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This Sunday

Schedule of Services

8 am Holy Eucharist Rite I,
         spoken         

10 am Holy Eucharst Rite II,
           choir, nursery, Sunday School

5 pm Holy Eucharist, Rite II
         spoken       
Those Serving

Altar Guild: Jeri Hessman
Flower Guild: Christine Parker
                   
8:00 am
+Acolyte: Richard Southby

10:00 am
+Chalicist: TBA
+Lector: Dorothy McSweeny
+Ushers: Rod Hastie, Shelia Budnyj,
               John Rich

 
Contribute to Lemonade on the Lawn

Reflection


Saying Yes to God or…  I will, with God’s Help
Question# 3


Dear Ones,

This week of Eastertide, we reflect upon the third of five questions asked of us all as the baptized Body of Christ:

 
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God’s help.

Not long ago, a man came to Saint David’s after riding past the church countless times thinking that he should stop in.  After the service, he stayed to chat a bit and asked a wonderful question that, I think, many of us wrestle with from time to time.  How does one proclaim (my word) or argue (his word) one’s faith with those who choose to be condescending and demeaning in conversations about faith?  “People get so snarky”, he said.  How do we respond in kindness, love and compassion when some just want to belittle what we believe?
 
My new friend, it turns out, grew up unchurched.  He considered himself an atheist until just a couple of years ago, when he had a mystical experience that led him to believe in the existence of God and into a new phase of questioning and attending all types of churches to hear and learn about Christianity in its various forms.  How, he wanted to know, was he supposed to argue with those who said the same things to him that he used to say before his moment of metanoia (turning)?  All of the sudden, he found the “opiate of the masses” argument incredibly frustrating.  How?  How do you explain an experience or newfound faith to those unwilling to give you even an inch?
 
“Preach the Gospel at all times.  When necessary, use words.”  This quote has been erroneously attributed to St. Francis of Assisi for years.  As wise and wonderful as it is, his actual words were just as good – “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is preaching.”  Sometimes, friends, proclamation comes through words – spoken, prayed, written and argued…  but make no mistake… we are always proclaiming our faith and values through our actions.  Choosing not to get into an argument at all with someone looking to use you or your faith as target practice is proclamation.  Your willingness to dialogue, pray or argue in good faith and kindness with someone who believes differently is also proclamation. 
 
How you live, how you model your life, your family’s life, your career, your joys and your travails… Proclaim unabashedly to the world, dear friends, the Good News of Jesus Christ; his love, his forgiveness and his triumph for us all!

With love and gratitude,


Kristen 
Little Things at Saint David's
                  
Parish Administrator attending the Ideas to Impact Conference
This Wednesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 30 Joel will be attending the Ideas to Impact Conference in Washington, DC.  Hosted by ACS Technologies, the conference has over 150 classes on our REALM database as well as inspiring speakers, software and ministry experts, and 800+ church staff sharing ideas. If you need to be in touch with him during this time please email joel@stdavidsdc.org. 
           
Sunday School End of Year Reminders:
Sunday School finished today, May 26th before we break for June/July/August. 
Join us next Sunday, June 2 for Teacher Appreciation Sunday at our Frist Sunday Service at 10 am. 

                        
Pentecost Picnic on June 9th 

Sunday, June 9th is Pentecost- make sure to wear red and join us for a picnic on the lawn following the 10 am service. 

HIBS in the News!                    
Lemonade on the Lawn
Contributions Needed
The hospitality and fellowship offered every Sunday after the 10:00 AM service is vitally important to our parish community. 
Do you have a favorite treat you would like to share? Your snack for 30 parishioners will be matched by the Hospitality Committee who will handle the rest — coffee, drinks, tableware, etc... click here to sign up. Also, please consider  joining the Welcome Committee to help newcomers. Questions or want to join? Contact 
 Alex Shockey or
Chip Nottingham 
               
Choral Evensong and Visitation
Bishop of The Diocese of St. David’s
Join us on Wednesday, May 29 at 6:30 pm for a choral evensong service as we welcome Bishop Joanna Susan Penberthy from The Diocese of St. David’s in Wales. Reception to follow.
               
Bishops Visitation, Sunday, June 23
Please join us as our Bishop, Mariann Edgar Budde, visits Saint David’s on Sunday, June 23rd, as part of her three year visitation cycle. 
                          
Parish Retreat September 27-29, 2019. 
Save the date for our Parish Retreat which will take place Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the lovey Shrine Mont Conference Center in rural Orkney Springs, VA. Details on pricing and registration coming soon! 
Copyright © 2019 Saint David's Episcopal Church, All rights reserved.


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