There are a few things coming up this May I wanted to let you know. First of all, the teenage members of Clarendon were planning to go to King’s Dominion this Saturday, but not enough members committed so the trip is not going to happen. However if anyone else in Compass wants to go, please let me know, as I always want to go an amusement park (except for Six Flags America in Maryland, and you know how I feel about Maryland.) Tickets are supposed to be $25 if you go to kingsdominion.com and purchase and print your tickets in advance. Use corporate partner code UMC4.

This Sunday is second Sunday, where we go enjoy brunch after service. It seems people aren’t going after the 8:30 service, but if you go to the 11 AM service, we will go as soon as church lets out. Just meet downstairs by the coffee makers in the social hall.

This is not an official Compass event, but on Sunday the 18th, Ballston is having it’s annual Taste of Ballston event, where restaurants from all over Arlington have samples of their food for sale for two bucks each. It starts at 12, so it would be perfect to grab lunch there right after the 11AM service. Let me know if you want to go.

Finally don’t forget to join us at California Tortilla in Courthouse every Tuesday night at 7:30 for our discussion group. This month we are discussing the Workbook of Living Prayer. Even if you don’t have the workbook, join us anyway, there’s plenty to talk about!

This Sunday at the 11am service, the combined choirs of Clarendon UMC and First Presbyterian presents the Requiem Mass by Gabriel Fauré. This is one of the most beloved of the many outstanding versions created by leading composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. The combined choirs and soloist will be supported by an orchestra consisting of harp, organ and strings, making this a special treat! This presentation will truly inspire and lift heavenward the spirits of those in attendance.

Gabriel Urbain Fauré (12 May 1845 – 4 November 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist, and teacher. He was the foremost French composer of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th century composers. His harmonic and melodic language affected how harmony was later taught. Gabriel Fauré is regarded as the master of the French art song, or mélodie. His works ranged from an early romantic style, when in his early years he emulated the style of Mendelssohn and others, to late 19th century Romantic, and finally to a 20th century aesthetic. His work was based on a strong understanding of harmonic structures which he received at the École Niedermeyer from his harmony teacher Gustave Lefévre, who wrote the book Traité d’harmonie (Paris, 1889). In this book he sets forth a harmonic theory which differs significantly from the classical theory of Jean-Philippe Rameau in that seventh and ninth chords are no longer considered dissonant. In addition, Fauré’s understanding of the church modes can be seen in various modal passages in his works, especially in his melodies. In contrast with his harmonic and melodic style, which pushed the bounds for his time, Fauré’s rhythmic motives tended to be subtle and repetitve, with little to break the flow of the line, although he did utilize subtle large scale syncopations, similar to those found in Brahms’ works. Aaron Copland referred to him as the ‘French Brahms’.

Fauré was a prolific composer, and among the most noteworthy of his works are his Requiem, the opera Penelope, the orchestral suite Masques et Bergamasques (based on music for a dramatic entertainment, or divertissement comique), and music for Pelléas et Mélisande. He also wrote chamber music; his two piano quartets are particularly well known. Other chamber music includes two piano quintets, two cello sonatas, two violin sonatas, and a number of piano pieces including the Nocturnes. TheRequiem, Op. 48, was not composed to the memory of a specific person but, in Fauré’s words, “for the pleasure of it”. It has been described as “a lullaby of death”. In setting his requiem, he left out the Dies irae, though the reference to the day of judgment appears in the Libera me, which he added to the normal requiem mass. Several slightly different versions of the Requiem exist, and these have given rise to a number of different recordings. Personal grief may have influenced the composition as it was started after the death of his father, and before it was completed, his mother died as well.

This Saturday’s meeting, April 12th, will be in the Youth Room of Clarendon UMC at 7:30 am.

Saturday’s Meeting Format:
–Opening songs
–Opening prayer
–Accountability
–Discuss possible permanent relocation
–Watch part 1 of “The Christian Family Tree” by Adam Hamilton (17 minutes)
–Discuss video, if time permits
–Closing prayer

Clarendon Methodist Church is looking for volunteers to help with its Meals on Wheels Program, which delivers meals to homebound elderly people in the Clarendon neighborhood. It involves a very minimal time commitment (only 1-2 hours per month) but is a very rewarding experience and provides a great way for us to serve our community. If you feel called to help with this mission please contact Craig Kauffman at craigk@gwu.edu or 703-254-3503.

FFF - Faith, Food and Fellowship happens twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Thursday from 12:00 - 1:45. A worship service with inspiring music is from 12:00 - 12:30, a hot meal is served at 12:30, and a program follows from 1:00 - 1:45. Upcoming programs include: 4/24 - 5 Wishes - Heartland Hospice 5/8 - A Journey through the Paintings of Mary Cassette by Joan Hart. For information, contact Jane Dixon (703) 465-0341

Join us for a special worship service on March 30th, 2008, at 10 AM. We will be combining both 8:30am and 11am services into one as we all gather together to celebrate our faith. Potluck lunch to follow in Social Hall.

Well it’s been just over a year since Clarendon’s Men’s group has been reborn. We have since established a weekly meeting (7:30am Saturdays, at Murky Coffee) for praise, fellowship, learning, and accountability; and have served our church with our gifts of cooking, entertainment, greeting, and manual labor. All these things we have done with the common purpose of drawing closer to Jesus.

Join us for this special meeting as we celebrate our accomplishments, plan our future, and continue to build on the foundation we have laid over the last year. It doesn’t matter if you’ve ever been to a prior meeting, or even if you’ve member of our church… this group is simply open to ALL MEN. In fact we encourage you to invite a buddy, neighbor, or stranger!

See you there!

Sunday, March 9th @ 12:15pm
Special Men’s Meeting
at Kirkside (the parsonage next door to the church)
Lunch will be provided

Clarendon UMC will be participating in a Work Camp Mission program on July 13-19th in Beverly, Kentucky at Red Bird Mission. Red Bird has been a “witness for Jesus Christ in Appalachia” since 1921 and provides education, health care, job opportunities and spiritual growth to some of the poorest people in the U.S. Cost is $250 per person, which includes all housing and meals. If you would like more information about this trip, please contact Jane Dixon (703) 465-0341 or jdixon580@aol.com. For information about Red Bird Mission, check the web site at www.rbmission.org

All students in 6th-12th grade are invited to Youth Group on Sunday evenings from 5pm-7pm.  This Sunday we’ll be celebrating Chinese New Year with food and games.  Don’t miss it!

Join us for one or more of the following new Bible Studies:

Disciple I Bible Study:Tuesday evenings 5:00 PM. Classes begin Jan 15. Contact: Diane Smith, childrensministry@morefaith.org

Daniel I (6 weeks): Monday mornings 9:30 AM (childcare available); Tuesday evenings 6:30 PM (childcare available). Classes begin Jan 14-15. Contact: Linda Thomas, lthomas55@verizon.net

Daniel II (6 weeks): Monday mornings 9:30 AM (childcare available); Monday evenings 6:30 PM; Tuesday evenings 6:30 PM (childcare available). Classes begin Jan 14-15. Contact: Linda Thomas, lthomas55@verizon.net

Note: Childcare available for some classes as indicated, but must be registered for in advance.