united parish of bowie

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The observance of Lent is out of sync with our culture. In our society substantial credence is given to the belief that the problems of hopelessness, poverty, crime, family instability and a host of other ills are caused because people do not think as highly of themselves as they ought. Thus a season that calls for self-examination and repentance seems irrelevant, even counter-productive.

If Lent is meaningless, then what about Easter? Who needs a Christ who rose from the dead to bring us forgiveness and new life if the problem is not willful human wickedness? Easter can be reduced in meaning to pointing to such a general principle as nature (and human life) restoring itself each Spring.

The Christian gospel, however, asserts that the basic human problem is not lack of self-esteem, or ignorance, or powerlessness, or sexual issues. The fundamental flaw in the human situation is the willful, knowing choice of detrimental behavior, classically called "sin".

One of the most constructive things a person can do is to recognize that "it's me, it's me, oh, Lord, standing in the need of prayer; not my mother, not my brother, but it's me, oh, Lord." It is this repentance that is the necessary precursor to change in a person. For example, as long as I blame marriage problems on my spouse, nothing will likely improve. When, however, I recognize I'm not such a terrific husband, then I am motivated to change myself for the better. Ample empirical evidence documents the truth of these assertions.

Lent is not a time to wallow in self-condemnation. Obviously not. It is a season to anticipate the forgiveness of God, which will cast our shortcomings in the depths of the sea and give us a freedom and joy that chest-thumping self-assertion cannot come close to matching.

Carl Bickel, Pastor

We have a dinner on Wednesdays through April 1 at 6 p.m. followed by a brief worship service at 6:45. The children's choir rehearses during the worship service. There will be a small per person charge so we can reimburse the food preparers. THIS IS A REALLY GOOD FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY AND WAY TO TALK WITH SOME PEOPLE WE DON'T OFTEN SEE. Just leave a message at (301) 249-6411 if you are coming to the dinner and have not as yet signed up. Call until about noon on Wednesday or take your chances and come anyway.

On Sunday, March 29, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. the Adult Choir will present Chosen By God. Readings from scripture, anthems by some of sacred music's most important composers, and prayer intertwine to tell the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. Please come and be a part of this dramatic and special service.

While riding in the car after leaving the dentist's office, my daughter commented that the dentist quizzed her for her viewpoints about President Clinton and the news surrounding him. Would she divorce Bill Clinton if she were married to him?

I wondered if we parents are too inclined to ignore our children's interest in important moral questions. Believe me, our offspring are forming their own judgments of our society. We may think they're too young to make sound decisions about so-called adult problems, and we hesitate to discuss the news with them. A mother of a three-year-old recently commented that she couldn't let her child watch the TV news coverage because it raised too many questions for him. How true. But we can't shield our older children and youth from what they're seeing and hearing. So let's talk about these issues with them.

How much do we respect others as creatures of God? When does life begin? Who determines when life should end? Do we treat persons fairly regardless of their position or sex or roots? Do we always try to keep our word? Are our children confused about whether to "fudge a little," tell a "white lie," just lie or tell the truth?

Do we think our youngsters aren't wondering about an abortion clinic which was recently bombed; a former naval academy cadet convicted of murder; a five-year-old who took a bag of pretty stones (crack) to school to share with classmates; a Wizards' star carrying marijuana in his car on the way to practice; a twenty-one-year-old paralyzed college student who was assisted in committing suicide by Dr. Kevorkian? These grisly items are part of the real world our children see and hear about. They probably aren't paramount issues with our kids, but, nevertheless, our youngsters are in the process of building a moral or immoral highrise.

Does our own regular study of the Bible enlighten us as we guide our children in formulating a moral structure? For stimulation and support as we struggle to be followers of Christ in our parenting, I recommend our adult church school studies. Christ has promised to be with us in our studies, our struggles, and in our parenting. If Christ is not a moral leader for us, who is?

Shirley Bickel

In September of 1997 the youth committee began an after-school program in conjunction with the South Bowie Community Center. This program stopped around Thanksgiving. This was to have been a program to make contact with junior-high age young people who were not part of any church. Although some young people came to the program, and some who were not part of our church, it was felt that the relatively low number of young people who came did not justify keeping the program going.

For now our existing junior-high youth continue to meet on a "back to basics" approach - no exotic trips or entertainment, just excellent discussion about the Christian faith and their place in it - along, of course, with fellowship, fun and service. For more information, please phone Kathy Busch (301) 262-0482 or Chad Bickel (410) 719-1233.

Meanwhile a group for fifth through seventh graders has begun. This group is sponsored by the parents and is called "Junior Youth Fellowship." They have gone rollerblading and ice-skating. The next event is at the home of Lindsay Sheppard. Phone Donna Hanner (301) 464-0439 or Nancy Hathaway at (301) 262-8017 for more information.

Women of all ages are invited to attend the Lydia Circle the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. for an enlightening and provocative study of Job led by Nikki Hillary. Under the leadership of Linda Hutchinson, the women will be cataloguing the library books and finding ways to obtain new books as well as promote greater use of the library.

Previously, the following vision statement was adopted by the Parish Board.

We wish to be a vigorous and growing church in the mainline, reformed tradition; a strong witness to people and recognized as an influential force in the community.

Our church calls for, supports, and lives out discipleship to Jesus Christ through

• Worship -- providing on a weekly basis and at other times opportunities for corporate worship as well as encouraging times for individual worship.
• Education of children, youth, and adults -- increasing our understanding of our Christian heritage and discovering how it relates to life today.
• Christian fellowship -- encouraging relationships with one another so that everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of belonging.
• Community service -- providing help to people and the community through various projects, such as providing food and other assistance to shelters.
• Care for one another -- providing opportunities to be with people in times of great celebration or crisis.
• Outreach -- taking the initiative in inviting people to make or deepen their commitment to Christ and to actively participate in the life of the church.
• Cooperative ventures -- willingness to join with other religious groups for service and fellowship.

In the context of this vision statement it can be noted that the building for the United Parish was completed in late 1985 for a total cost of $550,000, including land, building, furnishings - everything. At the present time, only approximately $86,000 remains on the original debt. If the present rate of generous giving to the church continues, the entire debt should be retired in two to three years.

The church now has an opportunity to seek God's guidance in setting objectives for the church as our debt is retired. Where do we now want our resources to go? What kind of mission do we wish to target in the next decade? Approximately fifteen possible projects and missions have been informally suggested. The Parish Board over the next months will be sorting through these suggestions and presenting a plan which proposes which objectives should be phased in and at what time in the future. This is a very important time in the life of the church.

Members of the Parish Board are Jan Barbato, John Blaker, Roy Eades, Diane Fischvogt, Dorothy Freudig, Ken Hanner, Joan Milan, Janice Sheppard, and Doug Snyder. Ideas can be communicated at any time to these Board members. Suggestions and comments from the congregation will be more formally sought at various times in the future.

The following two courses will begin at 10 a.m. on Sundays starting March 8.

THE MODERN-DAY FAMILY AND KEEPING IT STRONG. The course will be based on the book, "Keeping Your Family together When the World is Falling Apart" by Kevin Lehman. Discussed will be techniques for (1) strengthening family ties, (2) being better role models for our children and our spouses, and (3) having open and honest discussions about problems facing kinds and adults in modern-day society. This series will meet for six times and will be led by Brenda Clyde. Please sign up for this course (or the one below) by putting your name on one of the sheets in the narthex or by leaving a message at (301) 249-6411.

Carl Bickel will lead CHALLENGES TO THE CHURCH IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY AND THE CHURCH'S RESPONSES. Here is a list of responses that will be discussed: modernism, fundamentalism, neo-orthodoxy, movement theology (including liberation and feminist theology), responses to the sexual revolution (abortion, homosexuality, abstinence), and post-modernism. All of the above responses of the church to twentieth century challenges continue to the present day. The series will last approximately nine weeks. As we approach a new millennium, how have Christians sought to appropriate and interpret their faith amid the changes and challenges of this century?

Our congregation has made application for a seminary intern (from Wesley Theological Seminary) to work part-time at our church for the next two years. We would be a "teaching congregation" and though no money would be paid the student, members of the church and the pastor would be required to meet regularly with the student for supervision. The number of students available is limited, and there is no guarantee we would have a student assigned to our church.

On April 25, we are celebrating Christmas in April by working on a house. Our goal will be to make it more livable for its inhabitants. We will be under the direction of Tim Frank and, as usual, we will work like terriers. As I hear it, our church members have found this to be a rewarding way to spend a Saturday. If you want to volunteer and are not yet signed up, call Tim Frank at (301) 262-7353 as soon as possible.

We have discussed having an Easter project for children of the Family Crisis Center. We'd like to hear suggestions for this or any other projects.

The Family Crisis Center continues to receive our dinner on the third Sunday of every month. They have been happy to receive our meals and fresh fruit in particular. I know we deliver a lot of care and creativity every month.

Because we want to know what the congregation wants to do for service, we'll be surveying the members in attendance some Sunday in the future. So, if you don't want your ideas to be overlooked, either let a committee member know, or be sure to be in church!

Nancy Snyder, Chair
Community Service Committee

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