On The Table

Hi church,

Labels: karaoke, labyrinth, lamb center

Hi church,

Labels: karaoke, lamb center, wedding

Hi church,

Labels: karaoke, lamb center, movie, party

Hey church,

Labels: karaoke, lamb center

Hi church,

Labels: baptism, karaoke, lamb center, party

Hi church,

Labels: Easter, karaoke, lamb center

Hi church,

Well, it's November. Not sure how that happened. Nothing much we can do about it, though. And it's feeling like a gorgeous autumn!

Three things on the Table this week:

1) Friday evening, we'll be gathering at The Lamb Center for our final karaoke night of the year. Come at 6:30 for prayer and pizza, and stay for song, joy, and chutzpah. At 8, it's all over - at least until the spring!

2) Saturday morning, at 10am, the "Next Steps Team" will meet to work on discerning a process for figuring out where we're going next as a community. Please say a prayer for Liz, Erin, Jackie, Amy, Mike, and Mike as we try to hear the Spirit's voice in our midst.

3) Sunday morning at 9:30am, please join us at Jammin' Java for the "9:30am Club" - a free and open time of worshipful music and anything else folks want to bring - prayer, poetry, etc. - it's all good! After that, at 10am, we'll gather for our regular worship service, which will also be musical - a simple, contemplative time of silence and chanting in the tradition of the Taize community.

That's it for now. Hope God is smiling on this season in all of our lives.

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: karaoke, lamb center, music

This week we'll take a little time out of our busy weeks to create some contemplative space to think about what it is we are longing for -- for our world, for our church, for our families, for our relationships, and for ourselves, both in our spiritual and everyday lives. Come ready to enter into a shared experience that we hope will shape how we interact with one another, Sunday morning at 10am at Jammin' Java.

Before that, though, we'll be gathering at The Lamb Center on Friday night to share in the wonderful gift of Karaoke with the fine folks who gather there. Come at 6:30 for prayer and pizza, and we'll start up the old-fashioned audio-visual-midi-machine for a foot-stomping good time. Doors close at 8.

Next week, we'll be back at Java for a journey into the Jesus Sutras, an early example of an eastern expression of Christianity. It should be fascinating.

Happy October,
Mike Stavlund

Labels: karaoke, lamb center

Hi church,

Free weekend!!!!!!!!!

We were going to have a congregational meeting this Sunday, but it turns out that we're not, because hardly anyone can make it, what with school right around the corner, etc. And since it's the fourth Sunday of the month, we're not gathering for a worship service at Jammin' Java. So, it is indeed a free weekend around the Table, though I do have a couple of suggestions:

Friday evening is Movie Night at the Lamb Center, brought to you by Pastor Pat and our friends with New Hope Fellowship. Setup starts at 6, pizza at 6:30, movie at 7. It should be fun, and a good time to hang out with the good folks (many of whom are homeless; all of whom are rewarding to get to know) of the Lamb Center and New Hope.

Then on Sunday, since we're not officially doing anything, it might be worthwhile to attend another church service, either at New Hope, or with another community that's dear (or just interesting) to you. When we do come together for our next congregational meeting (stay tuned for rescheduled time and place) we'll be discussing what we're going to do now, together, as a church community - so if you do visit another community, you might think (and talk to the folks there) about what they do together. Food for thought. Just a suggestion.

And next weekend: Common Table Camping Trip!! We don't yet know where we're going. Story of our life. :-D

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: camping, congregational meeting, lamb center, New Hope

Hi church,

This week, we'll gather for two events which will challenge us even as they allow us to sort of kick back and enjoy each other's company, and God's grace. It's summertime, after all - and also, we dig paradox. So here we go!

First, our monthly Karaoke Nights with our friends at the Lamb Center are moving to first Fridays as of this month, so please join us this Friday, from 6:30 to 8pm, as we sing some pop tunes (badly), nom some pizza (hungrily), and share fellowship and mutual encouragement (joyfully!) These gatherings are a fun time, and you can't miss the face and voice of Jesus as this eclectic crew harmonize (?) together.

Then, on Sunday, we'll gather at Jammin' Java at 9:30 for our new(ish) tradition of open-source worship music before the service. (Bring your instrument of choice, your voice, or just your ears to hear the joyful noise). Then for our Simple Worship service, beginning at 10, Brother Vinnie will be leading us as we watch and discuss the movie Frisbee, The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher. Here are Vince's words on it:

In a nutshell: Lonnie Frisbee was a hippy, an artist, and born gay. Lonnie Frisbee was used by God. When Lonnie ministered, people were saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and healed of infirmities. New Testament stuff. Lonnie Frisbee basically started two denominations: Calvary Chapel and the Vineyard. Yet, he was basically disowned by both denominations. He died of AIDS, alone, discarded, and unacknowledged.

So please bring an open mind and heart and add your voice as we share our thoughts on this remarkable life.

And that's all I know, I think. Stay cool, cats and kittens.

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: karaoke, lamb center, simple

This week, we'll be jumping head-first into CT's first official Lectiolabyrinphony. What is it, you ask? Well, we'd be honored to have you come and find out as we explore it together. In the meantime, let me break down the name for you in the hopes of piquing your interest:

Lectionary
Labyrinth
Symphony

Suffice to say, you'll get your full dose of Scripture this week, along with an earful of some stellar musicians, plus a chance to sing an original song, all in the hip environs of Jammin' Java. The band will be leading worship music at 9:30, and our regular service starts at 10am. Try it; you'll like it. Or your money back.

Next week, our monthly Karaoke night at The Lamb Center moves up and back at the same time. In an effort to allow greater participation, it'll now happen on the first Friday of each month. So, Karaoke is next Friday evening, August 7 from 6:30 - 8pm. Hope you can come out to catch up with friends, to have some fun, and to hear some spirited singing. Oh, and pizza, natch.

See you soon,
Mike Stavlund

Labels: karaoke, lamb center, music

Church,

In an unbelievable turn of events, we'll hit the mid point of July this week. Time to take stock of your summer and determine whether you're enjoying your full share of ice cream cones, outdoor play times, light-hearted reading, watermelon and afternoon naps in the shade. If you find yourself lacking in any of these areas, I recommend you prepare your "Out of Office" message immediately and begin to rectify the situation...

Our Common Table summer celebrations will continue this week with Karaoke at the Lamb Center on Thursday. Come on out to fellowship, laugh and share a meal with our friends there. We'll be there from 6:30 to 8:00, but if one night isn't enough for you this week, feel free to come on out again on Friday for movie night. Our friends at New Hope will be hosting movie night from 6:30 to 8:00 on Friday.

Sunday at 10:00 AM we'll find ourselves back at Jammin' Java for a particularly season-appropriate all-ages service. At our last all-ages service we discussed the idea of the "Abundant Life" that Jesus offers us. This week we'll take a look at some of the characteristics of an abundant life as we consider the Fruit of the Spirit. As usual with an all-ages service, we'll be asking everyone to contribute, so be thinking this week about those defining characteristics of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We'll continue our tradition of joining our kids on the floor, so feel free to bring blankets and/or cushions to make yourself as comfortable as possible.

Have a great week -- and don't forget to enjoy a summer treat,
Deanna

Labels: all ages, karaoke, lamb center, summer

Hey church,

So did anybody else have one of those "rushing-wind-and-tongues-of-fire and speaking-in-tongues-till-people-think-you're-drunk" days on Sunday? No? Just me?

(Well, it was kind of like that. People seem to think that just because I'm an Irish Anglican, it's perfectly plausible that I'd be drunk at 9am. Apparently Galileans have to deal with the same sort of prejudice. 'Srude, if you ask me.)

But seriously, it seems like I have been blessed with some extra opportunities to see the Spirit at work since this season of Pentecost began. And I can let you in on a couple more!

This Thursday, from 6:30 - 8pm, we'll be at the Lamb Center again, among friends and neighbors in a wide range of economic circumstance. We'll be singing Karaoke, cheering each other on, and generally sharing God's love. And pizza. It'll be awesome!

Then, on Sunday (10am at Jammin' Java), we'll gather for our first official worship service of Pentecost. It'll be a Simple service in which we'll invite the inspiration of the Spirit and claim our creative identity as children of the Creator God. So please bring whatever might help you respond to inspiration: eg., if you're a musician, bring your guitar or doumbek. If you're a poet, writer, visual artist, or sculptor, we'll probably have you covered. If you don't think you're creative at all, then remember that you're made in the image of the Creator, and come see what happens!

And that's all I got for you. Remember that the Holy Spirit blows where she will. Stay alert.

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: karaoke, lamb center, Pentecost, simple

Hey church,

This week, the season of resurrection we call Easter draws to a close, and this Sunday we commemorate another day when everything changed: Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, when the Holy Spirit came, and the Church - women and men, old and young - was set on fire, and sent to bring that fire into the world.

We won't be celebrating Pentecost with a service at Jammin' Java, since it's the last weekend of the month. But we will be remembering that day in an appropriate manner: by coming together around the Table in one of our occasional congregational meetings. We'll invite the Spirit to inspire the thoughts, words, and prayers of each of us - women and men, old and young - as we try to discern together what God is calling us to, both within our community (particularly on Sunday mornings) and in the wider world (through our giving of relational presence, volunteer time, and maybe even money). We'll gather at Kate and Matt and Lizzy and Maddie's house at 11am on Sunday. Everybody is welcome around the Table (this means you!) as we talk, pray, and hope to discern together where that wild old Spirit is leading us now.

And that's it for this week. Next week: it's Karaoke Thursday at the Lamb Center again (6:30-8pm)! If you're chasing the Spirit this Pentecost, I recommend checking in there. :-)

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: congregational meeting, karaoke, lamb center, Pentecost

Hi church!

Spring, and the Easter season, proceed apace, and both are chock full of blessings, if we have eyes to see them. One such blessing: it's the return of Karaoke at The Lamb Center! THIS Thursday, May 7th, from 6:30 to 8pm. Come and join us as guests of the shelter and volunteers alike let our hair down, sing, encourage each other, nom some pizza, and see what the Spirit is up to as we make some joyful (if not always tuneful!) noise. :-)

Then, please join us on Sunday morning at 10am (yes, srsly, 10am - not 10:25 - srsly!) at Jammin' Java for our May Simple Service, as we try to live into this season of Easter, of Resurrection. We'll sing some Easter hymns, and have some discussions about this weird thing we call resurrection: what did it mean for Jesus two millennia ago, what might it mean for us one day, and (last but not least) what does all this mean to us now, as the Church of the Common Table in Northern Virginia in AD 2009?

And that's all I have to say. Except, you know...he is risen! Alleluia!

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: Easter, karaoke, lamb center

Easter continues as we make our gradual return to (what is commonly referred to as) 'normalcy' at Common Table. This Sunday, we'll be back at Jammin' Java, finding our creative groove as we consider 'Spring' and Psalm 77. As you notice the fresh greenery all around, and as you experience the sustaining rains over the next few days, consider the new life that God is nurturing in you just now. Then bring those ideas to our communal encounter with this remarkable piece of Scripture.

In other news, a team of folks from inside and outside our church are announcing that we'll be returning to our tradition of hosting Karaoke at The Lamb Center again, beginning Thursday, May 7, from 6:30 to 8pm. These fun and transforming get-togethers will continue on the first Thursday of each month. And don't forget that we're welcome to join New Hope Church's movie nights there on the 3rd Friday of each month, too.

He is Risen,
Mike Stavlund

Labels: Easter, karaoke, lamb center, Psalms

This weekend is our church retreat! We'll be kickin' back, fellowshippin', and (for the bold) braving the outdoor hot tub. You're still invited! Let us know if you want to come!

(Please note: This means we will not be gathering at Jammin' Java on Sunday morning.)

But first - don't miss our LAST karaoke night for this year at the Lamb Center on Thursday, November 20th! We need to take a break until spring, because area churches will begin hosting homeless folks to protect them from the cold winter weather. So bring your best voice and your clearest eyes to see God at work, from 6:30 to 8pm.

And that's it! See you in the jacuzzi!

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: karaoke, lamb center, retreat

This Sunday morning, 10am at Jammin' Java, we'll be treated to the unveiling of a new initiative at Common Table: The All Ages Service! (We'll be having one approximately every other month.) A crack team have been collaborating to bring a full-featured worship experience that will be accessible to all ages. They've been a little secretive regarding details, but we have reason to believe we'll see some fresh liturgy and hand-crafted visuals and stories and an engaging project to enact, plus a whole lot more. So bring your kids and/or your own inner child and let's see what we can learn and create together.

Next Thursday (November 20), we will be gathering at the Lamb Center for the LAST karaoke night of this year, as area churches will begin hosting homeless folks to protect them from the cold winter weather. So bring your best voice and your clearest eyes to see God at work, from 6:30 to 8pm.

Finally, we will NOT be meeting at Jammin' Java next Sunday, as the 2008 Common Table retreat will be held November 21st-23rd. You're invited! If you wanna come, let us know, pronto!

See you soon,
Mike Stavlund

Labels: all ages, karaoke, lamb center, retreat

Hi church,

Well, if you made it to one or more of our gatherings this past weekend, I hope you had as much of a blessed blast as I did! Cox Farms Pumpkin Fest with a whole mess of kids (most of whom wouldn't have been able to go without the help of our fine friends at FACETS), a spooky Halloween party at the haunted Tennyson Manor, and finally an awesome collaborative All Saints service at Church in Bethesda with saints from a variety of local communities. It was a God-blessed weekend full of friends!

And we have more opportunities this week to bless others, enjoy friends, and praise God, starting with karaoke night at The Lamb Center (6:30 - 8pm on Thursday) - limber up your vocal cords and prepare to join friends old and new, in all kids of life circumstances, in songs of thankfulness and celebration. Possibly to include something by Rick Astley. But it's all good, really.

Then, on Friday, a bunch of us are road trippin' to Philly for the Emergent Mid-Atlantic Conference, featuring the Irish theologian/community-practitioner/provocateur Pete Rollins. The conference is taking place all day Saturday, and it's not too late to join this wagon train, so let us know if you want to hop aboard.

Those of us who are in town Sunday morning will be coming together at 10am at Jammin' Java for one of our new "simple" worship services. This service will be simple indeed, the idea being that all we really need to worship God together are two things: us, and the Holy Spirit. In this case, we'll gather for a contemplative time of Lectio Divina, followed by Holy Eucharist.

And that's the plan for this week. Finally, don't forget that the 2008 Common Table retreat is coming right up, November 21st-23rd. You're invited! If you wanna come, let us know, pronto!

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: conference, karaoke, lamb center, simple

Hi church,

Here's what's goin' on:

Firstly: Thursday the 16th, from 6:30 -8pm, we'll gather at The Lamb Center for another blessed evening of pizza and karaoke. It's always Spirit- and fun-fulled as we let loose our inner ham and see the face of Christ in friends of every age and circumstance.

And then, on Sunday morning (10am at Jammin' Java), we'll have the first service from our newly formed musical worship team: a sort of right-brain sequel to last week's "What is Real?" What should you expect? Here are P3T3's words about these services:

an aural experience like no other. witness an artistic tour de force... a mind-blowing, reality-altering walk through the minds of some exceptional artists. Be prepared to engage your other brain - the other half of what it is that makes us human. Together we hope to more fully experience and love God with our heart, soul, strength and mind.

If that doesn't get you pumped, then I don't know what to tell you. Except perhaps: Dude, maybe you need to getcher self an infusion of joy, praise, song, and worship. What's that you say...a recommendation? Why yes, since you ask, I do have a recommendation! ;-)

See you soon, in a place of song!

Peace,
Mike Croghan

Labels: karaoke, lamb center, music