21st Sunday after Pentecost

Dear and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,

I will forgo my letter to provide you with this letter from our stewardship Team.

Peace,

Tim

Back to the Future - Embracing the Present

Ark and Dove is a very busy church! All it takes is one look at the “Announcements” page in the bulletin

to see that. There are activities almost every night of the week. We are currently involved in many

programs that affect our church, our community, and the

world. Here are just a few of our ongoing programs.

Godly Play is our children’s program during Sunday worship

service. A storyteller presents a Bible story using different

articles made from wood, felt, and other fabrics and

materials. After the story the children are invited to choose

their work. Each class is stocked with painting and drawing

materials, clay, journals and books. Some children will

decide to use one of the story sets. The choice is theirs.

ACT (Anne Arundel Connecting Together) is made up of leaders and organizers building power to improve the lives of our families, communities, regions, and nations. ACT is a non-partisan organization of 28 faith and community-based institutions in Anne Arundel County. We organize the two universal sources of power -- organized people and organized money -- so that our organizations can move powerful institutions in the governmental and private sectors to act. ACT is non-ideological and pragmatic -- building relationships based on shared interests across the lines that tend to divide us. ACT is also strictly non-partisan, not favoring or supporting any party, but fiercely favoring and supporting those issues and strategies that bring more dignity and greater opportunity to an ever-widening circle of society.

LOGOS is Ark and Dove's children's program for ages Pre-K through 6th grade that engages our youth in the life of the church, providing opportunities to learn about God, to have fun, and to create lasting relationships with others. This year it will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm to 7:15pm through the end of March. On the third Tuesday of every month, we will provide a family-style dinner for LOGOS kids, their families, and other volunteers at 6:20pm. LOGOS is a great way to grow your relationship with God and others at Ark and Dove.

Antiracism and Social Equity - Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church unequivocally affirms that the lives of African Americans and all people of color matter. We express our support and solidarity in confronting the tragic legacy of slavery and racism in our country. In the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We must let the cry of the prophet Amos ring through our hearts and our land, “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).

GLEAM - The God’s Love Embraces All Ministry team (GLEAM) grew from the recognition that being a welcoming and affirming church is a continuing journey toward full inclusion of all LGBTQIA+ members, friends, and visitors in the life of Ark & Dove. It is the continual work of support and advocacy for all LGBTQIA+ persons in our church and wider communities. Our goal is to provide opportunities for folks who are passionate about LGBTQIA+ concerns to work together in making our church and community a safe, welcoming, and spiritually engaging place for all.

CEDEPCA – Ark and Dove supports The Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America. CEDEPCA is an ecumenical educational organization based in Guatemala that works to transform lives in Central America by providing training and education, as well as offering spaces for reflection to women and men from diverse Christian traditions and communities. 

CEDEPCA’s mission is to promote the devolvement of innovative and transformative pastoral actions to individuals and communities for the construction of a more just world.

How do we do it all? Your gifts to our operating fund allow Ark and Dove to do so many things! That’s why it is so important to submit your pledges. Pledges are important because they allow the church to plan and expand our programs. We cannot continue to fund current programs and start new ones if we don’t know how much money will be coming into the church. You wouldn’t put together a budget without knowing your income and neither can the church.

Please pray about your 2024 pledge to Ark & Dove Mission & Ministry

Hi friends!

This week has felt a bit like a deep sigh, letting go of the high spiritual intensity that I’ve

experienced over the last few weeks. Both my ordination and installation services were

beautiful, moving, momentous life events and I’m grateful to everyone who made them the

sacred rites of passage that they were. And, at the same time, they demanded a lot of creativity and focus, as well as a much higher level of vulnerability than I’ve had to sustain since, well probably ever. While taking part in a friend’s ordination service earlier this year I thought to myself: it’s like a wedding, except you have to stand alone to take vows. That seems excruciatingly vulnerable. And fortunately, it felt not quite excruciating in the moment, because of how well I was held and loved by two beloved communities, filled with God’s Holy Spirit as I took those vows.

So what does one do after the mountaintop? I started my journey down the mountain by getting some extra rest this week. I’ve been exhausted, and it’s ok to take the time we need to rest. Hear that as a word for yourself, if you need the reassurance that rest is a gift from God for us all that we do not need to earn.

I’ve also had the time to turn from the “big” events to the “little” things of sustainable, everyday ministry with real life human beings in real life human bodies. For example, I’ve started to stock the brand-new Youth Pantry in my office with things that the youth (and really, anyone of any age) might need. Right now, we’ve got snacks, temporary tattoos, stickers to promote mental wellness and celebrate God’s love, tampons, pads, band aids and dry shampoo. There are a few other things on the way as well, so feel free to stop by my office for a visit! I’m a big believer that engaging in simple ways of providing care for ourselves and others attests to our good God, who created us not for suffering, but for joy. So come, all you who need a snack. Come, you who purchased a new water bottle and need a sticker. Come, you who are in need of a tampon and are feeling weird and embarrassed about it. I got you.

And lastly, one of the best re-grounding experiences I had this week was family dinner at

LOGOS on Tuesday night. I sat with a table full of new friends in kindergarten-2nd grade and it was beyond lovely. We passed food and shared with one another. We had lively conversation and cookie crumbs ended up everywhere–we owe many thanks to the cleaning crew, along with the chefs, of course. That dinner was a moment where I felt God’s presence in the ordinary goodness of everyday life. We were all folded into a loving community, sitting shoulder to shoulder across barriers of age and race and power, and we were having the most mundane, best time in the world. Thanks be to God for life lived together.

With you in love,

The now official Pastor Jenn

Then he said to them, "whose head is this and whose title?  They answered "the Emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."

Matthew 22:20-21

God of the ages, you are always faithful to your people. You cry when humanity devolves into conflicts. You ache with empathy, give comfort and courage to those who are suffering. Give strength and skill to those who are working for peace and those who are working to heal. Give us your peace which passes all understanding. In these moments of strife and warfare, open our hearts and eyes to the movement of your Spirit that we might sow comfort and calm in a world full of turmoil.  Amen

Dear Friends,

Thank you to the many musicians who made last Sunday's services so special. Both Sunday morning and afternoon for Pastor Jenn's Installation service were incredible. I am so grateful to you all!

The music this Sunday will be just as wonderful, right off the bat. We will open the 10:30 service (and close the 9:00 service) with a combined piece for Children's Choir, Adult Choir and Percussion, called "Jambo Rafiki" by Victor C. Johnson. It translates to "Hello, my friend! Sing with us. Let your soul rejoice!"  

The hymns this week are traditional- "God of Grace, and God of Glory", "God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending", and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". The Offertory and closing (or opening, depending on which service you attend), will be contemporary.  

I will sing a solo this week, called "Goodness of God" by Bethel Music. I have sung it once before- it's one of my favorite songs, and I feel deeply connected to it. Jenn Johnson, the composer of this piece, wrote this piece after she had just adopted her son, Ryder. She said that it was "instant, blubbering love" (Yup, I know that love). She remembers shortly after that, driving down a long country road, and this song came to her- almost in its entirety. She said that if she had gone down the road of what made sense, it wouldn't have made sense, but sometimes when we follow God's voice, it becomes this goodness that you never knew.  

I will also be playing an instrumental version of the song "Love Like This" by Lauren Daigle as the opening for the 9:00 and the closing for the 10:30 service. I wanted to play one of her pieces because I'm going to see her in concert (with a few other Ark and Dove members!) on Saturday evening, and I know I'll be feeling inspired the next morning.

With love,

Rebecca 

Director of Music

rechols@arkanddove.org

YTD Expected Unpledged Income $16,500

Actual Unpledged Income $13,746

Behind $2,754

YTD Expected Pledged & Electronic Giving $389,960

YTD Actual Pledged & Electronic Giving $362,681

Behind $27,279

All Saints Day

November 5th

All Saints Sunday is November 5th and is a special day at Ark and Dove. This is the day that we remember those whom we have lost this year, by name in a prayer, and with the lighting of a candle during worship service. Please submit the name of your immediate family members whom we have lost this year to the deacons at deacons@arkanddove.org to be added to the bulletin on All Saints Day.

Parent Group Meeting

October 22nd

The Parent Group meets on 4th Sundays for fellowship and conversation. This month we will meet on October 22nd at 11:30am in the Marshall Room and will begin to watch and discuss a series of videos based on the book, "A Grown-up's Guide to Kids' Wiring" by Kathleen Edelman. All caregivers of children up to college age are welcome. We will share the cost of pizza and childcare.

Youth Group meets this Sunday 10/22

Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for youth group this Sunday, October 22nd at Ark and Dove from 5-6:30pm. Come and connect with old friends and meet some new ones! Snacks will be provided.

LOGOS Save the Date

October 24th: LOGOS Trunk or Treat. We need volunteers to decorate their trunks and pass out candy. If you’re interested let Jen know. Participating cars should be parked on the side closest to the playground by 6:40pm. Trunk or Treat starts at 6:55pm until 7:15pm.

Nursery Leaders and

Helpers Needed

To ensure that we can continue to offer children and youth programming we need 2 adult/teenage leaders, from different nuclear families to help provide leadership. Please consider volunteering!

Please sign up here: Nursery Volunteers

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

October is Pastor Appreciation Month!

Please remember to show your appreciation to Pastor Tim and Pastor Jenn during the month of October!

Anne Arundel Connecting Together 5 Year Anniversary Celebration

ACT will be celebrating its 5th Anniversary on November 2nd and would like to see YOU there!

Ark and Dove has committed to bring 50 people to the celebration. You have several ways to register and join the event. There is a Breeze online sign up HERE and a sign up table in the lobby on Sundays. We want to show our continuing partnership and commitment to the work of ACT, which completely aligns with our Matthew 25 Mission goals.

Do you want to know why we support ACT? Read HERE. Carpooling from Ark and Dove will be arranged. Thursday, November 2, 2023, St. Andrews by the Bay, located at 701 College Pkwy, Annapolis MD, 7:00pm-8:30pm.

Contact Lori Kronser for more information. lori.kronser@arkanddove.org

GLEAM Story Hour

Join us Sunday, November 5th at noon in the sanctuary for Story Hour! All ages are welcome! Refreshments will be provided or you can bring a bagged lunch. See the bulletin board for more information or contact

Amy Tardiff. Amy.Tardiff@arkanddove.org

We're Back!

The White Affinity Group zoom meetings will resume the 1st Tuesday of the month starting November 7th at 6:30pm. All are welcome to join us for discussions on race topics as we confront our own biases, hold each other accountable, and learn to use our privilege in support of those who are oppressed.

Contact Paula Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com, if you would like to receive the zoom link each month and join us when you can!

CAP Food Pantry

The Christian Assistance Program (CAP) food pantry has served more individuals and households this year through September than in any previous year over the same period (20% higher than 2022). The item of the month is JELLY/JAM in October and SOUP in November. These are the most needed items, but CAP is grateful for all donations. We have bins marked for CAP food in the cabinet across from the lobby coat rack. Food can also be taken directly to the pantry, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Odenton, on Tuesdays 10:45am-1:30pm and Thursdays 2:45-5:30pm or contact Greg Makar at GLMakar@juno.com to make other arrangements.

Discover Ark and Dove

Saturday November 11 at 9:00am- A seminar for visitors and those thinking about membership. Pastor Jenn and Pastor Tim will lead the discussion. Breakfast included. Out by noon. No obligation. Sign up here.

No obligation, childcare is provided.

Living Justly in Our Modern World

What does it mean to “live justly”? How can we, as Christians, bring God’s kingdom of love and justice to the world we live in, today? Using the book “Living Justly” (2021, Tearfund), we are going to explore that, deepen our relationships with each other, and create an action plan over 5 sessions in October, November, and December using stories, scripture, and group discussion.

We are meeting on Wednesdays at 8pm on Zoom (October 25, November 1, November 8, November 29, December 6).

Contact knilsenjohnson@arkanddove.org to sign up or for more information.

Safety and Security is Everyone’s Business

Come brainstorm with the Security Team on Tuesday, November 7 at 7:30pm on zoom.

There are many kinds of emergencies, and we want to make sure that everyone at Ark and Dove stays safe from fires, extreme weather events, internet crimes and crimes of theft, property destruction, and violence.

We are not starting from scratch. Scott Howe and others on the past Security Team already have a lot of information collected, including a security audit performed by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security! The Ark and Dove Security Team is reforming now, as Scott takes a break, and we need more hands-on deck. Come if the idea of being better prepared for emergencies appeals to you. Come if you have skills or experience that would be helpful in this endeavor. Come if you’re curious as to how we might go forward. Come because we need you.

On September 19th, eleven church members attended a thought-provoking zoom meeting on Emergency Preparedness Planning for Ark and Dove offered by Jim Krempel of the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management.

I also attended an earlier county-sponsored forum on Protecting Places of Worship that included federal, state and local speakers, which focused more on hate crimes.

Any questions, ideas, and/or to get the zoom link, contact Linnie Girdner at girdnerlinda@gmail.com or 410-999-7892.

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