This issue of Soundings includes:
Calendar
Events in February and news from current members of Seekers and the wider Seekers community.
SOUNDINGS
FEBRUARY 2009
CALENDAR
Tuesdays, Feb. 10–Mar. 17—Seekers School of Christian Living, with two classes. (See story.)
Sunday, Feb. 1—InterPlay, 1–4 p.m., Sanctuary. Also: Friday, Feb. 13—InterPlay day-long
event, Cynthia Winton-Henry, at Sacred Circles event at the National Cathedral. (See story
for these and other events.)
Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14—Sacred Circles women’s event at the National
Cathedral. See www.nationalcathedral.org/learn/sacredCircles.shtml
Sunday, Feb. 15—Visit to Seekers by the founder of Afghanistan Institute of Learning (AIL)
and post-service discussion, 11:30 am–12:15 pm. (See story.)
Sunday, Feb. 15—Concert, 3 pm, at Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill (see
story)
Friday, Feb. 20–Sunday, Feb. 22—Dayspring Silent Retreat for the larger C of S community and
beyond. “Becoming God’s Beloved,” led by Peter Bankson. (See story.)
April 2009—Seekers Retreat at Dayspring. More information will be coming later.
SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
Two classes at the Seekers School first spring term begin soon:
Dates: 2/10-3/17 (six weeks)
Dinner at 7:00 for a $4 donation
Classes 7:45–9:30
Passion and Purpose: A Study of Psalms
Led by Dan Phillips
This discussion group will explore the power and artistry of ancient Hebrew poetry with a
goal of finding relevance to our modern lives. In considering the forms and images of the
Psalms, we will examine our own passions for and thoughts about the divine. Using artistic
expression and group participation, we will investigate what, if anything, these writers
from another time and place have to say to us about our practices of prayer and worship. And
we will attempt to relate our own ideas of the good life with what those presented in this
holy book.
Book discussion group—Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson
Led by Brenda Seat
Gilead was published in 2004 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2005 amid widespread
acclaim. This epistolary novel presents a sympathetic portrait of Reverend John Ames, who
writes about his life and his beliefs, ever mindful of the fact that he has only a short
time to live. Reverend Ames takes up the task of writing in the hopes that his little boy
will read this book when he is an adult and thus become acquainted with the father he may
barely remember otherwise.”
Themes of trying to translate and communicate experiences and understandings from one
generation to the next, the issues of that arise between fathers and sons, the relevance of
faith, and coming to terms with the shortness of life will be explored.
Brenda hopes that all who join the group will help “co-teach!”
DAYSPRING RETREATS
Nancy Lawrence writes—There will be a Dayspring Silent Retreat for the larger C of S
community and beyond. Our Peter Bankson will be leading “Becoming God’s Beloved”—based on
Henry Nouwen’s thought—February 20–22. Anyone interested, please contact Peter.
Our next Seekers silent retreat at Dayspring is scheduled for April, the weekend after
Easter. More information will be coming later.
SOUNDINGS SURVEY
Please note that this survey is in Kate Cudlipp’s email of January 28 to all
Seekers. If you have not responded to Kate and would like to, please do so using her emailed message.
Kate writes—The Servant Leadership Team and Liz Gould-Leger are asking you to spend a few
minutes to answer the following few questions to help us think about the future of
Soundings, the Seekers newsletter. If you will indicate in some fashion—an asterisk or any
other mark that shows your choice of answers—and then return your responses to me, we would
appreciate it. We are hoping for responses from as many of you as possible so we will have a
good indication of where to go with the newsletter. All suggestions and comments are
welcome.
I am also attaching the questionnaire as a document if some of you would prefer to work with
it in that form–and then return it to me. Ongoing Epiphany blessings, Kate
INTERPLAY EVENTS
February 1: “InterPlay DC First Sunday Gathering and Body Spirit Celebration” from 1-4pm at
Seeker’s Church
February 13: The founder of InterPlay, Cynthia Winton Henry at Sacred Circles Conference for
Women’s Spirituality (http://www.nationalcathedral.org/learn/sacredCircles.shtml) is the
link for more information.
February 15: The Living Masquerade: Embodying the Archetypes with Cynthia Winton Henry and
Rick Kakareka 1:30 – 5:30 at Christ Church on Capitol Hill – see information below.
February 27: Friday Evening Northern Virginia Playgroup at the Carey Building with John
Peterson—see below.
February 28: Saturday InterPlay Class at the UU Church in Arlington with Dina Claussen and
Rick Kakareka.
Next 1st Sunday DC/MD/VA Open Gathering: March 1, 2009 (Call Sue at 703-641-5963)
websites: interplay.org & interplaydc.org .
The Living Masquerade: Embodying Archetypes
With Rick Kakareka and Cynthia Winton-Henry
Sunday Feb 15, 2009
1:30-5:30pm
Cynthia and Rick embody playful archetypes like Tree of Life, Rainbow Serpent, Raccoon, and
others that guide and inspire them. What is alive in you that wants to be seen? Using
InterPlay forms, improvisational mask making, and community sculpting, we’ll draw on our
body wisdom as we ask, “Who are we now and what are we facing?”
Location: Christ Church
620 G Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
Christ Church is just two and a half blocks south of the Eastern Market Metro station.
Cost: $30
Please let us know if you’ll be joining us by contacting Rick
(You can send us a check ahead of time or register at the door. Checks should be made out to
Interplay DC.)
Rick Kakareka
6417 Cherokee Court
Alexandria, VA 22312
rick@virtualconnections.net or 703-966-7l38
Rick Kakareka is a certified Interplay leader. He is visual artist, mask maker, and
musician. He is a member of The Big Yes Performance Ensemble and founder of the NoVA/DC Joe
Campbell Foundation Mythological Roundtable.
InterPlay–Northern Virginia Playgroup
Friday Feb 27, 2009
7:00-9:00 PM
Led by John Peterson, Certified InterPlay Leader
at the Cary Building – 8136 Old Keene Mill Rd, Suite A-210
Springfield, VA 22152
(Near Old Keene Mill and Rolling Rd)
CALL FOR USED LAPTOPS FOR BOKAMOSO YOUTH
Kate Cudlipp writes—Jackie McMakin has asked that I send out the request below for used
laptops. Hope some of you may be able to respond and/or forward the request to others who
might help–your address list, neighborhood or work lists, etc.
Needed: Used Laptops for South African Students
South African students who are members of the Bokamoso Youth Troupe are in need of used lap
top computers for their studies. Here are the specs:
PC with Windows 2000 or xp
Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point
Deadline: March 1. The reason for the deadline is that 29 American students will travel to
South Africa as part of an exchange on March 15. We have a computer person who can clean up
the computers and upgrade them if necessary.
Please call Roy Barber 202-244-6353 and we will arrange a way to get the computer.
Your used laptop can make an enormous difference in the life of a South African student
eager to learn.
RECYCLING ELECTRONICS
Trish Nemore passes on this message from the Sligo Park Hills website:
Best Buy Takes E-Waste Recycling Nationwide
Beginning Feb. 15, Minneapolis-based Best Buy has announced it will provide e-waste
recycling at all of its 1,006 stores nationwide and will expand the service to its stores in
Puerto Rico by 2010. Consumers will be allowed to drop off two items, per household each
day, free of charge.
A $10 recycling fee will be charged per unit for items with screens such as televisions,
monitors and laptop computers. Consumers will receive a $10 gift card in exchange for the
recycling fee, except in its California stores or for the company’s exclusively branded
products. Stores also will not accept televisions or monitors larger than 32 inches, console
televisions, appliances, microwaves and items that contain Freon.
In June, the company launched a pilot program at 117 of its U.S. stores.
Note—For Seekers and others interested in the Maryland area below, here’s a local website
included in Trish’s message:
To receive information about Silver Spring/Takoma Park outside of Sligo Park Hills, email
SilverSpring-TakomaParkCommunityNews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to join.
NEWS OF THE WIDER SEEKERS COMMUNITY
Ron Kraybill—Pat Conover sends us good news (January 12 here in the U.S.) from Ron, former
Seekers member now in the Middle East.
Hi guys, They’re here! [Ron and Ody’s expected twins.] Arrived Monday evening at 745 and
750pm. A month early, 2.2 and 1.9 kgs., but 9 APGAR ratings and in perfection condition. Ody
says they look like Kraybills, especially Josh and Carly. Ody’s water broke at 630am Monday
morning, we went right away to the hospital, moderate level contractions all day, full
dilation by 7pm, 30 minutes of pushing and the Baby A was here! One big push and Baby B
arrived five minutes later! They are on monitors for some days in the neonatal unit but we
are hoping to take them home by the end of the weekend. Ody’s fine—says the labor really was
not as bad as she expected, extremely tired and sore, but doing well. I’m tired and happy
and overwhelmed but doing fine. Love, Ron
The best email address for Ron is: RonKraybiill@gmail.com.
Thelma Hemker—Kate Cudlipp sends a message of her death.—Here is word of the passing of one
of the oldest (I have to think) C of S’ers. The information is here for anyone who may have
known Thelma Hemker and would like to be present at her memorial service.
On Friday, February 6, 2009
We will celebrate the life of Thelma M. Hemker—August 16, 1903, to January 19, 2009
National Lutheran Home Chapel
9701 Veirs Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
10:30 a.m.
Light lunch following in Lang Hall
For further information call Fern Edwards, 301-424-8107.
Directions: I-270, Exit 5-Falls Road South (west – go back over I-270 when coming from DC),
right on Wootton Parkway, to Scott Drive (4th left, first light) becomes Veirs Drive. NLH
Campus is on the right.
Phone: 301-424-9560
Wednesday, February 4, in the joint service of Potters House Church and Jubilee Church,
there will be a period of remembrance of Thelma at 6:00 p.m.
1658 Columbia Road N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
CHORAL CONCERT AT REFORMATION—KATHY TOBIAS
Kathy writes—I thought you might be interested in our performance (Reformation choir plus
outstanding singers from the DC area) of the Faure Requiem and the world premiere of the
Requiem written by our wonderful (Juilliard-trained) choir director/composer Paul Leavitt—a
benefit for Whitman-Walker Clinic. Flyer attached—hope it comes through! [See Kathy’s Jan.
27 email for the attached flyer.]
The performance is Sunday afternoon, February 15, 3 pm, at Lutheran Church of the
Reformation, 212 E. Capitol (right behind the Supreme Court). All are welcome to come;
contributions are voluntary.
INAUGURAL EXPERIENCE AND REFLECTIONS IN PAT’S BLOG
Pat writes— Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues, It feels good to be posting to my blog
again. This one is a short personal piece about feeling so different about being part of the
political aspects of citizenship as a result of my experience at Obama’s inauguration. You
can read the post at http://blog.patconover.com. Sorry for the mistake in my web address in
my last email message to you.—Enjoy.
AA AT SEEKERS
John Morris writes— Many of you know that we host an Alcoholics Anonymous group at Seekers.
The Takoma Rush Hour Group meets every Thursday at 5:30 pm, renting the spacejust like any
other building user, in keeping with AA’s tradition that every group be fully
self-supporting. The group began about 18 months ago with just two or three members, meeting
in the third-floor meditation room. As of a month ago, the group had become so large that it
had to switch to the conference room for its meetings, which now number 15–20 people. A
member of Seekers who attends the meetings reports, “We’ve been very successful in helping
each other stay sober. We attracted quite a few newcomers to the AA program, and several of
these members recently celebrated their first anniversary of sobriety.” Seekers can feel
pleased and proud that the gift of sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous is being offered at
our church.
AFGHAN INSTITUTE OF LEARNING—FOUNDER’S VISIT AND A DISCUSSION
Jane Engle writes—Mark your calendar: The founder of Afghanistan Institute of Learning
(AIL), Sakena Yacoobi, will be at Seekers 2/15/09. After joining us for worship, from 11:30
am to 12:15 pm, she will lead a discussion of the situation in Afghanistan today, focusing
on women and children, and the work of AIL. Sakena will also be a plenary speaker and lead
workshops at the Sacred Circles Conference at the National Cathedral preceding her visit to
Seekers. Seekers has made donations to AIL through our international giving for many years.
Contact Jane Engle if you would like to join Sakena for lunch at a nearby restaurant after
the discussion.
CELEBRATION CIRCLE—A SUMMARY OF PREACHING IN 2008
At Seekers we take seriously our understanding that each of us, without exception, can and
does hear God’s Word in various ways in our lives, and that some of us are led to share the
Word that we hear through preaching. One of the consequences of this stance is that we have
a rich diversity of preachers at Seekers. Just how rich it is can be seen from the following
summary of our 2008 preaching.
34 people or groups preached at least once.
We heard 27 women preachers, 15 men, and 7 groups. In addition, we had two Taize services
and a Christmas carol sing.
On 45 Sundays, the preaching came from the Seekers community. On seven Sundays, we heard
voices from outside our community.
Whether or not you personally were included in these 2008 numbers, Celebration Circle would
be delighted to have you in the mix for 2009. Ken Burton keeps the preaching calendar, but
please feel free to speak with any member of the mission group (Deborah Sokolove, Peter
Bankson, and Sandra Miller, as well as Ken), about adding your voice to those that we hear
from the Seekers pulpit.
CARMEN ESTRADA IN DANCE PERFORMANCE
Leslie Smith writes—Our daughter Carmen will be performing with a flamenco dance company at
the end of February at the Alden Theater in McLean. I’m attaching a notice and ticket
information for anyone interested in attending. It should be quite an evening. Warmly,
Leslie
Mark your calendars and buy your tickets early for Furia Flamenca’s next big production
coming on February 28, 2009! Our next big show will be held at the Alden Theater in McLean,
VA. This will be our biggest production yet, where we will bring to life the poetry of
Federico Garcia Lorca through flamenco in an unforgettable evening of poetry, music, singing
and dancing. Come experience the passion of Garcia Lorca through flamenco! Tickets are
already on sale and are only $30 and $25 for McLean residents! The show will only run for
one evening, so don’t wait until the last minute to buy your tickets! For more information
on the Alden Theater and to purchase tickets, please visit their website at
http://www.mcleancenter.org/alden/guestartist.asp
