Happenings || Emmaus United Church of Christ

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Happenings, March 2007

I Wish You Enough!

Last Sunday I mentioned in the sermon about knowing when enough is enough.
It seems clear to me that we live in a time when the game seems to be to get as much as you can for yourself. so that enough never seems quite adequate. Then again I and others sometimes use the phrase “enough is enough” when we get tired of hearing all the negativity at work or on the media, without hearing conversations about opportunities for changing those things that perpetuate poverty, oppression, violence, health and educational deprivation, corruption, injustice or any of the many items in our bag of concerns.

As we enter this Lenten season, perhaps we might want to think not so much about what we can give up (although that too is one of our traditions in the church) but what we can take on. In the spirit of Jesus, who spent 40 days in the wilderness in reflection and struggle to shape his ministry, perhaps we might want to consider what is it that we can do to make a real difference through our ministry, as individuals and as a church.

I have mentioned my friend Dale, who lives in New Orleans and her experiences during and after Katrina. Many times I have said out loud, “When is enough enough?” What is taking our government so long to effectively respond? Yet, in the midst of her struggles to rebuild their home and the church, she sent to me a thoughtful story which I now share with you:

“I Wish You Enough”

Recently I overheard a mother and a daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, “I love you and I wish you enough.”

The daughter replied, “Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom.”

They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry.

I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?”

“Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?”

“I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is – the next trip back could be for my funeral,” she said.

“When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough.’ May I ask what that means?”

She began to smile. “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone”.

She paused a moment, smiled and then continued, “When we said, ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them”.

Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory.

— I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
— I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
— I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
— I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
— I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
— I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
— I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

She then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Dale concluded her note with this: “I wish you enough.”

I end this Lenten greeting with the same, “I wish you enough!”

May your Lenten journey of spiritual and practical reflection be energizing and transforming.

Art Waidmann
Supply Pastor

Road to Emmaus Sunday School Update

In February, the children have learned the story of John the Baptist and Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness. The children were able to meet John himself in our Caravan Camp and learn about how our church celebrates baptism today. In the Creation Station, the children made beautiful baptism banners by stenciling dove patterns onto fabric. The focus of Divinity Diner was the wilderness story; the children also heard the story Stone Soup and made their own soup. Thanks so much to all of our wonderful workshop leaders – Sean Corwin, Sarah Corwin, Karla Weeks and Annette Gildea.

Julie Holec and Heidi Warrington

Children’s Day

Mark your calendars – our Children’s Day service will be on Sunday, April 29. The children are preparing a wonderful musical sermon under the direction of Nancy Osborne.
For parents, please remember that your child’s consistent attendance is critical for learning the songs and speaking parts. The rehearsal schedule is:

Full Rehearsals during Sunday School: March 25th, April 22nd
Rehearsals at the end of Sunday School (11:20 – 11:45): March 4, 11, 18; April 1, 15
Dress Rehearsal: Saturday April 28th

Julie Holec and Heidi Warrington

Service and Missions

One Great Hour of Sharing – An International Program of the United Church of Christ

On Sunday, March 18, the annual Emmaus special offering will be taken to support One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). Members will receive information in the mail including an OGHS offering envelope. OGHS supports self-help programs in more than 80 nations. OGHS provides emergency and long-term assistance to people in the aftermath of natural or human-caused events. The UCC Wider Mission Office uses funds provided by local UCC churches in joint efforts with Church World Service and other ecumenical international mission organizations. One of the current priorities is to raise OGHS funds for the Sudan/Darfur refugee crisis. Since the Sudan/Darfur humanitarian crisis began in 2004, displacing 2.5 million persons and claiming the lives of over 200,000 people, the United Church of Christ has provided more than $115,000 for food, shelter, water, sanitation and other humanitarian assistance. Information and a video about the crisis can be seen at the OGHS web site; click on the Sudan/Darfur box on the left side of the Web page.

Our Daily Bread

On Sunday, March 4, Emmaus members will deliver food and other household necessities to over twenty low income families through the Our Daily Bread program. Our Daily Bread is a non-profit organization, involving many different denominations and churches in Northern Virginia, that provides supplemental food and necessities to low-income families identified by Fairfax County social service agencies as most in need. Members of Emmaus provide this support for Our Daily Bread three Sundays each year. This is also a service project of the Emmaus Junior High Youth Group which helps organize into family packages the food that has been donated or purchased with contributions by members of Emmaus.

Committee to Help Others (CHO)

Transportation for a number of elderly and persons with disabilities to medical appointments and other needs was provided by members of Emmaus the week of February 26 as part of Emmaus’s volunteer contribution to the Committee to Help Others (CHO). CHO is an all volunteer organization of over twenty-five churches in the Vienna, Oakton and Merrifield area. In addition to volunteer assistance, CHO provides financial assistance to individuals and families with housing emergencies and other needs. Emmaus will contribute $800 to CHO in 2007. Families at risk of becoming homeless are provided emergency short-term financial assistance. CHO also maintains a furniture storage area in the Vienna town yard where members of Emmaus can contribute unneeded furniture.

Allen Jensen

Adult Education Seminar

We live in a world that is in need of peace, love and protection. Many members of faith communities are begging for a place to slow down, reflect and feel safe. They are searching for an inward journey that will help them stay connected to what really matters – their own values and the values of their faith community. And they seek ways in which they can make a difference in the world.

To strengthen the experience of religious community in this journey, the seminar on “God is Still Speaking, About Marriage” will operate in the context of a sacred and safe space with time for soft, meditative music in a time of reflection as well as prayer. The program purpose is to help congregations engage in healthy conversations and study about marriage.

Recent concerns about marriage, particularly current public debate about who may legally marry, provide an important context for discussions in the life of churches. Participants will have opportunities to share stories and experiences of marriage, explore biblical stories, look at various traditions, both sacred and secular, and consider the questions concerning equal marriage rights for same sex couples.

The course will be led by the Reverend Art Waidmann and other church leaders, and will be held on Sundays in March at 7:30 p.m. in the parlor.

Session 1 - March 4 “Opening the Conversation”

Why or why not Marriage?
How understandings have changed.
Threats to marriage over the years

Session 2 - March 11 “Marriage in the Bible Story”

Biblical ethics for marriage
Taking the Bible seriously
The Gospel versus Scripture

Session 3 - March 18 “Marriage, Yesterday & Today

What is appropriate role of the church concerning marriage?
Civil /legal marriage & the state of Virginia
What’s at stake: legal, economic and health protections

Session 4 - March 25 “Equality In Marriage”

Important values to healthy, lasting, committed relationships
Considering equal civil marriage rights for same gender couples
The church and blessing same gender relationships

Spring Building and Grounds Day

Spring may seem far away after the recent bouts of ice and snow. Nevertheless it’s almost time for our Spring Buildings and Grounds Day, which will be held Saturday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We’re happy to have you bring the equipment of your choice, including wheelbarrows, rakes, hoes, and clippers. We hope to have plenty of volunteers so that we can complete cleaning and maintenance projects both within the sanctuary and education buildings, as well as the gardens. For newcomers, it’s a great way to make Emmaus friends. For the rest of us, there are doughnuts and bagels. [Editor’s note: To clarify, newcomers may also partake of the doughnuts and bagels.]

Robert Gibbs

Stewardship Campaign

Thank you everyone for responding to our financial need at Emmaus and doing your part in giving more to our Stewardship Campaign. Through your extra giving the Council was able to re-work our budget to meet the basic needs of Emmaus for 2007. I am very grateful to each and every person at Emmaus for your input, thoughtful comments, and your giving. This will continue to be an ongoing subject of conversation and education at Emmaus throughout this year.

Janelle Swensson

What is Spiritual Renewal-Prayer Space?

Since many new people have joined the Emmaus community, it seems timely to repeat the history and purpose of Spiritual Renewal-Prayer Space

In 1985 a member of Emmaus invited Rev. Lin Ludy, from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, located in Bethesda, Maryland, to begin a local group to learn more about Christian Meditation. Rev. Ludy trained us in many different ways to enter a meditative state. For many years the group met on Wednesday evening and was called Spiritual Renewal.

Several years later Rev. Memrie McKay Cook began a ministry of prayer, which she called “Prayer Space”, because she felt called to set aside a time to pray for Emmaus UCC, and the needs of the congregation. The time for this was Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m.

As time went on, both groups dwindled in attendance, so we conferred with Rev. Bill Federici. All of us felt that part of the ministry of the church was to set aside time for quiet meditation and prayer. Therefore, it made sense to join Spiritual Renewal with Prayer Space and offer it at a new time of Sunday evening. This is a time when more people are available to come to other church functions.

What do we do? We still use the Shalem format, which begins with gathering around a candle, – symbol of the Light of the World. We sometimes do some tension loosening exercises to relax our bodies and rid us of those tight or nervous places. This prepares us for 30 minutes of stillness in meditation. We have found that meditation is a constant renewal process, but over time it is encouraging.

Prior to meditation, one of us reads a short text he or she has prepared. After a gentle signal at the end of the quiet time, we take a few minutes to journal, then we end with a time of prayer. Many of the concerns from the Emmaus Links of Love Prayer Chain are lifted during this time, as well as personal prayers that are near to our hearts. We end with a spoken benediction. The discipline of being there and the strength and encouragement of the others has kept us coming for this time of quiet where we can give some time to God and practice being mindful.

We welcome all who would like to join us. Renewal means starting “anew” at each meeting. Check the Emmaus Calendar and Sunday Bulletins for dates and times. And feel free to contact JoAn and Boyd Post for more information.

JoAn & Boyd Post

Health and Wellness Corner

Women's Red Tent Book Group

Our next book group gathering is scheduled for Friday, March 16 at Pris Kirby’s home. Our selection is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. If you would like to join us, have any questions and be placed on the reminder electronic mailing list, please call me.

Blood Contributions

Did you know that 60% of the population is eligible to give blood, but only 5% actually donate? At Emmaus, there are 27 folks on my electronic blood donor list, 10% of Emmaus’s total membership, or twice as high as the national average. I would like to think that we are doing our share in meeting the community’s daily need for 200 units. Please continue to give since the need is constant and pressing. A flyer listing donation sites for the current month can be found on the community information board in the church’s narthex.

Nutrition Month and Community Offerings

Following is an excerpt from Inova’s Congregational Health Partnership’s monthly “For Your Health” article in their March 2007 issue on nutrition:

March is National Nutrition Month. Now is an excellent time to evaluate progress toward any previous New Year’s resolutions. Spring is also the time to start considering incorporating regular activity into your life. Following are some tips from the American Dietetic Association that will kick-start your approach to healthy eating:

1) Find your balance between food and physical activity. Regular physical activity helps control body weight, promotes a feeling of well-being and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

2) Make an eating plan for lifelong health. Too often people choose the latest food fad rather than focusing on overall health. Did you know from studies done that people who lost the most weight were ones who had a plan to always eat healthy?

3) Get back to basics and use the Dietary Guidelines from 2005 and MyPyramid (web site www.mypyramid.gov) for healthy eating: variety of colorful fruits and veggies, low fat dairy products, low fat meats and fish.

4) Eat in moderation in small proportions frequently throughout the day; studies have shown every three hours to keep one’s blood glucose level steady.

5) Try some new flavors when you cook. Did you know that people tend to eat fewer calories when the food is spicy? Consider fresh basil, cilantro, dill, garlic, ginger, oregano, parsley, rosemary, or thyme.

Other helpful websites: www.eatright.org, www.mccormick.com, www.allrecipes.com.

Upcoming nutrition community offerings include the free Family, Food, and Fitness Festival sponsored by the Northern District VA Dietetic Association on Saturday, March 10 at 10 am-2 pm at the Fairfax County Conferencing Center on 6245 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Call 703-848-8110 for additional information. On Thursday, March 8, the Springfield Exchange Community Lunch Series is sponsoring guest speaker and nutritionist Anna Kanianthra from the Fairfax County Health Department’s Public Health Nutrition Program. The location is at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 8304 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield. Call Paulette Whiteside at 703-324-5285 for additional information.

Living Safely

Even though March may not be Safety Month, please do take extra precautions at this time of year when there seems to be a higher rate of falls and injuries. Interestingly though, even though falls can happen any time and any place (as we know from our own share of Emmuas’ injuries), two-thirds of falls by senior citizens over the age of 65 occur in the home during everyday activities. Look around your own home for ways to make your environment a safer one. For safety tips and measures, go to www.seniornavigator.org.

Eat healthy and stay safe.

Marsha Komandt
Health and Wellness Coordinator

Family Fellowship in March

Our Family Fellowship event this month will be a potluck dinner at Heidi Warrington’s house on Sunday March 11th from 4:00 until 7:30. Pizza for the kids and drinks will be provided. Please email Heidi Warrington to sign up to bring either an entrée or a dessert.

Notes from Stewardship and Finance

We have a slate of collectors lined up to collect the offering each week and get it deposited in the bank. These people work each week through the numeric details of giving to assure that donations are recorded to the right target and associated with the right giver. Many thanks to them as they quietly do their work!

We also have an agenda of projects for which we would like volunteer help. These projects include the regular audit of the church financial books/process; looking at refinance options (as we have to renegotiate our mortgage at the end of the year); looking at alternative Fiscal Year definitions for the church (so the council doesn’t have to spend Christmas Season fighting budget issues); looking at the church’s investments (typically money allocated to designated funds that isn’t being spent yet) and determining if they are more suitable alternatives; an ongoing process of communicating with the congregation on financial issues to help inform the council about the congregation’s desires; and planning for and conducting this year’s stewardship campaign. Please contact me if you are interested in helping on any of these projects.

Bob Swensson

Donations for Guest Musicians

The Music Committee would like to request donations to pay for a guest instrumentalist for the upcoming Easter services. Our church budget for 2007 does not contain any funding for instrumentalists, so we will have to rely on donations and/or fund raising to pay for the cost of guest musicians for special services such as Easter, the Christmas Concert and Christmas Services. If you would like to make a donation, you can mail it to the church office or put it in the offering plate. Be sure to designate your donation "Guest Musicians". If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Barber.

Laurie Barber

April Happenings Deadline: March 18, Noon

Learn more about Happenings and how to contribute.

Calendar of Emmaus Events

Sunday, March 4 - 10:30 am Worship Service; 5 pm Senior High Meeting; 7:30 pm “God is Still Speaking about Marriage” Class

Thursday, March 8 - 7:30 pm Christian Education Board Meeting

Sunday, March 11 - 10:30 am Worship Service and Confirmation Class; 4 pm Family Fellowship Potluck at Heidi Warrington’s Home; 6 pm Spiritual Renewal/Prayerspace; 7:30 pm “God is Still Speaking about Marriage” Class

Tuesday, March 13 - 1 pm Bagels Playgroup in the Parlor

Friday, March 16 - 7:30 pm Red Tent Book Club at Pris Kirby’s Home

Sunday, March 18 - 10:30 am Worship Service; 7:30 pm “God is Still Speaking about Marriage” Class

Wednesday, March 21 - 12:30 pm TOBs

Saturday, March 24 - 8 am Spring Building and Grounds Day

Sunday, March 25 - 10:30 am Worship Service and Confirmation Class and Full Children’s Day rehearsal (during Sunday School); 6 pm Spiritual Knitting; 7:30 pm “God is Still Speaking about Marriage” Class

Looking Ahead – Sunday, April 22 – 7:30 pm – Discussion of Fareed Zakaria’s The Future of Freedom - Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad