The crocus in my yard is anticipating Spring, which can't arrive too soon, in my opinion. The snowfall was beautiful and the enforced confinement and release from normal activities was great for a few days, but I'm ready to see ALL of the driveway and the grass in my yard.  

In this season of Lent, let us seek wisdom. In the words of Barbara Brown Taylor in An Altar in the World, "Wisdom is not gained by knowing what is right. Wisdom is gained by practicing what is right, and noticing what happens when that practice succeeds and when it fails." May we practice setting up altars in our world and in our hearts, so we may "see where [we are], who [we are] there with, and how awesome the place is.

Instrumentalists to Perform at St. Matthew 

by Jim Lessig 

Be sure to attend and invite your friends to come to the St. Matthew concert on March 14, 7pm in the sanctuary, when the Gennusa Clarinet Camerata will present a concert by an ensemble of 18 clarinetists in a program designed to feature clarinets of all sizes and shapes. 
 
The choir, founded by local wind musician Michael Kelly, takes its name from Ignatius Gennusa, principal clarinetist with the Baltimore Symphony for many years, and long time teacher at the famed Peabody Institute of Music in Baltimore. 
 
The choir includes players who have performed with major orchestras and in local theaters. They are retired members of military bands, teachers, church musicians, as well as composers and arrangers. Instruments include almost every type of clarinet, soprano and  alto clarinets, basset horns, bass, contra alto and contra bass clarinets. 

The group's performance pieces include those composed by Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, and Ravel, as well as more contemporary works.
 
Conductor William Wright is a graduate of Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia, and Catholic University. He has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the New Orleans Symphony. While in New Orleans, he also performed in the famed jazz clubs of Bourbon Street.
 
Please plan to attend this "one of a kind" concert at St. Matthew. It's something you will not want to miss. For more information, see the St. Matthew website. See you on the 14th!

Greetings from Leslie! 

 
If I have not already done so, let me take the opportunity now to introduce you to the music/poetry of one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Carrie Newcomer.  I cannot even remember for sure when I started listening to her, but it is somewhere between 15 and 20 years ago.  She does not get much airplay on the radio, as her music is not the dance/electronica style that makes for a Top 40 hit.  She probably would call herself a folk singer, but does not fit easily into any category (another reason why it is difficult to get played on the radio).  In any case, I think Carrie Newcomer, in addition to being a gifted musician, is a prophetic voice for our times.  Her songs are about people making connections with one another, finding sacred moments in mundane parts of the day, and the difficult, ongoing work of redemption.  There is a lot of Christian imagery and metaphor in her lyrics (which speaks to me), but there is an openness and inclusiveness to her spirituality that I also find appealing: one of her songs includes the line, "I saw Jesus and Buddha talking shop down at the Starbucks."  
 
If you are one of the congregation members who is reading Barbara Brown Taylor's An Altar in the World as part of your Lenten journey, you might also like some of Carrie Newcomer's songs.   For example, I find a lot of parallels between Taylor's stated belief that any task can be made holy if we approach it with mindfulness and Carrie Newcomer's song "Holy as the Day Is Spent."  Likewise, her song, "A Way of Praying," has always reminded me that we can pray whenever and wherever we are, once we let go of frozen images of what prayer "should" be. 
 
Carrie Newcomer released a new CD on February 23, which I had been eagerly anticipating for several weeks.  The CD, titled "Before and After," is one of her best ever; she really just keeps getting better.  This music is becoming a major piece of my own Lenten reflection and meditation this year.  The songs are full of spot-on observations about the human condition and how we can lead more purposeful, meaningful lives.  Here are a few of my favorite lines:
 
"We live our lives from then until now, by the mercies received and the mark upon our brow.  Still, we'll take what the four winds scatter and live our lives in before and after" from "Before and After."
 
"There are stories we are told to keep us in our place.  There are the ones we made up, just to save a little face.  There's the ones that drove us crazy, and the ones that kept us sane.  Keep on walking if all the stories start to sound the same" from "Ghost Train."
 
"I may never see the Promised Land.  But we'll all take the journey, and we'll walk it hand and hand.  If not now, if not now, tell me when...and miracles do happen, every shining now and then, if not now, if not now, tell me when from "If Not Now." 

Carrie Newcomer's music will not appeal to everyone, for we all have differing tastes.  However, this music has served as a reminder to me of late of the importance of music in our spiritual lives.  Music and poetry speak the truths that we are unable to comprehend or articulate ourselves.  I pray each of us will find some music that speaks to the deepest places of our hearts and incorporate that music into our preparation for Easter.
 
Grace and peace. 
 

2010 Lenten Calendar 

Compiled by Konni Brantner

A six-week Lenten Fellowship and Study Series began on February 28 for the whole family, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. After a light supper (provided by the Ministry Committee) adults will participate in discussion of An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith. The children will join Konni for an energetic look at Lent. Youth are invited to participate with the adults or help with the children.

An Altar in the World is available in local libraries and bookstores as well as on the Amazon Kindle!  Leslie will have four paperback copies available for lending if anyone has trouble getting access to it elsewhere.  Leslie and some colleagues have been working on a study guide and discussion questions for An Altar in the World.  Those will be available chapter by chapter on the church website, starting February 22. 

 
Sunday, March 7
Worship and Church School 10:00 a.m.
Our Church School Classes will be making sandwiches for Martha's Table, a soup kitchen in DC. Our goal is 2010 for 2010!
An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith Chapters 4-6.

Sunday, March 14
Worship -10:00 a.m.
Several of our Middle School youth will be joined by Dr. Henjum as they present "The Cave of Miracles," a drama that takes place during the early days of the Christian Persecution.
 
Gennusa Clarinet Concert Choir
7:00 p.m.- in the Sanctuary
Join us for another outstanding presentation in St. Matthew's Concert Series. See related article by Jim Lessig. 

Sunday, March 21
Worship and Church School 10:00 a.m.
An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith Chapters 7-9.
 

Palm Sunday, March 28

Worship and Church School 10:00 a.m.
An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith Chapters 10-12.
 
We hope you will plan to participate in these Lenten gatherings. Come for fun, music, thoughtful discussions, food for your body and
nourishment of your soul.

Maundy Thursday, April 1

Tenebrae, a Service of Shadows, commemorating the final hour of Christ's earthly life at 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 3
Community Easter Egg Hunt and Party
10:30 - 12:00
 
Easter Sunday, April 4
8:00 a.m. First Service of Easter at the Columbarium (or sanctuary if inclement weather)
8:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Worship and Church School
 

Morning Book Group Meets March 23 

By Julia McBee

The Morning Book Group will discuss John Shelby Spong's newest book: Eternal Life: A New Vision Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell at its next meeting. As in his other books Spong challenges literal Christianity to find a new focus for today's values.  Please join us Tuesday, March 23rd at 10:00 am in the Agnes Wilson room. Any questions may be directed to Julia McBee at  301 603-0450  301 603-0450 . 

Talent Show Entertains and Amazes Audience 

Music, poetry, and comedy were the focus of the St. Matthew Talent Show on February 21. Tom Barthold was an informative and entertaining MC for the evening. The program began with Jim Lessig and Amy Brantner playing "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America" on the piano and chimes.

Bruce McPherson and Terry DeJong performed a comedy sketch, "Abbot and Costello Meet the 21st Century." Nick Seganish amazed us with his balance on the juggling ball, with the able assistance of his dad, Roger Seganish.

Italia Massalla hula-hooped her way through the singing of "Jesus Loves Me."

Peg Thompson and Ruth Keane used four hands to play portions of the Petite Suite by Claude Debussy.

Steve Hursh, dapperly dressed in a tuxedo, performed "Stupid  (his designation, not ours) Magic Tricks" assisted by Harold Black. Jill and Sarah Staggs and Leslie Klingensmith shared a few favorite poems. The chime choir, conducted by Jim Lessig performed "Fanfare for Bells."

Bob Warr played a medley of Duke Ellington and Debussy on the piano. Joan Rutter and Patrick Morris  sang "Something Good" accompanied by Peg Thompson. In the cornerstone performance, Bud Thompson and Bailey Sanford revived "The Thing."

Joe Evans sang and played his original composition, "Benediction."

Patricia Msaka sang for us a capella.

Linda Spurny read Billy Collin's "Shoveling Snow with Buddha." The evening concluded with Leslie Klingensmith and Jim Lessig's duet on French Horn and Oboe.

As usual it was an enjoyable evening and gave us a chance to learn more about ourselves and other members.

Congregational Reminders   

St. Matthew will once again join with St. John's Lutheran Church (On Aspen  Hill Road) to offer our 2nd annual vacation church school. This year we will be meeting during the mornings of June 28, 29, 30, July 1 and 2.  We'll be looking at the story of Joseph as we travel into ancient Egypt.  It looks like it will be a fun and exciting experience. Save the date, volunteer to help, and spread the word!

CAMP JOY is coming.  This year, we will be in Berkeley Springs W. Va July 18 - 25. This wonderful work camp opportunity is open to any youth who has completed 7th grade (Some 6th graders are permitted to participate). If you are interested please contact Konni Brantner.  Of course adults are also welcomed, just let Konni know of your interest! 

Medical Service Learning Trip Participant Requests Help

Kelsey Wilson-Henjum, member of St. Matthew and former youth elder, attends James Madison University. On March 6 she will be leaving to go on a medical service learning trip to Costa Rica with other JMU and Georgetown University students.  The trip is organized by an organization called International Service Learning.  During the trip her team will work with doctors in medical clinics to provide the local people with basic medical care.  As a pre- med student, this trip will be a wonderful, hands-on learning experience, as well as a great opportunity to give back to the global community. 
ISL asks that each team member donate over-the-counter medicine to the clinics that they will be working with.  Kelsey would like your help in collecting items to donate to the clinics. She has placed a box labeled "International Service Learning" near the door of the nursery in the lobby of the church to collect donations. If you would prefer to donate some money so that she can go out and buy some medications herself, email her at wilso4kl@jmu.edu.  
 
Thank you all so much! These donations will be greatly appreciated by Kelsey, the doctors working in the clinics, and especially those that the clinics serve. 

Bloopers Found in Church Bulletins (Not ours, of course!)

 The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
 
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.

This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church Please use large double door at the side entrance.

The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours. 

   photo by Bruce Mc Pherson

Snowmagedden Cancels Mary Martha Circle in February

By Millie Ames

The women of Mary Martha Circle plan to meet again March 10 at 10:30 AM in the Agnes Wilson Room for a continuation of the sometimes challenging, sometimes heart-rending study of Joshua, and his journey of faith.

All women of the church are invited. Bring a sandwich and join us for lunch. Beverage and dessert are provided. We'll look for you.

Addresses for our newest members 

Please add this information to your directory.

 
Rosemary Matoyah
3611 Dunsinane Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20906
 240-821-2202  240-821-2202
 
Josephine Sack
14209 Georgia Avenue
Apt. 104
Silver Spring, MD 20906
 443-762-0253  443-762-0253
 443-762-0012  443-762-0012  
  
Ajebe Irine N.
3642 Bel Pre Road
Apartment 11
Silver Spring, MD 20906
 301-760-8717  301-760-8717
 
Danny Kofi Osei Aidoo
4115 Post Gate Terrace
#203
Silver Spring, MD 20906
 301-460-3602  301-460-3602