Summer Worship Plans
So, I thought maybe we should have a running e-dialogue or planning dinner about the summer season. My immediate thought after Lent is that it’s time to look outward now instead of inward, to think about mission and outreach. I think Kim’s discussion on “evangelism” is a great segue into this realm. We are a commuter church, so I have no idea who our neighbor would be. Whom should we love?
One way to explore what this means is to study Acts. I’ve seen our old church do this after easter and it seems to flow naturally, and to fit with the above. What do you all think?
Collaborative Worship for Pentecost
This year we are planning a collaborative Pentecost worship gathering with the morning worship and Holy Grounds communities. It will merge the elements, styles, and people of both communities. This is where you come in, we need people passionate about planning and helping lead this gathering.
On Sunday, May 31st we worship outside in the front yard at 11 am followed by a picnic with the entire FPC community.
Let me know if you are interested in helping plan and/or lead this worship gathering: matt@fpcusa.org.
Children’s Faith Formation
We’re trying to figure out how to better love the kids who have been entrusted into our care as a community.
Any of you passionate about children’s faith formation? Would you have passion about discipling one or two kids aged 8-12? We envision this looking like taking them to get a cupcake or get dinner every week or two and just hanging out with them: talking about life and how things are going with them in school and with their family and talking about God with them. It could also possibly involve spending time with a group of them every few weeks on Sunday mornings.
As you can tell, we’re still trying to figure out the details, but looking for people who are really excited about helping kids along their faith journey. Let me know if this sounds like it might be a good fit for you at matt@fpcusa.org.
Carpenter’s Cook-off
This Sunday, April 26th, a group of us will be supporting the Carpenter’s Shelter by attending their annual Cook-off featuring 24 restaurants and great entertainment. The Carpenter’s Shelter provides homeless families in Alexandria temporary housing.
Everything gets rolling at noon (those of us coming from the morning worship gathering will be later) with live entertainment starting at 1:30pm at The Birchmere (3901 Mount Vernon Ave).
Tickets are available at the door for $40 per adult, $5 per child (ages 6-17), and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets are available in advance for $35 for adults by calling 703.548.7500.
FPC Work Day – April 25th
Please join us for another FPC Work Day this Saturday from 9:00am – 12:00pm. The weather is supposed to be sunny so this should be a great day to enjoy Spring!
We’re looking for volunteers and a few items that will need to be borrowed for the morning.
Helping Jon Move
Hello all! As you all know, our dear friend Jon Borden is getting ready to move into his new condo next week. Since he isn’t the type to ask for help (even though he is always helping everyone else), I’m asking on his behalf!
We are having a moving party next Wednesday, April 29 after work. We’re only moving things from his apartment in Shirlington (IO Piazza – 2727 S. Quincy St, Arlington) to his condo in Fairlington Village (off King St. right by church) so it should be a pretty painless endeavor and shouldn’t remind anyone of crazy drives to Joanna’s cousin’s house 
We’ll be there starting at about 6 pm so people should join as soon as they can after work. Call Jon (919.288.0583) or I (612.708.0793) when you get there and we’ll come let you in. There is a parking garage just across the little side street where people can park (short term) without getting towed.
Jon has also volunteered to buy dinner so you’ll get a little exercise and some free food – what more could you want with your Wednesday night? Shoot me an e-mail (sreinitz@hotmail.com) and let me know you’re coming. Thanks all!
Steph
Do You Know Where Your Soul Is?
Check out Bono’s NYTimes Op-Ed from this weekend.
Nationals vs Braves
Hey all,
I have an extra ticket to go to the game wednesday at 7pm
anyone wanna go?
Mobilization to End Poverty conference this weekend
Of interest… One-day registration fee $99, dunno if FPC can help for those wanting to attend?
Karen
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Broad Faith & Anti‐Poverty Coalition Launches “Mobilization to End Poverty”
New Initiative Engages Thousands of Christians in Historic 3‐day Conference
Calling On Congress & the Administration to End Poverty
On April 26‐29, 2009, a broad and diverse coalition of faith‐based organizations, churches and
global anti‐poverty groups will convene The Mobilization to End Poverty (M2EP) – a historic
gathering where thousands of Christians and anti‐poverty leaders will engage in a
transformative experience of education, worship, community, and activism in Washington, D.C.
Jim Wallis is speaking in DC
from Sojourners.org:
Jim Wallis, author of the New York Times best-seller, The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America, is speaking in Washington, D.C.
On Thursday, April 30, Jim Wallis will speak at Loving Thy Neighbor: Barriers and Breakthroughs in the D.C. Metroplex. This symposium is co-sponsored by the Christian Community Development Association and the D.C. campus of Nyack College. Read more
Sunday Morning Conversation on Missions
We’ve been talking on the peripheral about how we develop more and stronger relationships between the Holy Grounds and Morning Worship communities. One of the key ways that people are excited about is missions.
This Sunday (April 26th), we’ll be having a conversation about missions at 9:30am.
I know that many of you have both passion and extensive experience in missions work both locally and abroad. I know it’s early, but it would be wonderful if you would come and share in the conversation. Let me know if you plan to come: matt@fpcusa.org.
Next Book Club Meeting 4/28
Just Courage book club will meet on April 28th at 7:30 at Kim’s. We’ll be discussing the next few chapters. See you there!
Dinner? Rustico on Slater’s Lane Take 2?
Come for dinner & beverages at Rustico’s on Slaters Lane at 7pm tonight! Rachael is flying home on Monday, come celebrate! Call 563.920.1046 if you plan on coming or have better ideas!
Part-time Youth Leader Wanted at Friend’s Congregation
Commonwealth Baptist Church, a progressive community of faith, seeks a part-time youth leader to establish relationships, provide counseling/mentoring, develop educational programming, facilitate spiritual formation and engage in social justice work with a youth group of 15-20 in Alexandria, VA. Must have a strong desire, passion, and calling for working with teenagers. Experience and education in ministry is a plus. Send resumes to ben@commonwealthbaptistchurch.org.
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
Want to do some nonviolent civil disobedience? Here’s your chance! The Christian Peace Witness for Iraq movement will be hosting workshops and events all day on April 29th, culminating in a march to the White House and nonviolent civil disobedience.
From their website:
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq is an ecumenical, ad hoc group of Partners who are called and committed to raising a Christian voice for peace. Our staff is volunteer (although often staff of Partner peace organizations) and our budget is based on donations. We witness to the power of God’s Spirit in bringing us together and enabling this work.
On that website, you can also register for the workshops, etc. I’m planning on going to the Convocation (it’s only about 4 blocks from my office) and the Worship service in the evening. Let me know if you’re going and want to meet up for dinner beforehand!
Kim’s Lu’au at Georgetown University
Come see Kim do hula and eat some delicious Hawaiian food!! Cheaper than a trip to the islands. This is why Kim has been MIA for the last month! Contact Matt or Phil for tickets on Sunday morning. Tickets are $18 for dinner and dancing.
Seder Tomorrow Night
Don’t forget the Seder tomorrow night. It’s going to be an awesome experience. Details at http://www.fairlingtonholygrounds.org/2009/04/10/seder-friday-april-17-7pmseder-friday-april-17-7pm/
Dinner Tonight at Rustico on Slater’s Lane at 6:30pm
Join James, Karen, and Rachael (it’s her last week here) for dinner tonight at 6:30pm at Rustico on Slater’s Lane. Call or text Karen if you have any questions: 415-350-8446.
Book Club Tonight
Just Courage book club meets again tonight at 7:30 in Kim’s apartment. See you there!
Sunday Night
With Lent over, we don’t have anything specifically planned for Sunday night. Ideas? Thoughts?
