Good
News
April 2009
From the Pastor’s Study
Recently, I realized that the seasons of Lent, Easter and Eastertide have become, for me, a spiritual
“wake up call”. Lent, with its liturgies of confession, repentance, penance and absolution; its
Sunday services of worship together with Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday;
its disciplines of prayer, study and contemplation; altogether the solemnity of Lent is for me,
and I hope for you, a spiritual “wakeup call” to change what can be changed if we are to continue
to deepen our relationship with the One who died for us that we might live for him.
On Easter and during Eastertide, solemnity becomes celebration. No one has captured that more
than my favorite poet, Ann Weems. Enjoy and learn while reading this selection from Reaching for
Rainbows, pp. 49-50:
“I think on Easter morning we should throw
confetti in church!
No?
What about a little fanfare?
A deafening drum roll?
A three-minute standing ovation?
What? Have we had the drums beaten out of us
That we in the celebrative community can’t really
Get excited
About God’s aliveness?
About God’s love given to us unconditionally?
Have we given Easter to the lily bearers, the bunny
rabbits, the
Patent leather shoes?
Let’s face it:
We live as though we don’t believe in Easter …
We can rock a Baby
We can weep for a Dead Man:
But what can we do for a 33-year-old who won’t let
the story end?
Easter scares us
Because we’re the people who can’t believe
That God gives us abundant life;
We think we have to earn it.
In our pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps
society
It’s hard to remember that God doesn’t buy the selfmade man.
So we in the church spend our lives showing God
What good people we are,
What achievers we are,
How much we deserve God’s love
We want to pay our own way,
But Easter says it’s already been paid!
Easter says, no matter how prodigal,
We can go home again!
So come to the Easter party!
Let’s celebrate that amazing grace
That in Christ’s resurrection
We are still loved even at our most outrageous.
The Lord has given us the music;
All we need to do it dance it!
Come to the Easter party.”
continued on page 2
SESSION
Session met Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 7:30
pm and discussed the following:
>The Finance Committee reported on the
current state of the church budget. As of the
end of February, $117,310.19 or 17.53% of
pledges had been received and $152,437.79
or 17.75% of total revenues have been received. Actual expenditures are $111,213.12
or 12.95% of the budgeted amount.
>The Capital Campaign reported that total
expenditures as of the end of February were
$6,405,818.355 with a loan balance of
$3,864,436. Revenues through the end of
February are $2,651,879.35.
>The Pastor Nominating Committee
selected six candidates for phone interviews
and reference checks. The top three candidates will be invited for face-to-face interviews. The first face-to-face interview has
been completed and the remaining two have
been scheduled. Applications continue to be
received and reviewed for additional candidates.
>The WSF committee recommended that
the summer worship schedule start May 24
and continue until Rally Day. A traditional
service and a contemporary service will be at
10 am with a social hour after the services.
>Fred Krebs, Clint Siemens and Hank
Schlenker were appointed as church trustees.
>Session expressed thanks to Ed Burke, Jim
Durbin, and Todd Withington for a very
successful Upward Basketball program this
winter. There were 130 participants.
Session will meet next on Tuesday, April 14,
2009 at 7:30 pm.
Tommie Curtis, Clerk of Session
Ongoing Concern of the Church
Members of the Pastor Nominating Committee:
Doris Bates
Harvey Doerksen
David Ranowsky
Chris Becker
Nancy Jones
Paula Rogers
Leigh Burke
David Kepley
Maralee Syers
Rose Clark
Rob Moss
Robert Porter
(Presby. Liaison)
From the Pastor’s Study
continued from page 1
I look forward to worshipping with you during this holy season. Why not bring someone with
you who is looking for a church home and a life-giving faith? Please continue to uphold
Providence Presbyterian Church in your prayer and affection.
Grace and Peace,
Roger
April 2009
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
Page 2
CORNER
Our Confirmation Class went on a Pilgrimage to the
National Cathedral last month. We walked in silence
through the gardens, into the knave and down to the Center
for Prayer and Pilgrimage where we had 45 minutes or so of quiet solitary time and centering
prayer. We left all electronics in the car, so it was three hours without text messages,
phone calls, or music pumped through headphones. Three hours of hearing only footsteps,
breathing, distant traffic, muted conversations from afar, and silence.
Silence is not dead space, it is alive space. It’s not the absence of noise, but the presence of
possibility. As Mark Yaconelli writes in his book Downtime: Helping Teenagers Pray:
The work in ministering with young people is to recover and redeem silence. Not the shameful, shunning silence, but the silence from which God created and sustained the world.
Silence is food for the soul. Silence is how we learn to listen and discern the voice of God.
Silence is how we hear suffering. Silence is how we learn to befriend others. Silence, as
Mother Teresa stated, is not only the beginning of prayer, it is the way to peace.
We need to recover some silence in our lives. With our ears on vacation, just think what we
might see, feel, smell, or taste! Imagine how much more we might notice in this world if we
remove some distractions! So your challenge in the weeks ahead is to turn off the radio when
you’re in the car, turn of the TV, take in the presence of other people in your life and see what
you notice. Then, share your experience with someone, your kids, your parents, your small
group, your friends. Add another question to the ones you ask your family. In addition to
“How was your day?” and “What homework do you have?” you might add “Where did you
notice silence today?” and see how often silence appears — and we never noticed it before!
Note the words of Mother Teresa: “Silence leads to prayer. Prayer leads to faith. Faith leads to
service. Service leads to peace.” May you find peace in your hectic life and may God give you
opportunities to share it.
Upcoming Youth Events:
April 3 from 6-9 pm, Understanding your Teenager, with Mark DeVries
April 3, 11:45 pm, Broomball, meet at Fairfax Ice Arena
April 5-10, Hosanna Spring Break Mission Trip
April 25, from 9-12, Pennies for Peace Fundraising Carwash (note the date change!)
April 26, PYF!!!
Pennies for Peace
Carwash Fundraiser!!!
Saturday, April 25, 9-12
(Providence Lower Parking Lot)
In silence,
Mary Ellen
Page 3
In support of the
Youth Pennies for Peace Team
Let us make your car sparkly clean!
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
April 2009
KidsQuest
Lent
We hope you and your children continue to enjoy daily Lenten Devotions based on Jesus’
parables and the family activities found in your Children’s Devotionals as you walk
through Jesus’ teachings, His death and His victory in the Resurrection of our Lord. We
serve a living Lord.
Also part of this season is the One Great Hour of Sharing. Sharing fish banks and a daily sharing guide
are also available next to the Lenten Devotionals.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Vacation Bible Camp
Scheduled for July 27-31. A week filled with KidsQuest fun activities including crafts, recreation and
action packed music for grades Preschool - 6. This is a community outreach event welcoming all to
Providence. We need people to lead and help with:
Teaching
Recreation
Decorations
Friday Night Program
Arts & Crafts
Snack
Music
Contact Holly Marcario at the church, 703-978-3934, ext. 17, or
[email protected] to see how you might be able to help. Or talk to John
Caldwell, Helen Burvis, or Monica Cameron.
Providence Presbyterian Church
invites your family and friends
to attend our annual
EGGSTRAVAGANZA!
Saturday, April 11th
Rain or Shine (indoor event)
10 am to noon
All families are welcome to enjoy free food,
pretzel making, moonbounce, egg hunts,
games and crafts!
Come celebrate the Good News!
He has Risen!
April 2009
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
Page 4
WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?
One Great Hour of Sharing
The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be taken on Palm and Easter
Sundays. This is our opportunity to reach out beyond our own walls and
serve not only close-by neighbors, but those far away.
Recognizing that our treasures are those things that lead us to a life of
gratitude to God and of openness to the needs of others, our treasures could
be almost anything: the beautiful ripe peppers in a community garden; the
bucket of clean well water that allows children to go to school instead of hauling water from
miles away; the resources to help others rebuild their community. Because they allow us to
participate more fully and gratefully with all of God’s creation, we can celebrate these
achievements as treasures.
Presbyterians have been part of this Easter-time offering for sixty years. We work together
with many other Christian denominations to create the resources that fulfill this offering; each
denomination decides how the gifts will be used. Presbyterians divide the offering roughly
into thirds.
Many from Providence have been able to see the dollars at work
up close when our teams head to the Gulf to help in rebuilding.
They stay in space provided by the Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance and work on projects identified by PDA.
Hunger is not a new problem, but of recent times, the needs have grown both
here and abroad. The Presbyterian Hunger Program is working to bring hope
and food to those in need.
The third part of the offering is dedicated to the SelfDevelopment of People, which provides tools and
education that allow people to help themselves.
Special offering envelopes will be available for your gifts. Look for the envelopes during
worship services, or mark your check in the memo line:
One Great Hour of Sharing or Easter Offering.
REBUILDING TOGETHER
Christmas in April
Could you spend a day painting, helping repair a wall, cleaning up a yard
or garden? Saturday, April 25 is the day of this annual event. All helpers
are welcome! Providence will partner with others to help a local elderly
or disabled person get needed home repairs completed. Call Mary Lee
Di Spirito to let her know of your interest in this event.
Page 5
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
April 2009
PROPERTY COMMITTEE IN ACTION
SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
The Property Committee is looking for a few good women and men. Do you have an interest in helping
to maintain Providence Presbyterian Church? Do you have skills in electricity, plumbing, painting,
construction, yard work, or just a keen interest in helping to maintain our beautiful building and
grounds? If so, consider becoming a member of the Providence Property Committee. We meet on the
last Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm.
If interested, please give John Miller a call , or come to our next meeting on March 31st.
“HONEY DEW” LIST
CHURCH CLEAN-UP DAY—APRIL 4
The Property Committee has identified the jobs
below that need to be completed this Spring and
Summer. If you would like to volunteer (or get a
group to volunteer), please contact Bertha
McClintock.
A church clean up day is scheduled for Saturday,
April 4th from 8:30am to noon. If you could spare
just a few hours sometime during this time
frame, it will go a long way to sprucing up the
church.
New lists will be published as needs arise.
Two major tasks include washing the Sanctuary
windows, inside and out, and enlarging and
cleaning up the picnic area behind Williamson
Hall.
Job completed
Repaired fence
Began reorganizing basement
Replaced burnt out lights on primary church sign
Added walkway pad near handicap parking
Cleaned office carpets
Paint outside railing – Williamson Hall
If you have any questions, please contact Bertha
McClintock.
Jobs needing volunteers
Paint window frames
Fix cross walks in back parking lot
Move/build new bridge to picnic area at corner
Replace exterior screen at both ends of Admin.
Wing with interior screen (to keep bats out!)
Build separation wall in main closet/
Install sliding door
Power wash church sign
Replace light fixtures as needed throughout
the church
Replace copper tubing with flexible tubing
on coffee pot
Clean windows throughout church
Acid-etch tiles on front porch
(to roughen up surface)
Clean blinds throughout church
Paint Secretary’s office
Paint Parlor
Repair all ceilings in Admin. Wing, one at a time
April 2009
If you plan to work in the picnic area, please
bring your rakes, cutters, gloves and wear
appropriate clothes to protect yourself from
prickers and poison ivy.
Jobs agreed to by volunteers
Repair fence
Repair posts for temporary sign
Continue reorganizing basement
Make repairs to Fellowship Hall stage
Replace window lights to Sanctuary stained glass
window
Replace electrical outlets
Clean cloth chair seats
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
Page 6
ACCA FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP
Throughout Fairfax County, requests for food assistance have risen to 128% of this time last year. The
ACCA Food Pantry reflects this same increase. Volunteers are needed to go to the Pantry, shop for a
family, and deliver the food. And, because of the great increase in requests for help, more drivers are
needed. Training is provided before you make your first delivery.
Many families do not have transportation to pick up their own food; ACCA continues to be one of the
only food assistance programs to deliver to needy families. Can you help? Call Ann Roman or Mary
Lee Di Spirito for more information.
Dear Providence Presbyterian members:
Thank you for inviting me to speak about NOVACO Housing & Services
recently. It was great meeting all of you. Your enthusiasm to help support our
families is very much appreciated. I look forward to many of you volunteering to help our families. Please check our website at www.novaco.org.
Thanks,
Victoria Neeley
Executive Director, NOVACO, Inc.
(Northern Virginia Coalition)
ONE YEAR / ONE MILLION PENNIES FOR PEACE!
Game On!
The Pennies for Peace PPC Youth Challenge!!
February Tally:
Youth — $715.85 (!)
Children + Congregation — $182.88
Men of the Church — $97.66
GRAND TOTAL TO DATE SINCE RALLY DAY:$5,774.96
Please bring in your donations every week and help us raise
1 million pennies in 1 year!!
We’re more than half way there …
422,504 pennies to go!
ALL money raised supports Pennies for Peace, a service learning
program of the Central Asia Institute which provides communitybased education and literacy programs for children in Pakistan
and Afghanistan.
A penny in the U.S. is virtually worthless, but in Pakistan and
Afghanistan a penny buys a pencil and can transform a life!
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
Page 7
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
April 2009
A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR THE SHAWL MINISTRY
On Monday, March 16th, we enjoyed a luncheon
celebrating our first year as Providence’s Comfort Shawl
Ministry. During this time we have made 93 shawls, 25
baby blankets, and 70 scarves. We have delivered 47
shawls to members of our congregation and to local
nursing homes, and 13 baby blankets have been presented
to parents for their little ones.
Finally, 70 scarves were taken by Mary Lee Di Spirito,
a member of the Mission Committee, to hypothermia units
and to the participants of Meals On Wheels, presented during their Christmas dinner.
Soon we’ll be placing baskets with 4 or 5 shawls at the back of the Sanctuary and Fellowship
Hall for members to use for extra warmth during the worship service.
If you know anyone who would appreciate a shawl, baby blanket, or scarf made
with “love and prayers,” please let us know. We want to thank the ministers and
the Pastoral Care Committee for supporting us this past year.
Kathy Moss and Nancy Jones.
CONTEMPLA TIVE PRAYER
Monday, April 20, 2009, 7:30 - 9:00 pm, the Parlor
This is a drop-in group composed of different people each month.
Give it a try!
ACOUSTIC PANELS
Not bulletin boards!
As part of the church’s recent renovations,
the Fellowship Hall was outfitted with
acoustic panels on both sides along the
walls, to improve the sound quality in that
big room. They sure do look like bulletin
boards, don’t they? But they aren’t! Please
do not attach anything to them, by any
method, especially tacks and staples.
April 2009
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
Page 8
HEARYE HEARYE ...
We are fortunate to have sophisticated and flexible AV systems
in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. A big THANK YOU to
the following members who have taken training and who
volunteer to operate the systems for our Worship Services
and occasionally other events:
Charlie Brewer
Alison Carney
Michael Carney
Rose Clark
Nathan Curtis
Jim Durbin
Rob Faber
Helen Fitzkee
Toby Fitzkee
Chris Hagner
Stacy Hayes
Kathy Hermann
Derek Knorr
Mary Ellen Moss
Joe Moss
“RICHMOND WRAP-UP”
Co-sponsored by
Social Action Linking Together (SALT)
Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH)
Virginia Interfaith Center (NOVA-VIC)
Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO)
Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errant-VA (C.U.R.E.)
Sunday, April 19, 2008, 2:30 – 4:30 pm
at
PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
“Where Life and Faith Connect”
9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, Virginia
(703) 978-3934
Hear from our state legislators what business was transacted during the
2009 General Assembly. Legislators will be present to answer questions.
Bring your questions! Invite your legislators!
All are welcome!
(Contact: John Horejsi at [email protected]; or visit www.S-A-L-T.ORG)
John Horejsi, SALT Coordinator, 9610 Counsellor Dr., Vienna, VA 22181-3248, www.S-A-L-T.org
Page 9
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
April 2009
LOOKING FOR A FEW MORE ...
… Men, Women & Children to “Adopt a Spot”
The first impression visitors have of our church is the grounds. Have you taken a
good look at the PPC grounds lately? There are many areas that need to be cared
for and enhanced, as well as mulched and weeded.
There is a map located in the Commons Area showing the areas still available for
adoption. Currently, eight areas are being cared for by a few members of our
congregation. Please look over the remaining areas to see if you, your family,
your small group or a group of friends would take on this responsibility. Your
job will be to maintain your adopted space at your own pace on a time schedule
that fits you.
Please email Bertha McClintock at [email protected] with the area you
would like to adopt.
GOOD NEWS DEADLINE SCHEDULE
Please note these remaining deadlines for submitting Good News articles and notices for 2009.
You can send your submissions to Kathy Knorr at [email protected]. THANKS!
*
**
Issue
Deadline
Mailing date
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January, 2010
April 13*
May 15
June 15
July 15
August 15
September 14*
October 14
November 9**
December 7**
April 23
May 28
June 25
July 30
August 27
September 24
October 29
November 19
December 17
earlier deadline due to short turnaround time for Editor
earlier deadline due to holiday
This schedule is subject to change.
April 2009
Providence Presbyterian Church Good News
Page 10
Providence Presbyterian Church
9019 Little River Turnpike
Fairfax, VA 22031
703-978-3934 Office
703-978-4306 Fax
www.providencechurch.org
Sundays
Traditional Worship, 8:45 am & 11:15 am
Contemporary Service, 11:15 am
Christian Education for All Ages, 10:00 am
Communion: April 5
STAFF
Interim Pastor: Roger Shoup
Associate Pastor: Mary E. Rodgers
Director of Youth Ministries: Mary Ellen Moss
Children’s Ministry Coordinator:
Holly Marcario
Director of Music: Terry Stoneberg
Organist: Jane Kaye
Music Leader & Technology Coordinator:
Rick Thiele
Providence Singers: Gene Kaye
Business Administrator: Joe Moss
Executive Secretary: Kathy Knorr
Sexton: Richard Mudd
Good News Editor: Kathy Knorr
Providence Presbyterian Church
9019 Little River Turnpike
Fairfax, VA 22031
“Cherry Blossoms”, by Lily Xu
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
April 2009
Holy Week
Maundy Thursday, 7:30 pm
at Fairfax Presbyterian Church
Good Friday, 7:30 pm
at Providence
Easter EGGStravaganza
Saturday, 10 - noon
Easter Sunday
Special Music
at Traditional & Contemporary services
Contemplative Prayer
Monday, April 20, 7:30 pm
Youth Car Wash
Saturday, April 25, 9 am - noon
Non Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Merrifield, VA
Permit No. 6284