The Promise of Hope
REV. GINGER GAINES-CIRELLI
|
|
|
|
For surely I know the plans I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not
for harm, to give you a future with hope.
— Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)
For the past couple of years, all we knew about the future was, to use my Grandma’s vernacular, “a whole lotta nothin.”
Of course, it is always true that we don’t know what the future holds. But the recent global pandemic raised uncertainty to levels we’d not experienced before. We knew it would affect every aspect of our lives, but not how or how much.
My constant refrain throughout this disruptive, disorienting experience has been, “God is with us!” These words declare that we can hope in the future even when things seem to be falling apart.
If God, who ordered the whole world, who has brought the human family through horrific seasons of suffering, who continues to love us even when we collectively cause destruction, and who gives us as gifts to one another — if this God is with us, then we have reason to hope.
The pandemic has been a harrowing and clarifying time. Habits have shifted. Online ministries were a blessing for many, but not for all. Members of the Foundry family have made decisions that took them away from the DC area, and for some the online connection will continue to be their primary connection to our community. The pandemic has taken a toll on our health — mental, physical, and spiritual. We are all deeply weary. These things I know.
But I don’t know exactly what the future will look like for Foundry. As we move into the last months of 2021, I’ll be prayerfully observing who is still around and who is new among us, where energy is and where it isn’t, and how God is moving to help us creatively maintain momentum as we face the challenges of this transitional time, financially and as a community.
This fall at Foundry we are focusing our preaching and programs on relationships, community-building, and creating easy “on-ramps” to connect in service, learning, and worship. Our hope is that this will be energizing for our beloved congregation as we continue to give thanks that, because God is with us, we are assured a future with hope.
In faith, hope, and love,
ginger+
Senior Pastor
|
|
Standing in the Need of Prayer
BARBARA CAMBRIDGE
|
|
|
Foundry affirms the importance of communicating with the Holy Spirit. One way we do so is through prayer. On Sundays attendees pray during services and can pray after the services with an individual member of the prayer team. Individuals can at any time request prayers through Foundry’s care team. Clergy, members, and groups pray throughout the week. God is listening.
Prayer can be a path to hope. As a member of the Sunday prayer team, I have learned that including some particular elements in a prayer can help the person praying, or being prayed for, find hope.
Listening is essential. But there are four other elements which can be quite powerful — attitude, action, acceptance, and joy.
First, praying for an evolution in attitude. Grief, despair, and anger can keep us handcuffed, unable to act. We can pray to God for release from dire emotions that create negative situations.
Next, action, praying for specific action we can take. Even if we don’t know what to do immediately in a difficult situation, we can ask in prayer for openness to prompts in the days ahead. We can pray that our eyes, minds, and hearts be open to possibilities for action.
Third, acceptance of our limitations. Each of us has restraints on our ability to act. Accepting these limitations, we can pray to find alternative ways to express our beliefs. Even Jesus withdrew at times of great pressure, but as soon as possible, he reentered society to help humans know the certainty of God’s love.
Finally, joy. When Pastor Ginger sings during one of her sermons, worshippers smile. Even if she is explaining dreadful realities, she reminds us that God is always present, a true source of joy. We can always include in our prayer a request for joy.
Would you like to pray with someone who requests it after worship? Helping a person express their concerns in this way is deeply appreciated. Members of the Sunday prayer team find their own spirits deepened as they pray with and for others.
Barbara Cambridge came to Foundry in 1998 and has served in a variety of leadership and service positions since that time. She is currently the facilitator of the Sunday prayer team. If you would like to discuss joining the team, contact her at 202-316-6828. Each team member serves after one service one Sunday each month.
|
|
|
Foundry Forward
OCTOBER 2022 ACTION ITEMS
|
|
|
Sunday, October 2
World Communion Sunday
Today we kick off our stewardship campaign and the sermon series, “A Future with Hope.” Our sermon, “Perceiving a Future with Hope”, is based on Ephesians 1:15-23, and Luke 24:13-16, 28-35. Anyone wishing to begin the journey toward membership at Foundry is invited to join the Pastor’s Coffee from 10 to 11 a.m. virtually or in Room 101. Learn more and register at foundryumc.org/coffee.
|
|
|
Saturday, October 8
Green Day of Service
Join us for breakfast this morning before we fan out across the community to remove invasive plants, plan new ones, and clean up the Potomac River. We are working in partnership with Casey Trees, Rock Creek Conservancy and the Potomac Conservancy. If you prefer to help indoors, come assist us with our kickoff breakfast. Register at foundryumc.org/gdos.
|
|
|
Sunday, October 9
Claiming Hope
Sometimes it is not easy to act with faith in God’s promise of a hope-filled future, but the Bible tells of those who trusted God in difficult circumstances. Drawing on Jeremiah 29:1,4-7, and Luke 17:11-19, our sermon today, “Claiming a Future with Hope” encourages us to do the same, believing that God will help us keep on moving toward the future for which we hope. Today also begins our six-week new member class “A Disciple’s Path.” If you’d like to become a member, sign up for this class at foundryumc.org/disciples-path.
|
|
|
Sunday, October 16
Seeds of Hope?
On this Laity Sunday, we focus on what we can do now to nurture the future we envision. Using as our scriptures Isaiah 55:6-13 and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, we consider what seeds we are planting now. Will they produce what we desire? Looking to the immediate future, we begin poinsettia and advent greenery sales, and invite all those interested in learning more about baptism — for infants or adults — to an orientation session at 12:30 p.m. Register for Baptism Orientation at foundryumc.org/baptism-orientation.
|
|
|
Sunday, October 23
Envisioning a Future with Hope
How do you see the future? Do you anticipate it with hope? What can Foundry do to bring about a future filled with loving, peaceful, and just communities? Our sermon draws on Isaiah 58:6-12 and Acts 2:38-47.
|
|
|
Tuesday, October 25
Foundry Board Meeting
Foundry’s Board convenes its monthly meeting at 7 pm. If you are interested in attending, use this Zoom link.
|
|
|
Sunday, October 30
Shrewd and Faithful Care
Today is Consecration Sunday, the day we pledge our financial support to Foundry for the year 2023, re-affirming our hope — and our help — for Foundry’s future. This is the community in which we learn, serve, and practice the actions and rituals that help us grow in love and holiness. Our sermon texts are Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Luke 10:25-28.
|
|
|
Fair Trade Gifts Are Coming!
Once again, Foundry members will offer a variety of fair-trade items that make wonderful, thoughtful, sustainable holiday gifts. Orders will be accepted beginning early in November. Our purchases support Equal Exchange farmers in developing countries, help eliminate child labor and foster sustainable farming and community development.
For more information or if you are not on our email list, email margaret_mckelvey@yahoo.com.
|
|
For more information on the events above and other upcoming events at Foundry, go to foundryumc.org/events.
|
|
|
|
|
