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Foundry Forge March 2022

Giving Over to God

What if Lent were less about giving something up and more about giving something over?  

Our Lenten “fasts” can easily become one more thing to add to our to-do list, one more thing we are trying to make happen, one more way we are striving for control. What if we shifted our thinking toward how we might take a step closer to God by surrendering striving, giving over control? 

I invite your reflection on this old Sufi story: 

A little stream wanted to cross the desert. Each time it tried; it would be swallowed up in the hot desert sand. But one day a voice was heard reassuring the stream that it could cross the desert. When the stream inquired of the voice, it was told: “By hurtling in your own accustomed way you cannot get across. You will either disappear or become a marsh. You must allow the wind to carry you over to your destination.”

The stream could cross the desert by allowing itself to be absorbed in the wind. But the stream objected to this idea. The stream wanted to maintain its individuality. If that were lost, how could the stream be itself?

“The wind,” said the voice, “takes up water, carries it over the desert, and then lets it fall as rain, the water again becoming a river.”

So the stream raised its vapor into the welcoming arms of the wind, which bore it along gently and easily, letting it fall in the mountains miles away.

 

What might you need to give over to God?  

Are you willing to be carried, to admit that getting where you want — or need — to go is possible only through surrender? 

This doesn’t mean we stop attending to spiritual practices, but rather that we practice with a different intention, namely, to help us surrender more to God’s grace.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
all to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.


– (J.W. Van Deventer - UMH #354)

Blessings as we travel the Lenten journey together,

ginger+

Steve Pflasterer


COVID Silver Lining
Steve Pflasterer

It’s one phrase I’ve used to put a positive spin on the surreal existence we’ve experienced the last two years. For me, there have been a number of positive experiences, COVID silver linings. One that gave me special purpose and joy was gathering members and friends of Jubalate together early on Sunday mornings for an hour on Zoom. 

Paul Newhouse and I realized early on that our beloved early service choir, Jubalate, could be a stabilizing force while Foundry was closed by COVID-19. Little did we know on March 29, 2020, that our little tribe would gather for the next seventy-two Sunday mornings to laugh, cry, dream, mourn and share struggles and fears and victories.

And we’d SING! If you’ve ever tried that on Zoom, you know it’s impossible. 

Undaunted, each week we picked a theme — a composer, a topic, a style. Paul would come up with selections.  We’d gather as a community early on Sunday mornings, check in, visit, and sing.  

We’d screen-share YouTube videos of performers singing, mute our own computers, and sing along in the privacy of our homes. It was Jubalate and Friends Sing-Along!

One July Sunday in 2020, our special guest was the Reverend Jide Macaulay of St. Margaret’s, Leytonstone, London. He shared his experiences as an ordained, gay, African man in the Church of England. Rev. Macaulay had visited Foundry five years before and stayed with several Foundry members during his month speaking at various DC-area congregations. 

Another Sunday we featured the music of our own Francese Brooks, and on other Sundays Yolanda Bryant, Steve Telkins and Sarah Stiles gathered and sourced the shared music from YouTube. We brought our weekly Zoom gatherings to a close last August as we anticipated welcoming the congregation back to 16th and P Streets in September. 

I look back on that strange period and still feel the joy and connection of a special time — amazed and grateful that we had the opportunity to create weekly Silver Linings. And now, I know there will always be Silver Linings to be found and embraced in whatever circumstances I find myself.   

For an example of one of our weekly agendas, check out the YouTube playlist at foundryumc.org/jubalatesingalong. Sample it and enjoy!

Born and raised in the St.Louis area, Steve Pflasterer taught deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the Chicago suburbs until moving to DC in 1987. He has been a singing member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington since his arrival and joined Foundry in 1998.  A long-time resident of Columbia Heights, he’s been a residential real estate agent since 1998. 

Foundry Forward
MARCH 2022 ACTION ITEMS

Wednesday, March 2
Ash Wednesday

We begin the sacred period of Lent with two services — one at 8 a.m. and one at 7 p.m. Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli will lead both services, preaching on “Re-Turning.” In her meditation she will help us focus on the grounding rhythm of our seasons, reminding us that in this season we turn again to God and turn away from (resist!) those things that lure us from the disciple’s path. 

Thursdays, March 3-31, April 7
Together We Walk A Disciple’s Path

All Foundry folk, including new, long-time, and not-yet members are encouraged to participate in this six-week class exploring a variety of spiritual topics, as well as aspects of life and ministry at Foundry. Class will be led by Pastors K.C. Van Atta-Casebier and Will Green and will meet via Zoom from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each of these six Thursday evenings. Learn more and register here.

Sunday, March 6
Strength in Scripture

Preaching on a text from Luke (4:1-13), Pastor Ginger will help us understand the scriptural basis of sacred resistance. People do try to pervert the meaning of biblical texts for nefarious purposes, but Jesus shows us how to counter those forces through relationally grounded faith. 

Sunday, March 13
Meeting Fear with Love

Resistance often puts resisters at risk, in situations that can be frightening. Our model is Jesus, who with others through the ages have put themselves at risk for the sake of their people, for the cause of justice, the common good, and out of deep love for each of us. Pastor Ginger’s sermon is based on scriptures found in the Psalms (27) and Luke (13:31-35).

Saturday, March 19
Pre-Cana Retreat

Considering — or planning — marriage? This one-day virtual retreat with Foundry clergy will focus on the challenges and opportunities of building a lifelong partnership. Learn more and register here.

Sunday, March 20
Untwisting Our Perspective

It’s all too easy to view the events of each of these days from a twisted perspective. Drawing on texts from Isaiah (55:1-9) and Luke (13:1-9) Pastor Ginger reminds us how to hold those daily events within the frame of a loving and merciful God always at work for good in the world. 

Baptism Orientation
Join us virtually on Sunday, March 20 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. to learn more of the how, why, and when of United Methodist baptism for infants, children, confirmands, or adults. Once you register, you will receive information on how to connect to the meeting. You can register here or email Pastor K.C. for more information at kcvc@foundryumc.org.

Washington Interfaith Network 2022 Election Season Action
Foundry’s Sacred Resistance ministry team invites you to join the virtual Washington Interfaith Network 2022 Election Season Action on Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom, and an agenda built by listening to vulnerable neighbors on issues of displacement, affordable housing, safety, climate, and careers will be presented to candidates for DC Mayor, Council Chair, Attorney General and Councilmembers. Our goal is for 300 Foundry members and friends to join us. Learn more and register at foundryumc.org/win.

Tuesday, March 22
Foundry Board Meeting

Foundry’s Board convenes its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. via Zoom. All Foundry folk are welcome to attend. Email amandabeadle1@gmail.com for the link. 
Sunday, March 27
Sacred Tenderness

Resisting with tenderness sounds impossible until we realize that sacred resistance begins with the love and mercy of God. That love looks upon each person with a desire for their well-being, looks upon human community with a desire for healing and peace with justice, looks into all creation with a desire for mending and reverence. Pastor Ginger’s texts are from the Psalms (32), and Luke (15:1-3, 11b-32).

Other reminders
  • You have until Thursday, April 7 to order Easter flowers — or contribute to the beauty in our sanctuary on Easter morning. Order your flowers or contribute at foundryumc.org/easter-flowers.
  • Sunday, April 10 is Palm Sunday
  • Friday, April 15 is Good Friday
  • Sunday, April 17 is Easter!
Foundry Forge

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