6th Sunday after Pentecost

Jennifer Kubit McCullough has most recently served as Creative Organizer of Youth Ministry at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA. In this role, Jenn worked alongside the congregation, staff, and volunteers to show young people that the church is theirs and that they are called to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. While in seminary, she also served as a Ministry Intern at Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church in Anaheim Hills, CA. Before deciding to pursue a call to ministry as a career, Jenn taught middle and high school Literature and Composition for 8 years at the Orange County School of the Arts.

As a long-time member of St. Mark Presbyterian Church and as a staff member, Jenn served in a number of roles including member of the Pastor Nominating Committee; leader for a Brew Theology conversation group; facilitator of a panel discussion on racial justice; member of Adult Discipleship and Nurture Commission; and as a Lenten devotion leader.



In the area of youth ministry at St. Mark, Jenn helped lead youth delegations to retreats at Triennium and Montreat; was a Youth Group and Youth Sunday School Volunteer; and was a Member of the Children and Youth Ministry Commission. Jenn received her B.A. in American Literature and Culture from the University of California, Los Angeles and received her teaching credential in English from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In May 2022, she completed her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado through the school’s online/hybrid Journey program. She will be ordained later this year.  



Jenn, who grew up in Orange County, loves music and musical theater, being outdoors, eating/trying new foods, exercising, and reading. She and her husband Shane are parents to three creative and playful kids. As a family, they are committed to making the world a more just and joyful place.

Shane grew up in San Diego (and is San Diego sports fan) and has a large extended family in Southern California. He has worked in the real estate industry for more than 15 years building high-density apartments and mixed-use projects through Southern California. In his free time, he loves reading, puzzles (crossword, word, or jigsaw), time with kids, and exercising.

Bryn, 11, is a huge reader, a lover of animals, and an actress and wants to be a librarian. Dean, 9, loves baseball, building LEGOs and is interested in politics and world events; he received a letter from President Biden that is displayed on the family’s refrigerator. Jack, 7, is a natural comedian who loves video games. He was recently diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (“but that's only a part of who he is,” says his dad) - he wants to be a gardener when he grows up.

1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, ²the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.³Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Genesis 1:1-5, NRSV

The Creator who brought order out of chaos, give peace to you.

The Saviour who stilled the raging storm, give peace to you.

The Spirit who broods on the deeps, give peace to you.

 -Celtic Blessing

YTD Expected Unpledged Income $11,000

Actual Unpledged Income $8,838

Behind $2,162

YTD Expected Pledged & Electronic Giving $259,973

YTD Actual Pledged & Electronic Giving $244,527

Behind $15,446

Our theme this year for Pre-K-rising 5th graders is ChangeMakers Lab. Children are invited to discover and share creative ways to make a difference in the world through words and actions. Changemakers Lab invites children to ask questions, make observations, and work together to solve problems, as well as see and experience the transforming love of God.

Our Middle Schoolers (Rising 6th-8th graders) will focus on learning about the 6 Marks of Discipleship throughout the week. They will have opportunities to do activities and learn about Daily Prayer, Daily Bible Reading, Regular Worship Attendance, Commitment to Spiritual Growth and Relationship Building, Generous Stewardship, and Acts of Mission, Mercy, and Justice. There are plans to have two off-site activities during this time. (Bowling Alley and Skate Center). More details will be shared with participants who sign up.

Registration for VBS can be found here.

Will you consider donating items or monetary amounts needed for activities done during this week? If so, please sign up below. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

• Sign Up Genius for VBS Items and Monetary Donations for Food Items

Any questions or concerns please reach out to Sara Fox at christianed@arkanddove.org.

Leaders and Helpers Needed

To ensure that we can continue to offer the above services we need 2 adult/teenage leaders, from different nuclear families to help provide leadership. Please consider volunteering for one of the following this summer. 

Please sign up here: Nursery Volunteers

You will be assisting Cara Moody as needed and be another set of eyes/hands in the nursery.

Please sign up here: Summer Sunday School

We need help! All materials and lesson plans will be prepped for you. 😎

Sunday Service Christian Education Opportunities

9:00 AM Service:  

Nursery open for children age birth to 3

10:30 AM Service: 

Nursery open for children age birth to 3, 4 year olds may attend 

Summer Sunday School for PreK-5th grade, early middle schoolers are welcome to attend as well.

Ark and Dove Book Club - August Pick

Join the Ark and Dove Book Club as they read Barbara Kingsolver’s recent Pulitzer Prize winning novel “Demon Copperhead.” As Amazon’s summary accurately describes: “in transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens’ anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story.” We will discuss the book on Zoom on Friday, August 18th at 7:30pm. Contact Kim at kim.champagne@arkanddove.org for the Zoom link.

Second Saturday Prayer Class

Join Kim Champagne on Saturday, July 8th at 9am, for an hour-long contemplative prayer class in the Ark and Dove Room. We will practice several types of ancient prayers of the heart, including Centering Prayer, Breath Praying and the Morning Prayer from the Divine Hours. 

For more information contact Kim at kim.champagne@arkanddove.org

The Benefits of Planting Native Plants in Your Yard

Native plants are plants that grow naturally in a specific region or habitat. They are adapted to the local climate, soil, and wildlife, and they provide many benefits for your yard and the environment. Some of the benefits of planting native plants in your yard are:

- They attract pollinators and wildlife. Native plants provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for a variety of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. These pollinators are essential for the reproduction of many plants, including crops. Native plants also support other wildlife, such as birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, by offering diverse habitats and resources.

- They enhance the beauty and diversity of your yard. Native plants come in a wide range of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures, creating a beautiful and unique landscape for your yard. They also add seasonal interest and variety, as they bloom, fruit, change colors, and drop seeds at different times of the year. By planting native plants, you can enjoy the natural beauty and diversity of your region in your own backyard.

- They conserve water and reduce runoff. Native plants typically require less water than exotic or introduced plants, because they are used to the rainfall patterns and drought conditions of their area. They also help prevent soil erosion and filter pollutants from stormwater runoff, improving the quality of nearby water sources.

If you are looking for examples of Maryland native plants, you might want to check out some of these resources:

• The University of Maryland Extension has a list of recommended native plants for Maryland, organized by categories such as groundcovers, ferns, wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees. You can find photos and details for each plant species on their website.
• The Maryland Department of Natural Resources also has information on native plants, including a link to the Maryland Plant Atlas, which provides a checklist of vascular plants of Maryland and whether they are native or non-native. You can also find information on invasive plant species and native alternatives to them.
• The Maryland Native Plant Society is another source of information on gardening and landscaping with native plants. They have a monthly newsletter, a calendar of events, and a list of local chapters that you can join.
• The Great American Landscapes website has some examples of Maryland native plants that can add beauty and diversity to your garden. They mention some native grasses, sedges, and rushes that can create an organic look and provide habitat for wildlife.

These are just some of the examples of Maryland native plant resources you can explore. Native plants are not only beneficial for the environment, but also for your own enjoyment and satisfaction.

Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church | 410-674-6400 | admin@arkanddove.org | www.arkanddove.org | 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy. Odenton, MD 21113