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Volume 24Issue 10

November 2017

More Light • Open and Affirming • Reconciling

What’s Inside?Commitment Sunday and thanksgiving p. 2

For all the Saints p. 2

Oct. Board Report p. 4

Ice Cream and JusticeAnswering God’s Call p. 5

Welcome New Members p. 6

PNC report p. 8

The Closet and Christmas p. 8

Building and Grounds Ministry - Hochstrasser p. 9

Young Adults Rise Against

Hunger Event p. 9

Devotions p. 10

Earth Care Goals p. 11

EJ T-shirt Contest p. 11

Song p. 13

Witness minutes p. 15

Prayer Requests p. 15

O give thanks!

Continued on p. 2

Continued on p. 3

Nov. 11. 12:30 pm - 6 pmSat. Nov. 11 at UCP Reston

Info at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/f-r-e-e-justice-inclusion-conference-sat-nov-11.

You are invited to the Interfaith Th anksgiv-ing Eve Service. Join us for this special service as “We Give Th anks Together.” Our annual Interfaith Th anksgiving Eve service has been an important and cherished part of who we are as the United Christian Parish. Although not the only way that we partner with our broth-ers and sisters of other faiths, it has been a valuable asset helping us establish and nurture relationships of mutual trust, appreciation, and aff ection, which has brought all of us blessings we never anticipated.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve ServiceWednesday, November 22 at 7:30 pm

“We give thanks together: Embracing diverse faiths and cultures.”

Rev. Williams

In a sermon given by Rev John T. McFadden at Th anksgiving Eve Interfaith Service at his church, he said, “ Th e Th anksgiving holiday itself has played a part in making it possible for us to come together and build these rela-tionships. It is a secular holiday, and a specifi -cally American one, so no single religious tra-dition can lay claim to it. . . . Th e conviction that if we pause from all of our busyness long enough to appreciate the goodness of creation and the blessings we know in our lives – bless-

Rev. Leathers

All Saints Day, Komodo Dragons, and PaulBy Dr. Rev. Marcus L. Leathers

But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are

they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless fl oggings, and oft en near death. 24 Five times I have received fr om the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Th ree times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Th ree times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was

By Rev. Beth Williams

United Christian Parish of Reston2

Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve ServiceContinued from p. 1

ings that we too often take for granted and certainly did not earn through our own eff orts – the only possible response is to give thanks to the Creator from whom all this goodness fl ows. Gratitude and thanksgiving . . . .binds us together in a manner that transcends diff erences in doctrine, creed, or culture: Jew, Chris-tian, Muslim, Unitarian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, we gather together in common humility and gratitude. It’s really a matter of unity. We’re diff er-ent in many ways, but the spirit that is here when we all come together in friend-

ship is really beautiful. And this service where we weave together a tapestry of our faith traditions is both powerful and inspiring. We will sing each others songs, pray each others prayers, hear each others scriptures, and give thanks together! And together we will give back to our com-munity through an off ering that will go to help those in need in our community through Cornerstones. And the celebra-tion will conclude with a time of food and fellowship. Please bring an appetizer to share with our friends and neighbors.

Commitment Sunday and a month of thanksgivingBy Rev. Beth Williams

For all the Saints By Rev. Beth Williams

In worship on November 5 we will celebrate All Saints Day – a day to remember those saints who have passed away. Even though they are no longer physically present with us, these saints can still play a very important role in our lives. We are surrounded by a great cloud of wit-nesses who have both blessed us and challenged us. Th is month, remem-ber the saints who are important to your spiritual journey. Say thank you for their lives and commit to living a life worthy of them. Here are some suggestions:

Light a candle, say a short prayer of remembrance, and refl ect on the saints who have had an infl uence on your life.

Do at least one thing to honor the memory of a saint in your life.

Th ink of one way this saint exem-plifi ed holy living. How might you adopt that same practice to en-hance your own spiritual life?

If there a someone in your life who has died in the past year that you would like remembered in worship on Nov 5, please send their name to Heidi, at secretary@ucpreston.org by Th ursday, Nov. 2.

Only one response can maintain us: gratefulness for witnessing the won-der, for the gift of our unearned right to serve, to adore, and to fulfi ll. It is gratefulness which makes the soul great. Abraham Joshua HeschelIf Rabbi Heschel is right, that grate-fulness makes the soul great, then thanksgiving needs to more than one day a year. We need at least of month of Th anksgiving. Sometimes we don’t always feel that thankful. We take for granted our many blessings, we focus on our disappointments and our losses, and fail to look around and think, Th ank God.

Th ank God I have a place to live.Th ank God I have food to eat.Th ank God I have a friend to talk to,

Th ank God I have a church to go to.Th ank God.

What if we were to dedicate this whole month to Th anksgiving? What if we tried, every day, to remember what we’ve been given? What if every time a grudge or gripe seeps into our minds, it could be instantly vanquished with a word of gratitude? What if we let gratitude make our souls great? Th anksgiving leads to giving. Why? Because when we are conscious of what we’ve been given, it’s easier to see what we have to give. And you can begin the month by giving your pledge to the parish. November 5th is Commitment Sunday and we will be dedicating our pledges in worship that morning.

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All Saints DayContinued from p. 1

adrift at sea; 26 on fr equent journeys, in danger fr om rivers, danger fr om bandits, danger fr om my own people, danger fr om Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger fr om false brothers and sisters; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, oft en without food, cold and naked. 28 And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant? [II Corinthians 11:21-29, NRSV]Over the years, my appreciation for the church’s observance of All Saints’ Day has morphed. The earliest apprecia-tion for this feast within the liturgical calendar didn’t incorporate my deep admiration for the Christians’ tenacity and defiance of evil in order to embrace their faith in the most adverse environ-ments. Otherwise, unlikely to have been known in history, the brave actions of martyrs’ in faithful defiance to a hostile government and contemptuous culture gave birth to many heroines. In the text quoted earlier, II Corinthians 11:21-29, Paul teaches the church in Corinth that in the most adverse of circumstances, resources for survival can be derived from the most unlikely people, places or things. Certainly, Paul attributes God as the reason for his survival amid the most adverse of persecutions. Also, Paul identifies some unlikely contributor(s) to the survival of his example for ministry—false apostles!

A few weeks ago, I read an article in the Washington Post about a giant lizard called a Komodo. The Komodo has the potential to assists medical scientists in their research to combat antibiotic resistance. Komodo dragons have man-aged to thrive on an isolated chain of the rocky Indonesian islands. Competing with other venomous reptiles, hunting deer and buffalo in extreme terrain, for thousands of years, this giant lizard (sometimes weighing as much as 300 pounds and growing to the length more

than seven feet) has existed in extreme en-vironmental conditions of annual monsoons, tsunamis, and drought.

I am fas-cinated that future generations of humans may give thanks for the tenacity of this unlikely hero, the Komodo. The same venom of the Komodo (in addition to its blood) which can cause death to humans can be transformed into an antidote, an antibi-otic, or new synthetic protein that can save human lives. Doctors have trans-formed reptile venom into medicines to treat high blood pressure, brain injuries, and strokes, as well as the diseases of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

represented the antithesis of Paul’s example of ministry, leadership and genuine love towards God’s people.

Paul’s leadership transformed the deadly presence of false teaching and hypocrisy in ministry into his opportunity to expose the imposters and emphasize Christian service as the crowning point of faith! In this the most unlikely of circumstances, the presence of false apostles, Paul glorified God for his survival in extreme conditions—Paul honored the Christian’s tenacity to embrace her faith and to be embraced by God in her most adverse circumstances.

On All Saints’ Day, the deceased Christians whether famous or not, will be celebrated for their lives as faithful servants of our Triune God. All Saints’ Day is meant to honor Christians such as the late the Archbishop of San Salvador, Oscar Romero, who was assassinated because of his ministry defending the lives of the poor. Also, it is a day to honor the Christians who have died such as pastors, priests, family members and friends, those who touched our lives and inspired us because of the integrity of their faithful witness, even their defiance when it was necessary. I appreciate All Saints’ Day because it teaches me again and again that often, from the most unlikely circumstances or even people, God provides inspiration for our survival. 1. Adam Popescu, “Komodo dragon blood might save human lives. Getting it isn’t easy,” Democracy Dies in Darkness, 6 Oct 2017, The Washington Post, Web 17 Oct 2017.

”transforming venom into medicine.”

Paul’s response to the poor examples of false prophets is fascinating as well as inspiring. As I reflect upon Paul’s leader-ship against heretics and apostacy in the early formation of the church, the story of the Komodo resonates with me—”transforming venom into medicine.” Paul described the false apostles as boastful, deceitful and deceptive (Paul’s word was disguising). The false apostles’ words, teachings and deceptions were like poisonous venom to the church, the very church which Paul had committed his life. False apostles embodied every-thing that Paul considered to be feigning and fraudulent faith. Their behaviors

A Komodo Dragon

United Christian Parish of Reston4

October Board ReportBy Rev. Beth Williams Th is month the board voted to send a motion to National Capital Presbytery proposing an Overture to General Assem-bly asking the Presbyterian Church to respond to the crisis in Syria by focusing on four principal goals: stop the killing; work for reconciliation; alleviate the suff ering; and deepen PC(USA) partnership with Syrian Christians. Walt Owens-by is part of the Syria Lebanon Partnership Network (SLPN) of the denomination that drafted the overture. In the de-nomination’s process, an Overture is a petition for church policy that originates in a congregation and is approved by its presbytery (in our case the Presbytery of National Capital). When two presbyteries submit substantially the same over-ture, the GA must act upon it in one of several ways: it may amend, approve, disapprove or refer it to a church agency or committee. First Reading of Report from the Sanctuary Task Force – Th e board received the handbook of policy and procedures recom-mended by the Sanctuary Task Force for their review. We held an additional meeting the week following the board meeting to follow up with the recommendations. Th e hand-

book was approved with some amendments and with the ad-dition of an appendix that lists the responsibilities of the vari-ous positions and roles that will be needed in the event that we take someone into Sanctuary. Th ere are still several details to be determined and added to the handbook. Th e plan is to be able to vote on those at the November board meeting and then share the plan with the congregation. A copy of the handbook will be available in the church library. Th e board also appointed Steve Webb and Rosemary Welch to serve as co-chairs of a Sanctuary Management Team. Th e board established a Task Force to review and propose changes to the By-Laws to be presented at the Church Con-ference/Annual Meeting on January 28. Voted to renew the Candidacy for Tom Lyons for lay ministry in the UMC HARC presented a candidate for the child caregiver position in the church nursery to fi ll the current vacancy when Nora Vivanco resigned. Danene Vassell was approved by the board and her fi rst Sunday was Oct 29. She is a professional educa-tor and is passionate about helping children grow in a safe and nurturing environment as well as spiritually.

to Lesley Irminger and family on the death of her grandfather, Stanley Lewis

to the family and friends of UCP attendee Laura Macqueen on her death on Sep. 30

to Barbara and Adrian Pelzner and family on the death of her sister, Mildred Gormley, on Oct. 18.

to Brenda Meyer on the birth of her great-niece, Lila Josephine Cambron, on Oct. 10

to Hyunsook Highland and Ron Hunter on the birth of their granddaughter, Josephine Robyn Highland, on Oct. 12 to Rachel and Howard

to the Hochstrasser family on the marriage of their son, Matthew, and Melissa (Kortlang) Hochstrasser, on Oct. 20

to Jose and Mirian Cisneros on their marriage on Oct. 20

Congratulations

Sympathy

By Rob Gehring

5

Ice Cream and Justice “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 Listen! Th e wages of the laborers who mowed your fi elds, which you kept back by fr aud, cry out, and the cries of the harvest-ers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. James 5:4In 2009, a young dairy worker in Vermont, José Santiz Cruz, was pulled into a mechanized gutter scraper and strangled to death by his own clothing. From this tragedy came the formation of Migrant Justice, a farmworkers collective to promote human and economic rights including 1) Dignifi ed Work and Qual-ity Housing; 2) Freedom of Movement and Access to Transportation; 3) Freedom from discrimination; and 4) Access to Health Care. Among the organization’s accomplishments, Migrant Justice built coalitions to secure legislation prohibit-ing Vermont police from assisting in immigration enforcement; authorizing Vermont drivers’ licenses for all residents regardless of legal status, including un-documented residents in the state’s health care coverage; and winning thousands of dollars of back wages through a workers- rights hotline.Migrant Justice also developed a Milk with Dignity Campaign to promote dairy farmer-worker rights in Vermont. Th e program includes: A Code of Conduct; Rights Education; A Th ird Party Monitoring Body (the Milk with Dignity Standards Council (MDSC); Economic relief (which includes premi-ums for both farmworkers AND farm-ers; and Legally-binding Agreements with Par-ticipating Corporations

On October 3 this year, farmworker leaders from Migrant Justice signed their fi rst Milk with Dignity agreement with Ben & Jerry’s. Th e legally-binding

contract establishes Ben & Jerry’s as the fi rst company in the dairy industry to implement the worker-driven human rights program. Th e agreement will pro-vide economic relief and support to farm owners, in the form of a premium paid by Ben & Jerry’s, and ensure dignity and respect for farmworkersPresbyterians were very active in sup-port of the Milk with Dignity eff ort. At the grassroots level, the Stony Point Center and local Presbyterians from the Presbytery of Hudson River sent letters of support to managers of Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops throughout the state and also marched and protested in person and through social media. In June of this year, PC(USA) General Assembly Stated Clerk the Reverend J. Herbert Nelson II sent a public letter to Ben & Jerry’s. Dairy workers in Vermont are but a small portion of the thousands of workers around the country whose labor under often diffi cult conditions and low pay assure our low cost food supply.

What Can I Do?

Read: On Vermont’s Migrant Justice organization: https://migrantjustice.net

On PC(USA) support for Mild with Dignity: http://www.pcusa.org/news/2017/10/3/stated-clerk-letter-stony-point-center-local-presb/

On Farmworker Justice more generally: http://www.ucc.org/justice_farmworkers

Take Action: On justice issues more generally, join the UCC Peace and Action Network: http://www.ucc.org/join_the_network

Eat Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream!

Behind Bucolic Vermont LandscapesThere are approximately 1500 mi-grant workers that sustain Vermont’s iconic working landscapes and turn profits for Ben & Jerry’s, Cabot Cheese and other famous Vermont brands. Workers typically work 60-80 hours per week and endure extreme isolation, often without a clear sense of where they are and are systemi-cally excluded from many worker and housing rights protections. Farmworkers are highly depen-dent on employers to meet their fundamental human needs. Many farmworkers work near the highly militarized northern border and live in fear of racial profiling practices of police, border patrol, and some com-munity members, which together converts many into virtual prisoners on the farm. Additionally, dairy is a notoriously difficult industry where large profits from milk products are not redistributed fairly to farmers. Due to this systemic marginaliza-tion and industry conditions there is downward pressure on farmworkers’ wages and many experience human rights abuses.

Now I feel much better about having indulged in some Ben & Jerry’s “Chocolate Therapy” ice cream the other night. Thanks! —Heidi Kharbanda, UCP Admin Assistant

United Christian Parish of Reston6

Darren Carkin21327 Clancy Terrace, Ashburn, VA 20147 • 703-774-4907darrencarkin@gmail.com

It took the birth and pending baptism of their baby daughter for Darren Carkin and his wife, Jaemi, to look for a Protestant church. Both were raised Roman Catholic, but when they started planning to have their daughter christened in that tradition they found they disagreed with some of the church policies.

“We found that things had changed over the years. So we went online, then visited some churches, and when we came to UCP, it felt like the right place to be.”

Darren grew up in Salem, VA, earned a BA at Radford Univer-sity, and became a high school biology teacher. He liked it, “but I wasn’t going anywhere, so after about six years I went to Strayer University and got an MS.” In 2005 he moved to Northern VA and now works for Fannie Mae in the cybersecu-rity field. Jaemi, who is from Massachusetts, works in market-ing for the Greystar Management Co.

The Carkins like travel, concerts, and movies, but right now, most of their time and attention is focused on their daughter, Sawyer, seven months old “who is quite the talker, and really likes people.”

The Carkins look forward to having Sawyer baptized at our 11 am service on Sunday, December 3.

Welcome to our new members

Lillian Brown, Chuck and Josie Gritton

Charles (Chuck) Gritton and Lillian Brown73 Rutherford Circle, Sterling, VA 20165 • 703-404-8173Chuck.gritton@gmail.com • lillianbrown@mindspring.com

Chuck and Lillian met as students at the University of Virginia and married in 1978.

Chuck had a military dad and grew up “around the world – a little bit of every-where,” and he can recall snatches of fairy tales in Japanese and some “rusty French” learned while attending a French school on the Riviera. At UVA he majored in electrical engi-neering and, after finishing his dissertation defense in 1979, started at Bell Laboratories in NJ. They returned to the DC area in 1994, and Chuck now works for a company in Rock-ville, Maryland.

Lillian, who is from Richmond, was a government major at UVA and subsequently attended Rutgers University law school, where she became managing editor of the law review and later clerked for the Chief Justice of the NJ Supreme Court. She later worked as Deputy Attorney General of New Jersey and specialized in tax litigation.

Daughter Jocelyn (Josie) is a high school senior who is currently busy filling out college applications, with the goal of getting a degree in music. Josie is also active in gymnastics and Girl Scouts.

Chuck and Lillian began a church search becoming frustrated with the selective societal and political engagement of their former local church which seemed to make doctrinal decisions based on Republican party platform planks.

“We sought increased engagement in social issues, so followed a reference in Sojourners to the activism of United Church of Christ. We looked for local United Church of Christ churches and found UCP.”

They hope that through our church, they will enliven their faith with more works (cf James 2:17) that spread the gospel in practical ways throughout our society.

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Welcome to our new members

Ray, Jennifer, back, Hayden and Colin, front

Jennifer and Ray Whitney11848 Golf View Court, Reston 20190 • 571-598-4817 whitneyjenniferj@gmail.com

If you haven’t already met the Whitney family, you will soon – all four of them are tak-ing part in the UCP Christmas “radio show” that will be presented on Dec. 16! Jen-nifer and Ray will be Mary and Joseph, and their sons Hayden (13) and Colin (7) will be an innkeeper and a shepherd, and play a few other parts as well.

In addition, Jennifer sings with our Praise Band.

Jennifer says, “When you only live in a place for a few years, you have to jump in and get active right away!”

The Whitneys moved to Reston in July after four years in Abu Dahbi , where Ray served in the Defense Attache Office as a Defense Liaison. Jennifer says it was a surprisingly easy place to live.

“It was a great family place—modern and open, with a huge international population, American restaurants, and a school based on the Fairfax County school system, so it was an easy transition for the boys to come back here. The heat was the biggest problem.”

Ray now works for the Department of Defense, and Jennifer is awaiting clearance to start working for a government contrac-tor. She is also working on a MBA online, through Champlain College.

Jennifer is from western New York, Ray is from Michigan. They met in 1998 when both were in the same Army unit at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

They found our church while out for a walk one day.

“We saw the sign about four denominations. So we visited and found a warm, inviting congregation – and here we are.”

By Eloise Williams, Hypothermia Volunteer Coordinator

On each Th ursday from December 7, 2017 through March 29, 2018, UCP volunteers will once again prepare and serve a hot meal to our homeless neighbors at the hypothermia center in Reston. Th is ministry began in 2007 and has proven to be a very successful program through its years of operation.If you have volunteered with this program in the past, I hope you will add your name to the list of chefs, souc-chefs and servers once again..If you have not been part of this program, I hope you will consider signing up for it. New participants will be matched up with a "well-seasoned" chef who will walk you through the process. In addition to the chef and sous-chef, we need two volunteers who will serve the food. After dinner, a game of Bingo is led by one of the volunteers and small prizes are awarded.I know how busy most of you are, but those who have partici-pated come away with a sense of fulfi llment from having been a part in it.Please check your calendars for Th ursdays December-March. If you will participate, please email me at elrich518@comcast.net or call my home after 6 PM at 703-537-8434. I hope to have the December calendar fi lled quickly!.

Hypothermia shelter cooking starts Dec. 7

United Christian Parish of Reston8

Cheryl D. Fields

The Closet’s “Everything Christmas Sale” Find EVERYTHING Christmas related, from artificial trees and nativities to Christmas cookie cutters and tins, plus some Hanukkah items, at The Closet’s “Everything Christmas Sale”. The Preview Sale is 4-7 p.m. on Friday, November 10, and the Main Sale is 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, November 11 at The First Baptist Church of Herndon (681 Elden St.). Shop both days. Re-stocking will occur on Saturday morning! Get a jump start on your holiday decorating or choose something unique for that hard-to-please relative—all while helping your community! All sales at this special sale are cash only.

Volunteers are needed at the 1st Baptist Church of Herndon: 10 am-4 pm on Mon-Thurs, Nov. 6-10, to price and display items for sale; 2:30-8 p.m. on Fri, Nov. 10, and 8-noon on Sat, Nov. 11, to assist with the sale; and Sat, Nov 11, noon-3

pm to help clean up and pack items. To volunteer, please sign up at link: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0C48ABAF2D6-theclosets2

The Closet is a nonprofit thrift shop, founded in 1974 by a handful of faith communities to assist low-income families by selling used clothing at nominal prices. In 2016, The Closet gave away more than $48,000 worth of clothing and necessi-ties to persons referred by an authorized social service agency, as well as donating more than $46,000 in profits to local organizations and providing scholarships to local students. For more information, please visit our web sitehttp://www.theclos-etofgreaterherndon.org/ or visit us on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/TheClosetofGreaterHerndonArea .

le”

The Closet’s

Everything Christmas

Sale Ge

unique gifts

Preview Sale: Friday, Nov. 10 4p.m. – 7p.m.

Main Sale: Saturday, Nov. 11, 9a.m. – 12:00 noon (re-stocking will occur on Saturday morning)

Where: First Baptist Church of Herndon

681 Elden St., Herndon, VA (Across from The Pines Shopping Center, near Anita’s)

PNC receives applications for reviewBy Cheryl D. FieldsAutumn is already shaping up to be an exciting one for the Pastoral Nomi-nating Committee (PNC)! All our pastoral call materials are now posted on the Disciples, UCC and PCUSA web portals. We’re happy to report that responses are already coming in.We have established a review process and are currently wading through the applications we’ve received. So far, we’ve discerned six of the 20 applicants are not well matched to UCP. Via mail, we are alerting them of our decision and thank-ing them for applying.

A subset of our team (Cheryl Fields, Jerry Hebenstreit and Karen Young) met with UMC District Superintendent Cathy Abbott on Sept. 18 to discuss whether UCP might fi t into the UMC’s pastoral placement schedule for 2018. She informed us that since we’re already receiving pastoral applications, it is unlikely we’ll still be looking by the time their discernment and placement process begins. However, if it turns out we are still looking by late mid-November, she’s asked us to let her know. Were we to participate in their cycle, a UMC candidate would not be placed at UCP until spring 2018.We welcome the congregation’s continued prayers as we con-tinue through this exciting part of our journey!

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“Making a Difference”—a Look at our MinistriesEric Hochstrasser—Building and Grounds Chair

(Editor’s note: Th is is the second in a series. We are asking the new chairs of UCPs eight ministries to share why they accepted their positions and some of the things they hope to accomplish.)By Eric Hochstrasser, Building and Grounds ChairThe Building and Grounds Team, formally the Trustees, is a small group of individuals who work behind the scenes at UCP. We are responsible for the care and mainte-nance of the UCP building and sur-rounding property. The mission of the B&G Team is to ensure that we provide the parish and the commu-nity a well-maintained building that people will want to enter to experi-ence the Word of God. I consider UCP to be blessed to have been able to build such a won-derful and inviting space for worship, UCP programs and community activities. This is my second three-year term as a B&G mem-ber and my first year as chair. As a recent retiree

with over 35 years of experience in landscape management, what better place to use my skill set than serving on the B&G team. There have been mentors along the way who provide both guid-ance and assistance. I can’t say enough about how valuable they are to the ongoing operation of the B&G Team. My mission is to follow in their footsteps to maintain the UCP property to the best of my ability. There is always a needed repair, lights to replace, enhancements or improvements to be done. The list never ends. Our two main goals this year are to improve the

acoustics in Room 107 and replace windows in Rooms 108, 109 and 110. Major improvements such as these are dependent on the availability of funding. Through the dedication of the B&G Team members, past and present, we will continue to pro-vide a beautiful space for all to see and experience.

Eric Hochstrasser

Rise Against Hunger—meal packaging event for young adultsUCP is hosting a Rise Against Hunger (fore-merly Stop Hunger Now) event on Sunday, November 19, 2-4 PM, specifically for young adults. The goal is to make 10,152 meals. The event is to connect young adults, ages 19-39, looking to make a differ-ence in the world. Register online: http://events.stophungernow.org/UCPNov2017

United Christian Parish of Reston10

The Iron RuleBy Jeff Smith, Co-Board Moderator

Gold is for the mistress -- silver for the maid --Copper for the craft sman cunning at his trade.”

Thus begins Rudyard Kipling’s great Poem Cold Iron.

The first line reminds me of the Golden Rule - In every-thing do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12). It echos words

spoken by the Old Testament (Catholic and Jewish bible)

prophet Tobit—And what you hate, do not do to anyone. (Tobit 4:15)—sometimes referred to as the Silver Rule (the

Golden Rule in a negative sense), which echos the sec-

ond have of the first line.

God calls us to strive to meet these rules, doing to others

what we would have them do to us, and not doing to

them what we would not want done to us. This is hard,

though, as Paul reminds us in Romans 7:15—

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not

do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

us to do. It becomes hard to turn back. Fortunately,

our Liege (ah, how kind a Lord!) reminds us that while

we are not perfect, the Lord is perfect—and forgives us,

allowing us to be born again. For Cold Iron is not just for

cannonballs and sieges. Christ transforms that cold iron

on Calvary—he heals us, forgives us, and redeems us, so

that we might pick up and press forward again. So we

might rejoin our Lord and Savior. As Rudyard Kipling

ends the poem which started with war -

Balm and oil for weary hearts all cut and bruised with wrong.I forgive thy treason -- I redeem thy fall --For Iron -- Cold Iron -- must be master of men all!”…...Iron out of Calvary is master of men all!”

Lord, help me to follow your Golden Rule, to remember always your Silver rule. But you know that we are not perfect, that we will fail. We thank you for your Iron rule - that no matter what, you forgive us and redeem us from our failures. Bless us and keep us, protect us and redeem us, now and forever. Amen.Cold Iron on the Poetry Lover’s pages: https://www.poetry-loverspage.com/poets/kipling/cold_iron.html

Other versions of the Golden Rule:

“What I do not wish men to do to me, I also wish not to do to men.” Analects 15:23 Confucius

“Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do.” The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, Ancient Egyptian papy-rus.

“Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not.” Baha’u’llah (Baha’i faith)

“None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” Number 13 of Imam “Al-Nawawi’s Forty Hadiths.”

God’s Call to UCP: A Series of Devotions

We live so much in the “real world” we sometimes forget

that we are called to do better. Sometimes we don’t

even hear the call—or we misinterpret the call. Cold

Iron starts out that way, as a Baron prepares for war -

So he made rebellion ‘gainst the King his liege,Camped before his citadel and summoned it to siege.

We use might and right to get our way. We seek to mas-

ter all, to get our way. We think we know best what God

wants for us. We sometimes challenge what God calls

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UCP sets environmental goalsBy Sue Beffel, Co Chair Environmental Justice

We have completed our draft of the ap-plication for recognition as an Earth Care Congregation. The application will be sent in to the National Presbytery shortly.

Meanwhile, here are the goals we identi-fied for 2018.

EDUCATION Collaborate with Boy and Girls Scouts, especially for help planting native plants around the church. Help with Youth Sunday and suggest the Carbon Footprint Game (see below). Just Faith or other education classes in Fall 2018 possibly on Sunday after-noons. Conduct Carbon Footprint Game — January-April, weekly table on four monthly aspects of energy conservation. For this game, we will need approval from pastors, and volunteers to manned the table each Sunday until April. Each member of the church will report on an energy conservation act he/she did in the week by writing it on a small paper footprint cutout that will be pasted on a really big footprint over the course of the four months. Hopefully all our acts of conservation will fi ll in the big foot-print with little footprints.

Add Energy Kids materials to kids’ worship service packets with label mak-ing connection between earth care and God.

Present Inconvenient Sequel slide show and discussion and other videos over the course of the year

We hope to have an Earth Care or Environmental Justice Page on UCP website

FACILITIES Add native bushes in spring or fall — Hopefully the Youth Group and the Scouts will be interested in helping de-pending on the Building and Grounds Committee

We plan to display an Earth Care sign in prominent location in the church again upon approval.

We will order and post Explanatory Sign for Pollinator Garden and apply for Monarch Waystation status and again post a sign

Explore use of “less toxic” cleaning sup-plies.

Explore use of non-fossil fuel-based fertilizer

OUTREACH Have Earth Care speaker April 14 workshop on Justice/Inclusion Participate in Environmental March or other regional action Promote T-shirt design contest (see below) and have T-shirts available for spring 2018 activities Carry UCP or environmental banner in Fall 2018 homeless walk Participate in Reston Spring Stream Clean up

WORSHIP Earth Day/Youth worship April 22. Explore alternative mini communion cups or re-using the ones we have Encourage youth choir, bell choir, dancers to consider environmentally themed music. Yvonne Kauff man, Gen-esis Choir director and Dave Tiller, bell choir director have already agreed to look for the music. Track number of hymns and anthems with environmental themes

These are the Environmental Justice goals for the coming year. Your partici-pation will be greatly appreciated. For further information contact Sue Beffel, suebeffel@ gmail.com.

Contest for a UCP earth care T-shirt designBy Joellyn Kinzer, Environmental Justice Interested in designing an Environmental Justice T-shirt for UCP? Environmental Justice Committee would like to have an army of earth care workers identified by an eye catch-ing designed T-shirt to wear at green events. Here are samples of T-shirts from other churches. Requirements are any file for-mat, jpg, pdf, Illustrator, Photo-shop, but not Word, PowerPoint or Excel. The maximum space for an adult T-shirt is 14”x17”. No more than three colors, preferrably two. Please send to

me at joellynkinzer@gmail.com by the end of the year. More details concern-ing judging, ordering shirts etc. will be published as soon as possible.

United Christian Parish of Reston12

02 NOVTHURSDAYAll Saints Day Service remembrances. To remember people in worship on Nov 5, please send their name to Heidi, at secre-tary@ucpreston.org by Nov. 2. See pg. 2.

05… NOVSUNDAY AFTERNOONSRehearsals for Advent Radio Show premiering Dec 16.Time: After 11 am worship serviceLocation: United Christian Parish Sanctuary

08… NOVWEDNESDAYS Bble Study “The Table and Beyond: Lavish Hospitality in the Bible,” from Just Women Disciples. Time: 10 pmLocation: Rm 116

09… NOV2ND AND 4TH THURSDAYSPracticing God’s Presence - . Take individual time for God with a quiet time of prayer and meditation.Time: 7:30 pmLocation: Rm 117

11 NOVSUNDAYJustice and Inclusion ConferenceTime: Saturday, November 11,12:30 am - 6 pmLocation: United Christian Parish

13… NOV2ND AND 4TH MONDAYSNeedle and Not - For those who like to knit, crochet or do handy crafts. For all others, be the “not.” Time: 10 amLocation: Rm 116

19 NOVSUNDAYRise Against Hunger, specifically for young adults. The goal is to make 10,152 meals.Time: 2-4 pmLocation: UCP

22 NOVWEDNESDAYInterfaith Thanksgiving Eve ServiceTime: Wednesday 22, 7:30 pmLocation: United Christian Parish

On a lovely October fall day, the Travel Ministry Monticello

travelers gathered under a tree on the grounds of Thomas

Jefferson’s home.

Annabelle Hammer displays her quilts at UCP’s Arts and Crafts Fair last month. She said, “It was great fun and I plan to participate again next year.” Photo by Jonathan Hammer.

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Evolution of a SongBy Jerry HebenstreitThe song words shown below were sung at the 8:30 service on September 24. They are an attempt to capture my reactions to the events in Charlottesville in August.

My initial emotion was a numb shock that such an easily fore-seen tragedy could have happened.

Then, anger—anger at the white supremacists who strutted around claiming allegiance to our flag by espousing hatred and exclusion; anger at officials who so cluelessly misread the tenor of the events, anger at police who ignored precedents in other places and missed their chance to prevent a tragedy; anger at a young man who, as Governor McAuliffe said, “decided to weaponize his car” and caused injury and death. And special anger for the foolish ones who used their anger and alienation as an excuse to engage in violent response, thus providing credibility and a sense of righteousness to people who do not deserve sympathy or sup-port.

Then I considered my own anger and realized that it would solve nothing if I acted on it. I can be angry, but my actions have to be carried out with the love of God or I am not whom I strive to be.

Petie felt much the same way, and we worked together to craft a song that contains some of that emotion. We checked with Pastor Marcus and Pastor Beth to be sure they felt comfortable with our singing it. Both were highly supportive of the message we hope it conveys.

As it turned out, the words complemented Pastor Beth’s sermon nicely. She told us that the key point in the story of Jacob and his vision of the ladder to heaven is that God was right next to him, not up in heaven looking down; that God is with us, also, as we journey in this strange world. That’s what we are trying to say in the song – we must work with God to change hearts and minds, not against God by acting in our own (understandable) rage.

While the words are worth reading, you really need to hear both words and music to get the full sense of what we are

trying to convey. We have a quick video version on YouTube at https://youtu.be/3xisiBQZlvM

Charlottesville – 2017

Jerry and Petie Hebenstreit

Charlottesville – 2017By Jerry and Petie Hebenstreit1. Marching with their torches, swinging clubs and chanting rage,

just like a rabid witch hunt mob from some barbaric age,we stare in pain and sorrow at their ignorance and fear.We wonder in our innocence how this could happen here.

Our souls rise up in fury at their prejudice and hate,as they assault the very things that make our people great.But in our deep revulsion, our desire to condemn,we must step back and realize we cannot act like them. Refrain: So don’t let your anger douse the fires of God’s love.

Don’t think that you’re an instrument of judgment from above.Don’t let the dark avenging hawk replace the peaceful dove.Don’t let your rage and anger douse the fires of God’s love.

2. We followers of Jesus cannot stand aloof, apart.But meeting hate with hatred just inflames an angry heart.We must not take as weapon the bitter chastening rod;instead take up as armor the relentless love of God.

We know we’re called to love them all, not just the ones we like,to offer them God’s healing touch even if they strike.We’ll heap the coals of love up high until we wear them downand pray God’s tender mercy can turn their hearts around. Just don’t let your anger douse the fires of God’s love.

Don’t think that you’re an instrument of judgment from above.Don’t let the dark avenging hawk replace the peaceful dove.Don’t let your rage and anger douse the fires of God’s love.

Please don’t let your anger douse the fires of God’s love.Don’t think that you’re an instrument of judgment from above.Don’t let the dark avenging hawk replace the peaceful dove.Don’t let your rage and anger douse the fires of God’s love.

© 2017 J&P Hebenstreit

Feel free to use this song as written as you will, subject to two conditions: 1) do NOT remove the composer attribution or the copyright notice, and 2) do NOT use this song for profit without our approval. We are not giving up our rights to the song, but are making it freely available for most uses. If you do use the song, we’d love to know about it. Send us an email at hebens4ucp@comcast.net.

A monthly publication of the United Christian Parish, Res-ton, VA, an ecumenical ministry representing the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ, and the Christian Church (Dis-ciples of Christ).Editor and Production: Joellyn Kinzer Editorial Coordinator: Marilyn SilveyPhotos: John Moore

Email articles to ParishLife1@ucpreston.org.

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Welcome to The United Christian Parish of RestonAn ecumenical church uniting in ministry four denominations: the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church

Sunday Worship Schedule starting September 10

8:30 am ---- Worship (Communion 1st Sunday of each month)

9:50 am ----------------------------------Sunday School for all Ages

11:00 am ----------------- Worship with Communion, Godly Play

Nursery Care available for birth to 2s during entire serviceChildren welcome in worship

7:30 pm, Rm 117 ----------------------------------Evening Worship

Ministerial Team, Pastors Emeriti, and Parish Staff

Co-Pastor: ------------------------------ Dr. Rev. Marcus L. LeathersCo-Pastor for Faith Formation: -------------- Rev. Beth WilliamsParish Associate: ---------------------------------- Rev. Lloyd KinzerPastors Emeriti: -----------------------------Rev. Suzanne Rudiselle

Rev. J. Robert Regan, Jr.Administration: ------------- Katherine Hoing, Heidi Kharbanda,

Micaela Hanney (Bookkeeping)Preschool Director: ---------------------------------------- Jane PlumDirector of Music:- ----- -------------------------Richard Allen RoeOrganist/Pianist:- -----------------------------------Misha TumanovChoir Directors: ----------------------------Seraphim - Richard Roe;

Genesis - Yvonne Kauffman; Handbells - David Tiller; Total Praise Dance - Beth Hetzler; UCPraise Band - Joe Bocchairo

Child Care: -----------------------------Sonali Silva, Danene Vassal Treasurer: ------------------------------------------------Gerry Havran

Parish Board and Program Ministry Council

Parish Board Co-Moderators: Jeff Smith, Rev. Beth Williams. Members: Menda Ahart, Debbie Aschenbach, Art Banks, Joan Braxton, Brenda Meyer, Craig Palmer, Nancy Vollmer, Judy Pew (Clerk)

Parish Ministries Council Co-Moderators: Nancy Vollmer, Rev. Beth Williams. Members: Ashley Aschenbach (Missions), Jerry Hebenstreit (Worship), Eric Hochstrasser (Building & Grounds), TBD (Faith Formation), Penny Johnson (Fellowship), Kathy Schauer-Schmidt (Witness), Sue Beffel/James Dean/Jill Marmol/Jim Vollmer, (Justice and Peace), Claudia Stallings (Technology)

Contact

11508 North Shore Dr., Reston, VA 20190 ucpreston@ucpreston.org 703.620.3065

www.ucpreston.org

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Military PersonnelAll who are serving in

the Middle East.

Please keep in your prayers:

James LivingstonEdward Pelzner

(son of Adrian & Barbara)

Walt Peterson (Jeff Smith’s Friend)

Disaster relief and recovery efforts

Medical/Health:

Barbara Bonner Lowell Ray Coleman (Tammi Leathers’ father)

Corey (Jeff & Cheryl Smith’s nephew)

Barbara Dawkins & Dalik Family

(Suzanne Rudiselle’s friends)

Susan & Ben Erdman

River Pew(Judy & Doug’s

preemie grandson)

Suzanne RudiselleJanet Ruhan

(Sheila and Richard Allen’s daughter)

Kathy WebbSteve Webb

Will (Sue Beffel’s friend)

Kathy Zora

Prayer Requests To submit prayer requests, you may go to the UCP website at www.ucpreston.org/prayers or call/email the Church Office at 703-620-3065 or parishadmin@ucpreston.org

Norma Freeman (Brenda Meyer’s mother)

Patty GehringKennedy Gilbert

Jan GsellmanJerry Hebenstreit

Diana HunterRob Libero

James LivingstonElsa Nygard

Witness Ministry reaches out to the communityConnections Class SeriesNine guests attended these information sessions about our Par-ish on Sep. 17, 24, and Oct. 1. Five attendees joined UCP as new members in October (see profi les of our new members in this newsletter).

Getting the Word OutWitness Ministry advertised UCP in the South Lakes HS foot-ball program (with a focus on our youth ministry) as well as in the programs for the Reston Chorale and Reston Community Orchestra concert series.

Holiday PostcardsPostcards will be sent twice to all new homeowners since April in zip codes 20190, 20191 and 20194 to welcome them to Reston and to share information about celebrating the holidays with UCP.

New Photo Directory – Save the Dates!Portrait appointments: Saturday & Sunday, December 30 & 31 Friday–Saturday, January 12-13

Th ere will be opportunities to sign up in the Narthex to have pictures taken for a new photo directory, which will be available in paper and electronically.

Looking AheadWitness Ministry will host Mardi Gras Sunday on February 11, 2018. Th e Reston community will be invited to participate in a talent show, celebrate Mardi Gras and enjoy a meal with UCP.

Farmers MarketTh anks to Jerry Hebenstreit and Jack Moore for coordinating volunteers for UCP’s table at the Lake Anne Farmers Market! If you would like to volunteer or help coordinate volunteers for the Farmers Market in 2018, please contact Kathy Schauer-Schmidt, kathy.schauer1@gmail.com.

United Christian Parish of Reston11508 North Shore DriveReston, VA 20190(703) 620-3065www.ucpreston.org

United Christian Parish of Reston 16