CHRIST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 8011 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 652 - 5160 September 29, 2017 Bethany Rodgers Reporter Bethesda Beat Subject: Response to your Questions re Christ Lutheran Church Dear Bethany: Nice to talk with you on the phone and thanks for your email and inquiry. Iam the new pastor at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. I started my call here in January. | lived in Bethesda years ago, in the neighborhood behind the library, when my two girls were just babies back in the 90’s. It is amazing to see all the change, and really terrific change — young and dynamic and energized. Bethesda is a blessing to so many! In answer to your questions, while I do not have all the history, I do know that Graceful Growing Together, Inc,, (GGT Inc.) has a new board and change of leadership. The original board has changed over time, and new leadership energy has evolved here, which happens in organizations as they grow and evolve. We appreciate all the time and effort of members of past boards of GGT, Inc., as they brought vision and energy to the project. I can affirm for you that GGT Inc. is alive and well, a 501 (c)(3), continuing its mission to serve the community with its current leadership. ‘The board leadership is younger with fresh ip. The community of Christ here at Christ Lutheran Church continues to be faithfully (and in heartfelt love) committed to service and care for the community around us in every way that they can. In that sense, nothing has changed. But as you may be aware, the project has been the subject of a continuous series of court appeals, which have brought about continuous delays. My understanding is that the project has been delayed for more than ten years, Much has changed in the community during this time, including the population and their living dynamic, and so also have changed the needs of the people who live here. We understand (and pray and hope) that the pending appeal is the last one, and that upon conclusion of this process we will be able to move forward. To keep pace with where we are today, Christ Lutheran Church undertook a review of the evolving needs in the community in which itis centered here in Bethesda. This review was designed to see if the assumptions of community needs and priorities at the turn of the millennium continued to be the same today. What we have learned is that some have shifted and changed along with the population changes. What we have learned is that there is less a community need for non-profit office space today then there was ten years ago, forexample, and that now there is a tremendous need for quality loving responsible and affordable Day Care and for a Pre-School Learning Center for the children of the many families who now live in the condo’s all around the church, with young families trying to balance life and work demands. The “Guiding Star” Pre-School and Day Care which is a non-profit which functions as a part of our church has a long history of excellence in loving and responsible care for children. Recognizing that this is one of the greatest needs in the community at this time (2017 and looking forward), we have been re-thinking the organization of the project, and its priorities in terms of space usage. Of course itis first of alla church of Jesus Christ that provides worship services and loving community for those who find spiritual sanctuary here. But at the same time it is also a community center that provides in love for the needs of the larger community around us. So to answer your question regarding whether there is still a priority for the church to function as a community center, the answer is “YES.” The church is fully committed to providing for community space needs such as meeting rooms, function areas, office space, gardens, space for dance classes and/or sports, and the like. The church is a community center, and being a center of community both for those who worship there and in service to the larger community. Sometimes I think we forget that the Church in all its forms is by its nature a community center: + aplace where one is always welcome, + aplace of inclusion and warmth, + aplace of safety and love, * apace for spiritual exploration and peace, + aplace for contemplation and reflection, + aplace for growth and learning, + aplace where relationships are real, + aplace where you can be vulnerable, yourself and still welcome, + aplace where a community cares enough to provide space for your needs, even if you are a stranger, new, alone, in trouble... * place where children can be safe, + aplace where meetings for group healing and healing encounters can change lives, + aplace where there is always someone to talk to, . a place where one can hear “yes,” * aplace to know and learn forgiveness, + aplace where God resides. God is a dynamic and loving God. In my limited experience here at Christ Lutheran Church, Ican only affirm how deeply moved and impressed I am with the church members and their faith and commitment. This congregation has an exceptional commitment to the community around them. Even now in their older building, all kinds of volunteer work and energy goes into maintaining and providing facilities for use by the wider community. We have an extensive, outstanding and loving Day Care filed with terrific families and kids, and many other groups using the building and property for what seems like to me everypossible purpose, from dancing to cooking, from meeting space to lecture hall, uses for art ont for prayer. Sometimes people justneed @ place for shelter and support. The old sanctuary is being used constantly in care, not ‘only by its own parish, butalso with open sims to other worshipping communities and ‘musical communities with its old bones continuing to bring joy with beautiful acoustics, We have offices for counselors and other groups, and we have a vibrant large ‘amber of self-help kinds of groups that find shelter ad home here on Old Georgetown Road. We slgo have food ministries of different kinds. ‘Those are just some of the activities here at the church. Ithas been so busy here this year, there is hardly much extra time tall left over for me because of all the activities and groups. The church building is almost alwys filled with community in a much larger circle aren the church membership. It really has been a privilege to be here. ‘And I cannot tell you how many miracles | see at workhere every day. We forget the power of God is at work and that it will surprise us, Just the other day, when we Wert Gverwhelmed with landscape issues and dead trees and so forth, and so when the call came ove or ‘clean up day” ~ not only did parishoners come to help (even the older ones who probably should be resting on the bench), but ‘the Hispanic church members came out in Perce to help and without pay, but out of ove, they ‘cleaned up everything. Together God toe amiracle in love. 1wish you would write about the miracles, because they are amazing, and truly news - that is the good news. ith respect to the building project, as the church continues in the appeal process, wwe are still waiting before we make concrete final decisions. We are We waiting pattern, we are staying aware of the changes and thinking about best ways fo USe what we have to serve others. We pray even for the neighbor who continues to appeal in the court system, praying for healing love, and that one day we would know peace and friendship. We understand that change is difficult, but there is always room for reconciliation and new friendship. _Living out our faith in love, we hope to help and be a resource for all people, especially those closest tous. In that light of ove, Tcan affirm for you that the church is and wail eoinue to bea center for community, and to be a community center of resources for the community, 1like to think of the church as a flower that blossoms in faith, hopefully rovi i i p rovie ing something beautiful and helpful for everyone, stretching Its petals the very best Thope this answers your questions. Grace and