News and Events

Worship in the Courtyard: June 3

May 17, 2018 by Lynne Clements

On Sunday, June 3 at 10:00 am we will celebrate the start of

All Together: Hearts, Hands and Voices

Sundays in June

with our annual Worship in the Courtyard.

Following worship, please plan to stay for food and fellowship. The Fellowship Division will provide the main course of fried chicken, corn dogs (vegetarian), and baked beans as well as cold drinks. Congregation members are asked to pitch in potluck-style with side dishes, salads and desserts. A bounce house for young and old will be on hand to add to the festivities!

Prayer Shawl Meetings for Summer

May 17, 2018 by Mickie Elzinga

Please join us at Common Grounds on May 21, June 18, and July 16 from 6:30 – 8:00 for a time of knitting or crocheting and fellowship. This is a wonderful time to meet other members of the church family. Hope to see you on Monday. If you have any questions contact .

Music Notes – May 20, 2018

May 17, 2018 by Megan Sharp

This Sunday is Pentecost, and a small group from the choir will sing the anthem, “O Breath of life,” by the British composer Alan Bullard, incorporating a traditional English folk tune. The organ music this Sunday is by Maurice Duruflé, from his “Prelude, Adagio, et Choral varié sur le thème du Veni Creator.” Duruflé was a French organist, composer, and perfectionist who was famously critical of his own compositions. He published very little, and continued to revise pieces even after they had appeared in print.

Summer Pick-Up Choir

May 17, 2018 by Megan Sharp

Have you ever thought about joining the choir, but worried about making the commitment? Summer pick-up choir is just the thing for you! On the second Sunday of each summer month the pick-up choir meets in the choir room at 9:00 am and learns an easy anthem to offer at the 10:00 worship. This choir is open to older children, youth and adults. The dates for pick-up choir this summer are June 10, July 8 and August 12. Please contact Megan Sharp, Director of Fine Arts if you have questions.

Check these new books out!

May 16, 2018 by Lynne Clements

Please check these new additions to our library.

The Broken Cord, by Michael Dorris: When Dorris and his wife, the novelist Louise Erdrich, adopted their 3 year old son, they realized he had developmental problems, but did not grasp how serious the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome would be. This book describes their lives with Adam as he grew up and as they coped with his disabilities and their own reactions. This book won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1989.

How Lovely the Ruins: Inspirational Poems and Words for Difficult Times, edited by Annie Chagnot and Emi Ikkanda. “During this past politically divisive and culturally tumultuous year, these editors compiled this heartening collection of both contemporary and classic verses and quotations intended to provide hope, solace, and inspiration during times of personal turmoil and/or collective anxiety.”

Gundamentalism and Where it is Taking America, by The Reverend James E. Atwood. “Jim Atwood started out writing books to encourage preaching with humor. He ended up as the primary voice of the Christian church in sounding the alarm about the gun violence epidemic that killed 36,000 Americans in 2016. His recognition, as the recipient of the 2018 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award by the Presbyterian Writers Guild, not only honors the urgent work of Jim Atwood, but speaks well of the whole Presbyterian Church for its focus on gun violence prevention.”

The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas: This 2017 book, on the National Book Award Longlist , is required reading for all upcoming 9^th graders in the Charlottesville Public Schools this summer. In it, a young African-American teenager is present when her friend is killed by a policeman. From there, the story follows her struggle to make sense of her environment and her own life, as she encounters the viral racism and hate, as well as the genuine acceptance and warmth of those around her. A strong book, “which everybody in America should read.”