Grappling in Chicago
Dear Holy Grounders,
THANK YOU for what is among the best gifts I’ve ever been given. I really, really love the grappling hook and your grappling memories. It’s the only personal touch in my new office in my new position with Chicago Presbytery. Already it has not only soothed my soul, but it’s invited others to grapple with me.
I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate all of you. Thanks especially to Steph for delivering it and to Lauren for creating it and to all of you for being my sisters and brothers in Christ.
I miss you and love you. May the grappling continue – Jan
PS I hope to see many of you at J & D’s wedding.
Want to Connect with Haiti?
HGers (and all)
We are pondering a work trip to Haiti sometime in the coming months. Cameron Davidson is the leader on this. FPC has a long term relationship with the Community Coalition for Haiti building hospitals, working with students, and generally befriending the people of Haiti. We’re talking about a week of your life that will change many lives.
Wanted to get this on your radar. Details coming.
Jan
Message from Joanna
So Kyndra came yesterday and hadn’t been home more then 15 minutes when she asked if she could give me my Christmas present from HG. I think she was just as excited as I was. Thank you guys so much. I’m so excited to have access to books again and don’t have to read some seriously questionable literature. I’m practically rendered speechless in my ability to describe how loved this made me feel. As I was playing around last night I was just struck by the fact that you guys just have been so amazing to me during every step of this journey in both my needs and then with awesome blessings like this. All I can really say is thank you so much and please know just how blessed I feel.
See you January 9th at 5PM
Due to everybody’s holiday travels, we don’t meet again until Sunday, January 9th at 5th (with pizza!) to discuss 2011 HG plans. Join us!
And in the meantime, have a peaceful Christmas!
Serve like St. Nick! Help Casa Chiri’s Party this Saturday!
Friends – Casa Chirilagua has it’s Christmas party this weekend and they could use our help. Here are the details:
Saturday, December 11
The time is 4:00 – 9:00 PM. However, we can get help in crews.
4:00 – 5:00 is set up/decorating
5:00 – 6:00 is arrival/games/photo booth
6:00 – 7:00 is the program
7:00 – 8:00 is food and raffle
8:00 – 9:00 is clean up
Congratulations Scott and Sacha!
Mikaela Siobhan Sanders was born in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, November 2010. Our first Holy Grounds baby!
Thanks be to God.
No Holy Grounds November 28th
Hi Everybody -
Lots of us are out of town this weekend, so we are not gathering as usual on Sunday night this week. Hope you enjoyed your turkey and pie, and we see you at the Prayer Party on December 5th at 7 pm!
November 7th
Hey HGers. I’m happy to lead Sunday night. See you all there!
Prayer Party December 5 (but you need a reservation!)
Everybody: this is very cool.
One of the Common Prayer Release Parties will be at Holy Grounds on Sunday, December 5 at 7 pm. Because LOTS of people are expected, the Common Prayer Conspirators (among them: Matt Pritchard & the good folks at Simple Way) would like to know whose coming. Please register here. We might have to limit this event to 50 people, so register now and tell your friends. Thanks!
Rally for Sanity Meetup Update
Erin reports that there will be banners around the carousel – our designated meeting place. We need to know:
1- who was planning to meet to go as a group, and
2- if you can actually meet in VA and travel over together
I (Jan) am not going with the group, so it would be great to have 
someone head this up who is indeed going. Anyone?
Restoring Sanity with HG
Hi Everyone! Whitney led a great discussion on the Trinity last night and the group decided that – for those who want to attend The Rally to Restore Sanity together this Saturday, we’d meet at the merry-go-round on the Mall at 10 am.
No Holy Grounds gathering this Sunday, October 31.
Our grappling will be with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert October 30th.
Tentative Dec. 5th HG Plan
Holy Grounders: I don’t want to make unilaternal plans, but Brian Gorman and I are talking about having HG host a Prayer Party to celebrate the publishing of Common Prayer, a project that Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Orkoro have edited on Sunday, December 5th at 7 pm. What do you think?
In Memoriam
David Bailey was a singer-songwriter who performed a concert to celebrate the first anniversary of Holy Grounds in 2008. He passed away over the weekend of brain cancer at the age of 44. Please hold his family – his wife Leslie and his kids Kelcey and Cameron – in prayer. 
What’s Your Favorite Bread?
This Sunday night I would love to hear about what feeds you spiritually. We’ll celebrate the Lord’s Supper with a feast of bread and more. See you at 6:30 pm.
Sunday Night Sept. 19th
Hi HGers. Who’s leading Sunday night? I’m happy to lead if no one has signed up.
Cool Opportunities Coming Up:
- You too can mentor Fairlington Presbyterian kids from reading a Bible story to 2-3 year olds to teaching a class of slightly older kids occasionally. We have a class called “Spark” for 4-7 year olds and a group called Kids’ Club for 8-11 year olds. About 10:30 – 12 on occasional Sundays. You must love kids and want to know them and help mentor their faith. Contact me: jan@fpcusa.org
- Immigration Awareness Event – including info on the Alexandria Detention Center where undocumented workers are held – is scheduled for 7-9 pm Tuesday, September 21 at The Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 323 South Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314.
Let me know if you have questions. Have a great week.
Anyone Interested in The Walk to Stop Human Slavery?
Check it out here.
Sunday Night HG
I’m leading the content Sunday and hope you’ll be thinking about beautiful things.
Ecclesiates 3:11 – God has made everything beautiful for its time.
What is beautiful to you? And what beautiful things have you witnessed happening as part of the church?
Big Tent Christianity
This looks like an amazing conference: http://www.bigtentchristianity.com/
Who’s Coming to VBS Cookout??
Holy Grounders: Let me know if you’re planning to come to Vacation Bible School (in lieu of HG) this coming Sunday night, July 18, 6:00 to 7:30. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)
Actually, know you are invited all 4 nights. The schedule is below:
Sunday, July 18 (6pm – 7:30 pm) – Love the Lord your God with all your heart
Chip Cagle from Capital Hospice “How to love people whose hearts are broken”.
Monday, July 19 (6pm – 7:30 pm) Love the Lord your God with all your soul
Intergenerational Program: Feeding our soul with music! Kerri Shelfo on bass, Susan Winckler on handbells, and others! Come play and dance!
Tuesday, July 20 (6pm – 7:30 pm) Love the Lord your God with all your mind
Jan Edmiston “Where did we get the Bible?”
Wednesday, July 21 (6pm – 7:30 pm) – Love the Lord your God with all your strength
Cindi Rauert strengthening our bodies w/ exercise and guided meditation.
Have a good week – Jan