Happenings || Emmaus United Church of Christ

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Happenings, October 2007

A Message from Reverend Bill

The concept of faith is both diluted and highly charged, either assumed or debated.

What does it mean to have faith? Is one person's faith better than another's? Do you mean the same thing as I do when we think of faith

The Lectionary readings this month are all from the Gospel of Luke, in which Jesus addresses these contemporary questions through the parables. My October sermons will approach this issue three different ways.

Søren Kierkegaard, the eminently practical Danish philosopher and theologian, believes that faith is practical and practicable. Faith must enter your very bones, orient you in the ground of being, and set you on your path with a sense of ethics fueled by the power of compassion.

Faith, Jesus says, will make us whole. The power of that promise could inspire our soul's quest on that spiraling journey towards that elusive wholeness.

Peace and Grace to you,

Rev. Bill

Worship Schedule

All services begin at 10:30 a.m.

10/7 Body & Spirit: War or Peace?", Sabine Boots Preaching

10/14 "One Percent Faith" Holy Communion

10/21 "How Does God Listen?"

10/28 "Much, Much Better"

All sermons will be available at www.emmausucc.org for downloading.

An Evening with Jane Austen's Sacred Texts

The works of Jane Austen are beloved for very good reason. People read her novels again and again for continuing insight into life and love. In this way, Austen has become a writer of sacred texts, which might be defined as those works which reveal deep meaning while deeply empowering the

On Wednesday, October 17, from 7:30 9 p.m. in the Emmaus parlor, we will gather and have a far-ranging conversation about all things Austen. It will be enjoyable to see what bubbles up through the gathered group.

Reverend Bill

Sermon Previews

10/7 “Body & Spirit: War or Peace?”

Sabine Boots returns to the pulpit with her emphasis on the spiritual and the body. In this sermon, she will speak of making peace with your body and using its guidance as a resource for emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

10/14 “One Percent Faith”

Luke 17: 1-10
Jesus tells the leper, the one out of ten that had been healed, that his faith has made him whole. What does Jesus mean by wholeness? What do we mean by faith? What is relation between faith and wholeness? How does one influence the other?

10/21 “How Does God Listen?”

Luke 18: 1-8
Through the parable of the unjust judge, we learn that God, who is even more compassionate and loving than the judge, listens to us. How does God listen? How do we listen to ourselves, others, and God? How might human and divine listening be related?

10/28 “Much, Much Better”

Luke 18: 9-14
The parable of the pharisee and the tax collector at prayer raises the issue of humbling and exalting. Why do we compete with one another for Love? Why must we value ourselves as individuals and as a nation above all others? How is that often, those who are on the margin are the first to fully embody the promises of faith?

Reverend Bill

Christian Education News

As I begin my new position as Director of Christian Education, I am looking forward to getting to know your children. I have already marveled at their eagerness to learn and am so happy to see the joy that they bring with them into the Sunday School classroom. This promises to be an exciting year!

This month, the children will be studying Joseph and his family. They will learn about how Joseph being chosen as his father's favorite son affected his relationships with his brothers. As part of the unit, the children will talk about the very special coat Joseph's father gave him. To illustrate the glorious colors of his coat, the children will be tie-dying shirts.

We need each child to bring in a washed, plain white t-shirt. Please make note of the following tie-dying dates: 1st and 2nd graders - October 7; Inchworms - Octorber 14; and 3rd and 5th graders - October 28. If you have any smocks or old t-shirts the children can wear while tie-dying, please drop them off at Sunday School.

Thank you to all the wonderful workshop leaders and shepherds who volunteered their time in September. We are currently in need of leaders for our December and January workshops. If you have been a member of Emmaus for six months, please contact me if you can help.

Maryanne Warrick

Service and Mission Fall Fundraiser

Neighbors in Need/Hunter School
Saturday, October 20, 6 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Chili Cook-Off Dinner and Auction

Neighbors in Need: Putting Faith into Action

Emmaus UCC will have special Neighbors in Need (NIN) offering on October 21. Also, approximately one-half of the Service and Mission's Fall Fundraiser on Saturday evening October 20 will also support NIN. NIN is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States and Puerto Rico

Neighbors in Need is important because it allows individuals and congregations to express a common commitment to justice and compassion. The most powerful thing about NIN is that our gifts are pooled. As a result, our individual and congregational gifts have a far greater effect. Coordinated giving allows the UCC to offer support to millions of people and to address a wide range of social issues and concerns, including those of concern to Emmaus UCC. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM).

Justice and Witness Ministries

JWM is one of four Covenanted Ministries in the UCC. Justice program ministries focus on a wide range of areas in order to address injustices that affect people around the globe, most significantly people of color and those living in poverty. All efforts are carried out in partnership with local churches, associations, conferences, and other religious and community-based organizations.

JWM supports many projects and initiatives. JWM Centers for Education and Social Transformation are places and programs in key spirit-filled contexts designed to offer transformational experiences for justice-seeking, peace-building persons. In 2006, JWM revamped and expanded their advocacy Web site. The site offers resources, news updates, and action alerts on a broad spectrum of justice issues, along with information on longer-term issue campaigns. Working with members of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network, JWM continues its strong policy advocacy work on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice.

The Council for American Indian Ministry

The CAIM is the voice for American Indian people in the UCC. CAIM provides Christian ministry and witness to American Indians and to the wider church. Justice issues that affect American Indian life are communicated to the whole UCC by CAIM.

Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. CAIM supports these local churches and their pastors. In addition, CAIM strives to be a resource for more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other tribes and nations who are members of other UCC congregations and to strengthen their participation in the life of the church.

CAIM emphasizes youth and young adult involvement in the local and national church. Its Eagle Butte Learning Center in South Dakota prepares people for pastoral and lay leadership and promotes spiritual growth, healing, and cross-cultural understanding. CAIM communicates to the whole UCC the issues of justice that affect American Indian life.

Scott Chronister

Health and Wellness Corner

Flu Shots

Because of the request for flu shots to be administered earlier this year than our usual first Sunday in December, the date for flu shots has tentatively been set for Sunday, November 11. We hope that this date will coordinate with the Inova Flu Shot program's availability. Details will be forthcoming in the next newsletter.

Women's Red Tent Book Group

Our next book gathering is scheduled for Sunday, November 11 (following the flu shots) at the home of Ruthie Moe for a potluck brunch. Our selection is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, discussion to be facilitated by Nancy Johnson. An electronic message is sent out as a reminder to those who have expressed interest in being part of this enlightening group. If any others would like to be part of this group or the electronic mailing, please let me know. Newcomers are always warmly welcomed. At our gathering this past month, we were delighted to have three new people join us.

Blood Contributions

On Sunday, October 21, we have another opportunity to join Lewinsville Presbyterian Church (LPC) in McLean for their blood drive with Inova Blood Services. The address is 1724 Chain Bridge Rd, off Great Falls Rd. and Rt 123. They have already started taking reservations, so please don't tarry to reserve a time slot before our own church services. Go to their Web site, click on the blood drive option and choose your time and indicate in the comment section that you are a member of Emmaus. Those of you already registered with Inova Blood Donor Services as a regular donor have probably received a card in the mail indicating that everyone who completes the donor screening process will be entered into a drawing for one of two $500 gas cards. At the price of gas increases, this is a big incentive for those who help to contribute to the 200 units that are needed every day. If you cannot donate on our collaborative LPC Sunday, you may go to the Inova Web site to check the places, dates and times to make an appointment. Please remember when you donate to provide our assigned number of 1098.

October is Awareness Month for Breast Cancer, Substance Abuse and Mental Health

We always associate October with breast cancer awareness, but it is also substance abuse and mental health awareness month. Excerpts on the topic from the October issue of Inova's Congregational Health Partnership "For Your Health" e-bulletin will be included here, but you may go to their Web site to read the article in its entirety.

First, on the topic of breast health, because of scheduling conflicts this year, we have not done our annual breast health awareness update. You are invited to join Inova's Breast Health Education Day on Tuesday, October 16 in the atrium of Inova Fairfax Hospital from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. where I will join those involved in breast care at Inova Fairfax in educating staff and visitors on the importance of breast self-exams, clinical exams, and mammography.

As for the subject of substance abuse, did you know that 3 in 10 adults in the U.S. drink at levels that increase their risk for physical, mental health, and social problems? Of these, at least one has alcohol abuse or dependence. These folks have a greater risk of high blood pressure, bleeding in the stomach and intestines, sleep disorders, major depression, stroke, liver failure, and several cancers. If one can look at alcohol and other addictive substance abuse as being a spiritual opportunity to connect with others, the hole that alcohol and other substances may have filled can be filled instead with anti-drugs. These can include, for example, prayer/meditation, walking a labyrinth, exercise, laughter, fun, play, good nutrition, adequate sleep, music, art, and nature walks. The list is lengthy. These antidotes are all about connection: connecting with the deepest core of ourselves where our spirit dwells, connecting with God, and connecting with others in the community.

Many resources abound. One need not be shy to seek assistance outside one's familiar environs. There are available Web sites, county alcohol and drug services, local groups, government resources, and of course family and friends that support your care along with your church community. One should never have to go through this alone.

Blessings to you all as you live out your faith in yourselves and each other.

Marsha Komandt
Health and Wellness Coordinator

EmmausCares Training Class: "Compassionate Listening"

Learning to listen to all who speak to us in our lives is a great accomplishment.

This class will begin to give participants a way of looking at how they listen, and how they might hone their listening skills into hearing with compassion.

At the completion of the class, a participant might choose to go on to become an EmmausCareGiver who will provide a listening presence to members and friends in need.

Please call or send an e-mail Reverend Bill Federici for more information.

This class will be offered from 7:30-9:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings, October 18 and 25, and November 1 and 8 in the Emmaus parlor.

Reverend Bill

Back-to-School
Service and Mission Project

Our Back-to-School Service and Mission Project was a huge success! In July and August we asked members to donate new and used backpacks and school supplies for children in Belize, Central America. Your response was tremendous! Here is a summary of items you donated:

45 backpacks and bags; 504 pens (many thanks to Judy Smith!); 122 pencils; 18 markers; 113 colored pencils; 7 boxes of crayons and some loose ones; 12 glue sticks and bottles; 8 erasers; 6 rulers; 3 scissors; 5 pencil sharpeners; 52 packs of lined paper; 2 packs of construction and drawing paper; 95 paper folders; 20 ringed binders; 1 pack of Post-It notes; 1 lunch bag; 4 pencil boxes; and last, but not least 1 Spiderman watch!

School children in Belize face relatively high expenses when each school year begins. They must pay for tuition, uniforms, books, school supplies and more. Many families have limited incomes and multiple children, making simply going to school a severe financial challenge. Our goal was to provide a backpack filled with basic school supplies to alleviate that burden.

If you are wondering how Belize was chosen, my husband and I lived there for six years because of our business. Our employees organized all the items donated by Emmaus, along with Asbury United Methodist Church in Denton, Texas and others. Over 300 backpacks were distributed to schoolchildren in two villages. The kids are thrilled with the backpacks! Parents and the schools are greatly appreciative of your benevolence. We hope you will soon have a chance to see pictures of the backpacks being distributed.

Thank you all for your generosity. You have brought joy into the lives of many people in Belize!

Dana Krauskopf

3rd Annual Vienna CROP Walk

For the third year, Vienna's faithful and caring walkers will pound the pavement together at the annual CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk sponsored by Church World Service on Sunday, October 21. The walk is 3.5 miles in length and will begin and end at Vienna Presbyterian Church. Registration is at 1:30 p.m. and the walk begins at 2 p.m. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds of Vienna's CROP Walk will benefit the Committee for Helping Others (CHO).

Last year, our local CROP Walk, one of some 2,000 community-sponsored walks, raised over $23,000. CROP Walks support long-term development in over 80 countries, provide assistance in disasters and famines, and help refugees. You can help feed the hungry, protect children, help refugees, fight for human rights, sustain hope, heal the sick, make the world better, make a difference, and change the world!

In Micah 6:8 we read, "and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" What better way to show God's love than to walk yourself or sponsor a walker for Vienna's 3rd annual CROP Walk? For additional information or to register, contact Barbara Hechtman.

Barbara Hechtman

Update on Filterstraw

My granddaughter, Rebecca Pollard, did a presentation in Church the third week of June. It was about the Filterstraw and how it could help people in Africa with their polluted water. She and two others had heard about this straw and had talked to Wal-Mart about their plan to have a New Band Concert to raise money. Wal-Mart said they would give an equal amount to what ever the young people could raise. They raised $680 from their Band Concert and expected and additional $680 from Wal-Mart. However, Wal-Mart decided that since the effort wasn't local they would not participate.

Rebecca and her friends raised $1947.14 instead to send to Filterstraw in Wales. She sent a letter of thanks to Emmaus, thanking all of you who had donated money for this project, However she would like to thank you all again for your generosity.

Wanda Butler

100,000 for Peace: Join Protest to Prayer

This October, the Rev. John H. Thomas‹the UCC's General Minister and President‹will travel to Washington, DC, along with other church leaders, to call on the US government to end the war in Iraq. He intends to carry with him the names of 100,000 people for peace, those who stand in solidarity with the UCC's Pastoral Letter on the Iraq War.

Here is Reverend Thomas's Pastoral Letter on Iraq:

Along with thousands of United Church of Christ members and supporters, I call for an end to the war in Iraq, an end to our reliance on violence as the first, rather than the last resort, an end to the arrogant unilateralism of preemptive war.

I call for the humility and courage to acknowledge failure and error, to accept the futility of our current path, and I cry out for the creativity to seek new paths of peacemaking in the Middle East, through regional engagement and true multinational policing.

I call for acknowledgement of our responsibility for the destruction caused by sanctions and war and a beginning to rebuild trust in the Middle East and around the world.

I call for repentance in our nation and for the recognition in our churches that security is found in submitting to Christ, not by dominating others.

I will join protest to prayer, support ministries of compassion for victims here and in the Middle East, cast off the fear that has made all of us accept the way of violence and return again to the way of Jesus. Thus may bloodshed end and cries be transformed to the harmonies of justice and the melodies of peace. For this I yearn, for this I pray, and toward this end I rededicate myself as a child of a loving God who gives "light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

A petition is at the UCC website.

Social Justice Task Force

Shepherd Center Class: "The Tent of Abraham"

Come join us at the Shepherd Center for an exploration of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and their role in conflict. The course will be taught by Doug Norell and will meet for four one-hour sessions. The classes include presentations, discussion, music, videos, and guests. In the first three sessions we look at Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each survey examines key historical developments, major tenets of faith, similarities and differences, and stories of hope and peace. In the last session, we will see how medieval Spain and modern day Israel-Palestine, respectively, illustrate the Abrahamic religions coexisting and fighting. The class will be taught at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Fairfax, in their Education Building, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, at 10: 00 a.m., Thursdays, October 18 and October 25, and November 1 and 8.

Doug Norell

Fall Building and Grounds Day

Saturday, October 27
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

October Happenings Deadline: October 21, Noon

Learn more about Happenings and how to contribute.

Calendar of Emmaus Events

Wednesday October 3 – 7:30 pm Deacons Meeting

Sunday, October 7 – 10:30 am Worship Service; 7 pm Spiritual Renewal/Prayerspace

Sunday, October 14 – 10:30 am Worship Service; 7 pm Spiritual Renewal Prayerspace Labyrinth Walk at Little River UCC

Wednesday October 17 – 12:30 pm TOBs; 7:30 pm Jane Austen/Sacred Text Discussion in the Parlor

Thursday October 18 – 7:30 pm EmmausCares Class in the Parlor

Saturday October 20 – 6 pm Chili Cookoff Dinner and Auction in Fellowship Hall

Sunday, October 21 – 10:30 am Worship Service; 7:45 am-12:45 pm Blood drive with Lewinsville Presbyterian; 2 pm Vienna CROP Walk

Thursday October 25 – 7:30 pm EmmausCares Class in the Parlor

Saturday October 27 – 8 am-1 pm Building and Grounds Day

Sunday, October 28 – 10:30 am Worship Service

(Please send all calendar items to Louise Baxter by October 21 at noon.)