“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.”

Lego depictions aside, the story of Uzzah isn’t a particularly funny one. If you just drop in on the story in 2 Samuel 6, Uzzah’s death seems pretty radically unfair. Here he is helping escort the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem, he reaches out to steady the ark when the ox pulling it trips, and — BAM! — God strikes him dead. Sure, you’re not supposed to touch holy things like the ark… But isn’t death a rather harsh punishment for trying to keep the thing from falling into the dirt?

As David so clearly pointed out in his sermon yesterday, Uzzah’s error was greater than this short passage immediately makes clear. No matter how split-second a decision it may have been, Uzzah did choose to set his hand the ark rather than let it fall to the ground. And at some fundamental level, that choice reveals that Uzzah thought he knew better than God did what the best thing for the ark would be. Pretty big error.

More significantly, that ark should never have been on that cart in the first place. As God makes abundantly clear in Exodus 25, the ark was supposed to be carried by priests using the two gold-covered poles that fit through the gold rings on each of the four corners of the ark. We don’t know for sure why the Israelites decided to transport the ark up to Jerusalem using a cart — but evidently they didn’t care much for following the rules that God had set.

So this has me thinking… While the error of touching the ark was clearly Uzzah’s own, he wasn’t the only one who’d had a hand in the whose situation. There were any number of other people involved in deciding to use the cart to transport the ark. Sure, Uzzah could have — and perhaps should have — objected… but so could — or should — have all the others. Whether they knew the instructions for how the ark was to be carried and simply ignored them, or whether they’d never been taught them in the first place, the community around Uzzah bore some responsibility for the situation which ultimately resulted in Uzzah’s death.

The implications for us are a little uncomfortable. As a church, we are a community. And while each of us bears the responsibility for and the results of our own sin, we seldom commit those sins in total isolation from our community. Whether by failing to share with others in the community the instructions that God has given us for faithful and righteous living, or by participating in creating situations or decisions that set others up for temptation or bad choices, we often bear some responsibility for each others’ errors.

I say this not to suggest that we should take on more responsibility for others’ sins than is really ours. After all, Uzzah was the one who died for his error — not the whole crowd of 30,000 merry-makers. Nor should we go indiscriminately prying into each others’ lives for the sake of uncovering some sin-in-the-making. But I do think this passage should raise some questions for us, questions about how well we do understand the ways in which our actions and our choices are bound up in others’ actions and choices, how well our lives reflect the fact that faithful, righteous living is a community matter as much as it is an individual one.

This is one of the reasons I’m so grateful for Restoration’s small groups. These little communities are places where we learn from and teach each other the truths that God has given us about the kind of disciples he wants us to be. They’re the places where we can offer support where others are weak, humble challenge where others might be in error, and heartfelt celebration where others experience the joy of God’s healing work in their lives. These little communities are some of the best examples I know of the way that our relationships with God are deeply personal but never private.

If Uzzah had been a part of that kind of community, I wonder how his story might have been different. Could a small group have saved Uzzah’s life?

- Erin

Pastor Pearl is ethnically half-Chinese and half-Burman, and we met her in a township just outside Yangon. Ethnicity is always one of the first things you are told about someone in Myanmar as both historically (the government recognizes over 135 distinct ethnic groups) and geographically (they are surrounded by 5 countries), ethnicity is a significant source of identity, but one thing became clear as we visited a number of different pastors, ethnicity was no barrier to adoption! I’m not too sure how many orphans Pearl cares for – or widows – but her house was FULL: she is a walking, living, breathing Prov 31:20 woman, She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

Orphans is a term which is often used quite broadly – Pearl’s orphans could have lost one or both parents or be ‘economic’ orphans (abandoned permanently or temporarily because the family can’t afford to keep them) – but what is true about all of them is that they need care. Pearl welcomes them all – and feeds, clothes, loves them and teaches them about Jesus, whilst also pastoring a church and caring for a number of widows, and other poorer families. The development term often used for children like these is OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children) and in May OVCs are our focus at Restoration. The Weekly Good Ideas on the bulletin each week will run with the theme and we will spend time at the Tuesday prayer meetings interceding for children.

As a church community we try to support a few things well – Casa Chirilagua (and Dawnielle, the Hoppes and others) www.casachirilagua.org and World Orphans (and the Blaines) www.worldorphans.org are our two major connections in this area. Within the congregation many individuals are involved in other organizations: e.g. Cindy Darnell is an enthusiastic board member for David’s Hope http://www.davidshope.org , Jade and Melanie Totman advocate for Compassion (Simon and I also support five children through Compassion) http://www.compassion.com/ and I expect that friends in your circle of influence can recommend similar organizations. We also have a number of families in the congregation who have adopted children, or who are fostering. Look out for them, talk to them and ask them their stories! And, please tell me your story. How are you involved? How are you walking or would you like to walk with the poor, the widow and the orphan?

Cardboard sign-bearing men at intersections and panhandlers at metro stations remind us that we still live in a broken place with hurting people. How would Jesus have us respond to the destitute and needy?

St. Matthew writes in chapter 25 verses 37-40 of what we are to do:

37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

This stands in stark contrast to common responses to the homeless: ignore the panhandlers (walling ourselves off from others in our community), give out spare change (potentially exacerbating the substance abuse that plagues homeless populations) or politely decline to give out money on the street and pray for them instead (leaving a physical need unmet). A potential fourth option is to carry a homeless care pack that can be distributed to those in need, filled with items that advocates for the homeless list as beneficial.

This Sunday (March 25) members of our Restoration family are invited to bring donated goods (from the list below). Small group volunteers will collect and sort the items into individual care packs, which will then be made available for the congregation to distribute starting April 1.

I don’t claim that these care packs are the solution to long-term homelessness in Arlington, but they do enable us to connect with our neighbors in need. In addition to the donated goods, we will provide a list of resources for Arlington homeless persons, as well as scripture.

Prayer For the Poor and the Neglected (BCP pg. 826)

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please consider bringing any of the following items to the church on March 25:

• Wet wipes (preferably individual anti-bacterial wipes)
• Nutrition bars (soft, chewy cereal bars rather than hard granola bars)
• Fruit or pudding cups
• White socks
• Toothbrush / toothpaste
• Chap stick
• Small New Testament
• Bottle of water
• Soap / shampoo / conditioner / deodorant
• Poncho
• Razor / shaving cream
• Gloves
• Comb / brush

Questions? Contact Jeff Walton at jwalton[at]spu[dot]edu.

- Jeff Walton

Daylight Savings Time always throws me for a loop.  I remember long ago when I was an elementary school teacher.  I was one of those teachers who got to school really early and stayed really late.  During the winter, I often drove to school in the dark and drove home in the dark.  When Daylight Savings Time would arrive, I’d find myself driving home in the light.  And, silly as it sounds, I would often miss my turn and get lost.  The same route I had driven every day for months suddenly became confusing in the light.  Eventually, I would learn, of course, but it was only after re-orienting myself that I’d get on track again.

I think about that a lot, especially in this season of sermons about discipleship.  I think about my patterns of living life in darkness – driving the same way out of habit.  I think about the sinful things I do – my tone of voice when speaking to others, my limited grace toward others, my “short fuse” when buttons are pushed – and how easily I do them simply out of habit.  And, then, I am reminded by the Holy Spirit, by reading the Bible and being convicted, or by the words of someone I know and love, and my sin is brought into the light.  It’s disorienting, though, when the things I ought not to do, I do and I need to learn new patterns of speech, forgiveness, and patience – new patterns that bring the One who is Light the glory He deserves.  Yet, I need not do it alone.  I can ride along with someone who has “been there, done that” and learn from them.  But, here’s the thing, too:  I have to be willing.  And, I have to reach out.  And, I have to be vulnerable.  We all do.

I think about how coming in to the light, we need to drive differently; we need to re-orient ourselves.  How good it is for us as Christians to have One to follow and to surround ourselves with others with whom we can “carpool.”

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  (1 John 1:7)

Therefore encourage one another . . . (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

-Louise-

RSVP to the Invitation to a Holy Lent

We’re two weeks into the Lenten season, a third of the way through to the “Allelulia” shouts of Easter morning. On Ash Wednesday our priests invited us to a Holy Lent. Did you RSVP?

Are you finding a rhythm in your sacrifice? Have you forgotten or slipped up in your fast? If so, know you are in good company. I’ve had a few “oops—I gave that up” moments. No matter how you started, remember that this season is precisely about coming to grips with our shortcomings and pointing us to the perfect provision of Christ.

So often we do the same things the same way and find ourselves in the same ruts with the same disappointments. That’s an irritating amount of sameness. Observing and engaging the liturgical seasons have given me a way to push back on the monotonous march of sameness.

Although the Lord certainly calls for us to do our good works in secret, (prayer closets, ambidextrous giving, and fresh-faced fasting references come to mind), it can be helpful to know we are working out our salvation in community—with others on the same journey with the same goal.

So two weeks into Lent, it’s a good time to remember–Restoration is observing this season together.

This could be a season where God could be giving you a chance to be vulnerable in your faith walk in new ways. You could be surprised at His provision from unexpected people. He may awaken you to needs in unexpected places. Whatever he is teaching you, share it!

As roommates, we (Megan and Erica) have fasted according to the traditional Byzantine Great Fast . That spiritual exercise took a lot of intentional effort—and boy did we look forward to the Easter Vigil!

Now that we don’t live together, we’ve made our fast choices independently this year. It was so much easier…together–we shared groceries and made food choices together. This year, I’ve been keenly aware of the gift of sharing my Lenten fast with a fellow sojourner.

As a community, may we find sacred space together. A few suggestions for sharing the benefits of a Holy Lent:

• Chat with someone in your small group about your favorite bits from the Henri Nouwen devotional that week
•  Pray with your roommates or spouse, giving thanks for how God is meeting you in newfound sacred spaces
• Reference the  Barnabas Aid Lenten Prayer Guideto talk to your children about the plight of the Persecuted Church and pray together for their relief (pick one up in the back of the sanctuary).
• Ask a friend to keep you accountable to a financial gift that the Lord may be challenging you to give

There are so many other ways to experience sacred space together.  When you find it, what does this sacred space look like? How are you sharing that space with the Restoration family? With the curious?

We are called to be secretly steadfast in our spiritual disciplines; YET, the effects and lessons are meant to be shared!

“So, you’re planning for a Holy Lent, too? …Wanna carpool?”

- Erica Chapman

Feeling tired? Disconnected? Longing for a change of scenery, a chance to get away, a little quiet, a lot of laughter? Then join us…

Restoration’s second annual Women’s Retreat will be February 24-26 at Meadowkirk, a lovely retreat center near Middleburg, VA. This weekend will be a chance to get away from the bustle of DC life, connect with other women in the church, rest, worship, pray, and play. Jordan Ware, who with her husband Patrick has started Winchester Anglican Church in Winchester, VA, will be leading us in worship and reflection on living lives steeped in prayer and founded on our identity as God’s beloved children. It’s going to be a wonderful weekend — so join us!

The details:

The retreat will begin at 7 pm on Friday evening; please eat dinner before you arrive. We’ll wrap up after lunch on Sunday.
Meadowkirk is about an hour’s drive from Arlington.
Babes in arms are welcome.

Accommodations:

A number of different accommodation types are available on a first-come, first-served basis:

• The Inn: These are hotel-like rooms, each with 1 queen bed and 1 twin bed — so they can sleep anywhere from 1-3 people.
• The Cottages: Each cottage has two bunk rooms with 9 beds each, two bathrooms with multiple shower and toilet stalls, and a shared common room with fireplace. Bed linens and towels are NOT included in the cottages.

What will we be doing?

We’ll have times of worship and teaching; there will be small group discussions; there will be opportunities for personal devotional times. There will also be lots of free time in which to rest, go for a hike, hang out, or participate in some of the optional activities we’re planning– like art projects, a trip into Middleburg, a visit to a winery… You can be as busy or as un-busy as you’d like.

Should I come?

YES! Whether you’re brand new to Restoration or have been around since the beginning… Whether you like women’s activities or are terrified by them… Whether you’ve never been on a retreat or have been on so many you’ve lost count… We want ALL of you to come. And don’t let the cost keep you from coming; we’ll have scholarship money available, and that’s what it’s for.

How do I register?

Easy! Download this form, fill it out, and send it with your check to Nicole Sedaca at the address given on the form. Hurry — registration closes on February 10!

Teaching English is a great way to meet your immigrant neighbors!
Sarita is living the American dream.  Maybe not the way one might imagine, but Sarita and her husband came to the USA ten years ago from Nepal in search of a better life.  In the time I’ve known her, she has given birth to a second son, passed her driver’s exam, received accolades from her boss for excellent customer service, had her older son short-listed for the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School, and most recently, bought a townhouse in Manassas!  Although Sarita used to live and work near me, I actually met Sarita through an ESOL ministry.

I’ll miss seeing Sarita now that she lives further away.  But I won’t miss all that I learned from her, including what it means to be an immigrant in this country.  Of course, every immigrant story is different, but by teaching English to immigrants, I have learned many of these stories.  Some are heartbreaking, but many are full of small successes that are easy to celebrate.

And the best part of teaching English to immigrants in our area is the ease with which I can share my faith with them. Teaching in a church-based program, the students expect to learn about my faith, especially when it is my motivation for serving.  It is so easy to bring up Jesus (and “act normal”) in the context of holidays, illness, even back to school – as I mention how I pray over my kids each morning as they leave the house.

ESOL is an easy way to reach out to our immigrant neighbors. And we are exploring this possibility along the Ballston Corridor.  Come join us for an international meal and a chance to hear stories. There is no long term commitment to serve.  We are simply praying, sharing and discerning where and how we might be led to serve this population.

The dinner will be Sunday, September 11, 6:30pm at a home in N. Arlington. RVSP to Julianna Hutchins (julianna.hutchins[at]gmail[dot]com) and we’ll send you the exact address. And we’d love to hear your stories of times you’ve reached out to an immigrant and been blessed!

“You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD.” Numbers 15:15b (NIV)
- Christine Jones

What a blessing it is to know that you are partnering with us in this exciting new journey!  We have been overwhelmed by the Lord’s goodness in how He has provided for our monetary needs for the coming year and trust that He has great things in store!  Thank you for being a part of our support team and allowing us to follow the Lord’s calling to Uganda.  We are so thankful for your prayers as well, which we need in every moment!  It is an amazing thing to know that we are not going alone but with so many other members of the Body with us in prayer and support.  We miss you all so much already and have been so inspired by the way God uses each of you daily for His glory and Kingdom.  Thank you for joining us in this work and encouraging us to be more like our Savior!  We couldn’t do it without the support of friends like you!  Please stay in touch and we will continue to keep you posted on how we’re doing.

Blessings,
Mike and Jess

Tomorrow, Sunday July 10 at 3:00pm at Restoration

Lots of great food and fun, a moonbounce and water balloons, and the chance to enjoy summer with your Restoration friends.

There will also be tables where you can learn more about ways you can get involved in serving the needs of the world around us, from your backyard garden to a small town in Moldova and pretty much everything in between!

We’ll provide burgers, hot dogs, and drinks. You bring desserts (last names A-G), sides (last names H-Z), chairs/blankets…and friends! This is a great way to introduce folks to the Restoration community.

And remember: NO 5:00 SERVICE TOMORROW!