January 2018 Scroll

The Scroll
January 2018

Living Nativity
from Christmas Day

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Letters from Our Church Family

Just a month ago, we heard that a Chinese I’d prefer neither. I also think we’ve got good
space probe discovered a possible hint in the evidence that this relationship is much more
hunt for evidence of “dark matter.” It seems harmonious and exciting than we commonly
like science is opening new frontiers every imagine. From January 7th through February
five minutes. It’s hard to keep up, and it’s even 11th , we’ll share a sermon series called
harder to understand what it all means as we “Science and Religion.” We’ll consider some
continually readjust our understanding of the remarkable and unexpected ways the two fit
universe, life, and our place in it. People of together and how the points of connection
faith have an additional hurdle to jump. can strengthen and deepen our faith as
People of faith are prompted to ask “How followers of Christ. Also, be on the lookout
does my faith NOW fit into reality as it’s for a Tuesday evening study by the same
understood by the scientific community.” For name, to begin early in the year. Bring a friend
some, this leads to the assumption that and join us for worship in January! Happy
science and religion are pretty much New Year!
incompatible. Pick one or the other. You can
either have a faith that ignores a lot of things, Your Fellow Minister in Christ,
or a reasoned approach to life that’s totally
desolate. Go ahead. Pick. Which one do you Mark Mrini
want?

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A Journey From Head To Heart
by Jerry Taylor

I grew up in a very small town in the mid-south in a very loving Christian home. Sunday school,
church, choir, youth fellowship, Scouts and sports were a regular part of my early years. When I left
high school, Sunday School and church had been such a large part of my life that throughout college I
continued to go to Sunday school and Church. It was in college I met a wonderful Christian girl who
had the same background I did. We married after college and soon found ourselves 1,000 miles from
home, not knowing anyone. Where did we turn? The local church.

This went on for several years. We were always there on Sunday. But what about the rest of the
week? I found myself caught up in the worldly sense of being important; those things that tend to
give us immediate gratification and satisfaction. A National Office in the Scouts and the international
arena of my job soon became the focus of my life. That point in time was almost twenty years
ago. You see my marriage of 27 years was crumbling beneath me from a lack of attention. I was
caught up in the world’s rat race; the job, and scouts. My priority was me.

Bruce Wilkinson, in his book, “Secrets of the Vine”, writes that it is often said that “God
whispers our name when He speaks to us, but He shouts when He disciplines us.” Well, God was
shouting my name and telling me to wake up. I heard Him, and I knew I needed help. I did what I
had been taught to do – I got down on my knees and I prayed. But something different happened this
time. My prayer was one of the most honest prayers of my life. Here I was, finally in a position where
God could speak to me and I could finally hear what He was telling me. The message was
simple. God wanted me to make Him Lord of my life – not a part of my life, not even an important
part of my life, but Lord of all my life. I had been wearing my Christianity like a coat. I’d put it on on
Sunday and then the rest of the week it hung in the closet. Christ was a part of my life, but He was
being pushed aside by all the other things in my life. The transformation didn’t happen overnight. But
by being honest, available, and learning to communicate with God, I am here today as a witness to the
grace and love of an Awesome God.

It is sometimes said that God pursues us through the loving acts of others around us. Well,
God had an “Army of Angels” surrounding me and I am so thankful that my friend and life partner,
my wife Jean, was willing to stick by me. You see, she helped me remember what I had committed to
on our wedding day. When the minister asked me to repeat my vows, out of the blue I answered,
“With God’s help, I will.” That had not been in the wedding script, but somehow, I was drawn to that
commitment. In the intervening years I had forgotten to include God in my marriage. I am so happy
to report that we will soon celebrate our 48th Wedding Anniversary.

But one of the most significant events happened almost two years later. My close friend Powell
Williams invited me to attend a Walk to Emmaus weekend. I said yes, because I knew if he was
involved it must be great. It was through the experience of that weekend that I became aware of just
how much God loved me. It was that weekend that God moved from my head to my heart. I call it
the 18-inch journey. It’s a very short journey, but one that had taken almost 50 years to complete. I
soon realized that God had much more in store for me and I began to understand that I really didn’t
know much about Him. My understanding of Him just scratched the surface. Again, another one of
God’s “Army of Angels” introduced me to Disciple Bible Study and I discovered a whole new
relationship with God. I began to read and study about the witness of God’s activity in the lives of

(Continued on Page 3)

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others and I discovered my own story. I found God speaking to me through stories written two and
three thousand years ago.

I found that through the study of the scriptures, I began to develop a deep desire to increase my
personal contact with God. I needed to talk with Him, but I didn’t know how. The only prayers I
knew were
meal times, crisis times, and the Lord’s Prayer. It just wasn’t enough. Again, God provided. Powell
gave me a book entitled Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon. It first appeared
in France in 1685. It’s a short book of about 160 pages, but it is a powerful book. It helped me to
learn how to pray by setting aside time every day just to be with God.

In my life of prayer, I’ve come to learn more about God, other people and myself than my
mind alone could possibly give me. I confess that there are times when I’m just not in the mood, but
I’ve come to realize that those times are the ones when I most need to pray. I discovered anew that
worship is the celebration of God’s activity in my personal and community life. In the gathered
community, we praise God, confess our sins, hear God’s grace and truth proclaimed, and respond with
our commitment to Him. We are reminded who we are and whose we are. Worship is the foundation
of Christian life and community. When our attitude is being driven by seeking fellowship with our
Lord and Savior, Worship becomes a true celebration of God’s grace in our lives. I’ve come to realize
that everything in my life is part of a life of Grace – my family life, my social life, my workday as well
as my prayer life. Thus, directing my whole life to God is knowing who God is and what He teaches
life is for – loving God above all else and carrying out His will completely. There will be highs and
lows. I once heard it said that when we feel like God is farthest away, He’s really standing beside us
whispering our name. We’re just too busy with life to hear Him. Don’t misunderstand. This
relationship hasn’t brought me a bed of roses. By no means. I’ve still had some tough times, and I’m
certain there will be more. But my relationship with God has provided me with the strength to
contend with those ups and downs. And I know He will provide for you also.

Christmas with Gartlan House
by Drew Colby

The week of Christmas, six of us from SSUMC shared
dinner with five of the eight men (plus one friend who was there)
who live at Gartlan House, a permanent supportive home for
formerly homeless adults. This is a part of our Manger Ministry
initiative and partnership with New Hope Housing. We brought
two wish-list gifts (plus a stocking-stuffer from the congregation)
for each of the eight residents. Our connection to these men
continues to grow as we spend more time together.

Everyone felt the experience was really worthwhile and we
loved spending time with the residents.

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Announcements

Blood Drive MLK Legacy Supper and Worship:
How St. Stephen's is
With all the advances in modern science, there is
still no substitute for human blood -- volunteer continuing the conversation
donors are the only source for live-saving blood.
The 2018 version of the St. Stephen’s tradition of
Every day in our community, blood is used in commemorating the birthday of the Rev. Dr.
hospitals for accident and trauma victims, surgery Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, will take place on the
patients, transfusions for cancer fighters, and for evening of Sunday, January 14. The whole
moms and babies during labor and delivery. congregation is invited to a supper, sponsored by
Church & Society Committee, at 6:00 PM; then
You can help by being a blood donor. The next at 6:30 we will gather for evening chapel, which
St. Stephen’s blood drive, conducted by Inova will be focused on the current state of interracial/
Blood Donor Services, will be Monday, Jan. 15th, interreligious relations and possible steps toward
from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Dr. King's vision of the “beloved
Hall. This is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, community.” Please join us! See also Rev. Jeff
so what better way to participate in this day of Mickle's essay at www.novaumc.org/charlottesville
service than to be a blood donor. You are eligible -and-the-churchs-mission
to donate if you are in good health, weigh at least
110 pounds, are at least 16 years of age, and have Prayer Shawl Ministry
not donated whole blood since Nov. 21st . Also,
the Inova team will have the ALYX system For many years, one quiet ministry of St.
available for those who wish to donate “double Stephen’s is the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Members
reds”. of St. Stephen’s create unique knitted, crocheted,
or sometimes fleece shawls that are prayed over
If you have previously signed up to donate, you and delivered to those who are sick, recovering
will be contacted to confirm your from surgery, or are otherwise suffering. Since
appointment. New donors are especially 2004, we have delivered many shawls! Members
welcome. Please consider being a blood donor meet twice monthly as the UMW circle Creative
and giving someone “the gift of life”. Contact Hands, Creative Hearts to work on these shawls
Roger Hartman to schedule an appointment or and to discuss other issues.
for more information: 703-425-7268;
[email protected]. We are currently in need of more hands to make
these shawls at the meetings or at
A Message from the Stirks home. Interested persons are invited to attend
meetings of the circle, on the 2nd or the 4th
Pastor Cameron, Lucy, Aidan, Callum & Ronan Wednesdays of each month, or to call Lois Seard,
Stirk (who shared in the pastoral exchange over at 703-978-0681. The circle offers instruction in
the Summer) wish to send their Christmas the skills of knitting and crocheting for those who
greetings and love to all at St Stephens, Burke. may feel a bit rusty in their skills. We also
We have so many fond memories of our stay with guarantee that participants will enjoy
you in Summer 2017 and wish you all the joy, love themselves! January meetings: Wednesday,
and peace of Jesus – may he have been born in January 10 and 24, 10am – 1pm, Room M9 at
church.
our midst again this Christmas.

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Sneedville News Children & Family Ministry News

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION! Please continue to Pancakes & Ashes
save all the Box Tops and labels off the many
products which allow schools to buy supplies. Tuesday, February 13, 5:30pm
The Hancock County School System which consists
of the three schools in Sneedville: The entire congregation is invited to enjoy a pancake
Elementary, Secondary and Early Learning Center supper on Tuesday, February 13, at 5:30pm. Supper
use Box Tops to support their teachers and students. is hosted by our youth in the Fellowship Hall from
5:30-7pm. Free-will donations will be accepted to
You can type Box Tops for Education into your benefit the Youth Summer Mission Trips. In
browser to find out which companies put them on addition, from 6-7pm, Lent activity stations,
their products. Please place the Box Tops in the bin devotions & crafts will be available for all ages to
across from the Fireside Room and Pre-school learn more about the Lenten season. To top the
hallway where the mailboxes are located. A church evening off, join us for a worship service at 7pm,
member clips and counts them for us. featuring the youth band. Come enjoy Food, Family,
Friends and Faith at St. Stephen’s!
The 11 children's agencies you support in Sneedville
are very grateful to you as an entire congregation for Attention All Families
all the prayers, love, money and In-Kind Donations With 2- & 3-year-olds
you give to them. The Co-leaders of the Sneedville
Mission keep in contact with the leaders of the At St. Stephen’s UMC, we feel called to help families
agencies all year to find out their needs. They send us relay the faith to the next generation. One way of
their "Wish Lists" which we try to fulfill as many of doing this is by providing Devotional Kits to families
the items as we can afford in the Outreach Budgeted with children who are currently 3 OR will turn 3 in
monies and your In-Kind Donations. Remember that 2018. These Devotional Kits will help children and
we can't use broken or dirty items. Please label any their families develop vital spiritual practices such as
donations "Sneedville" when you place them in the reading the bible together, prayer, and daily
Hall Closet near the church Office. devotions. If you would like your child to receive a
Devotional Kit on January 21 during worship, please
Save the Dates: Sept 13-15, 2018 to plan on going complete a registration form and return it to the
with us to Sneedville. Please keep the people of church office by Sunday, January 14. Forms are in
Sneedville in your daily prayers! the Gathering Place or at the Sunday School check-in
kiosks.
Questions? Comments. Contact Jeanette Parham
[email protected] or 703-323-5990 Children's Ministry Potluck

Monday, January 22, 6 PM in the Welcome Center

Join us for a morning of All parents of children, infant through 6th grade, are
Bowling Fun! invited to the upcoming Children's Ministry Potluck
to learn more about several new, exciting initiatives
Monday, Jan. 15, 10am and programs that are being planned for 2018! The
church will be providing the main course (Fried
The entire church family is invited to Chicken or BBQ) and drinks; and we're asking
meet at Bowl America, 5615 Guinea Road, families to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to
Fairfax. Cost is $9 per person, which includes shoe share. Child care provided. To RSVP, please call the
rental and two games. Please RSVP to Andrea office or email Karen, [email protected].
Bajrami at [email protected] by

January 9 so enough lanes are reserved.

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Hypothermia Sheltering 2018

Mark your calendars – January 7 to January 14
Your help is needed – meals, visiting, driving!

St. Stephen’s will be serving as a shelter for homeless men and women again this year!
Mark your calendar to help! Sign-up sheets will be coming to the Gathering Space in
December!
Contact Cathy Liverman, Sonja Tussing, Julie Bryant, Dick Collier, or Pastor Drew to
volunteer (email: [email protected])

Endowment Fund Opportunities

Have you considered including the St. Stephen’s Permanent Endowment Fund in your 2018 resolutions?
Here are some easy ways to leave a lasting legacy to your church.
 You may find that your retirement savings are more than adequate to provide for your retirement

years. Make the church the beneficiary of some of your savings. This could include CD’s, bank
accounts or brokerage accounts.
 Insurance policies that have outlived their original purpose can serve the church ministries by simply
making the Permanent Endowment Fund the beneficiary.
 If you have insurance annuities, you can make a lasting gift to the church by making the church the
beneficiary of the annuity. Or you can establish an annuity to provide income while you are living and
make the church the beneficiary of the annuity.
Contact Gregg Snow, Endowment Committee Chair, at 703-764-1781 to further explore these
opportunities.

Our Church Family

New Members: Natalie & Nicholas Paulsen, Doug & Kelly Campbell, Mary Morrison,
Michael & Melissa Dutcher, Brett & Jillian Gardner

Baptisms: Malcolm Campbell, Peter Lincoln Gardner, Aaron Michael Gardner

Receive Christ Reflect Christ Relay Christ
as the key to life, awake and alive, as the catalyst for community, as the call for a new generation,
growing in knowledge and love of inclusive and engaged, igniting mission convinced and committed, sharing

God. and service for all. faith and hope with others.

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United Methodist Women is open to all women in the church. For more
information on any of our activities please pick up a red UMW Activity Sheet in
the Gathering Place or on the UMW Bulletin Board.

Our Purpose: United Methodist Women is a Service4Others Circle: will be helping host the
community of women whose purpose is to know dinner for our St. Stephen’s Hypothermia guests

God and to experience freedom as whole persons on Monday, January 8th. More details to
through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, follow. For more information on
supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of Service4Others, please contact Kathy
mission through participation in global ministries Hennemuth (703-239-2871) or Cindy Sbrocco

of the church. The UMW is open to all women in (703-764-8913).
the church. For more information on any of our
activities, please pick up a blue UMW Activity Creative Hearts, Creative Hands: For the New
Sheet in the Gathering Place or on the UMW Year, think about those needlework UFO’s
Bulletin Board. languishing at your house! Come join a couple of
times a month and finish them up! Our

Betty Whitehurst Circle: will meet on Monday, needlework ministry, open to all, will meet the 2nd
January 8th at 7:30 pm in Room C40. Our and 4th Wednesdays of the month (January 10th
program will be on pledging. We meet the 2nd and 24th) from 10:00 am to 1-ish pm in Room
Monday of the month, usually at 7:30 pm at the M9. Please join us for all or part of the time,

church. If you have questions please call Marion whatever works for you. Bring a project that is
Gunnell (703-978-1950) or Jane Keck portable, your lunch, and a beverage. Contact:

(703-250-1935). Jean Taylor (703-644-9480 [email protected]).

Faithful Friends Circle: will attend the Brethern New Dimension Circle: This e-mail circle is for
Concert at Annandale UMC on Sunday, January women of our church who for whatever reason

7th at 6:30 pm. They will also meet for their cannot participate in a monthly circle meeting, but
Circle meeting on January 9th at Suzanne would like to be informed about current UMW
Bottom’s, 4911 Loosestrife Ct., Annandale activities, present concerns, and information on
22003. The UMW Pledge Program will be given UMW and St. Stephen’s in general. Contact Linda

by Suzanne. For information on either of these Baird, the New Dimension Circle Coordinator
activities, please contact Valerie Bates
(703-591-6023 or [email protected]).
(703-425-5470).
UMW Board Meeting: We will meet on
Frances Allen Circle: will meet Thursday, Monday, January 22nd in Room C40 from 9:30 –
January 11th at 9:30 am in the Rob Forrest Room 11:30 am. All are welcome to attend. For
#401 at St. Stephen’s. We are delighted to have questions please contact Suzanne Bottoms

Suzanne Bottoms tell us about her trip to ([email protected] or 703-978-4871).
China. Anyone is welcome to attend. For more
information, please call Priscilla Parrott (703-865- Book Club: will meet on Thursday, January 18th
6042) or Betty Ann Van Matre (703-663-7828). at 10:00 am in Room C40. The title of the book
to review is Molokai by Alan Brennert. All are
Teen Circle: will meet at the church on Sunday, welcome to attend whether you have read the

January 7th at 11:00 am. The Program will be book or not. For more information please

Changes. For more information, contact Betty contact Rachel Martinez ([email protected] or
Baumgartner (703-239-0125) or Sara Alexander 703-425-0480). Childcare can be arranged if
(703-470-2656).
needed.

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United Methodist Women is open to all women in the church. For more
information on any of our activities please pick up a red UMW Activity Sheet in
the Gathering Place or on the UMW Bulletin Board.

Wednesday Women’s Bible Study: In our Stephen’s and UMW Outstanding Service Awards
current study, we are exploring the topic of the honoring women who have continued to give

power of the tongue. We are reading Keep It outstanding service to the church. This year
Shut by Karen Ehman, which is spirturally-based Nancy Dubiell and Barbara Surles received the
intelligent and humorous guidance on the power Special Recognition Awards & Rachel Martinez
of our words and how to control our tongue. It is and Judy Nemecek received the UMW

a good Biblical study, specifically because we all Outstanding Service Awards.
are in positions to inspire and encourage other
Christians in our daily life. Copies of this book are Special UMW Thanks: Each month during
available in the church library. We meet each 2017, UMW made donations to Missions in honor
Wednesday at 9:30 am in Room M8. For more of the following who have contributed greatly to
information please contact Patti Keppler the life of St. Stephen’s: Acolytes, Cast of
([email protected] or 571-214-4296). Christmas Carol, Suzanne and Gary Cerney,
Bereavement Team: Kathy Hennemuth and
The UMW Reading Program: I am Second: Bobbie Jones, Karen Cummings, Roger Hartman
Real Stories. Changing Lives, by Doug Bender and and Ushers, Hypothermia Team: Dick Collier,

Dave Sterrett. This book contains 20 stories Sonja Tussing, Julie Bryant, Mary Ann Jones, Jane
about people who have transformed their lives by Keck, Veronica Mayes, Judy Nemecek, Pastor Abi,
making Christ their number one priority. Whether Sophia and Friends, Pastor Drew and Youth, Teryl
the issue was drugs, divorce or surviving a shark Pomeroy, Jim and Jessie Sherwood, Chuck Smith

attack, by putting Christ first in their lives, these and UMM.

people found love, peace, joy, and contentment. UMW Charitable Gifts: During the year, UMW
Advent Coffee and Candle Burning gave to the following groups: Bethany House,
Ceremony: The UMW and the Maranatha Fairfax Fish, Facets- Fairfax, Virginia United
Singers presented their winter concert on Methodist Homes, Abukloi School in Sudan,

Saturday, December 2nd, at 9:30 am. The concert Chaplain Services Prison Ministry, The Lamb
(attended by approximately 125 people) was held Center, Jill’s House, Rising Hope UMC, United
in the Sanctuary in conjunction with the annual Methodist Family Services, UMCOR General
Advent Coffee which included the Candle Fund, St. Stephen’s Preschool, St. Stephen’s Grace

Burning Ceremony, the presentation of awards, Ministries, Jr. and Sr. Youth Mission Trips, and
and an ornament exchange. Suzanne Bottoms, Service4Others Mission Circle.
UMW President, began the program with a few
words of welcome followed by the invocation by Save the Date: The Women’s Weekend Retreat,
Pastor Mark Mrini. The Maranatha Singers, led by April 13-15, 2018, will be held at the Hilton
Tammy Lydon, our very skilled director, and Garden Inn, Martinsburg, WV. All women of the
Esther Lee, our talented accompanist, presented church are invited to join in on a fun, relaxing, get
an enjoyable program called Christmas -away weekend filled with wonderful fellowship
Traditions. Each year, UMW gives Special Mission and an inspiring program. For more information,
pins to dedicated church members who have given contact Debbie Eshelman (703-560-3112).
a great deal of their time and talent to St. Registration details will be coming soon.

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Youth Ministry News for 7-12 Graders

Merry Christmas from the
Youth Ministry Council!

The 2018 Let it Glow Lock-in is
coming! We’re expecting 60
teenagersto party the night away
with us. Make sure to register
for the lock-in & pray that it’s
an exciting night in the lifeof
St. Stephen’s Youth Ministry

@ssumc_youth
@saintstephensyouth
http://www.ststephensfairfax.org/opportunities-for-youth/

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Contact Information

Rev. Mark Mrini Tammy Lydon
Senior Pastor Director of Music Ministries

[email protected] [email protected]

Extension 104 Extension 107

Rev. Abi Foerster Harold Mansfield
Associate Pastor Maintenance Engineer
703-978-8724
[email protected]
Veronica Mayes
Extension 103 Preschool Director

Rev. Drew VanDyke Colby [email protected]
Associate Pastor
703-978-9024
[email protected]
Leslie McAndrew
Extension 105 Preschool Administrative Assistant

Sarah Backes [email protected]
Assistant Youth Minister
Susan Snow
[email protected] Financial Manager

Mike Faunda [email protected]
Director of Media Ministries
[email protected] Extension 106

Anita Febbo Carly Springer
Administrative Assistant Coordinator of Communications
[email protected]
Extension 100 [email protected]

Esther Lee Karen Wells
Accompanist Office Manager
[email protected]
[email protected]

Extension 102

Dr. Ingrid Lesturd

Children’s Music Ministry Coordinator

[email protected]

St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church

9203 Braddock Rd., Burke, VA 22015

703-978-8724 ststephensfairfax.org 10

January 2018

ST. STEPHEN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
9203 Braddock Rd. Burke, VA 22015