Hello Resurrection Parish,

Scroll down and you'll learn that we're hosting WARM, the sheltering ministry for persons who are homeless, in mid-February at Ascension. Or see Phyllis Greer's note of encouragement for our amazing food pantry volunteers. Did you know that Resurrection Parish runs St. Mary's County's single largest food pantry operation?

Want to volunteer for WARM? Email Karol Wolgemuth. Or help with the food pantry? Reach out to Phyllis.

Or keep scrolling and take note that Ascension is the nightly registration and morning drop-off site for WARM. That's because WARM is one of the partners in the Park Community Partnership based at Church of the Ascension, an intentional coalition of faith-based congregations (such as ours), community organizations and social service agencies who want to bring about the greatest common good -- and who want to work together, as partners. Partners working together, not tenants or building users. Our Vestry also signed a partnership agreement, for we're on a journey to meet our partners as a partner, our neighbors as a neighbor.

Turns out, there are so many ways to shine Jesus' light into dark places. Simple ways, really. Start with being kind and, well, genuinely human. To this, the 20th century preacher and theologian, Howard Thurman, wrote a compelling poem titled 'The Work of Christmas.' Today's the 11th day of Christmas (eleven pipers piping and all), or perhaps Christmas has already ended for you -- thus, Thurman's poem is what you need to hear.

So what, then, are you going to do?

How will you begin, now, "the work of Christmas"?

Sunday January 7

9am at St. George's

10:45am at Ascension

Click here for Sunday's bulletin

The Annual Meeting of Resurrection Parish will be held at Church of the Ascension. On Sunday, January 21. There will be a combined worship service at 10am followed immediately by the Annual Meeting. There will be a potluck luncheon after the business meeting. We have invited the Universal Unitarian Fellowship of Southern Maryland to join us for lunch.

Thursday Bible Study

10am at Ascension, resumes Jan. 11

Luke + Acts

Bible study resumes January 11 -- and meets (most) Thursday mornings, 10am upstairs at Ascension. All are welcome! Click here for the schedule. No prior reading is required, and it's a safe, open space to connect with others and deepen your faith.

This year, we’re taking on an inductive study of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles -- really Part 1 and Part 2 of the same story: God’s work in the world to raise up witnesses of God’s power (=that’s us!).

Wrapping Arms 'Round Many, WARM Update

Nightly check-ins and morning drop-off for WARM take place at Church of the Ascension -- every night, every morning. Resurrection Parish along with Good Samaritan Lutheran will host WARM Feb. 18-25 at Ascension. Thank you to all of those who have volunteered to provide breakfasts and dinners. And we have monitors for the early shift. However, we are in great need of monitors to serve the later ones - Please consider committing to either 10:30 pm to 3:00 am or 3:00 am to 7:00 pm. Closer to the time we will be requesting seet-up and clean-up help. Please contact Karol Wolgemuth or John Morris if you are willing to volunteer.

Words cannot express the gratitude for all the commitments of our food pantry volunteers. It isn't said enough, but this pantry cannot open two days a week without all the hands that are willing to make it work. For that, I am, as well as the community you serve, very grateful for you all.

For planning purposes in January, the pantry will be open on January 15. If any Monday volunteer is unavailable that day, please let me know next week. Also, that day we will have April and her Sorority preparing sandwiches, snacks, like they did last year.

Info on inclement weather. We normally try to open the pantry; however, if the roads are covered or dangerous we will not open. As always, if you are uncomfortable driving in any weather conditions, our safety is a priority.

We were able to provide turkeys to families on December 21. Mike from Mike's Bikes asked me what we needed for the week leading up to Christmas. Most know, our meat freezer was nearly empty. I said meat for a nice Christmas meal. He provided 55 turkeys and 55 8-pound bags of potatoes. Another community donor, that we can't open the doors, without his help.

Thanks,

Phyllis Greer

Food Pantry Director

Would you be interested in a small group Bible Study at Ascension starting in January? The plan is to meet from 9:30-10:30 on Sunday morning in one of the rooms off the Khinoo Room. There’s been no firm decision as to the subject, although a study on the Lord’s Prayer has been mentioned. But we can look at other topics. Please contact Rosann Stamper ([email protected] or 410-200-0216) if you’re interested!

Our Prayer Intentions

FOR OUR HOMEBOUND

Hilma Andrews 

Bob Houston 

Nancy Duryea 

Alice Otis 

Pauline Stachelczyk (Greg Stachelczyk’s mother) 

Anne Shemeta (Susan Stachelczyk’s mother) 

FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Mary Hall, Kathy Weigel, Walt Frazier, Brad Holly, Darrin Sterlinski, Lanette Cowles, and Janeen Shane

FOR THOSE WHO CELEBRATE

BIRTHDAYS

Agnes Duncan (1/09)

Pete Dibenedetto (1/13)

Ben Boarman (1/13)

ANNIVERSARY

FOR THE DEARLY DEPARTED

Vestry Members

Sarah Chen

[email protected]

Julie Coughlan

[email protected]

Ian Cameron

[email protected]

Phil Horne

[email protected]

Howard Kympton [email protected]

Beth Matthews

[email protected]

Rosann Stamper

[email protected]

Karol Wolgemuth

[email protected]

Deacon Joan Crittenden

[email protected]

[email protected]

Father Greg Syler

[email protected]

[email protected]

Deacon Marty Eldredge

[email protected]

[email protected]

Sunday, January 7

St. George's 9am

Lector - Ian Broderson

Intercessor - Deacon

Usher - Phil Horne and Kegan Zimmerman

Ascension 10:00am

Lector - The Deselms

Altar Guild - Gerri, Kathy, and Karol

Usher - Ann Lewis

Coffee Hour - Nell and Pat Elder

Sunday, January 14

St. George's 9am

Lector

Intercessor Deacon

Usher

Ascension 10:45am

Lector - The Deselms

Altar Guild - Murphy, Beth, and Rosann

Usher - Patrick Elder

Coffee Hour - Peggy Carlton

Come for mid-week, mid-day worship on Wednesdays at St. George's. Holy Communion at 11:30am in the church. A fellowship lunch follows in the parish hall.

Fellowship time follows worship at Ascension and St. George's. Coffee Hour coordinators are Karla DeSelms at Ascension, and John Morris at St. George's. Send them an email. They'd love to welcome you to host a Sunday upcoming!

Taking the Next Faithful Step

Annual Giving Campaign

How will you invest in Ascension and St. George's in 2024? We invite you return your pledge, or estimate of generous, financial support for 2024. Return the card that was mailed to you on Sunday, in the mail, or online at our secure, web-based platform - Realm. Click here.