The Voice of First Trinity

The Voice of First Trinity

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In This Issue… Never Stop Welcoming...............3-4 Lenten Study…………………………………..5 Wise Woman Retreat………………………5 Letter From Pastor Shibata..………….6 Voice of God………………..…………………7 Quilting Group………………………………..7 The 501 Church……….…………………….8 February Birthdays..……………………...9 February Calendar………….………10-11 Serving in February..……………………12 Lifeline Mardi Gras……………………….13 All In The Family…………………………..14 Church Updates.………………………..…15 Tribute to Hattie May Wiatt…...16-17 National Cathedral Event.………18-19

The Voice February 2012

First Trinity

Lutheran Church

309 E Street N.W. Washington, D.C 20001

202-737-4859 Fax 202-628-0571

Email: [email protected]

Web Site:

www.firsttrinitydc.org

Pastors: Tom Knoll

Wendy Moen

Office Manager: Anne Sanyi

Published Monthly:

Deadline for next issue is February15

Send to [email protected]

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Never Stop Welcoming

In my spare time I read newsletters from other churches to see what they are doing and thinking. I was intrigued in the January Newsletter with the Vision that Pastor Roger Berner of Trinity Lutheran in North Bethesda shared with his congregation. His vision is that Trinity becomes an Evan-gelizing Community. To do this he first suggested that the church community be rooted in regular prayer, worship, and bible study. Second, Pastor Berner suggested that people become servants, helping others in the larger community with meeting needs and inviting friends and community members to non-worship events at the church like dinners, concerts, etc. Third he suggested a different style of wor-ship including music and liturgy. “Worship should not be always about what we like but about what is effective in conveying the Gospel of Christ.” At First Trinity we have been working at this kind of evangelism for some time now especially with Pastor

Wendy’s focus on young adults and 501 Church (a new church outreach targeted for those who are currently unchurched). We have also tried a few of the activities that Pastor Berner suggests in his Vision. One way that I believe is the most effec-tive evangelism activity is how we greet and fol-low up with visitors who come to church every

THE VOICE THE NEWSLETTER OF FIRST TRINITY

LUTHERAN CHURCH

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Sunday. This past year 74 out of 130 first time visitors to First Trinity lived in the Washington DC area and approxi-mately 40 of these first time visitors told us through the visitor prayer card that they were looking for a church home. These visitors have chosen to come to worship with us voluntarily and it should be easy to welcome them and spend a little time getting to know them. Since we are not a large community of faith most of us know who the regu-lars are and who the visitors are. It’s really not hard to say something like “my name is ___________ and I’m happy to meet you. Each Sunday we have one or two people assigned to greet visitors, but I would hope that all of us would take the responsibility to greet those we don’t know. During the next two months a group of us will be meeting to discuss how we can be more effective in our outreach activities, including some new things we could and should start doing. But for now almost each and every Sunday we have at least one person who is coming to First Trinity looking for a spiritual home. Let’s welcome them with open arms. Pastor Tom Knoll

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Upcoming Lenten Study This year we’ll have an opportunity to reflect on a series en-titled: Becoming Like Jesus. Each week, we will explore the life of Jesus shown to us in scripture. Our time together will focus on prayer-filled living, scripture, compassionate living, spirit-empowered living, sacramental living, and virtuous living. Please let Pastor Wendy know if Tuesday or Wednes-day nights are better for your schedule. The study will be-gin on Tuesday, Feb. 28 or Wednesday, February 29th de-pending on the availability of those interested. Sign up by Ash Wednesday, February 22, at the church or by emailing Pastor Wendy for the following dates: Tuesdays Wednesdays Feb. 28 Feb. 29 Mar 6 Mar 7 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 27 Mar 28 7pm is the start time for both nights!

Wise Women Retreat "Exploring Community" is our theme this year. Date of retreat--Saturday, March 3, 2012 Location—Hallowood Retreat Center Time—8:30 AM-5 PM Cost - $35 Transportation will be provided if needed. 5

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Pastor Chizuo Shibata, retired Pastor living in Japan, served First Trinity back in the 1960’s and still communicates with us regularly.

Dear Friends in Christ:

The year of 2011 here in Japan reminds me of Psalm 201:2428. Now we often hear many Japanese people saying that this year is the worst one they have ever had. We understand what they mean. The ferocious earthquake and tsunami of March 11th damaged almost all towns and villages along the coast of the Pacific in the Tohoku area in northeastern Japan, with casualties of about 20,000 people. Then cam another catastrophic disaster: the explosion of Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant which for more than 140,000 people to evacuate their homes. They are still kept from returning to their homes. Such unexpected disasters, as you may imagine, created a depressed atmosphere in the world we live in. It still prevails in all sectors of society. This year’s Christmas in face arrives here at the end of such a turbulent year. But the light shines certainly more clearly and impressively when it is in the darkness.

The glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds and they were terrified. But the light shone in the darkness and the darkness never mastered it. Then they heard an angel telling them the most wonderful message of God: Today there has been born to you, the Messiah, the Lord, Now we could share their joy more realistically because of the darkness the disasters have brought about upon us this year. How about the first worshippers of Baby Jesus who came all the way from the east? “There before them was the star they had seen rising, and it went ahead of them until it stopped above the place where the child lay. They were overjoyed at the sight of it.” They were strangers themselves in Jerusalem and did not know how they could find the baby Jesus. They were also surrounded by darkness, but God helped them by the guiding star going straight to the Center of the world, the birth place of the Messiah. As they needed a light to shine their way, we are also in need of such a light to keep on our walk of life. The darkness never prevails against the LIGHT. This is the most encouraging Christmas message for particularly those who are alive with the tangible scars of the disasters. So joining you, we say together loudly, “Hallelujah, praise the Lord!”

Yours in Christ, Chizuo and Mineko

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Where do you hear the Voice of God?

We have been asking that question of our First Trinity and St. Matthew’s community and friends. In the beginning of January, we handed out yellow cards and asked you to put it on your refrigerator, at your place at the table, by your bedside...anywhere that you would see it every day and re-member to ask yourself, where did I hear the Voice of God today?

You might wonder, “How can I be sure this is God’s Voice we ask?” Our reflections are our reverent best guess as to what God is up to in our lives around us. These reflections are as we understand today…through a stranger on the street, through a little child’s touch or thank you, through a poetry reading or through Genesis and Galatians…

To see where God’s voice has been heard so far, go to www.firsttrinitydc.org and on the home page, click on the link God’s Voice. It will take you to a PowerPoint slide show.

You may email your reflection to either of the pastors or the office, or bring the card to church on Sunday and we’ll add your reflection to the slideshow.

Let us hear from you!! The Quilting Group will begin Feb. 5 right after church in the basement. We will start by making quilts for Lutheran World Relief using 11 inch squares, combining 48 of them into a 60 by 80 inch quilt. All skills will be useful--

cutting, arranging, machine sewing, and knotting. Nothing is very difficult. We will meet no later than 2 PM. Sandwiches will be provided for energy! Please let Bonnie Priebe know if you are planning to come. All are welcome!

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Voice of God

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Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project January 16th

First Trinity, 501 Church and Reformation young adults worked at the Butler Cam-pus of Community Academy Public Charter Schools to clean and paint bathrooms. We split into 6 different groups to make 6

bathrooms cheery and clean for the kiddos coming back to school the next day. Thanks to Brian H, Carolyn, Adriano, Kent, Mary, Gary, Brian W, Matthew, Even, Kim, and Linnea. We partnered for the day with a South Asian Young Professionals group who had also signed up through Greater DC Cares. It was a great day of service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., his vi-sion, his service and faithful witness and life.

Upcoming February Service Project Lifeline Partnership Mardi Gras Dance

February 18th One of the most loved events of Lifeline Partnership are the DANCES! These are great events for all ages and stages of life. Volunteers are needed to set up and serve snacks, work the registration table and as dancers when the DJ cranks up the music! Contact Callie at [email protected]

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2 Betty Smith 4 Luke Huggins 10 Thomas Schwarz 10 Dollace Gordon 13 Gerald Hill 14 Martine Joseph 16 Karen Magestad

17 Sheila McCoy 21 David Beckmann 21 Hiwota Gebrou 23 Peter Gwynn 24 Dan Keister 25 Steve Schmoll 26 Griff Jones

Please notify the church office of any omissions or corrections.

In February

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Apologies to Brad Rundquist for leaving his birthday out last month. Happy Belated Birth‐day to Brad from January 25th!

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DATE

WORSHIP ASST.

CRUCIFER

GREETER

USHERS

FELLOWSHIP

HOUR

Sun

Feb

5

Ken

Wils

on

Bria

n W

erne

r Ji

m H

unte

r G

reg

Nel

son

Jeff

Bar

nes

FT

Gro

up 1

Sun

Feb

12

Ken

t For

de

Jaco

b M

ersi

ng

Chr

is O

rvin

Ji

m H

unte

r D

oris

Gba

la

FT

Gro

up 2

Sun

Feb

19

Geo

rge

Sch

aefe

r A

ndre

Bro

oks

Mar

k an

d Je

an

Raa

be

Am

anda

Pat

ton

Sar

a A

yres

F

T G

roup

3

Wed

Feb

22

Sun

Feb

26

Bar

bara

Eid

en M

oli-

naro

D

ane

Kno

tts

Ken

t For

de

Chr

is O

rvin

Ja

cob

Mer

sing

S

t. M

atth

ew’s

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All in the Family

A lot of people traveled over the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays but one of the most exotic trips was Chris Or-vin's three weeks in India with friends. He has written a blog at http://wanderingthroughthebe-tween.blogspot.com/ detail-ing his travels. Bonnie and John Priebe traveled to Wheaton, Illinois to visit Bon-nie’s sister who is in treat-ment for cancer, they also visited Bonnie’s mother. She reports that things are OK with them. Speaking of Bon-nie, she is starting up a quilt-ing group in February that is for all people, come to the first gathering on Feb 5 and check it out! Don Reinard has moved to a newly reno-vated apartment in his build-ing complex; ask him about his fabulous new kitchen. Ni-cola (Cooke) Jones briefly moved to Houston, Texas but has found it to be better here so she is back. Callie Tho-mas went to Thailand just af-ter the New Year. Pastor Wendy’s parents Ann and

Duane Moen will be visiting from Iowa this month. It was great to see Olivia Knotts here for Christmas break but now she is back at Cornell for her final semester. She graduates in May, wow four years goes fast! Brother Dane Knotts is busy playing hockey for the Gonzaga Ea-gles; both Pastors were able to see him play a game after Christmas, unfortunately Gonzaga lost but Dane played great. Beckie Schmoll has been competing in equestrian events and we understand she is quite good. In fact, she took second place in her first ever competition. Jenny Terrell, now back from Tanzania, will be moving to Americus, GA, a Christian farm community founded by Clarence Jordan, the founder of Habitat for Humanity. The farm strives to challenge ra-cism, militarism, and materi-alism… Finally in honor of Black History Month, we close with this quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. “I refuse to accept the view that humankind is so tragically bound to the starless mid-night of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality...I believe that unarmed truth and un-conditional love will have the final word.”

February 2012

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Thank You Note from Hostel Group

Dear First Trinity, Thank you so much for the use of this space. What a grace it was to have a place to gather and to rest in the midst of our days of fasting and action! Thank you too for your patience and support of this ragtag group. Peace, Witness Against Torture

Thank You Crucifers

I wish to thank all the individuals who were Crucifers for 2011. A special thanks to Kent Forde for helping to organize. If any-one is interested in being a Crucifer for 2012, please contact Don Reinard or Kent Forde. Thank you! Don Reinard

Thank You Bread Bakers

To everyone at First Trinity and St. Matthew’s who supplied the Communion Bread for 2011...Thank you!!

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Lent Begins

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30 PM

Ash Wednesday Worship Wednesday, February 22 at 12:15 PM and 7:30 PM With imposition of ashes.

Thursdays During Lent Dinner and Worship at 6:00 PM Beginning March 1, week after Lent

Becoming Like Jesus Tuesday or Wednesday nights (TBD)

St. Olaf Choir Concert

The Strathmore in North Bethesda is an exciting venue for the St. Olaf Choir on Mon., Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m! Please contact Pas-tor Tom for tickets!

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Tribute to Hattie May Wiatt There is a touching true story about Hattie Mae Wiatt a little girl from a poor family who loved at-tending Sunday School, but there were so many chil-dren and the church was so small that she sometimes couldn't get in. She lived near a church where the Sunday School was very crowded and the Pastor, Rev Conwell told her that one day they would have buildings big enough to allow every one to attend who wanted to. Later, Hattie May

Wiatt became sick and died. Rev. Conwell was asked to do the funeral and the girl's mother told him that Hattie May had been saving money to help build a bigger church and gave him the little purse in which she had saved 57 cents. Rev. Conwell had the 57 cents turned into 57 pen-nies, told the congregation the story of little Hattie May and sold the pennies for a return of about $250. In addition, 54 of the original 57 pennies were returned to Rev. Conwell and he later put them up on display. This was in 1886 when 57 cents was no small savings account for a little girl from a poor family. Some of the members of the church formed what they called the Wiatt Mite Society which was dedicated to making Hattie May's 57 cents grow as much as possible and to buy the property for the Primary Department of the Sunday school. A house nearby was purchased with the $250 that Hattie May's 57 cents had produced and the

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The portrait of Hattie May Wiatt is courtesy of the Baptist Temple Church in Blue Bell, Penn-sylvania.

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rest is history. The first classes of Temple College, later Temple University, were held in that house. It was later sold to allow Temple College to move and the growth of Temple, along with the founding of the Good Samaritan Hospital (Now the Temple University Hospital) have been powerful testimonies to Hattie May Wiatt's dream. It is amazing what God can do though people and a little girl with 57 cents and a dream. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300 and Tem-ple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time. In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of Hattie May Waitt the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "acres of Diamonds"---a true story. Goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 cents.

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Photo of Russel H. Conwell courtesy of Temple University.

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Journey of the Universe Screening at Washington National Cathedral

Tickets: $20/10; scholarships available Location: Perry Auditorium

What does the ancient-yet-evergreen wisdom of the mo-nastic tradition have to teach about care for our shining blue planet? How are we to understand our “right place” in the universe? In what ways do science and our spiritual wisdom intersect to heal our world—and ourselves in the process?

Join Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim directors of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology as we explore the dynamic intersection of wisdom, science, and the monastic way. The morning features a screening of the film Journey of the Uni-verse as a visual meditation that will launch our dialogue with Mary Evelyn and John. All are welcome to register for a special afternoon work-shop that focuses on action we can take in the world. Dis-cover the profoundly simple ways that the wisdom and prac-tice of the monastic tradition can foster radical balance in our lives and reconciling transformation in our world. Whatever your life stage, faith tradition, or perspective you will be welcome! About Journey of the Universe At its heart, this 60 minute documentary celebrates the col-lective inspiration of a lively and prolific 30-year-friendship between three visionaries in the fields of science, evolution-ary philosophy and world religions—Thomas Berry, Mary Evelyn Tucker and Brian Thomas Swimme. We live in a uni-verse of remarkable creativity that has evolved over some 14 billion years. The goal of Journey of the Universe is

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to tell the story of cosmic and Earth evolution drawing on the latest scientific knowledge, in a way that makes it pro-foundly relevant and deeply moving to the viewer. What emerges is an intensely poetic story, which evokes emotions of awe, excitement, fear, joy and belonging. Beautifully filmed in HD, our story begins on the historically rich Greek island of Samos, birthplace of mathematician Py-thagoras. Disembarking on the island at dawn, Swimme ex-pertly guides us on an exhilarating trek through time and space, sharing a wondrous view of cosmic evolution as a process based on immense creativity, connection, and inter-dependence. Order of the Day 10 am - Gather for registration with light refreshments in Perry Auditorium, 7th floor 10:15 am - Welcome, Centering, and Setting of Intention 10:45 am - Presentation of the film, followed by discussion with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim 12:45–1:30 pm (optional lunch gathering with the speakers) - Hospitality Shared Meal: Brown bag lunch and facilitated conversation with guest speakers To more richly experience the fellowship and hospitality along the Benedictine way, you are invited to stay for an op-tional brown bag meal from 12:45 to 1:30 pm. Bring a lunch to share or pick one up in the Cathedral Store. There is al-ways plenty to go around! The Journey of the Universe events are offered in partner-ship with The Emerging Earth Community, the Journey of the Universe Project, and Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light. For more information visit the National Cathedral website at http://www.nationalcathedral.org/events/COR20120225.shtml.

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S M T W T F S1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29

February 2012S M T W T F S

1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30 31

March 2012February 2012

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayFebruary 1

12:00pm NA (Library)12:15pm Bible Study (Parlor)1:30pm Rebecca Roberts

(Music Room)7:00pm Creation Cares

Meeting (Library)7:00pm Project Connect

(Parlor)7:00pm Worship Committee

210:30am CFLS (Classroom 3)12:00pm Alcoholics

Anonymous (Library)12:15pm Monastery of the

Heart (Sanctuary)3:00pm CFLS (Classroom 3)6:00pm Soup Supper (Parlor)6:45pm Evening Prayer 7:15pm Life In Balance

312:00pm NA (Library)1:30pm Heather Emel and

Ann Kellogg Wedding (Sanctuary,Parlor)

1:30pm Rebecca Roberts (Music Room)

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59:15am Choir rehearsal9:30am Bible Study

10:30am Worship Service/Sunday

11:45am Fellowship Hour (Parlor)

12:00pm Lifeline Bible Study (Gym)

12:00pm Wise Women (CFLS

612:00pm N.A. (Library)1:30pm Rebecca Roberts

(Music Room)7:00pm 18th Street Singers

(Sanctuary)7:00pm Employment Support

Group (Library)

78:00am Synod Candidacy

Meeting (Parlor)12:00pm Al-Anon (Library)6:00pm Brodd/Cherry

(Sanctuary, Parlor)


(Music Room)7:00pm Shalom Small Group


Anonymous (Library)3:00pm CFLS (Classroom 3)6:00pm Soup Supper (Parlor)6:45pm Evening Prayer

(Sanctuary)7:15pm Life In Balance

(Small Fellowship

1012:00pm NA (Library)1:30pm Rebecca Roberts

(Music Room)4:00pm Lutherans

Concerned (Sanctuary)

6:00pm Lutherans Concerned (Fellowship Hall)

1110:00am Lifeline Board

Meeting (Parlor)


10:30am Worship Service/Sunday School






Group (Library)

1412:00pm Al-Anon (Library)1:00pm CFLS Manager's

Meeting (Parlor)6:00pm Brodd/Cherry

(Sanctuary, Parlor)6:30pm Divorce Support

Group (Library)


(Music Room)6:00pm CFLS Board Meeting

(Parlor)


Anonymous (Library)3:00pm CFLS (Classroom 3)6:00pm Soup Supper (Parlor)6:45pm Evening Prayer

(Sanctuary)7:15pm Life In Balance

(Small Fellowship


(Music Room)

189:00am CFLS (Parlor)

11:00am Spillin the Tea (Library)

6:00pm Lifeline Mardi Gras Dance (Fellowship Hall)





12:00pm Visitor Lunch




Group (Library)

2112:00pm Al-Anon (Library)6:00pm Brodd/Cherry

(Sanctuary, Parlor)6:30pm Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Supper (Fellowship Hall)

22Ash Wednesday

12:00pm NA (Library)12:15pm Bible Study (Parlor)12:15pm Ash Wednesday

Service (Sanctuary)1:30pm Rebecca Roberts

(Music Room)7:30pm Ash Wednesday

Service (Sanctuary)


Anonymous (Library)3:00pm CFLS (Classroom 3)


(Music Room)

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11:30am Lifeline Chili Cook Off (Fellowship Hall)

11:45am Fellowship Hour 12:00pm Handbells (Library)12:00pm Lifeline Bible Study




Group (Library)

2812:00pm Al-Anon (Library)1:00pm CFLS Manager's

Meeting (Parlor)6:00pm Brodd/Cherry

(Sanctuary, Parlor)6:30pm Divorce Support

Group (Library)


(Music Room)

Documents

The Voice of First Trinity