Dear Church Community,
It’s hard, isn’t it? Talking about racism, that is. We believe Black Lives Matter and put the words on our signs, but actually talking about racism is a challenge. And yet, we must. As I preached in last Sunday’s sermon, it’s time to ask:
In what ways are we actively working against racism? In what ways are we continuing to center whiteness and promote white privilege? These are hard questions, and they’ll force us to
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Pastor's Page
I invite you to read my bi-weekly newsletters below for reflections on Sunday worship and updates on congregational life. I hope, and believe, you will also enjoy my Sermons. I look forward to seeing you and sharing worship with you.
- Blessings,
Pastor Ellen
Please call or e-mail to schedule time with Pastor Ellen:
M, W, Th: Appointments and visits
Tuesday: Day off
Friday: Sermon and study day
Here are some spiritual resources that I find myself returning to time and again. I hope you will also enjoy them.
UCC Feed Your Spirit
Bite in the Apple
Patheos.com
The Listening Hermit
RickMorley.com
Larry Patten.com
From Rev. Ellen Jennings
Dear Church Community,
June is Pride Month, and I’m proud that our congregation has been openly affirming and welcoming to all LGBTQ+ people for over a decade. Our church is home to many different gender identities, sexual orientations, and family configurations, all of whom reflect the extravagantly loving and fabulously diverse nature of God. I hope you’ll join me for worship this Sunday as we celebrate our wonderful rainbow of Life!
After worship, we’ll welcome staff from Shaw Community
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From Rev. Ellen Jennings
Dear Church Community,
Last Saturday we held our first outdoor event since last November. And what an event it was! We had seven family “pods” for a Baptism and Baby Dedication Service for six babies and one adult. The weather (though hot) cooperated, and we even had live music from Harold, Dawn, and Wesley (played from the parlor and balcony).
It was also our first attempt at hybrid worship, meaning Mark Turner (thank you!) videoed and live streamed the
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From Rev. Ellen Jennings
Dear Church Community,
This is Mental Health Awareness Month and never has it been more important. Every year, 1 in 4 Americans experiences a mental health disorder (with the ratio higher this past year). This means someone you know well—yourself, a family member, a close friend, or a colleague—is likely struggling with their mental health. And we, as a church, can best love our neighbors and ourselves if we understand this and other facts (all cited from the National
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From Rev. Ellen Jennings
Dear Church Community,
Our congregation typically thinks of itself as autonomous, and according to our denomination’s polity (governance structure) we do indeed have the privilege of making our own decisions. At the same time, we’re part of something greater, the United Church of Christ (UCC), and this denomination includes congregations, associations, and conferences across the United States.
As a United Church of Christ Congregation, our church is part of the Potomac Association (almost forty UCC churches in
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