The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter |
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Celebrate the Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost!
Outdoor Worship, 9:15 am! (this Sunday, August 22)!
Virtual Fellowship, 11:45-12:15!
Summer Sunday School for Children and Adults
9:15 am (next Sunday, August 29)!
Please connect on YouTube HERE
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Masks and reservations required at the indoor worship service, please.
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Please check the Ark and Dove homepage, the morning of the outdoor service, for cancellation due to inclement weather. No reservations required, but masks are appreciated.
- Please email fellowship@arkanddove.org to receive an invitation to join the Virtual Fellowship call on Zoom.
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Ark and Dove Friends and Members,
Grace and peace to you from the Session of Ark and Dove during these dog days days of August. We are grateful for the Ark and Dove Community and the way you have so deftly navigated all the changes that Covid-19 has thrown our way. We are writing today to let you know that last Sunday there were two children who attended Sunday School and worship who tested positive for Covid-19. Both children ( and now other family members) thankfully only have milder symptoms at this time; please keep them in your prayers. We are appreciative that 100% of attendees on Sunday wore their masks. We are also appreciative of people who signed up ahead of time for worship and who signed in at Sunday School and for our recording of worship on YouTube. Because of this, members of the Session and the staff were able to contact anyone who came into contact with the children on Tuesday afternoon, and we were able to contact every person in worship or Sunday School by Wednesday.
The Center for Disease Control, in the information that is provided below, states that if you are within six feet of a person who has Covid-19 for 15 minutes, you could become infected. In full transparency, we want our whole community to know what happened and how we responded. We also want you to know that the Session has implemented numerous measures to prevent COVID-19, such as social distancing, mask-wearing, revised worship practices and improved air circulation, to ensure minimal exposure in cases such as these. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Sara Fox, Ellen Makar, Pastor Tim, or any member of Session. If you have questions about Covid-19, it would obviously be best for you to contact your healthcare professionals. It bears saying, and it bears repeating, that the medical professionals have encouraged all of us who are eligible, time and time again to get vaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated, we pray that you will have a conversation with your doctor about what is right for you.
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ Be with Your Spirit,
The Session
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From the CDC Website
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Exception: In the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time.
This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.
Public Health Recommendations:
Except in certain circumstances, people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine. However, the following people with recent exposure may NOT need to quarantine:
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The earth belongs to God and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
for the Holy One has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.
-Psalm 24:1-2
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The Lord’s Prayer revisited by Rubem Alves
Father, mother, with meek eyes I know that you are, invisibly, in all things
May your name be sweet to me. The joy of my world.
Bring me good things that delight you: gardens, fountains, children
Bread and wine, tender gestures, unarmed hands, bodies embracing
I know that you desire to give me my deepest desire
The desire that I have long forgotten, but you never forget.
Make manifest your desire so that I can laugh.
May your desire be made manifest in our world
In the same way it pulsates within you.
Grant us contentment in the joys of today, bread, water, sleep...
That we may be free of anxiety.
That our eyes would be as humble with others as your eyes are with us,
For if we are ferocious, we will not be able to welcome your kindness.
Help us not to be deceived by evil desires
And free us from that which burdens our eyes with death. Amen.
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It will be so nice to be back with you after a whirlwind trip home to see my family in Canada. We had a wonderful time seeing my parents in Guelph and spending time in the great outdoors with my brother and his wife in Northern Ontario. I highly recommend a trip, when traveling is safer and easier. This week, I'm so pleased to welcome another member of the Morrison family to help lead worship in music. Joey Morrison will be playing a viola transcription of Mozart's Alleluia from Exsultate, Jubilate, KV. 165. Originally a motet for solo castrato voice, it is most often heard as a favorite soprano offering but has also been arranged for treble duet or choir. Thank you so much to Joey for playing this week!
Peace,
Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
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This week we continue with our outdoor worship. Outdoor service does not require a RSVP, but indoor service still requires the RSVP. It has been so great to play music live again for congregation members, and we look forward to seeing you all. The hymn this week is "Here I Am to Worship" by Tim Hughes. This hymn is a song we have played several times, so I am confident you will recognize it. The Gloria is continuing to be "Eye of the Storm." For all the kids preparing to head back to school, I wish you all the best in your learning, and please remember to stay safe and wear that mask.
Have a blessed week!
Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
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DONATE ONLINE! One-time and recurring!
TEXT your donations! 410-983-3481
Text give to get started. Text commands for more options.
Habitat for Humanity special offering: text an amount
followed by habitat.
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
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Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost! |
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Reserve Worship Service Space HERE
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In-Person Sanctuary Worship Every Sunday, 10:30 am, we welcome worshipers of all ages, with masks, into the sanctuary with limited attendance. To RSVP to attend worship in the sanctuary, 10:30 am, please sign up HERE. No child care for now. Singing with masks on is allowed. This service will be live streamed, so most seats will be on screen for a moment or more. A limited number of off-camera seats will be available; more details will be available in the sanctuary.
In-Person Outdoor Worship Outdoor service will be held every other Sunday. Please check the homepage of the Ark and Dove website for cancellation due to inclement weather. The website will be updated the morning of the outdoor service. Out of consideration for other attenders, masks are truly welcome at the outdoor service, but no reservations are needed.
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My friend, Vicki, and I were looking for a new church. I had grown up in the Lutheran church, so I was looking for a Lutheran church. Vicki and I went to a nearby Lutheran church one Sunday morning. It was the contemporary service that began at 8:00. I’m not so much of a morning person, but I picked up Vicki and we were there at 8:00 AM. When we were finished, I started driving up Piney Orchard Parkway and saw Ark & Dove with a service that started at 11:00. I said “Vicki, let’s go to that!” She was a little annoyed that not only did I make her wake up to go to church at 8:00, but now I asked her to go to another service! Luckily, she went along.
I think it was 1999. The contemporary band had just recently started. I loved the music. In the lobby after the service, so many smiling faces greeted us. Everyone was so welcoming. The next day I got “mugged” by Donna Anderson. I thought that was so cool!
I started going back each week and eventually joined the band. I so much enjoyed meeting all the people who started this church and moved it from a school into a beautiful building.
I became more and more involved, because the church cared about many of the same things I did. It was just a good and comfortable fit. The church was growing in both members and space! But the leaders took care that they didn’t grow too quickly, and that they could handle it financially. This was important to me. As we grew, there were many changes. Usually, change is difficult and not easily accepted. Everyone worked together to bring about the changes and worked on ideas to use the larger space and give the larger congregation opportunities to grow spiritually. The congregation was completely involved in many of the decisions.
Ark and Dove continues to move forward and offer opportunities for me to be involved in things I care about, want to be involved in and where I think I can make a contribution. God gave all of us different gifts. Ark and Dove leaders are excellent at finding an opportunity for you to use that gift! Many times you didn’t know you needed it, but it ended up being very rewarding. We can make a difference, and Ark and Dove knows, that we have to put forth that effort to make it happen, and is willing to do it.
Ark & Dove offers care, concern, friendship, and family. When I accepted a new job and moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands, it was my Ark and Dove family that got me through the beginning weeks. So many reached out and made me realize that I did not make the worst decision of my life! Turned out, it was one of the best. As was finding Ark and Dove and joining.
- Karen Dodson
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We are excited for Summer Sunday School outside at 9:15 am every other Sunday. Our next class is this Sunday, August 29. We will share a fun story, create a craft, and play games. Parents, you can join our adult Christian education class that happens at the same time. Any questions? Contact Christian Education Elder, Sara Fox at christianed@arkanddove.org.
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Friendly Seniors' Zoom Meeting |
After our Thursday, September 16 meeting at 3:00p.m., future Afternoon Tea Zoom meetings will continue indefinitely on the Second Tuesday of every month at 3:00 p.m. If, once again, we go into more isolation, we may meet more often using this venue. Please let Joan Berry (joanb3rry@gmail.com or 410-672-5237) know if you want to meet more frequently. |
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Antiracism and Social Equity |
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PC(USA) will be hosting the second annual Presbyterian International Week of Action from August 23-29, 2021. "The Week of Action has, at its core, the idea of being a visible arm of justice ...as we stand on the foundations of both Matthew 25 and the Hands & Feet Initiative. The week and theme are crafted to bring attention and action to the plight of those suffering from differing forms of oppressive situations." Each day will focus on a different topic. PC(USA) provides congregations with so many opportunities to learn and grow in our faith and in our commitment to creating the beloved community. We invite you to take part in some of these sessions.
8/23 | Middle East Peace... Our Peace
8/24 | Vivencias Hispano-Latinas: Unidad en Cristo AND Systemic and Racialized Poverty
8/25 | LGBTQIA+ Resilience
8/26 | No More Stolen Relatives: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit People
8/27 | AAPI Resilience, Resistance, Power & Affirmation
8/28 | Black Lives Matter
8/29 | Gun Violence Response and Recognition
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The Stephen Ministry at Ark and Dove would like to remind you we are here to help. A Stephen Minister provides care, once a week for perhaps a few months to 18 months, to one person who is experiencing a life-changing event like divorce, loss of work, or serious illness or death of a loved one. Supporting each other in times of need is a core belief of our reformed faith and the Ark & Dove community.
Stephen Ministers are not pastors, therapists, social workers, doctors, or nurses. They are friends and caregivers who have received fifty hours of training and have supervision and continuing education. Stephen Ministers are paired with a care receiver after a thoughtful and faith-full process. Confidentiality is a foundation of the ministry. Ten lay people at Ark & Dove have been trained as Stephen Ministers, and two of them received extra training as Stephen Ministry leaders (along with Pastors Tim and Jon).
If you think you or someone would benefit from Stephen Ministry, or if you're just interested in learning more, please contact Stephen Ministry leaders Kelly Burnett (Kellyb327@aol.com, 410-320-7845 cell/text) or Laurie Barrow (barrowfl@aol.com, 443-306-1149 cell/text). A helpful reference is the letter to the congregation from Pastor Tim about starting our Stephen Ministry in 2016. That letter is on the Ark & Dove website under the Ministry tab.
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Antiracism and Social Equity |
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Mission Ministry Back to School Program |
Links to the online sign-up for the Back to School program are on the Ark & Dove home page, mission ministry page, and Facebook. We are providing school supplies to 35 elementary school students in Odenton, and we still to sign up for several of them. We are also providing supplies to Meade Middle School. The online sign-up includes instructions for the elementary and middle school options. You can also sign up in person after worship services or contact Greg Makar to sign up, or for more information ( GLMakar@juno.com). |
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Special Offering for Habitat for Humanity |
Ark and Dove will be collecting a special offering for Habitat for Humanity through August. Habitat is one of the organizations that we have supported since the first days of Ark and Dove. We look forward to the time when we can again participate directly with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake in local building projects and summer Mission trips. In the meantime, we can continue to support them financially. Mission Ministry hopes that you will consider a generous donation between now and the end of August. Donate by texting a dollar amount followed by habitat to 410-983-3481, visit our webpage, or by check. For additional information contact Lori Kronser, mission@arkanddove.org
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Christian Assistance Program |
The mission ministry continues to collect food for the Christian Assistance Program (CAP) West County food pantry in Severn. Donations can be left at church on the table just inside the front door or in the covered picnic area. The items needed most are cereal (hot and cold), tomato products (such as canned tomatoes and pasta sauce), and rice and rice sides (maximum two pounds, please). For more information, please contact Greg Makar (GLMakar@juno.com). |
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Gently Used Books Collection |
Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church and the Anne Arundel Literacy Council are collecting gently used books for their Book Fairs happening this Fall. This is the perfect opportunity for you to clean out your bookshelves, recycle those books you no longer need/want, and support great community organizations! A box for book collection will be in the church lobby, but you can also contact Wendy Wellington (wmwelli64@gmail.com) to make other arrangements for pickup, or if you'd like more information about the Literacy Council. Both organizations are accepting books through the end of August.
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Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Bob and Ardeth Johns; Russ Hester; Vaughn Brown; Patty and Steve Plander; Margaret Floyd; Arlyce Lohr; Krista Klohr; Dotty Kaufman; Michelle Schoonmaker; Dick Paronto; Richard and Edie Budd; Carol Saylor; Mary Benson's sister; Ryan Stavely’s father, Brian; Amy Carskadon Lifsey’s father-in-law, Bill Lifsey Sr.; Karen Dodson’s cousin, Miles, and Miles’ entire family; Grant Kirby's stepfather, Mike Michaels; Tricia Gray’s grandfather, Paul; Cliff Wellington’s sister-in-law, Myeong Wellington; Helen Wilkens' mother, Jane Reinert; Christina Nelson’s grandmother, Pat Dole; Judy Cooper’s daughter, Jessica Quigley; Paul Doughty’s mother, Ruth Doughty; Tina Anthis’ father, Steve Bissel; Camille Dubois’ parents and the Dubois family; Debbie Saylor’s sister, Christine; Todd Stubbs’ stepfather, David Hopsicker; Sue Hanburger’s daughter, Megan; a member of the Tardiff family; Dionne Whitby's daughter and niece, Jannah; Brooks Emrick and her sister, Susan; Amanda Crose’s mother, and grandmother, Betty Davis; Dotty Kaufman’s daughter-in-law, Carol, granddaughter, Sarah, and grandson Nathan; Donna Anderson's brother-in-law, Tom Brown; Steve Debus' cousin-in-law, Stephan; Kathy Miller’s sister, Beth Krauth, and brother-in-law, Jeff Miller; Lewis Shorter and Lewis Shorter’s niece, Jennifer Schwandt-Gayle; Bob Fuller’s brother, Joe Fuller; Dot Forloine’s granddaughter Melisa Tucker Saatthoff, and her great-grandson Luke; Debbie Arey’s sister, Denise; Debbie and Bruce Arey’s family in Connecticut, and their daughter, Allison; Linda Taylor’s mother, Izola; Kennon Bauman’s uncle, Dan Johnston; Amy Goldberg’s grandmother, Ruth Cooper; Christy Yeager’s mother, Linda Jordan; Linda Jordan’s niece, Bonnie; Diane Johnson's Uncle Ed, Aunt Janet, and cousin Richard; Shelley Franklin's father; Hollis Butterworth’s daughter, Rachel Mershont; Amanda Wehage’s sister and father, Dave; Laurie Barrow’s nephew, Gunther Kurtz; Sabonna Keeney’s mother; Bernabe and Griselda Solano, and Griselda's sister, Irma; Laura Doughty’s brother-in-law, Carl Hahn; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Ann Hirschy’s aunt, Cindy, and brother; Kelly Burnett’s nephew, Justin; Lou Kareha’s cousin, Thomas Kochis; Cheryl and Doug Walcutt’s grandchild, Gray Adacutt; Cheryl Walcutt’s sister Judy, and mother and nephew; Erika Sealing's grandmother, Margaret Schade; Lourdes Cordero's granddaughter and friends, Fred and Arelene Jones; Mike and Charlotte Davie’s friend, Dave Page; Paula Griggs’ friends Char and Jackie Pullen; Shirley and Bob Fuller’s friend Cindy Schafer; Linda Lewis’ friend, Carol Fudge; and Maren McGillivray-Stubbs’ best friend’s father, Gentry Sims.
PRAYERS OF HEALING for those with COVID-19 including: for families in our church community, who are taking care of children with COVID; Makayla Swearman and her father Judd Rexroth; Susan and Steve Roberts; and Larry Silver.
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.
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Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church | 410-674-6400 | admin@arkanddove.org | www.arkanddove.org | 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy. Odenton, MD 21113
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