March  2003

FROM THE RECTOR

Lent – A Time of Preparation

     Lent begins this Wednesday!  It hardly seems possible, what with all the snow we’ve had the past few days. But that’s often the way it is with God, new life beginning, just when things seem most bleak. Lent is the anticipation of the New Creation.

     This past Sunday, “Epiphany Last,” was the last time we sang or shouted  “Alleluia” until Easter Sunday; and from Ash Wednesday onward (this Wednesday) we will be reminded to examine ourselves to get some idea of how we are doing in our spiritual lives and of how God wants to restore or transform us. Jesus said he came so that we could have life in abundance, and that is what we should be expecting.

     But we have our share of responsibility. In Lent we are reminded of the importance of personal discipline. That may mean giving up some bad habits ("What are you giving up for Lent?"); but it also means doing the positive work of reviewing our priorities, setting our lives in order as the Lord's stewards. So, instead of just "giving up chocolate," let us use the parish prayer schedule on a daily basis, and do at least one of the Bible readings for each day – as a start: 5 minutes for reading, 5 minutes for praying, 5 minutes for just listening to the Lord. In this way, we can let the Lord prepare us for whatever lies ahead in these uncertain times.

     During Lent the Sunday evening study and discussion series will continue right on – see Barbara’s Letter on this; and the Men’s Breakfast will be scheduled again soon.  Particularly intriguing is the opportunity we have to share in the preparations for DC Festival 2005 on the Mall, “Good Music and Good News” for the youth of the whole metropolitan area. (For more information, see the article below or visit our web site for links to sites supporting the Festival and information about current preparatory meetings.) May God bless us and use us all during this season as we prepare for the Great Feast of the Resurrection. STA

FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN
The February Vestry Meeting

     I do hope this winter, with all of its snow, has been something you have been able to enjoy. God really has provided us with some of the most beautiful scenery one could imagine. The vestry was able to meet on February 19^th in spite of the snow.

     These are a few of the items that were discussed: We approved our budget for 2003, which looks like it will be an operating budget of a little over $110,000. The committee on our use of the hall gave an update and there seem to be some exciting ideas for using our church hall in the future.  Nothing yet has been finalized. We are still in the prayer and search stage. Also, we are still in the process of revising our by-laws, which we plan to present to the congregation in the spring.  The vestry had an off-site retreat on Saturday with a guest speaker, Martyn Minns, Rector of Truro Episcopal Church, in Fairfax.  Martyn has led a very interesting life, parts of which he shared with us. He was also able to give us a little insight on what a “Church” looks like and how we here at Christ Church Accokeek, might move forward to become the church Christ has called us to be.

     The Sunday evening discussion sessions we have had during the Epiphany season have been very successful.  We had a good turn out – fifteen to twenty people each evening and some wonderful study and understanding on what the essentials are to being a Christian. During Lent we are planning to continue the Sunday evening sessions. We aim to finish up the discussion of the Essentials, and then move on to a related, but more specific focus.

     Christ Church desperately needs to revamp its mission statement, or statement of purpose.  We have just been “existing” for too long. What is our purpose here at Christ Church and are we accomplishing it? In order to answer this question, an in-depth Bible study is needed in order to enable us to understand what Christ is calling us to do.  Us means, ALL of us, all of us who want to be active participants in the life of Christ Church.  A mission statement is something we can all claim and work towards.  This needs to be a group effort.  I strongly encourage all to attend this Lenten Bible study. Be a part of the future of Christ Church.

     Many of you will get this newsletter on the day of our Pancake Supper or the day after. I would like to thank all of you who participated or just came to eat. I am hopeful that many of you were able to bring a friend or family to share your meal with them. It is so important that we reach out to others to share Christ’s Love.

God Bless,
Barbara Sturman, Senior Warden

GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT PARISH MEETING

     Lent is also a time for working on the temporal side of our life together as a congregation.  A Special Meeting, to approve the updating of the Bylaws, has been scheduled for May 4. A  new voting list has to be prepared by the March 19 vestry meeting. Hopefully everyone’s aim is to be a “member in good standing,” (1) affirming our baptismal vows, (2) supporting reconciliation in the parish, (3) attending worship regularly, and (4) contributing financially according to our ability.  The list will be updated from last year’s, but if you wish to be sure to be on the new list, please contact me as soon as possible -- so that the list that has to be publicly posted at the end of March does not have to be revised.  STA

LUIS PALAU DC FESTIVAL 2005

     Planning has begun for a metropolitan youth evangelism campaign to take place in September 2005 on the Mall, one of a series of events put on by the Luis Palau organization.  One such event is about to take place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this month. The following is part of an article about BEACHFEST 2003.  This will give an idea of what is in the works for DC 2005:

Beachfest wraps a huge party in a Christian message

By James D. Davis
Religion Editor, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted February 28 2003

Just who is Luis Palau? And what is Beachfest?

Last things first. Beachfest is a mammoth, two-day party set for Fort Lauderdale beach. The free event will bring Christian pop and rock groups, sports clinics, Jumbotron screens and a skateboard park to the beach on March 22 and 23.The interchurch campaign in South Florida brings together almost a thousand churches and ministries from Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties.

Palau (rhymes with "allow") is an Argentine-American evangelist often called the Latin Billy Graham. Indeed, his preaching is as energetic as the campaign behind him.  "We want to get the city talking and arguing about Jesus Christ," Palau said in his typical rapid-fire delivery during a recent visit to Fort Lauderdale. "We want to fill the beach with young people and expose them to the basic facts." Staffers with Palau are making no predictions on attendance, but previous American festivals have drawn upward of 150,000 people. The evangelist's rallies in Buenos Aires in January reportedly brought a million people over its two days.

In South Florida, Beachfest has the support of churches in an array of denominations -- Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, Church of God, Apostolic, Congregational, African Methodist Episcopal, Holiness, Nazarene, Alliance, Covenant, Assemblies of God. A broad range of ethnic groups is represented as well: pastors with Hispanic, Brazilian, African-American and non-Hispanic white backgrounds.  "Cultural and ethnic differences keep us apart, but we have a mutual love for Jesus," said Pastor C. E. Glover of Mount Bethel Baptist Church, a ministerial co-chair of the effort.  "Beachfest brings together people whose paths probably never would have crossed," said Glover, whose 3,000 members have helped put out yard signs and trained as counselors. "That's good news."

For more information, visit the web site at: www.palau.org

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