Footnotes Christ the Servant

Lutheran Church

October 2017

Volume 44, No. 2

www.ctslutheranelca.org † 9801 Centerway Road, Montgomery Village, MD † 301-977-0285

“Ecclesia semper reformanda est”

“The church is always to be reforming” Martin Luther

This month, as we remember and celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the concept that we are not, and, in fact, are never, done reforming is something the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America views as an essential part of this anniversary. The church, even the reforming Lutheran church, didn’t get everything right in the 1500s, and, as fallen human beings, we still don’t have it all right today. Here are just a few of the issues that are currently a part of our church’s reforming conversations:

One of the stated goals for the ELCA at its founding was that the

racial diversity of ELCA congregations more accurately reflect the

diversity of the country. More than 25 years later, however, the

ELCA remains one of the least diverse church bodies in the country.

The ELCA has been engaged in theological dialogue with the

Roman Catholic Church since 1965. These dialogues have brought

the theological understandings of Lutherans and Roman Catholics

closer together in some amazing ways. In 1999, Lutherans and

Catholics together presented “The Joint Statement on Justification”

– the very issue around which Luther began to raise objections to

Roman Catholic teachings in 1517. And in 2015, as a way to jointly

prepare for the commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the

Reformation, the document “Declaration On the Way” was

produced. The new publication lists and describes 32 areas of

theological agreement on matters of church, ministry, and Eucharist

between the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches, spells out the

areas on which we do not yet agree, and concludes with a chapter

on the next steps to be taken in the dialogue to continue to foster

understanding.

In 1970, Elizabeth Platz was the first woman to be ordained as a

Lutheran pastor in this country, and since then many more women

have entered seminary seeking ordination. When I was in seminary

in the early 1990s, the numbers of men and women in seminaries

were about 50/50. Many women have been ordained since Pastor

Platz, but only about 25 percent of congregations are served by

women pastors. On average, it takes a longer time for women to

receive a first call to a congregation, and there is a pay gap of about

14 percent between male and female pastors.

In 2009, the ELCA changed its policies to allow for the ordination of

LGBTQ+ candidates for ordained ministry. However, through

communication from CTS seminarian Leon LaCross and the

October Prayer Concerns

Joyce Abu Chris Casson Jim Damato Warren Dameron Connor Dean Kathy DeVelez Cory Feit Steve Garvey Dorothy Gerald Gene Grovijohn Pat Huson Kwan Koehler Hannah Larkin Tim & Katie Larkin Mercedes Lee Clara Lepolu Thomas Lipe David Morris Nawal Mourad Susan Oberheu Joyce Pacheli Jan Perry Lorna Pool Annie Pressley Art Rabenhorst Barbara Richter Jane Schoch Lucy & José Vela Orlando Vela Fiona Vaughans & Nursa Mike Greg Steph Will

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church

Montgomery Village, MD

Footnotes Staff

Editor Martin Spiering

Calendar Chuck Eater

Servants List Joanne Eater

Youth News Valerie Mayer

Production Steve Garvey

Footnotes is issued eleven times a year by

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, an

ELCA congregation in the Metropolitan

Washington, D.C. Synod. Articles of

interest to the congregation are solicited

from members of the CTS community and

are due to the editor by the third Sunday of

each month. Articles for the July/August

issue are due in June.

internship program at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, where

he studies, we’ve learned that there are not enough congregations

willing to bring in LGBTQ+ interns to find placements for those who

need them to complete the requirements for ordination.

Recently, there have been a number of legal challenges from the US

government to refugee status and welcome, DACA, and racial

divisions that have moved the Presiding Bishop to make statements

and to call upon members of the ELCA to speak up and speak out

about the way the faith we share calls us to raise our voices on

behalf of the vulnerable and oppressed. Similar statements have

been made by leaders from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee

Services, ELCA Advocacy, and AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant

Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and

Opportunities) among others. You can find Bishop Eaton’s

statements and the statements of other ELCA Advocacy groups on

the ELCA website at www.elca.org/resources.

And this is by no means an exhaustive list. What are the areas where you see continued reform needed in the ELCA or right here at CTS?

Always reforming with you,

– Pastor Kari Parsons

JOIN US FOR REFORMATION DAY AT THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL!

500th Anniversary service!

Sunday, October 29, 2017

On the afternoon of Sunday, October 29, there will be a very special Reformation service of Holy Communion at the National Cathedral at 4:00 pm. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be preaching. We hope that many will plan to carpool or take Metro to the cathedral for this very special 500th Anniversary service.

Readings for October

17th Sunday after Pentecost October 1 Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 Psalm 25:1-9 Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32

18th Sunday after Pentecost October 8 Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:7-15 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46

19th Sunday after Pentecost October 15 Isaiah 25:1-9 Psalm 23 Philippians 4:1-9 Matthew 22:1-14

20th Sunday after Pentecost October 22 Isaiah 45:1-7 Psalm 96:1-13 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Matthew 22:15-22

Reformation Sunday October 29

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 46 Romans 3:19-28 John 8:31-36

MORE BIRTHDAYS AND PARTIES!

Birthdays and parties at CTS, CONTINUING in October, November, and December.... If you were born in October, we will be celebrating YOU on October 15, after the 11 a.m. service. Please join us – it will be so much fun. YES, CAKE PROVIDED!!! (As well as other delicious enticements!) November's birthday celebration will be November 12; December's on December 10 – I hope you will join us for these!

Monthly birthday parties will continue at CTS until August 2018 – at least...!

Come celebrate with us! And if you would like to help with these – any or all of them – please contact Polly Brody (301-717-0480 or smplpol@hotmail.com).

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION SESSIONS CONTINUE

Sunday, October 1, following the 11:00 service (approximately 12:30–2:00 p.m. with lunch provided).

Tuesday, October 3, from 7:30–9:00 p.m.

If you are interested in learning more about CTS, or are interested in officially joining the congregation, please join us for these sessions as we gather to learn about our Shared History on October 1 and our Shared Ministry October 3. It’s also all right if you can’t make all of the sessions.

New members will be officially received in worship on Sunday, October 8.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE AND MUSIC SUNDAY

It has been an eventful time for the Worship Committee these past few months. We are in the final stages regarding the decision about whether or not to move to one service or stay at two; we are gearing up to look for a replacement for Cameron, who left to study in London; and we have been working on the worship calendar through next summer. There will be a brief presentation at the October Congregational meeting (if it has not already happened) about the preliminary results of the worship survey. After this presentation, the Worship Committee will make a recommendation to the Council who will choose whether or not to accept the recommendation and decide on a date for a special Congregational meeting to finalize the plans. We hope to have everything decided by early or mid-November, but this timing does depend on everything else, which means that the decision might be put off a bit longer.

Speaking of worship, we are soon going to be celebrating Music Sunday. Music is an essential part of worship. Whether it is classical hymns, more modern hymns, or worship music, spirituals, songs sung in English, songs sung in another language, or chanting, music helps to edify and uplift the soul. There is a quote, widely attributed to St. Augustine, that says “He who sings, prays twice.” And when I was in college, I remember a sermon when a particularly crotchety old priest made a particularly memorable statement about singing. I don’t remember the entire thing, but he told us how we should always sing loudly and gustily, whether we have the most dulcet voice or a voice that would scare everyone away. After all, God gave us our voice so we should either thank God for blessing us or “make Him suffer!”

Anytime I am in church, I always love listening to people sing. There are always some people who you can hear, no matter how many other people are present. There are people who sing their favorite hymns with verve and gusto and people who sing so quietly that it is hard to hear them if you are sitting right next to them. While I am not encouraging deafening your neighboring worshippers, I do encourage you to sing what you just learned as if you have known it forever and sing what you learned a long time ago as if you just learned it yesterday. Sing with verve, sing with gusto, and praise God with the voice you were given, whether it is the most beautiful voice or not.

I want to particularly thank everyone involved in the music ministry for everything that they do to help us worship fully and joyfully. They all work very hard to choose and make the beautiful music we hear every Sunday (or at other services). If you do not do so already, please make time to thank them for everything. Not just on Music Sunday, but on every Sunday.

God bless you all!

– Matt Vandover

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2016

The 2016 chart for altar flowers is posted in the hallway. Sign up now and throughout 2016 to provide flowers for Sunday church services (except during Lent when flowers are not used on the altar). In addition, you can mark on the chart if you would like to give the flowers to Sunrise at Montgomery Village next door for the enjoyment of the residents.

This is a way to give glory to God and to commemorate a special event in your life (e.g., a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or baptism). After the last Sunday service, the floral arrangement may be taken home for your family’s enjoyment or if you marked it on the sign-up sheet, they will be given to Sunrise of Montgomery Village.

The cost of the flowers is $35. Please make checks payable to “CTS” and indicate on your check or envelope that the money is for altar flowers.

JOIN ACTIVITIES AT CTS!

Lunch bunch

A number of people have expressed an interest in seeing resurrection of the monthly “lunch bunch.” This is where we get together during the week at a local restaurant to share lunch together. As in the past, participants will take turn choosing the restaurants. If you are interested in joining in (monthly or sporadically), please let Mike Mayer know. Once interest has been established, the first date and location will be announced.

Bowling night (afternoon?)

Last month, Parish Life asked for suggestions for new activities we might want to consider trying out. Several of you independently suggested bowling or beer and bowling or dinner and bowling. I can take a hint. Watch for a signup in the next few weeks. If you have a preference on when or where we go, share this info with Mike Mayer.

Holy spirit mass: Together in hope

On October 22, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., the National Lutheran Choir will be putting on a concert at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (see announcement with more details on the left). There is an information sign on the bulletin board outside the kitchen. If anyone is interested in going as a group (possibly grabbing a bite together beforehand), please let Mike or Valerie Mayer know.

Parish life at CTS

Have an idea for a new fellowship activity at CTS? Please let Mike Mayer or Tyler Smith know. If we find enough interest, we will look into making it happen. If you are willing to head it up, all the better (and the more likely it will get off the ground).

– Mike Mayer

EVENING HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE IN COMMEMORATION OF ST. LUKE

Wednesday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Come and join us for a small and intimate service of Holy Communion when we will share the body and blood of Christ and remember the contributions of the writer of the gospel of Luke, a man believed to have been a physician who was especially concerned with the needs of the outcast.

2018 Gathering in Houston

Our journey to Houston has begun. The theme this time is “This Changes Everything!” and is tied to the Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Each month leading up to our departure

in June, we will be focusing on a different topic. In September, we talked about community…defining it, naming different characteristics, sharing which communities we belong to, and looking at what makes them work well and what poses challenges. We also talked about the pitfalls of hearing/seeing a single story for a given community or individual. Take a look at the youth bulletin board and the large sheet(s) in the parlor; you will find questions, quotes, and some of the prep work. We’re also tying some of the discussions during Kairos and Koinonia to the monthly topic. If you see an opportunity to answer a question, please do so. BUT, more importantly, ask the youth about the monthly topic, and to those who are going, how the preparations are going.

THE HOLY SPIRIT MASS: TOGETHER

IN HOPE

This will be the world premiere of a piece of music specially commissioned for the 500th Anniversary and written by the young Norwegian composer Kim Andre Arnesen. It will be performed by the National Lutheran Choir and hosted at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D.C.

Sunday, October 22, at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are free, but should be reserved at EventBrite – NLCA.com.

The fact that this piece, composed for the Reformation and centering on a theme of Christian unity will be premiered at a Roman Catholic Basilica is a tremendous sign of the desire to illustrate the way in which both the Roman Catholic and Lutheran have been continuing to reform and grow together.

VOICES FROM THE HOLY LAND

On October 15 and 22 and November 5 and 12, CTS is honored to host the “Voices from the Holy Land” film series. See flyer included at the end of this Footnotes issue describing the films. We will need people to assist with various aspects of screening the films, such as sanctuary set-up and reset and hospitality (providing tea, cider, cookies, etc.). A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board, or you can speak to Anne Lipe or Pat Andersen to volunteer.

Happy Birthday to:

George Huson 10/1 Polly Brody 10/3 Benjamin Carr 10/4 Sarah Bender 10/6 Ann Norfolk 10/7 Inge Harman 10/8 Dave Bergtold 10/10 Daisy Zhang 10/10 Selena Kabonge 10/13 Kayleigh Austin 10/18 Connie Graf 10/18 Buzz Corsello 10/22 Doreen Foge 10/23 Barbara Harner 10/27 Nick Kuchinsky 10/30 Grace Kabemba 10/31 Jerry Keller 10/31

Happy Anniversary to:

Buzz Corsello & Linda Harrison 10/3 Tom & Anne Lipe 10/17 Ernie & Connie Graf 10/24

ADULT FORUM

Our conversation about the new voices being heard through the Reformations teachings will continue.

October 1 – The voices of a few women who were heard in the Reformation years and the growing voice of women in the ELCA today.

October 8 – The voice of Jews and Muslims.

October 15 – The voice of art, especially for the illiterate through the art of Lucas Cranach.

October 22 – The voice of the laity raised in song; a look at the changes the Reformation brought to hymnody.

THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION WITH YOUTH

Theological Education with Youth (TEY) was a wonderful experience, and we thank everyone who recommended us going and who helped us get there. Tyler and I had an amazing, fun, and enriching time during which we discussed and debated theological and reformation-centered topics, including the Trinity, life after death, and baptism to name a few. As this was my 3rd year attending, it truly felt like going

back to a second home, and I already miss the perfect mix of thoughtful discussions and silliness with amazing friends that I’ve only experienced at TEY. It was also an exciting experience learning about how to become an efficient and respectable leader in activities, discussions, and lessons about teamwork, inclusion, and diversity. Tyler and I are definitely going back. Next summer there will be similar program, Theological Education with Adults (TEA) occurring at the same time and in the same place as TEY. We recommend that any adult interested in theological discussions and a great community look into this new program.

– Tyler and Anna

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

On Sunday, October 8, at 1:00 p.m. we will have a pet blessing. Bring your dog or cat, fish, hamster, horse or whatever! We’ll give thanks to God for the joy and affection our pets share with us and give them a special blessing.

THANK YOU!

A big thanks to all of the wonderful servants who offered their hands for “God's Work Our Hands Sunday.”

Thank you for the generous donations of items for the homeless that are going to Interfaith Works. Thank you for the food you shared with us, and thank you for the great spirit of helpfulness in putting the kits together. We give thanks to God for His work and for all of your hands.

Book Club: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

On November 5, we’ll gather in the parlor at 7:00 p.m. to discuss J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and

Culture in Crisis.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Upcoming Events:

Oct. 1: Congregational Meeting Oct. 7: CTS Yard Sale Oct. 8: Blessing of the Pets Oct. 29: Reformation Day Celebration Nov. 10–12: Confirmation Retreat Dec. 1–3: Chrysalis

Council Minutes for September 11, 2017

The meeting was opened at 7:35 p.m. with devotions led by Valerie Mayer.

Pastoral care concerns were discussed.

The agenda was approved with one addition

The minutes from the August council meeting were approved.

Tom Eastlack reported that our income for August was low.

Chuck Eater reported that expenditures were very low in August, so we are in good shape.

A new member class has been scheduled to begin this month.

Calendar Review

We fixed one conflict.

Voices from the Holy Land Films

Pat will work on publicity. We will serve refreshments in the parlor after each film. Pat and others will do a run-through before the first film to make sure everything is working smoothly.

Yard Sale

We need to put up signs at the farmers’ market. A motion was passed to donate the proceeds to Lutheran Disaster Response to use for hurricane relief. We discussed what to do with items that are left over after the sale. Mike Mayer can take some.

Worship Committee Survey

There will be discussions about survey results at Koinonia meetings and at two focus groups. There will be a presentation at the congregational meeting on October 1. The worship committee will make a recommendation to council during October.

Music Ministry

A search committee is being set up to look for a new organist. It will not start meeting until a decision has been made about how many services to have on Sundays. The last organist search took about 2 ½ months.

Congregational Meeting

We discussed the stewardship presentation.

Parish Life

Mike Mayer suggested that Parish Life could work with Parish Care to make it easier for some people to attend congregational activities. Parish Care could possibly share some of Parish Life’s budget.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m. with a devotion led by Valerie.

Respectfully submitted,

Marjorie McClain

CTS Council Secretary

October 1, 2017 Pentecost 17 8:30 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes ............................ Tom Lipe Altar Preparation ................ Tom Lipe Communion Assts .............. Matt Vandover Anne Lipe Reader .............................. Tom Lipe Prayer Leader .................... Joyce Backus Usher ............................... Vernon Toelle 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes ............................ Tom Eastlack TBD Altar Preparation ................ Joann Eastlack Communion Assts .............. Rob Palmer TBD Communion Bread.............. Joann Eastlack Reader .............................. Tom Eastlack Prayer Leader .................... Joann Eastlack Usher ............................... Christiana Carr Welcomer .......................... Kwan Koehler Hospitality ......................... Valerie Mayer Flowers: Barbara Holzapfel October 8, 2017 Pentecost 18 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Acolyte ............................. Matt Vandover Reader .............................. Vernon Toelle Usher ............................... TBD 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes ............................ Mike Mayer Joanne Eater Altar Preparation ................ Chuck Eater Communion Assts .............. Joann Eastlack Valerie Mayer Communion Bread.............. Ndumbalos Reader .............................. Amos Keller Prayer Leader .................... Joanne Eater Usher ............................... Edima Elinewinga Welcomer .......................... Frank Ndumbdalo Hospitality ......................... Fiona Vaughns Flowers: Lorna Pool—Selena’s birthday October 15, 2017 Pentecost 18 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Acolyte ............................. TBD Reader .............................. Connie Graf Usher ............................... Matt Vandover

October 15 continued 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes ............................ Tom Eastlack Paul Bender Altar Preparation ................ Joanne Eater Communion Assts .............. Sarah Bastien Chuck Eater Communion Bread .............. Frank Ndumbdalo Reader .............................. Sarah Bastien Prayer Leader .................... Polly Brody Usher ............................... Amos Keller Welcomer .......................... Tom Eastlack Hospitality ......................... Oct. Birthdays Celebration Flowers: Bergtold-Brody—Family birthdays & anniversaries October 18, 2017 (Wednesday) 7:30 p.m St. Luke Altar Prep .......................... Wilma Garvey Communion Asst ................ TBD Reader .............................. Pat Andersen Prayer Leader .................... Sarah Bastien October 22, 2017 Pentecost 16 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Acolyte ............................. Vernon Toelle Reader .............................. Matt Vandover Usher ............................... Sarah Bastien 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes ............................ Polly Brody TBD Altar Preparation ................ Wilma Garvey Communion Assts .............. Pat Andersen TBD Communion Bread .............. Chuck Eater Reader .............................. Polly Brody Prayer Leader .................... Edima Elinewinga Usher ............................... Chuck Eater Welcomer .......................... Amos Keller Hospitality ......................... Joanne Eater Flowers: Parsons—in memory of Sue Parsons October 29, 2017 Reformation Sunday 9:30 a.m. Festival Eucharist Acolytes –Crucifer .............. Catherine Ndumbdalo –Bookbearer (bells) ... Florence Tucker Altar Preparation ................ Anna Mayer Communion Assts .............. Matt Vandover (vest/torches) TBD Communion Bread .............. Mayer Reader .............................. Chuck Eater Prayer Leader .................... Matt Vandover Usher ............................... Edima Elinewinga Welcomer .......................... Kwan Koehler Hospitality ......................... Mike Evans Flowers: Keller—for Jerry’s birthday

Servants List for October 2017

Pat Andersen......... Launder altar linens

CTS YOUTH MINISTRY – October 2017

Caring Conversation Corner

Gathering for Reformation…

Reformation…the act of reshaping; the state of being reshaped, changed

That was Martin Luther’s goal, to change aspects of the Church that he believed were not right and even abusive.

What ways do you see that the bigger Church needs to still be reforming? Why?

What about at a closer level, our congregation, how does CTS need to keep reforming? Why?

As members of the church, do we also need to reform, to change and grow? How?

What makes reforms challenging? Why?

CTS Yard Sale Saturday, Oct. 7, 8:00 a.m.

Come out and help with the yard sale. ALL proceeds are going to Lutheran Disaster Response for Harvey and Irma relief efforts. If you cannot make it on Saturday, you can help in the evenings during the week. Friday evening is always a busy one with sorting and pricing.

Looking Forward:

Retreat Session 1 Sunday, Nov. 5, after church

Confirmation Retreat Friday Nov. 10 – Sun, Nov. 12; Mar-Lu-Ridge

Youth Koinonia Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Gathering Prep Sunday, Nov. 19, 5:30 p.m. Movie Night Friday, Nov. 24, 4:00 p.m.

What are we up to? Some of us are starting the journey to Houston for the ELCA Youth Gathering. Over the coming months, we’ll be exploring the topics of community, reformation, home, compassion, love, relationships, justice, advocacy, and purpose. We’ll design a t-shirt and create a banner to hang in the NRG Stadium. You can follow our preparations in the separate article in Footnotes.

With the start of the school year, extracurricular activities have started up again. Be sure to ask Catherine, George, and Jerry about their soccer games.

Gathering Prep Session Sunday, Oct. 15, 5:30-8:00 p.m.CTS

This month’s session will focus on the Reformation. We’ll talk about how the Reformation impacted the church 500 years ago and how the church is still reforming.

Koinonia Tuesday, Oct. 106:30 p.m., Mayer residence

Koinonia returns to the second Tuesday of the month. We’ll have dinner together, and share in conversation and fellowship.

Reformation Service at the National Cathedral Sunday, Oct. 29, leave after church

This will be a big one. We’ll want to get there early to have a chance to explore and get seats. Hope you plan to go. Bishop Eaton will be preaching. We will share in Holy communion

A series of four films, held on Sunday afternoons this autumn, in Montgomery County, Maryland

Programs begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. A moderated discussion will follow each showing. No reservations needed. Free Event. Free Parking.

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church 9801 Centerway Road, Montgomery Village, MD, 20886

Open Bethlehem (90 minutes) OCTOBER 15 Open Bethlehem spans seven momentous years in the life of Bethlehem, revealing a city of astonishing

beauty and political strife under occupation. The documentary follows the story of director Leila Sansour

as she returns to her hometown as it is soon to be encircled by The Wall. Chronicling Sansour’s campaign

to stop occupying Israeli forces encircling Bethlehem, this fierce and poignant story maps a determined

and ongoing effort to unite Christians, Muslims and Jews in the desire for free access to the Holy City.

Sansour, who lives in Bethlehem and London, plans to participate in the moderated discussion.

Life in Occupied Palestine (57 minutes) OCTOBER 22 Anna Baltzer, a Jewish-American Columbia graduate and Fulbright scholar, presents her discoveries as a

volunteer with the International Women's Peace Service in the West Bank, documenting human rights

abuses and supporting Palestinian-led nonviolent resistance to the Occupation. The film provides a

viewpoint not often seen in Western media sources, and encourages dialog towards taking action on the

issue. Topics discussed include checkpoints, settlements, Israeli activism, Zionism, 1948 War and

refugees, censorship, the Wall, the ongoing annexation of Palestinian land, and the almost unbearable

living conditions under the occupation. Moderated discussion follows.

Two Blue Lines (99 minutes) NOVEMBER 5 Filmed over a period of 25 years, Two Blue Lines examines the human and political situation of the

Palestinian people from the years prior to the creation of Israel to the present day. This documentary

explores the passionate dispute among Israeli citizens about their government’s Occupation of

Palestine. It deftly splices together dueling creeds and the result is electrifying, because it’s a split so

rarely displayed on U.S. screens. Moderated discussion follows.

Where Should the Birds Fly (58 minutes) NOVEMBER 12 Made by Palestinians living the reality it is the story of Israel's years-long siege of Gaza and its 2008–2009

attack, told through the eyes of two young women, 11-year-old Mona Samouni (whose family was killed

by Israeli rockets during Operation Cast Lead) and the filmmaker, Fida Qishta. The film will be followed by

a panel discussion and audience Q&A.

The Montgomery County VOICES from the Holy Land film series, is held in cooperation with the larger D.C.-regional series, entering its fourth year in 2018. MoCo Series Supporters: • Ascension Episcopal Church • Christ the Servant Lutheran Church • Good Shepherd Episcopal Church • Jewish Voice for Peace Metro DC Chapter • Jerusalem Companion Diocese Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington • Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace • River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation • Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore • Sabeel Metro DC • St. Anne's Episcopal Church • St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church • Sandy Spring Friends • Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville • Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East • Unity of Gaithersburg

Visit www.facebook.com/VoicesHolyLand and voicesfromtheholyland.org