The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter |
|
All are welcome!
Celebrate the Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost with livestream worship!
Please connect on YouTube HERE
|
|
|
|
Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,
This week we completed Summer Bible Club, a five week Christian education experience for kindergarten through 8th grade children and youth. I am so thankful for the thought, prayer, work, patience, and persistence of all who made SBC happen.
Earlier this year, when we realized that a traditional Vacation Bible School would not be safe or possible, Christina Nelson, Linda Lewis, and Julie Devers began developing a program that would provide our children and youth a meaningful experience this summer. They pulled resources and people to organize five weeks of videos and ZOOM conversations that helped our children learn the Lord’s Prayer and the ways it addresses problems in our world like hunger, sickness, and inequality. Our middle school youth (about 15 of them) studied the history of racist ideas. Even more, our children donated food to the Kingdom Celebration Center for distribution to at-risk neighbors. Many teachers, planners, actors, musicians, video producers, and other Ark and Dove leaders made this very new program happen. I am deeply grateful for all the innovations in these odd times.
Ark and Dove has proven itself to be a creative community. Often, this church reflects and reacts to change with innovation. We are doing that now. I encourage you to fill out the CAT survey you should have received in your inbox. The survey will close soon, and we need your input. Your feedback will help us to meet these challenging times with innovation and faithfulness.
As we look into the fall, we continue to discern God’s dream for our future. Let us come together and creatively meet the challenges of our time.
Peace,
Jon
jnelson@arkanddove.org
|
|
Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.
-Psalm 40:11
|
|
God of mercy, how often we are unmerciful. We are unforgiving and sometimes find ourselves unforgivable. When we give ourselves grace, we still exact judgment upon others. We assign blame without empathy. We condemn without consideration of restoration. Overwhelm us with your steadfast love, that we might love without condition. Amen. |
|
This week the band recorded 'Let Justice Roll Down,' a song in which we all should be familiar with the music and the message it delivers. Parents please be on the lookout for info regarding how LOGOS will be running coming this school year. I am excited to get started with LOGOS again, and have the kids learning and having fun together. Lastly, please complete the Church Assessment Tool (CAT) surveys that were emailed to you.
God bless!
Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
|
|
DONATE ONLINE! One-time and recurring!
TEXT your donations! 410-983-3481
Text give to get started. Text commands for more options.
You will be enriched in every good way for your generosity….
- 2 Corinthians 9:11
|
|
|
|
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost |
|
The Church Assessment Tool (CAT) is ready for you! |
Recently, you should have received the link to your CAT (Church Assessment Tool) survey. If you haven’t already, please set aside some time to complete the assessment. Your personal story is critical to your leaders as they plan for our future. Please make this a priority for this week! If you haven’t received the link, please contact us at LRP@arkanddove.org or contact the church administrator with your updated contact information at admin@arkanddove.org. We want to hear from as many people as possible to get the true heartbeat of our congregation. We have sent the survey out to about 270 email addresses, but we need you to do the survey for us to get the value. This survey will close soon—so get your voice heard, while there’s still an opportunity! Thank you! If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris Fox, leader of our LRP team at foxychris3@gmail.com. |
|
 |
YTD Expected Unpledged Income
Actual Unpledged Income
Behind
YTD Expected Pledged Income
YTD Actual Pledged Income
Ahead
|
|
|
|
$22,568.00
$18,938.00
$3,630.00
$264,552.0
$269,274.00
$4,722.00
|
|
|
|
Sunday Fellowship after the live-stream church service continues! Via a ZOOM meeting, of course. If you'd like to join in for some light conversation and have a chance to see some familiar faces, simply send an email to fellowship@arkanddove.org to request an invitation. We will then send you a link to the Zoom meeting. You only need to do this one time, and you can use the same link each week. The meetings begin around 11:15 each Sunday. It will be great to "see" you! Nicole Howe, nicolehowe123@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
For many years Ark & Dove has partnered with the County Department of Social Services and the AA Public School System to purchase backpacks and supplies for elementary school students. Separately, we have also purchased supplies for Meade Middle School students. The Back to School Program is back this year, but with inherently different needs due to COVID-19. The Ark & Dove mission ministry encourages the same high level of participation we’ve had in the past.
This year, Back to School participation is in the form of financial donations, in order to support middle and high school students. Back to School will provide gift cards for Office Depot, Target, and Wal-Mart. The type of cards and amounts will depend on the family’s needs, and the cards can be used toward traditional supplies, as well as headphones, lap boards, and laptop accessories for virtual learning, as well as other essentials, such as clothing. Because of the extra stresses of COVID-19, the needs this year are different and greater than before. (Backpacks and supplies for elementary school students will be provided directly by the county.)
If you would like to participate, you can make a donation to Ark & Dove, electronically, text “school” to (410) 983-3481, or by check (please designate “Back to School” on the check memo). To donate directly to the Back to School program, please visit them online or by mailing a check to: Back to School Program, 80 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. For more information, please contact Greg Makar (GLMakar@juno.com, 301-483-8255), or the Back to School Program (community.programs@maryland.gov, 667-500-4658). Thank you.
|
|
Antiracism and Social Equity |
|
Restorative Justice: A Possible Response to the Recent Vandalism of Our Banners |
Restorative justice marks a shift in paradigm from traditional punitive justice. Restorative justice seeks to address the harm to the victims and community caused by the wrongdoing or crime. It emphasizes accountability and is potentially transformative.
Our congregation, and the surrounding community, were harmed by the actions of the person who vandalized our "Dismantle Racism" and "Black Lives Matter" banners last week. In Pastor Tim’s sermon, he shared a community member’s reactions to both the crime and our response to it. The destruction of our property impacted the sense of safety of many in our community. What would you like to see as a restorative justice response, if we learn who the perpetrator is? How might church members and community members be involved?
A few examples of the principles of restorative justice may be helpful. Most parents practice restorative parenting when they seek to have siblings restore their relationship after one has wronged the other. Many schools are moving away from punitive disciplinary responses to restorative circles that help build and mend relationships and encourage pro-social behaviors.
Jan and I used a restorative justice process several years ago when a middle schooler threw a lock out of the school bus window and damaged the back window of our car. A white boy across the street told us who did it and explained that he had dared his black friend to throw the lock at the car. We contacted that boy’s mother and met with her and him. He guiltily admitted to having done it. We could have called the police, which would have been necessary for us to submit an insurance claim. We did not. We did not want to see this 13 year old charged with a crime for his impulsive act. How might that change how others treated him and how he might see himself? And yet we wanted to hold him accountable. We worked out an arrangement for him to get off the bus at the stop by our house after school for about a week. For a couple of hours each time, he helped me dig up an old garden and plant spring bulbs. We worked side by side very agreeably and talked together. This was a good kid. As the bus passed by our house in early spring, I always imagined that he noticed the beautiful flowers that he had helped plant.
When police and the courts are involved is restorative justice still an option? We have an example of that from our county. One of the young men who hung a noose at Crofton Middle School in 2017 agreed to a plea deal of 120 hours of community service in the form of restorative justice supervised by the Anne Arundel County Branch of the NAACP. He publicly atoned for his actions at a meeting of the Caucus of African American Leaders five months later (see here). Then at the end of his service he recounted what he had learned at a NAACP meeting (see here). I met him at a Coming to the Table meeting and could tell that his words about his deepening understanding of the impact of his actions were heartfelt.
If the police find and charge the person accused of vandalizing our banners would we want to seek a form of restorative justice? Please share your ideas with the Ark and Dove Antiracism and Social Equity Team by emailing Linnie Girdner, girdnerlinda(at)gmail.com. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Summer Sunday School for elementary aged children will continue using the Holy Moly program from 9am to 9:30am on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in teaching or being the second adult on zoom, please contact Julie Devers at jbdevers@gmail.com. |
|
Thursdays at 3:00 pm on Zoom. Please contact Pastor Tim (tstern@arkanddove.org) to receive an invitation.
|
|
|
|
If you are looking for some fun on Saturday night, join the Deacons to play Codenames over Zoom! Codenames is like a board game that is very easy to play virtually--it's not a video game. Get an invitation to the Zoom meeting from eemakar@aol.com. Get the game at www.horsepaste.com/deacons. There is no sign up, download, or registration. You will need to tile your screens, to be able to see Zoom and the game at the same time. It is best to play on a computer, for size. Saturdays at 8 PM. |
|
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Linnie Girdner; Dot Bruno’s son, Deante Musgrove; Jess and Adell Gaurin; Wendy Wellington’s father, John; Debbie and Bruce Arey’s daughter, Allison; Linda Jordan; John Mikeska; Ylonda Fauntleroy’s husband, Tony Schoonmaker and friend, Tanya; Jesse Pennabaker; Michelle Schoonmaker's Auntie Bernice; Diane Johnson's Uncle Ed, Aunt Janet, and cousin Richard; Shelley Franklin's father; Hollis Butterworth’s daughter, Rachel Mershont and brother-in-law, Brian Smith; Amanda Wehage’s mother, sister and father, Dave; Zach Murray’s father, Kelly Murray; Becky Marcus; Fred Barrow; Carlton Jackson; Sabonna Keeney’s mother; Pattie Plander; Richard and Edie Budd; Laurie and Fred Barrow’s niece, Hope Simeone, nephew, Samuel, and Fred’s aunt, Lee; Bernabe Solano; Griselda Solano's sister, Irma; Kathy Miller’s sisters, Patty and Beth; Dotty Kaufman, her son, Bill, daughter-in-law, Carol, granddaughter, Sarah, and grandson Nathan; Laura Doughty’s brother-in-law, Carl Hahn; Bob Johns; Cindy Knott’s mother, Madeline; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Bill Ruble’s mother, Mary Jane Weathers; Ann Hirschy’s Aunt Cindy and brother; Christina Nelson’s grandmother, Pat Dole; Chip Burnett; Kelly Burnett’s nephew, Justin; Dot Forloines; Dorene Chen’s family; Lewis Shorter and niece, Jennifer Schwandt-Gayle; Patriceo Green’s brother and sister; Jennifer and Shawn Ralston’s niece; Archer and Honor Bauman’s grandfather, Larry; the Tardiff family; Cheryl Walcutt’s mother, nephew, and sisters; Brooks Emrick and her sister, Susan; Vaughn Brown; Frances Keyes; Julia Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd; Erika Sealing's son, Trip, and grandmother, Margaret Schade; Amy Benson's family and Amy’s friend, Brian Shriner; Lou Kareha’s friends, Thomas and Judy Kochis; Margaret McGillivray's friend, Kim Nolet; Kim Young's friend, Joyce Miller; Linnie Girdner and Jan Hof’s friend, Grace Ligon; the Yeager’s friend, Karen Schell; Steve Debus’ cousin-in-law; Lori Kronser's friend, Barbara Noonan; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.
PRAYERS OF HEALING for those with COVID-19: Mary Benson’s brother, Alan Benson.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF CONGREGATION go out to the Fox family on the death of Chris Fox’s grandmother, Catherine.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF CONGREGATION go out to the Debus, Ballard and Hall families on the death of Steve Debus’ aunt, Barb Ballard.
PRAYERS OF LOVE, SUPPORT AND PROTECTION for all hospital staff, patients, clinics, grocers, essential workers and hourly workers around the world, who are working bravely and arduously to protect our loved ones and our communities. Including: Tricia Gray’s mother; Becca Distad; Jack Burnett; Caitlyn Bussey; Emily Sanders; Audrey Miller; Linda Jordan’s nephew, Russell; Diane Johnson’s grandson; the Ralston’s family members and friends; Simone Stiegler’s friend, Jean Marie; Mike Stiegler; Amy Grimm’s mother; Jeff Grimm; Amy Goldberg’s brother, Joseph Alexander, and parents, Michael and Maryann Cooper; Judy Cooper’s daughter; John Mikeska’s son, Jonathan; and Hollis Butterworth’s sister-in-law, Cyndie.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
