The dictionary defines liturgy as "a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship." While that is correct, as I'm fond of reminding folks, liturgy means, literally, the work of the people.

The etymological gift offers several compelling perspectives on our life together in general, and prompts several specific invitations for our life together this summer.

First, if liturgy is the work of the people then whenever we do the work of the church -- whether it's planting a garden, participating in the Pride Parade, feeding folks with A-SPAN, or participating in the search for new staff members -- we are engaging in liturgy, we are worshiping God.

Second, if liturgy is the work of the people, then whenever we engage in formal rites of public worship then all of us not only can but, in fact, should be active participants and leaders.

These two observations prompt several invitations to engage in the work of the people this summer in formal worship, in the streets and in the ongoing development of our vibrant congregation:

• First, starting this weekend, if you'd like to participate in worship leadership, please let me know. We want to lift every voice as we praise the Lord!
• Second, mark your calendars for Saturday, June 30, as we participate in A-SPAN's bag mean delivery program, and for Saturday, July 21, as we serve at AFAC.
• Third, search teams for the newly created administrative ministry position and the music director ministry are beginning right now, and one for the Christian education position will begin soon. If you'd like to participate in this exciting process, please let me know.

The work of the people begins here and now! Let us worship!
 
peace,

David

Clarendon waved the rainbow flag and witnessed to the inclusive nature of God's love last Saturday evening in the Capital Pride parade through the DuPont Circle neighborhood.

Joining more than three dozen friends from other More Light congregations in National Capital Presbytery, eight folks from CPC rode on the Open Doors/More Light "float," waving to the throngs of onlookers gathered on a perfect summer evening and tossing carnations into the crowd.

As you know, AFAC ended its bagging program in May and, with the change, CPC ended more than a decade of faithful third Mondays.

We've been invited to a new mission effort at AFAC helping them distribute food to clients on Saturday mornings.

Our (second chance for a) first opportunity comes Saturday, July 21, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the South Nelson Street warehouse and distribution center. The attached instruction sheet from AFAC describes the way the morning works.

It takes ten volunteers to meet AFAC's needs, and the sooner we get our commitments the better it is for AFAC's plans. Please let me know if you can be part of this exciting new opportunity to share in our mission of feeding our neighbors.

Over the next few months you're invited to join the congregation in reading a few books, and in getting together to talk about them over a simple meal. The details on the gatherings will come a bit later, but here's an introduction to the books.

We'll begin with a light but engaging and provocative read for early summer: Christopher Moore's Lamb, The Gospel According to Bif, Christ's Childhood Pal. Jesus' best friend from childhood, Bif, tells us about life with the young messiah, and between the laugh-out-loud misadventures Moore offers a compelling look at a very human Jesus. This is a PG-13 account of the gospel. Pick it up now, and we'll talk about it next month.

Our second read will be Wendel Berry's novel, Jayber Crow. An orphan and seminary dropout, Jayber was the barber, undertaker and church sexton in Berry's created town of Port William, Ky., through the middle years of the 20th century. His keen-eyed observation of the town and its people provide a beautiful and compelling take on community, faithfulness and love.

Early in the fall we'll read Timothy Beal's The Rise and Fall of the Bible: The Unexpected History of an Accidental Book. As you would guess from the title, this one is a work of nonfiction. The author, a professor at Case Western University in Cleveland, is a friend from our days in Ohio, and he's crafted a deeply personal and also deeply researched account of the history of the Bible both as sacred scripture and as hot commodity. His previous book, Roadside Religion, was named best religion book of the year by the New York Times.

We'll get together sometime in July to talk about Lamb. In early September we'll get to Jayber Crow, and then tackle The Rise and Fall of the Bible in October.

In the meanwhile, here are a couple of brief articles that I've found compelling reading in recent days: "Quit Thinking of the Church as Family," and "An Open Letter to Churches Seeking New Members." As we think about becoming a more vibrant congregation, let's draw insights from all over, and let's read together!