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From the Rector
Dear St. Patrick's,
Grace and peace. Summer has yet to arrive, according to the calendar (June 20th is the summer solstice), but my colleagues tell me that it has. Their false assumption has a lot to do with the Day School being on summer holiday and our hallways, therefore, being much quieter. Summertime is the season when we have a chance to catch our breath and, if intentional about it, take the time to re-imagine what we are doing to serve God in community. This doesn't just apply to those of us in the quieter hallways at St. Patrick's, this applies to all of us who call this place home. Summer is a great opportunity to relax and reflect on what each of us can do to fulfill our promises to God.
I am convinced that you can do this wherever you find yourself, whether it is mowing the yard, reclining on the beach, or sitting at your desk. Growing in spirit is a lifelong pursuit that can always take new twists and turns, but in order to discover new paths you must be aware. You can also find that nugget and the encouragement of community here at St. Patrick's. Contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick's doesn't close during the summer. Yes, it is quieter, but we have not turned off the spiritual spigot. We will be unveiling new opportunities to engage God at St. Patrick's during the summer months. Here are just a few:
- Sunday School for children - Sunday School is on break for the rest of June, but on July 1 we will begin a series of Sunday School programs for children beginning at 10am. The classes will be led by Andrea and me and will parallel the curriculum provided by Episcopal Relief and Development to learn about the needs of people who live in third world countries and how we can help. (See below)
- Studies for Adults - Andrea and I will be offering Bible study opportunities for adults (beginning at the end of June) reviewing the stories from 1 and 2 Samuel. These same lessons will be read during the summer months at our regular worship services. (See below)
- Worship - Yes, we do have services at St. Patrick's at both 8am and 10am every Sunday morning. Worship is an opportunity to be in fellowship, receive spiritual nourishment, and to pray and sing.
- Community - We are also exploring ways to have fun in community, but maybe not at the church. Soon, there will be opportunities to sign up for casual meals to socialize with your fellow parishioners and a movie night.(More info next week)
It is summer, but we are still on the journey together. These are just a few ways that we are implementing the Diocesan plan that I wrote about last week (Summer reading recommendations). More information will be forthcoming. I hope that you will remained plugged in at your St. Patrick's home this summer.
More updates to come when summer is really here.
Faithfully,
Click here to read or listen to Sunday's sermon titled, "You don't choose your family." |
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Coming this Summer: Communal Meals, Movie Night, & More
As Kurt described in last week's Wednesday email, our Diocesan community encourages all parishes in the diocese to find simple ways to deepen our relationship with God this summer. At St. Patrick's, we will focus on three ancient Christian practices:
Pilgrimage - Watch & Discuss the Martin Sheen movie, The Way (Date TBD)
Sabbath - Send us your vacation photos! We'll post them on Facebook.
The Communal Meal - Sign up to share a meal with fellow St. Patrick's parishioners (look for dates and sign-ups in next week's Wednesday email). In the meantime, if you would like to host a simple, social gathering in July or August, please contact Andrea, andrea@stpatrickschurchdc.org This could be as simple as hosting a Saturday afternoon ice cream social or organizing a men's breakfast at a local restaurant.
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Senior Saints Lunch on Tuesday, June 19th
Please join us for the last Senior Saints lunch to celebrate the coming summer on Tuesday, June 19th at noon in the Church Library. Please RSVP to your hostess Marilyn Mix (202 965-5423 or mameremix@aol.com) or let Karen Melchar in the Church Office know if you are coming. |
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This July, Children Will Experience The Abundant Life Garden Project
This July, children will be invited to participate in The Abundant Life Garden Project. Sponsored by Episcopal Relief & Development, The Garden Project encourages children to become aware of the needs of the world and links the Gospel message to those needs. Over 4 weeks, children will explore 4 themes: water, seeds, soil, and animals. We will finish July by making casseroles for SOME.
Kurt and Andrea will lead this program, which will meet during the 10 amservice. They need some extra hands, however. Parents, please look at the following dates (see the table below), and let Andrea know if you can help on one or two of these days: andrea@stpatrickschurchdc.org. Kudos go to those who've already taken a slot: Megan Holdren, Devon McCollum, Tricia Duncan, & Carol Groh.
Thank you for your faithful support of our children's ministries!
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VOLUNTEER 1 |
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July 1 - Water |
Megan Holdren |
Devon McCollum | |
July 8 - Seeds |
Tricia Duncan |
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July 15 - Soil |
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July 22 - Animals |
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July 29 - SOME |
Carol Groh |
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Sunday Participants: June 17th, Pentecost III
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8am Server:
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Jane Byerley
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10am Server:
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Sandy Chamblee-Head
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Altar Guild:
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Karen Melchar
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Flower Guild:
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Jane Battle
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Crucifer:
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Peter Jobusch
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Torches:
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Needed!
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Readers:
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David Beers, Peggy Beers
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Intercessor:
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Sally Fowler
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Psalmist:
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Jean Barquin
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Greeters:
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Debbie, Elaine Fickenscher
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Refreshments:
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Bob & Virginia Hurt
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Lay Euch. Min.:
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Sally Fowler, Joi Grieg
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Ushers:
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Keith Powell, Marilyn Nowalk, Needed!
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Vestry:
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Candy Fowler
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Music at St. Patrick's
The music continues all summer long!
This Sunday Suzanne Carter will be here singing AND playing while the Lynches are away for the weekend. Don't miss her rendition of "By an' By."
Our terrific Section Leader/Soloists team up to provide music on most Sundays throughout the summer. It's also a more laid back time for our young people to practice and prepare something on their instruments, so if your child is working on something special this summer please ask them to come and share it with us!
   
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Thursday Morning Bible Study Starting Soon: 1st & 2nd Samuel
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This summer, the lectionary provides a hefty helping of 1st & 2nd Samuel, from which we'll hear portions every Sunday between now and August 12th. These two books of the Old Testament tell how Israel came to be ruled by kings, and we hear the trials and victories of Israel's first two kings: Saul & David. The intrigue and scandal rival anything we'd see in Washington today, and these scriptures call us to reflect on how we handle freedom and power. Join Kurt & Andrea for Bible Study and discussion of these passages:
Thursday, June 28, 9:30 - 11am, in the Church Library
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
Come as you can. All are welcome!
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Countdown to Horizons Summer at St. Patrick's Day School
Two weeks until Horizons begins . . . come visit us this summer at St. Patrick's! Horizons is a six week summer program intended to help low-income kids continue learning and mitigate "summer slide" that can happen during the months school is closed. Public school Horizons students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 will take part in language arts, math, art, and music classes; eat nourishing breakfasts and lunches; learn to swim; visit museums; and become part of a family of caring teachers and staff. Visiting Day at St. Patrick's will be held Tuesday, July 10. The tour will meet at 9:30am inside the main school entrance to St. Patrick's and will last one hour. To reserve a space or to schedule a different day to visit, please RSVP to Elizabeth Johnson at 202.939.8885 or ejohnson@horizonsgreaterwashington.org Interested in Volunteering? Volunteers are still needed for lunchtime! Volunteers need to be 16 years old or older to volunteer on their own. Rising fifth grader students and older can volunteer when accompanied by an adult. Please sign-up through the online registration by clicking here. or email Elizabeth Johnson at the address above if you are interested in volunteering. |
Volunteer Opportunities with Samaritan Ministry
 Samaritan Ministry is in need of substitute and permanent volunteer Front Office Coordinators ("FOC") for the Northern Virginia and Southeast offices. FOCs are the first to greet Next Step Program participants as they arrive in the office, making participants and visitors feel welcome, comfortable and safe. FOCs provide invaluable support to individuals participating in Samaritan Ministry's Next Step Program by offering individual attention, assisting participants with paperwork, explaining the Next Step Program to new program participants, sorting the mail, and answering the telephone and taking messages for staff and program participants.
Samaritan Ministry's Southeast Office also needs volunteer resume writers and casework associates. Computer mentors are needed at all three locations to teach basic computer skills. For more information or to apply to volunteer at Samaritan Ministry, please contact Megan Janicki. Also, did you know Samaritan maintains a wish list of needed items on Amazon.com? It includes such things as plastic sandwich bags, flash drives to save resumes, men's white collar shirts for interviews, reading glasses, toiletries and African-American hair care products. Search on "Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington wish list" or click on the SMGW website for more info. |
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 Save the Date: St. Patrick's to March in the Palisades July 4th Parade!
If you are in town for the 4th of July (a Wednesday this year), this is your chance to walk in a small-town parade. Join your clergy and fellow parishioners as we represent St. Patrick's in the neighborhood. We will line-up in front of the church around 10 am. The parade kicks off at 11 and winds its way down MacArthur Blvd. to Dana Place, concluding by about 12:30 pm. Watch the Wednesday email and the Sunday bulletin for more information as the date approaches.
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Quick Links...
 - Follow St. Patrick's on Facebook |
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