The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter |
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Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 27th, 2022
In-Person Worship at 9:00 and 10:30 am, every Sunday!
*Sunday School for Pre-K-5th Grade during 10:30 am Worship, every Sunday!
You can connect on YouTube HERE.
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Dear Friends and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,
This Sunday at the 10:30 service, we will install six new church officers:
Amy Goldberg and Katie Nielson Johnson as Elders
Amita Joshi Dubois, Fred Barrow, Rawn Sahai and Debbie Arey as Deacons
Take note of two things as you watch from your home or as you sit in the sanctuary.
When we ordain, there is a custom and ritual called the laying on of hands. The hands of those who are previously ordained are laid upon the shoulders of the newly ordained. This is a prayer of blessing, a prayer of calling upon the Spirit of God to rest upon the new leaders and spiritual connection going back thousands of years to the first elders and deacons that were ordained in the first century.
Secondly, Elders and Deacons answer the same ordination questions as Pastors except for the last question which begins like this: will you be a faithful Pastor……,Will you be a faithful Elder…… will you be a faithful Deacon….. We take lay leadership very seriously in the Presbyterian/Reformed family of churches.
And finally – these new officers have been reaching out to you all and will continue reaching out. Take the time to talk to them. This is a wonderful class of leaders. The church is all about making and sustaining relationships that we may build fellowship - koinonia in the Greek New Testament. Koinonia in the Holy Spirit is what glues us together.
Peace of Christ,
Tim
tstern@arkanddove.org
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Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
At the beginning of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, we were encouraged to make a habit out of confession. Here is one of mine: when our Lenten book "Good Enough" was proposed in our Adult Education team meeting, I was skeptical. The book seemed to promote an approach to discipleship that was less than inspiring. How can a person grow in discipleship if any simple step is judged "good enough"? I thought. Many of you know that I like a challenge, physical and intellectual, and am often inspired by amazing feats of endurance and writing. Nevertheless, Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie's devotions have been a necessary corrective, I must admit. There is a time to press toward something better and a time to affirm what is good.
This Lent, we are encouraged to live in the healthy tension of growth and grace. At times, we push ourselves to do things that we don't necessarily want to do. Other times, we relax knowing that our efforts do not earn the grace of God. If you are like me, you might tend toward extremes: unrelenting discipline or prolonged idleness. These extremes are unsustainable and unhealthy. Somewhere in between we grow in grace: we try new practices to connect with God but do not overcommit, we relax in God's grace but accept responsibility, and we make uncoerced and unconstrained commitments to love. This Lenten season, I hope that you are finding equal opportunity to grow in discipleship and rest in the grace of Jesus Christ.
Peace,
Jon
jnelson@arkanddove.org
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Where can I go from your spirit?
-Psalm 139:7
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Dear God,
You are the kindness that runs to find me wherever I have wandered off. You are the faithfulness I don't have enough of. You are my safe harbor in the midst of the storm. And in that quiet place, speak gently to me of what needs to change in order for your freedom to free me, Your love to care through me, and Your faithfulness to strengthen me.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
-Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie
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This Sunday, the choir will sing a beautiful arrangement of "What Wondrous Love is This" by Geoff Weaver. Written for 3 parts (Soprano, Alto, Bass) and piano, it begins with Sopranos in unison on the first verse before the Altos take over the melody on the 2nd verse, accompanied by the other voices. By the Third and final verse, "And when from death I'm free", all voices are brought together in a powerful unison, with a floating descant. It is simple, yet powerful, and reminds us of the powerful prayer that song can bring.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
to God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am”;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on.
With love,
Rebecca
Interim 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.
To donate to One Great Hour of Sharing, text amount followed by GreatHour.
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 - Fourth Sunday in Lent & Baptism
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Holy Week Palms and Flowers |
The Flower Team and Worship Ministry is accepting donations for palms and Easter flowers for Holy week. The suggested donation is $10 to $12 dollars and may be made at an in person service, online on our Giving page under FLOWERS or by texting FLOWERS 410-983-3481. Easter lilies will be available to take home on after Easter Service if desired. Forms are also available in the church bulletin and online here. If you have any questions, please contact Paula Griggs at 443-510-6687 or paulagriggs32@gmail.com.
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One Great Hour of Sharing |
What does July 16 mean to you? If you are part of the Navajo nation, or have connections near Church Rock, New Mexico, that date might stir a heartbreaking memory of a preventable disaster that continues to have disastrous impacts.
Over 40 years ago, the earthen dam of a nuclear waste disposal pond broke near Church Rock and dumped tons of solid, radioactive waste and 90 million gallons of acidic and radioactive liquids into the Rio Puerco. The resulting contamination of the land, air and ground water affected nine Navajo municipalities.
One Great Hour of Sharing connects us with these families through MASE, the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment. MASE’s mission envisions respectful, peaceful communities cherishing a healthy environment.
I like to think that’s a lot like our Church’s mission, too. It is part of what led the Committee on the Self-Development of People to connect with MASE, reaching out “like the arms of the Church,” as the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson with SDOP puts it, to address the systems and structures that perpetuate oppression, leading to poverty.
Our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing connect us with people finding their voice and accessing their God-given power, and is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together to work for a better world by advancing the causes of justice, resilience and sustainability. During Lent, we celebrate that God connects with us through Jesus’ resurrection and connects us with those “who have the least” — that’s how Matthew 25 puts it — and that’s what One Great Hour of Sharing is all about.
Thank you for your generosity! For as we always say … when we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.
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STAIR is Looking for Volunteers |
Ark and Dove has an ongoing relationship with Start The Adventure In Reading (STAIR). STAIR -Annapolis is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that helps public school second graders throughout Anne Arundel County improve basic literacy skills. They work with AACPS to identify students reading below grade level and pair them with dedicated volunteer tutors. Students and tutors work together, one-on-one, each week to practice skills and share the joy of reading. They are currently seeking volunteers to serve as tutors and Site Coordinators at Nantucket Elementary School and Severn Elementary School for the 2022-2023 school year. No prior teaching or tutoring experience is required! Volunteers must only have a passion for early literacy and a desire to help a child become a better reader. Learn more at stairannapolis.org/volunteer.
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Ukranian Relief Aid Special Offering |
You can help people in Ukraine with special offerings to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). To donate for Ukraine help, visit our online donation page, text amount followed by Ukraine, to 410-983-3481, or simply notate on your check 'Ukraine'.
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Thank you to the Ark and Dovers who attended the Police Accountability Board events on Monday Night |
Several members of Ark and Dove attended the march, rally, and Anne Arundel County Council meeting on Monday night where the council heard testimony and voted on amendments regarding the Police Accountability Board. The local coalition of racial justice allies working toward robust police accountability is doing everything possible to increase the representation and the power of the police accountability board, which is a newly designed component of the police reform laws that were passed by the General Assembly in 2021. For more information, see here. |
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Ark and Dove is Now an Earth Care Congregation |
The new Ark and Dove Earth Care team recently submitted our application to become an Earth Care Congregation. We made it!!! We supplied the selection committee with responses to a long survey of our current efforts regarding Earth Care in four areas: Worship, Education, Facilities and Outreach. We had many more points than what was required to meet the criteria. Session approved the signing of the Earth Care Pledge and we suggested some potential goals for the coming year before we renew our certification. We will need the help of all of our members and friends to continue to care for God's creation as we move forward. The large group who showed up to the church grounds clean-up fellowship last Saturday is a sign that there is commitment and energy around our Earth Care pledge! Thank you so much!! We look forward to welcoming you to our Earth Care team and related adventures.
For more information about Ark and Dove's Earth Care Team, or to join the team, contact Bob Fuller at rtfuller@mac.com.
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Join the Facilities Ministry!
We will be having a team meeting via Zoom on April 4th at 7pm. Join us to see how you can help. No experience or special skills required.
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Ukrainian Egg Decorating Fundraiser for Humanitarian Relief |
Join us on Saturday April 9 at 4 PM, open to all! Make a pysanky decorated egg to take home! All supplies and instructions will be provided. This activity is suitable for adults, teens, and children who can hold a raw egg for up to an hour without breaking it. Donations will go to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which is funding local humanitarian relief organizations supporting Ukrainians impacted by the Russian invasion. Any amount is appreciated, $20 per person is the suggested amount. Pay by credit card on this form, on the Ark and Dove website, or bring cash to the event. This event is limited to 50 people, so we will have adequate supplies. Covid protocols: please wear a mask while in the Ark and Dove building. Maximum fresh air ventilation will be in place. To register and pay, go to Ukrainian Egg Decorating Fund Raiser for Humanitarian Relief – PYSANKY. POCs: Ellen and Greg Makar, eemakar@aol.com, glmakar@juno.com.
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The Parent Group will meet in the Marshall room (or outside, weather-permitting) on April 3rd immediately after service (11:40ish). All parents and caregivers of school-aged children and younger are invited to join this fellowship time to connect with others in the same season of raising children. Let's share stories, ideas, prayers, and during this meeting, pizza too! Childcare will be provided for a small shared cost.
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It's a LIVE Theater Opportunity! |
Yearning for some LIVE theatre? Then, save the time to join the Friendly Seniors on Sunday, April 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bowie Community Theatre to see "Fences", a drama by August Wilson. Sign up online here, or email Joan Berry, berry962@verizon.net. Assuming we have at least 10 people sign up the cost will be $15--no inflation here!--if not, adults are $22 and students $17. Look for count update in Arkive before Palm Sunday. Checks (made out to Joan) or cash will be due to Joan Berry by Palm Sunday, April 10. Joan will be at church that day for your convenience. We'll let you know where we are stopping for lunch on the way if you want to join us. There are no assigned seats; get there early to have your pick!
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Fellowship Hour is Back and Needs Your Help! |
With the lower positivity numbers and nicer weather (take that, Puxatawny Phil!), the fellowship table will be returning outside, with snacks and coffee. Are you an early bird? Bargain (healthy-ish) shopper? Like to hang out after 2nd service? We need your help! Folks are needed to set up before first service and especially to clean up after 2nd service. It doesn’t have to be every Sunday! For more information or to sign up to help, email Outreach and Connections Elder Katie Nilsen-Johnson: knilsenjohnson@arkanddove.org.
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Anti-Racism and Social Equity |
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Building The Beloved Community |
"Our goal is to create the Beloved Community, and this will require an inner change in the quality of our soul as well as an outer change in the quantity of our compassionate action."
--- Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Anti-Racism/Social Justice team invites you to join us for the following opportunities:
PLANNING SESSION for Anti-Racism efforts going forward. We need your ideas!
4/19 - 7 PM, Zoom
RACISM 101 and RACISM 102: Can you define Systemic Racism, Internalized Racism, Interpersonal Racism and White Fragility? Join us for these informative presentations:
4/24 - 2 PM, Zoom - Racism 101
5/1, 2 PM, Zoom - Racism 102
Affinity Group Discussion - zoom followup for participants of our "Nice Racism" study
4/26 - 7PM
For more information or for the Zoom links, please contact Paula Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com, or Deb Saylor, saylordeb@yahoo.com for zoom links.
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Healing Through Grief Group |
Pastor Tim, Cathy Debus, and Linnie Girdner will be co-facilitating the next Healing through Grief group on Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30 pm, again as a Zoom meeting. The Healing through Grief small group is open to anyone attending Ark and Dove, as well as family members, friends and neighbors, who have experienced the death of a loved one, whether it is recent or a long time ago.
Please let us know if you have the slightest inclination to attend on April 6th, so that we can send you the link to the Zoom meeting. If you change your mind later, no problem. Also, let us know if you have not used Zoom before, so that we can provide you with some
information in advance.
Let's be there for one another in our healing through grief. If you need to talk with someone prior to that date, feel free to give me a call or contact your Deacon.
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Children's Choir is Under Way |
Children’s Choir for ages preschool through middle school continues to meet every Sunday at 9:45 am in the Marshall room. We dismiss the children in time to go to the 10:30 service with their families. This is just a starting place for us and we plan to have rehearsals on weekdays once LOGOS finishes. Email Abbey Boudreau at abbey24bee@gmail.com or Christina Nelson at christinajoy87@gmail.com for any questions. We look forward to seeing your children!
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Adult Christian Education |
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Lenten Small Groups - It's Not too Late to Join |
Join us this Lenten season, as we explore what it means to live imperfect lives of faith in a culture that extols perfection. In small groups throughout Lent, we will be reflecting on Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie's Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection. Kate Bowler is a scholar, mother who faced a Stage IV cancer diagnosis, and author of the bestseller Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I've Loved. In these wise and practical devotions, Bowler and Richie encourage authentic faith "in a culture that rewards ruthless individualism and blind optimism." Please contact Pastor Jon (jnelson@arkandove.org) if you want a copy of the devotional from us. You can find the book at most book retailers. Small groups will deepen your Lenten journey.
Please contact the following group leaders offering sessions at these times:
Sunday April 3 at 1 pm: Achsah Callahan (achsahajoseph@gmail.com)
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm: Pastor Tim (tstern@arkanddove.org)
Wednesdays at 10 am: Pastor Jon (jnelson@arkanddove.org)
Thursdays at 8:05 pm: Pastor Jon (jnelson@arkanddove.org)
Friday March 25 and April 8 at 7:30 pm: Kim Champagne (kim.champagne@gmail.com)
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Ark and Dove Book Club - Special Summer Book Series |
Join Pastor Jon and Kim Champagne for a discussion of Marilynne Robinson’s highly acclaimed novel “Gilead” on Tuesday, May 17th at 7:30pm. If you enjoy this novel, perhaps you will also consider joining us as we read through the rest of the books in the Gilead series this summer: “Home” (June 21st), “Lila” (July 19th) and “Jack” (August 16th). All meetings will be held on Zoom at 7:30. Email Kim Champagne for additional information and a zoom link (kim.champagne@gmail.com)
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Children and Youth Programs |
Youth group will meet this Sunday evening at church. LOGOS will continue meeting this Tuesday at the church, 6-7 pm. Please dress warmly for some outside activity and please wear a mask. If you are not comfortable gathering with the mask your child has, we have M95 masks, children’s sized, available. To receive Logos communications, contact Amy Goldberg at amygoldberg.2010@gmail.com.
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Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Christi Loveless; Edward Sealing's grandmother, Betty Peterson; Bill Gaurin; Henry & Carol Saylor; Allison Buffington; Sanora Clark; Debbie Saylor's Uncle Wayne Rennex, niece, Courtney Jaberi, and sister Christine; Danny Barrier; Michelle Schoonmaker's aunt and friend of Ylonda Fauntleroy, Floretta Watkins-Barbee, and Michelle's great aunt and Ylonda's aunt, Bernice Taylor; Debbie Bell; the people of Ukraine; Lou Kareha's relatives Aubriella and Michael Steele, and B. Wicker; Henry Hoffman; Jackie Lucus; Michelle Schoonmaker; Cindi Schafer; Mike and Denise Bartgis' son-in-law; Kelly Burnett; Jon Nelson's mother, Joanne Nelson; a mother struggling with a diagnosis; Louise Sharrocks; Kathy Miller's brother-in-law, Jeff Miller, and sister, Beth Krauth; Lourdes Cordero's sister, Diane Cordero, brother Jose, granddaughter, and friends, Fred and Arelene Jones; Lou Kareha's sister-in-law's brother, James Karanasky, cousin, Thomas Kochis, and friend, Nando Smacci; Alvin Dennis; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Diane Johnson's friend, Tom; Kelly Burnett's nephew, Justin; Christy Hipchen’s nephew and grandmother, Ann Chubon; the Sealing Family; Karen Arnold's brother, Tim; Josh Arnold; the family of Mike Esparza; a sister struggling with mental illness; Debbie Arey; Steve Debus' father, Bill Debus; Paul Doughty's mother, Ruth Doughty; James Franklin's sister-in-law, Kelli Franklin; Amy Tardiff’s Aunt Fran; Richard and Carol Jasper; Laura Batten-Carbaugh; Nicole Chidlow's son, Jai; Michelle Schoonmaker's friend's and their children, Kai S., Liam F., and Ezra R.; Frank Stillwell; Mary Caolo; David Johns; Carrie Dodson's friend Pam; Angela Goska; Belinda Edwards; Karen Stokes; Betty Small; a friend of Bob Fuller; the Unger family; Debbie and Bruce Arey's niece, Sarah, and daughter, Allison, and Debbie’s sister, Denise; Calvin Latham; Brianna Lapp; Ann Hirschy's relative Isaiah, aunt Cindy, and brother; Diane Makar; Charlotte Davie; Adell Gaurin; Dotty Kaufman and her daughter-in-law, Carol, granddaughter, Sarah, and grandson Nathan; Ray Bussey's mother, Doris; Liz Olson; Margaret Floyd; Vaughn Brown; Patty and Steve Plander; Arlyce Lohr; Krista Klohr; Dick Paronto; Cheryl Walcutt’s sister Judy and mother; Amy Hagemann’s sister, Susan Pratt; Mary Benson’s sister; Amy Carskadon Lifsey’s father-in-law, Bill Lifsey Sr.; Karen Dodson’s cousin, Miles, and Miles’ family; Helen Wilkens' mother, Jane Reinert; Christina Nelson’s grandmother, Patricia Dole; Judy Cooper’s daughter, Jessica Quigley; a member of the Tardiff family; Lewis Shorter and Lewis Shorter’s niece, Jennifer Schwandt-Gayle; Dot Forloine’s granddaughter Melisa Tucker Saatthoff, and her great-grandson Luke; Linda Taylor’s mother, Izola; 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; 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; Cheryl and Doug Walcutt’s grandchild, Gray Adacutt; Erika Sealing's grandmother, Margaret Schade; and Rob Yeager’s friends, Greta Daughtrey and Peter Brown.
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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