Pastor's Page

Dear Church Community,

As we prepare for Christmas 2021, we find ourselves, yet again, amidst a surge of the Coronavirus.  Fortunately, we have almost two years’ experience offering worship, programming, and fellowship online.  Thus, no matter what the Covid situation this winter, our congregation will continue to connect with, love, and support one another.  Remember, as much as we enjoy our building, it’s not the church.  We are!

Holiday Services: After much deliberation, we’ve decided to hold our Christmas Eve

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Dear Church Community,

The theme for this second week of Advent is Peace. And while we pray for both Peace on Earth and peace in our hearts, I sometimes hear the words of the Prophet Jeremiah, who said, “The people say, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.”

This Advent, we’ve faced news of a school shooting, a congressman whose family posed for a Christmas picture with automatic rifles, and continued, deep divisions in our country over vaccines, guns,

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Dear Church Community,

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our congregation who, over the past twenty months, has:

• participated in worship online.
• waited patiently to worship in person.
• worked hard on our renovations and repairs.
• financially supported those renovations and repairs.
• kept all our programs and committees running.
• participated in those programs and committees.
• shared your joys and concerns with the congregation.
• prayed for those joys and concerns.
• recorded music for worship online.
• returned to sing

Dear Church Community,
 
This is my birthday month, so it’s always occupied a fond space in my heart. I grew up farther north, where the trees have typically dropped their leaves by now. But in the DC area, my birthday (right in the middle of November) is peak leaf season. And I love it!
 
Around my birthday, I try to reflect on things particularly meaningful to me. One of these is the earth, nature, creation (choose your term).

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Dear Church Community,
 
This week we’re drawing near a host of holidays focused on the souls or spirits of those who’ve departed this physical world (or as my Dad would say, “mortal coil”): Halloween (All Hallows Eve), All Hallows (Saints) Day, All Souls Day, and, of course, Day of the Dead.
 
Our modern American celebration of Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain (SAH-win). This holiday is celebrated over October 31/November 1 to welcome

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