St. Columba’s Newsletterfor and about the people of St. Columba’s Church, Washington, D.C.

Praying our Way

Vol. 53, No. 1 January 14, 1

At the beginning of this new year we have vestry members to elect, a music director to

search for and hire, and a deepening of faith and witness to continue. I’ve just come from a stewardship meeting where we reviewed our pledge commitments for 2010. To date, we have close to 600 pledges totaling almost $1.6 million. Thanks to all of you who have returned your financial sacrifice for 2010!

As I left the meeting I began to think about my parish in Kingston, N.Y., and the first time we accumu-lated $100,000 in pledges. It was quite a feat for a parish that thought of itself as modest in means and better able to gather volunteer hours than dollars. But over several years we had undertaken an intentional recommitment to our baptismal vows and covenant with God. It was an opening to love and a quest for deeper meaning. It resulted not only in increased financial giving but also in increased programming and service.

We sometimes think that our level of programming, staffing and service depends on the financial bottom line. But before it’s about money our parish mission is the offspring of our faith, prayer and love. Is a pledge a transaction for services or evidence of the transformation taking place in the depth of our being? I know how to give out of guilt and obligation. I continue to learn how to give out of love. We have pledges yet to come in and the need to raise more than $300,000 to accomplish the work of our calling in 2010. The Holy Spirit has some work to do! So do we.

I’m deeply happy to report that Rick Dulaney has agreed to chair the search committee charged with finding our new director of music. Working with Rick will be Pattie Ames, Dick Berg, Alan Brooks, Peter Clamp, Ann Colgrove Smith, Mark Lay, Diane Torresen and Liz Wilson. The Rev. Dr. Bill Roberts will continue as our consultant and I will work closely with the committee. Their charge is to recommend two to three candidates to me so that I may make the final selection. Our work will begin, be sustained by and end with prayer. Before we look at a résumé we will pray together to build trust and continue the work of discern-ment. Beginning with my Adult

Forum last spring and continuing with Bill’s two forums, we have been listening to your thoughts and questions. On Feb. 7 the Adult Forum will again be devoted to our discern-ment and search. Join me at 10:15 in the Great Hall.

The search committee will update the parish on the progress being made as it continues its work. We would all like to have our new musician in place for the start of the program year in September but we won’t be pressured by an arbitrary timetable. If the group needs more time, they will take it. In the meantime, we continue to be blessed by the fine leadership offered by John Hurd and Diane Heath. We are also graced with talented volun-teers in the Great Hall (especially Paul Barringer and John Paul).

The members of our search com-mittee are making a sacrifice of time in order to serve our parish. To sacrifice something is to make it holy. And so, with God, the offering of time, energy and expertise has the potential to become a holy experience — with a holy outcome.

We are at the start of a new year of holy outcomes. The staff needs your encouragement and prayers. The vestry needs your support and prayers. Together, we have the privilege of offering the sacrificial gifts that allow us to grow. We will pray our way through and our gifts will be holy. It’s a wonderful time to be part of St. Columba’s.

Page 2 St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010

WorshiP The liturgy is at the heart of all we do.

TransitionsB Bid Godspeed to those who have transferred out: Ian Maclean Anderson and Letitia Bartlett, to Church of the Ascension, Gaithers-burg; Francis and Carolyn Grant-Suttie, to Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda; Mary Alice Hearn, to St. Mark’s Church, Durango, Colo.; Janice, Emily and Samuel Thomas, to Otey Memorial Parish, Sewanee, Tenn.; and John Vanderstar and Elizabeth Culbreth to St. Andrew’s Church, Canton, N.C.

B Welcome those who have completed newcomer cards: Greta Andersson, Washington; Derek Hall Chollet, Washington; Hugh Gibson, Silver Spring; Gavin, Elizabeth, Andrei and Katya Macgregor-Skinner, Washington; Anne Martens, Delaware; Jonathan Mueller and Meg Libby, Washington; Leslie Peart, Washington; Aisha Robins, Arlington; Terry Roberts, Chevy Chase; and Lisa Topchik, Takoma Park.

B Rejoice with Gina Lambright and Chip Somodevilla for the birth of Archer; with Melissa and Chris Luckett for the birth of Davis Christopher, Dec. 2; and with Alice Gregal for the birth of grandson Robert David, Dec. 19.

B We welcome the newest members of Christ’s church baptized Nov. 1: James Michael Grenham, son of Dillon and David Grenham; Lauren Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Sarah and Jay Johnson; Logan Tilghman McInnis, daughter of Brittain and Dan McInnis; Rose Kathleen Weatherly, daughter of Liz and James Weatherly; Nov. 22: Thomas Stephen Barton, son of Tanya and John Barton; Oliver Talbot Fitton, son of Caroline and John Fitton; John Conlin Meenan, son of Anna and John Meenan, Jr.; Matthew Kyle Sward, son of Erika and David Sward; and Jan. 10: Ava Jeanne Waldrop Comly, daughter of Alison and Nathanael Comly.

B Pray for those who have died: John D. Gerlacher, Nov. 8; Jean Bruce, mother of Betsy Bruce, Dec. 2; Robert Lee Elum, godfather of Brian Brown, Dec. 6; Betty Weedon, great-aunt of Josh Skrine, Dec. 7; Brenda Blocker, grandmother of Kimberly and Yolanda Blocker, Dec. 8; Henry Puppa, Dec. 16; Madeline Reiss Peeler, Dec. 26; Alex Maish, Dec. 26; Dennis Gorman, brother of Jeff Gorman.

B We encourage parishioners who are ill, injured or hospitalized, or who have a joyous event, to tell a member of the pastoral team or contact Anona Fowler (afowler@columba.org; 202-363-4119, ext. 229) if they would like their names to be listed for prayer in this newsletter intercession list.

Columbarium

Perhaps it is fitting at this time of year, just after our annual celebration of the Christmas

story, that we are posting a “No Vacancy” sign on St. Columba’s columbarium. Not literally — visitors are still welcome to sit in this outdoor sanctuary and remember loved ones who have departed this earth — but as of now there are no more niches for sale. The Building and Grounds committee has begun exploring a second expansion (the first, in 2000, added 58 niches, bringing the total to 182) and would welcome the services of an architect who could help assess the possibilities for augmenting the number of niches. For more information or to volunteer your expertise, please contact Paul Barkett (pbarkett@columba.org; 202-363-4119, ext. 211).

8 am EucharistIn the church, with homily and without music. Coffee follows.

9 am EucharistIn the church, with sermon, hymns and the healing rite. • Child care is available for children 4 and under, 8:45 am – 12:30 pm.

9:15 & 11:15 am Eucharist for PrEschool childrEn and thEir familiEsIn the Great Hall. Story-style telling of the gospel and songs children can sing.

10:15 am Education hourSunday School, youth programs, Adult Forum, Bible study and refreshments.

11:15 am EucharistIn the church, with sermon, choirs, hymns and healing rite. Coffee follows.

5 Pm EucharistA smaller, less formal service with a sermon, hymns and the healing rite.

WEEkdays (in thE chaPEl)morning PrayEr8:45 am Monday-Friday

thE Eucharist7 am Wednesday, followed by breakfast10 am Thursday, with the healing rite

holy BaPtismFor information on baptismal prepara-tion and registration, contact Rose Duncan (202-363-4119, ext. 212, rduncan@columba.org). Upcoming baptism dates:April 3, 7:30 pm (nave); April 4, 5 pm (nave); May 23, 9 am (nave) and 9:15 am (Great Hall).

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St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010 Page 3

ElEction sPEcial

Annual Parish Meeting and Electiontake place on Sun., Jan. 31

An Annual Meeting of St. Columba’s Parish shall be held at such time and place between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday . . . - Bylaws of St. Columba’s

Who is qualified to vote?You are qualified to vote if you are at least 15 years old, baptized and entered on the parish rolls, and are a member of a contributing household to the parish. Contributions are defined as recorded pledges, identifi-able offerings or services rendered.

BallotsBallots are available in Anona Fowler’s office the week preceding the Annual Meeting (Jan. 31). On that day, the polls will be open from 7:45 am to 12:30 pm and from 4:45 to 6:15 pm.

Absentee ballotsIf you are unable to attend the Annual

CAndidAtes FOR WARden Elect two to serve one-year terms

JOHn nOLAn (senior Warden)

Occupation Consultant; member of two corporate and four nonprofit boards; volunteer.

Spouse / family Joyce Nolan / Two grown, married children and a new grandson.

Church experience We have been members of St. Columba’s since 2001.

My involvement in the parish community started with Decoration Sunday and has continued with participation on a discernment committee, ushers, Nights of Columba, J2A leader, North Dakota mission trip leader, and a stint as part-time acting parish administrator prior to Paul Barkett’s hiring. For the past year I have served on the vestry as junior warden.

It has been a privilege to serve on this year’s vestry. We have completed a lot of hard work to develop a positive framework for dealing with challenging issues and exciting opportunities in the coming years on behalf of the parish. I know that the vestry looks forward to using that foundation to provide the positive leadership that is our mandate.

COnstAnCe Azzi (Junior Warden)

Occupation Consultant on governance and organization dynamicss

Spouse / family The Davenport family at St. Columba’s and the Azzi family in Dallas.

Church experience Vestry member for the past six years; Chair of the Stewardship and Development

Committee for five years; past Chair of the Nominating Committee; member of the Human Resources Committee; past vestry liaison to Outreach Steering Committee; longtime eight o’clock usher, Flower Guild and Welcome Committee member.

Over the past six years, the vestry has developed a framework for discussion and discernment. So this is an exciting opportunity for me to continue working with our rector, senior warden and vestry to strengthen the vision, mission and goals of our parish. “They will climb from height to height” (Psalm 84, verse 6). I am honored by this call to service.

Meeting but wish to vote you can fill out a ballot at the Welcome table on Jan. 24 or in Anona Fowler’s office the following week. Ballots must be completed immediately.

January 24 Adult ForumNominees are introduced to the parish and candidates for warden and vestry speak.

What is the vestry?The vestry is “. . . the agent and legal representative of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its clergy and is the Board of Directors and administrative body

of the Parish. . . . It shall consist of the Rector, as its Chair, the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden and 12 members as described below . . . The Vestry shall be chosen from among the members of the Parish who are at least 18 years of age, who are communicants in good standing for a period of at least one year and who are contributors of record.” (Bylaws of St. Columba’s Parish, Article 6, Sections 1 and 2)

How are candidates chosen?Candidates are chosen by a Nominat-ing Committee, which is headed by two vestry members (see page 5 for the names of this year’s committee).

ElEction sPEcial continued

CAndidAtes FOR VestRY Elect four to serve three-year terms

PeteR HiLdeBRAnd

Occupation NASA Climate Scientist

Spouse / family The Rev. Nancy Hildebrand / three children, four grandchildren.

Church experience We have been attending St. Columba’s Church since 1999 when we moved to Washington. As a member of the St. C’s community,

I have served as an usher in the Great Hall and Nave, led the St. C’s Peace Fellowship, and as a member of the Vestry, where I have enjoyed working on the Human Resources and Outreach Steering Committees. It has been meaningful to help St. C’s work into the new paradigm under Janet’s leadership, addressing many issues that required attention, including huge building maintenance and significant organizational management issues, including now, considerably improved fiscal management. The major issues before the vestry will include addressing the budget shortfall, completion of the building maintenance program, revitalizing St. C’s outreach program, and otherwise assisting Janet in keeping St. C’s a friendly, supportive and vibrant community.

LARRY sMitH

Occupation President, Legislative Strategies, Inc., a government relations firm

Spouse / family Ann Colgrove

Church experience A member since 1991, I have been active in the music program, a member of the Nights of Columba welcoming ministry, chair of

the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and I am currently finishing a three-year term on the Vestry.

I came to St. Columba’s when the vibrancy of our programs was tangible and when managing growth was our biggest challenge. Today, as a parish, we face challenges of a different sort: falling Sunday attendance and severe budgetary constraints. How we extricate ourselves from this quagmire is one of the challenges facing the vestry in the next three years. Focusing directly on who we are as a parish and what we want to become will help us decide the type of leadership we need to move us forward. If re-elected to the vestry, I will continue to search and press for the renewal of our parish.

(Vestry candidate statements are continued at top of next page.)

RiCK dULAneY

Occupation Associate Director for Computer Systems and Applications, Westat

Spouse / family Christine / Daniel (14), Matthew Dulaney (10).

Church experience SCAP Leader 2008-current; Member of St Columba’s Singers; Chris Duncan Lay Committee;

Diocesan Delegate 2008-current; Rite 13 leader 2005-2007.As is true of so many, Christine and I came to know St

Columba’s through our children, who had a great start at the Nursery School and have been active members of the children’s choirs and youth programs. As St Columba’s has become an increasingly important part of our lives, our commitment to worship and to the well-being and integrity of this community of faith has deepened.

I hope that we continue to pursue our outreach and inreach with energy and focus, and that we expand our welcome and worship opportunities to all who enter. I look forward to welcoming a new music director. And I will work hard to preserve St Columba’s in tradition and substance for our children to claim for their own.

LAne HeARd

Occupation Attorney, Williams & Connolly LLP

Spouse / family Margaret Bauer / Ethan (26), Peregrine (21), Clarion (19), Emily (13)

Church experience Three years ago, when I stood for election to the vestry, I spoke of having served on the Search

Committee and of wanting to see that job through by helping Janet tackle the challenges of the parish. I had in mind the prospect of a capital campaign to repair the fabric of the building, grow, and support new mission initiatives . . . Now, as the vestry begins a process of strategic planning, different objectives take priority in my mind. I believe our most impor-tant work is to tell the stories about how we found God at St. Columba’s – and, by telling our stories, to chart our course forward. My story begins with a former rector, whom I had never met before the day he appeared at my doorstep to deliver a tape recording of my son’s singing at church and said, “I thought you would enjoy hearing this again” — and, by doing so, drew me out from a comfortable spot “behind the pillar.” St. Columba’s meets people where they are and draws them into a community of faith and joy.

Page 4 St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010

St. ColumbaʼS NewSletter (uSPS#002559) is published monthly by St. Columbaʼs episcopal Church, 4201 albemarle St., Nw, washington, D.C. 20016. telephone: 202 363-4119. the rev. Janet Vincent, rector; anne m. Stone, Director of Communications; rachid Gana, Printer. Second class postage paid at washington, D.C. Postmaster: Send address changes to St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, 4201 albemarle St., Nw, washington, D.C. 20016.

ElEction sPEcial continued

sCHROedeR stRiBLinG

Occupation Deputy Executive Director, N Street Village

Partner / family Betsy Pursell / Grace and Esmé Stribling-Hough (12)

Church experience I have been a member at St. Columba’s since 1997. In the past I participated in the Discern-ment Retreat program, the Lenten Book

Groups and was a co-facilitator for the Gay and Lesbian Fellowship (GALF). I have also been a J2A leader and a Diocesan Delegate. I remain active with GALF and as a Lay Reader.

I have been enriched and inspired by the radical welcome of this community. I hope that we will challenge ourselves to further extend our dynamic hospitality to new members, and be bold and deliberate in pursuing diversity in our membership. Additionally I hope that we will support and expand our outreach work in the needy city around us through new partnerships and service opportunities. Lastly, I hope that we will navigate the challenges of community life with optimism and courage, faithfully taking risks together toward love and acceptance in the knowledge of our sure foundation.

PAUL BARRinGeR (Alternate)Occupation Attorney, Ovations

Spouse / family Marcea / Hugh (7), Hope (4)

Church experience Member since 2004. Prison ministry volunteer; Great Hall usher; Great Hall piano player; Sunday School teacher.

JenniFeR tURneR

Occupation Homemaker

Spouse / family Woody Turner / Maddy (14), Harry (9))

Church experience Member since 1981. STEP/I Have a Dream, Anchor Group leader, Pastoral Care Review Team, Vestry Nominating Committee, Chair of Outreach Steering Committee, Great

Hall Team, Mother’s Group, Sunday School teacher, Co-Chair of Welcome Task Force, Welcome Ministry Team, Haven Meals, St. Columba’s representative to Friendship Place.The vestry has grappled with a broad range of tough issues over the past couple of years, and I am so grateful for all their time, talent and thoughtful decision-making. Thanks to important building maintenance and administrative improvements, the church is in much better structural shape. This is an exciting and defining time for St. Columba’s to come together as a commu-nity, to support one another, and to be open to what God is sending us out to do. With continued careful stewardship and attention to creating a warm and welcoming community committed to ministry, St. Columba’s will surely grow.

CAndidAtes FOR diOCesAn deLeGAte Elect two alternates to serve one-year terms

JOHn WiCKHAM (Alternate)

Occupation Environmental Policy Consultant, recently with World Bank

Family Single

Church experience Member since 2005. Co-Chair, Environment Committee; Building and Grounds Committee; Nights of Columba; Coffee Hour Helpers; Outreach Steering Committee;

Nominating Committee; have volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and with Rebuilding Together.

Hearty thanks go to Nominating Committee co-chairs Ron Wisor and Elizabeth Taylor; to committee members Inga Blust, Frank Carchedi, Margaret Drake, J.C. Ewing, Bob Huebner, Courtney Hundley, Bob Leland, Ann Lung, Elizabeth Pyke, Liz Spurgin and Jim Utt; and to Wayne C. Fowler for photographs of the candidates.

St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, Jnauary 14, 2010 Page 5

CAndidAtes FOR VestRY Continued

Page 6 St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010

s t . c o l u m b a ' s c h r i s t m a s d i a r y

The Service of Advent Lessons and Carols brought us together to celebrate in words and music the impending birth of Jesus Christ.

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St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010 Page 7

s t . c o l u m b a ' s c h r i s t m a s d i a r y

Christmas pageants, Christmas choirs, Christmas joy.

Decoration Sunday saw a whopping snowstorm, but people dug out and came to church anyway — and not just for the sledding on the nursery school’s hill. Wreaths got hung, bulletins collated, and the church was made ready for our celebrations on Christmas Eve.

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Page 8 St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010

Welcome! We’re glad you are here

St. Columba’s has no fewer than 15 exterior doors, which lead to no fewer than eight hallways,

lobbies or vestibules, which in turn lead to no fewer than 19 classrooms and meeting rooms, plus the Common, the nave, the Great Hall and several doughnut tables. So where would you place the Welcome mat?

You may already have noticed that redesigned welcome cards are in the pews. Or that clergy often announce from the altar that there’s plenty of free parking at the Janney Elementary School. Or that the letter M is no longer missing from the “St. Columba’s” sign at the parking-lot entrance. Or that newcomers are invited to attend a three-part orientation course on Wednesday nights, or a less-formal, one-part introduction in the bell room on the second Sunday of the month.

Each of these measures reflects a comprehensive effort St. Columba’s is undertaking to deepen the welcome it extends.

“We have a wonderful church community,” says Jennifer Turner, who is leading the Welcome Ministry Team with Associate Rector Rob Boulter. “But our goal is to ensure that we continue to grow and work at incorporating both newcomers and long-timers into the life of the parish.”

The welcome team owes its estab-lishment to a report from a Welcome Task Force, which Rector Janet Vincent appointed in October 2008. “I’d like us to gain a fairly sophisti-cated understanding of the issues around new member incorporation and come up with a plan for St. C’s,” Janet wrote in her charge to the group. “We should be able to explain our plan to the parish and recruit the entire congregation as those who welcome.”

Task force members, led by former St. C’s seminarian Chris Duncan (and including Turner and Boulter), analyzed the parish’s prevailing welcome practices, conducted 24 interviews with clergy, staff, lay leaders and recent visitors to the church, and visited other parishes to check out their practices. They also read The Inviting Church by Roy Oswald and Speed B. Leas, which notes that churches that have many members focus not on growing their numbers, but rather “make them-selves attractive by attending to the task of being the church, not selling.”

In a report in April 2009, the task force laid out how St. Columba’s might better “be the church,” listing improvements in things ranging from the buildings we worship in to the ways we welcome one another on Sunday to the publications by which we communicate at other times. And, of course, the appointment of some-one to carry out the recommendations.

Hence the Welcome Ministry Team, which is working on a number of fronts. “This is an interdisciplinary kind of thing,” says Boulter. “Every-body has their piece of it. Getting some kind of continuity is important.”

So he and Turner are working with Kathy Morrise, longtime leader of the Welcome Table volunteers, to give the table a more consistent presence in the Great Hall and complement its presence in the Common. They have

already talked with usher leaders Elizabeth Pyke and Larry Harris about how to bring the usher corps more deeply into the welcoming effort, and Pyke has broadened the usher demographic by recruiting young people to usher in both the nave and the Great Hall. Turner is working with Brindley Goodger, the coordinator of membership and financial services, to streamline the process for following up with visitors who fill out welcome cards.

Coming soon (although how soon has not yet been determined): better signs inside the parish’s buildings. Coming less soon (because the project is a bit more complicated): a more navigable and more easily managed website.

Sure to continue: the Wednesday and Sunday sessions for newcomers. Melissa Luckett, who attended the three-class orientation earlier this fall, says it “made a big world feel a bit smaller.” As she and her husband, Chris, await their second child in December (to go with daughter Arden, 2 ½), Chris says, “It’s nice to feel that we’ll have a community to give some news to.”

Measuring the success of the welcome team in objective terms may be difficult, Turner says, because the ultimate goal is the feeling people get when they walk through the doors, no matter how recently or how long ago they made their first entrance.

“Jesus built a commmunity of loving and trusting individuals, and that community has grown over the centuries,” Boulter says. “Part of what we do here at St. Columba’s is invite people to belong to a community that does what Jesus did.”

Everyone is invited to participate.– Tom Frail

Education Strange how much you’ve got to know before you know how little you know.

I was a stranger and you

welcomed me.

Education continued

St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010 Page 9

Christians in conversation

Today most of us are experi-encing the shift to a religiously diverse environment at work,

at school and in our neighborhoods. All of us live in closer contact with committed people of other faiths. How equipped are we to meet the challenge presented by the questions they will bring to conversations that explore religion in depth? Questions such as: What makes us Christian? What are the practices that form the backbone of Christian life? What draws us and holds our commitment, and how does that relate to the beliefs and practices of these neighbors who are committed to other faiths?

The ideal setting for exploring these vital issues is in a program for small groups, so we have created a program for Lent this year that we are calling “Christians in Conversation: Preparing the ground for a deeper encounter with non-Christian people of faith.” We expect 10 groups to meet weekly during Lent for in-depth conversation

based on an outline to focus and stimulate the discussion.

A special feature of the program will be the use of web-based tools to enhance the discussion. Each Anchor group will have its own dedicated and confidential GoogleGroup site. Members will commit themselves to using it to extend discussion beyond the time they meet in person, posting comments and questions. In this way we as a church will gain experience in using novel ways of communicating.

Our leader for the program will be the Rev. Roger Ferlo, Director of the Institute for Christian Formation and Leadership at the Virginia Theological Seminary. Roger and his wife, Anne Harlan, are members of St C’s. Some of you may recognize Roger as a cellist in our orchestra or have taken part in one of the classes he has taught here. Under his leadership, our program will contribute to the kind of research that the Institute is developing. We are one of those rare congregations that

Faces of Jesus in World ChristianityIn this course of four 90-minute classes, Dr. Clarke will expand our horizons for understanding Jesus by introducing a global perspective. After an initial session outlining the diversity of theological approaches to the meaning of Christ in today’s global Christianity, he will help us explore insights that come from the experience of contemporary Christians in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The class will meet March 3, 10, 17 and 24.Leader: Dr. Sathianathan Clarke is a presbyter of the Church of South India and holds the Bishop Sundo Kim Chair in World Christianity at Wesley Theological Seminary. He has taught in Bangalore and at Harvard and is a leading expert on World Christianity.

WEDNESDAYS AT ST. C’S

5-5:30 pm Columba Kids i, Room 203 Bible story videos for ages 4-8.

5:30-6:45 pm supper, Great Hall $10/adult or youth (over age 12) $5/senior or child (age 4–12) Free for children 3 and under.

6-6:45 pm Columba Kids ii, Room 205 Stories, art projects and fun for ages 4-8.

6:50-8 pm Childcare is available if a child is registered during class sign-up.

7-8 pm Wednesday Classes, 2nd fl. classrooms. Registration is required.

Wednesdays at St. C’sSign up in the Common on Sun., Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 & 14

are truly multi-generational and so we expect that this program will provide some fascinating data for understand-ing how churches adopt new tech-nologies. On Feb. 7 Roger will preach at all the nave services to stimulate our thinking and praying about the background, purpose and meaning of this Lent program.

Four of the 10 groups will have a particular profile. For instance, one group will be for 10th, 11th and 12th graders, one for the Mothers’ Group and one for the over 55s. The others will have mixed membership. Two groups will meet on Wednesday nights at the usual time so people can take advantage of our regular meal. Other groups will meet in homes or at church on various days of the week so that most of us can find a group that suits our schedule. Meetings last 90 minutes and no meal will be involved. We encourage you to invite friends to join a group. At an Adult Forum on Sun., April 18, participants will share their experiences, discussing the value of the conversations and the use of social-networking tools.

Discussions about key questions of faith and our relationship with believers from other traditions are bound to be intriguing and challeng-ing, as will the use of new tools of communication. Indeed, developing our use of social networking tools is very much in the forefront of our planning at St C’s this year as we prepare to launch a new website and other tools that will help St. Colum-bans connect with one another in richer ways and ensure that St. C’s continues to grow and keep pace with new developments. We hope you will join us in this exciting endeavor. Sign up beginning Jan. 31.

– Martin Smith

Page 10 St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010

outrEach But seek the welfare of the city . . . and pray to the Lord on its behalf. – Jeremiah 29:7

loaves and Fishes

Jane North recruits volunteers, provides name tags at each session and sends an e-mail thanking those who have served. Kristi and Casey Lowe purchase most of the food for the program at Costco and deliver it Saturday morning to St. Stephen’s. The remaining food and supplies are purchased wholesale by St. Stephen’s. St. Columba’s reimburses the cost of all the food we prepare, with the exception of the winter menu gravy, which is graciously donated each month by Peter and Kristin Weber.

In 2009, 65 St. Columbans of all ages participated, including many families. (Children age 7 and up are welcome, and everyone is kept busy.) One St. Columba’s family with younger children makes and packages cookies at home and comes at noon to pass them out. About two-thirds of our volunteers have come to prepare and serve the food two or more times. Over the past year we have also had one-time volunteers from other groups such as the Maret School, Georgetown Graduate School and DC Cares. They come because they hear about it through other

Cooking is much a part of our lives. Think about it: Several times a day, we prepare or

consume food, either alone or with others. Our fellowship often revolves around the sharing of meals, and our worship is made real in the sharing of bread and wine. We break bread together and open our hearts and minds to the presence of Christ in our midst. The sharing of food is an essential act of love.

So it is with Loaves and Fishes at St. Columba’s. For the past 30 years, this group has provided hearty, nutritious meals for 125 to150 needy people on the third Saturday of each month at St. Stephen and the Incar-nation, at 16th and Newton Streets.

Most of our guests are homeless and truly depend on this one hot meal of the day: meatloaf, mashed potatoes and vegetables in winter, or tuna, pasta and vegetable casserole in summer. All meals include brownies, bread and butter sandwiches, apples, milk, orange juice and coffee. Guests also receive peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to take with them when they leave.

The program began when eight churches joined together to provide meals for indigent District residents on weekends when the District food programs were closed. Each church agreed to take one Saturday or Sunday every month. The mission has remained the same over the years; however, each year has seen an increase in the number of homeless, the cost of food and the number of volunteers.

Every month, between 12 and 20 St. Columbans volunteer their time to this ministry. Joe Kolar, our chairperson, brings order out of chaos as we prepare and serve food.

oPPortunitiEs to rEach out

reading is fundamental at the Bishop Walker school (BWs)We are seeking volunteers to visit BWS with us and help get pre-K and kindergarten students excited about books and reading. Contact Pat Cornell (cornell.pat@gmail.com) for fuller details.

sat., feb. 20, 7:30-10:30 pmspeakeasy fundraiser forrebuilding together of Washington dcHelp support the mission to make free home repairs for low-income homeowners in our city. Tickets and info at www.rebuildingtogetherdc.org or by contacting Erika Sward (erikaehs@yahoo.com).

sources. But St. Columba’s volunteers are the essential core of the program.

The Loaves and Fishes outreach program receives funds from the church outreach budget with support from the Fannie Mae grant for homeless missions. We have also received some donations from St. Columbans specifically for Loaves and Fishes. Since both the number of homeless guests each week and the cost of food have increased consider-ably in the past few years, these donations are very welcome.

For more information, contact Joe Kolar (jkolar@buckleysandler.com; 202-360-5937) or Jane North (janewnorth@gmail.com; 301-229-2159). The meals we make are simple, the commitment flexible, the need ongoing. And as we share food with those who have so little, we learn again what it is to live into Christian love.

– Joe Kolar and Jane North

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Parish lifE A powerful place . . . searching, growing, yearning to be useful to God.

St. Columbaʼs Newsletter, January 14, 2010 Page 11

office closingsThe church office will be closed Mon., Jan. 18, in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day and Mon., Feb. 15 for Presidents’ Day.

Wednesday suppers, 5:30–6:45 pmIf you’re tired of cooking and just want some good food in a relaxed setting, why not try our Wednesday suppers in the Great Hall? The food is great, the price is reasonable ($10/adult or youth over age 12, $5/senior or child age 4–12, and free for children 3 and under) and the company is impeccable. Stop by anytime!

coming to communion info sessions for parents of 1st and 2nd gradersThis 8-week, home-based educational program for 1st and 2nd graders helps parents teach their children about communion and what it means on an age-appropriate level. Children receive a workbook and parents receive a guide to help plan each week’s lesson. Come to an informational meeting for parents on Wed., Jan. 20, at 4 pm in Room 212, or Sun., Jan. 24, at 10:15 am in the Deming Library. There is no cost for the program.

one city: Washington interfaith network sun., Jan. 24, 12:30-2:30 pm, room 212Learn more about WIN’s efforts in D.C. On the agenda: anti-usury practices, jobs, youth and housing. Come, learn, participate. A light lunch will be served.

shrove tuesday Pancakes and mardi gras tues., feb. 16, 5:30–7 pm, great hallPancakes, sausages, applesauce and beverages served by the Rite 13 youth. $8/adult or youth, $5/senior or child age 6-12, $3/child age 3-5. Tickets for games and activities are two for $1. Proceeds benefit Youth Ministry scholarship fund.

ash Wednesday, feb. 17Eucharist with the imposition of ashes at 7 am, noon and 7 pm. Children’s

service at 5 pm. Simple supper 5:30-6:45 pm. Watch for details as the date nears.

lent Quiet day, sat., feb. 20, 9 am–3pmLed by Br. Robert Sevensky, OHC. Mark your calendars and watch for more details as the date approaches.

opportunities for youth in lentYouth in Rite 13 and J2A are invited to Lenten yPods: single-gender small groups that meet in people’s homes to eat dinner, discuss scripture and see how it applies to everyday life. All youth in AGAPE are encouraged to participate in the Anchor groups described on page 9 of this newsletter. To register for either opportunity, or for more information, contact Mikey Funston (mfunston@columba.org; 202-363-4119, ext. 206).

home communionIf you’re unable to attend services and would like to receive communion at home, please contact Anona Fowler (202-363-4119, ext. 229; afowler@columba.org). Stephen Ministers, lay members of the parish who are trained in one-to-one care for parishioners, are available to provide this service.

PublicityPlease send all notices for the wrapper and newsletter to publicity@columba.org.

b u l l e t i n b o a r d

You are welcome at any of the events listed below. Information about church services, activities and events is also available at our website: www.columba.org.

Vestry notesAt its meeting on Dec. 21, 2009, the vestry:

p Received the latest 2010 pledging figures and discussed expectations for pledge totals and plans to follow up with parishioners who had not yet pledged through letters and phone calls.

p Discussed the Finance Committee’s recommendations for the FY 2010 budgets for the parish, nursery school and summer camp and voted to adopt the proposed budgets.

p Talked about preliminary projections for FY 2011, which will begin in July 2010.

p Approved a motion designating portions of clergy salaries as housing allowances for IRS purposes.

We are very grateful to have received $1.6 million in pledges for 2010, but we are still hoping to reach our goal of $1.9 million. Please pledge if you haven’t already! Pledge cards are available on the Welcome table in the Common or by contacting Brindley Goodger (bgoodger@columba.org; 202-363-4119, ext. 210).

Choose to GrowSt. Columba’s Stewardship 2010

Upcoming Adult Forums

10:15 am in the Great Hall

sun., jan. 17

Care for the CaregiverMargaret Guenther will address the invaluable but often overlooked work of those who care to the sick, frail, aged or dying, and will draw on her own experi-ence to highlight the challenges and rewards of being a long-term caregiver.

sun., jan. 24

introduction of Candidates for Warden and Vestry Nominees are introduced to the parish. Candidates for warden and vestry will speak.

sun., jan. 31

Annual Meeting The primary purpose of the annual meeting is to elect wardens, vestry and diocesan delegates. Please come!

sun., feb. 7

Rector’s Forum Janet will provide updates on the website project and on our search for a new Director of Music. Your thoughts and questions are most welcome.

transitions Behold, I make all things new. – Revelation 21:5

Periodical PostagePaid at washington D.C.

next newsletter: February 11; deadline: February 1. © st. Columba’s Church, 2010. Please do not reprint text or graphics without permission. the cross on the front page is by Courtney davis (www.courtneydavisart.com) and published in The Celtic Art Sourcebook by Blandford Press, UK. Used by permission. st. Columba’s episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle street, nW, Washington, d.C. 20016. 202-363-4119 Fax 202-686-2671 www.columba.org.

mailed January 14: Dated material.Please deliver promptly.

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Manna for the journey

This past Advent, in addition to our yearly rearranging of things to make room for an

8-foot Christmas tree, we also began rearranging other things (seemingly everything) to make room for a baby.

For a number of years, we have worked toward adopting a child from China. The process involves a lot of waiting, but now, even sooner than we imagined possible, we are traveling to China to meet the 18-month-old girl who will become the newest member of our family.

We are looking forward to getting to know her and we embrace this time of transition joyfully. But even joyful transitions bring their own stresses. One of the big changes is that I have resigned as Director of the Water Ministry in order to have more time for parenting. The decision was not easy. I have enjoyed serving the guests, whom I have come to know by name, and working alongside our dedicated team of volunteers. The Water Ministry is an ambitious and courageous program, the kind of ministry that many churches dream or talk about but that few ever try. It is a place where people come together to nourish and restore one another and make faith real. For St. Columba’s to be marking 20 years of the Water Ministry is indeed an accomplishment and something worth celebrating.

Eight new volunteers are regularly joining in the work of the Water Ministry — with plenty of room for others. We have welcomed more than 190 individual guests since September for meals, showers and laundry, with an average of 31 guests each day. We hosted a beautiful Christmas Party put together by some 40 volunteers, serving 85 guests. We distributed 100 Christmas gifts of Metro SmarTrip

cards and gloves, wrapped and decorated by our 4th and 5th grade Sunday School children.

These are some of the tangible things, but much of the Water Ministry’s success is harder to mea-sure. It is fleeting, a bit like manna, that holy, nourishing bread of survival that miraculously appears each morning but doesn’t last to the next day. Each day at the Water Ministry requires its own fresh start: a new team of volunteers to meet the needs of a new group of guests. Even if the faces are often the same, the gifts of grace are always changing.

I like the story that Liina Keerdoja shares about how she learned to cook. “I always said I couldn’t cook,” she says. “Then one day Geoffrey Shep-herd asked me to because he said we needed a cook, and for some reason I agreed!” You know the rest. Liina is now one of our regular cooks — though it still seems to surprise and delight her to realize that she can cook for 50 people. Just like manna: a new gift for a new day.

Life is like that. We don’t always know where the next day will lead, whose journey will intertwine with ours, whose hand will be there to hold. Sometimes we don’t know who will be seated at the table with us or where the bread will come from. But the promise of our faith is that the daily bread will be there.

It has been a privilege and a plea-sure to lead the Water Ministry. As we step into new phases of our journeys, yours with the Water Ministry and mine with a new child, I wish us all the same blessing: Enough manna for each day.

– Jennifer Knutsen