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703-256-8330 http://www.annandale-umc.org AUMC Witness 1
AUMC WITNESSOur Mission: Love God, Love Neighbor, Serve the WorldAnnandale United Methodist Church6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003P: 703-256-8330 F: [email protected]
Vol. 10 No. 10 We are a Stephen Ministry Church
Ministers: Rev. Dr. Clarence R. Brown, Jr.
Rev. Eduardo Carrillo Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver
May 7, 2013
This Issue of the Witness:Page 2: Cynthia's Clergy Corner Datebook
Page 3: News in Brief Hospitality Opportunities
Page 4: Ministry Meetings Lectionary Texts Weekly Volunteers Page 1 Continued
On Sunday, May 19, we will once again celebrate the birthday of the church – Pentecost. The United Methodist Book of Worship states that, “The Day of Pentecost is the fiftieth and last day of the Easter season, when the church received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).” For many, this conjures up thoughts of the start of the organized church. Others picture images of people speaking in many different tongues like a rushing wind, but with complete understanding between each other. No matter how you see that day, it does beg the question of how is that relevant to the church in the 21st century.
One of the images that comes up in my mind when I consider Pentecost is tongues of “fire”, and that leads me to one of the most recognizable icons in the United Methodist Church: the cross and flame. I have always recognized this symbol to be associated with the United Methodist
Church, but I did not know that its origin came when the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined together as one body in 1968. By intent, the cross was linked to two flames as a reminder of Pentecost when witnesses were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw "tongues, as of fire" (Acts 2:3). Now, you might be asking yourself, “cool, but what does this have to do with me?” Well, I think this has everything to do with us.
A little less than a year ago, we were blessed to “wed” the Annandale congregation with another congregation, Immanuel UMC, with the goal of being one, unified body, one church – Annandale UMC. Throughout this year we have learned much about one another. We have met, worshipped, discerned, served and fellowshipped together all while building our body, unifying our gifts for the sole purpose of building the Kingdom of God. (Continued on page 4)
The Rebuilding Haiti Lenten Mission project continued in April when nine volunteers from Annandale United Methodist Church helped with construction projects in the Caribbean country hit by a 2010 earthquake, causing widespread loss of life and property. Here are some of the volunteers’ comments: “I heard reports of property destruction, loss of life, deplorable living conditions, …. I also heard about many hopeful people who live each day believing that a brighter tomorrow is coming”; “For a first-timer, Haiti is an amazing series of experiences.” “God blesses us so much by being able to come and help Haitians hope for future. I am so lucky to be travelling with such an
incredible group of AUMC mission fanatics who are truly blessed in the image of Christ.” Team members Mark Bradley, Molly Wilmarth, Jim Wall, John Clarke, John Rogerson, Taye Nadi, Pam Jones, Dale Ruhter and Janet Petty worked at the Haitian Methodist Church in the hillside community of Olivier. The site was extremely close to the epicenter of the earthquake of 2010. All of the church’s roof and most of the walls were damaged or missing. The team assisted the Haitian workers in beginning to rebuild the exterior walls, made with concrete block and fortified with concrete and steel beams. With AUMC Lenten Mission donations, the team assisted in the purchase of the roof trusses and the roof membrane. (Continued on page 4)
Pentecost: The Cross and Flame
AUMC Mission Team Helps Rebuild Haiti
703-256-8330 http://www.annandale-umc.org AUMC Witness 2
CLERGY CORNER
DatebookMay 9,16, 5-7 p.m., Food distribution, Immanuel campus
May 17-19, Camp Highroad “Giving Back” Campout
May 18, ACCA furniture delivery
June 2, 4 p.m., “We Believe” Memorial Day Concert, AUMC sanctuary
Waiting for May Flowers
“He ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.”
-- Acts 1:4
Dear Friends,
Like many of you, I have been waiting for spring. Our relatively mild winter has been followed by a colder than normal spring, with temperatures warming then cooling then warming again. The cherry blossoms took longer to bloom. We wore jackets longer than normal. And many people turned on their air conditioners and then had to pull out the winter blankets again.
Come to think of it, doesn’t it seem that we spend a lot of our time waiting? The single are waiting to get married. The married are waiting to have children. The expectant parents are waiting to deliver. Older parents are waiting for grandchildren. The employed are waiting for promotion. And if you live in this area, you can spend many hours waiting in traffic.
I remember a saying from when I was young, “March winds and April showers bring May flowers.” The saying reflects the waiting that characterizes the period between the end of winter and the warmth of latter spring. Even after winter, we still have to wait for winds and rains before experiencing the beauty of May flowers.
I wonder if this period of waiting is similar to that which the disciples experienced between Easter and
Pentecost. During this period, the earthly ministry of Jesus had concluded. The winter of his passion and death had passed. They experienced the glory of Jesus’ spring-like resurrection. But then, Jesus ordered them to wait. Wait in Jerusalem. Wait for the promise. Wait for the Holy Spirit. Wait for what will blossom when the Holy Spirit comes!
Perhaps you may now be in a time of waiting. Perhaps you are experiencing a personal time of wind and rain hoping that something beautiful will bloom in your life. Know that these times of waiting teach us to trust in God’s promises. They allow us to strengthen our faith and our hope for the future.
What, then, should we do while we are waiting? The scriptures tell us that the disciples “devoted themselves to prayer.” That is my recommendation as well. Pray while you wait. Worship while you wait. Continue to live your best life while you wait. Spring will be here before you know it. And you won’t believe what God has in store for those who love him. You just wait!
Blessings,
703-256-8330 http://www.annandale-umc.org AUMC Witness 3
News in BriefCalling all Grads: The June 4 issue of the Witness will highlight AUMC’s 2013 college and high school graduates. Please send the following information: name of student, degree, name of college/university, and any other information you would like to share, such as future plans (college, graduate school, new job, etc.). Please email information to [email protected] by May 24.
Family Fun Day at Kings Dominion for Virginia United Methodists is scheduled for May 11 and 18, and Memorial Day weekend, May 25, 26, and 27. Price is $29.99 per person on that day for United Methodists. Purchase your ticket by going to http://KingsDominion.com/VAUMC and entering User Name: KDUMC04 Password: KDUMC04.
Upper Room Readers: Upper Room devotional booklets are available from AUMC and are located in the brochure racks by the front door. To help off-set the costs, those who take the Readers are requested to contribute $5. Checks should be made payable to AUMC with “Upper Room Reader” in the note line.
Upcoming sermons as suggested by the congregation: May 12: Christian Home – Who Should “Submit” (joint sermon by Clarence and Cynthia); May 19: Holy Spirit; May 26: Kingdom of God; June 2: Sin and Grace; June 30: Forgiveness. On June 9 (Youth Sunday) and 23, only one service will be held:10:30 a.m. at the Annandale campus.
Kids In Mission is July 8-12 for rising 3rd-7th graders. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Join the fun and help our neighbors in need!
Young Adults are beginning a study group on Romans and will meet Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. in Room 302 and via email. Everyone is invited. For more info, contact Rev. Eduardo Carrillo, [email protected].
2013 Vacation Bible School will be June 24-28, 9-noon! Celebration Sunday is June 30. Register your child online. Invite your neighbors and friends!5th grade and older are encouraged to volunteer to have fun - and help out - with the program! Pre-VBS workdays are planned for those unable to help during the VBS week!Volunteers – please register online or in the church office.DONATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR VBS…•Children’s Belts – 3rd graders size and larger •50 pairs of children’s size tube or crew socks •Rolls of duct tape in colors or animal prints •15 oz. cans – clean, empty, labels removed •One large bag of rice •Clorox disinfecting wipes (35 count)
ACCA's furniture ministry (which delivers donated furniture to needy families) needs volunteers! AUMC's dates to assist from 8 a.m. to 12 noon are Saturdays, May 18 and July 13. If interested, call Peter Taylor, 703-477-3903.
Furniture Donations Needed: The Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) collects and distributes gently used furniture for needy families in the community. Items needed include: mattresses/box springs (all sizes except King), tables and chairs, sofas (not sleeper sofas), living room chairs, coffee tables, end tables, and lamps. For details and to arrange pickup, call 703-256-9513.
Mission Trip to West Virginia: AUMC is again sponsoring a mission trip to Brenton, W. Va (Wyoming County) Sept. 22-28 with the Appalachian Service Project (ASP). The team will conduct relational ministry and home repairs—typical ASP projects include roofing, drywall and insulation, wheelchair ramps, plumbing, electrical, foundation repair, painting, stair and floor repairs. Cost for the trip is $525 and includes transportation, lodging, meals and all construction materials. Volunteers who cannot go for the full week are also welcome. If you go on Sunday and return late Wednesday or early Thursday the cost is $350. For details, contact John Clarke by phone, text or email 703-606-6464 (cell or text) 703-642-3836 (home) or [email protected]). Commitments needed by June 20 with a nonrefundable deposit of $250.
Which team are you on? AUMC has launched a Food Drive for Rising
Hope to RACE AWAY HUNGER. There’s still time to sign up for one of these teams before/after worship services: Soupy Shark, Beany Bear, Pasta Parrot, Meaty Monkey, Veggie Viper, Fruity Flamingo, Tomato Tiger or Polar Bear Paper Goods! The Rising Hope Food Drive collection continues through May 19. Food dropped off during the week should be taken to the church office. Every 50 items equals 1 lap around the track. Special prize to the winning team!
Hospitality and Outreach OpportunitiesPlease sign up for Sunday morning service opportunities by checking one of the tasks below and place this form in the offering plate, or return to the church office. You will be contacted for training/orientation. Thank you! __ Parking Lot Greeter __ Welcome Desk __ Usher __ “Connector” (welcome visitors)I attend ___ 8:30 __ 11 a.m. worship serviceName _____________________________________Email address ________________________________Phone Number _______________________________
703-256-8330 http://www.annandale-umc.org AUMC Witness 4
AUMC Witness
Send address changes to:Annandale United Methodist Church6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003-3458
Published biweekly. Periodicals Postage Paid atAnnandale, VA 22003
(USPS 046-900)
Tues., May 14 Finance Committee 7 p.m. Room 210 Missions Committee 7 p.m. Room 302
WEEKLY VOLUNTEERS
LECTIONARY TEXTS
May 12, Seventh Sunday of Easter: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97 (UMH 816); Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26
May 19, Day of Pentecost: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (UMH 826); Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17 (25-27)
Sunday, May 12Outreach greeters: 8:30 a.m. R. Hampton, 9:30 a.m. B. Brown, 10:30 a.m. W. WardGreeters: Education CommitteeFellowship hosts: Funeral MinistryUshers: 8:30 a.m. S. Chase, J. Clarke, D. Pemberton, E. McKenney (c) 11 a.m. C. Jones, C. Jones, G. Sherwood, P. Adams(c)Acolytes: 8:30 a.m. N. Pemberton, D. Oliver, 11 a.m. B. Molnar, M. MolnarCrucifer: 11 a.m. P. Novak
Sunday, May 19Outreach greeters: 8:30 a.m. S. Fleming, 9:30 a.m. D. Ruhter, 10:30 a.m. L. McConville/E. MossGreeters: Deborah/Miriam CirclesFellowship hosts: Mary and Martha CircleUshers: 8:30 a.m. S. Fleming, R. Roberts, E. Sackey, B. Brown (c) 11 a.m. E. Carrillo, G. Rothman, R. Witkowski, P. Snitzer (c)Acolytes: 8:30 a.m. M. Novak, W. Novak 11 a.m. D. Kampschror, M. MolnarCrucifer: 8:30 a.m. K. Carney
NEXTDEADLINE
Friday, May 10 is the deadline for the May 21 Witness which covers May 26 and June 2
MINISTRY MEETINGS (Pentecost, continued from page 1)
As we consider the Day of Pentecost and the way the Holy Spirit infiltrated all of those early Christians in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, may we remember that although we have different strengths and weaknesses, that we are all one body, the congregation of Annandale UMC. We are part of the body of Christ. Let us all seek out opportunities to seek more ways to connect, serve, love and grow as the church did from long ago.
- Patrick Vaughn
(Rebuilding Haiti, continued from page 1)
While in country, the team members worked alongside the Haitians in all aspects of the rebuilding process and worshiped under tarps stretched from trees in the rear of the church to provide shade.
They were able to assist at a clinic located on site that saw many local patients from babies to adults with a wide variety of ailments including stomach problems, blood tests, and injuries from a motorcycle accident. A second team from Virginia arrived the day the AUMC team left to continue the rebuilding.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and donations towards the Haiti Rebuilding Project. To read the team’s blog, visit www.annandale-umc.org.
......Members of the Haiti Rebuilding Team: Mark Bradley, John Clarke, Pam Jones, Taye Nadi, Janet Petty, John Rogerson, Dale Ruhter, Jim Wall, Molly Wilmarth
Photos courtesy of Dale Ruhter.
