This is my snapshot (!) of a letter Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in 1931, just after meeting the Swiss theologian Karl Barth. Bonhoeffer found this meeting both inspiring and disturbing.

He writes above, "His whole thinking swings around one point and whosoever is willing to keep his eyes straight on this point is considered by Barth a good theologian no matter how he tries to formulate his ideas and views.  I do not have to tell you that this point is the cross and the resurrection of Christ, truly a strange thing for a modern and intelligent man to concentrate his thoughts and his whole life to.  But when you see Barth you know at once-even if coming entirely from outside-that there is something worth while to risk one's life for."
One need only to scan the headlines to see our world is volatile and unsettling in daily surprising ways. Some of this is good as injustices are being exposed and some powerful are being humbled. But much is also deeply threatening to our security, and especially to those who have no security.  "to risk one's life" 

God risks it all in coming to this strange and unloving world as a helpless child. How precarious?!  And yet it is done for "peace on earth and good will to all.' 

God risks for us.  Many before us have risked for God.  May we too be drawn into this risky venture of following the young Christmas child.

Blessings on your holiday season.

Mark
Beyond Malibu Informational Meeting
Sunday, December 17 - 12:30-1:30PM
Room 304
Whether you are just curious or already signed up, please plan on attending to discuss details, logistics, and gear.  Food will be provided. SignUp HERE to let us know you are coming so we can be sure to have enough to eat.

More Summer 2018 Trip details below. 
SundayPMSunday Night Schedule - Holiday Edition
White Elephant Gift Exchange - December 10

Fall's Final Fellowship is our annual Christmas celebration and White Elephant Gift Exchange.  Don your worst Christmas sweater, grab a glass of eggnog, and bring a bizarre gift (under $5) that will really make someone's season really unforgettable.
Visit the website to see the regular Sunday Evenings at Nassau schedule, which includes choirs for middle school and high school:

Notes for the holiday season:
  • December 3 - Middle School Fellowship, both Choirs & Dinner
    (NO Sr. High Fellowship)
  • December 10 - Regular Schedule with White Elephant Exchange
  • December 17 - NO Fellowships - Cantorei will rehearse at 5PM
  • December 24 - NO Fellowships - Christmas Eve Services at 3PM, 7PM, 10PM
  • Thurs, December 28 - Rockville Climbing Center (12-4PM) details next email
  • December 31 - NO Fellowships or Choir Rehearsals - Happy New Year!
Join us!
Monday, January 15 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) - Youth Mission with Mark (9am - 2pm), information coming soon.
Choirs
Music Notes
from
Ingrid 

Dear All,
 
Have you ever considered why we sing?  What is it about our singing together that speaks to us, that touches us, and maybe even helps us in discovering our truth in every day life?  Advent begins this Sunday, and we have much music to make!  I'm really looking forward to our time together, as we prepare our music and hearts for this precious season. And, please know, your friends are always welcome to join us. Feel free to invite them. See you on Sunday. 
 
Coming up:
  • The Middle School Choir will sing "Antiphonal Deck the Hall" at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, December 10.  (It's a pageant sneak peek!)  Arrival at 8:45 am. Carol Choir and Choir 345 will sing with you too.
  • Everyone in our Middle School Choir is needed for our Christmas Pageant at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 17. The dress rehearsal will take place on Saturday, December 16, 9:00-12:00 p.m. Please mark your calendar!  We'll have printed music for all high schoolers that can join us for the pageant.  Please come if you can :)
  • Cantorei will sing "Keep Your Lamps" on December 17, 11 a.m. service. 
And.... We're looking forward to welcoming our Choir Alumni for the Christmas Eve Service at 7 p.m.! (Pre-service music begins at 6:30 p.m.) Rehearsal will be Saturday, December 23 with refreshments in the Assembly room at 6 p.m., rehearsal from 7-9 p.m.  Be sure to spread the word and mention to returning friends.  All are welcome.  
 
With Joy,
 
Ingrid

[email protected]
Visit the website to see the regular Sunday Evenings at Nassau schedule, which includes choirs for middle school and high school:

Notes for the holiday season:
  • December 3 - Middle School Fellowship, both Choirs & Dinner
    (NO Sr. High Fellowship)
  • December 10 - Regular Schedule with White Elephant Exchange
  • December 17 - NO Fellowships - Cantorei will rehearse at 5PM
  • December 24 - NO Fellowships - Christmas Eve Services at 3PM, 7PM, 10PM
  • December 28 (Thurs) - Rockville Climbing Center, stay tuned for details
  • December 31 - NO Fellowships or Choir Rehearsals - Happy New Year!
Join us!
Youth Members of Nassau's 2016 EAD Team visit Capitol Hill on Lobbying Day
Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Washington, DC  
Friday, April 20 - Monday, April 23  

This year's theme is "A World Uprooted: Migrants, Refugees, and Displaced People." Join other Nassau members as you spend a long weekend in Washington D.C. learning and lobbying on behalf of those who have no countries or lands to call home. Read more about the 2018 Theme (pdf)

(travel with the Nassau group by train, stay at the conference hotel in Alexandria, VA, visit the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness on your way to Capitol Hill on Monday)

There are three $500 youth scholarships available to offset the costs. Email Lauren Yeh to apply & let Mark know you want to go.
Summer18Summer 2018
The Youth Ministry Committee has approved this as the schedule for Summer 2018. Get ready for faith.
Registration is open - Forms are coming in
Spots are limited for NorthBay and both Beyond Malibu trips
Visit the 2018 Trips Page on the NPC website for more details about each trip Download the 2018 Registration & Deposit Form.

NorthBay (Cheasapeake Bay, VA) - trip fee $400
  • For middle school (rising 7th to 9th grade)
  • Thursday, June 28 - Monday, July 2
  • Senior High who want to be Junior Leaders should talk to Mark
Appalachia Service Project (in TN) - trip fee $325
  • For ages 13 and up (at the time of travel)
  • Sunday, July 15 - Saturday, July 21
Adventure Trips: 
  1. Mountaineering: July 26-August 5 - trip fee $700 (land only)
    Flying in/out of Seattle, WA. 
  2. Sea Kayaking:  August 8-17  - trip fee $625 (land only)
    Flying in/out of Vancouver B.C.  
  • Beyond Malibu, in and around the Canadian Rockies, British Columbia
  • For ages 15 and up (at the time of travel)
  • Each trip has a minimum of 5 and maximum of 8 student spots
  • Placement preference goes to first-timers
  • Information Meeting - for anyone interested - Sunday, December 17, 12:30-1:30PM. SignUp HERE
And finally...