Midweek Announcements for September 9, 2020

God’s Work Our Hands - Rally Day Drop Off Event
September 13th, 11:00am - 1:00pm, Rain date September 20

Due to COVID restrictions, we will collect your donations outside at the front of the church.

Personal Care Kits - see directions below

We will be collecting Personal Care Kits to help replace the more than 47,000 Quilts and Kits that were destroyed in the recent explosion in Beirut.

AND

Fill the APS School Bus with NEW socks and underwear- Sizes 3T through 14/16

Arlington Public Schools (APS) are in need of NEW socks and underwear for students. You can donate money (cash or check) and Angie Brooke will shop for you OR bring NEW socks and underwear in its original packaging and fill our APS School Bus. Checks can be made out to RELC, with APS on the memo line - Donation bucket will be on the bus.

We will also have supplies that you can pick up and take home with you on September 13:

Pet Blankets - benefitting Lost Dog Rescue please return completed blankets, September 20, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Sidewalk CHALK - Chalk it up to Spreading God’s Love be creative, make sidewalk drawings and send your photos to Angie Brooke. We will create a photo gallery on our Facebook page and website. Text 703 989-0979 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Postcards and Cards - Send some love to our RELC friends Mail a postcard or make a card and let them know that you are thinking of them.

Personal Care Kit instructions (please drop off assembled kits September 13)

  • dark color light-weight bath-size towels (between 20"×40" & 52"×27")
  • 2-3 bath-size (3-4 oz. for a total of 8-9 oz.) bars of soap, any brand in original wrapping
  • adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging
  • sturdy comb
  • metal nail clippers.

Wrap the soap, tooth brush, comb and nail clippers in the towel and tie together with yarn or string. Go to https://lwr.org/kitvideos OR https://youtu.be/bbrsNn0j5D0 to see a video explaining how to assemble a Personal Care Kit. Since we cannot meet together to produce the kits, we ask that you assemble the kits and bring to Resurrection on Sunday, September 13 when we will be present to accept your donations. We will also accept monetary donations. Make checks to “RELC” and indicate “personal care kits” in the memo line. If you have any questions or want more information, contact Anita Nolen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 703-533-2953).

ALSO

Next week will be our Blessing of the Backpacks, ipads, Computers... We will be able to do this in 3 ways on Sunday, September 13:

  1. Pastor will have a blessing during Sunday's online service
  2. IF you come to the church to drop off or pick up any items for our Rally Day event, outside, YOUR CHILD can be blessed on the spot!
  3. We will have a ZOOM blessing at 3:00, September 13. We will meet with Pastor on ZOOM. This is for all children/youth entering into school this year, whether it be virtual or in person. College kids too! I will send the ZOOM out on Friday, September 11. College Parents, please forward the ZOOM to your college student(s)

The best ways to contact Pastor Linman

As patterns of and rhythms for communication continue to evolve, here are the best and most direct ways to contact Pastor Linman. The email address given for his professional and pastoral use is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Pastor Linman’s direct dial phone number in the church office, which he monitors throughout the day even when he’s not in the office is: 703-972-2076. Pastor Invites You to Send Him a Photo of You and Your Family: Since we are not currently worshiping in person, and I am not seeing you Sunday to Sunday, and when I do happen to see you, masks are likely covering most of your faces because of the pandemic! Moreover, Resurrection’s most recent photo directory was produced six years ago in 2014, and all people, young and older, tend to age. Thus, it’s a challenge for me to put names to faces. In order to assist me with efforts to get to know you by way of linking names with faces, I invite you to send to me a recent photo of you and your family. I would use these photos strictly for my personal use – they would not be published or used in any way except to assist me in my effort to get to know you as members of the flock I have been called to shepherd. If you feel comfortable sending such a photo electronically, that would be fine (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), but I would print it out and then delete the email file. Or perhaps you’d feel more comfortable sending me a photo via US Postal Service to the church address, 6201 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22205. In either case, I would deeply appreciate your photos – which would also occasion my prayers for you as well. I will see your faces, review your names, and offer prayer for your well-being during these unprecedented times! Thank you! Pastor Linman

Other Announcements?

Should you have announcements that you wish to communicate in this weekly message as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please contact Monika at the office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by late Monday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Wednesday. Thanks!

Children’s Ministry

ZOOM time with Ms. Angie continues every Monday at 2:00. If you are interested and have not yet joined, you are missing out on some FUN TIMES. Upcoming events: Quick Draw, Indoor Scavenger Hunt, Charades and CarryOut VBS. Our Wine and Whine event for parents continues every other Friday, beginning at 7:30 for an hour give or take. More details coming to an inbox near you. If you do not receive emails from me and are interested in any of the above, please reach out to Angie Brooke at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. OR call 703 972-2086.

Youth Ministry

Provided is a Home Faith Formation Calendar, updated each week with the following week’s recorded content. For those who couldn’t tune in live, see those resources available to you now. Check out too suggestive home activities, lectionary readings, and resources for racial justice for all ages.

ELCA Metro D.C. Synod News

$624,000 in Humanitarian Aid Destroyed in Beirut Explosion

Lutheran World Relief recently learned that three 40-foot shipping containers filled with thousands of handmade mission quilts and school, personal and baby care kits were destroyed in the devastating August 4 explosions at the port of Beirut, Lebanon.

The shipment was destined for refugees living in Lebanon, principally from Syria and the Palestinian territories. The containers were part of a shipment to be distributed by Anera, an NGO and longtime Lutheran World Relief partner that serves refugees and other vulnerable communities in the Middle East. The total value of the lost shipments was approximately $624,000.

The loss of more than 47,000 quilts, sewn by individuals and members of Lutheran congregations across the U.S., could mean a more bitter winter for thousands of refugees. Help replace the kits and quilts by learning more here. To donate, visit https://lwr.org/beirut

Season of Creation Devotions for September 1 - October 4

Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions to observe the Season of Creation 2020, Sept. 1–Oct. 4.

In the opening devotion, the leaders stress the significance of a collective responsibility in caring for creation. "Waking up to matters of climate justice and environmental stewardship are among the most important callings people have today. Over many years, through many voices, our churches have come to a growing conviction that loving our neighbor includes loving Mother Earth as a neighbor."

Please click here to access devotions.

Lutherans Restoring Creation
Online Worship Service available for September 20

Lutherans Restoring Creation is busy preparing a creation-focused worship service utilizing the lectionary texts for Sunday, September 20, 2020 that congregations can download and use however they wish. The service will include participants from all over the country including ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, Rev. Lenny Duncan, Rebekah Bruesehoff, as well as numerous parish pastors and members of the Lutherans Restoring Creation Board of Directors. Music will be provided by Marty Haugen, the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, and Pastor John Tirro. Register here to receive a link on Monday, September 14 to download the worship service video as well as the service bulletin.

Support Mar-Lu-Ridge
Walkathon on September 27, Virtual Option Available

The annual Walkathon to raise gifts for the year-round ministry of Mar-Lu-Ridge will take place in person, Sunday, September 27. Face masks and distancing are encouraged. No pets, please. Come home to MLR for a day of fellowship, exercise, and worship!

1:00 p.m. – registration begins at the pavilion

1:30 p.m. – walk begins (walk the camp road or hike on the trails)

3:30 p.m. – a grab-and-go supper will be available

4:00 p.m. – outdoor worship

Financial Update

August Financial Update. The below chart is a summary of RELC’s finances for the year to date as of July 31, 2020. The columns titled “(a) YTD Giving,” “(b) YTD Expenses” and “(c) Giving minus Expenses” provide key data for our three primary financial funds. This data shows that our giving is slightly above our actual expenses for the YTD but well below our giving levels for this time last year. We continue to see the negative impact of the cancellation of Sunday services on our giving and slowed giving common during the summer months. Please continue to send in your weekly contributions which can be made through Simply Giving, by using the “Donate Now” button on RELC’s website or by sending your contribution check to the church office in the US Mail.

Please prayerfully consider what this information means to you as we work together to support RELC’s ministries. 

  (a) YTD Giving(b) YTD Expenses(c) Giving-Expenses(d) Giving as %
of Budget
(e) Change from
2019 Giving
General Fund 209,581 218,455 (8,874) 68% (14,917)
Benevolence 36,753 29,904 6,849 61% (3,205)
Renovation 12,464 831 11,633 106% (1,735)
TOTAL 258,798 249,190 9,608 68% (19,857)


RELC Offerings

Our community is facing a challenging time as it continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and the economic damage resulting from business closures, now compounded by the suffering of racial injustice. Despite our separation, it’s important for us to maintain our financial support for the church and its ministries in the community – and, if possible, to considering increasing that support to address our neighbors’ immediate needs. As our church determines how it can best serve the community, please ensure that it has the resources needed to provide that help. You can make your offering by using the “Donate Now” button on the RELC website or by mailing your offering to our office at 6201 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA, 22205.

AFAC Food Collection
When: September 20th, from 11:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Washington Blvd. Entrance

RELC will continue collecting food donations for AFAC every two weeks. Our next collection will be Sunday, September 20th, from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Washington Blvd entrance. Due to the pandemic, the need for food is increasing daily. AFAC needs canned vegetables , cereal (low sugar), canned tuna, canned tomato products (stewed, diced, paste), and peanut butter (in plastic jars). Members of the Social Ministry Committee will be there to assist you with your donation. Monetary contributions, which enable AFAC to purchase more perishable items are accepted and welcomed. All donations will be delivered to AFAC Monday morning. We will also collect for Doorways and A-SPAN. Doorways and A-SPAN especially need protein bars, cereal bars and household items including cleaning sprays, paper towels, trash bags, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and full-size toiletries. Monetary contributions, (checks made payable to AFAC, Doorways or A-SPAN) are welcomed. RELC offerings will also be accepted. Any questions? Contact Edd Nolen , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 703-533-2953.

Care Takers For RELC’s Plot Against Hunger Garden

Our Plot Against Hunger garden is in full swing! We are looking for a few more people to help us water, weed, and harvest during the summer. Please sign up on this link to volunteer for a week of watering the RELC garden: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040a4babad2cabff2-help. If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Wine (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Monica Hirschberg (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We appreciate your help!