Sunday School Kick-off!
The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
September 9 , Sunday School Kick-off this Sunday!

September 18 , Parents' Night: Logos informational meeting

September 25 , Logos kick-off!

Message from Pastor Jon
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,

This weekend we kick-off our 2018-2019 Sunday School year. We have wonderful christian education opportunities available at 9:30 am for children and youth, preschool through high school. Engaging lessons by gifted leaders will lead a class for preschoolers, Godly Play lessons are ready for kindergarten to 5th grade, and youth leaders are set for middle school and high school fellowship and learning. At 11 am, Godly Play lessons are available for kindergarten through 5th grade. As always, nursery care is provide at both services. Please keep our children and teachers in prayer as they learn more about the good God we have. We still have need for more educators, please contact Laura Rockwell (laura.a.rockwell@gmail.com) if you are interested.

Speaking of education, research action teams of our Anne Arundel IAF organization have been learning about issues in our county such as housing, transportation, education, immigration, addiction, and gun violence. I know that the several members of our congregation who have been serving on these teams are finding out a lot. You may have heard that the Education Research Action Team discovered that many schools in our county have not been tested for lead in their water systems, which has been found in the water of our public schools. Given what was learned, our IAF organization held Superintendent Arlotto accountable. This type of action is what we can accomplish as an IAF affiliate in Anne Arundel County.

We need your help to make sure we can act in similar ways for the betterment of our county. Please mark your calendars for October 4, 7 pm, at First Christian Community Church in Annapolis. With over 100 Ark and Dovers and over 1,000 faithful people of the county gathered, we will launch our IAF affiliate (which will then be named) and take meaningful action for our county. Powerful leaders of Anne Arundel will be there. You'll not want to miss this momentous event. As a recent long-time Annapolis resident told me, "this is it, this is our chance for change in the county."

Peace,
Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
Verse and Prayer
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. - Psalm 125:1
Faithful God: we live in uncertain times. We can be certain that change is coming. The future is unclear and tomorrow will bring a new set of challenges. Still yet, you are now and forever. You are faithful and so we can be certain that you will be with us for eternity. In days that bring doubts and anxiety, give us faith in your abiding presence. Grant us the assurances of your promises. Fill us with hope in your good future. Amen.
Notes for you!
Life has taught me that change isn’t a gradual phenomenon, but is more often sudden and unexpected. Two weeks ago, I was offered a permanent position as Music Minister at Memorial Episcopal Church in Baltimore’s Bolton Hill neighborhood. I’m very excited for this new position, however, I am disappointed that I need to leave Ark & Dove. My time with you has been very short but very meaningful. I am very moved to have found a church that embraces diversity and is called to action in its own community. I deeply appreciate having a space in which to share my gifts with others. I hope that the great optimism and energy I have witnessed at Ark and Dove has rubbed off on me, and that I can take it to my next position and beyond. Thank you to Dorene Chen and Abbey Boudreau for taking over the interim roles as your search continues, and I pray that wonderful things come to your music ministry.

Justine Koontz
Interim Music Director
jkoontz@qis.net
Happy to announce that rehearsals have started for band led service. We had a wonderful rehearsal this week, and are excited to share our efforts with you each Sunday so we can all worship as a community. It's a time of learning with the return of the school year. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you are interested in music lessons. Guitar, drums, bass, voice, piano, cowbell...we have it all!

God bless!

Patrick Sise
Interim Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
Generosity Opportunities

DONATE ONLINE ! Peace and Global Witness Offering for IAF , Pledged Giving , Capital Savings Fund and more! Many opportunities await you!
Discipleship Ministry
Let's finish the summer strong!
Discipleship Ministry "Please pass the ketchup." Probably something we’ve heard, or said, this summer at barbecues, cookouts and picnics. What about, "please pass the catch-up?" Now that summer vacation has ended, your church is asking you to catch up on your financial giving. Ark and Dove is running about $20,000 behind on pledged giving, and it's cramping our style. There has been some amazing ministry completed this summer; let's finish the summer strong. Let's catch up.
Mission Ministry
Peace and Global Witness Special Offering
Now may the Lord of peace...give you peace at all times in all ways.    
 -2 Thessalonians 3:16
 
Sometimes the world is coming at us so quickly that we don't know which way to turn, where to look, what to do next. In a chaotic world, we find strength in knowing that God is always near. With the Peace and Global Witness special donation , we join in Paul's prayer that God grant us peace. Peace for our world, our family, our church, ourselves, and our community. As we work to share Christ's peace with one another, this donation will go directly to Anne Arundel County IAF (which may soon be known as AACT, Anne Arundel Connecting Together ), as we commit ourselves to peace in our county. Issues to be addressed include issues of gun violence, unjust immigration laws, addiction and mental health, education, unaffordable housing, and difficulties of transportation. You may donate online or with the Peace and Global Witness envelope. Extra envelopes can be found in the chair pockets. PEACE. Thank you! Cheryl Schafer (csscas@verizon.net)
Winter Relief: October 15 through October 22
The week of October 15-22, 25 men will be making our church their home for the week. Please consider how you feel called to help this ministry. We have so many ways you can help: set up before and after, driving; intake, radical hospitality, meals, overnights, and supplies and food for the week. Sign-ups are in the lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Ylonda Fauntleroy yfauntleroy@gmail.com, Debbie Saylor saylordeb@yahoo.com co-directors this year or Cheryl Schafer csscas@verizon.net Mission Elder.
CAP featured food item for September
Featured item for September is PEANUT BUTTER and PRESERVES. Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!  
Plan on Attending!
October 4! IAF Launch!
Ark and Dove has already witnessed that our support of IAF (soon to be AACT, Anne Arundel Connecting Together) has made a difference in the lives of our families. Last week IAF "ran an action" on Superintendent Arlotto requesting him to speed up the schedule for the testing of water in our public schools.
 
Following our year commitment of listening sessions, we are now ready to launch-- Thursday, October 4, 7:00 pm ! Please plan on attending as, together, we make real and relevant changes in our county on these core issues:
 
·          Affordable Housing
·          Safe and Effective Schools
·          Useful Public Transportation
·          Meaningful and Gainful Employment
·          Freedom from Addiction
·          Just and Fair Immigration Policies
 
Please contact Cheryl Schafer (csscas@verizon.net) and Cheryl Walcutt (walcutt_family@hotmail.com) to RSVP for this event.
Lead Testing of the Water at Schools: What part is our responsibility?
I’ve spoken recently to a number of experts on the issue of lead testing of the water in our schools. Dr. Marc Edwards, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, is a renowned expert in municipal water quality. He was instrumental as a scientist-advocate in both the DC and the Flint water crises. Earlier this year he won the 2018 Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He very kindly answered all my questions and made suggestions. The comments in parenthesis are mine.

•   Dr. Edwards has never seen an absence of lead in water at schools. Older schools have more lead. (Would you believe that Arundel High is as old as I am!) The lead is in parts of the schools' plumbing system. These are not lead pipes, but lead from soldering, galvanized iron, etc. 

•   It is always good news when there are test results. Then you can do prevention. The bad news is when you don't hear about testing being done or test results are not given.

•   In schools that have not yet been tested, parents should pressure for it to be done as soon as possible. This is a public health issue. It is not about just a parent's concern for their child, but for all children.

•   Bottled water is a choice for parents. It is not necessarily lead-free. (EPA sets the limit at 5ppb.) There is the balance also with cost, environmental consequences, etc.

I also spoke with Christine Nagle, Deputy Program Manager, Water Supply Program, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). She explained the following: 

•   Unlike other environmental laws about lead, the school testing law sets up no penalties for violations. The MDE has no teeth, if school systems do not comply. It instead depends on public shaming. Public involvement is essential not only for testing, but also to see what the schools do to remediate situations.

•   The vast majority of schools have not yet been tested.

So, it is up to the residents of our county, not just parents, to create safe learning environments for children. Pastor Tim provided information in the special Arkive on August 29th. 

You too can get involved. Joining IAF is a great way to do that. Let Tim Stern, Jon Nelson, Cheryl Schafer, Erin Quigly, Debbie Saylor or Cheryl Walcutt know if you want to get on board.

Thank you! Linnie Girdner, girdnerlinda@gmail.com
Music Directors Search Teams
Update!
Your two music director search teams are in full gear and working very hard. There are meetings every week. The search team for Director of Music is receiving resumes and conducting interviews. The search team for Director of Contemporary Music is getting close to submitting the updated job description to Session. Please keep these industrious teams in your prayers.
A note from the music director search team
The Music Director Search Team has been busy as bees the past few weeks! We’ve received over a dozen applications for the position and have begun interviewing these talented people for the job. Hopefully we’ll have a new music director very soon. Keep our team in your prayers!
Deacons' Corner
Deacons' Meals
The Board of Deacons provides care and assistance to members and friends of Ark and Dove. One of our ministry areas is the coordination of meals for households going through a physically or emotionally difficult time. To learn more about the deacon meals or volunteer to provide them, please contact Judy Cooper (jkcooper@umd.edu). You can also contact Greg Makar, the current moderator, for more information about any deacon topic (GLMakar@juno.com, 301-483-8255)
Christian Education
Weekly Bible Study
Are you interested in delving a bit deeper into the Bible? Are you looking for some companions on your journey of faith? Come as you are, there are no prerequisites. We discern and discuss new Bible passages every Wednesday, 10:00 am, beginning September 19 . Questions? Please contact Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com.
“Understanding the New Testament” Course
Professor Michael Gorman of St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, and a member of Community United Methodist Church in Crofton, will be offering a free course called “Understanding the New Testament” on Monday evenings this fall. Several area churches will be participating. The class will meet at First Baptist Church of Crofton, 1690 Crofton Parkway, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. September 17 to November 12, 2018. The class will be a combination of presentation and discussion. It will focus on the historical context of the New Testament and on the unique message about Jesus and discipleship found in each New Testament writing. There is an optional text to purchase: Mark Alan Powell, Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey, 2 nd edition. Michael Gorman is the author of a dozen books, and he has lectured and taught throughout the country and abroad. For further information or to register: mgorman@stmarys.edu.
Worship Ministry
Come one come all!
If you're interested in serving as a greeter for either the 9:30 or 11:00 service, please reach out to Scott Howe at 410-868-3676 or email at scottspe1@comcast. No experience is needed! Thank you for considering!
Outreach and Connection
New Members/Inquirer's Class
All are welcome to join the New Members/Inquirer’s Class on Saturday, October 27, from 8:30 am to noon 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 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 on the bulletin board in the lobby or contact Donna Anderson at donna.anderson30@aol.com, so we can plan for breakfast and childcare.
Friendly Seniors!
Get those calendars out to join us for two special events by the end of the year. The Longwood Gardens event needs to be reserved in September , so get that check book out, too!

  • Saturday, October 13, 11:30 am, Rinconcito Mexicano (Odenton Shopping Center). Karen Dodson will regale us with tales of hotel financial management in DC and the Caribbean!
  • Saturday, December 8 am, exact time TBD, A Longwood Gardens Christmas Show, Kennett Square PA. COME ONE, COME ALL AGES! We will be carpooling from the church. Tickets will go on sale after each service starting this Sunday, Sept. 9. Seniors (62+)= $27, Adults = $30, Youth (5-18) = $16. (Groups of 15 or more may get a discount).
 
Like to learn more? Joan Berry, berry962@verizon.net

Healing through Grief
Healing through Grief
The next meeting of the Healing through Grief small group will be on Thursday, September 27, 7 - 8:15 pm in the Ark and Dove Room. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a beloved family member or dear friend, no matter how recent or long ago, is invited to attend. No sign up needed, though it is appreciated. Drinks will be provided. The group is facilitated by Pastor Tim and Linnie Girdner. For more information, please contact Linnie Girdner at 410-999-7892 or girdnerlinda@gmail.com.
Prayer Requests
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Alta Paronto’s father, Bob Haight; Donna Hahn; Al Furlow; Christa Kronser; Charlotte Davie; Jay Olson; Mary Beckwith; Colette Efiom; Kameron and Kamarii Miller; Karen Dodson; Cliff Wellington’s father, Roy; Rob Yeager’s mother, Rebekah Jennings, stepfather, Bill Jennings and grandmother, Peggy Jones; Cheryl Walcutt’s sister, Judy Walsh; Amanda Wehage’s family; Debbie Arey’s sister, Denise Dostoler; Julie Devers' cousin, Blane; Jon Nelson’s aunt, Linda; Chip Burnett; Laura Doughty's aunt, Marie; Ylonda Fauntleroy's aunt, Bernice Taylor; Diane Johnson's aunt; Brooks Emrick and her sister, Susan; Vaughn Brown and his sister, Kathie, and brother, Jim; Arlyce Lohr; Joy Dabbs; Ann Hirschy; Carol and Dick Baily; Christy Yeager's father, Leon Jordan; Donna Anderson's brother-in-law, Tom; Frances Keyes; Dot Forloines and her friend Doris Weber; Helene Marchand-Stancil; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; 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, Richard and Jennifer Budd; Dotty Kaufmann's grandson, Nathan; Amy Benson's family; David Michels; Bill Jennings; Lisa Mezaache’s friend, Pearl McNamara; Abbey Boudreau’s cousin, Ross Walker; Dakota Miller; Clarence Scott; Marlene and Doug DeHaven; Matthew Fellows; Mike Stefanick; and Diane Makar’s friend.  

THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Ederheimer and Anderson families on the death of Josh’s father, Stanley. 

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