The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter | |
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15th Sunday after Pentecost
September 18th, 2022
In-Person Worship at 9:00 and 10:30 am, this Sunday!
Livestream Worship, 10:30 am, every Sunday!
**Mask required at 9:00 am Worship, Mask Optional at 10:30 am Worship
Child Care available for 9:00 and 10:30 am services!
*Sunday School for Pre-K-5th Grade during 10:30 am Worship, every Sunday!
Get your bulletin here.
*Register for Sunday School here.
You can connect on YouTube HERE.
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Dear Friends and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,
Last week I made the ridiculous case in my sermon that God throws a party in heaven any time any member returns to the church and or the presence of God. (Luke 15:1-10) Even more ridiculous is that God loves us so much that God is constantly searching for us and yearning for relationship, trying to drag us back in. What can I say? This is what my teacher Jesus has taught me. He says it in so many ways and in so many places in scripture. We for our part have trouble believing that we are loved so deeply. It comes from all the hurts we absorb from our families, friends, acquaintances, and culture.
But can you imagine that if you return to church even after let’s say a 6 week or 18 month absence, that heaven does a dance and throws a party? Let’s get ridiculously devious here. What if 200 people came to the picnic on Saturday and Church on Sunday? What kind of trouble would we be causing in heaven? All the regular work of the Holy would have to cease, because they would be throwing multiple - multiple parties. My sense is that heaven is waiting and wouldn’t be annoyed in the slightest.
Just toss that around in your heart for 5 minutes. Jesus is messing with you; or is he flat out joyfully serious?
May the peace of Christ rest upon your racing hearts,
Tim
tstern@arkanddove.org
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Message from Interim Associate Pastors | |
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Dear Friends and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,
Many of you have been long familiar with the art of Godly Play (our Sunday School), but we are new to the scene. Amy Tardiff and Sara Fox led a truly fine orientation last Sunday. Speaking from the perspective of the newly initiated, and we came away with
several observations.
1. We at Ark and Dove are blessed with loving and deeply capable lay leaders, who have nurtured our children in outstanding ways, but who are also caring and wise mentors to a new crop of adult leaders.
2. It is wonderful that the children of Ark and Dove are nurtured in their faith this way. Each Sunday they are individually welcomed by the door keeper. The class gathers in a quiet space, with lights dimmed and the Christ Candle lit, to listen to one of the great stories of the faith, acted out before them. Then they “wonder” about the story and its meaning. When the group has done this, they move into individual “play” spaces –Legos, clay, drawing, painting, journaling, reading, etc. At the end of class, we clean up our mess and get ready to rejoin our parents.
3. This is a model for growing in faith which adults can carry in our daily lives. What if, each day, we reflected in quiet on one of the stories of our faith (the scripture for Sunday, or a favorite text, or a psalm) and then went about the work and play of that day informed by the story and our wonderings, and then at the end of the day, cleaned up our mess and prepared to be greeted by the One who loves us?
Just a thought!
We want to thank each of you who are involved in bringing this gift to our children.
from co-interim Pastors,
Caroline and Stephen
caroline.pricegibson@arkanddove.org
stephen.pricegibson@arkanddove.org
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No worker can serve two bosses: He’ll either hate the first and love the second or adore the first and despise the second. You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
Luke 16:13 (Eugene Peterson, The Message)
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Dear God, help us to unclench our fists and our hearts, so that rather than grasping for things which mean little we open our hands and hearts to receive what you would give us. In serving you, may we seek to serve others. Fill us with the joy of those who know your deep love. Amen. | |
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We are blessed with leaders throughout our congregation. One of the leaders in our midst is Paul Doughty, an accomplished singer and guitarist. Paul has taken on leadership roles in many ways. He has subbed for me during my vacations, and he has sung lead vocals on many of our band pieces. Paul has put together an offertory for this Sunday on a piece called Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly by Pat Barrett.
In a podcast about the album, composer Pat Barrett shares that he took his inspiration from Micah 6:8, where God shows us what God requires. Pat says that in this reading, we learn "to act, love, and walk in a way that's pleasing to God. And what an amazing starting place...this song, "Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly, the title track (and opening song) of the album is about that. It's about where we start." You can listen to the full podcast on Spotify.
Paul will be joined by Diane Yates (vocals), Karen Dodson, Fred Barrow and Lewis Shorter at both services.
Have a wonderful weekend, friends.
With love,
Rebecca
Director of Music
rechols@arkanddove.org
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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.
To donate for Ukraine help, text amount followed by Ukraine.
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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Bulletin - 15th Sunday after Pentecost | |
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Mask required at 9:00 am Worship, Mask Optional at 10:30 am Worship
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Beadles Needed!
Ark and Dove is bringing back the Loyal Order of the Beadle for youth in 5th-8th grades. A Beadle holds an honored position at the beginning of worship, most notably leading the worship procession at the beginning of services. They also assist with less visible preparation work in preparing for worship. There will be a Beadle training and dinner for interested youth at the church on Tuesday, September 20, at 6:15pm. If interested, please RSVP to Sarah Hendricks, sehendricks@gmail.com, or text 240-615-4986.
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News from the Security Team
In recognition of September being Disaster Preparedness Month, PC(USA) seeks to remind us of the resources available at Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. PDA focuses primarily on natural and technological disasters, such as flooding and hurricanes, but also crises like Ukraine. One suggestion is to create a document listing the people with disabilities who attend church who may have limitations in an emergency and how best to assist them. Our Security Team has been working on floor plans to show the location of exit routes, emergency supplies, etc. If you are interested in joining the Ark and Dove Security Team or have suggestions for us, contact Facilities Elder Don Ziegler at don.ziegler@arkanddove.org or Team Lead Scott Howe at scottspe1@comcast.net.
For family fun and learning, you might consider attending Anne Arundel County's Emergency Preparedness Expo on Saturday, September 17th, from 10:00AM - 2:00PM at the Anne Arundel Community College campus at Arundel Mills Shopping Center in Hanover. See HERE.
Stay tuned for more from the Security Team in the future!
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New Episode:
11 September
Join Lobby guest host Jim Cooper while he discusses all the upcoming events at Ark and Dove and the mysterious new gizmo in the kitchen with Earth Care Team Lead, Bob Fuller.
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4 September
Joining this week's guest host Christa Kronser as she interviews our new interim Associate Pastors Steven and Caroline Price-Gibson to discuss their involvement with Ark and Dove.
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28 August
Join guest host Michelle Schoonmaker as she interviews Logos Director Jen Roman to discusses and overview of Logos and the upcoming year.
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“but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
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Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,
Grace be upon you! As Summer turns to Fall, we once again find ourselves thinking more deeply about stewardship. The Stewardship Team would like to thank you all for the continued generosity of your time, talents, and resources this past year. We are a congregation that continually comes together to support and uplift each other and our community as we carry God’s dream into the world. This year, as we approach our 30th anniversary as a church, we find ourselves reflecting on our past and considering our future. We are filled with an overwhelming abundance of gratitude for the many ways that God carries us through the years and continually challenges us to grow in love and compassion. God is truly working in our midst at Ark and Dove, enabling the kind of spiritual renewal that transforms hearts and seeks to make the world a better place for all God’s children. It is in that spirit of renewal that we look to the future and all that it brings, rooted in the hope to which we were called.
Coming out of the past two years there is ample reason to be weary. Yet, with our hope in Jesus we are renewed daily. It is a divine energy that enables us to weather life’s storms, rise above defeat, and overcome all manner of struggles from the mundane to the monumental. On our own, these trials can easily drain us and leave us feeling disheartened and disillusioned. However, when we choose to lean on God’s strength instead, we not only find a renewed sense of deep inner peace, love and hope, but we also grow in the sort of resilience and passion that enables us to continue working towards justice and inclusion in this broken world. Renewed in faith, we grow in love toward God and neighbor and confidently set out with a fresh vision for the future.
As we grow into God’s vision for the future, it is evident that the mission and ministries of Ark and Dove are experiencing exciting renewal and revitalization. We are experiencing growth and new life across the board in areas such as our Earth Care Ministry, Community Engagement, GLEAM Team, Reimagined Worship, Rebranding, the Associate Pastor Nominating Team, and so much more. We are seeing many new faces join our church family and many more people are stepping up to volunteer their time, skills, and energy to ministries that spark their passion for sharing God’s love and spreading justice. It truly feels as though God is breathing new life into all that we are and all that we do both in and through Ark and Dove. This Fall, as we contemplate this beautiful renewal that God is bringing to fruition within us and the life affirming work that it calls us to engage in, our prayer is that you will consider how the giving of your time, talents, and financial resources can help us embrace all that God is calling us to in the coming year and beyond. Together we are committed to embracing the future, renewed in faith and living with hope and love.
Over the next several weeks, we will hear from various church leaders about some of the important mission and ministry projects we are engaged in at Ark and Dove and how we are growing and embracing the exciting vision for the future together. The Stewardship Team invites you to pray about your involvement and giving to Ark and Dove. Our hope is that each of us will prayerfully consider increasing our pledged giving by 1% of household income this year. This would enable us to not only sustain our current level of mission and ministry activities, but also reach for some of our more aspirational goals as we carry God’s vision forward in 2023. Just as God is so generous to us, let us be inspired to be generous to the work of God within our congregation and throughout our community. This November 13 is Dedication Sunday. We invite you to return your filled-out Pledge Card during the offering so that the Session will be able to accurately plan for the ministry and mission activities of the coming year. Through the giving of our time, talents, and resources, we can and will remain dedicated to doing the transformative work of love and justice in a hurting world. Thank you for your continued generosity and support.
The 2023 Renewed in God Stewardship Team
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Welcome back from summer! To celebrate we will be having a church picnic on the grass, September 17th at 4:30pm. Picnic dishes (sides, mains, dessert, your choice!) are requested.
Additionally during the picnic, we’re having a Ark and Dove Chili Cook Off! There will be two categories: Meat and Vegetarian, for folks to taste and vote on their favorite. To support our efforts with Earth Care, if able, bring a muffin tin to serve as your own personal tasting palette (tasting cups will be provided as well).
Please sign up HERE with the dish you are bringing, if you want to help with set up, and if you are going to compete in the cook off. For any questions, please contact Katie Nilsen-Johnson at outreach@arkanddove.org.
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Let's Meet the Neighbors!
Join the Community Engagement Team as we we kick off our first door knocking campaign on Saturday, September 24th from 10:00AM-12:00PM with a lunch/debrief afterwards at the church (12:00-1:00PM). We will be getting to know our neighbors in King's Ransom, Arundel Mobile Village and Highland Court Apartments and trying to understand how we can work with them to make positive changes that help their families and the community. Don't know what you will be doing? No worries, we will have a prep session on Sunday, September 18th at 11:45AM and another the morning of the 24th at 8:45AM to review the questions we will ask and "role play" what you will do. You can attend one or both of the prep sessions.
Sign up as a pair or singles (we will find you a partner) HERE. Questions? See Steve Debus at steven.debus89@gmail.com.
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Parent Group Meeting
Parent Group will meet on Sunday, Sept 25th at 11:30am for a potluck lunch in the Marshall room after service. This is a gathering for all parents and caregivers of newborns through college-age children looking to connect with other church families. Childcare provided for a small fee. Please bring a dish/dessert to share.
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Queer Support Group
Queer Support Group on September 27 at 7:30pm in person at the church. Contact Amanda Crose at amanda.rose.crose@gmail.com
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Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Baltimore will be holding its IN PERSON Fall Gathering on October 1st at Catonsville Presbyterian Church pavilion from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The birthday party will be celebrating the 100th Birthday of the Birthday Offering. The cost for the celebration lunch will be a whopping $1 donation to the Birthday Offering! Joan Berry will need to report the count of those going (men can come too) by September 18. Please let Joan, 410-672-5237, know if you are coming. | |
Friendly Seniors Plans
It appears that we are resuming our social lives. This means Friendly Seniors will begin only having special events, not a monthly meeting. We are currently looking at going to Bowie Community Theater the 15th of October at 8 p.m. to see Wait Until Dark, a mystery. The whole church is invited to participate. If we get 10 reservations the tickets will be $15 each. Give Joan Berry a email, joanb3rry@gmail.com, or call her at 410-672-5237, if you have a date preference.
Then in November, date TBD, we are looking at going to the Cryptological Museum for an afternoon. Again, everyone is invited. Clearly, there will be more details coming. The contact person is Joan Berry for any preferences you want have taken into consideration.
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Mid-Week Bible Study
Join us every Wednesday at 10am for Bible Study and fellowship. Contact Pastor Stephen Price-Gibson (stephen.pricegibson@arkanddove.org) for the Zoom inventation.
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Ark and Dove Book Club -
October Selection
Join the Ark and Dove Book Club for our October selection of "The Girl in His Shadow" by Audrey Blake, an "unforgettable historical fiction novel about one woman who believed in scientific medicine before the world believed in her." We will discuss the book on Zoom on Friday, October 21st at 7:30pm. Contact Kim Champagne at kim.champagne@arkanddove.org for more information and/or the zoom link.
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Ark & Dove Banned Book Drive | |
Banned Book Drive! Help us establish a youth/teen library by donating a banned or challenged book from our list HERE. New and gently used copies requested.
Please contact Amy Tardiff (lilac.n.Spruce@gmail.com) or Kim Champagne (Kim.Champagne@arkanddove.org) if you have any questions.
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New in the Ark and Dove Library
This month we asked Paula Sparks to comment on two of her most recent donations to the Social Justice - Antiracism section of the library.
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Tears We Cannot Stop – A Sermon to White America
“Imagine living in a society where your white skin marks you for disgust, hate, and fear. Only when you see black folk as we are, and imagine yourselves as we have to live our lives, only then will the suffering stop, the hurt cease, the pain go away.” These are the closing words of the Benediction chapter written by Michael Eric Dyson, ordained minister and Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University. The book is assembled as a church service, and the sermon bares truths that every white person should struggle with. It ends with hope and specific actions for reparations, education, and healing. Highly recommend!
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You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience and the Black Experience (Edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown)
In this collection of short essays, twenty Black men and women offer personal stories that go deeply into their personal experience of Black life and offer an honest look at the effect racism has on people of color. Easy read…eye opening.
To see these and other books in our library, check out the catalog HERE.
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Children Christian Education | |
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Nursery: open for children age birth to 3
9:00 AM and 10:30 Service
PreK Sunday School: Ages 4-5
4 year olds , case by case at 9:00am service
ONLY at the 10:30 service
Godly Play: Elementary Ages, Grades K-5
9:00 service is a K-5 group
10:30 service has both a K-2 and a 3-5 group
Middle School Sunday School: Grades 6-8
Date starting TBD
ONLY at the 10:30 service
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Leaders and Helpers Needed
To ensure that we can continue to offer the above Christian Educational opportunities we NEED leaders! Currently we do NOT have enough to fully staff any of these programs. Please consider offering your gifts and talents to help these programs thrive. You will need to complete a background check and training. Curriculum and materials are provided. Please contact CE Elder, Sara Fox at christianed@arkanddove.org if interested.
Thank you to those of you who’ve already made a commitment to help out this year!!!
Nursery Helpers: If you are already a CE leader or a high school student please consider signing up HERE to help in the nursery. You will be assisting Cara Moody as needed.
As always, any questions or concerns please reach out to me at christianed@arkanddove.org.
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Registration is open now for the upcoming LOGOS year. Click HERE to register.
LOGOS is Ark and Dove's midweek children's program for ages Pre-K through 5th grade that engages our youth in the life of the church, providing opportunities to learn about God, to have fun, and to create lasting relationships with others. This year it will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm to 7:15pm starting September 27th through the end of March. On the third Tuesday of every month we will provide a family-style dinner for LOGOS kids, their families, and other volunteers at 6:20pm.
One of the LOGOS core goals is to facilitate the development of strong Christian relationships between youth and between generations. With that in mind, we ask that at least one adult from each registered family sign up to volunteer. There are lots of different opportunities for participation this year, including some that are only once a month, check out our sign up genius HERE. We would LOVE to have other members of the church volunteer as well including our older youth and seniors! Email logos@arkanddove.org for any questions.
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Candidate Action Update!
The action has been changed from October 6 to Friday, October 14 at 7pm!
Ark and Dove will host ACT’s Anne Arundel County Candidates night in our Sanctuary, the County Executive and County Council Candidates will be invited.
To register please click HERE.
We will need help in the following areas:
-Tech Team
-Hospitality
-Registration
-Parking
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Peace and Global Witness Special Offering 2022
We will be participating in the Peace and Global Witness Special Offering from now until World Communion Sunday on October 2nd. The theme for 2022 is "For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace." — ISAIAH 55:12. What could be better than spreading joy and peace to our community? The Peace and Global Witness Offering supports our financial commitment to ACT (Anne Arundel Connecting Together). At this time, we are collaborating with ACT to begin our Community Engagement project to become better neighbors here in Odenton. This is a perfect time to commit to gathering the financial support needed to meet our pledge to ACT. Please consider giving generously to the Peace and Global Witness Special Offering.
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GLEAM Team
LGBTQAI+ 101 Class on September 19 at 7:30pm on zoom. Contact Amanda Crose at amanda.rose.crose@gmail.com for the zoom invitation.
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CAP Food Pantry Item of the Month
The Christian Assistance Program (CAP) food pantry has been very busy, with August bringing some of the highest usage over the past five years. We're having trouble keeping the shelves full and are returning to our "Item of the Month" as a way to request food donations. The items for September are peanut butter and jelly. We have bins marked for CAP food in the cabinet across from the lobby coat rack. Food can also be taken directly to the pantry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Odenton, on Tuesdays 10:30am-1:30pm and Thursdays 1:30-5:30pm. Or contact Greg Makar (GLMakar@juno.com) to make other arrangements.
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Refugee Resettlement: Abawi Family |
As the Abawi family settle into their new home, we can then concentrate on the many other ways we can support this family. As they find employment in the near future along with the many health appointments they have, both the Annapolis Presbyterian Church and Ark and Dove are asking if you, or anyone you may know, have any vehicle that can be donated to the Abawi family. Please reach out to Debbie Arey at debarey@hotmail.com. | |
Did You Know?
Ark and Dove has a special Facebook page dedicated to social justice issues. This is a place where we present opportunities for education and involvement, relevant articles and book recommendations on Anti-Racism and LGBTQIA+ topics. This is a closed group, however everyone is welcome to join. If you are on Facebook, search "Ark and Dove Social Justice" or use this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arkanddovesocialjustice
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Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Dr. Jesse Nicholson, Connie Batts' brother-in-law; Donna Anderson's brother-in-law, Tom, recovering from surgery; Thanks for a son reaching a year of sobriety; for friends recovering from surgery; the Barrow & Beckwith families upon the death of Laurie's sister, Donna Backwith; the birth of Hudson R. Degge, the child of David and Abby Degge; David and Abbey; Michael Britt; little girl diagnosed with leukemia and her family; for the family of Elouise Daniels, who died last week; the family of Gavin Hurley; Amanda Welford; Bruce Arey's sister; Helen Jarkiewicz; Tricia Gray; the Hall/Ballard families on the death of Jeffrey Hall; Dee going through breast cancer; Anthony Welford, recovering from surgery; Arlyce Lohr; Laura Talbert; Ardeth Johns; Doug Dehaven with cardiac problems; Karen Judeich; Harrison-Wyatt Family searching for Jamil Wyatt; Marie, Nikol Sahai’s Mom; Irina Lee, Jan and Al Jank's daughter-in-law; Payton 18 months old, starting chemo therapy; Fran; Dot Forloines; Vaughn Brown; Dick Paronto; Pamala Morrison recovering; for Julie Devers' friend Zenia Dacio-Messina; for Hope Sutphin; Dotty Kaufmann; Emily Wehage; Diane Makar's friend’s mother; Jeff Miller, Kathy Miller’s brother-in-law; Freyja Hartzell; Amy Goldber's father, Michael Cooper; Denise Bartgis; Rebecca Echols friend, Lauren Douglas, and Uncle, Rick Orfinger; Andy, friend of Karen Dodson; Jeanne Elbefeld; Ghazal Abawi; Mike Bartgis's cousin; Marjorie Tanner, Laura Doughty’s mother; Ellen; Cara Moody’s father-in-law, Gary Moody Sr.; Friends of Michelle Schoonmaker: Carly & Chris Taylor and Bri Reed; Laurie Barrow's brother, Steve Beckwith; Fred Barrow’s sister, Betsy Sargant; Debbie Saylor's Family and Friends: Carlene Printy, Helen Rossum, Wayne Rennex, Alison Buffington & Chris and Jeff; Jack Sweeney; Mary Lou Dulina, friend of Cheryl Schafer; Alvin Dennis; Ashton Borsella; Tiffany Thompson; Courtney, Deborah Dingle’s niece; Lou Kareha's friends and family: Aubriella and Michael Steele, B. Wicker, James Karanasky (sister-in-law's brother), Thomas Kochis (cousin), and Nando Smacci (friend); Mike and Denise Bartgis' son-in-law; Lourdes Cordero's family and friends: Diane Cordero (sister), Jose (brother), granddaughter, and Fred and Arelene Jones (friends); Amy Tardiff’s Aunt Fran; Bernice Taylor, Michelle Schoonmaker's great aunt and Ylonda Fauntleroy’s Aunt; Cameron Jackson, Ylonda Fauntleroy’s cousin, dealing with a difficult situation; Frank Stillwell; Mary Caolo; David Johns; Angela Goska; Belinda Edwards; Karen Stokes; Betty Small; Calvin Latham; Carol Saylor; Ray Bussey's mother, Doris; Amy Hagemann’s sister, Susan Pratt; Mary Benson’s sister; Bill Lifsey Sr., Amy Carskadon Lifsey’s father-in-law; Helen Wilkens' mother, Jane Reinert; Linda Taylor’s mother, Izola; Amy Goldberg’s grandmother, Ruth Cooper; Shelley Franklin's father; James Franklin's sister-in-law, Kelli Franklin; Gunther Kurtz, Laurie Barrow’s nephew; Carl Hahn, Laura Doughty’s brother-in-law; Ruth Doughty, Paul Doughty's mother; Cheryl and Doug Walcutt’s Family: Cheryl Walcutt (mother of Cheryl), Judy (sister of Cheryl); Don Clark, friend of Cheryl Walcutt; Margaret Schade, Erika Sealing's grandmother; Rob Yeager’s friends: Greta Daughtrey and Peter Brown; Linda Jordan, Christy Yeager’s mother; Bonnie, Linda Jordan’s niece.
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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