THE REDEEMER SPIRIT APRIL 2017 A monthly publication of The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda, Maryland FROM THE HEARTH Holy Week is almost here! I hope you are planning to join us for services throughout the week. We begin on Palm Sunday (April 9) and culminate on Easter Day (April 16). Chris and I are working to make the week an experience of traveling with Jesus. On Palm Sunday, we’re going to do something a little dif- ferent. The Gospel reading about the triumphant entry into Jerusalem will be read upstairs in church where the Passion Narrative usually is read. We are deferring the Pas- sion until the end of the service. Why? It makes more sense that way. This order of service avoids the liturgical whiplash of marching triumphantly into Jerusalem and then 15 minutes later standing at the foot of the cross and then 15 minutes later celebrating the Great Thanksgiv- ing! By reading the Passion last, after the blessing and without a formal dismissal, we are put in a better state of mind for the week to come. So, we’ll leave in silence on Palm Sunday, just like the Beloved Disciple and the wom- en did so long ago. Monday in Holy Week. Join us for Holy Eucharist, with special intentions for healing and reconciliation, in the style of Taize. Tuesday in Holy Week. Say Compline in community along with some especially chosen music from the director of music. Wednesday in Holy Week. At noon, we celebrate Holy Eucharist as usual. That evening we’ll sing psalms, and move from light to darkness and anticipation of Sunday morning with the Service of Tenebrae. Maundy Thursday. Come for a light supper at 6:00 p.m. We’ll begin the Holy Eucharist at 7:30 p.m., which includes foot-washing. Good Friday. We’ll walk the stations of the cross at noon accompanied by dulcimer music. The Good Friday Liturgy concludes the day. Holy Saturday. At 10 a.m., the Altar Guild will pause to say the liturgy of Holy Saturday before they continue on their tasks to “lily up” the sanctuary. All are invited to this short service. The Great Vigil of Easter begins in the columbarium with the lighting of the new fire. We’ll travel to the parish hall where we’ll hear the stories of God’s salvation and then move upstairs for the re- newal of baptismal vows and the first Eucharist of Easter. All evening services begin at 7:30 p.m. Come waste a little time with Jesus. Blessings, Amma Cricket+ Looking Ahead: April 9—Palm Sunday, Parish Work Day Holy Week April 16—Easter Sunday April 23—Rite 13 Ceremony April 28-30—Men’s Retreat May 21—Forum with Adat Shalom to discuss the Jewish tradition of social justice June 10—Strawberry Festival
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THE REDEEMER SPIRIT APRIL 2017
A monthly publication of The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda, Maryland
FROM THE HEARTH
Holy Week is almost here! I hope you are planning to join us for services throughout the week. We begin on Palm Sunday (April 9) and culminate on Easter Day (April 16). Chris and I are working to make the week an experience of traveling with Jesus. On Palm Sunday, we’re going to do something a little dif-ferent. The Gospel reading about the triumphant entry into Jerusalem will be read upstairs in church where the Passion Narrative usually is read. We are deferring the Pas-sion until the end of the service. Why? It makes more sense that way. This order of service avoids the liturgical whiplash of marching triumphantly into Jerusalem and then 15 minutes later standing at the foot of the cross and then 15 minutes later celebrating the Great Thanksgiv-ing! By reading the Passion last, after the blessing and without a formal dismissal, we are put in a better state of mind for the week to come. So, we’ll leave in silence on Palm Sunday, just like the Beloved Disciple and the wom-en did so long ago. Monday in Holy Week. Join us for Holy Eucharist, with special intentions for healing and reconciliation, in the style of Taize.
Tuesday in Holy Week. Say Compline in community along with some especially chosen music from the director of music. Wednesday in Holy Week. At noon, we celebrate Holy Eucharist as usual. That evening we’ll sing psalms, and move from light to darkness and anticipation of Sunday morning with the Service of Tenebrae. Maundy Thursday. Come for a light supper at 6:00 p.m. We’ll begin the Holy Eucharist at 7:30 p.m., which includes foot-washing. Good Friday. We’ll walk the stations of the cross at noon accompanied by dulcimer music. The Good Friday Liturgy concludes the day. Holy Saturday. At 10 a.m., the Altar Guild will pause to say the liturgy of Holy Saturday before they continue on their tasks to “lily up” the sanctuary. All are invited to this short service. The Great Vigil of Easter begins in the columbarium with the lighting of the new fire. We’ll travel to the parish hall where we’ll hear the stories of God’s salvation and then move upstairs for the re-newal of baptismal vows and the first Eucharist of Easter. All evening services begin at 7:30 p.m. Come waste a little time with Jesus. Blessings,
Amma Cricket+
Looking Ahead: April 9—Palm Sunday, Parish Work Day Holy Week April 16—Easter Sunday April 23—Rite 13 Ceremony April 28-30—Men’s Retreat May 21—Forum with Adat Shalom to discuss the Jewish tradition of social justice June 10—Strawberry Festival
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PARISH LIFE
The Book Group
The book group has agreed to read next: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. This is an extraordinary novel written by a medical doctor who expertly weaves the threads of numerous story lines into one cohesive opus. The writing is graceful, the characters compassion-ate and the story full of nuggets of wisdom ---- an epic romance, surgery meeting history. Since the book is rather long, we will not meet till Sun-day, April 23rd at 3:00 pm at the home of Jochen and Huda Kraske, 4550 North Park Avenue, Apt. 410, Chevy Chase, Md. 20815. For further information, contact Huda at 301 656 2087 or at [email protected]. All are welcome.
Church of the Redeemer Social Media Please connect with Redeemer and the rector through these social media platforms: Facebook: Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda, Maryland Facebook: Cricket Park Twitter: @VicarVirtual Linked In: Cricket Park Instagram: parkcricket Snapchat: revcricketpark Events are posted on Facebook only. Please respond to these invitations so that we have accurate information about who will be attending. Thanks!
from the Senior Warden In my life outside of Redeemer (when I'm not frantically driv-ing from the last soccer practice to the next softball game) I spend a lot of time working in and thinking about the inter-sections of faith, politics and policy. Progressive Christian political twitter (yes, there is such a thing) has been abuzz of late about increased attendance at mainline congregations since the 2016 election. Here's an article in the Atlantic! There's another one at the Washington Post! There are all sorts of theories as to why this is happening, what it means for the future of the church and the electorate, and whether this is a sustainable movement or just a temporary blip on our long, bleak road to Sundays of empty churches and full brunch buffets. These are all important and interesting questions -- at least to me. But the challenge that Cricket has put forward to our vestry and our congregation is this: What do we do with our-selves and with newcomers once we get here to Redeem-er? What does it mean to not just be admirers or followers or even believers in Jesus Christ, but disciples. Former Archbish-op of Canterbury Rowan Williams writes that while "disciple" has its linguistic origins in notions of student learners, "it doesn't mean turning up once a week for a course (or even a sermon). It's not an intermittent state; it's a relationship that continues." "When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them 'What are you looking for?' They said to him, 'Rabbi ... where are you stay-ing? He said to them, 'Come and see.' they came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day." (John 1: 38-39) So as we prepare for and celebrate the Resurrection, let us renew our commitments to God and one another to more fully live out our baptismal vows of fellowship, repentance, evangelism, service and justice. When Jesus turns around, who will he see? Blessings,
Michael Mershon Senior Warden
Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017 8.00am Holy Eucharist 10.30am Festive Eucharist for Easter with music by Redeemer choirs and brass ensemble Surrexit Christus hodie – Samuel Scheidt Christ the Lord is risen again – John Rutter Set me as a seal – Rene Clausen Orb and Sceptre – William Walton 12.00noon Easter egg hunt in the parish garden
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HOLY WEEK
Print Communications at Redeemer Information about upcoming events are communicated through three printed materials. This Week at Redeemer is updated every Friday and sent Tuesday afternoons. If you would like something in "TWAR" please be sure the office receives it no later than noon on Fridays. The Sunday Announcements are finalized on Wednesday afternoons and run on Thursdays. Send Sunday announcement information to the office no later than close-of-business on Tuesday. The Redeemer Spirit is a monthly publication. The deadline for the Spirit is the 15th of the month prior. Send TWAR and Announcement infor-mation to [email protected]. Send Spirit stories and ideas to Bob Yates at [email protected].
Join THE GUILD! Officially, they are known as the Altar Guild. The rector prefers "Angel Guild". These faithful servants make it possible for us to worship in the beauty of holiness. Hel-en Zitomer and her crew set up for each service, clean the sacred vessels afterward, make sure the frontal and other paraments are the correct color for the season or occasion, and put up hymn numbers every week. This faithful band of sisters would love to welcome a few more angels into the fold. Gray or blue hair is not re-quired! Psst. Men can do this too. Please contact Helen to volunteer. She can answer your questions about how frequently you would serve and when you could be trained. Her email is [email protected].
Palm Sunday, April 9 8.00am Holy Eucharist 10.30am Choral Eucharist with Procession of Palms beginning in the Parish Hall, walking outside the church, and into the Sanctuary through the main porch. Music at this service includes Grayton Ives’ Ride on in majesty and Mozart’s Ave verum. The service ends with the reading of the Passion narrative, and a famous organ postlude: Come Sweetest Death by J.S.Bach, arranged by Virgil Fox. The Monday of Holy Week, April 10 7.30pm Holy Eucharist for healing and reconciliation with music in the style of Taizé The Tuesday of Holy Week, April 11 7.30pm Compline with meditative music for organ by J.S.Bach, Jehan Alain and Hubert Parry The Wednesday of Holy Week, April 12 7.30pm The Service of Tenebrae The sanctuary becomes increasingly dark during this traditional service of psalms and scripture with music Henry Purcell, Giovanni Croce and G.P. da Palestrina sung by the Redeemer Schola Maundy Thursday, April 13 7.30pm Choral Eucharist with Washing of Feet and Stripping of the Altar with music by John Barnard, Peter Aston and Maurice Durufle sung by Redeemer adult and youth choirs Good Friday, April 14 12.00noon The Stations of the Cross, with meditative music played by Karen Ashbrook, hammer dulcimer 7.30pm The Liturgy for Good Friday with music by Bob Chilcott, Francis Jackson, and John V of Portugal sung by the Redeemer adult choir Holy Saturday, April 15 7.30pm The Great Vigil of Easter Beginning outside the church, we move to the parish hall to hear scripture readings of God’s redeeming power, gather around the font in the narthex to renew our baptismal vows and finally arrive in the sanctu-ary to celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter With music by G P. da Palestrina, Simon Lindley and William Harris sung by Redeemer adult choir
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The Redeemer Parish Directory is available for download. To get a copy send a request to Cricket at: [email protected] .
We are in the process of updating the directory. Please look at your infor-mation and make any needed correc-tions.
Then we will send a new link to all parish-ioners.
The directory is not available to vendors or the public.
PARISH LIFE
Workshops and leaders have been announced for the eFor-mation digital media for ministry conference. Find out more about hands-on opportunities to learn from those who are changing the digital media for ministry landscape. Learn more on eformation's website. Register now
Camp EDOW Camp EDOW, the diocese's summer camp program at Lions Camp Merrick, Nanjemoy, MD exists to promote the spir-itual and emotional development of children, youth, and young adults through the fostering of a safe and positive envi-ronment for all. It is the goal of this program to encourage the growth of relationships with self, others, and God.
2017 Camp EDOW Dates Junior Camp (rising 4th-6th graders) July 23 - 28, 2017 Middle Camp (rising 7th-9th graders) July 30 - August 4, 2017 For more information contact: Lynn Chernick, Camp EDOW Administrator (202) 537-6529 or [email protected]. Apply to be Camp EDOW Staff Registration for camp is now open. If you are a returning camper, please login to update information and register. If you are a new camper, pleaser complete an online application to register. If your child is attending Camp EDOW, you can login to review or update your child's information, look at camp pic-tures, or send an email to camp.
Camp EDOW News Eucharist in the Pool and Other Tales from Camp EDOW By Kathleen Moore “When I was a bit younger, I thought you could only be spiritual and could only have ‘churchy stuff’in church,” says Kaleigh Flood…
Camp EDOW: Building a New Tradi on A new tradi on is building. At Camp EDOW, where lots of tradi ons have developed in the four short years of its existence, another ritual is…
Camp EDOW: The Sound of Summer “So rise and shine and give God the glory, glory, children of the Lord!”~ “Rise and Shine,” a tradi-onal children’s song “...every me the…
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MUSIC AT REDEEMER SERIES
MUSIC AT REDEEMER SERIES 2016-2017
Thursday, 13 April, at 7:30 p.m. CHORAL EUCHARIST FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY
This traditional for Maundy Thursday, the first of the Triduum Sacrum (the Three Sacred Days), includes the Washing of Feet, the Stripping of the Altar and music sung by Re-deemer’s choirs. Friday, 14 April, at 12 noon and 7:30 p.m. THE SOLEMN LITURGIES OF GOOD FRIDAY
At 12 noon we gather around the Stations of Cross to meditate on the Passion of Christ, interspersed with beautiful sacred music. At 7.30 p.m. the traditional liturgy of Good Fri-day leads us towards redemption through the Cross.
Saturday, 15 April, at 8:30 p.m. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER
Beginning in complete darkness on the church lawn, the liturgy includes the Lighting of the Paschal Candle, the Exsultet, the Prophecies, the First Eucharist of Easter, and special music sung by Redeemer’s choirs. Sunday, 16 April, at 10:30 a.m. FESTAL EUCHARIST OF THE RESURREC-
TION
Celebrate the Resurrection of Christ at this festal liturgy, including music sung by Re-deemer’s choirs with brass ensemble.. Follow-ing the liturgy, join us for traditional hot cross buns and an Easter egg hunt on the lawn. Sunday, 9 May, at 5:00 p.m. THE SHEPHERD TRIO
A relative newcomer to the DC area chamber music scene, The Shepherd Trio formed to
explore the beauty and diversity of music writ-ten for the unique combination of soprano, clarinet and piano. The mission of The Shep-herd Trio is not only to perform standard works written for the group, but to pursue new and exciting arrangements and composi-tions for this simple yet versatile ensemble. Sunday, 21 May, at 5:00 p.m. THE INSCAPE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
In its final concert of the 2016-2017 sea-son, Redeemer’s Ensemble-in-Residence brings music for Spring into the church’s beautiful sun-filled Sanctuary. Sunday, 4 June, at 5:00 p.m. EVENSONG FOR THE FEAST OF PENTECOST Redeemer’s Adult and Youth choirs lead us in the beautiful liturgy, using a form that has been practiced in the England and around the world for more than five hundred years, and including some of the favorite music of the Anglican choral repertoire
Explore Your Cathedral Sunday, April 23 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Did you know that the Washington National Cathedral is the sixth largest cathedral in the world? A number of P.R.A.Y. members will be confirmed in this space in May and on April 23 we will have an opportunity to explore and experience some of the majesty and beauty of this place. From crypts below the ground to towers in to the sky the cathedral is filled with amazing art and architecture. We will begin and end with prayer including a service of Evensong, but in-between we will have a scavenger hunt and other activities. So bring your curiosity and exploring spirit.
Please RSVP to Sue with numbers (youth and adults) no later than Wednesday, April 19.
Please plan to arrive at the cathedral by 2 and not leave before 5 if at all possible. We will gather as a community outside if the weather is permitting or in the conference room on the lower level of Church House (Diocesan office).
More on this and our May event (reprise of Fun & Sundaes) on May 21 from 1:00 t0 4:00 p.m. I wanted to get this our for publication deadlines as soon as possible.
Yours in Christ, Sue L. Sue von Rautenkranz [email protected] 803-413-3596
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Contemplative Mondays
Taizé April 3 & 10
May 1
Sunday Adult Forums All are welcome. The Adult Forum takes place on Sunday mornings, September through May, at 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall. For more information on the Adult Forum, contact the office at [email protected]
April 23: Earth Day with Linda Lear on Environmental concerns. April 30: Women in the world May 7: TBD May 14: Ben Betts and his Mission Trip to Guatemala May 21: We will be joined by Marilyn Kresky-Wolff and Michael Gottlieb of Adat Shalom to discuss the Jewish tradition of social justice and how this is lived out in their congregation. Marilyn is Co-Chair of the Social Action Committee at Adat Shalom and Michael is an active member of the congregation.
May 28: Memorial Day with Denny Shaw
1st Monday—Taize A service of prayer and contemplation in the style of Taizé 2nd Monday—Christian Contemplative Group—Discussing the Gospel of Thomas 3rd Monday—Centering Prayer All are welcome at all of these gatherings in the church.
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DESERT GROWLING AND LENT
By Laura Rose
I saw an image of two bull moose who had locked horns in a fight during rutting sea-son. They were lying dead in water because they were unable to free themselves from each other. Moose don’t believe in com-promise. Compromise is weak. Giving your neighbor even an inch means you’ll have nearly 25½ millimeters less for yourself. You’ve allowed someone else the contentment of besting you out of an inch! Next thing, they’ll want a yard (3 feet – not the entire spread around your house) and then what will be left on this planet for you? And how will you look? You’ll be the schlub who looked the other way when the neighbor’s rain garden encroached on your property. Next thing you know, the guy on the other side will put in a driveway an inch over the property line hoping you’ll be too busy making breakfast for the naturalist on the other side to notice. Compromise makes for a lose-lose situation. The pool tem-perature at my YMCA was a point of dissention between the lap swimmers (who liked a brisk 77˚) and the water exercise crowd (who preferred a balmy 84˚). The compromise was 80˚. The result was the lap swimmers sweated while they swam – sweated! While they exercised! And the water exercisers had to really move to keep warm. The aquatics director knew the water temperature was perfect when everyone was com-plaining. No sir, we need to think more like the bull moose. There had to have been something satisfying in going at each other like that, antlers scraping against antlers, giving each other headaches to have access to that one pretty little harem of cows. It had to have been a shock to get locked together, though. Head to head, legs tugging at the earth to push the other one off. (Who’s winning now?) Feeling the scalp being practically pulled off the skull until, in exhaustion, one dropped to the earth pulling the other down with it. Then all those legs were bicycling against the air. At that point, they were weak (in will as well as body), willing to get away from the other. But they were locked. Ah, but how strong they were to go down together yet against each other, like that – never compromising. God doesn’t compromise. Well, God did compromise when Abraham wheeled and dealed with him over the destruction
of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham got God – God! – to spare Lot and his family. A lot of good that did, Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. But when God com-promised with Moses and allowed him to take Aaron with him to meet with the Pharoah, it was a win-win. Well, until Aaron made the Israelites a golden calf. But that was Old Testament, back when God was har . . . Wait. I must be con-fused. The God of the Old Testament, power and might, anger and jealousy compromised? Huh. Well, anyway . . . This may be a little tough to swallow, as I am, after all, writ-ing to a church congregation, compromisers of all compro-misers. Willing to take in those who sin to a house of God for goodness sake. (Literally.) So how do you know when com-promise isn’t for you? If you love being in a near constant state of agitation having to defend your position on myriad subjects while pointing out the utter vacuousness in your opponent’s (I prefer ‘enemy’s’) viewpoint, compromise is not for you. If you like lots of alone time, or being surrounded with people who are exactly like you, skip compromising. If you enjoy the fact that people regard you with disdain and will only discuss the weather with you, when they must, nail those heels to the floor, brothers and sisters, look to the bull moose and stand fast. On the other hand, if you’re able to think – on your feet or on your pew – you should take a second look at compro-mise. If you recognize that every person, moose, rodent, hummingbird, bee, and protozoa matters, at least almost as much as you do, consider practicing the skill of compromise. You can decide for yourself. You can be like the mighty bull moose (think congress) and refuse to compromise, or the almighty God (think alternative dispute resolution) and mys-teriously know when and how to compromise.
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Sta ons of the Cross and the Grace of Condi ons: Barne Newman by MaryLin Raisch
The east gallery of the Na onal Gallery of Art has reopened a er a renova on that serves to highlight some of the most highly-regarded pieces in the modern collec on; great news but there is a catch: many of these pieces are works of Abstract Expression-ists, and this is not everyone's idea of art. What can a large canvas of paint with swishes or bars of color tell us about real life? Dis-plays of Barne Newman's and Mark Rothko's works inhabit the top of the renovated Tower, and in the case of Newman, Sta ons of the Cross: Lema Sabachthani is a full- room installa on of fi een pain ngs; these echo the fourteen Sta ons of the Cross in the catholic Chris an tradi on. Newman added a fi eenth, Be II. Thanks to works like the sensi ve, figural woodblock depic ons of the Sta ons along the walls of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, many Chris ans beyond Roman Catholics are familiar with the scenes of the via dolorosa, a devo onal imagina on of Jesus' last walk and one of the ways we are told he was tortured- a long walk struggling to drag a cross on which he would be nailed. This seems like a subject for art at its most concrete, drama c, and poten ally horrifying. Before medita ng on oddness of Newman’s stated subject I found I needed a bit more informa on on the tradi on of the sta ons in Roman Catholic tradi on, given that the Protestant side of our via media as Episcopalians does not always embrace drama c depic ons of Jesus’ sufferings or the martyrdom of saints. According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia (vol. 13. 2nd ed., Catholic University of America; online edi on Detroit: Gale, 2003-current, 499-501), this devo onal tradi on, also known as The Way of the Cross, became popular a er veterans of the Crusades brought memories of shrines in Pales ne and some of these were sculptural and erected in the churches of Europe. The Franciscans took over the protec on of the holy places in 1342 and spread the prac ce around the world. The number and tles of the incidents of Christ’s sentencing and painful journey of torture to the place of his crucifixion varied before se ling on 14 current standard scenes. We are fortunate to have the beau ful woodblock prints of Sister Mary Grace, O.P. on the walls of Redeemer. The woodblock depic ons have become a way into this subject because they actually introduce us to abstrac on. Sister Grace, a Dominican cloistered nun, displays her art- including the series of prints we have in church- online at h p://sistermarygrace.artspan.com/carousel.php?galleryID=213469. She manages to use darkness, light, and the literally roughhewn results of cu ng, to show, and in one sense enact, the austere tone and increasingly dire state of this way of sorrow. And this shows it can be done, as woodcut ar sts like Albrecht Durer have done, in a way that moves toward abstrac on but captures deep furrows of human pain and real drama. Barne Newman (1905-1970) was an American Jewish ar st, born in New York City; his career is art was slow to take off but even-tually made him a prominent member of the New York school of pain ng that moved away from representa onal art, albeit in a conscious and careful manner. His Jewish iden ty and this subject ma er seem improbable, but perhaps a bit less so if one remem-bers that those few Jewish painters worked within a visual tradi on that was not favored by their own faith and dominated by re-curring themes in religious art that were pillars of Chris an belief. Indeed, the art of glass and pain ng in the cathedrals of the Eu-ropean middle ages had served as illustrated Bibles for the faithful for hundreds of years. Marc Chagall's life as a Jewish visual ar st and the fic onal hero of Chaim Potok's novel My Name is Asher Lev illustrate the challenge. So what's a nice Jewish boy (though not at all religious) like Barne Newman doing by crea ng some version of late Chris an devo onal art? I am a fan of what might be the furthest extreme of this stripped-down but vivid approach, showing what is there and what is not to force us to accept something as dependent on nothing, the surface line to the blank space: abstract expressionism. I loved the sweep of canvasses I encountered in this approach by Newman as well, and so I became immediately curious about them and
(Con nued on page 9)
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asked the ques on myself: why would a modern secular Jewish ar st take on this subject? This prompted me to learn more about Newman, his reasons for undertaking this project, and also to explore my own a rac on to the pain ngs.
These pain ng are severe human-sized pain ngs with rigid bars along one or the other side and/or a stripe that is more like a ver -cal flash of color or the bursts of light on the screen of an oscilloscope. This is the famous "zip" that Newman describes when he talks about his own work. It expresses an energy that fascinates. As one progresses through the fourteen pain ngs, a pa ern seems to emerge. The early ones have a sober bar of black. Gradually the black on the le grows wide and then thinner. On the other side is a black or gray bar stripe. As we move along there seems to be a dialog and for me the le became fear and the right, always a bit lighter in most of the pain ngs, seemed to me to be Jesus' commitment to the sacrifice and the hope for life it would bring. Acceptance grows as white planes of paint dominate, and yet black takes over much of one of the sta ons. Newman wanted simply to focus on "Why has God forsaken me?" as a basic ques on of meaning (Newman, quoted from a catalog for one of his exhibi ons, in Valerie Hellstein, "Barne Newman, The Sta ons of the Cross: Lema Sabachtani," Object Narra ve, in Conversa ons: An Online Journal of the Center for the Study of Material and Visual Cultures of Religion (2014) available at the website of the Cen-ter for the Study of Material & Visual Cultures of Religion at Yale, h p://mavcor.yale.edu/ ). In the end, white light, acceptance, s llness prevails. When it is over it is translucent but s ll. The light of hope moves across the en re field. At the end of the fourteen Newman decided to place a fi eenth canvas, a departure from the number of sta ons that the tradi onal visual narra ve would include. This canvas, Be II, has the only orange stripe at the le against a field of white. Is this a resurrec on of any kind, much less the Resurrec on? Can all spiritual seekers accept, immediately and without doubt, a physical resurrec on of the body, or a common understanding of what that body is? My guess is that Newman himself would say no- this is about being forsaken, and how our lives can feel like an Empty Tomb. And this is not because of his ar s c skep cism and greater familiarity with the Jewish tradi on. Rather, this flash of energy would seem to be a new color of life, a light in which to walk as we wait for the grace of our deepest desire as Chris ans to accept new life, and perhaps a tribute to the acceptance of both suffering and of hope as the very texture of being. These are our condi ons, human, but graced. Addi onal Resources: A panoramic video of the Sta ons at the Na onal Gallery may be found at h ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCMOGyEZ-9c along with several video interviews with the ar st about this and other projects. See h ps://
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FINANCES
Redeemer Men’s Third Friday Luncheon Group Beginning about 15 months ago, a group of mostly retired men began gathering for a fellowship lunch on the third Fri-day of the month. The group discusses whatever is on their collective minds and catches up on how they are all doing. Being older and retired, sometimes the discussion centers on health, other times on household management, sometimes investment philosophies, and, of course, life in the parish. Monthly attendance has varied from as few as 4 to as many as 11. We usually gather in the bar at the Irish Inn at Glen Echo at 11:30. But we have ventured to other locations, including, last month, the home of Ben Ivins. A reminder email with the location and time is sent to all interested persons early in the week we are meeting. If you would like to know more about the group, or be put on the email list, contact Denny Shaw ([email protected]) or Bob Dresser ([email protected]).
Treasurer's Report Redeemer's 2017 operating results through the end of February are set forth in the ad-joining table. Redeemer is comfortably on track with budget at this point. If you have any questions about Redeemer's finances, please feel free to contact me.
Stephen L. Gibson Treasurer
Church of the Redeemer YTD February 2017 P&L
Jan-Feb Budget
Jan-Feb Actual
Over (Under) Budget
Annual Budget
INCOME
2017 Pledge 158,198 179,614 21,416 432,000
2017 Over Pledge 1,167 1,616 449 7,000
Prior Year Pledge 0 3,215 3,215 0
Other Dona ons 2,000 1,310 (690) 12,000
Loose Plate Offering 833 768 (65) 5,000
Special Offerings 833 633 (201) 5,000
Event & Ac vity Income 4,667 1,329 (3,338) 28,000
Facili es Use 3,333 4,269 936 20,000
Interest and Other In- 4 28 24 25
Total Income 171,035 192,781 21,746 509,025
EXPENSE
Administra on Expense 6,550 5,846 (704) 39,300
Diocesan Giving 5,667 5,667 (0) 34,000
Discre onary Account 250 750 500 1,500
Maintenance Expense 11,750 10,820 (930) 70,500
Outreach Giving 1,000 0 (1,000) 6,000
Personnel Expense 44,816 40,697 (4,119) 268,898
Program Expense 7,013 5,250 (1,763) 42,075
Property (Mortgage) Ex- 7,792 7,792 0 46,752
Total Expense 84,838 76,822 (8,016) 509,025
Net Opera ng Gain 86,198 115,960 29,762 0
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The Redeemer Spirit April 2017
ON-LINE PLEDGING AND DONATIONS
Pledge payments: Payments can be made on a pledge (one-time/monthly/weekly) using a checking/savings account or with a credit/debit card. Participants can create a profile, set up recurring payments and make one-time donations. Donors may also choose to cover the service fee if they wish to do so. A receipt for each and every payment will go to the donor and to the Parish Office. For donations of stock, please contact the Parish Office.
For the 2017 Fall Pledge Campaign, you may complete an electronic pledge card, send it to the office, and then continue on to set up payment. Printed pledge cards are available in the Narthex and in the Parish Hall. Donations: Donations can be made using the on-line service for parish programs, such as Altar Flowers, Friends of Music at Redeemer, Memorials, and other ad hoc donations. These will all be one-time payments.
Payment Information: Payment information is secure. Access is only possible by the donor, Vanco and the Parish Office through specially set up passwords and access codes.
PARISH LIFE
EfM Tuition and Fees Increase in 2017-2018 EfM tuition and fees will increase in the 2017-2018 year (beginning July 1, 2017). Other than a $10.00 increase in tuition in 2010, fees across the board have not been in-creased for more than a decade. Rising costs for materials and travel, however, make it necessary to raise fees ac-cordingly. The only exception to the increase is for partic-ipants in prison groups for whom the rate has been de-creased to $125. The fees for Redeemer students will be $375.
Mildred Devereux, Karina Kimberlin, Judy Hull, Karen Stewart, Brooke An-thony, Kathleen Ruckman, Navid Shir-zad, Jake Rathwick, Maddie Rathwick, Joy Hundley, Cecilia Noya, Patrick Fitz-gerald, Marina France, Diana Dial, Mar-garet Raber, Sarah Nelson, Maddy Ty-ler, Hilary Robinson, Kelsie Kimberlin, Katey Nelson, Christine deFon-tenay, Coleen Katz, Jordan Avery, Ann Hartman, Nathan Hotes, Cricket Park, Kim Penn, Julie Wolf-Rodda
We wish a happy birthday to those born in April:
And Happy Anniversary to: Bill & Lisa MacBain
PARISH CLERGY & STAFF The Rev’d Cricket Park, Rector [email protected]
Welcome Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Bethesda, Maryland, a vibrant, growing parish community of “inquiring and discerning hearts”, where all – the doubter, the seeker, and the believer – are welcome to join us in living and wrestling with the often difficult questions of faith. Here we value an Anglican spirituality – one that is open to the mystery of the Holy and which celebrates the dignity of human nature and the beauty of all creation.
