News

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Sunday, November 20

9:10 a.m. – Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Pastor Gordon Lathrop presiding.
5:30 p.m. – Confirmation Class will meet in the Parish Hall.
6:30 p.m. – Confirmation and Youth Group dinner followed by assembling “Treats for Troops” packages in the Parish Hall.

Thursday, November 24

2:00 p.m. – Thanksgiving Dinner in the Parish Hall.

Sunday, November 27

9:10 a.m. – Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Pastor Gordon Lathrop presiding.
11:30 a.m. – Holiday Wreath Making in the Parish Hall. 

Sunday Supply Pastors

We celebrate Christ the King Sunday this week with Pastor Gordon Lathrop leading our worship service. Pastor Lathrop will also preside and preach on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27.

Resurrection is fortunate to have an outstanding group of guest clergy joining us for our Advent and Christmas services, with Rev. Dr. Sarah Colvin, former Rector at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Vashon Island, Washington, presiding on December 4. Prof. James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary will return to preside on December 11, followed by Pastor Lathrop on December 18. Pastor Wally Jensen will celebrate our Christmas Eve service with us, and Pastor Lathrop will lead services on Christmas Day.

Congregation COVID Protections

As our church continues to monitor infections of COVID, RSV, and influenza, the wearing of masks at church remains optional as long as Arlington County's COVID-19 community level remains “low” based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assessment as tracked by our Reopening Planning Group. Congregants are encouraged to wear masks if they choose to. The church continues to monitor the county’s level and will make adjustments in precautions as necessary based on the CDC assessment.

The Reopening Planning Group also encourages congregants to continue to maintain appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Our pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be guided by parents’ feedback. Congregants are also encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations, and anyone not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Doorways’ Winter Wishes Deadline Extended

Haven’t yet made your donation to support Doorways’ Winter Wishes Donation Drive? It’s not too late! Resurrection can still receive your donation this Sunday, November 20. This holiday season, our church is supporting Doorways, the Arlington organization assisting families coming out of domestic violence situations, in its drive to give each parent and child it serves the opportunity to choose a winter coat. Contributing a $50.00 gift card for one new coat, $100.00 for a family to spend, or any amount from either Target or Visa, will be greatly appreciated and bring warmth and happiness to the recipients this holiday season.

Doorways will also be receiving Resurrection’s Advent offerings, but the Winter Wishes Donation Drive needs your support now – a basket for contributions is in the Narthex. Please write the amount of your donation on the gift card.

Collection of Food Items for AFAC This Sunday

We will again receive donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, November 20, in conjunction with our regular worship service. In the coming weeks, December 4 and 18 will also be AFAC Sundays.

Last Call for Soldiers’ Angels – Treats for Troops

Sunday is your last week to bring any leftover Halloween Candy for the Youth Group's “Soldiers’ Angels - Treats for Troops" packing event. You will find our collection basket in the Narthex.

Confirmation will meet on Sunday, November 20, from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Youth Group will join the Confirmands at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and following dinner we will pack "Thank YOU" treat bags for the "Soldiers' Angels - Treats for Troops" program.

Mark your calendars with our upcoming meeting dates for Confirmation and Youth Group, November 20, December 4 and 18.

Join Resurrection’s Sunday School

Sunday school for 3 years through 5th grade will meet Sunday mornings in the Parish Hall at 9:10 a.m. We have a lot of learning, games, art, video clips, conversation, prayer, challenges, laughter and FUN that takes place when we are together. Come join us! If you would like to be added to our email list, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thanksgiving at Resurrection

On Thursday, November 24, at 2:00 p.m., Resurrection Church will hold Thanksgiving Dinner in the Parish Hall. RELC members are welcome to gather beforehand at 1:30 p.m. RELC will provide the turkey, stuffing and drinks. RELC members may sign up to bring appetizers, vegetable or other side dishes, cranberry sauce, salads and/or dessert. This is your chance to show off your culinary skills as well as a treasured family recipe!

If you and your family would like to join in the celebration, please fill out the sign-up sheet in the Narthex, so that we may plan on how many places to set.

And on that note, don’t forget about the Arlington Turkey Trot! It’s a 3.2-mile route, which you can run, walk, or saunter through. It benefits Arlington charities, including AFAC, and it is a good way to build up some energy to tackle that second piece of pumpkin pie! Join your fellow members of Resurrection on the course by registering online at the Arlington Turkey Trot.

Holiday Wreath Making on November 27

Join us for our ANNUAL Wreath Making Event, Sunday, November 27, in the Parish Hall. Following the Worship Service, grab some coffee and treats, and, then, some greens. We will provide all of the supplies needed, including the greens (you are welcome to bring some greens, as well, for variety). There are 3 ways to sign up: 1) see the insert in the bulletin and place it in the offering plate; 2) sign up in the Narthex; or, 3) reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Reserve Your Poinsettias for Christmas

In its annual Christmas celebration, Resurrection traditionally decorates the church with poinsettias adorning the Sanctuary in honor or memory of family and friends. Reserve your poinsettias this Sunday by filling out the form provided in the Narthex along with our worship program. A donation of $15 for each poinsettia is suggested. Please include cash or a check made out to Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church with a notation that it is for poinsettias and simply place them in the offering trays. Please return your completed form and donation no later than Sunday, December 4. Reserved poinsettias are yours to take after the conclusion of the January 8, 2023, church service.

Advent Mid-Week Services

Please join us for Advent mid-week virtual services, Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The theme is “Waiting with the Saints – Advent Evening Prayer” – 

November 30 – Andrew
December 7 – Ambrose
December 14 – John of the Cross
December 21 – Winter Solstice

Each service will include an introduction by Gail Ramshaw. The liturgy will be led by our own members. Look for a Constant Contact email on Tuesdays, which will include the Zoom link and a copy of the bulletin.

Member Information Form

Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex – we urge each member of the congregation to fill one out and return it to the church office.

Call for Content: November/December Issue of "The Steeple Light"

Please send any news articles (from November through December), updates on projects or new initiatives, calendar items and photographs to editor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 12:00 p.m. noon on Monday, November 28. Thank you, in advance, for your submissions.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of November. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Sunday, November 13

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. James Farwell of Virginia Theological Seminary presiding.
1:00 p.m. – Finnish Congregation worship service in the Sanctuary.

Thursday, November 17

11:00 a.m. – Funeral service for Clarence Kipps in the Sanctuary; reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

Sunday, November 20

9:10 a.m. – Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Pastor Gordon Lathrop presiding.
5:30 p.m. – Confirmation Class will meet in the Parish Hall.
6:30 p.m. – Youth Group assembling “Treats for Troops” packages in the Parish Hall.

Sunday Supply Pastors

We are pleased to welcome back Prof. James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary to preach and preside at this Sunday’s service. Pastor Gordon Lathrop will lead our services on November 20 and again on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27.

An exceptional group of guest clergy will be joining us for our Advent and Christmas services, with Rev. Dr. Sarah Colvin, former Rector at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Vashon Island, Washington, presiding on December 4. Prof. Farwell will return on December 11, followed by Pastor Lathrop on December 18. Pastor Wally Jensen will celebrate our Christmas Eve service with us, and Pastor Lathrop will lead services on Christmas Day.

Congregation COVID Protections

As our church continues to monitor infections of COVID, RSV, and influenza, the wearing of masks at church remains optional as long as Arlington County's COVID-19 community level remains “low” based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assessment as tracked by our Reopening Planning Group. Congregants are encouraged to wear masks if they choose to. The church continues to monitor the county’s level and will make adjustments in precautions as necessary based on the CDC assessment.

The Reopening Planning Group also encourages congregants to continue to maintain appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Our pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be guided by parents’ feedback. Congregants are also encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations, and anyone not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Deadline for Doorways’ Winter Wishes Donation Drive

Sunday, November 20, is the deadline for you to support Doorways’ Winter Wishes Donation Drive. Resurrection is supporting Doorways, the Arlington organization assisting families coming out of domestic violence situations, in its holiday season drive to give each parent and child it serves the opportunity to choose a winter coat. Contributing a $50.00 gift card for one new coat, $100.00 for a family to spend, or any amount from either Target or Visa, will be greatly appreciated and bring warmth and happiness to the recipients this holiday season.

Resurrection’s Advent offerings will also go to Doorways, but this is the last Sunday to contribute to the Winter Wishes Donation Drive. Please join in helping these families – a basket for contributions is in the Narthex. Please write the amount of your donation on the gift card.

Halloween Candy Donations for Soldiers' Angels - Treats for Troops

It’s not too late to share your leftover Halloween candy or sweets from your own “trick-or-treat” bag with our troops. Our youth groups will still be collecting candy the next two Sundays, November 13 and 20, and preparing gift bags for the “Treats for Troops” program. Containers to collect your candy donations will be in the Narthex.

Are there Resurrection family members who are currently serving in the military? If so, please send their mailing addresses to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that they can be included in the Youth Group’s “Treats for Troops” project.

Thanksgiving at Resurrection

On Thursday, November 24, at 2:00 p.m., Resurrection Church will hold Thanksgiving Dinner in the Parish Hall. RELC members are welcome to gather beforehand at 1:30 p.m. RELC will provide the turkey, stuffing and drinks. RELC members may sign up to bring appetizers, vegetable or other side dishes, cranberry sauce, salads and/or dessert. This is your chance to show off your culinary skills as well as a treasured family recipe!

If you and your family would like to join in the celebration, please fill out the sign-up sheet in the Narthex, so that we may plan on how many places to set.

And on that note, don’t forget about the Arlington Turkey Trot! It’s a 3.2 mile route, which you can run, walk, or saunter through. It benefits Arlington charities, including AFAC, and it is a good way to build up some energy to tackle that second piece of pumpkin pie! Join your fellow members of Resurrection on the course by registering online at the Arlington Turkey Trot.

Collection of Food Items for AFAC This Sunday

We will again receive donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, November 20, in conjunction with our regular worship service. In the coming weeks, December 4 and 18 will also be AFAC Sundays.

Holiday Wreath Making on November 27

Mark your calendars for our Annual Holiday Wreath Making event on Sunday, November 27, following the worship service in the Parish Hall. Sign-up sheets will be available in the Narthex and in the Parish Hall. The suggested donation for all of the wreath-making supplies is $10.00, which will benefit our youth attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering in 2024.

Advent Mid-Week Services

Please join us for Advent mid-week virtual services, Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The theme is “Waiting with the Saints – Advent Evening Prayer” – 

November 30 – Andrew
December 7 – Ambrose
December 14 – John of the Cross
December 21 – Winter Solstice

Each service will include an introduction by Gail Ramshaw. The liturgy will be led by our own members. Look for a Constant Contact email on Tuesdays, which will include the Zoom link and a copy of the bulletin.

Member Information Form

Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex – we urge each member of the congregation to fill one out and return it to the church office.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of November. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

All Saints Sunday, November 6

Remember: Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. this Sunday, Nov. 6 – please don’t forget to re-set your clocks and “fall back” to Eastern Standard Time.

9:10 a.m. – Sunday School for 3-year-olds through 5th graders in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Rector Andrew Merrow, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, presiding.
3:00 p.m. – Youth Group will meet to get the "Plot Against Hunger" ready for winter.
4:00 p.m. – Confirmation Class will meet in the Parish Hall (please note the time change for this week).

Monday, November 7

7:30 p.m. – Congregation Council Executive Committee will meet virtually.

Thursday, November 10

7:30 p.m. – Congregation Council will meet virtually.

Sunday, November 13

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. James Farwell of Virginia Theological Seminary presiding. 1:00 p.m. – Finnish Congregation worship service in the Sanctuary.

Sunday Supply Pastors

Our exceptional array of guest clergy continues this week with Andrew Merrow, Rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, presiding and preaching at All Saints Sunday. We also look forward to welcoming back Prof. James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary on November 13 and having Pastor Gordon Lathrop lead our services on November 20 and on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27.

Congregation COVID Protections

RELC is aware of the recent news coverage of an impending "Tridemic" of RSV-COVID-Influenza as the season progresses. The wearing of masks at Resurrection remains optional as long as Arlington County's COVID-19 community level remains "low" as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assessment and as monitored by the Reopening Planning Group. Congregants are encouraged to wear masks if they choose to. The church continues to monitor the county’s level and will make adjustments in precautions as necessary based on the CDC assessment.

Congregants should also continue to maintain appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Our pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be guided by parents’ feedback. Congregants are also encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations, and anyone not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Halloween Candy Donations for Soldiers' Angels - Treats for Troops

Please bring any of your leftover Halloween candy or candy that you’d like to donate from your own “trick-or-treat” bag to church this Sunday, November 6. Our youth will prepare bags of candy for the “Treats for Troops” program. Containers to collect your candy will be in the Narthex.

Collection of Food Items for AFAC This Sunday

We will receive donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, November 6, in conjunction with our regular worship service. In the coming weeks, our AFAC Sundays will be on November 20, December 4, and December 18.

List of Saints for All Saints Sunday

On All Saints Sunday, November 6, as is our custom, we will be including the names of members and others who have died during the past year in the prayers that day. If you wish to add the names of family members or friends who have died since November 2021, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or see Steve Black or Cindy Reese, by this Sunday, October 30.

Thanksgiving at Resurrection

What are your plans for Thanksgiving dinner this year? The Fellowship Committee is trying to determine if enough members of the congregation are interested in bringing back the traditional Thanksgiving meal here at Resurrection. If you and your family would like to join us for turkey and trimmings on Thanksgiving Day, please let the committee know by filling out the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

Holiday Wreath Making on November 27

Mark your calendars for our Annual Holiday Wreath Making event on Sunday, November 27, following the worship service in the Parish Hall. Sign-up sheets will be available in the Narthex and in the Parish Hall. The suggested donation for all of the wreath-making supplies is $10.00, which will benefit our youth attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering in 2024.

Doorways Winter Wishes Donation Drive

This Advent Season, Resurrection Lutheran Church is supporting Doorways, an Arlington organization that assists families coming out of domestic violence situations and assists them in starting a pathway forward. Advent offerings will go to Doorways as well as supporting their Winter Wishes Donation Drive. This holiday season, Doorways would like to be able to give each parent and child the opportunity to choose a winter coat. Contributing a $50.00 gift card for one new coat, $100.00 for a family to spend, or any amount from either Target or Visa, will be greatly appreciated and bring warmth and happiness to the recipients this holiday season.

A basket for contributions will be placed in the Narthex each Sunday until November 20. Please write the amount of your donation on the gift card. Your participation is appreciated.

Member Information Form

Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex – we urge each member of the congregation to fill one out and return it to the church office.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of November. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Reformation Sunday, October 30

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. James Farwell of Virginia Theological Seminary presiding. The Resurrection Choir, led by Barbara Verdile, will sing the Motet "Jesu, Meine Freude" by J. S. Bach in the course of the liturgy.

11:15 a.m. – Creation Care Team meeting in Room 13.

11:15 a.m. – Finance Committee meeting in the Library.

All Saints Sunday, November 6

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Rector Andrew Merrow, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, presiding.

Sunday Supply Pastors

We continue to welcome an outstanding group of guest clergy to preside at our Sunday worship services this fall. This Sunday we welcome back Prof. James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary to lead our worship service celebrating Reformation Sunday.

On All Saints Sunday, November 6, we will be joined by Andrew Merrow, Rector of Arlington’s St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Prof. Farwell will return for our November 13 worship service, followed by Pastor Gordon Lathrop on November 20 and, again, on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27.

Congregation COVID Protections

RELC is aware of the recent news coverage of an impending "Tridemic" of RSV-COVID-Influenza as the season progresses. The wearing of masks at Resurrection remains optional as long as Arlington County's COVID-19 community level remains "low" as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assessment and as monitored by the Reopening Planning Group. Congregants are encouraged to wear masks if they choose to. The church continues to monitor the county’s level and will make adjustments in precautions as necessary based on the CDC assessment.

Congregants should also continue to maintain appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Our pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be guided by parents’ feedback. Congregants are also encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations, and anyone not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Halloween Candy Donations for Soldiers' Angels - Treats for Troops

Wondering what to do with all of your leftover Halloween Candy? Want to give some of your Halloween candy to a great cause? Please consider dropping your donations into the basket in the Narthex on Sunday, November 6. Our youth will create candy bags for the Soldiers' Angels - Treats for Troops program during Youth Group.

List of Saints for All Saints Sunday

On All Saints Sunday, November 6, as is our custom, we will be including the names of members and others who have died during the past year in the prayers that day. If you wish to add the names of family members or friends who have died since November 2021, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or see Steve Black or Cindy Reese, by this Sunday, October 30.

Thanksgiving at Resurrection

What are your plans for Thanksgiving dinner this year? The Fellowship Committee is trying to determine if enough members of the congregation are interested in bringing back the traditional Thanksgiving meal here at Resurrection. If you and your family would like to join us for turkey and trimmings on Thanksgiving Day, please let the committee know by filling out the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

Collection of Food Items for AFAC This Sunday

We will receive donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, November 6, in conjunction with our regular worship service. In the coming weeks, our AFAC Sundays will be on November 20, December 4, and December 18.

Social Ministry Committee

This Advent Season, Resurrection Lutheran Church is sponsoring Doorways. Advent offerings will go to Doorways as well as supporting their Winter Wishes Donation Drive. As Ms. Joy Myers, Chief Development Officer at Doorways, explained at our October 23 Coffee Hour, Doorways assists families coming out of domestic violence situations and assists them in starting a pathway forward.

This holiday season, Doorways would like to be able to give each parent and child the opportunity to choose a winter coat. Contributing a $50.00 gift card for one new coat, $100.00 for a family to spend, or any amount from either Target or Visa, will be greatly appreciated and bring warmth and happiness to the recipients this holiday season.

A basket for contributions will be placed in the the Narthex each Sunday until November 20. Please write the amount on the gift card. Your participation is appreciated.

Tree Planting Planned on Church Grounds

RELC received a grant through EcoAction Arlington’s Tree Canopy Fund to have an American Hornbeam planted on the Potomac Street side of our property in the area outside the nursery windows. Both the tree and the labor for planting it are free. In October you will notice a stake placed in the location where the tree will be planted. Actual planting will take place between October and December. Once planted, the Creation Care Team will take over care and watering of our new young tree.

American Hornbeams (also known as ironwoods or musclewoods) are native to Virginia and provide food and habitat for a variety of local fauna. This tree will help grow the tree canopy in Arlington County and will have multiple benefits for our property and our local neighborhood as it will remove carbon dioxide from the air, produce oxygen, provide shade during our hot summers, and absorb rainwater during storms, thus reducing storm runoff into our local streams. To learn more about the Tree Canopy Fund please visit:
https://www.ecoactionarlington.org/community-programs/trees/.

Member Information Form

Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex – we urge each member of the congregation to fill one out and return it to the church office.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of October. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Sunday, October 23

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Former Bishop Richard Graham presiding.
11:15 a.m. – Social Ministry Committee forum with a presentation from Doorways on the organization’s crisis intervention programs.
5:30 p.m. – Confirmation Class will meet in the Parish Hall.
6:30 p.m. – Dinner and Youth Group in the Parish Hall.

Reformation Sunday, October 30

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. James Farwell of Virginia Theological Seminary presiding. The Resurrection Church Choir, directed by Barbara Verdile, will be singing movements from the J.S. Bach Motet, "Jesu Meine Freude," throughout the service.
11:15 a.m. - Creation Care Team meeting in Room 13.

Sunday Supply Pastors

Resurrection is honored to have Bishop Richard Graham return to preside and preach at our service this Sunday as we continue to be joined in worship by an exceptional group of guest clergy.
In the coming weeks, Prof. James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary will return to celebrate Reformation Sunday with us on October 30, followed by Rector Andrew Merrow from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on All Saints Sunday, November 6. Later in the month, Prof. Farwell and Pastor Gordon Lathrop will again lead our Sunday services.

Congregation COVID Protections

The wearing of masks at Resurrection continues to be optional, as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention assesses Arlington County’s COVID-19 community level as “low.” The church will continue to monitor the county’s community level and make adjustments in precautions based on the CDC assessment.

As a reminder, the church’s Reopening Planning Group continues to encourage congregants to wear masks if they choose to, as well as maintaining appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Our pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be guided by parents’ feedback. Congregants are also encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations, and anyone not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Social Ministry Forum on Doorways this Sunday, October 23

On Sunday, October 23, the Social Ministry Committee will welcome Ms. Joy Myers, Chief Development Officer of Doorways, to talk about the organization’s work to create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault for Arlington residents. Resurrection will be supporting Doorways with loose offerings during our Advent season services.

Please join us during Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall on October 23 to hear more about the Doorways organization and its programs.

Collection of Food Items for AFAC This Sunday

We will receive donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, October 23, in conjunction with our regular worship service. In the coming weeks, our AFAC Sundays will be on November 6, November 20, December 4, and December 18.

Thanks for Supporting the 2022 CROP Hunger Walk

As of Wednesday, members of Resurrection raised a total of $575 to support the October 15 Arlington CROP Hunger Walk. If you haven’t yet made a donation, it’s not too late – go to https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/event/arlingtonva

List of Saints for All Saints Sunday

On All Saints Sunday, November 6, as is our custom, we will be including the names of members and others who have died during the past year in the prayers that day. If you wish to add the names of family members or friends who have died since November 2021, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or see Steve Black or Cindy Reese by Sunday, October 30.

Halloween Candy Donations for Soldiers' Angels - Treats for Troops

Wondering what to do with all of your leftover Halloween Candy? Want to give some of your Halloween candy to a great cause? Please consider dropping your donations into the basket in the Narthex on Sunday, November 6. Our youth will create candy bags for the Soldiers' Angels - Treats for Troops program during Youth Group.

Tree Planting Planned on Church Grounds

RELC received a grant through EcoAction Arlington’s Tree Canopy Fund to have an American Hornbeam planted on the Potomac Street side of our property in the area outside the nursery windows. Both the tree and the labor for planting it are free. In October you will notice a stake placed in the location where the tree will be planted. Actual planting will take place between October and December. Once planted, the Creation Care Team will take over care and watering of our new young tree.

American Hornbeams (also known as ironwoods or musclewoods) are native to Virginia and provide food and habitat for a variety of local fauna. This tree will help grow the tree canopy in Arlington County and will have multiple benefits for our property and our local neighborhood as it will remove carbon dioxide from the air, produce oxygen, provide shade during our hot summers, and absorb rainwater during storms, thus reducing storm runoff into our local streams. To learn more about the Tree Canopy Fund please visit:
https://www.ecoactionarlington.org/community-programs/trees/.

Member Information Form

Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex – we urge each member of the congregation to fill one out and return it to the church office.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of September. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Saturday, October 15

9:00 a.m. – Arlington CROP Hunger Walk at First Presbyterian Arlington.

Sunday, October 16

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. Shawn Strout of Virginia Theological Seminary presiding.
1:00 p.m. – Finnish Congregation worship service in the Sanctuary.
5:30 p.m. – Confirmation Class will meet in the Parish Hall.
6:30 p.m. – Dinner and Youth Group in the Parish Hall.

Sunday, October 23

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Former Bishop Richard Graham presiding.
11:15 a.m. - During Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall, speaker Joy Myers, Chief Development Officer of Doorways, will give a presentation about the mission of the organization.

Sunday, October 30

11:15 a.m. - Creation Care Team meeting in Room 13.

Sunday Supply Pastors

We are happy to welcome back Professor Shawn Strout of the Virginia Theological Seminary to preside and preach this Sunday.

In coming weeks, Bishop Richard Graham will return to preside at our October 23 service. On Reformation Sunday, October 30, Professor James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary will join us, followed on All Saints Sunday, November 6, by Rector Andrew Merrow from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. We look forward to having an outstanding group of guest clergy continue to join us as we approach Advent and Christmas services.

Congregation COVID Protections

The wearing of masks at Resurrection continues to be optional, as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention assesses Arlington County’s COVID-19 community level as “low.” The church will continue to monitor the county’s community level and make adjustments in precautions based on the CDC assessment.

As a reminder, the church’s Reopening Planning Group continues to encourage congregants to wear masks if they choose to, as well as maintaining appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Our pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be guided by parents’ feedback. Congregants are also encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations, and anyone not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Pastoral Call Update

Our Call Committee met on October 9 with Metro D.C. Synod Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Mobility Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey to review the process that the committee will follow in the coming weeks as potential candidates are identified and interviewed. The committee will update the congregation on its progress as appropriate.

2022 CROP Hunger Walk is this Saturday!

The 2022 Arlington CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Saturday, October 15. There’s still time for you to join in the walk and/or support the Resurrection team online at: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/event/arlingtonva

Presentation about Doorways on Sunday, October 23

On Sunday, October 23, we welcome a guest speaker from Doorways, an Arlington organization that creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault.

Our speaker is Ms. Joy Myers, Chief Development Officer of Doorways. Resurrection will be sponsoring Doorways during the Advent season.

Please join us during Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall on October 23 to hear more about the Doorways organization.

Collection of Food Items for AFAC This Sunday

We will receive donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, October 23, in conjunction with our regular worship service. In the coming weeks, our AFAC Sundays will be on November 6, November 20, December 4, and December 18.

List of Saints for All Saints Sunday

On All Saints Sunday, November 6, as is our custom, we will be including the names of members and others who have died during the past year in the prayers that day. If you wish to add the names of family members or friends who have died since November 2021, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or see Steve Black or Cindy Reese, by Sunday, October 30.

Tree Planting Planned on Church Grounds

RELC received a grant through EcoAction Arlington’s Tree Canopy Fund to have an American Hornbeam planted on the Potomac Street side of our property in the area outside the nursery windows. Both the tree and the labor for planting it are free. In October you will notice a stake placed in the location where the tree will be planted. Actual planting will take place between October and December. Once planted, the Creation Care Team will take over care and watering of our new young tree.

American Hornbeams (also known as ironwoods or musclewoods) are native to Virginia and provide food and habitat for a variety of local fauna. This tree will help grow the tree canopy in Arlington County and will have multiple benefits for our property and our local neighborhood as it will remove carbon dioxide from the air, produce oxygen, provide shade during our hot summers, and absorb rainwater during storms, thus reducing storm runoff into our local streams. To learn more about the Tree Canopy Fund please visit:
https://www.ecoactionarlington.org/community-programs/trees/.

Member Information Form

Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex – we urge each member of the congregation to fill one out and return it to the church office.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of September. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Sunday, October 9

10:00 a.m. – Worship: The Rev. Sarah Garrett Krey, Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility & Candidacy, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, presiding.
11:30 a.m. – Call Committee meeting with Pastor Krey.

Saturday, October 15

9:00 a.m. – Arlington CROP Hunger Walk at First Presbyterian Arlington.

Sunday, October 16

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. Shawn Strout of Virginia Theological Seminary presiding. Please note that Sunday School won't be held on October 9 and October 16.

Sunday Supply Pastors

We are fortunate to continue to welcome an outstanding group of guest clergy to join us for our Sunday services. This Sunday, October 9, we’re honored to welcome back Metro D.C. Synod Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Mobility Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey to preside and preach.

In coming weeks, Professor Shawn Strout of the Virginia Theological Seminary will return on October 16, followed by Bishop Richard Graham October 23. On Reformation Sunday October 30, Professor James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary will preside, and Rector Andrew Merrow from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will join us on All Saints Sunday November 6.

Congregation COVID Protections

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s assessment of Arlington County’s COVID-19 community level as “low,” the wearing of masks at Resurrection is currently optional. The church will continue to monitor the county’s community level and make adjustments in precautions based on the CDC assessment.

The church’s Reopening Planning Group encourages congregants to wear masks if they choose to, as well as continuing to maintain appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be based on parents’ feedback. The group also encourages congregants to keep up to date with vaccinations and that those not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Pastoral Call Update

On Thursday, October 6, the Congregation Council will review and approve the newly revised Ministry Site Profile updated by the Transition Team based on the feedback and perspectives provided by the congregation. Copies of the final profile submitted to the ELCA and the Metro D.C. Synod will be available to the congregation in the Narthex.

The Call Committee will also meet with Metro D.C. Synod Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Mobility Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey following the October 9 worship service to discuss the profile and the call process.

Collection of Food Items for AFAC This Sunday

We look forward to receiving donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, October 9, in conjunction with our regular worship service.

AFAC Sundays in October, November and December:

  • October 9
  • October 23
  • November 6
  • November 20
  • December 4
  • December 18

2022 CROP Hunger Walk on October 15

The 2022 Arlington CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Saturday, October 15. You can join and/or support the Resurrection team online at: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/event/arlingtonva. More information on the CROP Hunger Walk is also available in the Narthex.

Tree Planting Planned on Church Grounds

RELC received a grant through EcoAction Arlington’s Tree Canopy Fund to have an American Hornbeam planted on the Potomac Street side of our property in the area outside the nursery windows. Both the tree and the labor for planting it are free. In October you will notice a stake placed in the location where the tree will be planted. Actual planting will take place between October and December. Once planted, the Creation Care Team will take over care and watering of our new young tree.

American Hornbeams (also known as ironwoods or musclewoods) are native to Virginia and provide food and habitat for a variety of local fauna. This tree will help grow the tree canopy in Arlington County and will have multiple benefits for our property and our local neighborhood as it will remove carbon dioxide from the air, produce oxygen, provide shade during our hot summers, and absorb rainwater during storms, thus reducing storm runoff into our local streams. To learn more about the Tree Canopy Fund please visit:
https://www.ecoactionarlington.org/community-programs/trees/.

Member Information Form

Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex – we urge each member of the congregation to fill one out and return it to the church office.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of September. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Sunday, September 25

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. James Farwell presiding.

Sunday, October 2

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. Shawn Strout presiding.
11:00 a.m. – Pet Blessing on the church lawn.
11:15 a.m. – Creation Care Team forum with a presentation from the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions.

Congregation COVID Protections

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s assessment of Arlington County’s COVID-19 community level as “low,” the wearing of masks at Resurrection is currently optional. The church will continue to monitor the county’s community level and make adjustments in precautions based on the CDC assessment.

The church’s Reopening Planning Group encourages congregants to wear masks if they choose to, as well as continuing to maintain appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be based on parents’ feedback. The group also encourages congregants to keep up to date with vaccinations and that those not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Collection of Food Items for AFAC This Sunday

We will receive donations of food items for AFAC this Sunday, September 25, in conjunction with our regular worship service.

Sunday Supply Pastors

We are grateful for the outstanding group of guest clergy that continue to preside at our Sunday services, and we are pleased to welcome back Professor James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary to preach and preside at our 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday, September 25.

We look forward to welcoming again, Metro D.C. Synod Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Mobility Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey on October 9 and Professor Shawn Strout, also of the Virginia Theological Seminary, on October 16. Bishop Richard Graham will lead the worship service on October 23 and Professor Farwell will return to preach and preside on October 30. We hope that you will join us each Sunday as we continue our congregation’s life and worship.

Transition Team Update

Thanks to all Resurrection members who participated in the review of the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) of our congregation. Our Transition Team has drawn from your comments to update the MSP to reflect more accurately who we are as a church and the characteristics of the pastor we seek. The Congregation Council will vote at its October 6 meeting on approving the MSP for submission to the Metropolitan D.C. Synod.

Call Committee Update

At its September 21 organizational meeting, our Call Committee elected John Handley as its chair and prepared to begin researching and interviewing pastoral candidates. The committee will work closely with the Metro D.C. Synod as the final Ministry Site Profile is submitted and potential candidates are identified.

Bless Our Pets

On October 2, members are invited to bring their pets to the 10:00 a.m. service. The pets and their owners will start off in the Parish Hall, where the service itself will be streamed live. After the last hymn, the congregation and the pets will all meet on the church lawn for the Pet Blessing, followed by an inter-species coffee hour.

Climate Solutions Forum

Please join us Sunday, October 2, at 11:15 a.m. following the service and Pet Blessing for an important presentation by representatives from the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS). Eric Goplerud, FACS Chair, and Julie Rosenberg, FACS Arlington County Hub Leader, will talk about the alliance’s mission and actions taken on climate issues. This will be an educational opportunity for our congregation to learn how we can get involved in climate solutions at the local level.

This short statement outlines the mission of FACS: “The Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) mission is to organize the power of Virginia’s faith communities to advance local solutions to the urgent moral challenge of climate change. Through sustained faith-based organizing of more than 2,600 activists from over 190 congregations throughout Northern Virginia, we’ve shown that local government policy, congregational practices, and personal actions produce change in local greenhouse gas emissions, resiliency, and equity.”

You can also learn more about FACS at: https://faithforclimate.org/.

2022 CROP Hunger Walk

The 2022 CROP Hunger Walk will be on Saturday, October 15. You can join and/or support the Resurrection team online at https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/event/arlingtonva. More information will also be available in the Narthex.

Member Information Form

In an effort to create an updated membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information, you’ve now received a message which contains a member information form which we ask each member of the congregation to fill out and return to the church office. This message and the form has come to you via Constant Contact.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of September. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Sunday, September 18

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Former Bishop Richard Graham presiding.
11:30 a.m. – Transition Team forum on updating the RELC Ministry Site Profile in the Parish Hall.
1:00 p.m. – Finnish Congregation worship service in the Sanctuary.
5:00 p.m. – Confirmation Class will meet in the Parish Hall.
6:00 p.m. – Dinner and Youth Group in the Parish Hall.

Monday, September 19

7:00 p.m. – Transition Team meeting in the Parish Hall.

Wednesday, September 21

8:00 p.m. – Call Committee organizational meeting in the Parish Hall.

Sunday, September 25

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Prof. James Farwell presiding.

Change in Congregation COVID Protections

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s assessment of Arlington County’s COVID-19 community level as “low,” the wearing of masks at Resurrection will be optional as of this Sunday, September 18. The church will continue to monitor the county’s community level and make adjustments in precautions based on the CDC assessment.

The church’s Reopening Planning Group encourages congregants to wear masks if they choose to, as well as continuing to maintain appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be based on parents’ feedback. The group also encourages congregants to keep up to date with vaccinations and that those not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Transition Team Update

As part of its work to update the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) that will help pastoral candidates learn more about our congregation, the Transition Team is asking congregation members to review and reflect on the profile written in 2018 and respond to a few general questions about how it should be updated to reflect more accurately who we are as a church today and our aspirations in calling a new pastor.

Copies of the relevant portions of the 2018 MSP are available in the Narthex along with the Transition Team’s questions. You can view the MSP below and click here to respond to the questions. The team will also hold a forum to receive feedback on revisions to the MSP during coffee hour following the September 18 worship service.

pdfMSP (2018)

Call Committee Update

Members of the Call Committee will hold an organizational meeting this Wednesday, September 21, to elect a chair and to discuss the procedures for researching and interviewing pastoral candidates. The committee will work closely with the Metro D.C. Synod as the final Ministry Site Profile is submitted and potential candidates are identified.

Sunday Supply Pastors

During our pastoral transition, we are fortunate to be led by an exceptional group of guest clergy in our Sunday services. Former Metro D.C. Synod Bishop Richard Graham will preach and preside at our 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday, September 18. He will be followed on September 25 by Professor James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary.

During October we will welcome Professor Shawn Strout of the Virginia Theological Seminary on the 2nd and the 16th. We look forward to welcoming back Metro D.C. Synod Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Mobility Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey on October 9. Former DC Synod Bishop Richard Graham will preach and preside for us again on October 23 and Professor James Farwell will also return on October 30.

We are still filling out the Sunday Supply list in November, but our own Pastor Gordon Lathrop will preside on Reign of Christ Sunday, November 20, and on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27.

Please join us each Sunday as we continue our congregation’s life and worship.

Rally Day/Undie Sunday

Thanks to all the families and kids who joined in celebrating Rally Day last Sunday to kick off the new program year – and to Pastor Gordon Lathrop for his blessing of backpacks, computer bags, and the students who’ll be using them this school year. And, of course, to Jake’s Ice Cream for the treats!

The “Undie Sunday” collection was also a success thanks to the congregation’s generosity – about 30 packets of underwear, undershirts, and socks were delivered to New Hope Housing in Fairfax, which plans to open hypothermia shelters in the coming weeks and is grateful for Resurrection’s partnership.

Climate Solutions Forum

Please join us on Sunday, October 2, at 11:15 a.m. for a presentation by representatives from the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS). Eric Goplerud, FACS Chair, and Julie Rosenberg, FACS Arlington County Hub Leader, will talk about the alliance’s mission and actions taken on climate issues. This will be an educational opportunity for our congregation to learn how we can get involved in climate solutions at the local level.

Here is a short statement about the mission of FACS: “The Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) mission is to organize the power of Virginia’s faith communities to advance local solutions to the urgent moral challenge of climate change. Through sustained faith-based organizing of more than 2,600 activists from over 190 congregations throughout Northern Virginia, we’ve shown that local government policy, congregational practices, and personal actions produce change in local greenhouse gas emissions, resiliency, and equity.”

Please plan to stay after the October 2 worship service for this important discussion. You can also learn more about FACS at: https://faithforclimate.org/.

Member Information Form

In an effort to create an updated membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information, you’ve now received a message which contains a member information form which we ask each member of the congregation to fill out and return to the church office. This message and the form has come to you via Constant Contact.

Items for Fall “Steeple Light”

With the start of the church’s new program year, a new edition of the quarterly “Steeple Light” is coming soon. If you have any articles or news items to share, please send them to editor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 12:00 p.m. noon on Monday, September 12.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of September. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church

Sunday, September 11

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Pastor Gordon Lathrop presiding.
11:00 a.m. – Special Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary.
11:30 a.m. – Rally Day/Undie Sunday in the Parish Hall.

Wednesday, September 14

7:30 p.m. – Transition Team will meet in the Parish Hall.

Sunday, September 18

10:00 a.m. – Worship: Former Bishop Richard Graham presiding.
11:30 a.m. – Transition Team forum on updating the RELC Ministry Site Profile in the Parish Hall.
5:00 p.m. – Confirmation Class will meet in the Parish Hall.
6:00 p.m. – Dinner and Youth Group in the Parish Hall.

Special Congregational Meeting

There will be a special Congregational Meeting this Sunday, September 11, immediately following the worship service in the Sanctuary. At this meeting the congregation will consider the following recommendations:

  • Approving a budget not to exceed $5,000 for Call Committee expenses associated with the calling of a pastor. These could include travel, meetings, and other incidental expenses incurred in researching and interviewing pastoral candidates.
  • Approving $5,000 for the repair and painting of fascia on the church building exterior (in addition to the $10,000 approved as part of the 2022 capital budget). The cost of these repairs has increased due to supply shortages and, therefore, the contractor cannot honor the original bid.
  • Approving a budget not to exceed $2,500 for the purchase and installation of a new gas stove/oven. Some gas leakage from the old stove has been evident even when the pilot lights are lit, although the pilot lights frequently go out, creating a potential hazard.
  • Approving a budget not to exceed $2,500 for the repair and painting of the rooms previously occupied by the Clothes Closet. These repairs are necessary before those rooms can be utilized for other purposes including storage.
  • Approving a budget not to exceed $1,500 for the repair and improvement of condensation drain lines and anti-flood safety controls for the air conditioning unit in the church choir loft. These repairs are needed to prevent damage as a result of leakage from the existing drain line.

This special meeting is important to facilitate the process of interviewing prospective candidates and calling a new pastor, as well as to address unbudgeted building maintenance expenses. Members are strongly encouraged to attend.

Rally Day/Undie Sunday

A reminder: this Sunday, September 11, is Rally Day! Events include a Backpack Blessing during the Worship service – bring your backpacks and computer bags for the blessing.

It’s also “Undie Sunday” – please bring some "undies" for our collection. We’re gathering men’s underwear, undershirts and/or white athletic socks – MUST BE IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING. Kindly drop these items in the box in the Narthex or in the Parish Hall. Thank you for your donations.

And, I scream, you scream, we all scream for Jake's Ice cream – in the Parish Hall following the service.

Update on Congregation COVID Protections

Thanks to those of you who contributed to providing feedback to the RELC Reopening Planning Group (“RPG”) regarding the measures and metrics that our church should use to trigger adjustments in safety precautions in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on your comments, the RPG recommended to the Congregation Council that the church base its precautions on the level of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons for Arlington County, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. As of August 25, Arlington County moved into the “low” level of transmission with less than 10% of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons.

The RPG further recommended that, based on that metric, masking should be optional as of Sunday, September 18 – subject to adjustment if the level of COVID-19 cases in the county increases. At its September 8 meeting, the Congregation Council approved both of the planning group’s recommendations.

The RPG also recommended that congregants be encouraged to wear masks if they choose to, continue to maintain appropriate distances when sitting in pews, sharing the peace of Christ and taking communion, and to wash hands and use sanitizers in church. Pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will continue to wear masks when welcoming those attending services and in distributing Holy Communion in deference to congregation members who choose to take that precaution. The wearing of masks in Sunday School will be based on parents’ feedback. The group also recommended that congregants continue to be encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations and that those not feeling well should stay home and access the livestream feed of worship services.

Transition Team Update

As part of its work to update the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) that will help pastoral candidates learn more about our congregation, the Transition Team is asking congregation members to review and reflect on the profile written in 2018 and respond to a few general questions about how it should be updated to reflect more accurately who we are as a church today and our aspirations in calling a new pastor.

Copies of the relevant portions of the 2018 MSP are available in the Narthex along with the Transition Team’s questions. You can view the MSP below and click here to respond to the questions. The team will also hold a forum to receive feedback on revisions to the MSP during coffee hour following the September 18 worship service.

pdfMSP (2018)

Sunday Supply Pastors

Our Sunday services continue to be led by an exceptional group of guest clergy in the coming weeks, with Pastor Gordon Lathrop preaching and presiding at our 10:00 a.m. liturgy on September 11. Former Metro D.C. Synod Bishop Richard Graham will join us on September 18, and on September 25 Professor James Farwell of the Virginia Theological Seminary will return to lead our service.

In October, we will welcome back Metro D.C. Synod Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Mobility Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey, as well as Bishop Graham, Professor Farwell, and Professor Shawn Strout, also of the Virginia Theological Seminary. Please join us each Sunday as we continue our congregation’s life and worship.

Climate Solutions Forum

Please join us on Sunday, October 2, at 11:15 a.m. for a presentation by representatives from the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS). Eric Goplerud, FACS Chair, and Julie Rosenberg, FACS Arlington County Hub Leader, will talk about the alliance’s mission and actions taken on climate issues. This will be an educational opportunity for our congregation to learn how we can get involved in climate solutions at the local level.

Here is a short statement about the mission of FACS: “The Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) mission is to organize the power of Virginia’s faith communities to advance local solutions to the urgent moral challenge of climate change. Through sustained faith-based organizing of more than 2,600 activists from over 190 congregations throughout Northern Virginia, we’ve shown that local government policy, congregational practices, and personal actions produce change in local greenhouse gas emissions, resiliency, and equity.”

Please plan to stay after the October 2 worship service for this important discussion. You can also learn more about FACS at: https://faithforclimate.org/.

Member Information Form

In an effort to create an updated membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information, you’ve now received a message which contains a member information form which we ask each member of the congregation to fill out and return to the church office. This message and the form has come to you via Constant Contact.

Items for Fall “Steeple Light”

With the start of the church’s new program year, a new edition of the quarterly “Steeple Light” is coming soon. If you have any articles or news items to share, please send them to editor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 12:00 p.m. noon on Monday, September 12.

Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship

To view our 10:00 AM Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55AM on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.

Intercessory Prayer During the Time of Pastoral Transition

During the time after Pastor Linman departs and before an interim pastor is named or a new pastor called, we will suspend the compilation of a formal and published prayer list. Our intercessory prayer lists are crafted and maintained by the pastor who receives names and who exercises pastoral discretion and care in relation to those named and those who name them. Without an interim or called pastor to generate and maintain the list and to follow up pastorally concerning those named, an intercessory prayer list would be challenging to maintain with pastoral integrity and sensitivity. That said, each Sunday’s prayers of intercession include a petition during which members of the worshiping assembly can call out aloud specific names of persons for whom they would like to pray, and during this time of pause, worshipers can also name persons in the silence of their hearts and minds. Please be assured that your prayerful intents and those of the whole worshiping assembly are heard by God.

Pastoral Care for Emergencies and Other Needs

Pastor Amy Feira has graciously agreed to be on call for members of the congregation to contact in case of pastoral emergency and other pastoral needs through the month of September. She may be reached at: (703) 303-9388 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Announcements?

Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our now quarterly Steeple Light newsletter, is now also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Glen Mason. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!

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