Holy Grounds » Of Interest

Arlington Theology Pub

Beth — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:55:48 +0000

Hi everyone!

I wanted to let you know about this great Emerging Christianity Conversation I’ve been attending in DC facilitated by Glenn Zuber. So far we have read two Brian McLaren books and one Rob Bell book and discussed them in small groups. Brian McLaren has also come to speak twice since December. Glenn runs a similar conversation-oriented DC Theology Pub and wants to create one in Arlington to make it easier to attend for those south of the Potomac.

If you are interested in possibly attending any of these Arlington Theology Pub conversations, let me know and I will pass your contact info on to Glenn. If you would like more information or would like to contact Glenn directly, check out the DC Theology Pub meetup site at http://www.meetup.com/DC-Theology-Pub/ .

Beth Taylor
Zn2001@yahoo.com

World’s oldest Christian Bible digitized

Matt Pritchard — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:16:25 +0000

Exciting news from the Charlotte Observer, especially given our discussion Sunday night:

LONDON The surviving pages of the world’s oldest Christian Bible have been reunited – digitally. The early work known as the Codex Sinaiticus has been housed in four separate locations across the world for more than 150 years. But starting Monday, it became available for perusal on the Web at http://www.codexsinaiticus.org so scholars and other readers can get a closer look at what the British Library calls a “unique treasure.”

Sexuality as a Follower of Jesus

Matt Pritchard — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:54:30 +0000

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?

Fairlington Sabbatical Blog

Matt Pritchard — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:06:09 +0000

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

Jumoke — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:32:30 +0000

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

Do You Know Where Your Soul Is?

Andress Boggs — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:30:22 +0000

Check out Bono’s NYTimes Op-Ed from this weekend.

Why Jesus Died

Matt Pritchard — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:09:14 +0000

Tony Jones posted an interesting article this morning about his view of atonement. I would love to hear what you all think…

DIY Funerals

Lisa Miller — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:03:21 +0000

Max Alexander lost his father and father-in-law within days of one another. One had a traditional funeral. For the other, they chose a less-orthodox, DIY funeral which he talks about in an article in Smithsonian Magazine. In light of our recent discussions, I thought you might find it interesting.

“I suppose people whose loved ones are missing in action or lost at sea might envy the rest of us, for whom death typically leaves a corpse, or in the polite language of funeral directors, ‘the remains,’” Alexander writes. “Yet for all our desire to possess this tangible evidence of a life once lived, we’ve become oddly squeamish about our dead… According to advocates, home after-death care is… more meaningful for the living.”

For the full text of the article (v. interesting) go here: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Presence-of-Mind-Which-Way-Out.html

I found the article through GOOD, a great magazine about all sorts of stuff. Blog post can be found here: http://www.good.is/?p=16538

The Unnamed Concubine

Matt Pritchard — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:18:46 +0000

I thought many of you would really enjoy listening to Jan’s sermon about The Unnamed Concubine in Judges 19 from this past Sunday morning worship gathering. Jan’s sermons are consistently great, but this one is particularly good. It’s available as an MP3.

Jan put a transcript of it on her blog as well.

Can’t wait to hear your reflections!

Learn to Sew!

David Moore — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:01:36 +0000

Sarah Laryea, a member of Fairlington UMC, used to make clothes for a living in Ghana. She’s interested in teaching people her trade and is hosting a class this Saturday at 12PM in the Parlor at Fairlington UMC. We’ll cover some basic stuff in this class and then get to more advanced things like actually making shirts or dresses in later classes. If you’re interested please call or email Dave Moore (703.869.4441, cruguru@gmail.com)

peace,

dave m.

Peter Rollins in Arlington this Thursday Evening (February 26)

Matt Pritchard — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:33:28 +0000

Well-known Emerging Church author, brilliant thinker, and all-around good bloke Pete Rollins will be in Arlington this Thursday evening (February 26)! If you don’t have plans, I highly recommend going to see Pete. He’s like a personal trainer for your theological brain – and rather manic, borderline sadistic personal trainer, at that. He’s da bomb.

Details are in this Facebook event; please check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=75070866272

Building up the Church: Exploration of New Monasticism

Matt Pritchard — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:45:33 +0000

This Saturday (the 21st) there is a great event happening in DC!

Monasticism has always helped the church remember who she is. This event is designed to help local churches learn about what new monasticism is and what it means for the church. Come and explore five practices that are emerging from new monastic communities: reading Scripture as the story of God’ people, relocation to abandoned places, economic sharing, gospel peacemaking, and cultivating a culture of grace and truth. This is a single day event, hosted by the Servant Leadership School (1640 Columbia Road NW, Washington DC).

Lunch will be provided. Registration cost is $30/person for those who are able to pay. Register online at http://newmonasticism.org/events.php

As you may or may not know, I live in a New Monastic community, so this is something really important to me. Let me know if you are going. I’d love to carpool.

Community Supported Agriculture

Matt Pritchard — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:54:42 +0000

Fairlington Presbyterian partners with a local farmer so that we can make great locally grown produce available to people in our community. Each Thursday a local farmer delivers shares of produce that can be picked up in the lobby at 3846 King St, Alexandria, VA.

Community Supported Agriculture establishes a meaningful bond of community between the food on our table and the farmer who grows it. Local shareholders support the farm directly by contributing a small sum and then they get a portion of farm-fresh harvest every week!

The cost for the Summer will be $440 for 18 weeks of vegetables. Learn more of what’s included on the Graceland Farm website.

To sign-up, e-mail John and make sure you let him know you want the Fairlington Pres drop-off.

Serving Breakfast and other Carpenter’s Shelter Opportunities

Matt Pritchard — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:12:31 +0000

There are a bunch of volunteer opportunities at Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria.

What would you think about our community volunteering to serve breakfast one Sunday a month? It looks like they have the 1st and 4th Sundays available and we would need to be there at 8. See full post for more details and comment with your thoughts…

CARPENTER’S COOK-OFF: Now that the holidays are over, we are off and running on our next big event – the 7th Annual Carpenter’s Cook Off. If you’ve never been to Cook-Off, this is your chance to show your support for the shelter and experience some of the best cuisine Alexandria has to offer. Make plans now to join us on Sunday, April 26th, 2009 at The Birchmere in Alexandria. You and your family will enjoy an afternoon of live music and entertainment, children’s activities, a live auction and appetizing selections prepared by more than 20 participating restaurants. Tickets are just $40 per adult, $5 per child (ages 6-17) and free to children 5 and under. Individual tickets may be purchased at the door or by calling 703-548-7500 ext 203. You won’t want to miss this fun, family event.

Also, sponsorship opportunities are available for this event. For more information about this year’s sponsorship levels and benefits please contact Jasmin Witcher, Director of Development & Strategic Alliances, at 703-548-7500 ext 203 or jasminwitcher@carpentersshelter.org

FEBRUARY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Carpenter’s Shelter is seeking volunteers to fill the following vacancies this month:

FRONT DESK:
2/1 5-9pm
2/2 5-9pm
2/4 9-12pm, 12-3pm
2/5 9-1pm, 1-5pm
2/9 9-1pm
2/11 5-9pm
2/12 9-1pm, 1-5pm, 5-9pm
2/15 9-1pm
2/16 9-1pm
2/18 5-9pm
2/19 9-1pm, 1-5pm, 5-9pm
2/22 9-1pm
2/24 9-1pm
2/26 9-1pm, 1-5pm, 5-9pm

MEALS:
Breakfast (served at 8 am):
1st and 4th Sunday of the month

Lunch (served at 12 noon):
2nd Wednesday of the month
2nd Friday of the month
4th Sunday of the month
4th Monday of the month

HYPOTHERMIA: (from 6:45-8:30pm)
1st, 3rd and 4th Sunday of the month
2nd Saturday of the month

CHILDREN’S HOUR (7-8 pm):
2nd and 3rd Monday of the month 7-8pm
4th Monday of the month7-8pm

SPECIAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Child care volunteers are needed on Saturday, February 28 from 10 am – 12:30 pm to assist in supervising children during Aftercare Betterment Classes (ABC) workshops.

To sign-up for a shift, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Allison Clausen at 703.548.7500 x205 or allisonclausen@carpentersshelter.org.

MONTHLY NEEDS LIST:
Children’s Cereal
Children’s Snacks
Powdered Drink Mix
Frozen Casseroles
Hot Dogs
Salad Dressing
Oatmeal
Juice Boxes
Baby Wipes
Pull-Ups

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION: If you are new to Carpenter’s Shelter and have not yet attended an orientation, we ask that you join us for an upcoming session prior to beginning your service at the Shelter. Orientations are held every 2nd Tuesday of the month and include an overview of Carpenter’s Shelters’ history, vision, and services, as well as the multitude of ways for volunteers to partner in ending homelessness for our children, families, and individuals. Upcoming orientations will be held at the Shelter on:
Feb 10, 10:00-11:30am
Mar 10, 6:00-7:30pm
Apr 14, 10:00-11:30am
Please RSVP to Volunteer Coordinator, Allison Clausen at 703.548.7500 x205 or allisonclausen@carpentersshelter.org if you plan to attend an orientation.

To sign-up for a volunteer opportunity or with any questions regarding volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Allison Clausen at 703.548.7500 x205 or allisonclausen@carpentersshelter.org.

Activist D.C. Church Embraces Transition in Name of Its Mission

Matt Pritchard — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:45:00 +0000

The Washington Post’s Michelle Boorstein recently wrote an article about Church of the Savior, Activist D.C. Church Embraces Transition in Name of Its Mission. To quote one of my friends in the city, “No other group of people has done more to bring social justice to the city.” They were emerging decades before anyone had any concept of what that meant. I have many friends in their community and I admire their work more than I can articulate. The article is an important background piece for us to have as we continue to contemplate what we are called to as a community and what that practically looks like in this season.

Servant Leadership School

Matt Pritchard — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:53:50 +0000

The winter term of the Servant Leadership School is fast approaching! The first night of the eight week term is Tuesday, January 27. As you will see from the brochure, they have an exciting array of classes and events:

Biblical Justice: An Un-American Activity? With Ray McGovern
“Is the Economic Meltdown God’s Judgment?” with David Hilfiker (Wednesdays)
Working for Justice in the Holy Land w/ G.J. Tarazi
From Advocacy to Organizing: A Workshop w/ ONE DC
Spanish for Beginner and Intermediate Learners
Money, Faith, and Freedom with Ministry of Money
The Spirituality of Imperfection with Dennis O’Connor
Exploring Prayer with Margie Roberson
Daniel: Staying Rooted, Seeking the Common Good with Joseph Deck
A Schools for Conversion Event with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove.

People serving at the margins of society and out front leading movements for peace and justice will speak during our community dinners on Tuesdays from 6 to 7pm. Click here to see the schedule.

To register for a course or workshop, visit the Servant Leadership School website (www.slschool.org) or e-mail tdkumfer@slschool.org.