYS
Mothers' Group  Coffee, fellowship, and sharing the highs and lows of motherhood, 10 am, in Rm 203.

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT (MAR. 13 – APR. 10)
Church Lady Chats 7-9 am, Starbucks Tenleytown (4513 Wisconsin Ave NW). Parents invited to join Pattie Ames for a cup of coffee and talk.
Legos for Lent (ages 4-10) 4:45-5:45 pm and from 6-6:45 pm, Rm 205.
The Gathering  6:30-7 pm, in the Azzi Living Room (2nd fl.) for light refreshments, conversation and Evening Prayer.
The Way: Introduction to Christianity & Episcopal Identity
F ive-week foundations course about "faith basics," 7-8:15 pm, Rm 220.
Living Green Workshops
F ive "Living Green" workshops, 7-8:15 pm, Great Hall.

SUNDAYS IN LENT
Sung Compline A service of quietness and reflection at the end of the day, offered Sundays, Mar. 17, 24, 31, and Apr. 7 at 7:30 pm, St. Aidan's Chapel.

SUN., MAR. 24
42nd Street Fellowship Come for lunch at DeCarlo's (4822 Yuma St., NW) at 1 pm. Meet in the Common after the 11:15 am service to carpool.
Mothers' Group March Potluck Gather with friends at 6 pm at Kathleen Enright's home to welcome spring. RSVP

TUES., MAR. 26
Branches Meditation Group meets (the Fourth Tuesday of the month) for meditation, prayer and sharing in community, 7:30-9 pm in Rm 203.

WED., APR. 3
Benedictine Cell (first and third Wednesday of the month), 6-7 pm in the Deming Library.

SAT., APR. 6
St. Columba’s Nursery School's 60th Anniversary Party 7-10 pm at the Chevy Chase Village Hall (5906 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase).

SUN., APR. 7
Second Tuesday Grate Patrol 11:15 am, in Rm 205.
Environment Committee 12:30 pm, in Rm 212.
Fathers' Group 8-10 pm at The Avenue (5540 Connecticut Avenue, NW).

WED., APR. 10
Wisdom Circle Second Wednesdays, 9:30-11 am, Rm 212. Join others in exploring the spiritual terrain of Elderhood using Scripture and conversation as your guide.

SAT., APR. 13
Sticks-in-Stitches   Bring your needles, yarn, thread and ideas, 10 am-12 noon in the Lounge at Friendship Terrace (2nd floor).

SUN., APR. 14
Newcomer Tour & Talk 10:15 am, Welcome kiosk, Common.

SAVE THESE DATES
APR. 14-21
Holy Week

SUN., APR. 28
Nurture Creation Sunday 10:15 am

SAT. & SUN., APR. 27 & 28
Rebuilding Together Hands on home refurbishment for low-income, elderly or handicapped District residents. Register