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“since – From “Swimming Lessons” by Pat Paulk February 10 February 17 February 24 March 2 March 9 The Pastoral Corner: "Ashes, Ashes" In our new 71-year old home we have a fireplace with a woodstove inset. A fireplace (or woodstove) was on our list of things we hoped we would find in a house. The woodstove is outfitted to burn both wood and coal. (I think we’ll stick to wood). There is a removal tray in the bottom that catches ashes, and a “tunnel” that goes all the way down to the basement that was full of ashes when we moved in. Chris spent a couple of hours reaching in and getting out all the ash through a small opening in the basement. I had temporarily forgotten that ashes were part of the deal when you have and use a fireplace. Chris occasionally spreads some of the cooled wood ash on our garden beds. He says it helps balance the alkaline in the soil. Most plants grow better in a more neutral or alkaline soil, so this is supposed to help prepare our gardens for better growth potential. I was a Girl Scout, and I learned that wood ash could also be used to make lye for soap making. You place the wood ashes in a bottomless barrel set on a stone slab with a groove and a lip carved in it. The stone in turn rests on a pile of rocks. To prevent the ashes from getting in the solution, a layer of straw and small sticks is placed in the barrel; then the ashes are put on top. The lye is produced by slowly pouring water over the ashes until a brownish liquid oozes out the bottom of the barrel. This solution of potash lye is collected by allowing it to flow into the groove around the stone slab and drip down into a clay vessel at the lip of the groove. Then you mix the lye with the fat (lard, usually) and at some point, you have soap. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent. Some of us will come to church and receive ashes on our hands or foreheads as a sign – but of what? Sometimes we hear the words, “you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Is this to remind us that we are earthen vessels that will one day decompose and be dirt again? Is it to help us deal with our high self-esteem and bring us down a notch or two? I don’t think so. Yes, Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season is a time for reflecting on our lives and how we live them. Maybe it becomes a time of preparation for joining the church or simply improving our spiritual lives and our relationships with God. I am hoping that my Lenten season this year offers a time of growth and cleansing for me. I want to deepen my relationship with God, and begin again to address and rid myself of the things of my living that interfere with all my relationships, especially my partnership with God. I invite you to think about the possibilities for ashes in your time of Lent this year. Are there areas in your life that require you to do some “fertilizing”? Are there things about your life and work that need to be “cleaned up”? Perhaps it is time for us to take on the ashes of Lent, yes, in repentance, but also in joy and thanksgiving for what we may be growing toward in our life together. Foundry Set to Begin Offering Services Recognizing and Honoring Lesbian and Gay Committed Relationships
Under a policy announced by Foundry senior minister Dean Snyder in a November 11 pastoral letter, the church will be available to host services that recognize same-sex unions. The events will not be weddings because couples will exchange their commitment and vows in a setting elsewhere. But their vows can be shared with the congregation at Foundry in services that might also include testimonials from their friends and loved ones. At least two other Methodist congregations in the country currently host such services. Although gay and lesbian couples take part in Pre-Cana Weekends* at Foundry, none have yet requested a service in the church under the new policy. United Methodist Church bylaws prohibit same-sex ceremonies in churches and bar clergy from performing the ceremonies. Snyder may provide worship leadership but would not conduct vows at same-sex commitment services outside of Foundry. Snyder’s proposal to recognize gay and lesbian committed relationships is designed to stay within rules outlined in the UMC Book of Discipline while at the same time allowing him to minister to Foundry members. Foundry, which has a large gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender membership, has been a leader in making the United Methodist Church more inclusive. In 1995, Foundry became a reconciling congregation, meaning that it actively promotes the participation of gay and lesbian members in the life of the church. Foundry also has led efforts to remove passages from the Book of Discipline that suggest homosexuality is inconsistent with Christianity and another that bars the ordination of homosexuals. Although Snyder has full authority to make liturgical decisions at Foundry, he is implementing these services after the church community had studied the options for three years and indicated it wanted to move forward. “This issue emerged out of the congregation,” Snyder said at a December 16 church meeting. In its January session, the Foundry Church Council unanimously endorsed the move by approving a resolution that indicates to the bishop that future senior ministers at Foundry should continue to carry out Snyder’s policy. There is some chance that charges could be brought against Snyder by those who object to Foundry’s program. Such action could ultimately result in Snyder being removed from the pulpit. Snyder downplays the risk. “There will probably not be a complaint about this,” he said. “It’s an attempt to be ecclesiastically obedient while at the same time offering pastoral care for our members. United Methodists are not comfortable with absolute defiance of the rules. This keeps us within the rules” He characterized the implementation of such services as an effort “to make one foot come down in front of where it was before. God help us, it’s not the end” of the journey. Snyder’s predecessor strongly endorsed the idea at the December 16 church meeting. “I think it is courageous and insightful,” said the Rev. Phil Wogaman, former Foundry senior minister. “It stays within the bounds of the legal situation but at the same time affirms the moral dignity of these unions.” Ralph Williams testified at the meeting that Foundry has come a long way in integrating homosexual members into the church community. He remembers two decades ago that there was only a small Bible study group. “Never did I think it would come to this,” he said in reference to the implementation of such services as he began to choke up. “I’m amazed at what a small group of people dedicated to change can create.” Alan Zabel , a longtime Foundry member, said that he has become more accepting and understanding of homosexuality as Foundry has emphasized reconciliation. “If I can change, then the Conference and the greater Methodist Church can change,” he said. “Here is where it’s starting.” Larry Slagle said that he experienced a unique closeness to God at the December 16 meeting as people talked about how Foundry was trying to make Methodism more inclusive. “I thank all of you who have made comments who brought me to that ‘thin place,’” he said in reference to one of Snyder’s sermon themes. Snyder hopes that Foundry will set an example for the wider church. “The heart of Methodism brings everyone into the circle,” he said. “This is part of a movement started by Jesus Christ.”
The season of Lent begins very early this year with Ash Wednesday on February 6th. Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter, a time of preparation and renewal when Christians focus on self-examination and spiritual discipline. We are again offering to the community a short morning service at 8:00 am in the chapel. Last year a number of our members as well as neighbors and others on their way to work took advantage of this morning start to the season of Lent. In addition to the morning service, there will be an evening service at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. The evening service will include the participation of our Foundry choirs. Both services will include the imposition of ashes. Womens's Retreat in West Virginia The annual Foundry Women’s Retreat will be held at the PriestField Retreat Center in Kearneysville , West Virginia from February 1-3. MaryBeth Hibbert from the Troy Conference will be the retreat leader. This year’s retreat will again focus on exploring aspects of our personal stories – particularly as they relate to our spiritual journey. To this end, each participant will have an opportunity to make a book, a personal, hard-bound volume to take home and enjoy. There will also be time set aside to consider new interpretations of familiar Bible stories. And, of course, ample time for fellowship, worship and fun! The registration fee is $185, which includes two nights’ accommodations, all meals, and bus transportation to and from PriestField. Registration forms are available in Fellowship Hall and online. Leading Our Children Through Lent How will we travel through the season of Lent? How will we prepare our children? On the surface, Lent does not seem “child-friendly.” This is a time in the Church Year that focuses on prayer, almsgiving, making difficult decisions, and fasting. These disciplines are challenging enough for an adult, let alone a child. However, Lent provides the opportunity to engage with our children and explore their unique spirituality and perspective on God.
Making Disciples 2008: Confirmation Class Here is our schedule of events for this year’s confirmation class. Sunday, February 3 at 12:30 pm : Wednesday, February 6 at 7:00 pm : Saturday, February 9 from 9:00 am – Noon : Saturday, March 15 from 9:00 am – Noon : Saturday, March 29: Saturday, April 12 from 9:00 am – Noon : Friday, April 18 at 7:00 pm : Friday, May 9 at 6:30 pm : Saturday, May 10 until Noon : Sunday, May 11 at 11:00 am Worship Service: To find out about what it's like to be a confirmand, contact Jack Davis at (202) 692-1642 or jackmdavis@hotmail.com. To find out more about serving as a mentor, contact Mark Schoeff at (703) 248-0909 or mschoeff@workforce.com . Please keep the confirmands and mentors in your prayers this season.
Sunday, February 10th Join us for an afternoon of family fun as we ice skate at Pershing Park Ice Rink. This is an outing for everyone! Hope to see you there. A Note of Thanks from Jean Hubbell “February 18 will mark one year since John suffered the stroke that cost his life and changed my own. Almost immediately the Foundry Family began what was to become a year of support through John’s illness and death, and then my own surgery without having my helper at home. I cannot say enough about how much all the multitude of cards, calls, transportation help, and help in other ways has meant plus the continuing “checking up” calls and the warm welcome back from so many. My sincerest thanks to all of you.” - Jean Hubbell Happy 100th Birthday, Anne Heenan! We all wish her a very Happy Birthday!
Footsteps Toward Appalachia: ASP Fundraising Begins February 10 Each year a team of Foundry’s Senior High Youth and Adult Leaders participate in the Appalachia Service Project, a transformative week of home repair and personal growth. At night this mission team sleeps on elementary school floors and during the day they labor to make homes warmer, safer and drier. We leave for West Virginia on June 22, marking Foundry’s 21st year of making this pilgrimage. Each year during Lent we raise funds to help cover the cost of the trip. A youth will introduce our fundraising campaign during each service on February 3. The campaign runs from February 10 until March 16, during which time we hope to raise $13,500. Stop by our table in Fellowship Hall to check out photos from previous trips, talk to veteran team members or offer your financial support. For each $25 donation you make, you will receive a “Foot” on our “Path to Appalachia ” display in Laws’ Gallery. Donations may also be made in honor or memory of a loved one. Our ASP Team is not a closed group; we hope to take new youth and adults every year. To find out more about serving God and your neighbors in Appalachia , please contact Matt Smith at msmith@foundryumc.org or (202) 486-9344. Choir Musical Offering for Lent: "Requiem Mass in D Minor" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart The Requiem Mass in D minor ( k . 626) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was composed in 1791. The Requiem was Mozart's last composition, and is one of his most powerful and recognized works, not only for its music, but also for the debate over how much of the music Mozart managed to complete before his death, and how much was later composed by his colleague Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Despite debate about how much of the music was Mozart's, the Requiem has taken a prominent place as one of Mozart's most important works. Join us for these Special Lenten Music Worship Services at 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Save the Date: Concert for Life
Concert for Life Volunteers needed: corporate fundraising; ticket sales/receipts; and coordinators of the silent auction and concert reception. To volunteer, contact: Ted Tym czyszyn, ted_tymczyszyn@hotmail.com or at (703) 528-9062. Pre-Cana Weekend: Helping Build Lasting Relationships Foundry’s next Pre-Cana Weekendwill be held the weekend of February 29 through March 2. The weekend program brings couples together with Foundry staff and other professionals to explore various aspects of a couple’s life together from spiritual, physical, psychological, sexual and behavioral perspectives. Our experience and feedback tells us that couples who have participated in the weekend benefit from a greater understanding of themselves and how they relate to one another, as well as developing connections and friendships with other couples Prior to the weekend, each participant is asked to complete a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator ® at least 10 days prior to the weekend. The results will be explored through much of the weekend, leading to an understanding of yourself, your partner, and how different types relate in various situations. In addition, the following areas are included:
The Pre-Cana Weekend is designed for couples who are planning weddings, marriage, civil unions and commitment ceremonies. It is encouraged to both opposite sex and same sex couples. For further information or to express your interest in participating, p lease contact Robert McDonald at 202-332-4010 or by email at rmcdonald@foundryumc.org. New Members Orientation on February 10th Why not start the New Year looking into becoming a member of Foundry? We have an orientation for those who are interested in becoming a member or just learning more about us. The session starts off with a free lunch after the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, February 10. Those wishing to become members will join at the services on the following Sunday, the 17th. If interested, please complete a registration form available at the church office or online. The Evangelism Committee is always looking for more lay mentors to help with the new members! If you have any questions, you can contact Tim Wedding at weddingt@verizon.net or by phone at (202) 431-3502. The 6th Annual Foundry Leaders Weekend will take place Friday evening, March 7 th, and Saturday, March 8th at Foundry’s neighbor, the First Baptist Church , located at 1328 16th Street, NW . While primarily designed for those in leadership and committee positions at Foundry, we invite all to come and participate in the weekend. Please note that you will not come away from the weekend with a new job or new responsibilities. You will come away with new ideas, new insights, new information and new friendships. All participants are asked to pay a $50 registration fee, which will cover the costs of meals and other meeting expenses. Please contact Bob Benn at the office or by email at bbenn@foundryumc.org to make a reservation to participate. For those interested in staying overnight on Friday, we have made an arrangement with the Beacon Hotel, at the corner of 17 th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW. For complete details of the Leaders Weekend, visit Foundry’s website at www.foundryumc.org. Phil Miller Honored with Human Rights Award
Phil was honored for his involvement in Peace with Justice's work on human rights issues, including Darfur , wars in Iraq and the Middle East , world hunger, and other issues. Phil is a long-time "peace activist," going back to the early days of the Vietnam War. The luncheon was held in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Also attending were six members of the Peace with Justice Mission, including Ann Wilcox , a former UNA-NCA board member who nominated Phil for the award. This award helps strengthen Foundry's involvement in human rights issues, particularly as promoted through the United Nations. For more information, visit the website of the UNA-NCA at www.unanca.org. Former US Pastor of Jerusalem Church to Speak at Foundry
Pastor Siler will be discussing the importance of sharing Jerusalem as an integral component of any future Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement. According to Pastor Siler: “So many leaders and so many people ‘on the street’ recognize that the road to peace in the Middle East runs through Jerusalem . Essential to that peace is genuine sharing of the holiest city in the world by Christians, Muslims, and Jews and by Palestinians, Israelis and internationals. The mechanics of that sharing will need to be negotiated by the people there, but it must be marked by true religious freedom and open access for all people and all faiths. Such freedom and access can only be grounded in acceptance and respect for each others’ religious beliefs and practices. All of that said, the road to peace and the path to a shared Jerusalem begin with an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine .” In order to help accomplish these critical goals, Sharing Jerusalem USA, the sponsor of Pastor Siler’s presentation, has initiated an interfaith, metro area-wide campaign entitled: Give Peace a Chance: Providing Hope for a Better Future , which I will describe briefly prior to introducing him. For more information, see: www.sharingjerusalem.org or contact me at: jim.vitarello @sharingjerusalem.org. Sharing Jerusalem is a committee of Peace with Justice and a tax exempt ecumenical nonprofit organization. Electronic Contributions Now Available at Foundry Foundry now has a new electronic contribution service which allows members to make pledge payments and other contributions on-line by credit card or direct debit from their accounts. For further information, or complete instructions, please visit Foundry’s website, at www.foundryumc.org, and click on the link located at the top right of the home page. Foundry VIM Trip to Nicaragua Builds Lasting Relationships
Nicaragua , a country still recovering from a civil war, has the third lowest per capita income in the Western Hemisphere . GDP per capita annually is $3,100. They are part of the recently signed Central American/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement with the United States – about which we had many conversations – where most were doubtful of its benefits for their country. Our mission was a little different from traditional mission trips in that the main goal of our trip was relationship-building…which means we met a lot of people and learned about many organizations. We held a Bible school at Hialeah Methodist Church and also taught a few classes to a small school that serves children who work in the market and cannot afford public schools. We brought medical supplies and donations from Foundry and Crosslink International. We met with many organizations – from a consumer protection organization, to a women’s health cooperative, to individuals who were specialists in economics, politics, and immigration. We had dinner with several Methodist pastors one evening, where they shared about their churches and their life stories. One of the organizations that we have continued to be in relationship with since the last Nicaragua trip and with which I was so impressed is called Mujer y Comunidad – Women and Community. Miguel Mairena and Nan McCurdy, United Methodist missionaries whom Foundry supports, work closely with this organization. One of the clinic’s doctors, Dr. Rosa Silva, rides a motorcycle through bad weather and muddy roads that are impassable by car, to provide women’s health services where there are no other options. She was an inspiration. Foundry donated cash to Women and Community to purchase contraceptives, as that was expressed as the greatest need and where it was hardest to get support, as well as other medical supplies and medicines. One of the most meaningful parts of the trip for me was the sharing of a devotion every evening, sometimes just with our group and sometimes with our Nicaraguan friends. We joked about having enough church for a year within one week, but it was an important time to get to know each other, process all we were seeing and learning, and what it all meant for us spiritually. Our group chose Romans 12: 4-8 as our theme, where Paul wrote about how we are all one body in Christ and how we each have different gifts according to the grace given us. It was a fitting theme for our team, as we all took on different roles as needed. It is also a fitting challenge for all who read this – to think about your gifts and where and how they might be used to serve the body of Christ, whether at Foundry or elsewhere in your life. I kept a blog with photos during the trip at: www.foundrymissiontrips.blogspot.com and we hope to keep updates on activities on Foundry’s mission webpage. We’ve continued as a team to consider where God might be leading us and Foundry as a congregation, in our relationship with Nicaragua . We will be giving a presentation in church, during the service and after, on January 27. I have been so thankful for this trip, the new friends I made, and the opportunity to share in faith with our Nicaraguan friends. I encourage readers to track down our team members for more information and also to consider participating in a future VIM trip. We all have much to learn and it’s a fantastic way to use your gifts! "Generous Giving for Ministry" Stewardship Campaign at 87% of the Goal You Can Help Put Us Over! At the end of the eighth week of our Stewardship Campaign, we have received 409 pledges amounting to $1,268,567. That makes us $181,433 short of our goal of $1,450,000. We have received 76 new pledges so far, amounting to over $132,000. Many of these pledges have come from individuals or couples who are not yet even members of Foundry. 189 have increased their pledge over last year, resulting in an increase of $111,000 – a 17% increase for these generous donors. A significant fact is that new members who joined in 2006-2007 have pledged over $119,000. If you have not yet made your estimate of giving for 2008, we encourage you to make your pledge and, if possible, to increase it for this year. If you have not pledged before, we very much hope you do so this year. No pledge is too small. Even if you cannot pledge a lot, the mere fact of pledging is important, regardless of the amount. This will help tremendously in reaching our goal in order for us to plan and to fund Foundry’s ministries and missions. Pledge cards are available in the pews, at the office, as well as online. Thank you for your support! |
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Scripture passages from the Gospel of Matthew encourage us to venture into the deep and to trust the water to hold us. These sermons are about venturing into deeper water – in our spiritual life and in our mission engagement in the world. 
Starting February 1, gay and lesbian couples in a committed relationship can have their relationships and their love recognized and honored at Foundry. 
Yes, we just celebrated Christmas and now the Church year is moving on! 
Anne Heenan , who lives at Asbury Village , and who has been a member of Foundry since 1935, will turn 100 years young on Sunday, February 17th. 
The Foundry Choirs, soloists and orchestra, under the direction of Stanley Thurston , will present this choral masterwork as part of our Lenten Series on Sunday, February 24, 2008. 
On Friday, December 7, 2007 , Philip H. Miller, long-time member of Foundry United Methodist Church 's Peace with Justice Mission, received a Community Human Rights Award at the annual Human Rights Luncheon of the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area. Phil was one of 12 recipients of community awards at the luncheon, which marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. 
Pastor Russell Siler, former English-speaking pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in East Jerusalem (2003-2007), will be speaking in Parlor on Sunday, February 24 th at 12:30 p.m. He also served as Assistant to the Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and was the Director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s Office for Governmental Affairs prior to serving in Jerusalem . 
While unloading supplies for the Bible school we would be teaching at Hialeah Methodist Church in Managua , Nicaragua for the next two days, our group was met with trepidation by neighborhood children…for about two seconds. After that, our team of eight Foundry members was greeted with smiles, laughter, curiosity and LOTS of energy from LOTS of children (over 100). The two-day Bible school was a highlight of an eight-day mission trip by eight Foundry members, where we met with community organizations, schools, Methodist pastors, women’s groups and the missionaries that Foundry already supports. 
This Volunteers in Mission (VIM) trip from November 10 – 17, 2007 was the second trip by Foundry to Nicaragua . The first was three years ago and we have built upon the relationships established then. Our group of eight included Yadira Almodóvar (trip leader), Fred Beamer, Lucian Caspar, Sarah Cook, Lynn Kim, Jana Meyer (Minister of Missions), Stephen Roberts , and Rebecca Shoaf. Foundry United Methodist Church
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Web: www.foundryumc.org
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