"From Honduras!"

Tuesday evening we participated in a meeting to brainstorm the development of a new community for those who actually live in the garbage dump. Part of the mission of “Project Transformation” is to address the whole person with the whole Gospel. This involves helping people to create and own a healthier living environment. We are among a group of dreamers planning how to support the community's creation of new housing structures for these poorest of the poor.

Here is the Dream: Help the community to build 300 homes for people who currently live in the garbage dump. This effort would be similar to the creation of the Linda Miller Community - people getting involved in building their own houses and taking ownership of the work.

Visits to their current homes are driving this effort. Jose Ramon and his sister, Ritzy (a student at AFE) invited our team to visit his two children. They were beautiful children even though they were covered in dirt and soot. Their smiles reminded me of my own son, yet saddened me as I saw where they lived. On dirt floors, surrounded by garbage and terrorized by vultures, six people eked out an existence in a six foot by eight foot make shift shack. They had no water, no electricity, and were under constant threat. The health risks apparent from no way to flush waste, no way to clean dishes, and a dirt floor are too numerous to mention.

With tears, Jose Ramon confessed his children suffer from constant sickness from the conditions in which they live. The father felt obvious shame that he could not take better care of his family. Jose is a hard worker. He is not lazy. He is the victim of circumstances. Caught in a vicious cycle, only God can work a miracle in this family's life.

But God works through people like you and me to work those miracles. That is why we dream.

Imagine moving Jose, his wife and their two children, and his mother and sister who live with them, to a house with clean floors, running water and flushing toilets, light in the evening and a stove to cook healthy meals. His children would not fall ill but grow healthy and strong. No longer would Jose feel ashamed of who he is, but take pride in his family and his God who reaches down to help the least of these.

Pray that our dream will soon become reality.

Pastors Rey & Elise Diaz

"Why Just Go To Church? When Church Can Be A Party!!!"

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:4

The Message Bible puts it this way:

Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. Matthew 18:4

August 2008 will probably become the most exciting month of the year at Washington Cathedral! Pastors Tim and Jackie have decided that “August Is For Children!” So we’re gearing up for some serious fun!

Pastor Tim asked me to hold auditions for all the talented children in our church and to schedule those talented children in our worship services for August. So this August will be a wonderful treat for everyone who comes to worship! HONESTLY – the auditions were amazing and each child was precious in their presentations. PLEASE DON’T MISS EVEN ONE WEEK IN AUGUST! (Because of the amount of children that auditioned, we will be scheduling them throughout the Saturday 6pm & Sunday 9 & 11am worship services in August. EVERY SERVICE WILL BE DIFFERENT! Plus, you will still get to hear the Shining Stars, the Junior Choir & Keaton Markey!

Our Special Guest Children include:
Brianna & Tyler Prosch ~ singing ~ “When Christmas Comes To Town”
Ashleigh & Travis Roth ~ singing ~ “O Magnify The Lord”
Ashleigh Roth ~ singing ~ “O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus”
Carly DeLucia ~ singing ~ “Call On Jesus”
Claire Bechtel ~ flute ~ “Theme From Finlandia”
Christina Bechtel ~ piano ~ “Morning Has Broken”
Julian Stefanzick ~ piano ~ “Fur Elise”
Gabrielle Stefanzick ~ dance ~ “Dance Of The Day Lilly”
Alex & Jarrett Chang-Lam ~ karate ~ Kata’s
Lauren Stavig/Nichole Zimmerer/Sarah Stavig as the “Eternal Life Praise Team” ~ singing ~ “Me Gozare”

AND EVERY SUNDAY IN AUGUST WE’LL HAVE A BOUNCE-HOUSE ON CAMPUS FOR THE CHILDREN!!

AND….. SUPER FUN ART PROJECTS IN SUNDAY SCHOOL!! WHOOOOHOOOO!

COME HAVE FUN WITH US AT WASHINGTON CATHEDRAL IN AUGUST!!

Pastor Naomi

"The Fingerprints of God!"

In WOW this summer, we are in a study on the “Fingerprints of God on our lives” by Jennifer Rothschild, a blind, young, very vibrant woman. Jennifer is a gifted author, speaker and recording artist. Jennifer says, “The God who raised mountains and set the mighty waves in motion wants us to feel his tender personal touch. God guides us on pathways we cannot navigate alone. His touch separates us from all other created beings, and warms, affirms and guides us, and communicates value and self esteem.”

The study has reminded me that I am valuable to God. His touch makes me valuable, and I am marked with my Creator’s loving and tender fingerprints. He made me in his image to reflect and enjoy His glory. The Lord looks down from Heaven and sees the whole human race. He made our hearts, and His eye is upon us and He watches us, and He touches us in ways that we might miss. We often don’t recognize His touch.

In Matthew 6:26 - Jesus said, “Look at the birds, they don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for yourheavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are?” And in Luke 12:6Jesus said, “What is the price of 5 sparrows – 2 cents? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So, don’t be afraid: You are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

I can look back over many years and realize how God’s fingerprints have been on my life from the day I was born -- from the parents He gave me, the family He placed me in, the country I was blessed to be born in, from early church experiences, and... my rebellious years (which He brought me through). Of course, there is the day His redeeming grace won my heart over and Jesus came to live within me, and the many situations since then where His loving touch has been very evident. He has guided and shaped my life and brought tremendous joy to my heart and life. There have been tough times too, but His fingerprints are very evident in every situation.

It is good to be reminded that “value” is determined by “price paid”, and Jesus paid the ultimate price for you and me. So I’d say He thinks we are very valuable! Even when we don’t feel valuable, we still are valuable. Even when we don’t feel noticed, God’s eyes never leave us. Even when we don’t feel His touch, our lives reflect His hand. Even when darkness surrounds us, we can be sure that God sees us. Sharing our experiences with the WOW ladies has drawn us closer together as a family and drawn us closer to God. I am glad that God watches over me and over you!

Pastor Marilyn

"Strangely Brilliant!"

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face,And the things of earth will grow strangely brilliant,In the light of His glory and grace.

I apologize to the hymnist for turning her poetry inside out. What Helen Lemmel penned was,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim…

Her intent was to accentuate the unequaled beauty of Christ by casting all else in dull, muted tones. Fair enough.

But closeness to Jesus has mostly heightened my awareness of life's beauty.

…Setting sunlight turning trees and trail to gold
…The glide of a canoe across a mountain lake at dawn
…An ancient marriage proposal sung in Gaelic
…Rhodies blooming
…The crack of a bat on a 98 mph fastball
…A full night of sleep
…The summertime incense of charcoal
…Saltwater and coconut oil
…Friendships rekindled

In my experience, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism of all things into their intended glory.

Pastor Scott Burnett

"A Summer That's Too Good To Miss!!!"

I remember the sweet days of summer. When I was growing up, I would count down the days until it began. Summer jobs, summer reading (just for fun), summer workouts (getting the edge on next years improvements), summer vacations, summer camps, the change of pace in summer worship that would refresh my faith, sitting on the front porch in the evening ~ just enjoying the cool of the planet and the appearance of the stars.

I was playing golf with Bob Cryder last August and as we approached the 18th green we crossed some freshly cut grass. He turned to me and said, “Do you smell that?” I smiled, “I sure do.” He smiled and said, “What do you smell?” I said, “Football!” He said, “That’s right.”

Summer is a great time of year. Everyone is precious. I hope you get a vacation. I pray that you savor swim lessons with your kids and long walks to enjoy nature. But I also hope you worship God this summer and grow in preparation for the greatest year of your life. At Washington Cathedral we are calling this the “Summer That is Too Good to Miss!” In other words, if you have to miss church (and we all do sometimes) then we want you to know that you are really missing something very special. July is the month of Vacation Bible School, Youth Camps & Singles Retreat. But there are 12 worship services that you can go to ~ one for every day of the week (except Tuesday or Friday). Childcare is provided at every worship service, the Bible is taught, powerful prayers are given, communion service is celebrated, world changing offerings are given as a community, and a family-style picnic is enjoyed. The only service that's a little different is the Sunday evening Spanish service ~ and even there someone will probably sit by you and translate for you.

Our church is being transformed as our study of the Book of Acts draws to a conclusion. But heading into summer, each month has a theme. July is for hero’s! Discover and develop the heroic aspects of your personality and faith. Those are the same aspects of a personality that give peace in anxious times and entire families hold on to it during tough times. August is for children. Rediscover the carefree, joy filled, awe inspired child inside of you. Every weekend we will have a children’s inflatable toy and a children’s talent contest right in the service. Then, September is for leaders! Discover the mountain moving world changing leader inside of you. How do you break through to succeed in the areas that you were created for?

Every service is going to be a lot of fun and I promise that you will leave refreshed. So make sure to attend as many as you can. It truly will be the “Summer That is Too Good to Miss!”

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Tim White

"We Need One Another!"

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so that we can help each other.

1 Corinthians 12:7

“We were both made for each other,” the young couple beamed as they sat in my office. I smiled, appreciating their love and also knowing the adventure that lay ahead of them. But they’re right. People are made for each other. We need one another. Many things in our own personalities force us into emotional, intellectual, and spiritual isolation. But no matter how difficult it is - with our uniqueness and porcupine-tendencies - we still all need one another.

Yesterday, I woke up before the rest of the family and got ready for work. I glanced over in the corner of our living room and still setting there were miniature cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and chaps. They were remnants of Elijah’s stay with us. I walked over to pick them up and put them in his toy box, knowing that they will not fit him when he comes back again, I could not bring myself to put them away. I nicknamed him “El Tegrito” or “My Cute Little Tiger” because he seems to like things he’s afraid of such as the ocean, or a swimming pool, or our horse-dog Strider. He even rode on Strider’s back - and they were both smiling. I thought to myself, “I miss this little grandson so much!” God created us to need other people.

You will never know how good you can be until you get involved with other positive people. Join a “Tiny Little Church”, use your gifts, reach out and make some friendships with people that you wouldn’t normally befriend - you might be surprised. Make it to worship as regularly as you can and take time to pray for the people around you. Be religious about spending time with your family - enjoying them and encouraging them as if God were working through you. Because as odd as people can be; we really do need each other.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Tim White

"A Green ReCreation Center!"

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers-the moon and the stars you set in place.

What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?

Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.

You gave them charge of everything you made,

Putting all things under their authority-

The flocks and the herdsAnd all the wild animals,

The birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,

And everything that swims the ocean currents.

PSALM 8:3-8

Being in charge of something also means that you must “care” for what you have been given charge over. These verses started me thinking…. how are we doing with our “care” for what He has given us here at Washington Cathedral? I mean… we have this wonderful, new ReCreation Center that God has given us charge over to build for Him. Have we taken great “care” inbuilding it?

Well, I didn’t have to go very far to get some answers to my questions since my husband, Bruce, stepped up to answer God’s call for someone to manage the project. He was a great source of information, so I thought I’d share it with you today. But then… I had one more thought… “maybe you’re not the only one with this thought, Naomi.” So I searched out a dear sister in Christ, Sara Clark, who I know loves God’s creation. Sara and I have a few things in common. We both love to worship Jesus through music! We are both allergic to wheat, milk & soy (bummer). And we’re both dedicated recyclers (Go Green!). So here’s what we both came up with:

Some Green Aspects of Washington Cathedral's ReCreation Building

1. We've chosen to build our building into the hillside for major energy efficiency both in the winter and the summer. And we’ve really insulated our new building.
   
2. We've used recycled materials in our linoleum, auditorium flooring & wall paneling.
   
3. We've invested greatly in storm water retention and water quality facilities to minimize the impact of water runoff on the environment. The design of these storm water ponds combines engineering requirements with aesthetics to create natural looking landscape features for the Community. Our runoff is released at a rate that corresponds to an old growth forest; is re-circulated in water features; or is used in irrigation.
   
4. Rainwater and well water will be used for irrigation, which reduces our use of precious Community drinking water resources.
   
5. We've incorporated low maintenance landscaping that reduces the amount of energy needed formaintenance and lowering our fertilizer requirements.
   
6. We've used energy efficient lighting throughout the building, making use of motion sensing and light sensing systems to maximize energy efficiency.
   
7. We've incorporated energy recovery systems in our heating system to reduce energy use.
   
8. We've aesthetically designed a trash storage building that drains to the sewage system to preventcontamination of run off from waste materials.
   
9. We're using recycled concrete blocks, which eliminates concrete waste and destruction of the environment.
   
10. Our windows are Low E glazed energy efficient windows.
    
11. We designed our site to be sensitive to the steep slope and stream to the east of our property.
    
12. We lovingly participated in neighborly green activity by designing the parking lot along our southern border to include landscape buffers of trees and vegetation for our neighbors.
    
13. Our parking lot light design was chosen to minimize light pollution for the Community.
    
14. Local materials were used in our project. The concrete, wood, retaining wall blocks, gravel and paving…which make up the bulk of the projects weight, were all manufactured locally.
    

Pastor Naomi & Sara Clark