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.
Ellen Quaresma’s Family Needs Help
Friends,
Ellen Quaresma’s family is in need of emergency financial assistance. The Quaresmas emailed Grace Community Church last week. Due to the economy, some people have stopped sponsoring the family — but their expenses remain the same. Futhermore, recent illnesses have caused them to spend more on healthcare — and this is likely to continue as they move into the winter season.
Would you consider making a $10, $25, $50 or $100 one-time and/or recurring donation to help Ellen’s parents, Mazinho and Ana, take care of their still growing family of 39?! Any and all gifts -big or small- matter right now. Click here to donate now! (This link will take you to the Action International Ministries online gift site).
Here’s why… Ellen’s family has had to take out a bank loan to pay for food and healthcare. Not only do they need money to pay back a bank loan, but they also need more supporters to help sustain their ministry in the future. Ultimately, they will need more supporters as a long term solution.
Please spread the word about this family and make a financial contribution if you are able. You can go to www.quaresmafamily.org to learn more and this will link you to the action international website; click on the orange button that reads “Donate to Mazinho and Ana” and that will take you a secure online giving site.
If you have any questions, I’d be more than happy to answer them for you, OR you can talk with Matt. We’ve both been to Brasil to visit this family and seen this ministry in action. This family is very dear to my heart and as we share their story with the rest of the world, the hope is that more people will want to help them out as well.
All the best,
Jumoke
Goodbye Dinner for Bridgett Friday at 6:30
Please come to dinner this friday night at 630 at Noodles & Company beside four sisters in Merryfield/Tysons Corner Area.
I would love to see everyone before the move. If you know anyone that would like to come that I have missed on this email invite them too.
Directions: 8190 Strawberry Ln Falls Church, VA 22042
Let me know if you have any questions. Hope to see everyone there. I’m going to miss all of you and glad you have been apart of my life in DC 
Poets Prophets Teachers
I’m thinking about going to a conference in Grand Rapids, MI: Poets, Prophets, Teachers with Rob Bell, Peter Rollins, and Shane Hipps July 5-7. Want to come with me? The cost is $250, but it covers two people (I’ll cover this cost). Flights are about $212 round and I think we can probably find someone to put us up while we’re there. I’ll cover the rental car as well. You’d need to pay for your meals.
Let me know if you are interested.
Half-Priced Burgers at Noon Memorial Day
Since it’s a holiday, we’ve decided to go early to the Crystal City Sports Pub (529 23rd St S, Alexandria, VA) for half-priced burgers.
Meet up at about noon.
If you have any problems finding our group, send a message to Matt: 434.962.4927.
Final Spring Work Day
We’ve made great progress this spring in updating our building and grounds. But there are still a few more projects & a portion of our property that are in need of repair and updating to fully utilize our property in a transforming way in our community.
Join us this Saturday, May 16, at 9am for a day of community work on our grounds followed by a 12:30 lunch.
Our building and grounds are used throughout the week by a variety of groups & the mission of our community. It is vital that we, as a community and a church, spend some time making sure this space is a welcoming, safe, & inviting place so we can fulfill our mission of being a transforming Force for Good in the World in the Name of Jesus Christ.
In addition to the gift of your time & energy on May 16th, we also need:
- Financial gifts to support the projects listed above. Make any donations to the church & mention that you are contributing to maintenance of the grounds or the May 16th Work Day.
If you are willing to contribute the gift of food, financial support, or your time, please contact Jon Borden or Matt Pritchard (office@fpcusa.org).
Depending on the weather, some of the key projects that we will be tackling include:
On the outside (good weather)
- Finish the play ground’s ground cover
- Prune trees and shrubs
- Clear weeds growing in some areas of the parking lot
- Installation of a new play ground gate ($200 has already been donated to help)
- Installation of new picnic tablesand BBQ stands/grills
On the inside (bad weather)
- Painting the entrance ways of the church
- Painting the main &volunteer offices
- Painting the lower level hallway and doors
- Organization of a couple of our key storage areas
- Painting and update the infant nursery
Thank you for your continued support of the mission of this church. With a little bit of your time this Saturday, we can continue to assure that our building serves as a functioning supporter of that mission.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Donate Used Clothing to Benefit New Ministry to Immigrants in Alexandria
Spring is here and it is time to clean out your closets. Chirilagua Ministries of Alexandria will be collecting donations of Men’s, Women’s, and Children’ clothing, toys, bedding, linens, and kitchen supplies for a yard sale. The sale is being organized by Women of Virtue, an outreach of Chirilagua Ministries that disciples women, fosters a women’s support network and empowers them to be the change they want to see in their neighborhood. Sale of the items will benefit the Chirilagua immigrant community in Alexandria by bringing affordable used clothing to their doorstep. All proceeds will benefit Women of Virtue. Drop offs are located in Falls Church and Alexandria. Collection ends on April 22nd. Please contact Dawnielle Miller for more details: dawnielle.miller@gmail.com
We will also be needing volunteers to help with the sale on April 25th. Please let us know if you are available to help! Feel free to forward this along to friends, family. colleagues, faith community, list serves, etc.
Alexandria Drop Off Location:
Commonwealth Baptist Church
700 Commonwealth Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305
An Opportunity to Serve
The community I live in does work with Hispanic immigrants to the area. One of the specific things is Mujeres de Virtud, a ministry to women. Recently they went on a big retreat to New York state and their first Mujeres de Virtud meeting since that retreat will be happening this coming Saturday (April 18th). This will be a combined meeting between the Alexandria and Arlington groups which means they will have A LOT of kids and be needing a lot of help!
They will need help with:
1.) Childcare so the mothers can enjoy their meeting. It would be great if someone wants to put together a lesson and activity. Childcare starts at 3:30 PM and should conclude by 5:30 PM.
2.) Transportation from Chirilagua to Arlington starting at 3:00 PM. Transportation from Arlington to Chirilagua at 5:30 PM
If you’d be able to help with either of these needs, e-mail Dawnielle.
God Squad Leaders Needed for Next Two Sunday Mornings
God Squad is the worship experience for 8 to 12 year-old kids (they actually named it themselves) that takes place during the morning worship gathering each Sunday. I’m looking for someone to lead the time during the next two Sundays (April 12 and April 19). It’s a great way to begin building relationships with some incredible kids!
All supplies and weekly scripture lessons are provided. The kids also all have a journal in that box in case they want to reflect on anything. This week they are making Easter cards for the shut ins.
Your responsibility would just be to come a little before 11 and look through the materials for the week and then walk them through things during the 11am worship time.
Let me know if you are interested (even if you can’t do the next two weeks as there will be more opportunities): matt@fpcusa.org.
Maundy Thursday
We celebrate The Last Supper this Thursday, April 9th at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary with the morning worship community and our neighbors from Fairlington United Methodist.
You are invited to bring an offering of 30 Pieces of Silver which will be given to people who have been betrayed: Victims of human trafficking in the U.S. through The Polaris Project.
Alden will be sharing about the work of Polaris Project and the problem of human trafficking not only in the United States, but specifically the DC area this Sunday April 5 at 9:30am in the Cowsert parlor.
Praises from Bridgett
Her Dad was doing so well that they released him from the hospital early and he’s home now! Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
Update from Bridgett
I’m at home now. I will be at the hospital tomorrow. My dad is out of surgery and in – intensive care. he will be in IC until wed or thursday then they will move him out for 4 more days in the hospital. He is still under/sedated. i’m going in the morning. that is the update. i will let you know. as of right now my phone is dead. got to find a charger.
bridge
Pray for Bridgett’s Dad
Just got a call from Bridgett. Her Dad has gone into cardiac arrest. She’s waiting to hear an update, but he will likely have open-heart surgery tomorrow. Bridgett’s planning to take a morning flight.
Please be in prayer for her Dad.
I’ll send updates as I receive them.
Golf Tournament to Benefit Children with HIV/AIDS
Hi everyone,
Please pass on this info to anyone who might be interested in participating and thanks to all who are contributing their time and efforts to helping me spread the word!!
Erin
PLEASE JOIN JUBILEE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR
Inaugural Golf Tournament to benefit Jubilee Home IV, HIV/AIDS home for children in Mumbai, India
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Greens Fees, Lunch, Dinner, and Prizes: $200 for Individuals & $600 for Foursomes
Westfields Golf Club
Clifton, VA
Tee Off at 1:30 PM
Driving Range Opens: 11:30 AM
Website: www.golfforchange.weebly.com
Please RSVP by April 20, 2009 to erinweston@jubileecampaign.org or call (703) 503-0791 for more information.