What are you doing with your one wild and precious life?

That is, more or less, the question posed in Mary Oliver's poem, "The Summer Day."

It is also the question posed by God to each of us on a daily basis. Sometimes it is a straightforward question that we can answer clearly. At other moments in our lives the question confronts us with a weight that seems unbearable. Most of the time most of us find ourselves somewhere between those extremes of certainty and loss.

Wherever you find yourself at this moment CPC's Life Direction Lab/CALL program can help you find the clarity you seek.

Our next lab begins Sunday, April 18, and includes seven sessions that conclude June 6. (We take off the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.)

Each session runs from 4:30-7:00 p.m., and includes a simple meal. The sessions are facilitated by the Rev. Kevin Ogle, of the Center for Pastoral Counseling, and myself. We tap the gifts of the broader community for leadership on topics including Myers-Briggs typology, centering prayer, nonviolent communication, and job search strategy.

The cost for the program for CPC members is $175. For non-community members the cost is $350. Financial assistance is available.

Over the past several years more than 20 members of the congregation have participated in a CALL program. I invite you to join them this spring.

peace,

David

PS: we need to know now if you plan to participate. The program only works with a small group and if we cannot achieve a viable group size we will postpone. So please let me know now if you would like to be part of this group.

This Sunday we will worship mostly in song as we mark our annual Music and the Spoken Word Sunday.

For that service, members of the community will share readings or a pieces of music that hold special spiritual meanings. This year, the choir will be performing a special selection or two and the Sunday school kids will also be singing.

Come and worship as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Wednesday, April 14 at 7:00pm, join us in watching and discussing The Power of Forgiveness, a documentary exploring the spiritual, psychological and physical effects of forgiveness.

From Northern Ireland to Ground Zero to the Amish countryside, featuring Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, best selling authors Thomas Moore and Marianne Williamson, the Reverend James Forbes and others, the film explores how forgiveness can transform your life.  Clarendon Presbyterian Church, 1305 North Jackson St, Classroom A.  Please RSVP to Molly DeMaret-Tahu at mdemaret@comcast.net.

David will be attending the Convocation of Peacemakers at the Stony Point Center April 15-17. The gathering will focus on the question how best to follow Jesus' command to "love your enemies" in a world addicted to war. 

Come out and play! Friday, April 30, we hold our next Wii Kirk evening of fun, food and fellowship.

The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and typically continue till about 9:00.

Our resident pizza chefs will be doing their thing. The Wii will be hooked up to the big screen. Games will be on the tables. Good conversation will flow, as will good drinks!

Come on out for an evening of simple fun.

On Saturday, May 1st at 11:00am, CPC hosts a free Learning Through the Law Seminar on GLBT civil rights issues. The seminar will cover marriage law updates and contractual relationships (including civil unions and domestic partnerships) that can help protect you and your partner in areas such as inheritance, medical rights and reproductive rights. 

Presenters are licensed in MD, DC, and VA. Please RSVP to Molly DeMaret-Tahu by April 27th at mdemaret@comcast.net.