This past Sunday, members of our Tending Our Soil team led our adult forum and shared some trends about how people relate to church. According to a national survey, the top three reasons that people do not come to church are that: they believe religious people are too judgmental, they do not trust religious leaders, and they do not trust organized religion. Similarly, the leading reason that people leave church is that they feel like religious people are too judgmental. When asked what qualities they are looking for in a church, respondents shared that they are searching for “warmth and friendliness,” followed distantly by “quality preaching.” I’ll let you insert your own joke about the quality of my preaching!
Many of our neighbors feel as if the church judges them. Some of us feel the same way. All of us are craving connection. Part of our calling, as Christ Church, is to live out our belief that the Jesus movement is about love and not judgement, while also providing our community with opportunities for connection.
During the season of Easter, we have been reading from the Gospel of John. One of the key themes of John’s Gospel is oneness. Over and over again, Jesus articulates that we are connected to one another. Isn’t it ironic that a religion so associated with judgement is built upon the teachings of someone who taught constantly about connection? Jesus’ theology of connection and oneness cannot coexist with a theology of judgement. We must choose which of these theologies will serve as the basis of our belief system.
There is a disconnect between what Jesus teaches and the manner in which the loudest voices of American Christianity wield judgement. Why do we believe that healthy Christianity is an antidote to these loud and toxic voices? Why have those of us at Christ Church, who once walked away from church, chosen to return and stand in opposition to judgmental religion?
I hope its because of our fierce insistence that we are interconnected, that God is a God of love and not judgement, and that all people are welcome, accepted, and included around God's table. My prayer is that we can become more proactive in finding ways to offer those who have been shunned by the church a healing avenue to return. We not only have a responsibility to open our doors as wide as possible but also to keep our feet on the door jam, so that the doors can never be closed again.
John+
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Join us for worship this Sunday at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.* in our historic sanctuary, where we will mark the fifth Sunday of Easter! We hope to see you at whatever service fits your schedule this weekend.
*11 a.m. service also live-streamed. By entering the church at 11 a.m., you consent to being filmed, as well as its release as desired by CC+WP. More information linked below.
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Kids of all ages are joyfully welcomed at CC+WP during both services. We also offer Children's Chapel at 9 a.m., and nursery care for our younger children during both Sunday services.
Sunday School and Youth Group are on this week. We hope to see you there!
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Outreach Forum this Sunday! |
Get an update this Sunday on opportunities to assist our refugee family, and the work of Good Neighbors of Capitol Hill. Karen Getman and Lucy Brown from St Mark’s will speak about our joint Afghan refugee family project, and Roberta Shapiro of Hill Havurah and Lisa Nickerson will discuss Good Neighbors' ongoing work. All are welcome! In-person & virtual.
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Quarterly Outreach Meeting |
The quarterly outreach meeting, open to everyone in the parish, is happening this Sunday at 12:45. On the agenda is second quarter funding priorities and a discussion about how the Outreach Committee can more effectively accomplish its mission to serve those in need. Ideas for new projects and partners always welcome. Materials for the meeting will be available on the welcome table in the parish hall, or contact Linda Mellgren for an electronic copy if you plan to attend by Zoom.
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On Sunday, fill your growler after either service but then come back to help brew beer -- FOR SUMMER! -- starting at 1 p.m. in the parish kitchen. All welcome, no experience necessary. |
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Family-friendly Blessing at Congressional |
Please join us on May 22 at 1 p.m. for a special gravestone blessing at Congressional Cemetery! As part of CC+WP's 225th Anniversary celebrations, parishioners came together - with the help of the Capitol Hill Community foundation - to fund a gravestone for Theophilus Howard, Sexton of Christ Church from 1858-1869, and his family. After the blessing, join a tour by HCC volunteers. Meet by 1 p.m. just inside the front gates. |
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Final Adult Forum May 22! |
For 20 weeks a dozen parishioners took a deep dive into the history of race and racism in America, by participating in Sacred Ground, a program sponsored by the Episcopal Church. Join us as members of the Sacred Ground group will provide personal reflections, discuss what was learned, and provide for an open discussion of how the parish might further explore the issue of race and reconciliation - all ahead of our Theophilus Howard blessing that afternoon. All are welcome! In-person & virtual.
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Do you love us? Will you share? |
Over the coming few weeks and months, we are going to work to expand our presence on social media. If you haven’t already, please follow us on Facebook & Instagram, and if what you see speaks to you, let us know by liking or sharing. We appreciate you!
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Our Afghan family was so happy to be able to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in their new home. All of boxes from move-in day are unpacked and put away, and they happily showed their new home to Bilal’s mother and sister via FaceTime. In this time of transition, in which Lutheran Social Services will no longer be providing case worker support, our help will be more important than ever.
Andrea Harles and Ruth Kroeger are setting up a schedule for ESL lessons for the family, and we would like families to arrange interesting weekend outings for them as well. If you have ideas, or can help, let Sherry Saunders know.
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Lent has ended, but hunger has not |
Thank you all for your wonderful response to the Lenten Food Drive for Ward 6 Mutual Aid. We will continue to provide opportunities for you to help those whose financial resources do not stretch far enough to cover the rising cost of food and other household necessities. Drop off your donations anytime at the outreach corner in the entryway between the parish hall and the sanctuary. The list of needed items is also on the bulletin board.
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We return tonight, May 13, to discuss Denial (2016), a stirring British legal drama starring Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, and Timothy Spall, based on the book History on Trial by Deborah Lipstadt (2005). The movie is free on Kanopy and widely available to rent. Contact Paul Laymon with questions, or simply join via Zoom.
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Join us any Saturday from 9-10 a.m. for conversation and community - in person or via Zoom! Email Paul Laymon with questions.
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"When we are so assured that we are right, that our understanding is THE understanding, then our practice of religion ceases to be about God, and instead becomes about ourselves." Hear Rev. John take on a religion of judgment, and replace it with a faith supported by love & connection.
Past sermons are always on our website.
Sermon: The Rev. John A. Kellogg
May 8, 2022
Christ Church + Washington Parish
Washington, DC
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Church Business Hours for Staff & Clergy: Sunday - Thursday, 8:30-3 or by appointment |
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Don't forget to follow us & share! Fun things happening.... |
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