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St. John’s Way
A monthly publication of Saint John's Episcopal Church ~ Ft. Washington, MD
Volume 22, No. 2 February 2014
Black History Month 2014 - Civil Rights in America
For the entire month starting February 1of each year our nation
celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of
African Americans. The 2014
theme for Black History Month
is “Civil Rights in America”. The
organization recognized for
selecting the annual theme is
the Association for the Study of
Negro Life and History (ASALH).
This year’s theme marks the
fiftieth anniversary of the 1964
Civil Rights Act. Dr. Carter G.
Woodson (1875-1950) was the
founder of ASALH and known
as the “Father of Black History.”
As reported in this column in
previous years, while February
is commemorated as National Black History Month, it is a reminder to
celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Blacks in American
history throughout the year. For more about National Black History
Month visit http://www.asalh.org/index.html. Although not posted as of
this writing, look for the 2014 Presidential Proclamation at http://www.
whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/proclamations.
Jean Parker
Poster artwork source: Diversitystore.com
Look Out For This..........
• Thursday, Feb 6th - Lunch at the Royal Tea Room
in LaPlata Maryland
• Sunday, Feb 9th - Honoring Our Senior Members
• Sunday, Feb. 16th - Evensong
St. John’s Episcopal Church
King George Parish
Annual Meeting
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Bayne Hall
The Annual Meeting of King George’s Parish for election of Wardens, and Vestry members, and for transactions of other Parish business will be held in Bayne
Hall on Sunday, March 9, 2014, following the 9:00
a.m. service (One service only). Following meeting
there will be a pot luck luncheon.
(Those with last names A-D please bring a Salad/Appetizer, E-N please bring a main dish, and P-Z please
bring a dessert. )
If a qualified voter shall be required by his or her
principal employer, or for reasons of health, to be absent from the Annual Parish Meeting, he or she may
cast an absentee ballot for the election of Wardens
and Vestry Members.
The Voter’s List is posted in Bayne Hall. Please check
your name for any corrections. Please make corrections on the posted list, or contact the church office.
• Saturday, Feb 22nd - Spaghetti Dinner
• Sunday, Feb 23rd - Crocheting & Knitting
• Sunday, March 2nd - Ethnic Luncheon
• Wednesday, March 5th - Ash Wednesday
• March 9th - Annual Meeting - One Service Only
at 9:00 A.M.
Knitting, Crocheting and Quilting, - Oh My!
The St. John’s Crafters are at it again! In the midst of our frigid
weather, we have begun working on making cozy hats for newborn babies as well as lap quilts for babies and adults. Whether
your craft is knitting, crocheting or sewing, we invite you to join us in this worthwhile effort. We met on Sunday January 26 to get started and plan to meet
again on February 23, after the 10:30
service. We have patterns and yarn for
the crocheters and knitters, as well as
material for quilters. If you have a portable sewing machine you
can bring, it would speed up the quilting process. Pam Ritter has
lots of scraps of material left over from her own projects that she
is busy cutting into appropriately sized pieces to combine into lap
quilts. Let’s get an assembly line going! The finished products
will be sent to Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky, a
training program for midwives who distribute the hats and quilts
to their patients. If you can’t attend the crafting session but wish
to participate, let Marge Stevens (301-292-1202, mjwstevens@
aol.com) or Pam Ritter (301-292-3490, [email protected])
know what you will be contributing. Also, we welcome anyone
who would like to learn to knit, crochet or quilt. We enjoy passing
on our crafts to interested beginners!
Marge Stevens
Happy February
Birthday
Bonnie Barger
St. John's Vestry Members
Claudia Brooks
Mary Chamberlain
Collin Groat
Astrid James
Jan Kohout
Allen Neely
Lana Neil
Diann Puzon
Patrick Scott
Trevor Sampson, Jr.
Special Thanks to Edith Pulscak for mailing out the birthday
cards each month.
Let’s Hear From You!!!
The deadline for the March issue of St. John’s Way is Thursday,
February 27, 2014. Submissions can be left in the newsletter
box in the church office ‑ either hard copy or on CD, mailed, or
faxed to the church at 301‑248‑7838. So let’s hear from you.
Your letters to the editor/ideas/articles/comments/ information/questions can also be emailed to Karl Boykin at karl.
[email protected].
A PRAYER FOR ST. JOHN’S
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and
earth, hear our prayers for St. John’s, Broad Creek.
Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, restore the penitent,
draw the seekers, and increase our numbers.
Grant us all things necessary for our common life,
and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your Holy
Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Broad Creek
Bea James - Treasurer
Carol Thomas & Rudy Brevard - Pledge Clerks
WANTED
Empty, Rinsed Aluminum Cans & Copper,
Brass, Aluminum, Lead, Insulated Wire,
and Steel
Kathy Mierke collects aluminum cans, copper,
brass, lead, insulated wire, and exchanges them
for money for St. Johns. Please place your items
outside the kitchen door or inside the trash can
by the kitchen. (Pet food cans now accepted.)
If you have a lot or want to have them picked-up, call Kathy at
301-292-3624. Remember St. Johns needs the money.
Recycle for St. Johns.
St. John’s Way
is published monthly for members and friends of
St. John’s Episcopal Church ‑ Broad Creek
Vision Statement
To know Christ and to make him known. To be a grow‑
ing and vibrant multiracial Christian community, living
our baptismal promises in an integrated, responsive, and
stable life in Christ in the Anglican Tradition.
Mission Statement
To know Christ and to make him known by growing the
St. John’s Community through excellent: worship, par‑
ticularly music and preaching; Christian Formation, adult,
youth, and child; and community action, internal and
external.
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Don Horton, Senior Warden
Derek Vereen, Junior Warden Jean Anderson-Jones, Secretary
Jean Parker
Michael Lacy
Jeanne Ulrich
Royce Daniels
Edith Pulsack
Birgitt Brevard
Karen Chapman
9801 Livingston Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
Phone: 301‑248-4290 Fax: 301‑248‑7838
Rector: To Be Announced
Minister of Music: Adam Scott Graham
Office Staff: Jean Anderson-Jones
Office Hours: Monday‑ Friday 10:00am ‑ 4:00pm
Newsletter Editor: Karl R. Boykin
Communication Committee: Jean Parker, Pam Ritter, Peter
Ulrich, Adam Scott Graham, Jean Anderson-Jones
Articles, comments, letters to the editor and suggestions can be
submitted to the Church Office or emailed to
http://www.stjohnsbroadcreek.org/
[email protected]
St. John's Way - February 2014
From the
Pulpit
This month's guest from the
pulpit is
The Reverend Paula E. Clark
Canon for Clergy Development
and Multi-Cultural Ministries
Diocese of Washington
Always Follow the Light &
Hold Fast to Your Dreams
Dear God, following the example of the wise men & St. Joseph,
help us to follow your light, and hold fast to our dreams. Amen.
Today, I want to begin with an old hymn and a poem. First the
hymn:
Hark the herald angels sing,
Jesus, the light of the world.
Glory to the newborn king,
Jesus, the light of the world.
Chorus:
We’ll walk in the light,
beautiful light,
come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night;
Jesus, the light of the world.
We also see in today’s Gospel three distinct dreams St. Joseph
had and followed to protect the infant Jesus. When the wise men
leave, St. Joseph hears from the angel of the Lord with a stern
warning to drop everything and flee to Egypt. How crazy-making
this must have been. If I were Joseph I’d be afraid to go to sleep
not knowing what the Lord might require of me! In order to protect the Christ Child and his mother, that very night Joseph follows
the instructions given to him in his dream and goes to Egypt. Can
you imagine going to a foreign land without any preparation? Yet,
Joseph does just that and saves Jesus from the wrath of Herod.
This Herod, known as “the great,” was also known for his tyrannical cruelty. He would stop at nothing to protect his throne, and
even killed one of his wives and three of his sons he suspected
would overthrow him. When Herod found out the three wise men
took another way home from Bethlehem after worshipping the
Christ Child, because they too were told in a dream not to return
to Herod, he orders the killing of all infant boys in and around
Bethlehem two years old and under. Joseph and the wise men,
following the angel’s orders are able to save the Christ Child by
following and holding fast to their dreams.
When Herod dies, an angel of the Lord again appears to Joseph in
a dream in Egypt, and lets him know that the one who sought Jesus’ life is now dead. Joseph makes plans to return to Israel, but
also has reservations because the son of Herod has taken over as
ruler of Judea, and he believes Herod Archelaus is as dangerous
as his father. Again, Joseph is told in a dream that his suspicions
are correct, and is warned against going to Judea, so he settles
on going to Nazareth.
Now the poem:
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Yes, it must have been strange for the wise men to follow this star
of unknown yet unique origin. Yet, they resolutely follow this star
Continued on page 4
So are the immortal words of an old hymn, and poet Langston
Hughes, who today, along with the Gospel we heard, encourages
us to follow the light of Christ and always dream. Despite the fact
that we Episcopalians are sometimes called “the frozen chosen”
(present weather not withstanding), we are reminded today in the
hymn and in the poem to go for the thaw, forthrightly follow the
light, and despite our fears, hold fast to our dreams. That is my
challenge to you today, St. John’s, to always follow the light, hold
fast to and follow your dreams.
Last week must have been very hard with Marc’s last Sunday
as your rector. What a time of endings and beginnings as Marc
himself said in your December newsletter. It must have been a
time of grief and gratitude, all rolled into one. Grief over Marc’s
departure, after almost 15 years of wonderful ministry together.
Marc will be sorely missed, and you will need to intentionally take
time to properly grieve his leaving. Yet, it is also a time of gratitude, for the outstanding community you are, and the awesome
leadership Marc provided during his time with you. God blessed
you with a great rector, and for that, you must give thanks. Yet,
today we have to think about the future, how you will go forward
without Marc. You have to think about where God is leading you,
St. John’s, and where you want to go. In thinking about all of this,
I invite you today to follow the light, dream your way forward,
hold fast to and follow your dreams.
St. John's Way - February 2014
In today’s Gospel we remember the wise men from the east who
followed the light of a star, and a dreamer – St. Joseph. It is
unclear who the wise men really are in the Gospel, although we
know they are Gentiles who go to worship the Christ Child, following a star they have studied. The key here is that they resolutely,
without reservation, follow that star and do whatever they must
to find the source of the star.
PROPOSED CHANGES FOR
KING GEORGE’S PARISH
BY-LAWS
To be voted upon at the Annual Meeting, March 9, 2014
following the 9:00 a.m. service.
ARTICLE III: Section 2: The Senior Warden shall
serve a 2 year term or until a successor has been
named and may be re-elected for one term.
PROPOSED CHANGE: The Senior Warden shall serve
a 2 year term or until a successor has been named and
may be re-elected to 2 additional consecutive terms.
ARTICLE III: Section 3: The Junior Warden will
serve a 2 year term or until a successor has been
named and may be re-elected to one successive two
year term.
PROPOSED CHANGE: The Junior Warden shall serve
a 2 year term or until a successor has been named and
may be re-elected to 2 additional consecutive terms.
http://www.stjohnsbroadcreek.org/
3
Pulpit Continued from page 3
until they find the source of this strange phenomenon, the Christ
Child, then they worship him. Moreover, after worshipping the
Christ Child, they become privy to God’s Divine Intervention, Divine dreaming, hearing in a dream to go home by another route.
In their divine dreaming, and that of St. Joseph, they are able to
save the Christ Child, that the Christ Child, in due time, can save
us. We give thanks today for the wise men who resolutely follow
the light, the Light of the World, Jesus, and St. Joseph, who is
open enough to listen to, hold fast to and follow his dreams. By
doing so, they all paved the way for our salvation through Jesus
Christ our Savior.
Yet, what do the wise men and St. Joseph have to do with us?
Many of you might tell me that you don’t dream, that you can’t
remember your dreams, or that God doesn’t speak to you in
dreams, and that may be so. Then you are called to listen to the
dreams of dreamers, and follow the light they see. Moreover, we
4
all have wishes, hopes, and dreams of the future. Being able to
resolutely follow the light of Christ, the light of hope, and dream,
even when you face hopelessness, is what God expects of us.
I was inspired by the importance of resolutely following the light
of righteousness, and dreaming against all odds when I went to
see the movie “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” Despite Nelson
Mandela’s 27 year imprisonment, he never stopped following the
light of what is right, and never stopped dreaming. His idealistic
view of what life can and should be, hearkening back to his childhood, and his vision for what he wanted South Africa to be, never
left him. Indeed, from his jail cell floor he still saw the light of
what is right and saw the possibilities of what could be. He was
indeed a dreamer, and held fast to his dreams, even in the midst
of great hopelessness. I was most impressed with Mandela when
while in prison he was having clandestine meetings with officials
http://www.stjohnsbroadcreek.org/
Continued on page 5
St. John's Way - February 2014
Pulpit Continued from page 5
from the South African government. Mandela resolutely dreamed
of a South Africa where whites, blacks and coloreds live harmoniously in a shared government. That was an outlandish dream
to the government officials, but somehow with the power and
determination of his humble personality, Mandela was able to get
the officials to see the light and share in his dream. The rest, of
course, is history and South Africa is now a model for reconciliation and shared democracy among diverse people.
Therefore, following the light of what is right and dreaming is
tantamount to forging your way forward in the future. So I say to
you, St. John’s, are you ready to follow the light of Christ wherever it leads? What are your dreams? What path is God telling
A Prayer For Guidance During
Tough Times.
PRAYER
CORNER
Oh Holy Spirit, Christ sent you to us
for comfort and guidance when He
ascended to heaven, and we ask that
you be with us now. We have to make
a decision and we turn to you, for even
though we have made mistakes in the
with Royce past, we have faith in you and truly desire that "thy will be done." Help us to
empty our mind of all sinful motivation and speak to us, in the
quietness of spirit, I pray. Give us grace to lead us in the path
of the right decision, one that will help us to live in peace and
happiness, but above all, one that will serve you, and one that
we will look back upon, when our life is drawing to a close,
with gratitude and thanks that we did the right thing. Amen
Pray for the President, the Armed Forces of the United States
and our Allies, and for the people and emergent leaders of
Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, and all the countries in the
world that are in turmoil, as well as for our enemies and those
who wish us ill.
The world now has the means to end extreme poverty, we
pray we will have the will. Please pray for; Jane Bowman,
Mary Cook, Royce Daniels, Alfonso Narvaez, Sr., Sylvia Blake,
Bill Bonwitt, LaDeborah Boozer, Marc & Francie Britt, Claudia
& Claudette Brooks, the Brotherton family, the Bullard family,
Randy & Edie Burgess, Anika Campbell, Tony Carter, the Dove
family, Barbara Drake, Charles Dubay, Marian Ford, Charles &
Rachaad Gunter, James Golson, Granville E. Hall, Jr., Ed Harris, Patty Horak, JoAnn Howdershell, Ann Hozel, Doris Johnson, Jane Klemer, Verna Kraft, Alexis McCann, David Meeker,
the Mierke family, Nancy Paleyan, Jessica Puzon, John Russel,
the Uniacke family, Mary White.
The 2014 St. John's Directory
The latest issue of our church
directory should be complete by
the Annual Meeting on March 9th.
If you have any updates, address
changes, family changes, new picSt.
tures, etc., please let us know. You
Johns
can email updates or photos to Karl
Boykin or the church office. If you would like a new
photo taken please contact Karl. Thanks,
St. John's Way - February 2014
you to follow as you dream of the future of St. John’s? Follow
God’s light. Listen to your dreams. God is probably telling you
something. Moreover, listen to the dreams and visions of your
sisters and brothers here at St. John’s. Everyone can’t see clearly
God’s light. Everyone isn’t a dreamer, but it’s important to listen
to and follow the dreamers. How might the angel of the Lord be
instructing and guiding them? The listening and dreaming are
key in forging your way forward to the bright future God has in
store for you. Remember, St. John’s, always follow the light of
Christ. Hold fast to your dreams. AMEN.
FUNdraising Team Meeting
Thursday, February 6th at 7pm
• Discuss fundraising events for 2014
• Open floor discussion
This meeting is open to all who are interested. It will last for one
hour as we will remain on topic.
Contact Karen Chapman for additional information.
A
Moment
2014 Calendar of Events
St. John’s Women’s Group (W.O.W.)
February 1-28 - Food Pantry Donations
During the month of February, WOW will be collecting paper
towels, facial tissue, toilet tissue, wax paper and foil. Please
leave items in the Education Building near the Food Pantry door
or in Bayne Hall.
February 6 (Thursday) - Lunch Bunch Royal Tea Room
110 Charles Street,
La Plata, MD 20646 (Lunch: 11:30 a.m.)
Web: http://www.royaltearoommd.com/
Reservation deadline: February 3. For reservation or more
information call: Pam Ritter (number in church directory) Or
email [email protected] To carpool from St. John’s, please
meet in Church parking lot at 10:45 a.m.
February 9 (Sunday) - Special Event
Honoring “Years of Service to St. John’s” Join us in celebrating
our age 80+ members. 10:30 a.m. Church service, immediately
followed by a special coffee hour.
February 22 (Saturday) - Parish Social
St. John’s Family - Spaghetti Dinner - Hosted by W.O.W. in
Bayne Hall. No charge. Free-will offering accepted. Interested
in helping? Contact: Pam Ritter (number in church directory),
Or email [email protected]
March 11 (Tuesday) - Meeting St. John’s Women’s
Group
7:00 p.m., Addison Room. For more information about the
meeting or dinner at Charlie’s Restaurant before the meeting,
please call: Church Office at (301) 248-4290
Sept. 27 (Saturday) - Annual Tea “GRACIOUS AFTERNOON
TEA” 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church,
Broad Creek – Bayne Hall Web: http://stjohnsbroadcreek.org/
*More information available after July 2014*
http://www.stjohnsbroadcreek.org/
5
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
February
2
Presentation of our
Lord in the Temple
8am HE I
10:30am HEII
9
3
4
7pm Homework
Helpers
10
11
5th Sunday after
7:30pm FInance
Pentecost
Committee
8:00am HE I
10:30am HEII
Honoring our Seniors
7pm Homework
Helpers
6th Sunday after
Pentecost
8:00am HE I
10:30am HEII
7pm Evensong
7pm Homework
Helpers
16
23
17
OFFICE CLOSED
24
7th Sunday after Pentecost
8:00am HE I
10:30am HEII
12:30pm Knitting,
4pm Concert Series
18
25
7pm Homework
Helpers
5
6
7
Rehearsal
11:30 Lunch
Bunch-Royal Tea
Room, LaPlata
12
13
14
20
21
27
28
7pm Choir
7pm Choir
Rehearsal
19
7pm Choir
7pm Vestry Meeting
Rehearsal
26
7pm Choir
Rehearsal
1
Saturday
9:30-12 Food Pantry
7:30pm AA
8
9:30-12 Food Pantry
7:30pm AA
15
9:30-12 Food Pantry
7:30pm AA
22
9:30-12 Food Pantry
7:30pm AA
-Spaghetti Dinner
March 1
9:30-12 Food Pantry
7:30pm AA
5:00pm State Highway
Commission Open Meeting
St. John’s Episcopal Church
9801 Livingston Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
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First Class Mail
http://www.stjohnsbroadcreek.org/
St. John's Way - February 2014