Submissions for MetroLiner Notes, our events-based e-news, as well as MetroLines other synod communication tools should be sent to Karen Krueger, editor. Feedback invited.

  A Young Adult Spring Retreat will be held on Apr. 13-15, cosponsored by the Metro D.C. Synod and Delaware-Maryland Synod. The weekend of spiritual renewal will take place at the Northbay Retreat Center in North East, Md. Cost is $99, but assistance may be available (contact the Rev. Amy Thompson Sevimli at asevimli@metrodcela.org to inquire). This is the second annual gathering. Register from http://springretreat.eventbee.com, or select "Young Adult Retreat" under the "Events" tab on the synod site.

Spring spruce up at camp will take place Sat., Mar. 31 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Spring Work Day at Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md. All skill levels are needed as they prepare for summer.

Mid-April will be the starting point for new groups for military veterans, military families and people dealing with the impact of war and conflict who wish to participate in an "In Our Own Words" writing workshop. The four-week workshops offer participants attentive listening, feedback and mutual support in crafting the "work of a lifetime," and culminate in a public reading of the work for those who wish to participate. The workshop is led by the Rev. Charles Oberkehr, and is a ministry of Epiphany Lutheran in Mount Vernon and Life Bridge Services. Learn more at www.in-our-own-words.com or call 703-780-5077.

"Rockin for N Street Village" is a charity benefit concert of choral and contemporary Christian songs performed by Joyful Noise, a band of Lutheran Campus Ministry, and other praise bands. All ages are welcome and invited. It will take place on Sun., Apr. 15 at 4:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran in College Park. Free-will donations will be collected for N Street Village, a community of empowerment and recovery for homeless and low-income women in Washington, D.C. Direct questions to Lutheran@umd.edu.  EXTRAS 

All Hallows Guild at Washington National Cathedral will lead two Olmsted Woods Walks in April and May. On Apr. 18 at 10 a.m., take the "Glory of Spring Wildflowers" walk. On May 16 at 10 a.m., take the "Spring Color with Native Trees, Shrubs and Wildflowers" walk. Both walks will be led by the Cathedral Horticulture Manager Deanne Eversmeyer. Meet at the Garfield Street entrance on the south side. There is no cost, and no reservations required. Programs will be cancelled if rain is heavy.

The Village at Rockville will host writer Philip Tarnoff, former president of a major transportation systems integrator,  to be a featured guest on their "Meet the Author Series." on Fri., Apr. 19, from 3-4:30 p.m. Tarnoff is author of The Road Ahead: Why Are We Driving 21st-Century Cars on 20th Century Roads with 19th Century Thinking? This event will be held at 9701 Viers Dr in Rockville, MD 20850.

 SHEMA is the Metro D.C. Synod youth event for 3rd-6th graders. The theme this year is "Love Light." To explore light vs. darkness, and how we can rely on Christ's love for help in our lives every day, SHEMA will use the story of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." It will be held Sun., Apr. 29 from 2-5:00 p.m. at King of Kings in Fairfax, Virg. Registration forms, flyers and information are available at http://metrodc.youthgroupstuff.com/.

Take advantage of an Open House at Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md., to meet the staff, tour the camp and enjoy a snack. Pick a Sunday from 2-4:00 p.m.: Apr. 29, May 13 or June 10. Summer camp changes lives and helps children develop a deeper independence and faith. Explore what's it's about. Call Sarah or Elliot at 800-238-9974 with questions.

Some summer camp weeks have already filled, but Caroline Furnace in Fort Valley, Virginia, invites you to monitor www.carolinefurance.org for the latest updates on summer camp opportunities.

 Youth completing 9th-12th grade (in the 2011-2012 school year) and young adults are invited to Neon, Kentucky to rebuild homes and lives with CHI RHO, an annual weekend service trip planned by the Youth Ministry Team. The group will go on July 1-7. Benefit those you serve and have fun while you work, learning more about Christian servanthood and compassionate justice. Learn more at http://metrodc.youthgroupstuff.com/.

 Phyllis Tickle will be our guest speaker at the newly announced synod-wide Fall Festival. All are welcome at the Fall Festival, planned on Sept. 29, a date previously reserved when synod assembly activity was anticipated to extend to that date. The Fall Festival will take place at Lord of Life Lutheran (East) in Fairfax. Fee will be $50/attendee. Details will continue to be posted as available to www.metrodcelca.org/events/fall-festival/.

On Wed., Mar. 28 a conference pre-event to the Aging in American Conference, "Wingspread 2012," may hold special interest to congregations. "Aging Together: Dementia, Friendship, and Flourishing Congregations" will provide practical resources to enable congregations to be communities of hope as increasing numbers of aging congregants are likely to suffer from age-related dementias in the 21st century. It will run from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Washington Hebrew Congregation. Cost is $25. For more information, contact Sallie Holder at 301-864-9264 or visit this Wingspread 2012 page.  

Originally scheduled for Mar. 28, the Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture at Gettysburg Seminary has been cancelled due to illness. LTSG regrets the inconvenience but hopes to reschedule Dr. Yolanda Smith's lecture at a later date.

Final Sojourners Retreat Next Month

The final Sojourner's Retreat featuring the Rev. Dr. Eric Gritcsch will take place Tue., Apr. 10 at Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md.  EXTRAS   

A two-day Book of Faith event is being hosted by our neighboring Delaware-Maryland Synod, and local participation is welcome. "Being Church in a Changing Culture" will feature worship (Dr. David Lose preaching) and a presentation on Sun., Apr. 15 from 5-7:30 p.m., open to everyone and free of charge. "Preaching Ourselves into Mark's Gospel" on Mon., Apr. 16 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. is open to rostered leaders and costs $95 including lunch. Register ASAP. Both events will take place at Ascension Lutheran in Towson (www.ascensiontowson.org). Contact Cindy Ranker, Book of Faith Advocate in the Delaware-Maryland Synod, at cindy.ranker@gmail.com or visit http://demdsynod.org/ and click "Preaching Conference" on right bar.   EXTRAS 

Sustaining large church properties can be a dilemma, and is the current mission of the Episcopal Church Building Fund, established in 1880 to help in the building of the Church. The "Buildings for a New Tomorrow" seminar is being offered on April 15-17 in Baltimore, and broad ecumenical participation is encouraged - with a particular invitation to ELCA colleagues. Described as "a mind altering, go-big-or-go-home national symposium to alter the way you think about your church buildings" will include info on using real estate assets for income streams to support the parish budget and ministry; making environmentally wise choices to save money; and dispersing real estate assets that are no longer needed. Registration deadline is April 1. Learn more at www.ecbf.org/symposium.html.  EXTRAS

Gettysburg Seminary will look at stewardship of the environment, green movements in theology and explore the state of eco-theology in its annual Spring Convocation held on campus April 17-18. The two-day event will feature lectures and workshops; it is free and open to the public. Renowned scholar/practitioners in the field of eco-theology will present, including GreenFaith's Fletcher Harper, New Testament scholar David Rhoads of Lutheransrestoringcreation.org, and theologian Cynthia Moe-Lobeda and Gettysburg Seminary's Gilson Waldkoenig. Learn more at www.ltsg.edu/springconvo.

 One last Lutherans Restoring Creation Workshop will be held on Sat., Apr. 21 from 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at First Trinity in D.C. The event, called "For God So Loved the World," is presented by the synod's Creation Care Team for ELCA congregation members interested in a Biblically and theologically grounded process of gracefully greening every area of our ministries. All clergy and laity, including college students and high school youth, are invited to attend. The event is free. Contact Dianne Russell to register at Russell.dianne42@gmail.com.

Free Youth Ministry Equipping Sessions will be offered twice this spring. All adults involved with youth ministry - pastor, paid staff, and volunteer - whether or not you are taking a group to the ELCA Youth Gathering this summer - are invited to participate in either the local face-to-face sessions or to explore an online session. Choose between Sat., Apr. 14 from 9:00 a.m.-noon at Emmanuel in Vienna, Virg.; and Sun., Apr. 22 from 5-8:00 p.m. at a location (tbd) in Md. The spring session will look at helping groups experience the work of the Holy Spirit in the midst of an event, and how we help them connect an event to their daily life. Logistical information about the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering will be presented for those who need it in the last hour of the session. This free training is offered by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. For online sessions see http://elcaymnet.org/ELCATraining. For local sessions, RSVP and direct questions to Barbara Harner at 240-354-1999 or barbaraharner@me.com

"The Power of Singing in Your Congregation" will be presented by the Rev. Rick Hill on Sat., Apr. 21 at Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md. His unique folk style and joyful energy will make it a wonderful day. The retreat begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Potomac Lodge. A concert will follow at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in, so bring the family and youth groups for an afternoon on the mountain. A free will offering will benefit a renovation project at the camp.

Utilizing their "Scientists in Congregations" grant from the John Templeton Foundation, Hope Lutheran in College Park will host a major regional "Forum on Faith and Science" on April 22 & 23. On Sunday, a reception will be held at Hope Lutheran in College Park from 5-7:00 p.m. On Monday, a symposium will be held at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center at the University of Maryland-College Park, from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Speakers will be Karl Giberson PhD on "Are Science and Religion at War?"; Ann Pederson PhD on "Incarnation & the Imago Dei: Facing the New Frontiers of Medical Science"; and Rajarshi Roy PhD on "Faith in Science: Searching for Answers in Uncertain Times." Fee is $10. For more information, contact the Rev. James Vigen at 301-927-5508 or pastor@hopecp.org, who hopes that you will "not only post [a flyer] on bulletin boards, but also mention in Sunday church bulletins." Register at http://faithandscienceforum.eventbrite.com/.  EXTRAS

A Clergy Leadership Training will be offered at the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) Annual Conference. It will be held April 29 at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virg. "The Circle of Trust Approach to Leadership Renewal & Vocational Vitality" will be led by John Fenner, program director of the Courage to Lead for Clergy & Congregational Leaders; and by Marjorie Thompson, former director of Pathways in Congregational Spirituality with Upper Room Ministries. More information about the Circle of Trust approach can be found at www.couragerenewal.org. Conference registration information is at www.aapc.org. The workshop cost is $125 plus a $40 guest fee which includes parking, lunch and refreshment breaks. Contact Sharon Sheflett, Sharon@aapc.org, with questions.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) will hold its annual Advocacy Conference on June 18-19. The ELCA is a member of the CMEP coalition. The gathering is a unique opportunity to update and expand your knowledge about the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land. In addition to plenary lectures and workshops, a lobby training and lobby day are a key part of the conference programming so you can take what you've learned directly to your elected officials in D.C. Registration costs $170. Learn more at www.cmep.org.

"Reconciling Works 2012," the Biennial Assembly of Lutherans Concerned/North America (LC/NA) and the Reconciling in Christ Conference, will be held in our area on July 6-10 at Luther Place Memorial and the National City Church. The event is an opportunity for laity and clergy to explore and live out the work of reconciliation we are called to do. The Rev. Mark Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, will bring the keynote address. The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, a leading voice in the emerging church movement, will bring Bible Study. Learn more about affinity groups, couple care and marriage workshops, the day-on-the-hill, workshops, worship and more at www.lcna.org/rw-home. LC/NA, based in St. Paul, Minn., with a chapter locally, is an independent Lutheran organization that relates to the ELCA through the churchwide organization's Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission program unit.  EXTRAS

"Gathered by God" is the theme of the Women of the ELCA Bible Study Seminar at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. It will take place May 21-22. The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Audrey West. Email Lifelong Learners Office at the seminary for more information at lifelonglearners@wartburgseminary.edu.

 Registration is now online for the Spring Convention of the Metro D.C. Synodical Women's Organization (SWO). It will be held Sat., Mar. 31 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran in Fairfax, Virg. Fee is $25/person, waived for first-time attendees and women under 40. A dramatic presentation of women in the Bible will be shared, as well as worship and keynote address with the Rev. Dr. Marguerite Rourk. Learn more at www.metrodcelca.org/events/swo-spring-convo/ (under "Events" tab).

All Lutherans and their friends are invited to luncheon meetings of Lutheran Lay Fellowship. They occur on the first Thursday of each month from noon-2:00 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran in Silver Spring, Md. Interested persons can make lunch reservations no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the meeting by contacting Vicki Porter at 301-229-9884 or luncheon@lutheranlayfellowshp.org. Meal cost is $9, payable at door. Future meetings will feature: the Rev. David Pearcy on April 5.

The North American Association for the Catechumenate (NAAC), an ecumenical organization that connects with the ELCA and its full communion partners, is offering three regional training institutes in 2012 for pastors, musicians and lay leaders. The nearest location for the Metro D.C Synod will be Baltimore (April 13-15). Dr. Jessicah Duckworth is among the presenters. Additional locations are: Phoenix (Feb. 24-26) and Minneapolis (May 18-20). The events, called "Go, Baptize, Make Disciples," are designed to move a congregation from a paradigm of maintenance to one of mission, from membership to discipleship. Music at all three venues will be provided by Bread for the Journey, a well-known ELCA music group. Learn more at www.catechumenate.org.  EXTRAS

The National Workshop on Christian Unity will be held in Oklahoma City, Ok. on April 16-19. The ELCA is an ecumenical partner in the endeavor. The theme is "The Hope of Our Calling," which will be explored through seminars, denominational meetings, worship and more. Full registration is $200 before Mar. 16. Learn more at www.nwcu.org and see the full agenda in a brochure on the synod Web site.   EXTRAS

Plans are in the works to celebrate the Rev. Elizabeth Platz upon her retirement. On Sun., May 6 at 3 p.m. a worship service and reception will be held at the University of Maryland Chapel in College Park. On Wed., May 23 at 4-5:30 p.m., an Open House will be held. More details will follow.

Students learn about God, themselves and the world while exploring diversity multiculturalism, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, and local and global issues related to wealth and poverty through Youth in Mission programs at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). Church youth groups will connect with Chicago area organizations for urban service-learning experiences with the Beyond Belief program. Summer months fill up quickly, so reserve dates that fit your group's spiritual and scheduling needs by visiting www.lstc.edu/yim or calling 800-635-1116, ext. 725.

Wartburg Seminary is again hosting the Luther Academy of the Rockies, held at the Meeker Park Lodge in Allenspark, Co. The lifelong learning education program for rostered leaders and their families will be held June 18-28. Worship, scholarly lectures and forums, free time and fellowship are included in the time at the rustic, mountain lodge. Faculty includes the Rev. Dr. Paul Scott Wilson; the Rev. Dr. Stan Olson; and the Rev. D. Ann Fritschel. Registration is limited. Visit link for more information.

Confirmation Camp has been nurturing the faith of youth in the Metro D.C. Synod for over 20 years. Confirmation Camp 2012 will be held June 24-29 at Caroline Furnace (www.carolinefurnace.org). The theme is "Exodus," and is a time with other youth for fun while learning and exploring faith. Cost is $350. Pastors and/or lay confirmation leaders are strongly encouraged to accompany their youth to camp. Find an information letter and registration forms on the synod Web site. Contact the Rev. Jeff Wilson, Confirmation Camp Dean, at pastorwilson@comcast.net or 703-368-3943.  EXTRAS

Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary is planning to host two summer events through Theological Education with Youth (TEY). For youth now in 9th or 10th grade, the TEY Crossroads Event will be held June 23-30. For youth now in 10th or 11th grade, the TEY Summer Theological Academy will be held July 28-Aug. 5. Informational materials are in development. In the meantime, contact Chelle Huth, the new TEY Director, at chuth@ltsg.edu or 717-338-3038.

Lifeline Partnership, a non-profit organization established to nurture and support the spiritual and social growth of persons with developmental disabilities, seeks a caring, dynamic professional to serve as its Executive Director to begin work in mid-June 2012. The essential responsibilities of this position include planning and implementing a monthly calendar of spiritual and social activities, including weekly Sunday school classes, community outreach activities, budget management and fundraising. Experience working with persons with developmental disabilities and program management required. Position includes regular weekend and some evening work. Full job description available under "Contact Us" at www.lifelinepartnership.org. If interested, please submit a resume and cover letter including references to Lifelinepartnershipdc@gmail.com or: Lifeline Partnership Executive Director Search, First Trinity Lutheran Church, 39 E St., NW, Washington, DC 20001.