7th Sunday of Easter

Dear Friends of the Ark and Dove Community,

Last Saturday, thirteen youth and five adult chaperones from Ark and Dove formed the core group of attendees at the Presbytery of Baltimore’s Soul Shop for Youth training. I wanted to share with you one of the most important things we did at that training: naming our PIT (People I Trust) Crew. 

Your PIT crew is three people that you trust and you promise to reach out to if you’re ever feeling hopeless, desperate, or suicidal. These people should be adults, so they are equipped to do things kids might not be able to do–drive, reach out to mental health professionals if they are out of their depth, etc. After writing down the names of your PIT crew, you need to reach out to each member of your crew and tell them that they are your trusted person and you promise to reach out to them in moments of crisis. Those are vulnerable conversations to have, and they are so important.

I invite you and your family to have some conversations about each of your PIT crews. Name the three people you can and will reach out to if you find yourself feeling hopeless, desperate or suicidal. In our hardest moments, we often can’t remember that there are people out there who love us; but, if we commit ourselves to reaching out to our PIT crew now, we can prepare ourselves for whatever lies ahead.

And there is absolutely no shame if you or your loved ones have a hard time naming three people for your PIT crew. In the middle of a loneliness epidemic, four years into a pandemic-altered world, it’s not surprising that people end up isolated, with less resilient networks. But knowing that is important, so you can work on building your PIT crew now and not have to test it in a moment of crisis. If you don’t know how to start to build up your crew, may I suggest you start here at Ark and Dove. You are supported by your pastors and your Deacons, and there are many other groups and gatherings where you can start to build or deepen connections. If you’re feeling adrift or worried about the robustness of your PIT crew, please reach out. We keep each other safe and God has created each of us for abundant life. 

With you in prayer and support,

Pastor Jenn

Then Jesus led the disciples out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Luke 24: 50-53

The Ascension isn't about Jesus ascending to a literal physical place called "heaven". It is Jesus being swallowed by love.

Amen.

-Broderick Greer

Dear Friends,

We are just TWO weeks away from taking 19 singers to Carnegie Hall to sing the world premiere of the work, These Ancient Words, by Heather Sorenson (https://www.heathersorenson.com/). Our 19 singers will join others from across the US and Canada, making up a grand choir of 250 voices, accompanied by full orchestra on the infamous Stern Auditorium stage. Heather Sorenson will also be conducting this work. It is not often that the composer of a piece is also the conductor- an extraordinary experience that offers a unique perspective on the creation and the performance of music. I can only imagine what it would be like to craft every note and phrase, every dynamic marking, and then step on the podium to bring that creation to life. What an experience it will be for all of us!  

Our singers will be in rehearsals for 3 days, beginning on Sunday, May 26th, ending with the grand finale- the concert on Tuesday, May 28th at 7:00pm. Perhaps you want to travel to NYC for the Memorial Day weekend and experience this concert in person. If you would like to purchase tickets for this event, here is the link: 

https://www.carnegiehall.org/Cart/Event-Seating?itemNumber=47558#/

If you are unable to attend, don’t worry! While it won’t be 250 voices, our choir will present this work on June 16th at Ark and Dove, and we will present movement 2, “Humility” for this week’s offertory as a preview. We will also be receiving a video recording of our Carnegie Hall performance, and we will have a “watch party” at Ark and Dove- that date will be announced soon!

See you Sunday!

With love,

Rebecca 

Director of Music

rechols@arkanddove.org

First Quarter

Giving Statements

Check your inbox! First Quarter Giving Statements have been emailed. So far, we are $6,000 ahead across all three giving categories! If you've fallen behind, this is a great time to catch up. For more information, contact the Giving Statement Coordinator Joe Gray at joe.gray@arkanddove.org. Thank you for your continued support of Ark and Dove.

Notes from the Stewardship Team.

Per Capita is the amount of money that Ark and Dove provides to the Baltimore

Presbytery and General Assembly on behalf of church membership. We pay $40 per

adult member (including confirmed young adults) for approximately $10,400 (260

members x $40). For perspective, that is equal to approximately 37% of the entire

Mission budget. The Per Capita from all the churches in the Baltimore Presbytery

keeps our system of support for our programs, our pastors and the mission activities of

the Presbytery running. Ark and Dove has received tremendous support over the years

from the Presbytery, and it's one of the contributing factors in why we are one of the

healthiest (perhaps the healthiest?) congregations in the Baltimore Presbytery. We are

a little biased in our opinion. Acknowledged.

One of the areas where we can improve is how our congregation supports that contribution to Presbytery. This contribution is mandatory, and so it is paid annually by

Ark and Dove. We see this as our responsibility. It is given in gratitude for the services that are provided to all. We ask that each family pay this $40 per adult (not per household) in addition to their regular offering. When there is a shortfall in the amount received compared to the amount paid, it hits the overall annual budget directly. This greatly reduces the amount of budget our ministries can work with. We end up shorting our own programs. So, if our members don't, somewhere someone is paying it forward on their behalf.

Let’s set an internal challenge to commit to receiving 100% of Per Capita by summer. Double check if you have contributed. We all forget sometimes. I have even missed my monthly pledge, and only discovered the missed offering when I did taxes. I’ll be correcting that. Let’s do this before vacations and other distractions hit. Faithfully, consider paying for one extra adult to cover someone that is unable to contribute. Donations to Per Capita can be made online (click DONATE NOW on the Ark and Dove website and find the Per Capita item). Or come to service on Sunday to provide your Per Capita offering using the Per Capita envelopes provided. Saying we’re 100%covered is a beautiful thing as one of the many ways to show how we demonstrate our faith outwards to the broader community of Presbyterians.

Faithfully,

Doug Walcutt and the entire Stewardship Team.

YTD Expected Unpledged Income $16,309

Actual Unpledged Income $18,007

Ahead $1,698

YTD Expected Pledged & Electronic Giving $167,222

YTD Actual Pledged & Electronic Giving $175,881

Ahead $8,659

Ark and Dove Book Club May Selection

The Ark and Dove Book Club has chosen “Five Little Indians,” a novel by Michelle Good as its May selection.

Please join us in person or on Zoom on Friday, May 17th at 7pm for our book discussion.

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

Girl Scout

Bronze Award Project

Girl Scout Troop 1164 is hosting a donation drive for the Crofton Baby Pantry. The Baby Pantry is located in Crofton and serves families with children under 5 in Anne Arundel County.

Most needed items include new:

• Diapers, particularly sizes 5 and 6
• Socks, particularly in sizes 2t, 4t, and 6t
• Unscented baby wipes
• Diaper rash cream
• Baby wash

Items can be placed in the collection box out in the lobby this Sunday 5/12 or next Sunday 5/19. If you prefer you can also order items off the Amazon Wish list, and they will get sent directly to the Baby Pantry. Questions, please email Amy Stavely troop01164@gmail.com.

Virtual Journey to Guatemala

Greetings from Guatemala! We hope and pray that this finds you well.

The Intercultural Encounters Program of CEDEPCA is pleased to announce the next Virtual Journey to Guatemala, “Let’s Talk about Mission!” What is God’s mission? How does God involve us? What are best practices for embodying and bearing witness to the love of Christ, especially in intercultural spaces?

At this one-and-a-quarter-hour Zoom meeting, Journey participants will listen in as Guatemalan Pastor Emerson Morales and U.S. Pastor Jennifer Hope-Tringali share with each other their wisdom and wonderings about mission.

Mark your calendar and pre-register using this Zoom link.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about how to join the meeting.

Celebrate Pride Month

with an award-winning, shame-slaying

drag musician!

Flamy Grant is coming to the area Saturday June 29, 2024! We will be carpooling from the church, leaving at 6:45pm - sign up at ArkandDove.org/Carpool. Click here to purchase concert tickets.

Contact outreach@arkanddove.org with any questions.

Annapolis Pride!

If you are interested in participating in Annapolis Pride, please see the sign up in the lobby. We need folks to march in the parade and to sit at our booth. The festival is Saturday June 1st from 12-5pm, beginning with the parade at noon. Contact Amanda Crose for more information.  amanda.rose.crose@gmail.com

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 families to help provide leadership. Please consider volunteering!

Please sign up here: Nursery Volunteers

Save the Date! 

Ark and Dove's Vacation Bible School will be the week of August 5th-August 9th. Our theme will be Compassion Camp: Changing The World With Lovingkindness. We hope you can join us! Contact Pastor Jenn (jenn.mccullough@arkanddove.org) or Amy Tardiff (christianed@arkanddove.org) with questions. More information is coming soon.

IRIS Group:

Middle and High School

The LGBTQ+ focused group for teens and youth meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Middle School meets from 6-7pm and High School meets 7-8pm in person in the Calvin Room. For more information contact Adora Grace Nilsen-Johnson: adora.nilsenjohnson@arkanddove.org or Craig West: craig.west@arkanddove.org

Presbyterian Women's Spring Gathering

Presbyterian Women (PW) in the Presbytery of Baltimore will be holding their Spring Gathering at First of Howard County on May 18th from 10am to 1pm. Highlights from the PW Mission Trip to Arizona and Mexican border will be presented. They will have light refreshments. NO COST TO REGISTER. The offering requested is a Gift Card of any amount from Lowe's, Amazon, Target or Walmart. Please email Joan Berry (joanb3rry@gmail.com) by May 17th if you want to register.

Create Some Tie-Dye Masterpieces!

Join us outside on May 29th at 7 p.m. to tie-dye! This is a great opportunity to add some color to your white Ark & Dove shirts for Pride later that week. We will be all set up to help you figure out a pattern, add colors, and send you home with instructions on the final steps; we just ask that you come with a pre-washed (without softener) shirt or other white cotton-based item and a plastic bag to take them home in (a garbage bag works well). To make sure we have enough supplies, please RSVP to ArkandDove.org/tiedye.

Do you want to help set up? We need old newspapers and rubber bands! Contact Katie at outreach@arkanddove.org

Equipping The Saints Workshops

Join us for an interactive, in person workshop delving into Google’s suite of applications. This 90-minute workshop will be held in the Ark and Dove Room on May 18th (2 pm), May 20th (6 pm) and May 28th (6 pm). We’ll discuss Gmail, the Ark and Dove Global Address List (GAL) and explore Drive.

Bring your devices (computer, phone, etc.), and we’ll ensure you’re set up to access Ark and Dove’s Google services. Space is limited to 8 attendees per session. Personalized 1-on-1 sessions can also be scheduled for a more tailored experience. Please register by contacting Michelle Schoonmaker (michelle.schoonmaker@arkanddove.org); an Ark and Dove account will be created in advance of the session.

We're Hiring! Nursery Coordinator Needed

We are looking for a new Nursery Coordinator here at Ark and Dove to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children three and under during worship services, and other church events, facilitate the participation of volunteers in caring for our youngest parishioners, including assisting with the training of adult and youth volunteers as assigned by the volunteer coordinator, and making parents and children feel welcome and comfortable.

If you or someone you know may be interested, email hiring@arkanddove.org for the full job description and compensation information.

Nexamp Community Solar

Ark and Dove has gone solar!

We now get our electricity from a Nexamp Community Solar farm at a 10% discount compared to BGE. Thanks to Jan Hof and Don Ziegler for making this happen!

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