On The Table

March 22 through 28

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Stavlund) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:28:00 +0000

As we celebrate Palm Sunday this week, we will have a short church service at Jammin' Java prepared for the kids led by our very own Jen Way and Jackie Bulanow. The service will begin promptly at 11:15am and end at 11:45. We will talk about the (upside-down kingdom) ways that Jesus surprises us. The service will be short and sweet and will happen right before the picnic lunch and congregational meeting. Though it will be geared toward kids, of course all are welcome to attend. We will start at 11:15 and end at 11:45, right before we head over to Glyndon Park for a simple picnic lunch together.

But before that all begins on Sunday morning, we will be holding our bi-annual (once every two years) audio training workshop for all those interested / willing to help with tech setup and support. The training workshop is tailored for your desired level of involvement and proficiency: from wrapping a mic cable to running the new digital board that JJ recently purchased, and everything in between. All are welcome. Training on the Digital Board begins at 9am. New folks apprenticeship training begins at 10am.

Additionally, since we are working with a digital board, we get our own preset (#175) to store our settings. So to leverage this, each artist at Common Table will get their own channel or channels, and once set, mic check will be essentially finished when their mic gets plugged into their channel. So we will be asking artists to sign up for a mic check with their instruments so we can begin setting up their channel and our preset. We will ask artists to sign up on the Core list to come in at a specific time, starting at 1000. Please contact the iTeam with questions or for more information regarding the audio training.

(For those not interested in audio training, you're welcome to come at 10am and help us re-organize the worship resources and kids' toys in the cabinet and bins behind Jammin' Java.)

And finally, the Next Steps Team is pleased to see all of the energy bubbling up around the various ideals and emphases of CT. So we're looking forward to the congregational meeting on Sunday to get some updates from the various working groups that have been gathering since our last congregational meeting. We're not looking for 'deliverables' or action plans necessarily, but we'd love to hear how the process is going, what ideas are percolating, and where your energies and interests lie. We'll be meeting at the Rodman House (located in front of the Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Rd NE, Vienna, VA 22180), starting promptly at 1pm. Please come ready to listen and learn how God is leading Common Table. (Also, the Amazing Jackie has aquired the services of several responsible babysitters, so bring any kids in your care and a few bucks to say 'thanks' for this great service.)

Looking forward to a big Sunday,
Mike Stavlund

March 15th through 21st

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:11:00 +0000

Hi church,

This weekend, we'll be gathering once again at 10am on Sunday at Jammin' Java. We will be reflecting on the Desert Fathers' tradition of self-imposed exile into the desert. Come prepared for an experiential service where we will invite each other to slow down and enter the desert together.

After the service, we'll repeat our Lenten practice from two weeks ago: we'll put the money that we'd normally spend at Chipotle in the Chipotle tip jar, and share a simple picnic lunch (please pack a sandwich or the like) in the park/playground across the street.

This is the last "regular" Sunday of Lent - the week after will be Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Look for details next week on our plans for Palm Sunday (including a simple service and an afternoon congregational meeting following up on our Next Steps process), and note that we won't be at Java in two weeks for Easter - instead, we're doing our first-ever Triduum Retreat in West Virginia.

And after that - Easter Season, the return of Lamb Center karaoke, and many joyous things.

But for now, may your Lenten journey be a fruitful one.

Peace,

Mike Crtoghan

March 8th through 14th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:22:00 +0000

Hi church,

Well, like we said last week, Jammin' Java has asked us to take the week off because of a Sunday morning event they've scheduled. So no Sunday worship this week. I think some of the teams we created as part of the Next Steps discernment process might be finding times to meet (or at least conversing online) - but other than that, it's a free, rainy, early spring weekend. If you have any great ideas, let us know.

See you next Sunday, as Ken leads us in a reflection on the Desert Fathers.

Hope your Lent is blessed!

Peace,

Mike Croghan

March 1st through 7th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:11:00 +0000

Hi church,

As we continue through Lent, we're also continuing with simple worship services. It seems like a good time to pause and reflect on this winter season, which is (thank God!) winding down toward warmer weather, spring, and Easter. So please join us at 10am on Sunday at Jammin' Java, when Ken and Dee will lead us in a reflection on the snowy, chilly season that was.

A few more notes:

- Two weeks ago, we failed to live up to our Lenten tradition of giving up our post-worship Chipotle lunch money, and donating it to folks who need it. This week, we plan to correct that. Please bring your money for Chipotle, but also pack a simple, portable lunch. If you're willing, we'll have a jar for money, and after worship we'll take the contents over to Chipotle and put it all in the tip jar there for our friends who have served us lo these many years - then we'll proceed to the nearby playground to share our packed lunches.

- It's the first Sunday of the month, so bring any unwanted books (on any subject) for Book Swap, and plan to take home some new reading material for free!

- Finally, next Sunday, the 14th, we will not be gathering at Jammin' Java for a worship service. Java's got a concert (or something) that morning, and they asked us to take next weekend off.

That's all for now - have a blessed Lent.

Peace,

Mike Croghan

February 22nd through 28th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:40:00 +0000

Hey church,

Well, after kicking off Lent last weekend with (up to three) great parties and a worship service filled with lovely and meditative music, this weekend we've got no official CT Gatherings planned. In particular, it's the 4th Sunday of the month, so we won't be gathering for worship at Jammin' Java.

That said, I do have one resource and a couple of unofficial opportunities to recommend to you.

The resource is the 2010 Common Table Lenten Blog, a labor of love by our own artist and webmaestro Jon White, with help from the rest of us. Each post is one word, one drawing, and perhaps a short reflection, all of which are meant to draw us into the Lenten season of transformation. Check out the blog, or follow us on Twitter!

The first opportunity is a musical party featuring our friend Jay and his band Middle Distance Runner to raise money for the DC music showcase at SXSW in Austin Texas. It's at:

Austin Grill, 801 King Street, Alexandria, VA 703.684.8969
$5 cover, all ages, Friday Feb 26, 9pm to close. (MDR goes on at 11:45.)
Event site: http://dcdoestx.blogspot.com/
Austin Grill Site: http://www.austingrill.com/alexandria.html

The second opportunity is an Art House Party featuring a silent auction of 50 pieces of donated artwork to raise funds and awareness for displaced Haitian orphans that are being sent to live in the already overcrowded orphanages in the Dominican Republic.

Saturday, February 27, 2010, 7:00pm - 11:55pm

(auction ends at 10:30; winners announced at 11pm)

2403 Leslie Avenue, Alexandria, VA

Suggested Entry Donation: $10; ALL bids start at only $25!

Other than that, it's a free weekend. If you have good ideas, for fun, world-changing, or worship this weekend - let us know!

Peace,

Mike Croghan

February 15th through 21st

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:25:00 +0000

Hi Church!

Hey, remember when we were going to have a party, and then there was a snowstorm, and later we had the party after all? Well, at the risk of deja vu, you are cordially invited to:

Jon White Inaugural Balderdash and Martini Contest

If you were part of the Jon White Pictionary Event last year, you will have some idea of what this year's event is going to be like. (And if you weren't there, click through to the slide show and you'll get a taste!) I'm not saying Michaele and Tareq Salahi will crash this party - just that they would like to.

Where: Pete and Jackie's (12644 Stoa Ct, Herndon, VA 20170)

When: Saturday, February 20, 7:30PM

Bring: Ingredients you believe should be included in the Perfect Martini.

Dress:
Men - Black tie / International Man of Mystery
Women - Whatever goes with that

Balderdash and cards will be available.

(Yes, we know Lent just started. What's your point? Saturday is a feast day in the Common Table calendar of saints: the feast of St. Jon!)

If you're looking for a more contemplative, transformative way to begin the Lenten season, though, please join us at 10am on Sunday at Jammin' Java for our regular worship service, which will be a simple, meditative time of silence and chanting in the tradition of the Taize community. It's our third of these in recent months, with the fullest collection of gifted musicians yet to accompany us.

And that's all for this week. May your Lenten journey be blessed, and may it form you.

Peace,

Mike Croghan

February 8th through 14th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:23:00 +0000

Hi church,

Well, as I write this, I'm told that Snowpocalypse III: Snowverkill will be winding down over the next few hours, and they don't seem to think there's another one on its heels this time. (C'mon, Old Man Winter, is that all ya got? I taunt you a second time! Ha!) Anyway, and accordingly, we don't intend to cancel anything this weekend. Are we clear? Excellent.

That said, as we dig out AGAIN, we aren't making big-time plans, either: Just a worship service, and a simple one, at that. So please join us at 10am on Sunday at at Jammin' Java for a simple liturgy in the Celtic tradition of Iona, Scotland. We'll spend some much-needed time together in worship, followed by fellowship at Chipotle.

And that's it for this week. Next week, we'll gather for our third (recent) service of contemplative chanting in the Taize tradition, so please plan to join us for that, as well.

Stay warm!

Peace,

Mike Croghan

February 1st through 7th - UPDATED

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:33:00 +0000

SNOW UPDATE / CANCELLATION

The official score on this Super Bowl Snowpocalypse weekend: Snowmageddon 3, Common Table zero. Due to the overwhelming wintensity of the event some have dubbed snOMG 2010, we won't be attempting a worship gathering Sunday morning. See you next week, barring ice age - and be careful out there!

~~~~~

Hi church,

Well, last weekend, it snowed, and we postponed a party (new date still TBD), though we did have a great discussion with Mark Scandrette on Sunday evening.

This weekend...I don't know if you've heard...they're calling for some more snow. In fact, it seems, they're calling for SNOWPOCALYPSE PART DEUX! The sequel! In 3-D!

In light of that, we may or may not be having a service on Sunday morning. Watch this space for a decision on that. But if we do...

Please join us at 10am on Sunday at at Jammin' Java for a simple liturgy in the Celtic tradition of Iona, Scotland. We'll dig out and spend some much-needed time together in worship, followed by fellowship at Chipotle.

Or, we'll stay hunkered down at home and maybe help dig out some neighbors. Stay tuned.

Either way, God bless!

Peace,

Mike Croghan

February 1st through 7th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:08:00 +0000

Hi church,

Well, last weekend, it snowed, and we postponed a party (new date still TBD), though we did have a great discussion with Mark Scandrette on Sunday evening.

This weekend...I don't know if you've heard...they're calling for some more snow. In fact, it seems, they're calling for SNOWPOCALYPSE PART DEUX! The sequel! In 3-D!

In light of that, we may or may not be having a service on Sunday morning. Watch this space for a decision on that. But if we do...

Or, we'll stay hunkered down at home and maybe help dig out some neighbors. Stay tuned.

Either way, God bless!

Peace,

Mike Croghan

January 25th through 31st - UPDATED!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:11:00 +0000

SNOW UPDATE: Jon White Balderdash / Martini Contest postponed!

This is why we have so many parties: 'cause they keep getting snowed out! The update from our host:

So given this weather report: http://tiny.cc/JonWhiteSnow of mounting snow on the unsalted roads of Herndon and weather dropping into the teens tonight - I didn't want to see anyone trying to push their car out of a ditch clad in a feather boa. So we're calling off the event for tonight.

This gives everyone extra time to perfect their Martini recipe. We're considering either Feb 20th, or Mar 6th as a make up day. Let me [P3T3] know what works best.

Tomorrow night's gathering with Mark Scandrette (see below) is still on! Original post follows:

~~~~~

Hey church,

Guess what? It's party time again 'round the Table! We seem to be having a lot of parties lately, you say? Why, yes, this is true. Are you insinuating something? Let me ask you something, then. Have you read the Gospels? Hmm? Well, then you're aware that Jesus partied pretty much all the time. Uh-huh. And people gave him a hard time about it too. Thus do we share in the trials of our Lord.

ANYway...we won't be gathering at Jammin' Java for a worship service this Sunday. Instead, two parties. Here's the scoop on Party #1 from your host, P3T3:

Jon White Inaugural Balderdash and Martini Contest

If you were part of the Jon White Pictionary Event last year, you will have some idea of what this year's event is going to be like. [And if you weren't there,click through to the slide show and you'll get a taste!] I'm not saying Michaele and Tareq Salahi will crash this party - just that they would like to.

Where: Pete and Jackie's (12644 Stoa Ct, Herndon, VA 20170)

When: Saturday, January 30, 7:30PM

Bring: Ingredients you believe should be included in the Perfect Martini.

Dress:
Men - Black tie / International Man of Mystery
Women - Whatever goes with that

Balderdash and cards will be available.

Party #2 will be a rare chance to hang out with Mark Scandrette, a friend who lives with his family in San Francisco and is an author (Soul Graffiti), poet, and innovative church practitioner (ReIMAGINE). We'll meet at 7pm on Sunday at Ireland's Four Courts near the Courthouse Metro stop in Arlington (there's usually plenteous street parking on Veitch St.) to tip a few pints and dream together.

And there you have it! Next week, we'll be back to Java and our more typical schedule.

Peace,

Mike Croghan

January 25th through 31st

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:27:00 +0000

Hey church,

ANYway...we won't be gathering at Jammin' Java for a worship service this Sunday. Instead, two parties. Here's the scoop on Party #1 from your host, P3T3:

Jon White Inaugural Balderdash and Martini Contest

If you were part of the Jon White Pictionary Event last year, you will have some idea of what this year's event is going to be like. [And if you weren't there, click through to the slide show and you'll get a taste!] I'm not saying Michaele and Tareq Salahi will crash this party - just that they would like to.

Where: Pete and Jackie's (12644 Stoa Ct, Herndon, VA 20170)

When: Saturday, January 30, 7:30PM

Bring: Ingredients you believe should be included in the Perfect Martini.

Dress:
Men - Black tie / International Man of Mystery
Women - Whatever goes with that

Balderdash and cards will be available.

And there you have it! Next week, we'll be back to Java and our more typical schedule.

Peace,

Mike Croghan

January 18th through 24th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:59:00 +0000

Hi church,

Mike said it all last week, so here's the scoop again, with minor updates, for this weekend:

On Saturday, January 23, we're holding our held-over Christmas party at the Railroad Museum. The Snowpocalypse nixed our first effort, but it won't happen again! And yes, we'll still be eating chili and building gingerbread houses-- just consider it 'Christmas in January', okay? Bring your favorite chili, or just an appetite. We'll start setting up at 2:30, and finish cleaning up by 6:30.

The next day, we'll be having a Congregational Meeting to collaborate on our ongoing efforts to discern the next concerted initiative of the church. If you haven't been contacted by a member of our Next Steps Team, then please let Liz, Amy, Jackie, Erin, Mike or Mike know what you see ahead for us. We'll be meeting at Kate and Matt and Lizzy and Maddie's house starting at noon with a bring-your-own-lunch and jam session, followed by business beginning promptly at 1.

So...see you this weekend, as we party and conspire!

Peace,

Mike Croghan (the other Mike)

January 11 through 17

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Stavlund) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:50:00 +0000

Hello, Church--

We're gathering for our final January meeting at Jammin' Java this Sunday at 10am. Mike (myself) and Mike (the other Mike) will be teaming up with world-renown insight-giver Rob Bell in a consideration of 'anger'. So bring your anger (of whatever kind) and let's talk about how our anger leads us toward and away from God.

Next weekend, we'll have a couple of chances to get together to party and dream:

On Saturday, January 23, we're holding our held-over Christmas party at the Railroad Museum. The Snowpocalypse nixed our first effort, but it won't happen again! And yes, we'll still be eating chili and building gingerbread houses-- just consider it 'Christmas in January', okay? Bring your favorite chili, or just an appetite. We'll start setting up at 2:30, and finish cleaning up by 6:30.

The next day, we'll be having a Congregational Meeting to collaborate on our ongoing efforts to discern the next concerted initiative of the church. If you haven't been contacted by a member of our Next Steps Team, then please let Liz, Amy, Jackie, Erin, Mike or Mike know what you see ahead for us. And if you'd like to host our merry bunch for the meeting that day, then let us know that, too!

Later,
Mike Stavlund

January 4th through 10th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:22:00 +0000

Hi church!

Happy New Year! If you missed our rockin' Sesame Street Karaoke New Year's Eve Party, you can check out some mementos here. If you didn't miss it, thanks for making it rawk! :-)

For this week, several items:

The Mid-Week Gathering will be getting together to pray and to continue our apocalyptic discussions on Thursday evening at the House of Gamma. If you want to get in on the fun, feel free to join the mid-week group!

The Next Steps Team will meet on Saturday morning to try to harmonize the input from each and every person who cares about Common Table regarding the Next Big Thing we're going to do together as a community. Which means that if you care about CT, please contact Liz, Amy, Jackie, Erin, Mike or Mike this week to tell us your BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) for the Table. (And chances are one of us will be contacting you very soon!)

Finally, join us at 10am at Jammin' Java for our regular worship service, which will be a simple, contemplative time of silence and chanting in the tradition of the Taize community - similar to our Taize gathering in November.

That's all I got. May 2010 be a year of blessings for all of us!

Peace,

Mike Croghan

December 28th, 2009 - January 3rd, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Hi church,

Two events to speak of this week. First, let's have a Sesame Street New Year's Eve party!

Where? Tina and Mike's place: 13337 Feldman Place, Herndon, VA 20170

When? 6pm - midnight (and beyond!), Thursday, 31 December, 2009

What? Come dressed as your favorite Sesame Street Character for extra points! Or, just come as yourself. We will provide some munchies and beverages, our karaoke machine, one dog and one cat (if you're very allergic, please note!), and a party atmosphere.

Second, we'll be gathering for our first worship service of the new year at 10am on Sunday at Jammin' Java. To start the year off on the right foot, our first gathering will be simple and prayerful.

And that's all for this year. See you in the next!

Peace,

Mike Croghan

December 21st through 27th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:07:00 +0000

Merry Christmas from Common Table!

We aren't planning any official gatherings. Hope you're gathering with family and friends, and that your celebration of the Nativity is a warm and joyous one! If you're looking for someone to spend Christmas with, please do contact us and we'll do our best to hook you up.

Peace, joy,

The Common Table

December 14th through 20th - UPDATED AGAIN

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:06:00 +0000

SECOND UPDATE: OK, we're cancelling Sunday's worship service, AND the Christmas party scheduled for today, Saturday, due to the Winter Wallop. Stay tuned for deets on a possible Epiphany Party, and stay warm and safe!

Hey church,

As we slog toward the solstice, hope your Advent is bright! We have three items on the table for this week:

First, our new-ish Mid-Week Gathering is getting together tonight (Thursday) evening at about 7pm, and we're going Christmas caroling! We might also do some personal storytelling. And there will certainly be cocoa. And prayer! If you'd like to join us tonight, or you want to find out more about these gatherings, give us a shout - we don't always mention them here due to timing and changing plans, but we can get you in the loop.

Second, on Saturday we will NOT have our annual CT Christmas Party! (The winter storm has stopped us.) :-(

Third, we will NOT gather for worship at 10am on Sunday at Jammin' Java. If we had, here's what Amy Moffitt had to say about the service:

We're wrapping up our 3 part Advent series on waiting through Mary's eyes by pulling our focus in even further to the Magnificat itself as the battle cry of the revolutionary, a picture of God's coming Kingdom on earth... the powerful overthrown, the poor made rich. And we'll consider what it means to view Mary--and what God was doing through Mary-- through that lens, as a political rebel, and overthrower of the status quo.

So you could meditate on while you're snowed in. :-)

And fourth, well, if we don't see you before then, have a very merry and joyful Christmas! And stay tuned for deets on the great Common Table New Year's Party. It will be brought to you by the number 10 and the letter X. Get your Bert and Ernie groove ready.

Peace,
Mike Croghan

December 14th through 20th - UPDATED

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:47:00 +0000

UPDATE: The Christmas party scheduled for today, Saturday, has been cancelled (or at least postponed) due to the Winter Wallop. Stay tuned for deets on a possible Epiphany Party! We're not cancelling Sunday's worship service yet - but stay tuned about that too.

Hey church,

As we slog toward the solstice, hope your Advent is bright! We have three items on the table for this week:

First, our new-ish Mid-Week Gathering is getting together tonight (Thursday) evening at about 7pm, and we're going Christmas caroling! We might also do some personal storytelling. And there will certainly be cocoa. And prayer! If you'd like to join us tonight, or you want to find out more about these gatherings, give us a shout - we don't always mention them here due to timing and changing plans, but we can get you in the loop.

Second, on Saturday we NOT will have our annual CT Christmas Party! (The winter storm has stopped us.) :-(

Third, we'll (hopefully) gather for worship at 10am on Sunday at Jammin' Java. Here's Amy Moffitt:

We're wrapping up our 3 part Advent series on waiting through Mary's eyes by pulling our focus in even further to the Magnificat itself as the battle cry of the revolutionary, a picture of God's coming Kingdom on earth... the powerful overthrown, the poor made rich. And we'll consider what it means to view Mary--and what God was doing through Mary-- through that lens, as a political rebel, and overthrower of the status quo.

And fourth, well, if we don't see you before then, have a very merry and joyful Christmas! And stay tuned for deets on the great Common Table New Year's Party. It will be brought to you by the number 10 and the letter X. Get your Bert and Ernie groove ready.

Peace,
Mike Croghan

December 14th through 20th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:14:00 +0000

Hey church,

As we slog toward the solstice, hope your Advent is bright! We have three items on the table for this week:

First, our new-ish Mid-Week Gathering is getting together tonight (Thursday) evening at about 7pm, and we're going Christmas caroling! We might also do some personal storytelling. And there will certainly be cocoa. And prayer! If you'd like to join us tonight, or you want to find out more about these gatherings, give us a shout - we don't always mention them here due to timing and changing plans, but we can get you in the loop.

Second, on Saturday we will have our annual CT Christmas Party! (And no winter storm will stop us!!) Deets:

Where: Fairfax Station Railroad Museum
11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039-1011

When: 4pm - 8pm, including chili contest, gingerbread house contest, food, drink, and fellowship!

Third, we'll gather for worship at 10am on Sunday at Jammin' Java. Here's Amy Moffitt:

We're wrapping up our 3 part Advent series on waiting through Mary's eyes by pulling our focus in even further to the Magnificat itself as the battle cry of the revolutionary, a picture of God's coming Kingdom on earth... the powerful overthrown, the poor made rich. And we'll consider what it means to view Mary--and what God was doing through Mary-- through that lens, as a political rebel, and overthrower of the status quo.

And fourth, well, if we don't see you before then, have a very merry and joyful Christmas! And stay tuned for deets on the great Common Table New Year's Party. It will be brought to you by the number 10 and the letter X. Get your Bert and Ernie groove ready.

Peace,
Mike Croghan

December 7th through 13th

noreply@blogger.com (Common Table Org) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:21:00 +0000

This week (Sunday at 10am at Jammin' Java) we continue with our Advent contemplation of Mary's experiences of waiting by stepping back from the mundane to the miraculous, contemplating what it was like to wait for the birth of the Messiah. We'll start by pulling Mary's very human experience closer to us by hearing from some of the Moms in our congregation about their experiences of waiting for childbirth, with all that entails: change, joy, pain, sadness, boredom, sickness and joyful anticipation... lives disrupted, shattered, turned upside down, and yes, made whole again... the eucatastrophe of conceiving and bringing another soul into our beautiful, broken world.

If you haven't had kids or can't have kids, please come out and join us anyway. You were a kid, remember? You're part of this, too.

And we'll see where that takes us.

And then we'll eat burritos.

- Amy Moffitt

November 30 through December 6

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Stavlund) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:16:00 +0000

Hey! It's December, and you know what that means, right? Chri--- whoa, hold yer horses, there, pardner! not so fast...

At least in our pseudo-liturgical kinda-tradition, the days leading up to December 25 are about waiting. Or, in other words, Advent. That time of year when we restrain all of our rushing toward Christmas, and encapsulate some of the unfulfilled hopes we have as we slow down and focus on the waiting that all of creation is doing for the fulfillment of God's purposes. We wait for the Christ child, and we wait for the completion of all of his hopes and dreams for the world.

So we hope you can come out and wait with us this Sunday at 10am at Jammin' Java. We'll be sharpening our sense of expectancy and sharing our hopes with one another. And, we may even let out a groan or two. It'll be fun and poignant, restrained and effusive. And we'll eat burritos afterward.

Hope to see you there,
Mike Stavlund

November 23rd - 29th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Hi church,

Sorry for the late post, and happy Thanksgiving weekend!!!

I don't believe we have anything in particular planned, except for time spent with loved ones, in gratitude for God's many gifts.

But here's a biggie we can add to our prayers of thanks: God's coming to us as a human being. This Sunday, the 29th, is actually the first Sunday of Advent, the season in which we prepare our hearts for the coming of God incarnate. If you feel called to do so, spend part of Sunday in worship, beginning this preparation, this waiting, this anticipation. If you want, invite us along, or tell us afterward what you heard from the Spirit and from God's people.

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In gratitude,
Mike Croghan

November 16 to 22

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Stavlund) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Hello, friends. In our regularly irregular Common Table schedule, we come to the fourth week in November-- a time to get away from the confines of Jammin' Java and to try to do some good in the world.

This week's update comes from our own Vince Gamma:

It's getting to be that time of year where we give thanks, give gifts, and give a piece of ourselves (well, maybe even a little more so than we normally do). With that in mind, we will convene for one of our periodic Service Days this Sunday, meeting at the Gamma’s (5121 8th Rd N, Arlington, VA) at 1 PM to partake in an Operation Christmas Child (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/) shoebox stuffing event. Come with a shoebox (if you've got one) and some shoebox stuffing goodies so that we may assemble them together with love for our little brothers and sisters abroad. Bring some meat for the grill, a side dish, and a beverage and join us for some sweet fellowship in Jesus afterwards. Or just bring yourself - that would be the best thing!

---------------------------------

A big thanks to Vince and Suzy for organizing our herd of cats into a force for good this weekend! We hope to see you Sunday.

Mike Stavlund

November 9 through 15

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Stavlund) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:21:00 +0000

It's been almost a week, and I'm still humming two tunes from last Friday's Lamb Center Karaoke. One is that classic tune from Creed, "Ca-aan Yoou Take Meigh High-yuh", which is a serious earworm by any measure, simultaneously catchy and irritating for it's cheesy lyrics. But the other was the Dolly Parton/ Whitney Houston song "I Will Always Love You," which was sung with such precision and devotion that I was completely undone. Wow, I love me some Lamb Center Karaoke. Thanks to Mike Croghan and many others who led that event for this past season.

This Sunday, in yet another example of rampant collaboration and courageous participation, one of our newish members is leading out. Join us at Jammin' Java at 10am this Sunday as the recent star of our virtual, unauthorized theology pub and all around great guy Craig leads us in a consideration of the many facets of Jesus. We'll look at the ways Jesus is understood by various religious groups, the ways in we have perceived him, and how all of this sells the real Jesus short. It promises to be an informative, enjoyable, and fun engagement with Jesus and one another.

And don't forget that the 9:30 (a.m.) Club, a open-source blend of musical and other worship, will be meeting at (wait for it...) 9:30am that day. Come on out to play, or participate, or just enjoy the environment.

Hope to see you there,
Mike Stavlund

November 2nd through 8th

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Croghan) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Hi church,

Well, it's November. Not sure how that happened. Nothing much we can do about it, though. And it's feeling like a gorgeous autumn!

Three things on the Table this week:

1) Friday evening, we'll be gathering at The Lamb Center for our final karaoke night of the year. Come at 6:30 for prayer and pizza, and stay for song, joy, and chutzpah. At 8, it's all over - at least until the spring!

2) Saturday morning, at 10am, the "Next Steps Team" will meet to work on discerning a process for figuring out where we're going next as a community. Please say a prayer for Liz, Erin, Jackie, Amy, Mike, and Mike as we try to hear the Spirit's voice in our midst.

3) Sunday morning at 9:30am, please join us at Jammin' Java for the "9:30am Club" - a free and open time of worshipful music and anything else folks want to bring - prayer, poetry, etc. - it's all good! After that, at 10am, we'll gather for our regular worship service, which will also be musical - a simple, contemplative time of silence and chanting in the tradition of the Taize community.

That's it for now. Hope God is smiling on this season in all of our lives.

Peace,
Mike Croghan