Shining the Light Welcoming. Growing. Caring. All with Joyous Hearts. Announcements for June 17, 2020 THIS SUNDAY AT FROM OUR RECTOR: THE REV. DOROTA WRIGHT- ST. ANDREW'S PRUSKI June 21, 2020 Dear ones, Third Sunday after Pentecost A wise friend of mine has a knack for offering pithy, profound phrases. One of my favorites is, "Do what you can, not what you can't." On one level this is so obviously true. One can only do what one can do, not what one cannot do. And yet, how often do we attempt to force ourselves to try to do what we cannot do, or beat ourselves up for not doing what we cannot do? "Do what you can, not what you can't" shifts our focus from the things we can't do (but think we should do) to the things we can do. We have been operating in crisis mode for months. Now would normally be the time some of us would find a somewhat slower rhythm, taking some time for rest, retreat, and play. Instead, life is more intense than ever--and for very good Click Here to Join Us reasons. We are having important conversations about major Virtually at 10:00am for issues as a nation, as church communities, and as families. Sunday Worship And we are acting in new ways that reflect our values and our dreams. This is all incredibly important. At the same time, we are entering the fourth month of READINGS FOR pandemic life. Now is a good time to remember to do what we SUNDAY: can, not what we can't. Today, when you read this week's e-news, you'll see that there First Reading: are many wonderful things going on at St. Andrew's--including Romans 6:1b-11 a prayer vigil, an awesome series on Black art and theology led by Celal Kamran, virtual meet-ups, the Garden of Hope, Gospel: the AFAC food drive, the book club, the recipe exchange, not Matthew 10:24-39 to mention our fantastic weekly worship and fellowship gatherings. As you look at what is available, do what you can. Pick several opportunities that will stretch or nourish you, or that you need as you grow with God and live out your faith. READERS FOR THIS Sign up or show up for those things. And then, don't do what SUNDAY: you can't. Let that be okay. It is okay. I look forward to joining you at St. Andrew's for the things you Not yet filled can do. With love and gratitude for each of you, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Rev. Dorota+ The Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski, Rector Quick Links: TODAY: A CONVERSATION WITH ARLINGTON'S St. Andrew's Website COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY PARISA DEHGHANI- TAFTI The Arlington Race Project (a collaboration between Trinity Episcopal Church and Nova Catholic Community in Arlington) invite all members of the Arlington Episcopal Region to a conversation with our Commonwealth Attorney, Parisa Deghani-Tafti. The conversation will focus on policing in Arlington and ideas for reform. This Zoom conversation will take place today, June 17, at 12:00 p.m. All are welcome. To register, please click here and enter your information. You will immediately be given a Zoom login link. THOUGHTS FROM OUR SEMINARIAN As many of you know, we have recently welcomed a five- month-old puppy into our lives. He is the cutest, sweetest and :: wildest thing I have ever had to take care of. I knew puppies are wild and they constantly need watching, but I guess in my naivete I did not believe them. Our first dog has always been a good boy, so why wouldn't our next one, I reasoned. And now I wake up at 4:30 a.m. with a dog who wants to chew on, eat, and destroy everything all the time. Our home has become very loud with constant playing, gnawing, and puppy barks. There is respite for an hour here and there when both dogs nap but it never lasts long. But despite the craziness, I am starting to love the dog, especially when he naps. Especially when he is getting ready to nap, resting his head on my lap, looking up with his big doe-like eyes, thumping his head down, and immediately falling into a deep slumber. But it does not last, and the craziness ensues as soon as his eyes open. It is that moment of calm, both for myself and Rajah, which has me hopeful for a time beyond puppy years, puppy teeth, and puppy energy. Another time I find peaceful during these long puppy days are our early morning walks, when dawn is about to break and the birds are first starting to chirp. No one is around in our courtyard, with is usually a mess of children, dogs, grills, and other community commotion. The serene atmosphere invites a prayerful mindset regardless of whether I am actively praying in that particular moment. This time in the morning seems to be brimming with hope and newness. In the chaotic business of my day, I find peace even though I would rather be in my cozy bed at that hour. Finding these quiet moments, is important for me and for all of us especially during this time. As we are adjusting to pandemic life, racial tensions are thrust into the national spotlight. There is a lot going on in all of our lives and a lot to worry about. This is why I am grateful for those quiet moments. These are moments from God, however we choose to use them, as long as we appreciate them whenever they appear. Because we can all use moments of peace and maybe they can bring us some hope. Hope for a just, safe, and loving world. BLACK ART AS A SOURCE OF LIBERATION AND THEOLOGY Join us for a virtual formation series discussing topics in liberation and theology as they appear in popular Black art. Each week we will look at a different Black artist and discuss how they showcase themes of liberation as a religious experience. We will move through the visual album, Lemonade by Beyoncé, the grand portraits of Kehinde Wiley, the potent lyrics of Kendrick Lamar, and the oftentimes jarring poetry of Langston Hughes and James Baldwin. All this will be done through the lens of our religious and racial context. Discussion will be led by our summer Seminarian, Celal Kamran. Our discussions will be Mondays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 7:15 p.m. Sign up information will be available in next week's e-news. Email Celal for more information or if you have any questions. PRAYER VIGIL FOR RACIAL HEALING On Thursday June 25th, the one-month anniversary of George Floyd's death, St. Andrew's will line our church property with luminaries, that is, white paper bags lit with LED tea lights. The bags will be decorated with prayers for racial healing, and will be lit for as many nights as weather permits, beginning on the 25th. To participate: First, add your prayers to the luminary bags. Each household is invited to take home 2-3 bags, available at the church office doors, to decorate with drawings and prayers. Please return the bags no later than noon on Thursday, June 25. Second, join us in prayer. We will not formally gather at a specific time on the evening of June 25 for safety reasons, but all members, friends, and neighbors are invited to prayerfully walk through (wearing a mask, keeping distance from one another) after sunset on the 25th, or on any day through the end of June, unless weather forces us to remove the luminaries sooner. Prayer resources will be made available for those who wish to walk the lighted path and pray. Third, consider helping us with set-up and take-down. If you are able to help with the practical aspects of this vigil, please email Rev. Dorota. FREE COVID-19 TESTING THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 19 On Friday, June 19, the County Manager's Office is sponsoring a one-day Covid-19 testing event. This event is available to those who may otherwise lack access to testing services. Tests are free, and no appointment is necessary. Drive thru and walk up testing is available beginning at 8:00 a.m. until tests run out at the Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center, located at 4200 S Four Mile Run Drive. FAMILY MINISTRY Dear ones, A special thank you to everyone who came to the Family Service of the Word this past Sunday. It really was such a treat to see you, gathered around screens in your homes, different ages and different generations. As we read the story of Abraham's hospitality from Genesis 18 I realized all over again how lucky we are to be...connected in this way. As we talked about the Rublev icon together, then Chagall's rendering of Abraham's hospitality to the three angels, I noticed new things about each work of art that have since inspired my thinking and actions. Over the last two days I've continued to think about the story we read about Abraham's hospitality, what it means to be a good host, what it means to be a good guest, and how I can help everyone have their deserved place at the table. As you all know, I truly believe art can be a fantastic point of entry into the sacred text it represents, and from there to so many of the issues of social justice we face today.