Monkey Underwear
so i was reading my daily comics and came across this one.
after laughing really hard, it caused me to wonder…
is our theology or belief system the philosophical equivalent of monkey underwear? are we doing the things that are spiritually challenging and helping us to grow, or are we secure in our faith because we are spiritually supported? honestly, i don’t think this is what the comic artist intended, but it is worth pondering. besides, i wanted to share a smile 
HG Planning Meeting (and schedule for July)
Hey friends! Couple things upcoming for Holy Grounds…
First, here is the schedule for the month of July:
July 5 – Church History: Redeeming our common history (Phil/Lauren)
July 12 – Forgiveness & Letting Go: Redeeming our relationships (Lisa)
July 19 – Peacemaking: Redeeming our relationships – Jessi? (Matt, please confirm with her)
July 26 – Church History: Redeeming our common history Part 2 (Phil/Lauren)
Second, it’s time for our second planning meeting of the summer. I thought it worked out pretty well last time so I’m thinking we’ll go with the same plan. The next planning meeting, therefore, will be SUNDAY, JULY 12 at 4:30 pm. At the moment, I’m thinking we should talk about whether or not we want some kind of liturgy for HG (for example, some kind of prayer routine, always doing music, including some kind of small group element, having a more contemplative focus from time to time, etc). There’s also been some discussion about Holy Grounds needing to incorporate some sort of service element/outward focus. I think it would be good to start that conversation as well.
If you have other things you’d rather discuss, let me know – I’m definitely open to suggestion. If you can’t make it but have thoughts to contribute, feel free to e-mail me!
Thanks all!
Reminder: Potluck tomorrow!
Remember to bring something yummy to Holy Grounds tomorrow! Dinner at 6 pm.
July 4
Don’t have plans on July 4? I’ll be on the D.C. Metropolitan Police Harbor Patrol Unit’s pier, located at 550 Water Street, SW (Southwest Waterfront, next to the dock for the Odyssey and Spirit of Washington). The families of the police officers and firefighters stationed there throw a mean barbecue, which will be followed up by the fireworks around 9 p.m. (there’s a great view of the Washington Monument from the pier). I’ll probably be there around 6 p.m., and I’d love for any of my Holy Grounds friends to join me!
The officers have the meat catered (pulled pork and chicken, usually), so if you think you might attend, please let me know via email. The rest of the meal is potluck, so you’re welcome to bring a dish to pass. If you don’t, that’s okay, too. Trust me, there’s always plenty of food.
Also, let me know if you’re interested in carpooling. If you’re a Metro rider, the Waterfront-SEU station is about a 5-minute walk.
Hope to see you there!
Corey
Two reminders…
Two reminders…
1. Our 2nd potluck will be tomorrow evening – dinner starts at 6 pm!
2. If you want to contribute to a going away gift for Jarrad at Crystal City Sports Pub, please do so soon – Matt, Steph & Dave are collecting.
Thanks everyone!
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Holy Grounds- June 21st
During our time together we will rediscover and explore the ancient Christian practice of contemplation–and the sense of wholeness and peace that it offers.
During contemplative prayer we center our full attention on the presence of God, on the will of God, and on the love of God. We will use two prayer forms Centering Prayer (a method designed to facilitate the development of Contemplative Prayer by preparing our faculties to receive the gift of God’s presence) and Lectio Divina (a way of sacred reading and listening to the texts of scripture as if we were in conversation with Christ and He were suggesting the topics of conversation). Contemplative prayer is centered on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, by which we can know the presence of God in very real ways.
The following are quotations about the nature and experience of contemplation, drawn primarily from Christian mystics and authors throughout the centuries.
The secret of Christian contemplation is that it faces us with Jesus Christ toward our suffering world
in loving service and just action. Catherine of Siena
Finding God in all things. Ignatius of Loyola
Looking deeply at life as it is in the very here and now Thich Nhat Hanh
Further reading in preparation for our time together.
We will begin promptly at 6:45pm, to respect the time of those who will need to leave at 8:00pm
What Does “Contemplative” Mean?
The word contemplative has many meanings today. It comes from the Latin roots cum (with) and templum (temple), connoting a sense of the sacred.
Stated simply, the classical tradition understands contemplation as a loving quality of presence in which one is open to things just as they are in the present moment.
In Christianity and other traditions that understand God to be present everywhere, contemplation includes a reverence for the Divine Mystery, “finding God in all things,” or “being open to God’s presence, however it may appear.” When referring to prayer or other spiritual practices, contemplation is classically distinguished from meditation.
Generally this means that meditation seems like something we “do” by means of our own effort and intention, while contemplation always seems to come as a gift. Further, the reverence for mystery implies an openness to unknowing, a willingness to be led and guided by God without having to comprehend what is happening.
In this understanding, contemplation is in no way opposed to action. In fact, our sense is that truly effective, responsive action in the world needs to be undergirded and informed by contemplative awareness.
Also, although silence and solitude play a role in the contemplative life, contemplation does not mean withdrawing from the world. On the contrary, it is a responsive, participative presence in and with God, oneself, one’s neighbors, and all creation. Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation
Small Group Norms
Listen attentively, honor spaces between words, let each other finish.
Use “I” statements rather than “ we or “they”
Commit to confidentiality
Self disclosure appropriate to focus and trust level
Say only what you really think and feel
Respect time and timing
Be responsible for your own learnings
Resist moving into discussion, debate or problem-solving
Look forward to seeing everyone!Peacefulness
Rounding Up Matthew Commentaries
I am trying to round up all of Jan’s commentaries from our Matthew Study. If you have one, would you please 1) let me know and 2) give it to me next time you see me? Thanks a bunch!
Postcard from Joanna
Summer Holy Grounds Worship Plan
Hello all – Below you will find the schedule for the summer at Holy Grounds, as it currently stands. As you can see, we still need someone to lead on July 12 on the issue of Forgiveness/Letting Go. Kim and I would also love input or ideas for the August focus. Let me know if you’re interested in leading. Thanks everyone!
Theme: Redemption
Redeeming Our Relationship with God, One Another, and the Rest of the World
June 14 – Redemption: An Introduction (Phil)
June 21 – Contemplative Service (Lakesha)
June 28 – Discipleship: Redeeming relationship with God(Matt’s friend)
July 5 – Church History: Redeeming our common history (Phil/Lauren)
July 12 – Forgiveness & Letting Go: Redeeming our relationships – ?????
July 19 – Peacemaking: Redeeming our relationships – Jessi?
July 26 – Church History: Redeeming our common history Part 2 (Phil/Lauren)
The month of August – Redeeming our relationship with the rest of the world: Justice, Poverty, Money, Stewardship (Steph & Kim will coordinate but we’d love others input and help with this if you have thoughts, ideas, would like to lead, etc…)
Reminder: Potluck Tomorrow Night!
Hey all – Just a reminder that we’re starting potluck night at Holy Grounds tomorrow night. Dinner will start at 6:00 pm so come a few minutes early to set up your food! Thanks everyone!
Bio Ritmo at Summer Solstice Salsa & Swing Dance
I’m so excited about the Summer Salsa & Swing Dance coming up Saturday, June 20th. Nationally acclaimed Bio Ritmo will be playing and it’s sure to be a ton of fun! Even better, it’s free.
Here are the details:
Saturday, June 20
7-10pm (come to learn and teach at 6:30)
3846 King Street, Alexandria
Join us for this FREE, fun and family-friendly evening of dancing in an alcohol-free environment! Proceeds from concessions will support the Computer CORE program (www.computercore.org).
Please invite your friends. Posters are available for download here or can be gotten from Matt.
FPC Yard Sale and Bake Sale
We’re just a couple of days ‘til “Showtime,” the FPC Yard Sale and Bake Sale, to benefit the Children’s Ministry and Vacation Bible School, will be held this Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. There are still plenty of opportunities to help:
We’re seeking donations! If you have DVD’s, Video Games, Books or other items that you would like to donate please drop them off by Friday evening. You can leave items in the baby nursery across the hall from the Computer Core offices (look for the yellow sign on the door.) Tax donation receipts are attached to the bulletin board inside the nursery near the door.
Please contact Dana Andy at theandyfamily@comcast.net or (703) 671-3460
The Power of Goose …An Update from Joanna
The Power of Goose
I was sitting amongst the cuddliest group of kids I’ve ever been with, thinking. I had a cuddle bug to my right and to my left, as did most of the people on our team. I wondered how hard it would be to leave, for them, for me. There are twins that just melt my heart and little girls that give me drawings daily. We were sitting in a big circle. They like making circles, they get to all fight over holding our hands. I had one of the twins on my left playing with my panda watch, which I bought as a joke and would give it to him if there weren’t 16 other little ones who would be jealous. To my right is a young girl, about 13 who passed me notes and drawings all day that say, “I love you.” I didn’t expect to make such strong connections. So here we are, in a circle, playing, “Duck, Duck, Duck…GOOSE!!!”
It’s at odd times that Jesus just shines through to make a point. I’ll be on a ferry to the orphanage that we’ve been working with, thinking, about poverty. When you think you’ve seen dismal conditions, just wait, you’ll see something more dismal yet. Cambodia is the first country where the poverty is this tangible, in the capital never the less. I wish some more remote regions were on the itinerary so I could see what some less “developed” regions look like. I saw three hammocks strung in a circle and had a sense that that was were the old women in one of them slept. I have seen more naked children here and have no doubt that it was either food or clothes.
As a child I hated Duck Duck Goose. I never was fast enough to catch whoever had chosen me and would be happy to never be chosen at all. However, the kids requested the game and we found out that they REALLY loved it, regardless of the fact that most of them don’t know what a duck or a goose is and is likely to never come in contact with one or the other. There are about 50 children and as Michael starts around you start to hear the choruses of “Cho me!!! Teacher, cho me!!!” The latter part of chose seems to have escaped them and it sounds a lot like “chew.” Many, as the game goes on, start to plead the phrase wanting desperately to be chosen. It was as I watched the kids put their hands up and yell out, “Teacher, cho me” that I realized the power of goose.
As a child, “goose” just meant I had to run and show everyone how slow I was. But now, I see it through an orphan’s eyes. They rarely are told they are special, chosen for anything. So here we are playing a silly game and I get to tell them that I chose them. For a few moments, running around the ring, their faces light up. I start to cry but it isn’t the time for tears so I put a smile back on my face and tickle a little girl of about two who plops herself in my lap. Jesus chooses us but how often we see it with a privileged perspective. I think we all need to go back to seeing things as spiritual orphans. Maybe then we can see the power of “GOOSE!”
Thank you gift for Jarrad
Hello friends -
Many of you have been a part of Monday night burgers at Crystal City Sports Pub. Very sadly, our usual wonderful server and friend, Jarrad, recently announced he’s leaving the sports pub for new job opportunities. We thought the best way to deal with our depression over losing him was to do something nice for him as a send off.
If you would like to contribute to a gift for Jarrad, you can give money to Steph, Dave, or Matt. We will collect it all and pass it along to Jarrad. If you want to write a check, you can make it out to me and I will get them all cashed. We’re looking into doing some sort of scholarship for his son, but if that doesn’t work we’ll come up with a new plan.
Jarrad’s last Monday is June 29 so please have it to us before then so we can give it to him that night. Thank you everyone!
Potluck Month (& a slight schedule change)
Thank you to everyone who came out on Sunday for our planning meeting. There are a couple decisions we made that I wanted to update everyone on.
First, we want to try and experiment with different ways of doing dinner together. Therefore, June is potluck month! Everyone is invited to bring a dish to share and we will eat together prior to Holy Grounds. We’ll try this for the rest of June and then decide if we want to continue. Time to show off your cooking skills (or your skills at swinging by Giant on the way to church)
Doing dinner before service also means a slight schedule change. Starting next week, we’re going to try the following schedule:
5:30 pm Prep for dinner for those who need it
6:00 pm Dinner & social time
6:45 pm Holy Grounds “program” portion
8:00 pm Dismiss
Let me know if you have any questions! I look forward to seeing what everyone brings!
Sexuality as a Follower of Jesus
Jan wrote about changing cultures last night and posted a link to an NPR story about ‘Retro Talk’. After listening to it NPR suggested Sex Without Intimacy: No Dating, No Relationships.
A few quotes…
“It’s a lot easier for me to go for [a hook-up] than really inviting them into my life and into my inner-circle and the people who are closest to me, who I’ve had all these shared experiences with. To me that seems like a bigger step–that kind of emotional intimacy. “
“For many of us, the requisite vulnerability and exposure that comes from being really intimate with someone in a committed sense is kind of threatening.”
And the thought of being in love with someone, Wilkerson says, “is the most terrifying thing.”
Questions surrounding sexuality continually come up as I hang out and talk with people.
Part of it certainly emanates from our experiences with broken homes. It is certainly also true that church’s have been co-consipirators with our culture in creating a fear of intimacy.
How do we live out intimacy with all the fear and pain that so often goes with it? How do we develop deep and real romantic and friend relationships with others? How do we truly grapple with the difficult questions of sexuality and intimacy?
A couple of books that have been helpful to me as I’ve thought about this over the years are Lauren Winner’s Real Sex and Rob Bell’s Sex God (I have copies if anyone wants to borrow them).
Still, I believe that we (meaning both the Holy Grounds community and the church universal) have a long way to go in exploring the call of Jesus in the realm of sexuality and intimacy.
What are your thoughts?
Brian McLaren on Plurality 2.0
Good Morning!
I don’t know how many of you saw Brian McLaren’s recent writings on Plurality 2.0 on pomomusings, but I found it really got to the heart of one of my own most vexing questions of faith. He frames the question “What about people of other faiths?” into the question “What about us?”
I found it really illuminating and challenging and hope you will also!
Fairlington Sabbatical Blog
This summer the community of Fairlington Presbyterian along with Pastor Jan Edmiston will be taking a sabbatical to explore God’s calling on us in the coming seasons. It will be a wonderful time of reflection. Follow along with thoughts from people throughout the congregation and Jan’s travels on the Fairlington Sabbatical blog.
Finish Painters Needed
Folks we are down to the wire in getting the Fellowship Hall painted and are looking for folks who can come by tonight and or tomorrow night to help finish the project.
What we have left is:
· Completing mid and upper level white trim
· Doors
· Window Trim
· Hang Blinds
· Store Ladders and other Paint Supplies
If you can spare a couple of hours tonight or tomorrow please just show up after 6:30 ready to spread a little paint. Thanks, Jon
After-Shower Party/Game Night/BBQ
Kim and Nathan Ringham are expecting little Hank to join them in July…what better way to celebrate than with Food and Games! Come join us this Saturday at 6PM to eat way too much, get way too worked up over the rules of scatergories and congratulate the parents-to-be. The address is:
5133 52nd St. NW Washington, DC 20016 (same as the New Year’s shindig)
Shoot me a quick a email if you can make it so that I can make sure there’s enough to eat (cruguru@gmail.com). We’ll have the basics, but if there’s a particular grilled item that you want, you should bring that. And make sure you bring your game of choice (especially if your game of choice is Taboo).
peace, dave m.
