The Rev. Brent H. Thalacker, Pastor
(C) 571.236.4976
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Nativity Connect
May 26, 2021
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We invite you to join us each Sunday morning as we gather in assembly. Service of the Word arrives in your email and we celebrate Holy Communion drive in style (88.5 on your FM dial) at Nativity. So whether we are on the lawn, in our cars or on our screens our hearts and minds are in the same place. We are together in worship.
Sunday, May 30th, 9:00 am: Holy Trinity Sunday. PB in SC, Pastor Ron Zschoche from Messiah will preside and preach as our guest.
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June 4th-6th: Virtual Synod Assembly. See below for details.
Sunday, June 6th: Synod Live Stream Worship Service 10:00 am. (No outdoor Worship at Nativity.) Details TBA.
Wednesday June 9th: Anneliese Betz's interment is at Arlington Cemetery June 9 at 11 am. Arrive at 10:15 for vehicle/id check at the administration building.
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SEEK to grow in God's Word
TELL the story of Jesus' love & forgiveness
ACT as God's Hands in the world
REACH OUT to welcome all
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In the case of a kidnapping this photo would be considered “proof of life”; here no crime has been committed save too much time between visits. I’m certainly not being held against my will; there’s nowhere else I’d rather be! So far it’s been kids, napping, with a little golf in between. Now I know better the meaning of ‘Stockholm Syndrome’, when you fall in love with your captors!
As much as I’m looking forward to the next few days in Charleston, I also am eager to return home...especially for our final month together. I’ll be leaving home again then...Nativity has been my abode of friendship and meaning for nearly a decade, and I’m about to hit the road, seeking a new place to call my own. While a change in both habitation and habits may foster some sadness, it provides a great sense for me of both thanksgiving and excitement...I hope for you as well. And two out of three ain’t bad!
If you had to offer a proof of life photo, what would you choose? This one is this month, next month we’ll be adding a new granddaughter in Virginia, and the picture will change again for the better. One scene will never change because there’s nothing better than the proof of life we hold onto as believers...an empty cross and tomb. They mean a full life for us all forevermore!
See you in a week,
Pastor Brent,
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Greetings from your church council!
This is a year of change and excitement for Nativity Lutheran Church. As all should know by now, Pastor Brent will retire on July 1, 2021 after 41 years in God’s service. He has had a remarkable career serving the Lord and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Nativity has benefitted greatly from his vision, energy, wisdom, and humor. We will miss him and promise to cherish his remaining time here as we arrange a sendoff befitting his commitment and tenure.
We knew this day was coming, so we have been working with Pastor Brent and Bishop Ortiz to consider the timing of his retirement and to explore alternatives for our transition to a new pastor. Our goal is to call a full-time pastor; however, Bishop Ortiz observed and the council agreed that there is substantial work for our congregation to do before Nativity is in the best position to make such a commitment and offer. Bishop Ortiz proposed that we move forward with a part-time interim pastor for a two-year transition period during which we will determine how we can become more effective hands for God, rediscover our mission and ministry, discern our place in the community, and establish the partnerships and relationships that will allow Nativity to flourish into the future.
After much prayer and deliberation, two open congregational discussion sessions, and many informal conversations with individual congregation members, your council consented to the appointment of Pastor Mitchell (Mitch) Watney to begin July 1, 2021. Pastor Mitch is an experienced pastor and leader with over 30 years of service (most recently at Good Samaritan Lutheran Church in MD from March 2010 – May 2020). The council has spent a great deal of quality time with Pastor Mitch and have helped him understand Nativity’s history, culture, people, and expectations. In return, we have discovered his passion, excitement, and dedication to ministering to our congregation while helping us discern our future (you can see him in action on You Tube). There will not be a gap between Pastor Brent’s departure and Pastor Mitch’s arrival and our discussions have led to a part-time commitment averaging 28 hours per week to Nativity.
Now we will prepare to say farewell to Pastor Brent and welcome to Pastor Mitch (and, hopefully, return to our beautiful sanctuary as the pandemic draws to a close). Here is the schedule of events for the next several months:
Sunday, May 30, 9:00 AM – Outdoor service and coffee fellowship. Pastor Ron from Messiah Lutheran Church will fill-in for Pastor Brent; we hope to see a number of former Messiah members at this service.
Sunday, June 6 (no service at Nativity), 10:00 AM – Virtual service. Nativity will join the churches of the Metro Washington DC Synod to celebrate the conclusion of Synod Assembly 2021. Look for details in the weekly edition of Connect.
Saturday, June 12, Time TBD – Work detail. We will help move donated items and the memorial garden from Messiah to its new home at Nativity.
Sunday, June 13, 9:00 AM – Outdoor service. Outdoor service under the trees.
Sunday, June 20, 9:00 AM – Indoor service. This is our planning date to return to the sanctuary. Look for details in the weekly edition of Connect.
Sunday, June 27, 9:00 AM – Indoor service and fellowship. This will be Pastor Brent’s last service as our pastor. Please come celebrate his time with us in worship and fellowship!
Wednesday, July 1. Pastor Mitch assumes pastoral responsibilities.
Sunday, July 4, 9:00 AM – Indoor service. Pastor Mitch officiates his first service as our pastor.
Sunday, July 11, 9:00 AM – Indoor service and fellowship. Worship and official welcoming fellowship for Pastor Mitch.
Every transition is marked by excitement tinged with sadness. We’re sad to see Pastor Brent go, but excited for his future (reducing his golf handicap . . .). We’re also excited to welcome Pastor Mitch and look forward to the opportunities we have with him in the coming two years. This is a time for optimism. Nativity can grow and thrive, but each of us must do what we can to make it happen. The pandemic has disrupted our lives – now is the time to return to the familiar warmth of our church. Come to Sunday service; reach out to members who may have drifted away; reach out to friends and family who are seeking a place to reconnect; reach out to potential members who are looking for a new church home; and reach into your hearts and recommit yourself to serving as God’s hands in this world. All are welcome at Nativity.
Yours in Christ – the Nativity Church Council
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Following worship service on June 27th, we will host a small reception to celebrate Pastor Brent’s retirement. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments (finger-foods only) will be served. If you would like to contribute, please contact Megan Armenti (msarmenti@gmail.com).
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Support Peace with Justice in Israel and Palestine |
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Tensions in Jerusalem have risen dramatically in recent weeks due to the Israeli government’s condoning of the planned expulsion of Palestinians. This has been exacerbated by the use of Israeli security forces to both impede Muslims’ access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan and even to enter the mosque and attack worshipers under the pretense of taking security measures against so-called terrorists. All this has occurred in the context of inequitable vaccine distribution to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and disproportionate illness and death of Palestinians due to COVID-19.
Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) stated on May 8 that these actions violate the Status Quo agreement that promises Jews, Christians and Muslims freedom of worship and access to their holy sites. Unequal restrictions on worship by Israeli police has also included blocking some Arab Christians from the Old City during the Orthodox Easter holiday.
The Lutheran World Federation, in a statement issued May 10, called upon its member churches to 1) urge their respective governments to multilaterally work toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict; 2) continue to pray and advocate for the ELCJHL, the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem and their respective ministries; and 3) continue to pray and advocate for reconciliation and peace with justice, for Jerusalem and all its residents—Christian, Jewish and Muslim; Palestinian and Israeli.
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LSS invites you to their Expressions of Abundance "Growing Together". Register for live events taking place May 26th and 27th like
the Storytelling Night - "Growth" on May 27 at 7:00 PM.
We will be joined by speakers from our Youth Development and Wellness Program, Refugee Resettlement, Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) program, and our adoption program. We've asked our speakers to reflect on the theme of growth and how their experiences have shaped who they are today.
Registration is free.
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RSVP for Mar-Lu-Ridge Community Dinner on June 13 |
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Join MLR on Sunday, June 13 beginning at 5:00 pm in the main camp pavilion for a picnic supper, fellowship with our summer staff, and community worship. We can’t wait to see you all again! We will follow all COVID regulations such as face coverings and social distancing as we gather safely to celebrate and welcome back summer camp! |
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Feel Good Friday
Mobile COVID Clinics, Community+, and ELC Reopens July 1st
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Mobile COVID Clinic Comes to Audubon: On Sunday, more than 400 Audubon residents got their 2nd COVID vaccine shot -- thanks to the efforts of Neighborhood Ambassador Carla Claure!
Working in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, Carla registered hundreds of her neighbors to take the potentially life-saving vaccine.
ABC7's Nick Minock went behind the scenes of this amazing effort to bring COVID Vaccines directly into this community hit hard by the pandemic. Click here to read more!
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Community+|Creating Opportunities, Thriving Together
We are thrilled to announce that United Community's Communities
of Opportunity initiative is now Community+.
This change is the result of feedback from community members, neighborhood ambassadors, and residents about how our initiative can better represent their aspirations for the future.
Here are a few insights behind the new name and logo:
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The color (blue) represents water. For many people water represents peace, focus, and guidance -- emotions that Community+ aspires to bring to the lives of those we serve. It also represents change. It only takes a tiny drop falling into a pool to create ripples which grow into waves of change for our community.
- The "1" honors Route 1 and the community we are supporting.
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As an initiative, our "unity" lies in our desire to create opportunities so that everyone in our community can thrive.
- The plus sign emphasizes the unlimited positive potential that our community has for growth and our mission -- as an initiative -- to do whatever we can to contribute to that growth. It also symbolizes the responsibility we have to ensure that the community is at the heart of everything we do.
We look forward to creating systemic changes that lead to racial and social equity in the communities along the Richmond Highway - Buckman loop.
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ELC to Reopen July 1: We are thrilled to announce United Community's Early Learning Center will reopen with a fully vaccinated staff on July 1st!
If you or someone you know is looking for quality childcare education, share your contact information on our website and we'll contact you as soon as registration opens!
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New Faces at United Community: We are excited to welcome Syisha Walker to the United Community team! Syisha joins us as a new Case Manager with our Family Achievement Program.
Syisha was born in Washington D.C, but grew up in Waldorf, Maryland. She recently earned her Bachelors Degree in Social Work and Political science, from Wilberforce University in Ohio. Her biggest passions are helping those in need and being an advocate for children and families, with the vison of having a brighter future.
Syisha loves being a case manager and helping others to find solutions to live a happier, more stable life. Prior to joining United Community, Syisha completed internships at the Domestic Relations Courts in Ohio, the Adult probation office in Ohio, and was employed as a Intake Caseworker 1 for Greene Co Children Services. Her goal for 2021 is to enroll into grad school classes, and major in Psychology.
Syisha is very family oriented. Despite going to school in Ohio, Syisha's favorite college football team is Penn State -- the same team her younger brother currently plays for. Aside from her immediate family, Syisha is the proud mama of a 1 year old fur baby Chiweenie named Max and is part of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority inc. In her free time, Syisha enjoy road trips, trying different foods, and listening to music.
Please join us in welcoming Syisha!
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"Be The One" Campaign - When parents have reliable, trustworthy daycare they can get back to work and provide for their families. Help a family write their story of success! $1,151 pays for one month of tuition for pre-K children.
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From your Editor
Marianne
We have been sending the Connect and Worship via email for many months now and will continue to do so even as we gather again. I am always looking for a funny picture, anniversary, graduation, birth or an intercession for someone close to you whom we can pray for, an insight, idea or something to lighten everyone's spirit...feel free to email them to me at momwendel57@gmail.com. This is something Pastor does on Sunday...but not often enough! I would love to share these special moments with our whole church family by adding them to our Connect.
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New Address
As a reminder, please use the new PO Box for donations, or bring your donation to church on Sunday and deposit it in the familiar collection plate (same plate-different location).
If you need it, here is the PO Box info:
Nativity Lutheran Church
PO Box 8083
Alexandria, VA 22306-9998
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ELCA
Below are the links to our Church websites where you will find up to date info about what is being done by and for Lutherans across our nation and the world.
Quick Links
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The Rev. Brent H. Thalacker,
Pastor
bthalacker@cox.net
Carrie Brutscher, Music Director and Council Secretary
Bob Kehler, Council President
Eric Remick Vice President
Debbie Bowers, Treasurer
Donilou24@gmail.com
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Joe Mattis, Stewardship
Sandi Kottman, Council Member (at large)
Brian Bauman, Council Member (at large)
2brianbauman@gmail.com
Marianne Wendel, Administrative Assistant (Volunteer)
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Address:
1300 Collingwood Road,
Alexandria, VA 22308
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