Some of you have asked questions about what's happening at Hope, what about our staff, what about campus. Here is some of what's going on:
The building: Between me and a few volunteers, everything is well taken care of. The mail is sorted; donations are processed and deposited; bills are paid. Plants are watered; grass is mowed. The heat is off, and the windows and doors are closed and locked. The fridge is empty, the trash is all out and the outside bins are empty. Someone regularly walks around the building, inside and outside, to make sure no pipes have burst and nothing looks "amiss."
Staff: Alex comes in to record music for Sunday worship. Beth does administrative work from home. I do most of my pastoring from home by phone and email, coming in to Hope about once a week. Rosa cleaned Hope when we were still coming, but she is avoiding public transportation and not coming into Hope these days. Council has decided to continue paying staff, regardless of how many hours staff is able to work in these unusual times. This is an act of faith and justice.
Campus: University of Maryland is entirely online for the remainder of the semester. Students have moved off campus. Graduation will be online this May. Campus, and College Park generally, are quiet! Humble Walk has moved all of its ministry online as students are spread throughout the country. As usual, some of their programming is for students only. But some is open to anyone interested. See below for invitations to interfaith events and faith/theology programming from Humble Walk.
Space Sharing: The AA Groups have moved their meetings online. Living Water SDA has moved their ministry online as well. You can watch their Saturday services here: https://www.livingwatersda.org/. Since Living Water is not donating to Hope for weekly use of the space, they are directing more money to community organizations supporting people in crisis right now. We at Hope are grateful for these partners and the work they continue to do.
Have other questions? Email me to ask and I'll do my best to answer.
With the peace of the risen Christ, Pastor Julie
Kitchen Table Worship this Sunday:
This Sunday April 26, to mark the Road to Emmaus story, and how "...Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread," you are invited to what we'll call "Kitchen Table Worship." Households are invited to bring their computer to the kitchen table, or their coffee and breakfast to wherever their computer is. We'll have a time within morning worship to eat and drink together and know that Jesus is among us.
Welcoming: Anyone is welcome to attend any of these events. Consider inviting family from around the country or neighbors from across the street.
Sunday Worship: We continue online worship in partnership with St Andrew's Episcopal Church, until it is safe to meet in person again. Pastors share leadership, others read scripture and lead prayers, there is music, we are all able to see tiny images of each others faces. Sign on at 10am to see how it goes and trouble shoot any tech difficulties. Worship begins at 10:30. After worship, some people stay to be put into small groups for virtual coffee hour.
Find us here: https://zoom.us/j/338100220
or call in: +1 301 715 8592 ; Meeting ID: 338 100 220
password: 214341
Daily Prayer: Monday through Saturday, Father Tim Johnson of St. Andrews Episcopal Church leads morning prayer and evening prayer on facebook live. You do not need a facebook account to click on the link and watch these prayers. Join any day, 8 am and/or 9pm here: www.facebook.com/saeccp.
Wednesday daytime Contemplative Prayer: Robin continues to host this group from 12:30-1:30pm for anyone interested. Join here: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6083039144 (meeting ID 608-303-9144), password: Christos
Friday Moms Group: April 24 this group begins again, 11am-noon. Share this invitation with moms you know, anywhere around the country or world: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/896902836
movies@hope: Join us on Zoom Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m., when movies@hope proudly presents Bicycle Thieves from 1949. Ranked as one of the top 100 movies of all times, this film by the great Vittorio De Sica comes to us from another time of upheaval and uncertainty, war-ravaged post-WWII Italy. In a society riven by social unrest and economic deprivation, this tale of a father and his son and their quest for a stolen bicycle shows the power of hope, resilience and compassion even in the most desperate times. Sign on at 7:30 to watch the film; or stream it yourself and sign on at 9:15. for the discussion. Consider inviting a friend or neighbor who ordinarily couldn't come. Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87392024506?pwd=aDhyd0xXQy92V2RSaWV4eGhRZTlwdz09
password: 283983
Growing: These are some of the ways we connect and grow in this time of distance.
Sunday Morning Adult Book Conversation: The Screwtape Letters: On four Sundays of the Easter Season (April 19, 25 & May 3, 10), Hope and St Andrew's churches gather at 9 a.m. via Zoom to discuss C.S. Lewis’ classic work, The Screwtape Letters. Join here: https://zoom.us/j/111310403?pwd=U25qdUZZYjNpR3lUUkVzOWpaRnJzdz09. If asked for a passcode, enter: 45084512.
Kids Sunday School: Each Sunday at 9am, families gather online for Sunday School. Kids will waive hello to each other and hear about God’s love for them. Email Kat M if you want a list of art materials to gather ahead of time. Invite families you know to join here: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/255708731?pwd=MVlEa2FYbXhiZ044WEdjYVc0OWFqdz09
Tuesday Interfaith Opportunity: The Humble Walk is hosting an interfaith meeting on Tuesdays from 7:30-8:45pm on zoom. These meetings will be an opportunity to learn about other faiths from different people in the Northeast. Contact Katie for more information: katieevans96@gmail.com.
Wednesday evening Bible Study: We hear from each other as different people take turns leading this evening study. Bring your bible to the computer or phone and join us from 7-8pm here:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/883615306
or call in: +1 301 715 8592 ; Meeting ID: 883 615 306
Congregation Cuncil: Hope's Council continues to meet and lead. Contact any council members with thoughts or questions: Addie A, Jeff T, Joan A, Paulette T, Mary C, Liz D, Katie E, Lauren M, Bruce N.
Giving: Your generosity helps us continue to be the Body of Christ in and for the world. As we continue to seek ways to be faithful and look for opportunities to serve our neighbors, we encourage you to be faithful in your giving. You may mail checks to Hope or give online at www.hopecp.org. Look on the top red toolbar for the word “Donate."
Loving: These are some of the ways we are loving our neighbors, near and far.
PG Plaza Day Center: Thanks to Joan, Lori, Mary, Pat and Paulette who made bag-lunches for the PG Plaza Day Center this week. We continue with our once-a-month service, even when the day center is only handing out bag lunches. Hope's next regular time of service is May 19. Contact Joan to be involved.
Support Families in Langley Park: Maybe you saw this recent Washington Post story about the tremendous burden COVID-19 has placed on families in Langley Park. Humble Walk volunteers with these families regularly through the after school programs. Humble Walk is collaborating with La Sagrada Familia Lutheran Church, by collecting grocery gift cards to support these families. Donate by Venmo @LutheranTerps or email Katie for PayPal information (katieevans96@gmail.com).
College Park Community Food Bank: The College Park Food Bank has see the local need go up 4-fold. They used to serve ~100 families, 1ce/month; now they serve ~200 families, 2ce/month. If you would like to donate food or money or volunteer on Saturdays, learn more here: http://www.collegeparkfoodbank.com/. Pat N is involved with this program. You can contact her for more information or drop food off at her front steps.
Donate Blood: Due to the Coronavirus, many blood drives are being cancelled. However the American Red Cross is still in need of blood donations. If you are feeling well and wish to donate you can contact the American Red Cross or find a drive here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive
Humble Walk continues En Camino and CARing youth programs: Local children need support and connection, perhaps more than ever. Humble Walk has boldly decided to continue the Wednesday and Thursday after-school programs online, via Zoom. Watch for stories about how it is going- and pray for the elementary aged students and their college-aged mentors.
Space Sharing: AA groups and Living Water SDA are not meeting in person in Hope's building, but their work continues as well. Monday's AA group is meeting via Zoom. Saturday's Living Water community hosts worship and small groups online; see more here: https://www.livingwatersda.org/.
Fellowship and Worship:
Classes have moved online for the remainder of the semester. Students have left campus and are around the state and the country for these remaining weeks. Still, ministry continues.
5:30-7pm, Sunday, Humble Walk gathers for Fellowship and Worship. All students are welcome to participate. Now online at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/259496463, or call in at 1-929-205-6099 (meeting id code: 259496463#), password: worship.
Other opportunities:
Humble Walk is also doing online tutoring and mentoring programs. En Camino and CARing Kids continue on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. There is also a Monday evening Bible Study for students, alums and friends. AND there is a Thursday evening book study of "Dear Church" by Lenny Duncan. Email Katie E for information about any of these.
Throughout breaks and always, students are welcome at Sunday morning worship and all other Hope events.
