Holy Grounds » jledmiston

Grappling in Chicago

jledmiston — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:33:30 +0000

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?

jledmiston — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:14:27 +0000

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

jledmiston — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:52:02 +0000

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.

Much love,

Joanna

See you January 9th at 5PM

jledmiston — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 01:18:54 +0000

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!

jledmiston — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:19:48 +0000

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!

jledmiston — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 03:56:57 +0000

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

jledmiston — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:41:49 +0000

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

jledmiston — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 03:36:52 +0000

Hey HGers. I’m happy to lead Sunday night. See you all there!

Prayer Party December 5 (but you need a reservation!)

jledmiston — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:18:16 +0000

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

jledmiston — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:48:55 +0000

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

jledmiston — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:09:57 +0000

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

jledmiston — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:03:54 +0000

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

jledmiston — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:51:28 +0000

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?

jledmiston — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:44:34 +0000

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

jledmiston — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:46:55 +0000

Hi HGers. Who’s leading Sunday night? I’m happy to lead if no one has signed up.

Cool Opportunities Coming Up:

jledmiston — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:40:15 +0000

- 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?

jledmiston — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:13:16 +0000

Check it out here.

Sunday Night HG

jledmiston — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 01:15:48 +0000

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

jledmiston — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:53:57 +0000

This looks like an amazing conference: http://www.bigtentchristianity.com/

Who’s Coming to VBS Cookout??

jledmiston — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:27:02 +0000

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

Last Sunday’s Prayer Concern: Thank you God

jledmiston — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:01:06 +0000

We prayed for Virginia last week who was looking for a place to live in Arlington after living in a shelter. She’s found a home. Thanks to all who’ve been helping with this.

Come Say “Bye” to Tim & Gretchen (and eat delicious food)

jledmiston — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:08:15 +0000

Everybody: after the 11 am service, there’s a potluck picnic on the church playground to honor all volunteers and to say “we love you” to Tim and Gretchen – whom some of you know. It’s their last Sunday before moving to Chicago.

Come hang out, bring a dish to share. Drinks provided.

Serve Dinner @ Carpenter’s Shelter This Friday

jledmiston — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:30:04 +0000

We’re looking for 2-4 people to serve dinner at Carpenter’s Shelter this Friday, April 30 from 6-7 pm. Dinner will be purchased and prepped on Thursday, but we need people to serve it Friday night. Can you help?

This is a great way to serve the community. The Shelter is located at 930 N. Henry Street in Alexandria (across and down from Slater’s Lane.)

Please shoot Jan an email if you can help. Thanks!

Jan’s Vacation

jledmiston — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:40:19 +0000

Holy Grounders – I signed up to lead this Sunday on Acts 1&2 which I love, but if I could find someone to take this week, it would be a gift. I’m officially on vacation April 17 – 24 and while I’ll be back in town Sunday night, I really need this vacation time.

Anyone able and interested to lead this week? Jan

TransFORM East Coast Gathering – FREE

jledmiston — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:39:32 +0000

Brian McLaren, Pete Rollins, and a couple other people you might know. Join us for the FREE conference:

Friday April 30 – Sunday, May 2

Wesley Theological Seminary in DC. Let’s go!

Northern Virginia Emergent Cohort!

jledmiston — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:22:58 +0000

Matt & I have gone to these informal gatherings. Great people including our friends from Common Table. I’m going for my post-Easter debriefing.

Monday, April 5 @ 8 pm (Look for the “Cohort” sign if you’re new)
Dogwood Tavern

132 West Broad Street
Falls Church, VA

(Parking in the Back)

2 Opportunities to Serve Carpenter’s Shelter

jledmiston — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:59:38 +0000

Volunteers needed for Carpenter’s Shelter Cookoff! Sunday, April 25 Noon – 3pm @ The Birchmere. For more information, contact Jon Borden or check this out: http://www.carpentersshelter.org/2010/02/carpenters-cook-off/

Volunteers needed to Serve Dinner for the Residents of Carpenter’s Shelter on Friday, April 30 at 6 pm. We need someone to head this up, organize the dinner (who will cook and what we’ll cook). Let Jan know if interested.

Easter Sunrise Service

jledmiston — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:32:10 +0000

What: Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus followed by breakfast in the park

When: 6:00 am coffee (but we’ll start worship at 6:30)

Where: Oronoco Bay Park (aka The Joanna Geiger Baptismal Site) at the end of Pendleton St., Old Town, Alexandria

Other Details: Music by John Dale, Story by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and/or John

There will be no Evening Gathering on April 4th!

The Return of Hari

jledmiston — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:14:00 +0000

All – Hari returns around May 19 – although this is merely estimated.

The return of the prodigal!

Care Package for Hari (because we care)

jledmiston — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:58:43 +0000

Please bring whatever you’d like to add to a care package for Hari – to send to Iraq – this Sunday March 21st. I’ll be sending it Monday.

This Sunday, March 7

jledmiston — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:20:11 +0000

Yes, bring your Potluck Offerings. But Jan’s flipping grilled cheese sandwiches (maybe accessorized with our storehouse of bacon). And please be pondering about moments in life when you’ve felt forsaken. We’ll be releasing them via the Wailing Wall (actually a Wailing Cross) this Sunday. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Pancakes This Sunday!

jledmiston — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:05:05 +0000

Come eat Pancakes this Sunday night, February 21st @ 5 pm in upstairs Fellowship Hall. (No HG potluck this Sunday.) Free food. Good conversation.

Also, there is a Fairlington Presbyterian congregational meeting at noon-ish Sunday, February 21st in sanctuary.

Can You Help Deliver Furniture to Neighbors in Need?

jledmiston — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:24:44 +0000

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:

jledmiston — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:10:14 +0000

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.

And Another New Address

jledmiston — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:19:11 +0000

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

jledmiston — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:41:10 +0000

Hari’s Address in Iraq is:

Unit #931003 TF-TP-2
APO AE 09391

He’s also checking e-mail.

jledmiston — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:55:14 +0000

Hey – I promised to get tickets to Screwtape Letters at the Lansburgh Theatre, and there were so many options, it didn’t happen. BUT . . . there is interest from several of you to go this Saturday night. I’ll buy the tickets if you want them.

Please email me at jan@fpcusa.org by 5:00 on New Year’s Day and I’ll order your tickets. Tickets are $49 or $60. Let me know which you’d like for the January 2 8pm show.

Happy New Year!

Want to see this play Saturday at 8pm?

Christmas Caroling Cancelled for Sunday Night!

jledmiston — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:05:50 +0000

Because there is at least a foot of snow out there with no one sure how to clear it . . .

Because Jesus loves it even when we sing in the warmth of our homes . . .

Melanie & I agree that we should cancel Christmas Caroling for Dec. 20th at 6:45 pm. So, whip up some cocoa and stay safely home.

See you at Christmas Eve service at 7pm Dec. 24th!

Christmas Pageant!

jledmiston — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:36:25 +0000

IT’S NOT CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A PAGEANT! (Okay, all we really need is Jesus but pageants are fun.)

The 11am service will produce a traditional Christmas Pageant on Sunday, Dec. 13 during 11 am worship and we are in need of:

Luke the Physician (the narrator), The Priest, The Innkeeper, and assorted “Hill People” (not the same as Capitol Hill People)

Rehearsals: This Sunday (Dec. 6) 9:30 – 10:30 am and Next Sunday (Dec. 13) 9:30 – 10:30 am

Bonus feature: Hanging out with little ones dressed as angels and sheep. (And who doesn’t look good in shepherd-wear?)

Contact me if interested. Thanks! jan@fpcusa.org

Screwtape Letters @ The Lansburgh Theatre

jledmiston — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:42:02 +0000

Anybody want to see C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters sometime between Dec. 16 & Jan 3? Tickets are $29, $38, $49 and we can “save up to $10 when we buy two tickets” with a discount by Dec. 4. Groups can save up to 20%.

Anybody interested? To get the conversation started, how about: Wed. Dec. 16th or Sun. Jan. 3rd?

Prayers this Week

jledmiston — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:46:33 +0000

All – Keep Ryan in your prayers this week. As most of us will be eating our turkey, he’ll be headed to Afghanistan.

Tim Keller Coming to Cathedral

jledmiston — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:51:41 +0000

All – Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Church in NYC is speaking Thursday, Nov. 5th at National Cathedral. Tickets are $13-$18. You can buy tickets here and read about Redeemer Church here.

He’s an interesting guy and I don’t agree with everything he says/believes but he’s doing some cool things in the city.

Pray for Bridgett’s dad

jledmiston — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:58:49 +0000

Bridgett Hedrick’s dad is not well. They find out in a few hours what’s going on. Please hold him in your prayers today.

Bridgett is part of HG, moved for grad school over the summer.

Prayers for Joe & Jason

jledmiston — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:36:29 +0000

We prayed for my sister’s friend the other night – the young mom dying with cancer. She passed away this morning. Please pray for her husband Joe and 8 year old son Jason. Thanks. Jan

An Opportunity to Support the Stikkers

jledmiston — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:33:28 +0000

We have a wonderful opportunity to spend time with Dave Stikkers at his new residence – Sunrise on Duke Street.

As most of you know, Dave Stikkers is a 41 year old leader in our congregation with frontal lobe dementia. This transition has not been easy as the staff at Sunrise cannot provide 24-hour minute to minute oversight.

If you would like to spend An Evening with Dave for a 3PM-7PM or a 7PM-7AM shift sometime over the next two weeks, please contact me at jan@fpcusa.org. We already have volunteers for tonight and tomorrow night.

The overnight shift involves simply sleeping in the recliner in Dave’s room and spending time with him if he awakens. The 3PM-7PM shift involves just hanging out and having dinner with him if you wish. There is no physical or medical care required at all. No administration of medication, etc. Just stay with him and make sure he isn’t disturbing the other residents.

It is a blessing and a pleasure to be able to share this time with Dave. And it will give Dave’s family and the compassionate Sunrise staff some peace of mind.

Is there a shift you would like to offer in the next two weeks?

Thanks and blessings this Lenten Season – Jan

Healing Dinners

jledmiston — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:27:37 +0000

Anybody interested in preparing dinner for the Quinonez family next week? Wednesday and Friday dinners are needed. Contact Alison if you can help: alisont@comcast.net

Thanks – Jan