THE ALMOND TREE

Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
The Rev. Mary Sulerud, Interim Rector
The Rev. David Crosby, Assistant Rector
Jennifer Addington, Editor

February 13, 2013

Dear Friends,
As my mother waited in her hospital room for the cancer surgery that was to happen later that morning, she was
nervous, but remarkably optimistic, counting herself among those fortunate enough to have been attentive to her
own health and to have had a physician who listened to her, made a diagnosis and moved her into appropriate
medical treatment quickly. Just before the nursing team came to take her to the OR, a Roman Catholic priest, sent
by my grandparents, came into the room to pray, anoint her and give her what was largely understood at that time
in the church as “last rites.” She was polite, but went into surgery furious, feeling that her physician and her family
had not told her the truth. She not only came out of the surgery well, but went onto enjoy 35 cancer-free years of
life.
Given her sense of betrayal, her recovery of a faith life took a while. It was 10 years before she went back to church
for anything other than my brothers’ baptisms, first communions and confirmations. This story, happening when I
was 16, shaped how I thought about the healing ministry of the church for a very long time…with very great
apprehension and suspicion. Having participated in healing ministries in all of the congregations I have served I
have come to think quite differently about what Christ offers in this act of laying on of hands and anointing with
healing oil.
Of the many names we give Jesus, “healer and physician of our souls” reflect the many times that Jesus enters a
village or city and heals all of the sick who are brought to him. These acts of healing bring throngs of people near to
receive this visible sign of God’s kingdom breaking into human life. In the gospels, disease, deformity, and demonic
possession are on par with sin as examples of how our lives are broken and the extent to which God seeks in Jesus
to heal and restore us to fullness of life.
The advent of medicine as we practice it today has often meant that the ministry of healing has been practiced in
religious settings either as a dramatic cure for those who had sufficient faith or as a last rite for those who probably
were dying, except by divine intervention. Both of these are real distortions of what the gospels tell us Jesus was
doing: returning people to lives of wholeness and holiness so that they might become disciples and participants in
the kingdom of God. The service of healing as offered in the BCP 1979, the Book of Occasional Services and
Enriching Our Worship offer within the context of Holy Eucharist the opportunity to seek the laying on of hands,
anointing and prayer so that we may be sustained by Christ and healed of our brokenness in body, mind or spirit. In
those prayers on behalf of the people present and others, I have seen what a wonderful hymn called, O Christ the
healer, describes with these words: “How can we fail to be restored, when reached by love that never ends?” I don’t
often see “the cure” in healing services, but I almost always see a powerful restoration of hope and possibility. As
my mother said near the end of her life when another priest came to visit, “I can’t do much, but I can do something
to be a better person today because of this healing prayer.”
This Lent we will offer services of healing at 11:15 on two Sundays, February 24th and March 17th. The full rite will
be offered at 11:15. At 8 and 9:15 we will have healing stations after each service so that those who would like to
have healing prayers for themselves or on behalf of others may remain in the church and receive this ministry.
Because of this, at the 9:15 service limited announcements will be made after the peace. I invite you as the Spirit of
God moves you to participate in this offering of Christ to you and, in the words of another hymn, be bold to say,
“Heal me hands of Jesus, and search out all my pain: restore my hope, remove my fear and bring me peace again.”
Faithfully yours, Mary+
PASTORAL CARE CORNER: Please remember BIBLES ON TAP: Looking
these parishioners in your prayers: Duncan MacDonald, for a group to join to discuss the
Morgan, Lloyd and Jean Mostrom, Nancy Wise, Janet Bible, join in outreach
Siegrist, Mary Goeser, Catherine, Susan Kernan, Mary, opportunities, talk about life, or
Natalie Doyle-Hennin, Bill Frye, Yvonne Pover, Kerry just enjoy the occasional night
Kelly, Barbara Currie, Janice Corbett, Rick Murphy, out with friends? Then come
join us for Bibles on Tap!
Please also remember in your prayers members of our
extended Parish family: : Joan Aldretti, Dean and “Bibles on Tap” is a group of adults, ages 20-39, who
Charlotte Kellogg, Chris Rarick, Susan Shallbetter, Tom meet once a month at Café 1823 at VTS to discuss
Stasz, Eleanor Boothe Smith, Stephen Miller, Jim the upcoming gospel lessons, enjoy the Seminary
Rarick, Irv Schiff, Patricia Smith, Josie Guardipee, Pub’s atmosphere and relax with new and old
Helen Butler, Sam Faeth, Lawrence Sanchez, Paul, Joan friends. Our group is a mix of singles, couples, and
Cummins, Eric Reading, Sr., Cameron, Sue Rehnke, parents who come together for fellowship and
Laurie, Caitlin Rivers, Patricia Ryan, Chris Stanek, Dana theological discussion. Please join us and feel free to
Hengst, Lois and Don McCorvie, Anthony Christino, bring a friend!
Jr., Dru Eckard, Elesa McFadden, Mike Hart, Jane
Burton, Marsha Porter, Laura, Keith Green, Evelyn Our next meeting is Wednesday February 20th, 7:30
Rowe, Meg Clontz, Chris Moore, Lois, Steve Wells, p.m. at Café 1823 (Virginia Theological Seminary
Percy Hays, Nancy Engleman, Alex, Patrick Ogden, Pub). We will discuss the gospel lesson and readings
Laura Watt, Chris Enstrom, Marian, Ray Dovell. for Sunday February 20th.
Questions? Contact Lindsay McGahuey-Yates at
Those serving in the U.S. and overseas: Todd Bates, Lbmyates@gmail.com or 571-243-9114.
Paul Bednar, Yolanda Bednar, Ian Phillips, John Patrick
Miller, Philip Smucker, Jon Anderson, Nicole DeBien,
Noah Barker, Kendra Smith.
SCHOOL FOR THE SPIRIT COMING AFTER
EASTER: HELP US MAKE IT MEET YOUR
NEEDS AND INTERESTS
Come join us in one of ICOH's longstanding spiritual
growth, learning and fellowship opportunities at
DID YOU KNOW…Sundays during Lent are
School for the Spirit for the seven weeks of April 7
considered Sundays “in” Lent, while Sundays during
through May 19. School for the Spirit's simple
Advent are considered “of” Advent. What’s the
dinner together and classes in the spring and fall are a
difference? During Advent, Sundays are part of the
longstanding part of ICOH’s “inreach,” education
season, while during Lent, Sundays are “extra” – not
and spiritual nurturing. This Spring, we will take
part of the 40 days of Lent. They are like mini-
the best of ICOH’s many years of School for the
Easters, which means that if you give up things like
Spirit and at the same time make those changes that
coffee or chocolate – you can indulge on Sundays
might appeal to a broader participation. Classes
without guilt!
being considered are Children’s Spirituality; Literature
and Faith; Restorative Justice in Luke's Gospel (led by
Rev. Mary Sulerud); Bible Workbench (led by Rev.
ALMOND TREE ON LINE. As you all know by
Bill Dols); Science and Faith; Christianity, Pacifism
now, we are no longer mailing the Almond Tree out
and Just War; and what all of us can learn from 12-
to all parishioners, it simply is too expensive. We are
Step Programs. We really need your help in the one-
posting it on the website as soon as it is published. In
minute, two-question survey at the link below to see
the past, Jennifer has been sending out a parish-wide
what would make School for the Spirit especially meet
email that it is available by clicking on the link to the
your needs this spring, including whether to offer it
website. That has proved cumbersome and confusing
on Sunday or Wednesday evenings.
to many people. Now, look for an email from her
with a direct link to that day’s Almond Tree. All you
Please take the one minute, two-question survey
will need to do is click on the link, and you will go
here: http://tinyurl.com/bem478p
directly to the newsletter, bypassing the website itself.
 CALLING ALL ARTISTS – We DISCERNMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE
will be following the Stations of the The Discernment Committee has
Cross as part of the noon liturgy on done the hard work of identifying
Good Friday, March 29. Each of the the applicants we will consider in
14 Stations, we hope, will be the next phase of the search
illustrated by an ICOH artist. We are looking for process. Beginning a little later
artists to depict a particular moment from Jesus’ this month, the committee will
passion. We are looking for diversity in media – conduct 30 – 40 minute Skype
painters, sketch and print artists, sculptors, textiles interviews with those applicants and continue the
(quilts, needlework, etc.), for this worship. Youth evaluation of those we wish to consider for further
participants are particularly welcome. Since the discernment. Following the Skype interviews, a
Stations will be in the Chapel this year, (where space smaller set of applicants will be invited to visit ICOH
is more limited than in the Parish Hall), if you are individually, become acquainted with the physical
interested in participating, please contact either of the plant, and meet with the committee. More
clergy for guidance on size specifications. discernment and committee decisions will happen
after these encounters. Return visits by members of
LENT IS HERE. Recently, +Bishop Shannon led the committee to the home parishes of those
some clergy through a pre-Lenten Retreat, where we remaining applicants still under consideration will
examined Traditions & Choices, Expectations & then follow. By then, the committee should know the
Changes for clergy in first calls, after recent moves, preferred candidate for the position of our next
and in new relationships. He cited part of a prayer in Rector. By all accounts, the process is on track,
the Palm Sunday liturgy [BCP 272], “Mercifully grant moving ahead at a good pace, and working, we hope,
that we may walk in the way of suffering, and also toward a successful conclusion. Your Discernment
share in his resurrection; ..” adding, "We cannot do Committee: Caroline Bergmark, Tom Brown,
Holy Week, let alone the Triduum, without doing Governor Burke, Jim Clausen, Carrie Cuddy,
Lent properly." It was a time of great teaching and Barbara Currie, Tom Harris, Doug Henry,
wonderful counsel with dialogue. Some Lenten Wendy John, Chandley McDonald, Eileen
practices involve taking on something more on rather Monnin-Kirby, Martha Sedgwick.
than foregoing that which we always receive, i.e., beer,
chocolate, etc. The Bishop emphasized what we give THANKS FROM ALIVE! Thanks to everyone
up as a ‘spiritual fast,’ to deny ourselves something who contributed food or wrote a check to Alive!
that is meaningful and daily as part of our discipline. I during January. Your donations were greatly needed
invite you to consider this season of Lent as time and gratefully received. Immanuel's next collection
where the temporal life we all share might be invaded will be in June.
by the eternal life we all seek. I wish you all a most
holy and blessed Lent ~ David+ STEWARDSHIP - Dr. J. Clif Christopher, a United
Methodist minister and founder of Horizons
Stewardship, was the keynote speaker at Diocesan
ANNUAL HEIFER FAIR, SUNDAY, Council. Author of several books, including “Not
FEBRUARY 24: Sunday School will be holding the Your Parent’s Offering Plate” and “Rich Church-
annual Heifer Fair on Sunday, February 24, following Poor Church, ” he spoke to the downward trend in
the 9:15 service. Heifer International is a global church giving which requires a radical change in
organization that provides livestock and training to Stewardship. Dr. Christopher urged us to change our
families struggling with hunger and poverty. Each message, refocus our efforts, and make Stewardship a
class will pick an animal and ask the congregation to year-long campaign. He challenged us with “What
join in and purchase shares. The fair will feature difference does the Church make?” We must begin
games, snacks and more information about this by “making our case” and promoting our product
outstanding organization. A donation makes a which strives to change hearts, minds and lives.
wonderful gift. Gift cards will be available. Please join Please look for more information regarding
us! Stewardship from the clergy and vestry in the coming
weeks.
 DISCOVER YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS
A lunchtime workshop, Sunday, March 3, 12:15 to 2:00 p.m.

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts: a lunchtime workshop, Sunday, March 3rd, 12:15 to
2:00 p.m.

You may not think of yourself as gifted--but you are. You are gifted by God in your
creation and baptism: you have been given special gifts that are intended by God for
building God's kingdom in this world. We call these particular gifts, "spiritual gifts",
and they are such things as teaching, hospitality, proclaiming the Gospel, helping,
pastoring, praying, and prophecy. Would you like to learn more about your own
unique spiritual gifts, and discover ways that God might intend for you to use them?
Please join us for a lunchtime workshop in the parish hall after church on Sunday,
March 3rd, where we will have a light lunch and then explore (1) what spiritual gifts
are, (2) what gifts you yourself have within you, and (3) how these gifts give you
passion and energy for serving God in the world. Child care will be available. Hope
to see you there! Sign up on the sheet in the narthex (chapel foyer)--be sure to
sign up for child care so we know whether we need it and if so, how many children.
For more information, contact the Rev. Corry Weierbach by email
(corryweierbach@gmail.com), phone (703-956-0410), or ask another member of our
Leadership group: Sara Fein, Hance Haney, and Betty Wanamaker.
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
3606 Seminary Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
703-370-6555
office@icoh.net
http://www.icoh

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

February 17, 1st Sunday in Lent

Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
8:00 a.m., Great Litany and HEI; 9:15 a.m., Great Litany and HEII; 11:15 a.m., Great Litany and HEII
February 24, 2nd Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17—4:1; Luke 13:31-35
8:00 a.m., HEI; 9:15 a.m., HEII; 11:15 a.m., HEI with Healing
March 3, 3rd Sunday in Lent
Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9
8:00 a.m., HEI; 9:15 a.m., HEII; 11:15 a.m., HEII