Gabriel Fauré 's Requiem! This Sunday!
The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
All are invited to celebrate the 4th Sunday after Pentecost with a special cantata-- Gabriel Fauré's Requiem at the 9:30 (choir led) worship service!
Message from Pastor Jon
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove Church,

This Sunday is Rebecca's last day leading us in worship. At 9:30 am, you will be moved by the choir and orchestra's rendition of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem. At both the 9:30 and 11 am worship services, we have baptisms! At 9:30, we baptize Willa Jean Murray and at 11 am we will baptize Sofija Marie Nishikawa. Also at 11 am, we will commission our youth, young adults and leaders as they work on a Habitat house this week. What a wonderful Sunday!

With the Requiem, we will once again see Rebecca's immense talent. The depth and breadth of her musical abilities have always impressed me and moved me in worship. Her voice, proficiency of piano, directing and presence stirred and inspired me many times. Rebecca's music has been so meaningful to me, but the person behind the music also means much to me.

I visited Ark and Dove for the first time on a cold winter day in 2015 when the weather conditions necessitated a single service at 12:30 pm. Christina and I were, for the most part, "anonymous" visitors oddly bent on getting to church on this difficult day. After worship, Rebecca rolled a stroller up to Christina and I containing an adorably plump little boy I would come to love as Anderson. Her smile was warm and I got the impression that I would love to work with her.

Since working with Rebecca, she has been a caring friend. She knew that Christina and I had long struggled with infertility. Rebecca was always there to listen and respond with gentle empathy. It happened that Rebecca was with Christina when she found out she was pregnant with Elias. I was in West Virginia with our youth group. Christina got the call from the fertility center while they were eating. She quickly left the restaurant to call me, but Rebecca knew what the call was all about. Since then, she has been an important member of our extended chosen family helping us raise and support Elias.

I share these things with you because I know Rebecca has been meaningful in much the same way to many of us. She has stirred our hearts with music and grown them in friendship. I give thanks to God for Rebecca and I look forward to giving thanks to her on Sunday.

Peace,
Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
Verse and Prayer
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! - 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
God of creation, old and new: We come to you this day knowing that whatever yesterday was recedes to what is new today. Help us to embrace the future you have for us. For your future is new creation. All that is old and decaying will be new and flourishing. All that is bound for death will be brought to new life. Thank you for the hope you set within us each day. Let us now live our lives as those renewed. Amen.
FAREWELL LUNCHEON!

We will be honoring Rebecca with a farewell luncheon this Sunday, June 17th, after the 11:00 service. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can still do so HERE . Suggested donation per person is $10, and kids under the age of 5 are free. If you're unable to attend, but would like to contribute to our farewell gift for Rebecca you may do so HERE . If you are able to help set up, clean up afterwards, or have a sun canopy that we may use, please contact Amy Tardiff, itsmemim@gmail.com.

Notes for you!
I cannot believe that this day is here. When I made the announcement that I would resign at the end of the season, it seemed like it was so far away. While I do have one more working week, this Sunday will mark my last day in church, with the following week being when I take three of our singers to NYC to sing at Carnegie Hall (Karen Dodson, Edith Budd and Helen Wilkens). I have said this many times, but I will treasure my time here so dearly. I am so grateful for the relationships that I’ve made. I am eternally grateful to Tim for his guidance, mentorship, and friendship over the past decade. I could not have asked for a better head of staff. Jon, Mark and Mondee have all been an incredible staff to work with. I have formed deep and meaningful relationships with each one of them. It is hard to think about life without seeing them each week, but I know that I am leaving this place in the very best of hands. They will work to find an interim and director of music who will take the music to a new level, and I am excited for that. 

Last week, the children presented Oh, Jonah, and if you were able to see it, I’m sure you would agree that we felt their joy and love for the music exuding from their hearts and voices. I have loved my time with them, and I’m so glad we could do that musical again. It was my favorite from many years ago!). I am thankful for their incredibly dedicated parents, for always having them to rehearsals and prepared. It is such a team effort to put something of that scale together, and it would not have been what it was without our amazing director, Christa Kronser. I’m so grateful that she was able to use her professional theater experience to help us bring the music to life. Our accompanist, Paula Sparks, has been with me since day one--my right hand (wo)man. Literally. Some of you will know this, but the day after I was hired to begin working at Ark and Dove, I slipped on some ice and broke my right arm. Paula played for the first 2 months, while I conducted left-handed! I didn’t get off to a great start, but it certainly went up from there!

This week, the choir and orchestra will present Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem--a powerful masterpiece that I’ve been so fortunate to direct. This choir of 26 singers (yes, 26!) and 10 orchestra members is so dedicated. I love directing this music because of the people who are making it. When I look up from the podium, I see these wonderful people who have come together for the purpose of worshipping and making beautiful music--and boy, is it beautiful. Those are the moments that bring me immense joy. To my dear choir: I adore you. Thank you for filling my soul to its core. My heart is full, and it is because of you. 

With all my love,
Rebecca
rebeccaebell@gmail.com
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you that I am going to be leaving Ark & Dove in August. While I would keep working with each of you forever if I could, my relationship with Chelsea and my career are pulling me away (kicking and screaming).  I am, however, happy to say that the circumstances could not be happier in Chelsea finding a fantastic new position with PayPal in New York City, and myself landing a position with the Loudoun County Public school system. With us living in two different cities, Chelsea and I absolutely need the weekends to spend time with each other. I will miss each of you dearly, and know that we will meet again in the future. Thank you for letting me grow up over the past 10 years with you, and I can not wait to see the wonderful things in store for this congregation and each of you as well!

God bless,
Mark Edwards
mark.edwards.guitarist@hotmail.com
Donation Opportunities

DONATE ONLINE ! Peace and Global Witness Offering , Capital Savings Fund , Per Capita , and more! Many opportunities await you!
Christian Education
Field Day Fun! This Sunday!
We are celebrating the end of regular Sunday School with our annual field day this Sunday, June 17th. Please have your children dress for outdoor recreation and fun! Questions? Contact Laura Rockwell, laura.a.rockwell@gmail.com.
Vacation Bible School 2018


God's Good Creation, Monday July 9th through Friday, July 13th, 6:00-8:05 pm

Registration is now open! Children in Pre-K (age 4-5) through grade 5 are invited to journey with us as we celebrate the gifts that God has created--gifts that can help build a world where all people are fed. Register online here!
Volunteer for VBS!
Volunteers needed! Please consider joining the team as we teach children about hunger, hope, and the work to which God calls us in the world. Adult and youth volunteers are needed to assist in four different rotation activities (craft; games; snack/story time; simulation station--learn about hunger, poverty and our response) as well as team members to help with decorating, supply organization, and sign-in and sign-out on the nights of the program. Contact Christina Nelson, christinajoy87@gmail.com, or Laura Rockwell, laura.a.rockwell@gmail.com, to get involved.
Outreach and Connection
Summer Book Club
Summer is about to begin and that means it is time to grab a book for the beach... or for your air-conditioned living room. For June, July and August, we will host a book club where we can share ideas and encourage each other in faith. Our first book is Southernmost, a novel by Silas House. Southernmost is about an evangelical pastor who is shunned by his family and church for preaching and practicing tolerance. This newly-published novel will help us talk about relevant issues about faith and conviction, prejudice and tolerance. Please buy the book from wherever you get your books, sign up in the lobby, and we will discuss at lunch on Sunday, June 24th. Jon Nelson, jgnelson1985@gmail.com
Mission Ministry
La Trinidad Garden Dedication – RESCHEDULED to June 17
The Comunidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad Garden Project Dedication has been rescheduled for this Sunday, June 17, at 5 pm. Please join the worshiping community to celebrate the expansion of the garden, in size and number of participants. This year the participants plan to donate extra produce to area food banks, as well as sell at local farmers market. The 5 pm ceremony, in Spanish and English, will include the dedication, prayers, songs, a sermon and readings. The gardens are at Hollywood Farms in St. Margaret’s, 1922 Weems Farm Road. Questions? Laura Willoughby Perry, jwilloughby@gmail.com.
Volunteer for the Finca
Comunidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad’s Community Garden Project is looking for volunteers this growing season. Come spend an hour or two on Saturdays, weather permitting, working side by side with our Hispanic neighbors at the Finca (farm).
Volunteer activities include weeding, staking plants, spreading topsoil, mulch, wood chips, etc., cutting bamboo, general ground maintenance, as well as participating in laying irrigation systems, assembling shelving or hanging system for the shed, and other special projects. Volunteers can join in anytime between 10:00 and 3:00 and volunteer a long as they want. Dress appropriately, including shoes for muddy conditions. Bring work gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, water and snacks. Anyone wishing to bring personal hand tools for weeding should label them with their name. The Finca is at 1922 Weems Farm Road. For more information please contact Laura Willoughby Perry at ljwilloughby@gmail.com or (the better option) via mobile phone at 410-507-7129.
Guatemala Volcanic Eruption
The Fuego volcano, located 27 miles southwest of Guatemala City, erupted on Sunday June 3rd, 2018. According to Guatemala's national civil protection authority, the loss of life has reached 65. The agency says that in addition, 46 were injured and an unknown number are missing.

The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding in collaboration with partner CEDEPCA, the Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America, which is headquartered in Guatmala City. A $10,000 solidarity grant has been approved and continued support is being discussed.

To contribute, please go to the Ark and Dove giving page.
Winter Relief
Save the date, October 8th thru 14th 2018. This will be Ark and Dove’s week to host 25 homeless men and show radical hospitality. Debbie Saylor, saylordeb@yahoo.com and Ylonda Fauntleroy, yfauntleroy@gmail.com.
CAP West County Food of the Month
Featured item for June is MACARONI AND CHEESE. Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!      
Prayer Concerns: Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Emily Crose; Mary Beckwith; Colette Efiom; Kameron and Kamarii Miller; Karen Dodson; Don Ziegler; Cliff Wellington’s father, Roy; Rob Yeager’s mother, Rebekah Jennings, stepfather, Bill Jennings and grandmother, Peggy Jones; Cheryl Walcutt and her sister, Judy Walsh; Amanda Wehage’s family; Debbie Arey’s sister, Denise Dostoler; Julie Devers' cousin, Blane; Jon Nelson’s aunt, Linda; Jay Olson; Chip Burnett; Kim Champagne; Laura Doughty's aunt, Marie; Ylonda Fauntleroy's aunt, Bernice Taylor; Diane Johnson's aunt; Brooks Emrick's sister, Susan; Vaughn Brown's sister, Kathie, and brother, Jim; Erin Morrison's husband, Les; Arlyce Lohr; Joy Dabbs; Ann Hirschy; Carol and Dick Baily; Christy Yeager's father, Leon Jordan; Donna Anderson's brother-in-law, Tom; Josh Ederheimer's father, Stanley; Frances Keyes; Dot Forloines; Helene Marchand-Stancil; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Steve and Brandi Downs; Mary Stum's sister-in-law, Sandy; Julia Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd; Amy Carskadon's nephew; Jason Ziegler; Erika Sealing's son, Trip, and grandmother, Margaret Schade; Sue Hanburger's grandson, Enzo; Laura Rockwell's friend, Adam Hurst; Edie and Richard Budd; Dotty Kaufmann's grandson, Nathan; Amy Benson's family; David Michels; Joel Davie's father-in-law Richard Mensi; Bill Jennings; Ashton Milcalski; Patrie Conroy; Don Griffis; Lori Reed and Antonio; Lisa Mezaache’s friend, Pearl McNamara; Dakota Miller; Dillon and Kaleb Benson’s grandmother, Jan Sheets; Clarence Scott; and Jerri Webb's best friend, Jodi and her best friend's mother, MaryAnn Van Orten.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE for the birth of Brendan Andrew Ruddick on June 12, 2018, son of Heather and Kirk.

THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the family and friends of Sarah Hoyle on her death.

If you have prayer concerns or blessings that you would like to share, please contact Deacon Patriceo Green at patriceobgreen@gmail.com and he will add your concern to the prayer partners email chain.
Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church | 410-674-6400 | admin@arkanddove.org | www.arkanddove.org | 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy. Odenton, MD 21113