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St. John's Closed for COVID-19 Prevention 
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Dear St. John's,
I write to inform you of a new significant development in the Diocese of Washington's response to the threat of the novel coronavirus - one that directly affects every parish, including St. John's. I ask that you please take a few moments to read Bishop Mariann Budde's letter in which she announces the suspension of all church related activities including the mandatory closure of church facilities in our diocese for the next 14 days effective tomorrow, Thursday, March 12.
In light of these developments, here is some essential information for how this will impact St. John's for the next two weeks (and beyond if necessary).
Church office
As of 5:00 pm tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon, the church office will be officially closed through Wednesday, March 25. The operations of the church, however, will continue with staff working from home, including answering phone calls during regular business hours (9:00am - 4:00pm Monday through Thursday). While our staff is working remotely, please use extension 300 to reach the front desk.
Sunday and Mid-Week Services
Per the Bishop's directive, all Sunday and mid-week services for the next two weeks are suspended.
For this coming Sunday, March 15, Bishop Mariann has invited all the churches of the Diocese of Washington to worship jointly via a live-stream service for which our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preach. You can access this service at https://cathedral.org/ or the Cathedral Facebook page. The service will take place at 11:15 am.
St. John's will host its own virtual worship service at 10:00 am on Sunday, March 22, which you can fully participate in from the comfort of your home. More information on this to come.
Two Scheduled Funerals
As most of you know, we have two funerals scheduled over the next few days. Since the church closure does not take effect until Thursday at 5:00 pm, the service for Winnie Smoot scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00 am will proceed as planned. Peg Lower's funeral service, originally scheduled for this coming Saturday at 10:00 am will be rescheduled for a later date.
Other Church Meetings
Committees with scheduled evening meetings may continue as planned by conference or video call. Committee leaders will be provided with toll free call-in instructions to share with their groups.
Pastoral Emergencies
If you have a pastoral emergency, you can always call 301-654-7767x308
How can I help?
The best thing you can do to help is to check up on your neighbors. We could all use a little extra love during a time like this. You can find instructions on how to find your neighborhood group in the document attached here. If you don't have access to Breeze,
email [email protected] to set up an account.
With prayers for health and peace,
Sari+
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Please click on any of the following event or article headlines to be taken to that section of the newsletter.
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A Green Perspective
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by Pam Mercer, Eco-Action Team Member
A few years ago I decided I wanted our family - including three young children - to "go green." I wanted us to start living in ways that were healthier and safer for ourselves and the planet. And, I wanted to transform everything immediately.
I started right away by making lists of anything and everything we could change. My head spun searching for information about how to re-work it all: what we ate, how we cleaned, how much energy we used, the amount of water we used, etc., etc., etc....
Thankfully, it became clear to me that we didn't have to completely change the way we lived or do it all at once in order to live greener and make a difference. Whew!
Living greener is about being
aware
of our current habits then working to
change our perspective
and our habits,
SLOWLY
. It isn't about changing our lifestyle, it's about living our lives with a different perspective - a green perspective. It's almost like wearing a pair of glasses with green lenses!
This green perspective helps keep the big picture goal in mind: to live in a way that is safer and healthier for my family and the planet. It helps guide how we live - what we do, what we buy, and the choices we make every day. So instead of getting overwhelmed by a laundry list of things to change, we work with where we are and how to change those habits and the way we currently do things. We are definitely NOT perfect but we are much more aware!
How do you begin to be more aware of your habits and start to change them?
For starters, you can focus on a specific area for a few days to get a better sense of how you currently do things. For example, take a few days this week to pay closer attention to what you toss in the trash at home, at work and while you're out and about. You might even take a moment to make a note of it each day - sort of a trash diary - to really get yourself to pay attention. Then for the next few days, see if you can toss less into the trash and more into the recycling bin. Or better yet, see if you can use items that don't create any trash or recycling at all.
The same exercise can be used to cut down on your water use. For a few days, time your showers and make a note of it. Then multiply the number of minutes you showered by 2.5 (gallons per minute) to get a rough estimate of the amount of water you used in the shower. You might be surprised! Next, for the following few days, see if you can beat your previous shower times. You can even get the whole family involved and turn it into a friendly competition with a fun prize for the shortest shower time. Make sure to remind kids they can't skip the soap!
The point is, once you're aware of your current habits (that are likely on autopilot), you can start to pay attention to them and make small changes that make them greener.
Please join St. John's Eco-Pledge for Hope by choosing one or more actions -
just click here
.
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| Apply for a Norwood Parish Fund Grant |
From March 13th through March 31st, the Norwood Parish Fund (NPF) Board will accept grant applications for Spring 2020.
Grants are available to organizations or parishioners for:
- St. John's capital needs,
- Outreach ministries,
- Seed money for new ministries and special one-time projects, and
- Other highly meritorious purposes that are similar to, but do not precisely fit, the three categories above and that fulfill St. John's mission to develop its ministries or may be a catalyst for projects that are beyond what it is possible to fund through annual operating funds.
Dozens of grants have been funded since the creation of the NPF in 2002. In the past, NPF funds have contributed to significant initiatives in the life of the parish, including establishing the Journey to Adulthood (J2A) program and the Come As You Are 5:00 pm service. NPF funds have likewise funded: major outreach and property projects, refurbishing the kneelers, updating the St. John's web site, and most recently, our new lawn sign on Wisconsin Avenue.
How do I apply?
Completed grant applications must be submitted via the google form. If you have trouble using the Google form application, please contact the NPF chair at
[email protected]
.
What happens next?
Grant money is available for distribution through a competitive review by the NPF Board, with final award approval made by the Vestry. Applications submitted after March 31, 2020 will not be considered for this round of funding. The next opportunity will be in the fall of 2020.
Questions?
Members of the NPF Board: Johnna Story, Chair; Earle O'Donnell, Co-Chair for Planned Giving; Alice Consolvo; Susan Hebert; Wan Kim; John Stewart, Senior Warden; and Sari Ateek, Rector.
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Thank You
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The week began with plans for two memorial services (Peg Lower and Winnie Smoot) and otherwise normal operations, but quickly spiraled into a chaotic mess as the threat of coronavirus loomed and we began navigating the precautionary measures that we needed to take. Through each last-minute service need and change in plan, our worship volunteers have been flexible, kind, and generous. St. John's simply could not function without the numerous healing prayer ministers, altar guild members, flower guild members, ushers, and lay Eucharistic minsters whose dedication and adaptability have shone through this week.
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Worship
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In accordance with Diocesan directives, church services are cancelled on March 15th and March 22nd. The Diocese will evaluate the state of the COVID-19 spread by March 25th and determine whether or not churches can re-open on March 29th.
In the meantime, we will be gathering virtually! We hope you will join us as we discover new ways to practice corporate worship,
Sunday, March 15th, 11:00 am
Join us as we hear from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at the Washington National Cathedral. You can access the service
here
.
Sunday, March 22nd, 10:00 am
St. John's will be hosting a remote worship service via Zoom Video Calls. We will send out information about how to access this service soon.
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On Easter Day, flowers will burst forth on the altars and throughout the church symbolizing the Resurrection of Christ and our own lives in Him!
All members of the parish are invited to share in providing the flowers which will decorate the church on Easter. Gifts of cash or check, in any amount, may be designated as memorials or thanksgivings and will be listed in the worship bulletin on Easter. You can sign up by placing this printable form in the offering plate (when services resume) or using this online form. You can pay with a check to St. John's with "Easter flowers" on the memo line or at our Breeze portal.
All flower dedications are due by Palm Sunday, April 5th.
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| Make a Difference |
Join the Lenten Eco-Action Pledge
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St. John's is embarking on a Lenten journey of spiritual growth through our Eco-Pledge Program. There are many different ways that you can join this pledge and commit to creation care by making specific changes in food, transportation, home energy use and consumption. You can learn more or join the Lenten Eco-Pledge
here.
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"If Food Be the Music" Concert Postponed
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If you have collected food goods to donated to the previously-scheduled concert on Sunday afternoon, please hold on to these collections until the church reopens.
We will work with Seraphim to reschedule the concert and update you when we have new dates.
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Third Annual Service Project in Support of Oak View Elementary School Postponed
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We are postponing the Oakview Elementary Service project. If you have already collected books for donation, please hold on to them until the new service project dates are announced.
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Welcome Boldly: Ibrahim's Journey
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Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area will hold a Refugee Town Hall on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Hosted by St. John's Episcopal Church, Norwood Parish in Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD, this forum will feature national speakers discussing current issues in the refugee debate. These include the aftermath of successful legal action against the Administration's State/Local involvement in refugee resettlement, the status of Afghan Special Immigrant Visas, the future of DACA, and other cutting-edge issues affecting refugee resettlement. Speakers include Dawn Calabia, Vice President and Secretary of the United National Association of the National Capital Area, Ronnate Asirwatham, Director of Advocacy for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and Dr. Mamadou Sy, Vice President of Operations for Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, one of the largest refugee resettlement agencies in Maryland and Virginia.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), in whose district the forum will be held, has been invited to give the congressional perspective on refugee issues and to receive an award for leadership in Congress on refugee issues, particularly additional, annual appropriations for Afghan Special Immigrant Visas. He will be joined by former U.S. Ambassador and St. John's Deacon and Community Life Coordinator the Rev. Anne Derse who will welcome attendees to her parish.
The Town Hall is co-sponsored by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area.
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Our Stephen Ministers Are Ready to Care!
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Stephen Ministers are members of
St. John's
who have been through extensive training and provide confidential, one-to-one, Christian care to people who are experiencing a difficult time. They listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide weekly support for as long as the need persists. If someone you know is hurting, find out more about Stephen Ministry by talking with one of our Stephen Leaders:
Penny Winder, John Mertens, Rob Hartmann, or Toni Hartman ([email protected]).
Our Stephen Ministers are ready to bring God's love and care to those in need.
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| Build Community |
Good News from the St. John's Drama Troupe
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by Rob Hartmann, Drama Troupe Co-Founder
 We are happy to announce that the St. John's Drama Troupe has been awarded a grant of $500 from the Norwood Parish Fund to provide seed money for this new ministry. This will help cover expenses such as the cost of purchasing scripts, royalty fees for performances, costs associated with costumes and props, as well as rental of sound and lighting equipment as the Church has no performance venue at this time.
The Drama Troupe has met and drafted the following mission statement:
The Drama Troupe produces and performs readings, plays, musicals, and, when appropriate, enhances the worship service. The Troupe uses the dramatic arts to foster:
- individual growth and well-being,
- healthy and holistic relationships,
- inter-generational connections,
- meaningful interactions across societal strata, and
- dialogue about faith, justice, and the human condition.
The Troupe is open to all members of St. John's and the community it serves.
Drama Troupe co-founders Emily Morrison and Rob Hartmann were invited to perform a reading of the classic The Night Before Christmas at the December 15, 2019 Christmas Carol Potluck & Sing-a-long. They've been asked to revisit their fun and festive reading at this traditional holiday event again this year!
Following is a summary of current and future activities:
- This year, members of the Drama Troupe will be reading the Passion according to Matthew at the 9:00 am and 11:15 am services on Palm Sunday;
- Working with Karl Robson, director of Music Ministries, we are planning a concert version of Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore to be presented during several performances in the late spring that will involve both the adult and youth choirs;
- We are planning our first full-scale drama production in the fall of 2020, using the stage in Hines Hall. Among the plays under consideration is the Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town by Thornton Wilder;
- We also are reviewing a number of scripts for public readings such as The Laramie Project or the seasonal favorite, It's a Wonderful Life.
All Are Welcome: We will publicize and hold open auditions for members of the church and our greater community for our fall and future productions. We invite you to join us as we launch and grow this new drama ministry at St. John's! To join the Troupe, contact Rob Hartmann ([email protected]) or Emily Morrison ([email protected]).
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Women's Retreat Cancelled
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The St. John's Women's Retreat: Grace and Women in the Bible, scheduled for April 3-5, 2020, has been cancelled due to concerns about the Coronavirus.
Unfortunately, we were unable to re-book another weekend at Claggett Conference Center this year. Everyone who paid the registration fee will be reimbursed by the church.
Questions?
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| Passages |
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
We offer our prayers of condolence for those who have died, including Peter Buckingham (brother-in-law of Roxy Wolfe).
Please contact the Office if you have a prayer request or thanksgiving to share with the Parish.
Send us an email request.
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| Upcoming Events |
NEW:
You can now click on the bolded blue text below to be linked to the article in this newsletter or relevant website for that event.
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March 22, 2020
Virtual Worship Service
at 10:00 am (details to come)
March 31, 2020
Norwood Parish Fund grant applications are due
Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020
May 16, 2020
Party with a Purpose
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Weekly Schedule
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Sunday, March 15
The Third Sunday in Lent
Deadline for newsletter submissions
11:00 - 12:00 am
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Live Stream Service with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
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Sunday, March 22
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Outreach Sunday
Deadline for newsletter submissions
10:00 - 11:00 am
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Virtual Worship Service
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Submitting Articles to This Newsletter
- When: Articles are due the Sunday prior to the Friday publication date.
- How: Insert the text of the article into the body of an email, and send to publicity[AT]stjohnsnorwood.org.
The church staff reserves the right to determine the content of this newsletter and edit for grammar or length requirements.
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