Rev. Tom Knoll-Guest Preacher On Sunday, July 25, our guest pastor, Rev. Tom Knoll, Senior Pastor at First Trinity Lutheran Church, delivered a sermon on The Lord’s Prayer, emphasizing the importance of each petition but paying great attention to addressing our prayers to “Abba” – Father - the Holy One. Christine Pommerening Berry spoke briefly on her impressions from the small group study of the Lord’s Prayer and encouraging others to join the next small group study on 1 Corinthians, beginning on Sunday, September 12.
Following worship, all were invited to “beat the heat” with an old-fashioned ice cream social. Additionally, a decorated cake was on hand to honor Caitlin Jacobs, who is leaving for a year to teach English to students in Korea. In appreciation for her dedication to singing in the choir, she was presented with a gift to help her navigate the language while in her new environment.
Council Retreats On Saturday, July 17, the Council met in a retreat at the home of Amy Northcutt to plan for the remaining weeks of their tenure.
A busy schedule was outlined for September and October leading up to the annual meeting on November 21. The full Council will focus on the theme of stewardship during that time, all of which will be fully evident on Rally Day, September 12, as we celebrate the return to a regular worship schedule, Sunday School, and other activities. A congregational picnic, sponsored by our Youth and Families, will be held on the front lawn.
Music! Music! Music! May was special music month for Reformation's music lovers. Our own Director of Music Paul Leavitt gave a masterful all-Bach benefit recital and the choruses of Emory University and Pomona College offered concerts of high-level a cappella singing.
On May 16, Paul performed twelve J.S. Bach compositions on the excellent Wilhelm organ at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter in Southeast Washington, DC. Free-will donations collected at the concert were given to Reformation's Southeast Ministry.
Paul's approach in the recital was both informative and extremely artistic. He noted that several of the Bach selections he was going to play are melodies that have become hymns in the Lutheran hymnal. He commented on the significance of each hymn tune and then led the audience in singing the hymn associated with each Bach composition he subsequently performed. He also offered interesting history about every Bach composition in his program, with emphasis on his selections from the Great 18 Leipziger Choral Preludes, the Orgelbüchlein and the Schubler Chorales.
Paul performed much of his program from memory and beautifully rendered Bach in all of the great composer's moods, intentions and power. He brought his audience into participation with the music and gifted them with the sight and sound of his astounding musicianship. They were doubly blessed.
On May 14 in Reformation's sanctuary, the Emory University Concert Choir presented "Journeys", a concert featuring a variety of choral music, ranging from American folk music to contemporary classical pieces. Lead by Dr. Eric Nelson, the choir gave a stunning performance.
"Their music making was absolutely top notch," said Paul Leavitt. "They are on a par with choirs such as the Nordic Choir of Luther College and St. Olaf's College Choir--just not as recognized."
Dr. Nelson is Director of Choral Studies at Emory University, where he teaches graduate Choral Conducting and Choral Literature. More information about choral music at the University and Dr. Nelson is available at http://music.emory.edu/cc/ Audio clips of the choir in performance are on their website.
Reformation was the venue for the lovely May 23 concert of the Pomona College Glee Club, conducted by Donna M. Di Grazia. Their program included works Debussy, Gesualdo, Ravel, Britten, Elgar, Moses Hogan and others.
"Their work was of a very high level" said Paul Leavitt. "And I must say that they sang probably the best 'Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho' that I've ever heard. It was very clear and clean, which is pretty rare in that piece."
Choral music aficionados in the audience raved about the Glee Club's performance as well as that of Emory's ensemble.
"Pomona was an interesting event for their alumni association and helped solidify Reformation's musical relationship with Frank Albinder, who is the conductor of the Men's Camarata in Washington as well as a few choirs in Virginia universities," said Paul Leavitt. "He's the president of their alumni association and was very grateful for our help in getting Pomona into our space to perform."
Dr. Di Grazia is Professor of Music at Pomona College. In addition to her responsibilities as a conductor, she is an active musicologist, published scholar and choral singer.
More information about Dr. Di Grazia and choral music at the College, and to listen to the Glee Club in recordings, go to the following online website http://gleeclub.pomona.edu/
Two hundred Health Kits Assembled for Haiti On Sunday, May 16, many volunteers from the congregation helped to assemble health kits to be sent to displaced persons in Haiti. The Parish Hall was abuzz with people of all ages putting together kits with wash cloths & towels, soap, nail clippers, band-aids, combs, and tooth brushes. Kits will be sent to the warehouse at Lutheran World Relief for distribution. Pastor Braaten blessed the health kits with a special prayer of dedication on Sunday, May 23.
Pastor Braaten, representatives from the Reformation Council, Brian Hornbecker and Suzanne Hazard, SEM Executive DirectorValarie Ashley, and long-time representative on the Metro DC Synod Council, Judith Mangubat, attended the spring meeting of the Synod on Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8, at the National Conference Center in Landsdowne, Virginia. The 2010 theme for the Synod is “Year of the Young Adult”. Rev. Amy Thompson Sevimli, Assistant to the Bishop, and keynote speakers Rev. Karen Ward, Episcopal priest and Abbess of the joint ELCA and Episcopal venture – Church of the Apostles in Seattle, and Kristin Glass, ELCA Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, gave inspiring messages about ministry to Young Adults (defined by Reformation as 20/30 Somethings). Brian Hornbecker leads Reformation’s 20/30 Somethings ministry and notes that Reformation’s vibrant and active young adult group means that our congregation is well-positioned to actively and joyously provide support and participate with other congregations as our Synod celebrates the Year of the Young Adult. Other highlights of the Synod Assembly were the resolution and workshop on “energy stewardship” and the music and dance shared by the choir of the Oromo Evangelical Church of Washington, D.C. In addition, our congregation was honored when our own Judith Mangubat was elected as a lay leader to the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. For more information, check out the Synod’s summary of the Synod Assembly at http://metrodcelca.org/events/synod-assembly/2010-synod-assembly/spring-session-2010/ .
SederWe were pleased to host Hill Havurah in the Parish Hall for their Seder on March 28. . . . One hundred and twenty adults and children from the Capitol Hill community enjoyed a feast and the retelling of the story of liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Ancient Egypt. It marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover and has become an annual event here at Reformation.
Last film in a four-part film seriesFor the past four weeks, several Capitol Hill congregations have participated in a four-part Lenten Film Series focusing on remembering the Holocaust, the last of which was shown at Church of the Reformation on Sunday, March 28. Entitled “Weapons of the Spirit,” this documentary was directed and narrated by Pierre Sauvage, whose parents were among those who were hidden by the people of a small village in France, saving 5,000 Jews from falling into the hands of the Nazis during World War II. Following the viewing, those in the audience discussed the valiant efforts and Christian attitudes of the townsfolk involved with new insight into the events of the time.
The Second Annual Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2010, at 4:00 PM at Church of the Reformation. This year’s theme is “The Choice of Courage” and will focus on those who rescued victims of the Nazi Holocaust.
Souper Bowl of CaringGenerous contributions made it possible for us to raise over $7,000 for the Super Bowl of Caring. Thanks to the entire congregation’s generosity, we were able to donate $3,500 each to our food pantry and Lutheran World Relief in Haiti. We successfully raised more than we did last year, and we hope to continue that trend in the years to come.
New Member ClassNew member inquiry classes for people interested in exploring Reformation as a spiritual home are ongoing. Contact Pastor Braaten for details, or the church office staff, at 202-543-4200.
Tutoringhas gotten off to a terrific start, with 10 students and 10 tutors. They meet every Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall to do homework, share the details of their lives, and learn from one another. Students and tutors alike bond and grow through this wonderful program.
Cantata Emmanuelcommissioned by the Anniversary Committee, will be performed at 3:00 PM on Sunday, November 22. Our own Paul Leavitt has developed this work with the help of congregation members, Julie Jones and Kathryn Tobias. All are invited to come and hear the music and ponder the meanings of our inspiring sanctuary windows and the meaning of the word Emmanuel – God with us.
140th Anniversary Dinnerheld on Saturday, October 24, 2009, was a huge success, with 100 in attendance. A lovely meal was prepared by Kingdom Catering and served in elegant style. Philip Moeller was the emcee for the program and introduced David Stawick, who delivered a brief history of the church as prepared by George Hutchinson. David O’Bryon shared some memories from Pastor Keller’s tenure here at Reformation, and Margot Lyddane relayed a few stories as told to her and her committee gathering historical events on tape for preservation in our archives.
Guest PreacherssWe look forward to having two more former interns as guest preachers in the coming weeks – Margaret Kelly on August 2 and Rev. Sandra Shaw on August 30. Additionally, Rev. Cecilie Strommen, Rev. Dr. Paul Wee, Rev. Roger Dahlin, Rev. Jan Lookingbill, Rev. Dr. M. Cooper-White, Rev. Dr. Phil Krey, and Bishop Richard Graham have all agreed to be with us in the following months as part of our Anniversary Celebration.
PHONE: 202·543·4200
FAX: 202·543·4201
E-MAIL US:
office@reformationdc.org
Lutheran Church Of The Reformation
212 East Capitol Street
Washington, DC 20003
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