Can You Help Deliver Furniture to Neighbors in Need?
Help! We are looking for 3-5 strong volunteers to help with furniture delivery for a group called ALIVE in February.
What: We pick up furniture that people in Alexandria are donating and then you deliver it to people in Alexandria who need it. (Obviously the ALIVE people give us addresses. We don’t randomly take and give furniture, although that would be interestingly Robin Hoodish.)
When: Saturday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 27 at 8am (yes this is early but it will feed your soul)
Where to meet: First Christian Church. 2723 King Street, Alexandria
Who do I contact to tell them I would LOVE to do this?? Beth McFarland: bmcfarland@meridian-imaging.com
Regarding our Media Inspirations Series:
We welcome your submissions of music to be shared with the group Sunday, January 31st, all submissions must be received no later than Thursday, Jan 28th, 11pm. The guidelines are only that it be part of YOUR story, and that it be less than 6 minutes long.
Please email 1 song in MP3 format attached to an email, with a Word doc containing lyrics (paragraphs will be separated by us onto Powerpoint slides). Email to: scottgsanders@gmail.com AND ssgdale@gmail.com.
You will have the option to “intro” your song, and if time permits, we may spend a few minutes in open discussion after it plays. The results will get burned onto a mix CD, to be distributed to the group the following week (or so).
Just a low-key way to share a bit about ourselves with each other.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR IF YOU NEED TECHNICAL HELP, DON’T HESITATE TO CALL SCOTT (310) 663-4992 OR JOHN (703) 789-7181.
Anybody want a double papasan chair?
So I’m putting a free double papasan chair up on craigslist tomorrow, but I wanted to give any of you guys who might want it the first crack at it. Just email me at the link @ the bottom or call me @ 318 547 3489. Thanks.
Josh
Schedule for the next few months
Hello everyone! I wanted to post an update with the HG schedule for the next few months since our discussion last Sunday. There are still several open teaching spots, so please let me know if you’re willing to fill in one night. Thanks!
In January and early February we’ll be continuing our focus on Spiritual Practices.
January 24 – Contemplative Prayer/Meditation – led by Lakesha Bradshaw (back by popular demand) with an intro to media inspirations next week.
January 31 – Media Inspirations – led by Scott
February 7 – Confession/Sin – led by Emily
Starting February 14, we’ll begin our Lent series which focuses on the last 7 sayings of Jesus. Each leader will help us reflect on each phrase.
February 14 – Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (LEADER NEEDED)
February 21 – Today you will be with me in paradise (LEADER NEEDED)
February 28 – Woman, behold your son…Son, behold your mother (LEADER NEEDED)
March 7 – Why hast thou forsaken me? (LEADER NEEDED)
March 14 – I thirst – led by Lauren
March 21 – It is finished – led by Jen
March 28 – Into your hands I commend my spirit (LEADER NEEDED)
April 4 – EASTER SUNDAY (service plan TBD)
Thanks all!!!
Recap of Sunday’s Discussion on HG’s Finances
Hey guys! This is an update of what happened at our planning meeting this week. Due to an ongoing discussion about tithe and our larger relationship with FPC, We discussed how Holy Grounds might collect, store and distribute any moneys given to us. So this is basically the summary. HG will accept money as it always has in the form of check, cash, or credit card (this one we are still working out). We will store it in the HG line item account that FPC has alloted for us. We have decided that we want to start contributing a portion of our HG funds to FPC in order to help with their ministry as well. As a minimum standard that we have set for ourselves we will start with an amount equivalent to the “non-obligatory rent” paid by other non profits that use FPC. That amount is $150 monthly. As far as further distribution goes we have decided that income will be divided and stored into four categories:
1 – Emergency fund – a fixed ammount that once reached will be held in reserve to help with members in crisis.
2- FPC contributions – a percentage or fixed number above the minimum referenced above to help further the ministry of FPC
3 – Missions/ Outreach – this will be the largest of the four categories. this will be all money not spent on HG or FPC. Ideally this money will be spent in full quarterly.
4 – Administrative costs – This will be the smallest of the four categories. Ideally less than 1% of income. For coffee, plates, oil for the lamps etc.
We will collect any gifts given to us into our line item budget for the next quarter and at our next meeting we will take a look at what has been given and assign numerics for each of these categories and further nail down exactly how missions/ outreach money will be spent. We have also agreed that Missions money will be reevaluated for effectiveness on a semi-regular basis TBD at our next planning meeting. This is in no way the start of HG expecting members of the community to pay “tithe” to HG. This is merely in the interest of being transparent, so that those who choose to donate may be comfortable in knowing how their gifts will benefit others.
And Another New Address
Joanna’s moved to Thailand. She loves dark chocolate & peanut butter M&Ms!
PO Box 121, Bandu, A.Muang, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
We miss you Joanna!
New Address
Hari’s Address in Iraq is:
Unit #931003 TF-TP-2
APO AE 09391
He’s also checking e-mail.
HI!
Pray for Joanna
Planning Meeting tomorrow
Hey all – just a reminder that we have a planning meeting tomorrow at 4 pm~ See you all there!
Erin’s CD Release Show in HG Basement
A birthday is a time to share the wonderful gifts that are unique to you with others. Well, I happen to like writing music and I’ve been chugging away at this album Felicities of Expression. I’m turning 25 this year (on the 21st) and I’m asking you to celebrate it with me by attending my CD release show! Please 
My band mate Eugene Lee’s birthday is on the 20th, so he’s going to celebrate his birthday, too by opening the show and playing with me on my songs! He is AMAZING. You will definitely want to hear what he has to play and say You can check out his fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eugene-Lee/66975074282. My music page is http://www.erinanneweston.com and I’ll have this event posted there as well.
Salty snacks, coffee, tea and maybe even some hot chocolate will be available along with comfy couches to sit on and great people to meet (in my humble opinion, I have amazing friends and fans . Please invite YOUR friends/neighbors/relatives, too. The more the merrier and we have room!
**The show is free since Fairlington Presbyterian has generously allowed me to use the basement at no cost. A suggested donation of $10 for those who can afford it will support a family in need in my community.
Thanks and I hope you can come! I’m looking forward to a memorable night shared with all those that I love doing what I love to do the most
Details:
Show opens at 7:00 PM with Eugene Lee
Erin plays at 8:00 PM
Snacks, drinks available
$10 suggested donation
CD’s will be available for $15 each
It’s not too late to join HG women’s small group
Hi ladies,
I wanted to send out a reminder that we’re starting our series on the miracles of Jesus tonight at Holy Grounds women’s small group. If you haven’t had a chance to come yet but have been thinking about it, now would be a good time to start as we’re beginning our scripture studies and more structured time tonight.
If you want to read ahead, I found a page online that has the passages from the gospels that cover the miracle of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law: http://bit.ly/7K6TXO I can’t vouch for the interpretation below it, but I can vouch for the scripture passages. 
Here is my address (within the Eaton Square Apt Complex):
3800 Florence Drive Apt 4
Alexandria, VA 22305
ABOUT PARKING: we found out the hard way last week (so sorry Lauren…) that there are limited parking spaces for visitors without permits. I recommend you look for a space on W Glebe Rd along the townhouses across the street. If there are no spaces there, the only place you can park without getting towed is in the lot, to the right of the leasing office BUT only along the back side, where there should be spots clearly marked indicating they are visitor spots that don’t require a permit (I’m told there are 24 spots). Don’t be fooled by the other ‘visitor’ lots, you have to have a permit to park there. If you have any questions about parking just give me a call and I’m happy to run down there and help you find a spot.
See you all tonight at 7:30pm!
Sarah
sarahedale at gmail.com
703-789-7164
Holy Grounds and Finances
Hi Folks – So we’ve broached the subject many of times and now it’s time to move forward with some action. On the 17th planning meeting we have time slotted to have a formal discussion and I thought I’d throw out some topics for you to chew on, like; Paying Rent for the time we spend using the Lower Level of the Church? Use of the word Tithing? Supporting Joanna and Margie in their missions? Supporting your own charity or picking one to support? Thoughts on Holy Grounds having a line item in the church budget we fund? The discussion is open to all and all are invited to attend and participate.
Women’s Small Group Tonight
Hi ladies,
Just a reminder… we’re having women’s small group tonight at 7:30pm at our new apartment in Chirilagua. For those of you who don’t know where Chirilagua is, no worries… it’s still in Alexandria and easy to get to.
Also, I think today might be the day we actually start studying the bible! So come prepared to discuss the miracles of Jesus (hopefully).
Email me if you need directions: sarahedale at gmail.com
-Sarah
Planning meeting – DATE CHANGE
Hey all! Josh & Jon B are going to lead us in a conversation about HG finances and our relationship wtih FPC at the next planning meeting, but Josh has to work this Sunday. Therefore, we’re moving the planning meeting to January 17 at 4 pm. It will be to discuss the finances piece as well as schedule future evenings. I hope this doesn’t cause an inconvenience for anyone. Thanks all!
Free turkey tonight!
Hey everyone,
Just a reminder… we’re back on our “normal” Holy Grounds schedule tonight with a potluck at the church at 6pm and a discussion lead by Corey, starting our series on Spiritual Practices.
If you’re going to bring food, please bring only a small side dish since we’ll be having a 20 lb. roasted turkey (courtesy of Sarah Dale’s parents). Be prepared for some juicy goodness… John, Matt, Sarah and Rachel (yes–she’s visiting from Iowa!) created the marinade it’s been soaking in for two days. Mmmmm!
PS-No, it doesn’t take 4 people to create a marinade, but everything’s more fun when it’s a communal effort, right?