My Beloved Walker Chapel,
You are and will continue to be in my constant heart and prayers. As we are hearing from many places, we are all in this together. The ways we find to stay connected and be together in new ways may very well become the building blocks for reimagining the Gospel in these unprecedented times.
 
In his book Teach Only Love, Gerald Jampolsky talks about “choosing peace every second.” He opens up our thinking to the idea that no matter what is happening in our world, and yes even when a deadly pandemic threatens to make us afraid, we can choose to be peaceful. Because we belong to God and are connected in mind and Spirit to one another, we can choose to be at peace every second.
As we lean into being full of faith and empty of fear, let’s work on this together. Let’s be open to sharing moments of JOY and unexpected blessings that come from what God would never choose but will use! And let’s begin talking boldly about what God is helping us see in the midst of COVID-19.
A highlight of my college experience was work I did for UMCOR—the United Methodist Committee on Relief, a program by the General Board of Global Ministries that takes action when disaster strikes in the US and around the globe. The United Methodist Church designates one Sunday a year to highlight the works of UMCOR. This Sunday, March 22 we will be celebrating UMCOR Sunday, albeit a bit differently than we had originally planned. More on that later from Lynne.
From the earliest days of the novel coronavirus outbreak, now pandemic, UMCOR has been engaged in the fight against the disease—so this special Sunday could not have come at a more important time. To support prevention, fight infection, and help people in China, UMCOR was among the first organizations to support partners on the ground fighting the disease and has continued scaling up these efforts worldwide since. It is this kind of work that for the last 80 years has earned UMCOR a reputation for being first into and last to leave the most vulnerable families in their times of need. UMCOR has also incidentally been unifying for the global church’s central mission during this time of division in the denomination.
This Sunday and every day Walker Chapel wants to reiterate that helping people in their darkest days doesn’t have to be something “they” do, it can be something “we” do.
We hope you will give generously this Sunday to Walker Chapel’s Benevolence Program so that we, along with our United Methodist congregations around the globe, can share compassionate relief in the midst of devastation and crisis. Click here to give to this week’s “Lenten Offering” that will provide direct support to local need.
Then, join us in prayer for the safety and healing of those impacted by the continued spread of COVID19 and everyone around the world in need of our spiritual, emotional and psychological support. Help us support UMCOR's volunteers, the lives they touch and for hearts to be moved by sharing this video on social media today.
The new Students & Friends for Environmental Justice group plans to continue their work by meeting on Sundays after Reverend Lynne’s Facebook Live Service! Connecting on the ZOOM online platform, we can come together and see & hear each other to develop ideas, view photos & videos, and share inspirations. We can support each other and enjoy each other’s company! Student Program Coordinator Meg Ogea and Rev. Lynne will participate in support of Student-led Initiatives. Also, if you know of students who would like to join this group, let us know! All are welcome!
Close to Home:
Students want to make a difference, and plan to start close to home at Walker Chapel by looking into ways the congregation can make environmentally conscious choices.
Some ideas in the works:
- 100% recycled paper
- No use of plastic or styrofoam
- Recycling bins throughout the Chapel
- Glass recycling collection location on site (once we reopen)
- Fair trade / shade grown coffee for coffee hour and offices.
If you would like to support the Students in any way with your ideas, time or contacts, please reach out to Sandra Kammann, Director of Spiritual Practices & Community Outreach: skammann@aol.com or 301-758-5606.
They’ll know we are Christians by our love…..a note from Dawn Kyser, interim director of music.
It is in my nature to want to DO something. Just thinking, just being is not enough. Today, I am having a hard time trying to decide what to do. It’s Thursday. Normally I would be at church preparing for rehearsals, doing score study, drafting worship outlines, choosing hymns and spiritual songs, coordinating with staff, and then meeting with handbell and Chancel Choirs for sweet fellowship and music making. For the time being, it is important to DO the work of the church, the work of liturgy in different ways.
One of the ways in which we need to function as the Body of Christ is to take care of God’s people within our congregation and our community. At Walker Chapel in addition to spreading the word about UMCOR this week, we want to hear from you if you need something - shopping for and delivering groceries, picking up medicines, walking the dog, help with meals, etc. I also want to let you know and invite you to join this Facebook group, Derek told me about, Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other through COVID-19.
Please reach out to us if you need help or support with anything. All you have to do is reply to this email with requests, suggestions, questions, but for now, Im turning it back to Pastor Lynne...
Every day, the parents of Jubilee Mae Grant Habel send photos that remind us of the uninhibited joy and exuberance of a trusting child. I invite you to share photos on our Facebook page between now and Sunday that show moments of JOY you are experiencing.
As for this Sunday, March 22, we will again be together via Facebook Live and *if* we can gather the resources to make it happen, we will add an option to view on YouTube via our website @ walkerchapel.org. Please be on the lookout for specific instructions tomorrow. These new endeavors take time!
Lastly, please be in thoughtful prayer for the family of Billy Mason who transitioned to home eternal March 10, 2020. Pastor Lynne will lead a family graveside service at National Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 2PM. As this is an adaptation of what the family had hoped to take place, please send cards to remind the family of our care during this time of sadness and grief.
Blessings,
Lynne
Pastor Lynne
Walker Chapel
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