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Musings from Pastor Kim
Dear People of God at Silverbrook,
St Theresa's prayer for you:
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you
are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite
possibliites that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have
received, and pass on the love that has been give to you. May you be confident
knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and
allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love. It is there for
each and every one of us. Amen.
Upcoming date to put on your calendars: March 27th from 12:30 to 4:30 pm the
Alexandria District is hosting a Lenten Retreat at St. Matthews UMC. We will
have a labyrinth workshop and have the labyrinth open for walking prayer. There
will be three or four other workshops on lectio devina, body prayer, some prayer
stations, and such. Register on the Alexandria district UMC website.
Sunday March 14 is day light savings time. So we will spring ahead one hour
that day.
Don't forget your Lenten coin box collection for Society of Saint Andrew (the
potato drop and gleaning people). If you have given up something for Lent -
that extra cup of coffee or chocolate or desserts - whatever - you can place the
money you are saving into the box to feed hungry people.
Remember we have had to close down one Sunday due to snow this year (and one
last year). Due to the snow we had to have the parking lot plowed several times
(which despite a break by snow plow people is an unexpected expense) and we
still had to heat the church etc so don't forget to bring your offering up to
date to cover these extra church expenses.
Is there anyone out there feeling called to work in our retreat ministry?
Pastor Kim could use a few 'idea' and 'brainstormer' people to help her select
topics and do some hands on work (either stuffing retreat brochures in
envelopes, organizing lunch, or leading a session or two). If you are feeling
called to this ministry please let her know.
Sabbath homework: If you are going to say yes to Sabbath you have to say no to
something else. Here is a reflection on that principle by the Rev. Barbara
Brown Taylor: BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR COMMENTS ON SABBATH IN HER BOOK ENTITLED:
"AN ALTAR IN THE WORLD" IN A CHAPTER ON SABBATH ENTITLED: THE PRACTICE OF
SAYING NO: "THE FIRST TIME I REALLY TRIED THIS WAS THE SUNDAY AFTER MY LAST
SUNDAY AS A PARISH MINISTER. AFTER MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS OF BEING IN CHURCH
MOST SUNDAY MORNINGS, I FOUND MYSELF SUDDENLY FACED WITH A WHOLE DAY AT HOME
ALONE. I COULD NOT GO TO THE CHURCH I HAD JUST RESIGNED FROM. I DIDN'T WANT TO
GO TO CHURCH ANYWHERE ELSE. I THOUGHT ABOUT GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE, BUT I
LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN WHERE SOMEONE WAS BOUND TO REPORT THAT I HAD BEEN SEEN
BUYING COLD CUTS ON MY FIRST SUNDAY MORNING AWAY FROM CHURCH. SO I STAYED HOME
INSTEAD, WHERE I CONFRONTED GRAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY, MY
HUMAN WORTH, AND MY STATUS BEFORE GOD.
BUT THAT ONLY LASTED ABOUT AN HOUR. AFTER THAT, I WENT OUT ON THE FRONT PORCH
AND SAID MORNING PRAYER WITH THE BIRDS. THEN I READ UNTIL LUNCHTIME. THEN I
MADE AN EGG SANDWICH. THEN I TOOK A NAP. BY THE TIME THE SUN WENT DOWN, I
REALIZED THAT I HAD JUST OBSERVED MY FIRST TRUE SABBATH IN MORE THAN TWENTY
YEARS. IN THE YEARS SINCE THEN, I HAVE MADE A PRACTICE OF SAYING NO FOR ONE
WHOLE DAY A WEEK; TO WORK, TO COMMERCE, TO THE INTERNET, TO THE CAR, TO THE
VOICE IN MY HEAD THAT IS FOREVER WHISPERING, "MORE". ONE DAY EACH WEEK, MORE
GOD IS THE ONLY THING ON MY LIST."
HOW FREEING.
This week say no to something for a day - like the computer, or the washing
or......as a way to begin a Sabbath practice and spend that extra time with God.
God bless,
Shalom, salaam and peace to
you and to the world, Pastor Kim
Rev, Kimberly Barker-Brugman
Phone 703-339-3948
E-Mail PastorKim1@cs.com
www.Silverbrook-umc.org
We have Sunday school classes
for everyone at 9:45. Bring your friends and neighbors. You do
not need to participate in class (we would love you to but you don't have
to) so no excuses - the coffee is even ready at that hour!!
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102 Years New
Open Heart- Open Minds- Open Doors
Come share the journey with the people of
Silverbrook United
Methodist Church
Established in 1907, Silverbrook UMC is a faith community, welcoming
visitors, engaged in making disciples of Christ and working to reconcile the
world to the love of Jesus Christ.

For More pictures of Silverbrook Folks
having fun!
Click Here

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Retreat Ministry
Join Silverbrook UMC as they
set off on a new ministry of becoming a Retreat Center as they offer quiet
days for adults to reflect, be still, and find rest away from the stressful
world as they seek to deepen their relationship with God.
Retreat
Brochure
RegistrationForm
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UM WEB SITE OPENS
CHURCH DOORS
There are thousands of ways to be church in the world, and UMs do not want
to miss any of them in an innovative Web site inviting a new generation into
a life of faith and service. The UMC on April 20 launched
http://www.tenthousanddoors.org.
The site is part of the Rethink Church campaign using
nontraditional methods to reach young adults and others in relevant ways.
There are more ways to enter church and begin a spiritual journey than just
coming into the front door of a building. “Faith itself is a bridge by which
we see God and the work of God present in our world,” says the Rev. Larry
Hollon, General Secretary of United Methodist Communications (UMCOM).
“God is not contained in the walls of our sacred buildings. God is in the
streets, at the well, in the least expected places.” |