Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost!
The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
All are welcome!
Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost


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Message from Pastor Tim
Dear Members and Friends of the Ark and Dove Community,

It sure has been a harrowing week with the elections. I know many of you are quite anxious about the state of our nation and about the legal challenges to the election. I am keeping you and our nation in my prayers and I am praying for a peaceful transition of power.  Thursday morning during my devotions time I went to PCUSA.org and came across this message from J Herbert Nelson, the Stated Clerk of our denomination. If the name sounds familiar to you, J Herbert preached here at Ark and Dove in June of 2012 when I was on Sabbatical. His message is entitled “This is a Time of Pause.”  Early on he says “I am convinced the Lord has given us this moment of pause to think through who we are in this present age.”  Click here to read his message. It is worth your time. And praying for democracy is worth our time as well.

The Holidays are just around the corner and many of us are making decisions about possible smaller family gatherings because of COVID-19.  Some of us are facing an empty place at the holiday table not because of COVID, but because we have lost someone important.  This Wednesday night at 7:00 Linnie Girdner and I will be leading a group called An Empty Place at the Table, Grief and The Holidays.  We engage in courageous and fruitful sharing, if you have lost a loved one, I think you will find your time well spent. Send me an email and I will provide you the Zoom Invitation.

After Worship on Sunday, I hope you will engage in prayer and if applicable discussion about stewardship and your place at Ark and Dove. We will be dedicating our pledges on Sunday November 15 and we hope to receive your pledge by mail or e-mail next week.

Peace of Christ,
Tim
tstern@arkanddove.org
Message from Pastor Jon
Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,

Since Tuesday evening, I have spent much time gazing at graphs and tables marked blue and red. I have spent too much time observing the hot takes of my social media feed. All this scrolling has confirmed what I already knew, we are a deeply disconnected nation. There is a disconnect between political persuasions that leaves people on both sides either confused or enraged. I heard several members of Ark and Dove ask appalled, why did so many people vote for him? How can they support him? It doesn't make sense, doesn't compute. There is a disconnect.

Our stewardship team, hard at work and prayer during this last election season, perceived the disconnect and aptly named our campaign, Connections. Ark and Dove is a community that makes connections and strives to make more--connections with each other, with our neighbors, and in our community. Connecting is so important to us that when we could no longer worship in person we worked out a way to bond online. Still, we log on several times a week for worship, study, mission, and fellowship. Even more, we have linked up with organizations in Odenton and Anne Arundel County to serve the most vulnerable. We continue to find ways to stay in touch with each other and those who are in deep need around us. Connection is one of our highest values and, as a majority indicated in our summer survey, it is what we want to increase. 

Overcoming the disconnect in our country will be difficult, to make an understatement. It requires us to be vulnerable in seeking understanding and courageous to confront the sin that demeans and excludes God's children. That is the work we have, to overcome the disconnections that alienate people in our county and community. We can do that by staying connected at Ark and Dove. We can advance our connectivity by supporting the ministry and mission of this church which is tasked with making connections. We can connect with each other and others in a way that leads to lasting change, that carries forward God's dream for the world. Please support the connections we are making with a generous financial pledge.

In gratitude,
Jon
jnelson@arkanddove.org
Verse and Prayer
Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. 
-- Joshua 24:15
Holy One: on this day, I pledge to honor you...
                  -with my thoughts upon waking
                  -in my intentions for the day
                  -by my every interaction
                  -with my time and talents
                  -in my conversation
                  -by the spending of my resource
On this day, Faithful One, I will walk in faith. Amen.
Last year, an old friend of mine, Jamie Hillman conducted Maryland All-State Choir and Tim Osiek's arrangement of Peace Like a River was on the program. Talking to people later, it was one of the favourites of both the students and audience, despite not being the flashiest piece chosen for last year's choir. I've found some amazingly peaceful and powerful moments as I've been editing all these wonderful recordings made by our choir and a couple of wonderful friends. I hope in your listening to our offering that you find some peace, feel love like an ocean and know joy like a fountain after the tumultuous we've just been through.

Peace,
Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
Hello everyone. I hope you are all staying healthy and well. This week may have caused some stress and strain with the election results. During these times, it’s important to remember the things we’ve been given and opportunities that have presented themselves to us from our country. Things aren’t perfect, so we must stay true to our convictions and seek justice and freedom for everyone. No matter the results, we are one country, one community, and one people. Let’s all do our best to keep this in our hearts and minds so that we can continue to make strides as a nation to make this world more peaceful and loving to all.

God bless,
Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
Generosity!
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Text amount followed by peace, to give to Peace and Global Witness.
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You will be enriched in every good way for your generosity….
- 2 Corinthians 9:11
Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost
All are welcome! Join livestream worship at 10:00 am.

Access the
October Financial Update
YTD Expected Unpledged Income
Actual Unpledged Income
Behind


YTD Expected Pledged Income
YTD Actual Pledged Income
Ahead
$32,240.00
$26,558.00
$5,682.00


$377,930.00
$378,016.00
$86.00
Discipleship Ministry and Board of Deacons
Christian Education and Mission Ministries
Outreach & Connections and Worship Ministries
Facilities Ministry
From the Stewardship Team
We are sincerely grateful for your continued prayers, love, commitment, and financial support this past year and we are so excited to see where God leads us as a congregation in the future. For the past 7 weeks we have heard from each elder on Session as well as the Board of Deacons during our 2021 Connections stewardship video series. They have thoughtfully presented the impact of their respective ministries and their vision for growth in 2021 and beyond. This Sunday we will hear from our Administration elder, Julia Kirby for our final presentation in the video series. As we prepare for 2021, we hope that you will view all eight videos in the series again and reflect on all the ways that Ark and Dove keeps us connected to God and to each other and helps us answer the call to transform lives and carry God’s dream into the world. We pray that you will continue to engage in and support Ark and Dove with your giving.
 
Sunday, November 15 is Dedication Sunday. May we freely and willingly give from what God has given to us to meet the needs of others in love and unity.
 
-2021 Connections Stewardship Team. Doug Walcutt, Tricia Gray, Joe Gray, Dianne Johnson, Bruce Sanders, Steve Debus, and Pastor Tim
Ark and Dove Testimonials
We originally came to Ark & Dove - and then made a point to return when we moved back to the area - because we wanted a church that was active in and challenged the community. We wanted a faith community that works together to improve one another as well as the area we live in, and we found that at Ark & Dove and really have appreciated that factor. We were welcomed and included so quickly, that makes it so easy to want to continue reinvesting our time and energy. Especially now when things feel so disconnected, being able to draw upon the connections we've made through Anam Cara, Conflicted, and the other events and groups at the church helps so, so much. 
 
-- Katie Nilsen Johnson
Peace in Anne Arundel County!
Peace and Global Witness Offering
Through your participation in the Peace and Global Witness Offering, our church extends Christ’s peace throughout our community. The Peace and Global Witness Offering will be used to support ACT, as we support peace in Anne Arundel County. This offering is currently underfunded! Thank you for your support, as we weather one of the most difficult times in our history--together! You can donate online, by text (text amount followed by peace to 410-983- 3481) or by check. Cheryl Schafer, Mission Elder, csscas@verizon.net.
Grief, Healing and the Holidays




The Fallen Soldier Table


Will there be an empty seat at our holiday table this year?
An Evening of Remembrance and Thankfulness
If you have lost a loved one over the last year or longer ago, holidays can be really tough. And the coronavirus can keep us from being able to be with those closest to us who are also grieving. You are invited to attend a Healing through the Holidays grief group zoom session on Wednesday, November 11 from 7 - 8:15 pm. For more information and to sign up to receive the zoom link, contact Pastor Tim Stern at tstern@arkanddove.org or 410-674-6400, or Linnie Girdner at girdnerlinda@gmail.com or 410-999-7892. What to expect:

    ♥ Share what you are thankful for in having had that person in your life.
    ♥ Feel supported by others who are also grieving.
    ♥ Consider what you might wish to do this Thanksgiving.
  
Just Remember...
"Holidays are clearly some of the roughest terrain we navigate after a loss. The ways we handle them are as individual as we are. What is vitally important is that we be present for the loss in whatever form the holidays do or don’t take…. Even without grief, our friends and relatives often think they know how our holidays should look, what the family should and shouldn’t do. Now more than ever, be gentle with yourself. Don’t do more than you want, and don’t do anything that does not serve your soul and your loss."
David Kessler, Grief.com
Adult Christian Education
Lectionary Bible Study
Every Wednesday at 10 am, we gather online for fellowship, Bible study on the upcoming Sunday scriptures, and prayer. This has been and continues to be a great way to deepen friendships and faith. Please join us, there is no commitment or homework. Contact Pastor Jon for the Zoom invitation (jnelson@arkanddove.org).
Youth Christian Education
Godly Play
Our Sunday school program for grades K-5 takes place via Zoom each Sunday from 9:00- 9:40 am. Our host welcomes the child(ren), the storyteller tells a story and then leads the children in reflection and wondering. Normally, our class would involve a work/creative response time as well, so our Godly Play team has put together response bags containing art supplies and other materials for the children to keep at home for personal use. If you are interested in getting a bag for your child(ren), or you have any questions about Godly Play or would like to be put on our list to receive zoom invitations, please contact Julie Devers, Christian Education Elder, at jbdevers@gmail.com.
LOGOS Weekly Lessons and Activities
LOGOS has begun; check your emails each Tuesday! LOGOS is Ark and Dove's midweek intergenerational experience for children and youth up to 8th grade. It is a time for all ages to come together to learn about God and grow in their relationships. Unlike previous years, we will not be meeting in the church building. Instead, each week will have a different family-centered activity to do either at home or outside at church. There will be crafts, games, bible study, and opportunities for worship and mission. If you’d like to get on the weekly emailing list, please contact Amy Goldberg at amygoldberg.2010@gmail.com. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Jen Roman at jroman8414@gmail.com.
Growing With Each Other
Sunday Fellowship!
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.
Tea at Three
Friendly Seniors
Thursdays at 3:00 pm on Zoom. Please contact Pastor Tim (tstern@arkanddove.org) to receive an invitation.
Prayer Requests
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Amanda Crose's grandmother, Betty; Donna Anderson's brother-in-law, Tom Brown; Wren Suggs; Brenna Kirby; Grant Kirby’s mother, Caroline; Dick Paronto; Camille Dubois; Clarke Beaudry’s mother, Judy LaMarque; Kennon Bauman’s uncle, Dan Johnston; Amy Goldberg’s grandmother, Ruth Cooper; Dot Forloines’ family and her great-grandson Luke; Debbie and Bruce Arey’s daughter, Allison; Christy Yeager’s mother, Linda Jordan; John Mikeska; 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, and friend; Fred Barrow; Laurie Barrow’s nephew, Gunther Kurtz; Carlton Jackson; Sabonna Keeney’s mother; Pattie Plander; Richard and Edie Budd and family; Sue Hanburger's friends, Barb, Phyllis, and Martha; Bernabe Solano; Griselda Solano's sister, Irma; Kathy Miller’s sisters, Patty and Beth, and friend Sandee Dickson; 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; Kelly Burnett’s nephew, Justin; Dorene Chen’s family; Lewis Shorter and Lewis Shorter’s niece, Jennifer Schwandt-Gayle; Patriceo Green’s cousin, Philip Brown; 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 aunt, Judy Kochis and cousin, Thomas; Steve Debus’ cousin-in-law; Margaret McGillivray's friend Gregg Hanson; Kim Young's friend, Joyce Miller; Linnie Girdner and Jan Hof’s friend, Grace Ligon; the Yeager’s friend, Karen Schell; Ylonda Funtleroy's friends, Gloria Jean Austin and Tanya; Lori Kronser's friend, Barbara Noonan; Asher; and Kathy Emmert's friend, Patty.
 
PRAYERS OF HEALING for those with COVID-19 including: Emily Crose's grandmother, Lois Eichhorn; Doug Walcutt’s father, Chuck Walcutt, stepmother, Linda Walcutt; Ylonda Fauntleroy's friends, Sandra and Elijah Williams; Ed Barrett's friend, Joe Bogner; and Julia Kirby’s friends, Sam and the Speer family.
 
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