Prayers for Pandemic Book

PRAYERS FOR A PANDEMIC October 2020

Peace Lutheran Church 6362 Lincolnia Road Alexandria, Va 22312 Phone: 703-354-5233 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sharingpeace.org Cover watercolor design: Neverending Hope by Marni Maree ©2020 CONTENTS Barbro Gendell 17 More Thought Than Prayer For A Pandemic Introduction 1 Karen Grubbs 18 Appreciations 2 My Mary and Martha Story Karen Ager 3 Pastor Vincent Guss 19 Friendship Spiritual Caregiving In The Natalie Cain 4 Pan demic The Rescue Pastor Terry Hannon 21 Phyllis Carson 5 Untitled Untitled Allison Hansgate 22 Sue Clark 6 Eight Circuit Labyrinth Reflections Exploring the Labyrinth Tom and Carol Crouse 7 Christine Howlett 24 God Is Our Refuge and Strength In Breaking of the Bread Sue Czarnetzky 8 Hanna Kebbede 25 Untitled Step Into The Light Communicate with Collage Kay Dameron 9 Untitled Nadine Krutzky Mitchell 27 Untitled Susan DeHaven 10 Reflection Joan Malcolm 28 Untitled Dan and Mary Dosé 11 Untitled Marni Maree 29 Untitled Mary Downs 12 God’s Work, Our Hands Karin Old 30 Green Screen of the World Marcia Dursi 13 Covid Tears Pastor Mark Olsen 31 What Is Something God Has Nancy Eggert 14 Revealed To You During Untitled This Pandemic? Nadia Fitzcharles 15 Peace Family Members 34 Hope Signs of the Spirit Nadia Fitzcharles 16 Adel a Peeva 35 "Alleluia" Butterfly Mosaic Prayer for Protection - Easter 2020 Norm Philion 36 Marissa Wilson 54 The Call Reflection and Prayer Carol Randall 37 Pastor Bill Woldt 55 Untitled Prayers for Peace Kris Rinnert 38 Diane Yeager 56 Pentecost Quilt Untitled Randy Ruchti 39 CONCLUSION 57 Thoughts on Composing Music Wind Stephanie Running 41 Untitled Niels Running 42 Untitled Pastor Sarah Scherschligt 43 71st Day Blog Post Sarah Schill 44 In the Stillness Kurt Schultz 45 Untitled Martha Siles-Munoz 46 Untitled Martha Siles-Munoz 47 Untitled Susan Sticha 48 Welcome To My Garden Paul Sticha 50 Spirit of Gentleness Gary and Donna Thiessen 51 Untitled Beth Westerberg 52 Untitled Stu Whitehead 53 Untitled INTRODUCTION

March 16, 2020

God holds you, Day 1

This thought came to mind as I cuddled my little one to sleep tonight: God will hold you.

I barely recognize this world, not only because of the virus – though I can hardly go there – but also because of the economy and politics and fear. The suffering is bound to be massive, even if we manage to stop the viral spread. It’s like all at once, everything that gave life its basic structure is up for grabs.

Still. I believe God holds us. As foundation and bedrock. As the force that keeps us in place when the world is swirling. As a mother soothes a restless child.

God holds you. Tonight you feel God’s arms around you tonight. Sleep well world.

Pastor Sarah Scherschligt

In early May of this year, at Pastor Sarah’s request, a small group met to explore how to encourage creativity among our Peace family during the pandemic. We decided to ask individual family members to provide examples of their means of creative expression. Creative Offerings seemed an appropriate name for this time of sharing during the offertory portion of the 10:30am worship service. In addition to prepare for Pentecost, the entire Peace family would be invited to participate in a virtually led art class via Zoom. Each attendee would learn how to create his/her own drawing with the theme Spirit is Moving. Finally, Prayers for a Pandemic would be initiated. This project would involve inviting Peace family members to explore then share, how they were/were not being held by God during the pandemic. The results of that project, along with “snapshots” of the Creative Offerings are contained in this collection. It is truly the product of what became a living project representing untold contributions of time and numerous suggestions and ideas. In fact, Praying – Our Way, suggested by a planning group member, would have been a fitting alternative title.

1 APPRECIATIONS

PLANNING GROUP Pastor Sarah Scherschligt, Sue Czarnetzky, Marcia Dursi, Marni Maree, Susan Sticha and Diane Yeager

PRAYERS FOR A PANDEMIC CONTRIBUTORS

SUNDAY CREATIVE OFFERINGS

May 10 Marcia Dursi – Covid Tears May 10 Sean Marnee – I Know That My Redeemer Lives – Bassoon Solo May 17 Marni Maree – A Spiritual Signature May 24 Martha Siles-Munoz – Origami Flowers To Honor Peace Lutheran Church May 31 Peace Family Members – Signs Of The Spirit May 31 Paul Sticha w/Peace Handbell Choirs – Spirit Of Gentleness June 07 Allison Hansgate – Exploring The Labyrinth June 14 Kris Rinnert – Pentecost Quilt June 21 Randy Ruchti – Thoughts On Composing Music /Wind June 28 Hanna Kebbede – Communicating Through Collage July 12 Susan Sticha Welcome to My Garden July 26 Sean Marni (Bassoon)/Joelle Kee (Violin)/Tyler Wilkins (Clarinet and Contraforte) – My Jesus, I Love Thee August 09 Wynter Ruchti – Healing Artwork August 16 Laura Santos – Classical Guitar – Mighty Fortress Is Our God

September 06 Martha Silez-Munoz – God’s Blessings To Me Through a Garden

SUPPORTERS

Thrivent Financial Pam Holmes – Next Page Design George Reaves – Nokesville Printing Services Danielle Neville – DaniMariNeville

2 FRIENDSHIP

This period has been frustrating and spiritually dry. Our church had services via Zoom, but I only watched part of one service. It was hard to keep focused without being there. Sitting in front of a computer was like being a spectator. I found it not very engaging.

Several things may not have contributed to strengthening my faith, but did contribute to supporting my sanity.

First, our vintage motorcycle club meets for breakfast on Saturdays. Throughout this entire time we have not stopped meeting. When the restaurant closed except for takeout, we met in the parking lot for takeout; ostensibly to support our favorite restaurant owner. The first socially distant "tailgate" session was so successful that we continued. It was so helpful to actually see people and talk to them.

Here I am with the vintage bikes.

Second, my Huntsville knitting group which met prior to the pandemic at the Chocolate Café and the group at Peace Lutheran now meet via Zoom. Although it is not as nice as actually being together, it is helpful to have a set time and a group of friends with whom to "meet".

So here it is. I am continuing to find strength and comfort in friends, Christian and not, especially when the original goal includes helping others.

Colossians 3:12-14 12 Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Missing our friends at Peace! Karen Ager – Huntsville, AL

This is a Bible passage that I recently read in a devotional and it struck me as timely. I like in particular the way the verses are translated in The Message which offers the Bible written in “contemporary language”.

The Rescue 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

Natalie Cain – Springfield, VA

The following words were found on a brochure for a local hospice, thirty years ago. They were written by a patient there. I have them posted on my refrigerator door and read them frequently. They always make me feel better.

Phyllis Carson – Alexandria, VA

These things I wish for you and me for the new year and always.

The delight of meeting a new friend and joy of discovering yet another good thing about an old friend .

An appreciation of the gift of life and love and living and sharing and giving and receiving .

And even perhaps the occasional sorrow and pain that comes from remembrance things well loved and lost.

May these things be yours and mine to share and remember with gentleness of heart.

REFLECTIONS

Many days I don’t know if I’m praying or remembering the words of a hymn.

I also wonder, am I praying or just marveling over the opening of the first flower on my blue lace-cap hydrangea? I think I’m praying when I cry out, Oh God, what is going on in this country? I know I’m praying when I simply cry. I was taught and told to pray before meals and do so even when with friends who are not believers; I say, thanks be to God, before eating.

But the words of hymns are the basis for many of my prayers. Robert Lowry (1825- 1899) wrote “My Life Flows on in Endless Song” and many other well-known hymns. He lived through the Civil War, although Wikipedia says nothing about his life during the war. The words seem perfect for many of my days and it is my prayer today.

My life flows on in endless song, Above earth’s lamentation. I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn That hails a new creation.

This prayer is my aspiration, my hope.

Sue Clark – Annandale, VA

6 PSALM 46: God Is Our Refuge and Strength (NRSV) 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 46 is known as Luther's psalm. It was one of his favorites and the source of his hymn “A Mighty Fortress”.

Tom and Carol Crouse – Alexandria, VA and Seminole, FL

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever Amen.

I found the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6: 9-13 (KJV) to be the best for me. My reason is God’s will is best as sometimes we pray for things that are not to be. But I have always felt that I should leave it in God’s hand to make the right choice … I did not always agree but I felt there was a reason … When my baby boy was born and had problems I wanted him to live but something told me it was not right, so I prayed for Him to do the best thing … Same when my grandson got the virus I prayed for the right choice … I found that by leaving it in His hands I felt better...

Kay Dameron – Shenandoah, TX Founding member of Peace Lutheran Church

Reflection by Susan DeHaven – Alexandria, VA

Music has always played a large part in my life. Even though Peace is a small church, we have always had an exemplary music program. I was a member of both The Messengers and the bell choir for many years. The directors chose a variety of music to keep us interested, challenged and always coming back. Sadly, health issues have forced me to discontinue participation in both choirs.

However due to COVID – 19, restrictions and my chemotherapy treatments, I am appreciating the opportunity to worship virtually while seated comfortably at home. And I learned that two members of my Faith Foundation class, Melissa Wilson and Shannon Spence, play stringed instruments.

Then, this past Sunday, I found my heart overflowing with gratitude. I even admit to shedding a few tears. I saw familiar faces and gave thanks for lasting friendships formed among fellow musicians who are of great support to me now. I reached for paper and pencil to make a note that the June 14, 2020, service contained two of my favorite hymns. The first, “God Be with You” was performed by the Voices of Peace Choir. I have included below the words to the second, “When Peace like a River”. “When Peace, like a River”

1. When peace like a river attendeth my way; When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. 2. Though Satan should buffer, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate And hath shed his own blood for my soul. 3. He lives – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought; My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 4. And, Lord haste the day when our faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend; Even so it is well with my soul.

Text: Horatio G. Spafford, 1828 – 1888 Tune: Philip P. Bliss, 1838 – 1876 Lutheran Book of Worship: October 1978 – Page 346

10 My prayer for life, during uncertain times, has been Psalm 23. As a child, I learned it in Vacation Bible School, and it has been my mainstay over the years through thick and very thin.

Mary Dosé – Alexandria, VA

During this pandemic, Genesis 1:1-14 (See below) has been our inspiration for contemplation of the natural world that God has created. There is a bench at a school in back of our house, where we escape the monotony of being indoors, and are free to enjoy and look at our surroundings in detail - the clouds in the blue sky; the breezes ruffling the varieties of trees, bushes, grasses, wild flowers, stones - all unique in their own shapes and identities like all creation. Birds scamper about, and birdsong and cooing of the doves are music in the quiet afternoons. Winter will come followed by Spring and the advent of new life. Miracles abound.

Dan and Mary Dosé – Alexandria, VA

The following reading, Genesis 1: 1 – 14, was part of our Peace Lutheran Church June 7, 2020 service. 1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. 6 And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8 God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. 9 And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw it was good. 11 Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seeds in it. And God saw it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day...... 14 And God said "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days of the year...

11 GOD'S WORK, OUR HANDS

Typically at the Sunday worship service closest to Memorial Day, the Peace Quilters display the quilts they have made in the church sanctuary. Our group of 10 – 12 members produces on average 100 standard size (60” x 80”) quilts each year that they donate to Lutheran World Relief. After the sanctuary display, the quilts are taken to New Windsor, MD where Lutheran World Relief operates a collection center. This facility processes quilts that will be shipped to disaster relief areas not only in the US but all over the world.

Photo 1 – Pink Quilt Photo 2 – Green Quilt

Photo 3 – Brown Quilt Since we were unable to display and send our quilts this year, working on quilts at home has helped keep me busy during the pandemic. The photos show the three quilts I have made using leftover pieces of fabric pieced together in patchwork varieties of my own design. This is a change from the 10” x 10” fabric squares which the Peace Quilters group uses for their quilts. See Photo 1.

Working with my hands helps keep me sane. And knowing they will be a comfort to someone keeps me humble. Mary Downs – Alexandria, VA

12 CovidTears

I’d like to share a piece of art that I worked on over the past few weeks. After the arrival of Covid 19 pandemic, as I listened to the news about the virus, the many people who are sick or dying, the challenges posed to health care and other front-line workers by the lack of testing and Personal Protection Equipment, and the response of the administration, I found myself feeling over-whelmed and anxious at times. I had to keep praying and trusting that God was and is with me in this time.

As I settled into this other life because it’s not normal, my heart was so heavy and so I felt compelled to capture these emotions in my crafting. I call this piece “CovidTears

Creative Process: I purchased the top square of silk long before the pandemic started. From the first time I saw the piece, it reminded me of a waterfall. I knew eventually I would find a use for it in my art. I uncovered the rectangle piece of burgundy fabric as I searched for material to make face masks at the my start of the stay-at-home, face-masks-when-you- go-out-order.I do quite a bit of fabric art work with silk sari ribbons and silk flowers and have a variety of colors in my craft room.

Linkage and symbolism: Many of you know of my devotion to the Holy Spirit. I was truly you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” That Bible verse has given me such strength through this time. We are passing through rough waters right now but our faith prevents us from being swept away from our spiritual center. This piece reveals to me that water will bring new life and new hope.

Each piece has a meaning for me:

• Top Square represents waterfalls which always invoke joy and happiness for me Dark long silk pieces represent flowing water like tears running down my checks • Flowers represent light and hope at the end of a dark period.

As I worked through this piece, I found such a sense of calm, and peace. I hope this has given you another way of connecting with God during this difficult time.

MARCIA DURSI – Annandale, VA

Dear Beloved People who have been through a lot lately,

It feels like we are in a new season. History has been busy making itself. Protest marches are not necessarily compatible with social distancing! Not sure if COVID-19 will take kindly to what has transpired. There are all kinds of new openings, getting - back - to - normals, and "I gotta - get - outa - heres!"

We have some pretty complex risk assessments to make, and the risks can be high. Anyway, I think most economists, psychologists, and sociologists have figured out that people don't make decisions completely on the basis of rationality anyway. But that's ok, we're just people! God loves us. We live in hope!

Let's keep in our prayers all who are making new decisions--of any kind. May the One who loves us, bring us all peace and healing as we seek to do God's will. I close with the first two verses of my favorite evening hymn, Abide with Me.

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Text: Henry F. Lyte

1783-1847

William H. Monk, Tune: 1823-1889 Lutheran Book of Worship October 1978 - Page 272

The rainbow appeared over Lake Michigan as

I was writing this June 10, 2020, letter.

I have written Tuesday Fellowship, a daily letter, since the pandemic began.

Pastor Nancy Eggert, Racine, WI served as a Peace Lutheran Church co-pastor from 1995-2000.

HOPE – Nadia Fitzcharles – Washington, DC

Na’im and Nadia Fitzcharles

At the beginning of the pandemic, I found peace through prayer walks, home cooked meals, more time with my son, and from the arrival of spring. There were many times I found myself at the end of my capacity to hold it all together, so I would go outside and pray. Sometime I’d cry, too, from the stress and what felt like overwhelming demands on my spirit. Yet there was a certain grace in acknowledging that everyone else was also experiencing disorientation. So, I made a concerted effort to be grateful, and to name the things I was grateful for, because many people have suffered exponentially through this pandemic.

Because it was still the season of Lent when this all began, I found great comfort in the practices of Lenten pause and reflection. I drew strength from the theme of the wilderness where God provides all that is needed, which often does not seem to align with what we think we need, even as the people – then and now - groaned from the strain of something new and a desire to return to the old way. Yet, we realized there was nothing to return to, because the hope of Easter is that something new dawns; God comes in a new and unexpected way, both once and for all and yet, time and again. Drawing from that theme, I both witnessed and felt hope from the protests, the restlessness, and the sacred resistance that the Holy Spirit has stirred within a great many people. Pauli Murray’s words that “Hope is a song in a weary throat” are fitting for this time. We are tired, stretched, anxious, and weary from this pandemic and its many tendrils into our lives as individuals, families, and communities. Yet, there is no going back, only forward, as faithfully as we can. Hope is the song that rises in anticipation of what God will do. May we have the faith and courage to follow.

"ALLELUIA" BUTTERFLY MOSAIC - EASTER 2020

This piece includes contributions from Peace Lutheran Church children Catherine, Connor, Wynter, and Na'im. The project was to symbolize our togetherness while apart this Easter, as displayed by four individually colored and separate mosaic pieces that were combined to create this finished piece.

Nadia Fitzcharles Director of Ministries for Children, Youth, Family & Community

MORE THOUGHT THAN PRAYER FOR A PANDEMIC

This pain of mine, so far, is solely one of empathy. I witness with great sorrow from outside the suffering, immense and widespread on so many levels.

At least the locusts we can see; this plague is both invisible, insidious and indiscriminate.

It often hits the already most vulnerable in our midst - be it with illness, death or economic devastation in its wake.

The rest of us are hit by mostly inconvenience - and worry for our loved ones, ourselves included. But we can live with that - no pun intended here.

I’m surely not alone to question, doubt, and argue with my Lord, to rage against the suffering of mankind – right now in cruel evidence.

We try to understand, we yearn for answers that make sense - but none are found.

And then someone appears – a cup of water and a piece of bread in hand, extending love and comfort, even grace.

And that will have to do for now.

Barbro Eriksdotter Gendell – Arlington, VA

MY MARY AND MARTHA STORY

My plan for Mother’s Day with Mom and my husband Kim was to have a small, “safe from corona virus”, take-out, outside lunch. But the weather report seemed dubious. So I went to my backup plan which was to use the food bought the night before to make an indoor picnic at Mom’s apartment. Just a few hours before the picnic, my brother called to ask if he, his daughter Chelsea and her boyfriend Jason could join us. “Whaaat?!! I thought they lived in Georgia??!!! I don’t have enough food and drinks. Bring some.” A new plan emerged. They would pick up Mom and come to our house. We would clean the house furiously and forage for more food. My brother arrived with Mom and said, “Chelsea and Jason are driving separately. And, here they are!” They arrived momentarily bringing with them a huge hand lettered sign that read “Happy Mother’s Day!” Cool, I thought. Then, they turned the sign over. The backside read, “We are getting married!” “Whaaaaat?!!!” A Peace family member said my story sounded similar to the Martha and Mary story in the Bible. At first, like Martha, I was overwhelmed with hosting responsibilities and found myself struggling to enjoy the moment. But I was so happy about the wonderful news that I soon forgot my perceived problems and joined in the much welcomed celebration; especially in this time of stress. Chelsea and Jason seem so enthralled and comfortable with each other. It rubbed off on Kim and me. We were grateful for the opportunity to hear their joyous news and to recall our own special moments and when we shared those moments with friends and family. It was really a blessing and a good lesson for me that sometimes I need to be reminded of what is most important. This was a good example of “Good News”. I had heard this phrase in church, but never really felt it. Now, I understand the joy.

Karen Grubbs – Annandale, VA

SPIRITUAL CAREGIVING IN THE PANDEMIC

In a time when many are dealing with anxiety and fear over a new disease with no cure available, comfort can come in the form of spiritual wellness. It is important to build a sense of connectedness through hope, meaning, and purpose. Spiritual caregivers like pastors, hospital& military chaplains, and pastoral care therapists are important resources to help people nurture that connectedness. However, during this COVID-19 pandemic when physical proximity is limited, so spiritual caregivers have to be creative with how they offer spiritual support. There’s so much from our spiritual traditions that assume an in-person connection. To suddenly be in an environment where the way pastor’sminister has changed so radically, they realize that the way to care for people is actually to maintain a distance. It is a real shift in how care can be delivered. Those who become hospitalized may especially feel isolated and caregivers may feel frustrated. New rules in most hospitals today severely limit who can come in contact with patients, whether the patient has COVID-19 or not. Chaplains & family members of patients communicate from doorways and through phone calls instead of offering comfort inside a hospital room. As a result, family members, and even hospital staff are feeling the effects of the lack in closeness.People are not allowed to experience acts of hospitality thru direct personal contact. Often, patients feel that void in their lives. However, many pastors and chaplains have found new ways to fill that void and offer spiritual support without direct proximity. A more proactive approach to contacting family members of patients and meeting their spiritual needs is being offered by many caregivers in this challenging time. An example is evident among military chaplains serving at Walter Reed as they have created an official Walter Reed Pastoral Care facebook page as an initiative that has opened connection between community members, staff, and outpatients. The page extends the voluntary broadcasting of daily and weekly services to hospital in- patient. Virtual communication for both patients and family members helps the caregivers reach more people for spiritual care. One Navy Chaplain at Walter Reed said, “We are hopeful that in the absence of physical touch, there can be a different, transcendental touch of the spirit instead.” At its core, spiritual health centers on what gives people meaning. It has to do with having a good sense of identity of who we are and what our purpose is; what is important is what we value. These values can become more apparent to us thru spiritual practices such as prayer, scripture reading, sharing with others our hopes and fears. They can also be experienced through practices like yoga or meditation, journaling, poetry and art. They also are nurtured through virtual communion at Peace, literally giving a “foretaste of the feast to come”, not only the Great Heavenly Banquet prepared for us on the Last Day, but also an anticipation of the time we will all be gathered together in person again as the Family of Peace. We are in community still, if only thru phone calls checking on each other, or sharing Bible Study on line, or serving on Committees or worshiping on Zoom.

These are just a few tools to develop a greater sense of community as we explore our own personal and communal spiritual world in concert with others on the same pilgrimage. They can help ease the fear of this unseen viral enemy keeping us apart and extinguish the sense of isolation many feel when constantly told: “Stay at home!” You have a very caring pastor who is available to you to not only spiritually support you, but to help you support each other in the community you still do have. When I served as a hospital chaplain, especially in the midst of another scary pandemic that struck fear into so many throughout the world, AIDS, I found that praying the prayer attributed to Saint Patrick was a powerful way for Christian believers and even those who did not consider themselves to be particularly religious to cast away fear, and to sense the presence of God whose love always abounds. I have heard other pastors and bishops lifting up this prayer for people to use. So in this time of not only a deadly pandemic, but also when there are significant economic losses and civil, social and racial strife in the land, I close by offering this prayer for you and to you to pray with others:

Today, I arise Christ shield me today Through the strength of heaven; Against wounding Light of the sun, Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ Splendor of fire, behind me, Speed of lightning, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ Swiftness of the wind, above me, Depth of the sea, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Stability of the earth, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit Firmness of the rock. down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks I arise today of me, Through God's strength to pilot me; Christ in the mouth of everyone who God's might to uphold me, speaks of me, God's wisdom to guide me, Christ in the eye that sees me, God's eye to look before me, Christ in the ear that hears me. God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, I arise today God's hand to guard me, Through the mighty strength God's way to lie before me, Of the Lord of creation. God's shield to protect me, AMEN! God's hosts to save me Afar and anear, Alone or in a multitude.

Pastor J. Vincent Guss, Jr. D.Min., BCC - Alexandria, VA Associate Member Peace Lutheran Church

20 The notion of “marking time” has connected with me during this unique season of our lives. During the stay-at-home phase of meeting COVID-19 challenges, my usual way of keeping track has been cast aside. All group events have been cancelled here in the community where I live, so we transitioned from a full calendar to no calendar, literally. We’ve gone from overlapping classes, seminars, and meetings to a virtually unscheduled existence. The abrupt transition has felt akin to chaos for someone who lives alone and happens to crave a sense of order. Now, in late May and early June, as we watch the rest of the world move into various phases of loosening restrictions and opening doors, here, we face another two months of disruption and isolation.

As I have tried to apply some sense of meaning to Spring 2020, I think of how the rings in a tree trunk tell a story about that tree’s life and reveal periods of prosperity and adversity. I visualize wooden measuring sticks, or hash marks on a wall, where parents record their child’s height over time, noting the growth spurts and slower growth periods.

I’m reminded of the church’s calendar and how its rhythm of seasons provides an orderly passage through the days and months of year. The seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost provide guideposts along our pilgrimage as Jesus Christ’s disciples. One resource I have found for further reflection is Keeping Time: The Church's Years, by Gail Ramshaw and Mons Teig. Published in 2009 by Augsburg Fortress, the book is Volume Three of the "Using Evangelical Lutheran Worship" series, created to support worship leaders. I've only made it through the preface and 15 pages of text in the last two months, so you may wonder, just how inspirational or informative is this? I would welcome conversation with anyone familiar with this book.

Another reading I found helpful, entitled “Three Essentials for Leadership in the Time of Coronavirus,” came in one of my weekly email subscriptions. The author Benefiel’s third point regarding awareness of our own mortality - and that of the institutions we revere– offered meaning for my own musings. Especially during the early days of the COVID-19 shutdown, I encountered many people who were absolutely terrified of getting sick. Their actions were focused primarily on hunkering down and on taking care of themselves. Quoting from Esther 4:16, Dr. Benefiel wrote,

“If I perish, I perish.”… While we must do our best to take personal precautions, safeguarding our health as best we can, and while we must be faithful stewards of the leadership responsibilities entrusted to us, our ultimate task is not self-preservation. Nor is our ultimate task perpetuating the institutions we lead. Our ultimate task is serving the greater good, serving God.https://shalem.org/2020/04/03/three-essentials-for- leadership-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/

In other words, I understood that I must be guided by love and concern for the other rather than by fear and concern for myself.

Pastor Terry Hannon, Associate Member of Peace, lives at The Village at Orchard Ridge, a national Lutheran retirement community in Winchester, VA.

21 EIGHT CURCUIT LABYRINTH

This is a finger labyrinth which I made from recycled materials.

Want to Learn More? After reading about labyrinths on the following page, I would be more than happy to share information and resources which I have collected. And I can tell you more about my experiences with them if you're interested. If you would like me to join you in walking a labyrinth, especially if it's your first time, please contact me through the church office.

Allison Hansgate - Alexandria, VA

22 I would like to share a little background information from Exploring the Labyrinth by Melissa Gayle West. The author's words (edited slightly in a few spots) are italicized. My comments are in regular font. Allison Hansgate – Alexandria, VA

What is a labyrinth? A labyrinth is different than a maze. Mazes have blind alleys, dead ends, and tricks. Labyrinths offer one route to the center and back out again. No matter how many twists and turns it takes you through, the labyrinth gently leads you to the center; both its own and your center..

Why Use a labyrinth? The labyrinth is a helpful spiritual tool to deepen your faith, connect to the soul, access your intuition and creativity, and refocus on simplicity. It is a great reminder to focus on the journey and the present.

There are many reasons to use a labyrinth. For me, I most often turn to this spiritual tool for one of two struggles. Either my mind is trying to think about too many different things at once or when something is overwhelming me and I don't know how to move forward. After using a labyrinth, I typically feel calmer, more centered, and more grounded.

How to Use a Labyrinth? The great thing is that there isn't really a wrong way to use a labyrinth. The only real instruction is to, at some point, follow the path. You can start at the opening, or the center. You can walk the perimeter first or just go right in. You can follow the path to the center and then follow it out, or you can walk across the lines and simply exit. You can do it silently, listening to music, or listening to a guided meditation. Try out different methods and see what you enjoy most.

The majority of labyrinths are set up to walk the path. However, there are also finger labyrinths, where you trace the path with a finger. The latter style is beneficial to those with mobility issues. And it can be used without regard to the weather.

Labyrinth Etiquette: If you are walking a labyrinth and there are other people also using it, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Walk in silence or use headphones if you're listening to something. You can walk at your own pace; just be mindful while passing others or if they want to pass you. Basically, if you follow common courtesy, you'll be just fine.

To Find a Nearby Labyrinth to Walk, check out … https://labyrinthlocator.com

Want to Learn More? I can share more information and resources about labyrinths. And I can tell you more about my experiences. If you would like me to join you in walking a labyrinth, I would be more than happy to do so.

One Last Note: Everyone's first experience with a labyrinth is different. It is very possible that the first time you try it, you won't feel anything special or gain any particular insights. That could be due to any number of factors. I just ask that you give labyrinths a second chance.

In Breaking of the Bread Christine Howlett – Manassas, VA

Making this bread is hardly a meditative process. A cup of honey makes it incredibly sticky and gooey, and my hands are a mess early on. I started doing it because Pastor Vincent Guss wanted an unleavened bread for a Maundy Thursday service.

I found two communion bread recipes in the old Peace cookbook and gave him samples of each to try. He voted for the one with a LOT of honey. So for many years, I would make this bread for that service. I feel like we should offer the very best that we can for any service - the best music, the best wine, the best preaching, the best bread. If Christ comes to us as bread, shouldn't it be the very best we can make?

Unfortunately this bread tends to crumble, and it's absolutely lethal if you dunk it in wine. So, it isn't practical to use on a regular basis. During the Pandemic, I have made batches of it for Cathy and me and for friends celebrating communion at home. And though the recipe doesn't mention it, I always use a pair of knives to etch a cross into the top of the loaves, dedicating them to the Christ.

TRAPPIST MONASTERY MASS BREAD

3 ¼ C whole wheat flour 1 ¼ C white flour 2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 2 tbsp. oil 1 C honey

1 ¼ C warm water Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Mix dry ingredients in bowl. Make a mound, then, pour in honey, oil, and water. Flour your hands, then, knead to a soft dough. Form into small round or oval loaves. (Makes 8 – 10 loaves). Flatten the loaf with the palm of the hand. Place on greased cooking sheets. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove, brush with oil or melted butter. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. ( I always have to bake it for another 20 minutes – maybe I don’t flatten the loaf as much as their baker does?)

After loaves cool, wrap them in saran wrap and freeze if you aren’t

going to use them for a few days. Take out of freezer at least one hour before use.

I use zip lock bags to store them individually. They could certainly be cut in cubes if desired. Oh, and I always score a cross on the top with two knives before I bake them.

STEP INTO THE LIGHT

Hanna Kebbede Falls Church, VA

. May 27, 2020 - The following is part of a longer article I wrote for an online publication. During this pandemic of COVID19 I’ve heard many say, “God is punishing us.” God does not punish but He does beckon and test our sincerity. I feel as though God is saying “take time out” to all of us. I have heard it said that COVID19 is the great equalizer, that it has made us question our values and reassess our desires for fleeting emblems like wealth, status, fame, and power. I have heard regrets for how we behaved toward our planet that sustains life and how we did not use our gifts to lift up those less fortunate, how we did not build communities that engendered equality in diversity. I imagine we have behaved like spoiled children only asking for more, feeling entitled to everything without being accountable to our Heavenly Father. Above all, I hate that we have been fighting one another out of greed and self-serving ambition we have lacked empathy and compassion for those different from us. We have been cruel and arrogant toward our neighbors because their skin is black. COVID-19 offered much needed time to reflect and recognize that we are not in control, that we share a common destiny - one that we can shape for Divine purpose. Although technology may help the rise of totalitarianism, technology also gives tremendous power to each person. The world has collapsed into a single global village with greater cultural exchange, even if we are organized in enclaves defined by our common interests and our common struggles for existence. During COVID19 I’ve seen an opportunity to redesign my world view and follow only the light so I emerge as human intent to live my divine destiny.

I’ve used this time to grow my faith so as to pursue my life’s purpose. I’ve learned from the Spirit that all I need to lead a purposeful life are intention and gratitude. Intention comes from within and gratitude for where I am and what I have moment by moment fulfills the promise that God's grace flows in abundance. Many feel God is outside of them, that He does not listen or that He does not answer prayers. When we choose to align our minds, hearts and souls with the Divine, energy flows and we find provisions for everything. The question is do we align our thoughts and decisions with God's love, light, freedom and abundance and do we trust ourselves to be good at the core?

Communicate with Collage

The process by which I came to creating collage art awakened me to the presence of the Divine. I was making black and white ink drawings because my soul was grieving my life’s losses. These ink drawings were always intuitive; I never knew what would come out in the end. One day I completed an ink drawing I didn’t like so much. When I flipped it to see what was on the other side, it was an amazing image of what I named “Spirit Warrior”. I realized that the Divine guided my hands and drew that image.

My collages are made from ink drawings and acrylic paintings that each could stand alone. I prefer to cut up the paintings and drawings that are not my favorites.

I pick a centerpiece and work other pieces by shapes and colors that fit together. In the end, the Divine arranged these pieces into coherent images like those on the left.

My work is a kind of conversation both with myself and with the viewer. My process is mostly intuitive and contemplative. In this communion with the Divine the outcome is made evident. It is the sublime fruit of the Holy Spirit. Life is a Collage. Trust your intuition.

Hanna Kebbede Falls Church, VA

26 Favorite quotes and scripture can be found attached to the inside of a kitchen cupboard door in my home. I have shared several below accompanied with personal comments in italics. They continue to be particularly meaningful as we move through the pandemic.

Nadine Krutzky - Mitchell – Springfield, VA

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Whether it is a beautiful mild sunny day with blue skies and a breeze or a rainy day, I think we should try to find something beautiful about each day.

Quotation - Archbishop Oscar Romero “Faith consists in accepting God without asking him to account for things according to our standard. Faith consists in reacting before God as Mary did: I don’t understand it, Lord, but let it be done in me according to your word.” Boy, in these days no matter the topic: pandemic, politics, and racism don’t we want Him (God) to account for things??!!

John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Psalm: 121:8

The Lord keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and evermore.

As we leave the safety of our home and come back.

Psychology Today July 31, 2013 “The Power of Hope” Dale Archer, M.D. What is hope? “Hope is the belief that circumstances will get better. It's not a wish for things to get better -- it's the actual belief, the knowledge that things will get better, no matter how big or small.”

27 Joan Malcolm – Annandale, VA and Bradenton, FL Member - Annandale United Methodist Church

As I was grieving the loss of my husband of 13 years, a friend graciously gave me a prayer shawl. Not only was it my favorite color, but it was knitted in my favorite fan and feather pattern.

Last year, I was introduced to the Peace knitting group a.k.a. The Peace Prayer Shawl Ministry. There was a sense of family among the members. I immediately felt “at home”. I observed that one member knit shawls using the same pattern as the shawl which I had been given. Upon inquiring, I found out that indeed my shawl had been knitted by a Peace prayer shawl group member.

Throughout the pandemic, I have joined their Friday meetings via zoom. I will always believe 8 years ago, Mary Downs knitted the shawl pictured below just for me.

The PEACE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY, begun in 2007 by Vicki Haugen, is mostly “member led “. Anne Whitten arranges the Zoom meetings, helps ladies fix pattern mistakes and scans new patterns to share. I keep donation statistics, a current email list and prior to the pandemic, hosted meetings held at Peace. A good portion of the current knitters are not members of Peace and actually outnumber Peace members. They are considered “family” and an important part of our ministry.

To date, our group has given away 1464 shawls, dish towels, scarves, hats, premie hats and booties.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: During the 2018 and 2019 holiday seasons, we donated several bags of socks, underwear and scarves to the Bailey’s Crossroads Homeless Shelter. In 2019, we gave our local Barcroft Starbucks 27 premie hats for Neonatal Intensive Care Units at local hospitals.

FUN FACT: When the same Starbucks remodeled a few years ago, they set aside a big area for a large table with our group in mind. Prior to COVID-19, most Fridays, we had a standing reservation from 1pm – 3pm using the large table. Mary’s fan and feather pattern Nadine Krutzky-Mitchell

28 I am Marni Maree. I have been a member of Peace for 35 years. I am an artist. I work in watercolors and oils. I also teach, A LOT.

When all my classes ended abruptly mid March, I started to paint more than I had in a long time. What came out of me pleasantly surprised me. These paintings were ABSTRACT! I had, in the past, painted a few abstracts but now they were happening every day. I went with it. I played with some new art supplies I found at home and enjoyed seeing what happened. I found it to be very meditative. And when I could let go of trying to control EVERY MARK THAT I MADE, I found that I seemed to be guided to use certain colors and shapes.

My colors varied a lot from painting to painting. But there was something that ALWAYS showed up in my paintings. Sometimes it was subtle and sometimes not so much.

Here are several of my paintings. See if you notice what it is.

Circle of Hope NeverendingRound and Round Hope It Neverending Hope

Goes And Where It Stops Nobody Knows You are correct.

CIRCLES! I have always preferred circles to triangles or squares. But I never really thought much of it until now when I could not even stop circles from happening in my painting! So I did some research and found this . . . .

The CIRCLE is an emblem for the perfect and everlasting God. Wow!

So God was with me in every painting. He practically signed them. Now it is sooo obvious! Not only does God show up in every painting I do, abstract or not, I know that God has His hand in all that I do. Just as I trusted that the color and shapes would turn out ok for each of these paintings, I need to let God guide my choices in every part of my life. My life and everyone’s life is God’s work of art.

Listen carefully and let God work through you in all that you do. We are all masterpieces in progress.

Marni Maree – Springfield, VA

GREEN SCREEN OF THE WORLD

Green Screen of the world, you cover our mess, O Lord! In your shield I seek refuge!

You called but we blocked you. You tweeted but we did not follow you. We air-podded our ears and walked past our neighbors. The Metro doors closed on you.

We breathed in evil, deeply In our lungs, hearts, souls. We were foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. We caused the innocent harm. Evil imprisoned us.

Our rooms are silent now, O Lord! Now we hear. The TikTok grandfather dancing, The birds in the quiet street. The love in a child’s whisper, Desperate eyes of those we meet.

We are ready, O Green Screen! Wash us out, make us new. Make Peace our backdrop, Compassion our surroundings.

Karin Old – Annandale, VA

John 16:13-14 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

WHAT IS SOMETHING GOD HAS REVEALED TO YOU DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

Road to Emmaus Artist: Robyn Sand Anderson Commissioned for the first Rostered Ministers Gathering in 2017

“What is something God has revealed to you during this pandemic?” That question was asked of me by a co-worker a while back. When he asked, the word, “revealed”, jumped out at me from the question, and along with it another form of that word, “revelation” came to mind. In scripture, the word “revelation” is the English translation of Hebrew and Greek words meaning, “uncovering,” or “disclosing”. My Anchor Bible Dictionary describes “revelation” as, first, an unveiling of what was already true, whether as enduring reality, as past event, or as foreordained future; and second, notes that while whatever is being revealed was true all along, it was previously concealed or unknown. So, when I first heard that question, and the word “revelation” jumped out at me, I also immediately thought of the gospel text appointed for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, the evangelist Luke’s account of the disciples’ encounter with the risen Christ on their walk to Emmaus.

31 You know the story. It begins on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Some of Jesus’ women followers go that morning and find the tomb empty. There, they encounter angelic messengers who tell them of Jesus’ resurrection. The women go and tell the other disciples what they found, only to have the other disciples discount their story as an “idle tale.” After all that, two of Jesus’ followers depart from Jerusalem and head to a town called Emmaus, about seven miles distant. The risen Christ joins them on the road, but the two are kept from recognizing him. He asks what they’re talking about, and surprised that the stranger accompanying them hasn’t heard about all that just happened in Jerusalem, they tell him things about Jesus, about him being a prophet, and about how he was handed over, condemned to death, and crucified. And then, Luke writes, the disciples say: “But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.” They go on to talk about what happened that morning. Then Jesus responds by telling them how it was necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory, and then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. In reflecting on this text, what stood out to me in this story, particularly in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, are the words, “but we had hoped…” How many times have you caught yourself using those words in the last few days, or weeks, or months? We had hoped…we would take that trip this year… We had hoped…we would get to go to that wedding… We had hoped…we would celebrate our loved one’s birthday with them… We had hoped…we would have been able to go to the class of 2020’s commencement event… Maybe it has been a case of: we had hoped… we would be worshipping together in person with our congregation on Sundays like we are used to… or we would be gathering with others in our home for bible study… or we would see and visit with folk from other congregations at synod assembly… or we would be traveling for work, going to school with our friends… And for some of us, we had hoped… we would have had that friend or family member with us longer… We had hoped… we would have been able to go to the funeral. It seems to me that the Emmaus story reminds us that, when we make our way with one another through perilous, uncertain, and troubling times, it can be in the midst of our disappointed hopes that the crucified and risen Jesus Christ meets us… and accompanies us… and encourages us… and is revealed to us.

32 Luke’s Emmaus story makes that clear in how the rest of the story unfolds. Luke writes, “As they came near the village to which they were going, [Jesus] walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him”. That the risen Christ was made known in the breaking of the bread should not surprise any of us. The connection to the Last Supper and to our sharing of the Eucharist meal is apparent. But the connection is bigger than that. The risen Christ may be seen and encountered whenever communities come together and bread is blessed, and broken, and shared. Whether in meals of simple fellowship among family, or friends, or neighbors. Whether in food that is distributed to others who hunger or face food insecurity – locally, nationally, or globally. The risen Christ may be seen and encountered whenever communities come together, and that is true whether we gather in communities physically or virtually, whether as communities of family, or friends, or co-workers, or congregations. As Luke concludes the Emmaus story, the two disciples immediately run back to Jerusalem, run back to share their story with the community of other disciples still gathered there, to share what God had revealed to them… the rest of story, as we know, is that as they are telling the others what has happened to them, and as the others tell the two what happened while they were gone, the risen Christ appears among them all. Because Christ is revealed in and through community; because Christ is made manifest in community… and that includes us. Robyn Sand Anderson explained that her Road to Emmaus painting shown below has multiple inspirations. One of them was a choral work entitled Abendlied, by 19th century German composer Josef Rheinberger and translated into English as follows by John Rutter.

Bide with us, for evening shadows darken, And the day will soon be over, soon be over, O abide with us, for evening shadows darken.”

Gracious God, open my eyes to see the crucified and risen Christ meeting me, accompanying me, encouraging me, and revealed to me amid my disappointed hopes. May the risen Christ bide with us, whenever evening shadows darken; and may he keep us whole and well in God’s ever -present love and care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Mark Olsen – Stratford, CT served Peace as pastor from 2001 – 2006.

33 THE ANNOUNCEMENT READ . . . Immediately after the 10:30am service on May 24, Marni Maree will lead you in a prayerful and spirit filled Pentecost themed drawing session in which EVERYONE, no matter your art experience, can participate! All you need is a piece of paper (from your printer is fine) and a pen (a ball point will do). You can add color later or leave it black and white. Marni will guide you step by step. Each drawing will be unique, just like you.

SIGNS OF THE SPIRIT, the collage below, includes the drawings of those participants who submitted their work to be included as part of the May 31th Pentecost service.

Acts 2:1–4 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak to them in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability. 34 These days of the pandemic I am using the following prayer on a daily basis. It has been helpful to calm down my soul. Adela Peeva – Clarksburg, MD

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION The Light of God surrounds us. The Love of God enfolds us. The Power of God protects us. The Presence of God watches over us. The Mind of God guides us. The Life of God flows through us. The Power of God abides in us. The Joy of God uplifts us. The Strength of God renews us. The Beauty of God inspires us. Wherever we are, God is, and all is well!

“This is an anonymously expanded and adapted version of a five-line prayer originally composed by James Dillet Freeman in 1940 – 41”.

35 The Call by George Herbert

A Few Words by Way of an Introduction

George Herbert was born April 3, 1593, and died March 3, 1633, having been born during the reign of Queen Elizabeth and having lived into the reign of Charles I. He was born in Wales and in 1609 was admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained his undergraduate education. He later became the University’s Public Orator and served in Parliament in 1624. He gave up the secular life in 1629, when he was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. He died of consumption at the young age of 39.

He has long been recognized as one of England’s finest devotional lyricists. An excellent example of his gifts in that art form is provided below by his poem “The Call“. Its musical rhythm and lyrical lines, exude his happy commitment to the joys of his faith. It is a poem right for our times.

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such a Way, as gives us breath: Such a Truth, as ends all strife: Such a Life, as killeth death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength: Such a Light, as shows a feast: Such a Feast, as mends in length: Such a Strength, as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: Such a Joy, as none can move: Such a Love, as none can part: Such a Heart, as joyes in love.

Norm Philion– Alexandria, VA

36 One of the things I need to work on is to worry less and trust God more. The Covid-19 Pandemic worries a lot of people, and it worries me. I want God to keep me, and my family, and my friends safe. I want our leaders to have a plan to keep as many people as possible safe. I want the world to value human life more than human economy. Prayer helps more than worrying.

I recognize the inherent racism in our country, and I want to do what I can to fix it. I don’t have the strength to protest in the streets anymore, but I can call out racism when I see it, and I can try to elect leaders who are not racists. I can pray for God’s help.

I have to believe that God is in charge, God has a plan. I have to stop worrying.

A poem that makes me laugh and gives me a shove in the right direction is “I Worried,” from Mary Oliver’s 2010 book Swan: Poems and Prose Poems. After a long list of worries we can all recognize (from the natural “Will the garden grow” to the moral “will I be forgiven”), the poet ends:

Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing. And I gave it up. And took my old body and went out into the morning, and sang.

Carol Randall– Springfield, VA

Being respectful of copyright laws, “I Worried” is not printed here, but the text is readily available on the internet at such sites such as: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/I-worried.pdf or https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1258096-i-worried-i-worried-a-lot-will-the-garden- grow

There are also readings of the poem available on YouTube.

PENTECOST QUILT

I had a vision for this Pentecost quilt several months ago. Some sort of candle or fire. The pandemic gave me time to put it all together.

I used various reds, oranges and yellows for the fire and added the small blue flame in the center; the kind of blue that flickers in a campfire. I love staring into campfires. The blue flame draws your eye to the center of the quilt. The fabric around the outside of the quilt is one of my all time favorite fabrics. I have always loved its chaotic swirls of color.

When it came time to quilt it, meaning I needed to sew the top and bottom layers together with batting in between (Photo 1). I then quilted a design on the white background and border of the quilt that emulates either wind or flames, both symbols of Pentecost and the spirit. (Photo 2)

I loved making this quilt. It gave me joy. In Psalm 100 that we read during the June 14, 2020, service today, we are told to make a joyful noise and to me this quilt is a joyful shout of color. Kris Rinnert – Alexandria, VA

Photo 1

Photo 2

THOUGHTS ON COMPOSING MUSIC Randy Ruchti - South Bend, IN

I never deliberately intended or not to compose music. It just “happened”. For me, a music composition is framed by imagination or an idea and the framing is shaped by the music and the poetry and pacing of the piece. None of these necessarily occur in a well-defined or predictable way. But interestingly and perhaps humorously, the process usually begins through “humming”. I begin to hum something and the rhythm and music of the piece as well as hidden word formation seems to emerge that way. My humming began early in life. Someone heard me humming, apparently too loudly, and told me “Randy please hum quietly, or if you can’t do that, then please hum to yourself.” Those words of correction stuck with me, and instead of being angry at the criticism, I apparently took them on in a creative way. Whoever that forgotten person was, gave me a “gift” for which I will be forever grateful.

I came to the guitar by serendipity. While visiting grandparents in Janesville, WI in the late 1950’s, I found an old guitar of my uncle’s in their attic, and I asked him if I might borrow it. He said, “Sure”. So, I used saved allowance money to buy some strings for it plus a beginner’s book of guitar chords. And I set about teaching myself to play. Later when I was in junior high school, I obtained a nicer acoustic guitar. I listened avidly to Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary and other folk musicians of the times. That strengthened my interest in guitar finger-picking, which is by far my favorite way to play. The guitar is interesting to me because I tend to think of each of the six strings as individual voices, as independent, finger-controllable elements. How you play each, and where you play them on the guitar gives amazing range of emotion to the sound heard from the instrument. Even though my current guitar is now over thirty years old, I like to think I can hear it singing when I play it.

The piece I played for the Peace Lutheran Church worship service on June 21, 2020 called “Wind”, was composed over the previous six weeks. It started as a poem that I read to Peggy, my wife. At that stage some of the verses rhymed and others, well … not so much. While thinking about the words and the rhyme, I found myself humming along. Picking up the guitar, the hum translated into finger picking of notes and chords.

My daughter Tommi and grandson Ashton have played the piece on flute, bass flute and baritone ukulele. It was as much a joy for me to hear them play it, as it was for me to compose it.

The poetry of the piece is driven in part by the stress of the current, very challenging times, but also motivated by thinking about and seeking a message of strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit for the way ahead. It’s Message in the Wind.

Wind

Words and Music by R. Ruchti Key of Am or Dm, Guitar Tunings–Standard (EADGBE) or Down D (DADGBE) Played for Peace Lutheran Church Worship Service June 21, 2020 In Dm and Standard Tuning

If there’s a message in the wind …How would I know I’d know? As others might have wondered too, So many years ago.

With background drums incessant, as urgencies abound, How will we find the way ahead Where Truth and Life are found?

With subtle voice as dust motes dance Within a beam of sun, A lifting veil of morning mist Uncloaked as night is done.

A whispered message of the wind, A red-tailed hawk in flight. And as she soars on thermal breeze Her wings stretch out of my sight

A murm’ring whippoorwill at dusk, A distant wolfen yowl. The myriad words of mocking birds, A flight of waterfowl.

A rainbow’s arc at eventide, A radiant sight in storm. As falling raindrops paint a path Of effervescent form.

To hear the whispers of the wind, …How would I know I’d know? The path’s evolving as I go, The Spirit’s made it so.

To hear the whispers of the wind, …How would I know I’d know? I feel the whispers in the wind, How would I know…? I know…

Thank you for including our family in this pandemic effort. From Seattle, we are so pleased to be part of Peace Lutheran once again! The technology I fear is actually making heart-deep connections with our friends in Virginia.

I have been creating some art, especially now that we are in crisis-mode. I make cards. I draw flowers or Celtic knots or designs. Then I cut and paste them onto cardstock. Next, I look for a prayer or poem to type or write. Sometimes the words come first. I never know how a card will end up. I try to relax into the process, and let some urge from God happen. Sometimes it is quite messy and I get disappointed in the result. But most often, I get a surprise at how the cards turn out. They usually make me smile. See Photo 1.

I am connected with the Caring Community Team from my Seattle church. We send cards to people each month; people who are always at home, in care centers or someone who has surgery, illness or sadness in their life. I send a few of those cards. But mostly, I just feel that there is a person I know of (or know well) who needs a piece of kindness, and I send a home-made card to that person. I feel less sad, less worried, when I can send a card to someone with a message of kindness.

Photo 1 Photo 2

Also, I make collages. With hope for the new year to come, I have made one every January since we moved to Seattle in 2008. A few weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, I was feeling that my collage for 2020 was no longer appropriate. I needed to make sense of the unknown future or confusion. So, I began a new one with newspaper headings, pictures relating to our “new normal”, empty paper and lots of scraps. From these materials, I selected whatever I might like to include, and then cut out what did not fit or look right. Thus, I ended up with a mystery and a solution at the same time. See Photo 2.

I hope you enjoy looking at what I have created. I am excited to read and see what other people from Peace have done.

Thank you for the blessings, Stephanie Running – Seattle, Washington

Dear Family of Peace,

How I made this poster: I made this poster when I was scared about the Corona Virus. It was in May 2020.

I couldn’t be in any sporting events for Special Olympics. The 2020 Ballard (Seattle) Syttende Mai Parade was cancelled (17th of May). I couldn’t go to work. I couldn’t get into the library. The Summer Olympics were postponed until 2021. I was very sad.

But then I made the poster by using poster board, ink pens, glitter glue and labels. I drew a beautiful poster about how I was feeling. I felt gutsy after I made it. I am braver now. I want other people to see it so that they can feel encouraged to show how they feel.

From your friend,

Niels Running – Seattle, WA

Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Alexandria, VA May 24 at 9:30 PM ·

Sarah Scherschligt May 24 at 9:22 PM

Day 71

At one point this afternoon, my husband was prepping a canvas for a painting, I was setting up my pottery wheel, and both girls were doing their own messy art projects.

This happened quite naturally and without coordination, but there was a reason for it.

We’d all been inspired in church.

For the past three weeks, our church has included a “creative offering” in our liturgy. Today, artist Marni shared paintings she’s made during corona time. She connected the experience of painting them with her faith. They were breathtaking, whimsical and powerful. God was evident in them.

Afterward she led a simple line drawing exercise called “Signs of the Spirit.” She primed our creative juices. We’ll use the artwork next week on Pentecost Sunday.

With everything going on in the world, taking time to do art together might seem like it should be low on the priority list. But I think it’s one of the most important things churches can be doing. A community that creates together is alive with God’s spirit.

Everyone is in the process of creating new ways of being. I find it thrilling but also exhausting. Sometimes I don’t want to have to face another challenge or come up with some alternative way to get the work of the church done.

Today I tapped into a different kind of creativity: the kind that’s pure play. It comes when I’m coloring with the kids or making pottery or gardening. It fills me back up.

Who knows if any of the projects my family started will get finished. That’s not the point. For a short while today, we each got lost in the pleasure of creativity without consequence or purpose. It was good.

Sleep well world. God holds you.

Pastor Sarah Scherschligt - Falls Church , VA is the current Pastor of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church and has been writing a daily blog since the pandemic began.

IN THE And lastly, I’ve found calm thanks to my friend and fellow Peace member Allison Hansgate! She introduced me to a STILLNESS beautiful labyrinth just outside of my neighborhood that I’ve used as a great way to unwind. Sometimes we will walk It’s been tough to find the the labyrinth together. There’s something really powerful words to pray during this about walking in prayer with a friend. time.

During the past few Sarah Schill – Arlington, VA months, I have heavily relied on the verse “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Sometimes I will repeat it as a mantra and calming tool. It’s a verse I use to reconnect with God and remind myself of His presence all around me. Interestingly I made a prayer book back in high school that I kept for a long time that had that verse on the cover. It seems that verse has been my go-to for some time now. :

I have also connected with the story of Jesus calming the storm while with his disciples on the water. I remember Pastor Sarah saying a while back that we are all in the same storm but in different boats. That resonated with me a lot, particularly as someone who grew up near Lake Erie; a lake that can become like an ocean when the storms blow in! It seems I gravitate toward finding God in the stillness, or stories where Sarah and Allison He is bringing calm to a Virginia Theological Seminary frenzied situation. Those 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA brought me the most peace during this time. 44

As I reflect on the past 10-12 weeks of forced isolation, I have found the experience both bitter and sweet at the same time. • Bitter because of the life put-on-hold – the weddings, the family reunion and the vacations canceled. • Bitter as I watched our nation torn apart first by disease of body and later by an old disease in our society. • Bitter as close friends and strangers lost people to both diseases, unnecessarily. • Bitter as the world moves on so quickly to the next fatality, the next tragedy, turning the page too quickly. • Sweetness as I slowed down and got rid of the excesses in my life. • Sweetness as I had to give up the frantic search to be busy and to be occupied. • Sweetness of rediscovering the joy of watching a tomato plant grow or a monarch caterpillar becoming a butterfly. • Sweetness of learning to be still with myself . . . Vince Gowmon’s poem “When You Slow Down Enough” helps explain the Sweetness. Beginning with Gowmon’s own experience of the disclosures of silence, the poem guides us through unexpected discoveries—of suppressed feelings, the “spaciousness / of the Self,” the value of self-care, the blossoming of creativity, the “enoughness” of each moment, and the “softness” and “wonder” of just “letting yourself be.” By “letting yourself be” he means what happens when the “firm grip” of all plans and obligations loosens enough to allow you to feel yourself come home back into your heart finally, resting in the place you have been circling, the place you have been searching for all along.

Unfortunately, I am still looking for solace for the bitter. [The full text of the poem is available at: https://www.vincegowmon.com/when-you- slow-down-enough/ ]

Kurt Schultz – Pensacola, FL

All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did

not overcome it.

John 1: 3-5

My name is Martha Siles – Munoz. Martha is pronounced Marta. I am from Bolivia but now live in Alexandria, VA with my husband and two children, Arwen and Joseph. I have some experience with paper. When I was a child, my mother owned a small store for party supplies. She sold paper products like piñatas, hats and some decorations.

I used construction paper to make these flowers. Their stems are made with wrapped paper and glue. But first, I created molds to make it easier to cut and maximize the paper; making many in my favorite colors of blue and orange.

I had planned to decorate the church with my flowers on Easter Sunday April 12, 2020. However as you know, we were unable to worship inside the church. I continued to makes the flowers until I had no more room to store them; thinking of the members of my Peace family as I made each one. Today my collection consists of 21 large roses, 23 large tulips and 33 small roses. I look forward to sharing them with my Peace family when we are again able to return to worship inside our church building.

Arwen, my daughter who is 9 years old, made 32 flowers. She learned how by looking at me as I made my large flowers. Just like me, she made a model first. She painted the edges of some of the flowers with crayons and markers. I asked her why she made them. She answered because she wanted to help bring Easter to her church.

Sue Sticha gave us flower pots so that we could use the flowers for table decorations in the Fellowship Hall.

My son, Joseph, is 8 years old. He made his drawing to celebrate Easter at home since we could not go to church

because of the quarantine. The drawing is a hamster with rabbit ears standing on the grass wearing Joseph’s favorite color, orange.

He likes the story of the prophet Moses who saves many people from slavery in Egypt.Thanks to him we have the Ten Commandments.

Martha Siles – Munoz Alexandria, VA

49 SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS • Allison Hansgate • Marissa Wilson and Stu Whitehead OF NOTE: The connection with Marni's work was not originally planned. • Jim and Kathy Nice • Adela and George Peeva After we had done some virtual choir videos with the Voices of Peace, I was looking for an • Whitten Family (David, Anne, opportunity to do something with the handbell Rebecca, Brena) choir. We picked Pentecost as the target • Shannon Spence date, and I selected Spirit of Gentleness as the song to perform. • Sean Maree

After surveying the choir, it turned out that we had several people who could play traditional instruments (cello, viola, violin, bassoon), a Spirit of Gentleness set of tuned toy bells, some glass goblets, and a host of improvised percussion instruments. I was a little bit stuck on how to put all of these things together, and decided to check the scripture for the day. Acts 2:1-4 gave me the inspiration that I was looking for.

When I participated in Marni's workshop, I was surprised that she had based her exercise on the same verses. I contacted her and asked whether I could use the artwork as part of the musical presentation, and she readily agreed.

She sent me scans of all the artwork that she https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUR3Bp1a_ received. I put most of them in the beginning 9E&feature=youtu.be of the piece, paired with a percussion . introduction and tacked the pieces that Peace Lutheran Church YouTube Channel arrived late at the end. I ended the video with Marni's collage. See page 27. Paul Sticha - Alexandria, VA Director, Peace Lutheran Church HANDBELL CHOIR Handbell Choirs VIDEO PARTICIPANTS

• Susan, Paul, and Rebecca Sticha • Donna Thiessen • Jacob Thiessen • Steve Bernauer

We have found strength and hope in our son’s graduation from TC Williams High School and in his acceptance to attend George Mason University where he has been accepted to his first choice program, Computer Game Design. The future is bright.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Jennifer Matthey

Gary, Jacob and Donna Thiessen – Alexandria, VA

I have always enjoyed Worship at Peace. I love how we move from the solemnity of baptism, confession and forgiveness to the joys of music and children, readings from the word and a thought provoking message that supports, challenges, soothes and leaves us with something to think about during our coming week. Then following the special treasure of communion comes, more music, a prayer, a blessing and the reminder that our worship service has ended. The service is like a grand, multi-course buffet with friends at our favorite restaurant. A TRUE JOY! But there is much for us to do in the coming week.

I knew the decision to close our church building for a while was the correct one. But I also knew I would really miss our weekly gathering together for our celebratory buffet of worship and fellowship. Imagine my delight when I learned that electronics and the very hard work of Peace family members was going to make it possible for us to have our worship in our homes!

Each week my happy anticipation grew as time for the service neared. The tactile stimulation of the water on my fingers and then on my forehead thrilled and humbled me at the same time as I was reminded of my baptism. Raising bread, then wine with the words signifying that this sacrifice had been made for me, Beth, filled me with joy and gratitude. I was also very grateful for the work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this worship service to us. I knew it had been its own sacrifice of time and work.

I decided it must be because I’d been on quarantine for a while that I so looked forward to our virtual Sunday worship. Then a couple of weeks ago, I had everything in place for the service, was logged in and waiting. My screen brightened. I saw a musician and heard beautiful music. I liked that. Then my computer screen changed and Pastor Sarah’s face appeared. She smiled and said “Hello, Church”. I couldn’t resist a laugh out loud. I realized my special anticipation and extra joy with our recent services was because I was now able to see the faces of my friends as they read, played or sang music and spoke to us.

You see my vision disability negatively impacts my being able to clearly see details. Facial recognition is difficult for me. Now I could see everyone. What a special unexpected gift of joy.

I am very grateful to everyone who participates in the production of this service. Thanks to all of you and, of course to our God. I shouldn’t have been surprised at this extra gift for me. God is, after all, the initial and ultimate converter of lemons into cool refreshing lemonade.

In addition, I’ll continue to pray prayers of gratitude and give thanks for everyone who participates in making possible our virtual Bible studies, knitting sessions and all other Peace family gatherings; but especially for Pastor Sarah, when she looks into the computer screen and says to us, “Hello, Church”.

Beth Westerburg – Alexandria, VA

“These are unique circumstances that we are living in. We are all doing the best that we can.”

That’s the message I write to small businesses via email that have to get creative with our online order or say to anybody over the phone after listening to their experiences with staying at home. I don’t think anyone knows truly how to handle something of this magnitude. There are a lot of complex layers to the current corona virus pandemic, whether it’s unemployment, non- teachers becoming teachers, surge of Black Lives Matter, or Zoom security (one of those things is not like the other). Nevertheless, everybody is different and has something going on, so their experiences are likely going to be different than my experiences, for better or worse.

Marissa and I are in an extremely blessed and lucky position to not have to experience the same amount of adversity that millions across the country are facing right now. We still have jobs (and are getting paid), do not have any kids to teach/keep entertained, and have family members who are healthy. With that said, on the scale of families/households dealing with the pandemic, we are definitely in the “doing well” category. I can’t say that we’ve ever struggled over the past few months. Maybe with regards to not travelling and dealing with airlines over travel that we booked three months ago, but there is certainly nothing being taken for granted in this house. We go to sleep every night not anxiously thinking where our next meal is coming from or if they are going to turn off our lights the next day.

I suppose what’s unique about this time for Marissa and I, is how it has reflected and promoted our generosity to the community. Like I’ve said, we are in a position of strength with our regular paychecks and can use that money to give back to those who are not as fortunate. We have been deliberate about spending during this time so as to give back to a variety of organizations, including ACCA, Scholarship funds for aspiring black students, Campaign Zero (to help facilitate police reform), and Legal Defense Fund.

I was simultaneously surprised and not surprised to see what the Bible says about giving generously. It essentially answers the simple questions: Why do we give generously? How do we give generously? And what happens when we give generously?

According to 1 John 3:16-18 (NIV), Jesus has made sacrifices and has laid down for us: and so we have a duty to sacrifice and lay down for our brothers and sisters. So we give our materials to those in need because our actions speak louder than words. I feel that we are not truly wealthy, despite our continuing income, until we give freely to those who are not as fortunate, which is supported more or less by Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV) which follows. One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

We are hopeful that the goodness in our hearts and the generosity from us during this difficult time will resonate among the community and provide graciousness to those in need. “We are all in this together, after all, just as Jesus preached to his people during their time of crisis.”

Stuart Whitehead – Alexandria, VA

REFLECTION and PRAYER

When reflecting on how I am sustaining my faith during the Pandemic, I honestly did not feel a strong spiritual element to my "success" at handling/surviving quarantine. At the beginning, I did. Early on in the quarantine, my friend’s husband was battling COVID-19 and I found fervent prayer easy when it was for someone I knew. Sustained fervor, however, is difficult.

I suppose I found God in the very little things – being able to share banana bread with a neighbor, spending time in nature, walking and talking with my husband. I found I had never been more aware of my blessings.

Then, the death of George Floyd happened. I found myself yearning for spiritual guidance. My heart had finally been broken to the realization of the extent to which systemic racial injustice exists, but my mind felt overwhelmed. Knowing I must convert my brokenness into spiritual fervor for change, I began to pray. I wrote the following words and use them to ask Him to guide me toward what is right:

“Help me to recognize pain and find ways to heal it. Help me prove my love and not my power. Help me see my own sin and not be self-righteous. Help me identify the chains of oppression and break them. Help me seek justice, so that there can be forgiveness. Help me to reconcile, not judge. Help me to be better in my future than in my past. Help me be a friend to your whole creation. Help me to be more like you, Jesus. And give me the strength to bear the costs earnestly following your lead requires. Amen.”

Marissa Wilson – Alexandria, VA

Rev. William (Bill) Woldt is a 3rd generation Lutheran Minister, (now retired). He served a number of congregations in Michigan and Florida. He recently relocated to Virginia and lives at Hermitage in Alexandria. Bill is a member of Peace, along with his daughter Janine.

PRAYERS FOR PEACE – Pastor Bill Woldt In April of 2006 my dear wife, Jan, was disclosed with minor cognitive impairment. We were told that this is a memory dysfunction that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease but doesn’t always. It is chronic and progressive. After we left the Doctor’s office we prayed that the Lord Jesus would guide and direct us in her care and let His will be done in us. We changed little in our routine as snow birds from Michigan to Florida each season. We were active in our Churches, north and south, singing in the choirs, worshipping regularly, and serving in varied ways. Each year I could tell that Jan’s memory was becoming more problematic for her. She moved from minor, to moderate, and then to major impairment. Jan had been an Elementary Teacher with a Master’s Degree so her memory losses bothered her greatly. She prayed continually for strength and help to bear the problems. Her stress finally came home to me when we were visited by our former Minister of Music and his wife from Michigan. Jan had sung in his choir sitting next to his wife for the eight years I had been pastor there. Jan was very cordial and welcoming to them as they joined us for church and brunch. It appeared that nothing was amiss but I could tell she was on edge as we reminisced. After they left she said, “Who in the world were those people?” Sometime later she told me that she was praying fervently that she might die before me because she didn’t think she could live alone. We agreed then to go into our Lutheran Retirement Center in Venice. We were only there two and one half months when the Lord answered her prayers. She had a massive heart attack and died in my arms. It was a great shock and sadness for me after nearly 64 years of marriage but our Savior, my Family, and many Friends, helped me cope. I knew that my darling Jan now rested in the loving arms of the Lord Jesus. Because of her very evident faith in our Risen Savior, I knew I should heed St. Paul and “sorrow not even as others which have no hope.” Because of that Faith and hope in Christ, we CAN over come! Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. The Spirit says, “Yes, they will rest from their labor and their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13

Images and Imagination (from Diane Yeager) The front of the June 29, 2020, Style Section of the Washington Post featured a four-column photograph of the UceLiString Quartet on an unadorned stage playing to an “audience” of 2,292 potted plants. The plants were arranged on the seats throughout the entire six levels of Barcelona’s opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu. The story the Post ran under the picture ignored it entirely, focusing exclusively on the reasons for and psychological effects of “the strategic placement of fake humans in restaurants and sports arenas”—with many pictures and interviews concerning the mannequins, inflatable life-size dolls, and cardboard cut-outs being used to populate half-empty gathering places. While the lengthy story was cotton-candy forgettable, the photograph persists in the imagination. The photographer, Emilio Morenatti, shot the picture from high up, at the level of the 4th or 5th balconyand slightly behind the four performers far below (three seen from the back or only in profile). The well-composed photo achieves an unsettled dynamism between the four small players, lower right, with their tiny music stands at the front edge of the shadowy, colorless stage and the assembled vegetation, all magnificently upstanding against the orchestra level’s crimson fabrics and amid the sweeping, rhythmic curves of the opulent gold tiers and glittering chandeliers. Yet, it is not simply the stunning composition of the photo that captivates the heart. The photographer sets before us something subversively surprising (“Wait, what are they doing?” Norm, my husband, exclaimed when I put the paper at his place. “Are they playing to broccoli?!”) and yet deeply appealing. Human beings are so very present in their very absence here. Who on earth could have conceived of filling the seats with potted plants? What glorious fun did someone have bringing in all 2,292 of them and arraying them in their festive greenery on the velvet seats? By what leap of trust did the quartet agree to play for (or to) them? In the midst of adversity, the photographer both participates in and records for us such an odd and infectious out-of-kilter joyfulness that we might almost experience it as a passing shower of grace. This disorienting invasion of an architecturally human space by the generosity of plants is symbolically arresting. There is something fine about this indecipherably small quartet using their instruments to “sing” to Nature’s representatives, as if making a small payment on the enormous debt we owe to the non-human world that we have plundered rather than cherished. Perhaps you will think it is a step too far, but I wonder whether the event itself is also, in a surprising way, an image of prayer—prayer beyond petitions, beyond hoping for guidance, beyond expecting anything at all in return, least of all applause. The picture’s gift would then be an embrace of prayer as “singing” to the patient world and its creator simply because we (in ensemble) have a voice to sing—a voice to say “I’m here” and “thank you,” even when so much that we thought was indispensable has been put at risk or has been taken away.

The image, owned by AP [Associated Press] Photos, can be viewed at: http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/APTOPIX-Virus-Outbreak- Spain/48a90ebc6237478db540a69374f3ee18/38/0

A slightly cropped version is also available on Emilio Morenatti’s Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBvtPsyjkJF/

CONCLUSION

It is fall. As the pandemic continues, somehow the word conclusion seems an incorrect title for this page. Yet, in many ways, it may be just right. This project was begun with prayer and a goal of forty contributors. The collection, if we counted correctly, reflects that sixty-seven individuals contributed; some in multiple ways. In addition, this number doesn’t include the unnamed artists whose work is part of the Signs of the Spirit Pentecost collage on page 34. Family members living in eight states contributed.

With gratitude, we thank each of you for so generously giving the gift of your time to help us create an historical snapshot of the Peace Lutheran Church family as it moves through the days and months of the pandemic.

In conclusion, the members of the Peace Lutheran Church family have been blessed. We have witnessed and continue to be a part of the breath of the Spirit as it is transformed into a mighty wind.

The Planning Group: Pastor Sarah Scherschligt, Sue Czarnetzky, Marcia Dursi, Marni Maree, Susan Sticha and Diane Yeager.

A SIGN OF THE SPIRIT MAY 31, 2020

A Sign of the Spirit – May 31.2020 zz