The Seneca Valley Voice Newsletter ... packed with information about our church.

January 2012 (Please click here for printable PDF newsletter.)

Carolyn’s Column
One of my major perks at the church is the opportunity to hear the Director of Music Ministry during practice. I had the same enjoyment in the early years with our sons as they played flute, guitar, piano, or for a very short time, French horn. Braces soon interfered with the horn venture! Hearing them move from learning how to finger an F or a C#, to playing a tune I could recognize, to playing music purely for their own enjoyment, brought pleasure to me and varying degrees of satisfaction to each of them.

But whether the musicians I cite were beginners or ready for prime time, they share a common requirement: the need to practice.

It is the same with faith. Just because we have a personal spiritual experience, just because we went to Church School faithfully till we were confirmed, or just because we know someone whose faith is real and therefore attractive to us, doesn’t mean our own faith will grow and mature without the same attentiveness a musician gives to his or her music. Faith doesn’t continue to grow without practice, whether we are newbies or life-long Christians.

Several weeks ago, Kyoko and I were doing preliminary work for the Lenten/Easter season, and we got to talking about Lenten practices. The ones that come to mind usually focus on giving something up: chocolate, dessert, meat on Fridays, or some other favorite treat. We laughed when remembering a child who ‘gave up’ chocolates by having only one a night…but had eaten chocolate only rarely before that!

I commented that last year, I hadn’t given up anything; instead, I’d taken on a practice I plan to revive this year. For me, it means getting up somewhat earlier than usual and taking time to read through the upcoming Sunday’s lection. Same lection, each day. I keep a small journal and jot down thoughts and questions, then sit with the readings and thoughts for a few minutes before I begin my normal morning routine. The practice has deepened my engagement with scripture, has made it easier for me to remember certain scriptures, and helped me see more readily connections between the scriptures and my daily living.

At the same time, I know that Lent is only six weeks long. I can try on a practice for six weeks and determine if it’s one that I want to continue, but even if I choose not to continue the practice, it has helped to strengthen my faith and given breadth and depth to its expression.

By this time next month, we will have begun our Lenten journey. During the seas on Lent, I encourage you to consider taking on a practice. Daily meditation on the scriptures (conveniently published with The Voice), weekly conversation on the focus scripture for worship in the 9:00 Sunday morning Havruta group, offering a prayer of thanks at your evening meal, serving at the Lord’s Table, joining the Carbon Fast are just a few of countless options.

I also encourage you to join with UCCSV’s friends and members, as well as those from Church of the Open Door and Trinity United Methodist Church, as we begin the journey to Jerusalem with the Ash Wednesday service at 7:30pm on Wednesday, 22 February. UCCSV is the host congregation this year, and our worship will include mix of old and new, with an opportunity for meditation at each of three stations, in addition to communion. As always, the anointing with ashes is optional.

Blessings,
Carolyn

Question Corner ? ? ?
In response to questions raised during the Listening Circles held in January, we are beginning a question corner. Sometimes certain changes or practices raise questions for those within the UCCSV community, and this is a way of addressing those questions.

Question: Why does the worship bulletin refer to First Testament or Second Testament?
Response: Interfaith dialogue between Christians and Jews has raised Christian awareness that our biblical reference to the Old or New Testament is off-putting at best. Old, especially when placed alongside New, can imply that one is better than the other. We believe that God’s covenant with Jews still stands; we also believe that God’s covenant with Christians is unbroken.

For a while, we used the terms Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Scriptures. However, Christians affirm both testaments, so that wasn’t especially satisfactory.

More recently, we have been using First or Second Testament in an effort to be sensitive to our Jewish sisters and brothers, yet identify which section of scripture we are referring to.

Do you have a question? Send it in to Marilyn Tuori at the church office: marilyn223@verizon.net

Notes on Liturgical Colors
Epiphany, Ordinary Time, and Lent

White first appears on Christmas Eve and may be continued through the Sunday after Christmas, Epiphany, and the Sunday after Epiphany (celebrated by many as the Baptism of Christ) to show that all of these events are related in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. White is also used for Easter and Sundays following. (Some traditions use Gold or both for Christmas and Easter.)

The color for Ordinary Time is green, symbolic of growth. Ordinary time is the time between the special seasons of the Christian year: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.

The violet color of Lent symbolizes royalty and penitence.

Those UCCSV members and friends who are interested in going are asked to contact Marilyn Tuori at marilyn223@verizon.net by February 15th.

Suzanne will forward an electronic copy of her ordination paper to those who are planning on attending the EC. (Editorial note: an ordination paper is a required document for anyone seeking ordination in the UCC, and covers the candidate’s own personal spiritual journey, in addition to her understanding of Christian theology and UCC history and governance, known as polity.)

Please join us on February 12th when we lift up the good news of God’s healing power!

The festival is sponsored by the Capital Beltway Chapter of Choristers Guild. (Choristers Guild is an international non profit organization: its mission is to enable church music leaders to nurture the spiritual and musical growth of children and youth.)

Have you wanted to learn about meditation but thought it was only part of Eastern philosophies and religions? Or that in order to meditate one must sit cross-legged on the floor and repeat a mantra?

Meditation is part of our Christian heritage. While Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights, his life of prayer, meditation, and discernment brought him closer to God and enabled his realization of his subsequent ministry. The early Christian mystics lived quiet lives of prayer and meditation.

In this 4-part class, co-facilitators Ruth Bulger and Deborah Tomblyn will introduce the practice of meditation as a way of increasing personal spiritual growth. An added benefit is the fact that meditation is scientifically proven to decrease stress and thus can help with stress-related diseases (ex. high blood pressure, obesity).

Dates/Time: Sundays—26 February, 4, 11, 18 March 2012; 11:30 am after worship
Place:  The Children’s Room
Other Info:  Wear comfortable clothing; we will sit on chairs (on the floor is optional)

Contacts:  uccsv@verizon.net

Last Lent, Christian faith community members from around the country participated in the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. Those who joined in received daily emails with some ideas meant to raise awareness of how much the earth needs us and we need the earth.  The suggestions were fairly simple to implement.If you are curious and want to take some additional steps toward healing the earth in your corner of the world, you can subscribe to the 2012 Lenten Carbon Fast which begins on Ash Wednesday by signing up at the following link: http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001__i6akEUrzT4hM38DYNhGA%3D%3D

A Note from the Social ActionCommittee
On 1-24-12 Governor O'Malley stood on the steps of Government House and publicly affirmed his commitment to passing marriage equality in 2012. All of us should consider doing the same. Will you spend one evening with Equality Maryland to ensure we win in 2012?

One evening of your time is all it takes to visit your legislators and tell them how important marriage equality is to you and your family. One evening of your time is all it takes to join us in a rally on Lawyer's Mall, just outside the legislative buildings and the State House in Annapolis, to be inspired by special guest speakers and to let the world know that we will not rest until we achieve equality for all Marylanders.
 
This year, Lobby Day will take place on the evening of Monday, February 13. The rally at Lawyer's Mall will start at 6:00; before and after that, you will have the opportunity to visit with your legislators. After you have signed up, Equality Maryland will be in contact with you to give you all the details you need to join the rally and to lobby effectively for marriage equality.
 
Yes, it may be a chilly February evening, but isn't it worth one evening of your time to secure a brighter future for all Maryland families? 

Please sign up for Lobby Day at:
http://equalitymaryland.platform.webstrong.com/events/lobby-day.
Dan Davis, Chairperson

Bring a friend, bring something to share...no need to RSVP...and watching the game is optional...

Since the 49-ers didn’t make it to the game, some of us will be rooting for the team that normally plays in New Jersey…but which ever team you’re rooting for, it’s more fun with friends.

Might even be a door prize for the person who guesses the correct number of field goals scored.

UCCSV Chili Cookoff  
February 12, after worship

A LITTLE HOT, HOT, HOT FOR THE COLD, COLD ,COLD!!!!!!!!!!

There is nothing like a hot bowl of chili on a cold winter’s day! Come join the fun and competition for the 2012 UCCSV Chili Cook-Off! If you have a delicious recipe for chili and want to get in on vying for the coveted title of “Chili Cook-off Champ,” please contact the church office at 301-540-3449. YOU MAY BE THE WINNER OF A FABULOUS PRIZE!!

A panel of three judges will do blind tasting to determine the winner. For the rest of us, there will be a delicious lunch of chili, salad, corn bread, drinks and dessert all for the suggested donation of $5.00. All proceeds will be used as a fund-raiser for the church.

This book is an epic story of America’s decades-long migeeeration of African-American citizens who fled the south for northern and western cities in search of a better life. From 1915-1970, there was an exodus of almost 6 million people. Ms. Wilkerson interviewed over 1000 individuals in researching this book. While the book is non-fiction, the migration story is told through the lives and histories of three individuals, making this book one the reader finds difficult to put down.

Do not let the number of pages (622 pages) stop you from reading this extraordinary book. No one is expected to complete his/her reading by mid-February. We will meet on Sunday, March 25 after worship in the narthex.  

We are publishing a new directory in February.  If there has been a change in your phone number or e-mail, you would like your cell phone listed, or there is a mistake in your listing, please let Marilyn know by February 2 at marilyn223@verizon.net.

February Bible Readings

Sunday, February 5
Theme:  Sustaining Ministry
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39

Sunday, February 12
Theme: Healing Presence
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45

Sunday, February 19
Theme: Thin Places
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9

Sunday, February 26
Theme:  God’s Loving Paths
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

Prayer Requests:  Each week prayer requests are listed in the Spirit News. If you would prefer not to have your requests publicized please check the box on the yellow prayer card found in the red pew pads.

Calendar of Regular Meetings and Events

Calendar of Events – UCCSV Groups

Sunday Mornings at UCCSV
8:45a - Chancel Choir
9:00a - Bible Discussion
10:00a- Worship and Church School
Youth Church School
11:00a– Coffee/Fellowship
11:15a – Children’s Choir

Second Tuesday
7:30p – Mind, Body, Spirit (Kaseman home)

Wednesdays
7:30p – One Anothering (Narthex)

Thursdays
7:30p – Chancel Choir

Regular Meetings for Other Groups

Sunday – 8:00p -  Monthly - AA
First Monday of the Month
7:00-9:00p – 7th Day Adventist Church and each Saturday, 8:30am-8:30pm

First and Third Wednesdays of the Month
6:30-8:30p – Girl Scouts

Third Thursday of the Month
7:30p – Upper Montgomery Assistance Network

       
UCCSV Meetings/Events – February

Sunday, February 5
11:30a – Fellowship (Youth Room)
6:00p – Super Bowl – Roberts/Deckenback home

Monday, February 6
7:00p – Deacons (Narthex)

Sunday, February 12
11:30a – Chili cookoff
             Confirmation

Monday, February 13
6:30p – Social Action (Narthex)
7:00p – Property Operations (Gathering Room)

Sunday, February 19
11:30p – Completing the Circle Training (Narthex)

Tuesday, February 21
6:00p – Pancake Supper

Wednesday, February 22
7:30p – Ash Wednesday Worship with Trinity United Methodist and Open Door at UCCSV

Sunday, February 26
11:30a – Meditation Group – (Children’s room)
1:30p – Children’s Choir Festival

Should we receive substantial snowfall or other inclement weather on a Saturday night or Sunday morning, and worship is canceled, that information will be public after 8:30am. In addition to the church's voice mail, we will be listed with WTOP (103.5 FM or 103.9FM) or wtopnews.com. The church follows Montgomery County school closings during weekdays.

It is hard to believe that over 10 years have come and gone already.  When I interviewed with Barbara Richards and Carolyn I didn’t image I would be here this long. Carolyn had been pastor for about 7 months when I started. The time has flown by.

I am so blessed to work for such a friendly and caring congregation and share in a wonderful ministry with Carolyn and Kyoko. I have made so many friends and find each day a bit different at UCCSV. Thank you all for your wonderful generosity. It truly meant a lot.

Peace,
Marilyn

The United Church of Christ - News
Leading the church through 2012 and beyond with 'Core Values'
Written by Gregg Brekke
January 3, 2012

Over the past year, voices across the United Church of Christ have highlighted three distinct values central to the life and mission of the church: God’s continuing testament, extending extravagant welcome, and the many ways the UCC is changing lives.

Rather than proscribing a set of beliefs or practices, these values are meant to guide and inform the world about how the “we” in the UCC are living out the call to be disciples of Christ.

"The core values capture the best of the UCC in a way that's very understandable and easy to articulate," says W. Mark Clark, the UCC’s associate general minister, about the UCC’s intentional commitment to these core values.

Clark also notes that the UCC’s Collegium of Officers is crafting a strategic plan for the national setting of the UCC. It will spend much of 2012 testing the "Big Holy Audacious Goals" contained in the plan in a variety of settings of the church, with a vision toward developing the best ways to implement these goals throughout the denomination.

The New Year brings an added emphasis on highlighting the UCC's core values in the stories we tell in United Church News, the pages of StillSpeaking Magazine and the consistent message from the UCC's more than 5,200 churches already living out these principles. Recent examples include the thousands of congregations that participated in Mission:1 and a continued emphasis on stillspeaking congregations and voices.

Changes are already underway. You'll notice the UCC homepage header has changed to proclaim the core values. In addition, an easy-to-share slideshow has more detail about the UCC’s core values and how they inform or life together.

A Silly Question?
Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver

[Martin B. Copenhaver is Senior Pastor, Wellesley Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Wellesley, Massachusetts. He is the author, with Lillian Daniel, of This Odd and Wondrous Calling: the Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers.]

January 21, 2012
Excerpt from Luke 18:35-43
“Jesus stood still and ordered the [blind] man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 'What do you want me to do for you?'"

Jesus asks so many questions in the four gospels—307 different questions, to be exact. Some of his questions are profound, while others are probing. And then there are the silly questions. For instance, when Peter tries walking on water and eventually begins to sink, Jesus asks, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

That sounds like a silly question to me. Why did Peter doubt? Because he was trying to walk on water, that's why.

When a blind man cries out to Jesus as he passes by on the road to Jericho, Jesus responds by asking him, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Is that just another silly question? I mean, if you are blind, of course what you want most of all is to have your sight restored. Does Jesus have to ask?

But we have to be careful here. Most of us have a tendency to assume that we know what another person needs or wants, particularly if that person is dealing with some kind of challenge or disability. Perhaps what the blind man wants, more than anything else in the world, is something other than the restoration of his sight. He might respond to Jesus' question by saying, "I most want to be reconciled with my father," or, "I want to share a life with someone." One of those, or something else entirely, might be his deepest yearning. You will only know if you ask.

So when Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?' he is showing respect for the man. He is not presuming to know what he wants. He is asking. And he is listening.

Prayer: O God, help me to respond to the needs of people without presuming to know what those needs are. Give me the wisdom to ask and to listen. Amen.

The Seneca Valley Voice is published monthly. Articles should be submitted each month by the 22nd to appear in the following month’s Voice.