Notice of Semi-Annual Meeting

Of the Congregation of

Christ the King Lutheran Church

Scheduled for June 1, 2008

Dear Members of Christ the King Lutheran Church,

This letter hereby serves notice that the Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2008 at Christ the King Lutheran Church immediately following the 11:00 AM worship service. Childcare will be available by both paid and volunteer staff.

Please plan to attend this meeting, as there are several important items of business requiring congregational approval. The draft agenda will include:

· Election of new Council members

· Treasurer’s Report

· Report on Silver to Gold Campaign

· New Business

I wish to thank all the members Christ the King for their support in time, talents and treasury of the past council year, and I look forward to your attendance at the semi-annual congregational meeting on June 1^st.

God’s blessings,

Allen Wild

Council President

Pastor Paul’s Pen

Rev. Paul F. Gysan

This year “Mother’s Day” (May 11), falls on Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian church. On this day we also celebrate the first anniversary of “Turning Silver into Gold.” During the services that weekend we will celebrate what God has done during this past year in ministry. We’ve not only reached out benevolently, but we’ve also reduced the debt. Thanks be to God!

Pentecost was a time of “First Fruits” which occurred 50 days after the Passover, when the sickle was laid to the wheat. In Deuteronomy 16:10 we read, “you shall keep the festival of weeks to the Lord your God, contributing a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings that you have received from the Lord your God.” We also read in Leviticus 23:22, “when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien.”

Our “Silver To Gold” offerings have sought to reach out and help other ministries in need - two camps that minister to youth and adults, a ministry to needy Haitians, and to Christus Victor congregation in Manassas which needed a building. God has blessed us!

When we think about Mother’s Day and Pentecost, I also think about “the rite of confirmation” on May 18, when thirteen of our youth will affirm their faith: Ryan Theurer, Allison Brady, Eric Wasser, Trevor McMillen, Grace McKinley, Alex Long, Sophia Apostolou, Emilie Mills, Kyle Babirak, Michael McConnell, Mo Sahm, Emma Miller-Cvilikas, Michael Horn). We have a “Mothering God.”

I love the words of ELW hymn “Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth.” Think about these words as Mother’s day, Confirmation, Turning Silver Into Gold come together, for we have a “Mothering God” and a “Mothering Church.” “Mothering God, you gave me birth in the bright morning of this world. Creator, source of every breath, you are my rain, my wind, and my sun. Mothering Christ, you took my form, offering me your food of light, grain of life, and grape of love, your very body for my peace. Mothering Spirit, nurturing one, in arms of patience hold me close, so that in faith, I root and grow until I flower, until I know.”

Thank God for mothers. Thank God for God’s mothering church, for all parents, teachers, and friends who have touched the lives of these youth. Thank God for the new birth of Spring, and for a mothering congregation that seeks to care for others - both outside and within these walls.

PSPS

Pastor Scott’s Post Scripts

A Year of 1^st’s

As April turns into May, it’s hard to believe that Stephen will be celebrating his 1^st birthday. It has been an exciting year, watching him as everyday his exploration and curiosity leads him to discover something new. It is amazing each and every day and his personality continues to develop and he discovers the world around him.

As probably with your house, our house is quite busy around dinner time. However one of our strongest priorities as a family is that we sit down at the dinner table together to pray and eat. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes before I have to go to a meeting or Jen has to go to choir. From the time that Stephen starting sitting in his baby-chair with us at dinner, we have included him in our prayers, holding his hands while we pray. With our “Amen” we move our hands up and down, while we say “Amen”. At first, he wasn’t so crazy about it and even still sometimes he is not so sure what we are doing. But other times he gets the biggest smiles on his face. I know the day is coming where out of no-where, Stephen will voice A-MEN and I am sure I will cry.

We as adults, whether we are parents or not, have important roles in the faith development of our young ones. A common principal is that “faith is caught more than it is taught.” As we seek to foster young ones faith journeys, we ask ourselves the question, how are we living in our own journey of faith? The answer to this question is not just “going to church on Sunday” but how are we “being church at home?” Are we praying around the dinner table? Are we praying with our young ones at night? Do we read Bible stories at home? Is God mentioned in conversation around the house? When extended family gets together is God brought up?

A lot of teaching faith is “doing faith.” Each one of us can have an effect on another and can lead young Christians (both young and old in years) to many of their 1^st’s of the faith. Faith is not done alone, but within a community, within a family, and within relationship.

I hope this month, the beautiful month of May, wherever you may be, God will be part of your conversation and actions around the dinner table and beyond. Faith is not just at church on Sundays (or Saturdays), it’s lived everyday in ordinary times as well as the special times. At Christmas time we often say “Emmanuel” which means “God with us.” I often wonder why we don’t say it more often, because its in the everyday ordinariness of life that “God is indeed with us.”

President’s Commentary

Allen Wild

Circle your calendar. Sunday, June 1^st, will be our mid-year Congregational Meeting. A well attended meeting by members would be very much appreciated. The agenda will include election of six members to serve on the council, a mid-year financial report on our general fund and an end of first year report on our Silver to Gold campaign. Please plan to attend.

It is important to have a council with enough members to lead the ministries of the church and to have all views represented when council decisions are made. Please prayerfully consider serving on council and contact Marian Zimmerman, Chair of the Nominating Committee, for the opportunities available or if you have any questions.

I would like to ask your support in another matter this month. No, I am not going to ask you to increase your offerings (although we still have a projected shortfall so your offerings are very important). No, I am not going to ask you to participate in another service project (although Tracey Shenk could use more help on the many projects she has planned). No, I am not going to ask you to bring food for a fellowship function (although our fellowship committee always welcomes your support). So where is your help needed now? It is in contacting church members who you have not seen in church for a while. We are a caring church and we should let our members know that we miss them. Give a call and find out if there is a problem. Then let our Pastors or a council member know, depending on the situation, how we might help.

While we did have a little rain on Friday evening driving to Camp Nawakwa, Saturday and Sunday morning were beautiful days with perfect weather to totally enjoy our congregational retreat. Many thanks to Pastor Scott and the staff members for making all the arrangements. The camp, which you may remember we supported with a donation from our first fruits, is a wonderful place for a family retreat. Activities included a hay ride around the entire camp, planting trees to replace some lost to storms, a family charades session where the kids did better than the adults, marshmallow roasting for making s’mores and a Saturday evening service on the top of a mountain at sunset. The meals were outstanding. It is reported that some folks were eating the apple pie from Saturday evening for breakfast on Sunday. Wow, was it good. We thank Karen Anderson’s Mom and Dad for being such perfect hosts for our stay. So, if you didn’t attend, you missed a great opportunity to relax and enjoy one of nature’s treasures. Maybe next year?

The Sound B e t w e e n

Play Date With God

By: Kara Haug

For my master’s project in seminary, I decided to conduct a Lutheran women’s writing group. I invited every rostered female in the bay area, every seminary student, faculty, and staff from PLTS. I sent out about seventy-nine invitations and the total attendance of the group was nine. In the beginning I was disappointed, but in the end it couldn’t have been more perfect.

The participants were a handful of students, a professor, and the school receptionist. We were together four different times where I gave them a series of prompts that would elicit creative writing experiences. One of my favorites was when I asked them to write about if they were to have a play date with God, what would they do? The result was varied with hilarious adventures, touching moments, and a sense of freedom. Some of what was shared were feeding parking meters all day long, doing endless summersaults, kayaking on the ocean to ask the hard questions, taking in a sunset, or drawing a self portrait. Mine at that point in my life consisted of God and I running through a large grassy field wearing long flowing dresses and rolling down a hill to fall into a pool of shaving cream. Playing with shaving cream was my favorite past time activity in preschool. I drew spirals on God’s belly and shaved off his beard to see my grandmother’s face. Sometimes an image I have of God is my grandmother because I feel them both so much everyday.

I thought about what a play date for God would be like with me today and it was much different. Today it would look something like this….

I would first ask God to come alongside of me with strength and boldness to help me befriend individuals that, for awhile now, have captivated me. The first is the man with the long white beard and Santa Claus ways who spends his time cleaning the streets and picking up litter along Baron Cameron. Whenever I see him I am fascinated. I have always wished that I would have the courage to pull my car over to get out and help him or to just yell out my window, “Thank you!” With God I would ask about his life. I would tell him that he is an angel and then God and I would clean something of his, whether it be his house, life, or Baron Cameron.

God and I would then walk over to Starbucks by the Barnes and Nobel in Reston to have a cup of the sweetest latte they have and wait for a woman. The woman I often see with tattered jeans, dirty hair, anger-filled eyes, and skin that tells a story. She is always furiously writing and trying to blend into the crowd. God and I would pull up a chair at her table offering her a pastry and a beverage. We would look at her and say as little kids would, “Read me your story.” My inclinations about her would be right; she is a brilliant writer. She writes of truth, truth most of us hide from. God and I would thank her for her brilliance and then we would hug her the way hurting children need to be held. Our embrace would start to mend the pain behind her eyes and fill them with some hope for a new beginning.

Next God would take me to comfort and meet all the faceless people I pray for: the children and women who experience violence, those fighting in war, those hurt by war, people who have never known what love is, and those who can’t seem to call their life their own. By seeing and spending time with them my understanding would deepen. I would get to see God shower them with all the love they ever needed, just as I pray for.

Lastly I would ask God to place a healing touch upon my cracking knees. It is a sound all dancer’s dread. I would feel their strength again and then I would feel free. I would dance the way I was born to dance. My body would feel like me again; it would start spinning, twisting, leaping as I would shout, cry, laugh, yell, exploding with the emotion that has been swelling inside my creaking cartilage. God and I would dance a mural of my life about the joy and necessity dance brings me. I would feel whole again. I would feel God again.

So often we make God to be so serious and possibly stale. We are consumed by God’s complexities and greatness that we often forget the silly side and playfulness of God. If we look back in our lives at the moments of happiness, coincidences, breathtaking scenery, and belly rolls of laughter, we know that God likes to play and interact with us. I think God more often then not is waiting for us to send out the invitation for a play date.

Though what the women wrote made us laugh and feel good spirits they all spoke to deep desires that can lay beneath the surface. Often out of play depth and meaning are found. That’s the funny thing about God. So I ask you, what would be your play date with God?

Kingdom Kindred

Thanks to William Carbaugh who spent a few minutes after a Saturday service cleaning up trash from the church’s front yard…Special thank to Cub Scouts Pack 673 for their gift of $200 thanking us for “your support and encouragement, and letting us use the church”…The arborist said those “Bradford Pear” trees in the parking lot have a short life expectancy” and we have noted how branches have broken off and have barely missed hitting cars. Thanks to Alex Swineford and with the assistance of many others in helping him complete his Eagle Project, those trees have been removed, and now sycamore trees are in their place…Pastor Gysan and LaVonne while journeying to Florida for vacation had a chance to visit with former members Bonnie and John Anderson, Nick and Lee Baker, and present members Scott and Betsy McKinney who will soon be moving to NC. The Baker’s have now moved into their house which is next to the Anderson’s house. The McKinney’s live about 50 minutes away. Together we had a “Christ the King Reunion” in North Carolina. Also, we bring back greetings from Ron and Marcia Pisoni. They will be moving late this year to a new housing development outside of Bradenton, FL…Our prayers are with Judy Kuhnsman at the death of her father John Yeager…Our prayers are with Tracey Maxwell and family at the death of her step-father John Rege…Congratulations to Chris Van Doren who married Monica in Monclova, Mexico, a three hour drive south of Eagle Pass…Our prayers are with Anna Siddall and her family (Gerry & Virginia Teitman) at the death of her brother Robert Schafer…Our prayers are with “Miss Margaret” from our MDO staff who recently had surgery…Thanks to LaVonne Gysan and the Tim, Kathy, Matthew, and Laura Zimmerman who took up the clearing of a hill in the outdoor worship area, beautifying it and adding another place to sit. Need a place for meditation, or some fresh air on Sunday morning. Visit our outdoor worship area behind the pine trees, and walk the “Milestone Ministry Walk” which last year was part of Todd Chatlos Eagle Project…Congratulations to Sarah Boone who is engaged to be married. The wedding is set for April 25 at the UVA Chapel…Our outdoor beautification Eagle projects of scouts Joey Kiffe and Alex Swineford have been a great asset to our “green space”…Congrats to Drew Gaibler for finishing the Boston Marathon in 2:52…The Virginia Garden Club used our church and grounds on Tuesday April 22 to have people park and purchase tickets to view “Gardens In Great Falls.” More than 700 people attended this all day event. Special thanks to Mike Swineford for coordinating this event and to Karen Anderson and MDO for altering the pick-up arrangements for children. It was the largest gathering we’ve ever hosted…Our prayers are with Barbara Kuhler and family. Charter members who now live in Sunset Beach, NC, Warren is ill and under hospice care.

“Part of a disciple’s job description

is to pray frequently”

Prayer Concerns

Kay Teach, Martha Gaibler, Frank Whitesell, Richard Schumaker, John Kraft, Tom Harris, Robert Herres, Mary & David Gibson, Janey Rice, Patricia Mort, Hilton Patterson, Charles Reges, Anna Walker, Danny Friedheim, John Corey, Roy Miller, The Northington Family, Dick Christenson, Scott Durig, Lindsey & Judith, Jay Davis & Judy McGinnis, Shawn Costigan, Debbie Lorentsan, Robin Allen, Helen Lokker, Katarina Savino, Lloyd Smith, Bridget McCaffrey & family, Bobby Alexander, Laurus Newby, Jennifer Kwiatek, Tatiana Serafin, Jack Dezzutti, Rex Medcalf, Lynne Roots, Blanca Torrico, Arne Heikkila, Salas Family, Mary Doscotch, Paul Setzer, Linda Darrell, Kris Christenson, Ralph Swineford, AT McAnally, Ken & Patty Cosimano, Anthony & Shelley DeSeta, Dave White, Jackie Stoen, Richard Schierloh, Anthony Efremoff, Sharal Neely, Julia Mcentire, Bruce McDowell, Margaret Seskes, Craig Troup.

Military Personnel - Stacy Caum, Chris Nogle, Steve Beckwith, Jonathan Reading, Nate Seymour, Sgt. John Heikkenin, Lt. Bryan Dahlquist & Nicolas Turk, Ben Eckert, HM3 Mathew Cirillo, Art Humphries.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Christ the King’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential,

one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community

who are experiencing difficulties and transitions in their lives.

CHRIST THE KING STEPHEN LEADERS

Pastor Gysan & Pastor Scott, Spiritual Leaders

Susan Boruff, Referrals Coordinator

Joni White, Continuing Education Coordinator

Gale Bobzien, Training Coordinator

Christ the King Stephen Ministers

Stephen Ministers (Active)

Pastor Gysan, Spiritual Leader

Pastor Scott, Spiritual Leader

Gale Bobzien Susan Boruff

JoAnn Durig Kathi Evans

Kim Kennedy Carlton Ruthling

“Part of a disciple’s job description

is to worship God regularly”

Services are held each Saturday evening at 6:00 pm and Sundays at 8:30am and 11:00am.

April 26^th and 27^th

6^th Sunday of Easter

Confirmation Faith Statements

National Day Of Prayer

May 1 – 7:00-8:00am

Join others at a “Prayer Breakfast” at Great Falls Library.

Arby’s is providing coffee, juice, and pastries.

May 3^rd and 4^th

7^th Sunday of Easter

Confirmation Faith Statements

Sacrament of Holy Baptism for

Thomas Kalka III and Matthew Halvorsen

May 10^th and 11^th

Pentecost Sunday…Don’t forget to wear RED!

Mother’s Day

Silver To Gold – 1^st Anniversary

We’re 1/3 of the way!

Confirmation Faith Statements

May 17^th and 18^th

Holy Trinity

Confirmation Blessing Service, Saturday @ 6pm

Baptism of Jason Hanna @ 6 pm

Confirmation Sunday

Reception at 9:45am

Affirmation of Baptism at 11 am Liturgy

May 24^th and 25^th

Pentecost 3

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day – May 26

Gather at Freedom Memorial at 11 am

for a Memorial Day Service.

May 31^st and June 1^st

Pentecost 4

Congregational Meeting after 11am Worship

Summer Music Class

I have often heard people say, “I would love to sing in the choir, but I can’t read music.” So, I would like to give you the opportunity to learn. I am considering offering a class in basic Music Theory this summer at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday, starting June 22^nd.

The class would cover note duration, time signatures, melodic & harmonic intervals, sight singing, ear training, and hands-on experience with the language of music. There will be handouts with exercises to be written in class and taken home for review. There will not be any required reading or homework assigned. The class will be open to adults and kids from 4^th grade up and a materials fee of $10 per student will apply.

This class is also an excellent review for those people who already participate in a vocal or instrumental choir, or someone who used to play an instrument and is considering taking it up again. Learning something new is living life to the fullest! Come, learn the language of music! Contact: Jane Cooper, 703-759-3919.

Church Picnic

Mark Your Calendar!

Be sure to mark your calendars now for the annual church picnic - Sunday, June 22^nd, at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston following the 11am outdoor worship service. Please bring a dish to share. Meat and beverages will be provided! Also, don’t forget chairs or a blanket.

“Part of a disciple’s job description

is to study Scripture diligently”

Confirmation Sunday - May 18^th

On Sunday, May 18^th, 13 young men and women will come forward to the chancel and affirm their faith in their baptism. We give thanks to God for these wonderful young people: Sophia Apostolou, Kyle Babirak, Allison Brady, Michael Horn, Alexandra Long, Michael McConnell, Grace McKinley, Trevor McMillen, Emma Miller-Cvilikas, Emilie Mills, Matthew Sahm, Ryan Theurer, Eric Wasser.

Throughout the last part of April and the first part of May, the Confirmands will be sharing their faith statements with the congregation during worship. Please keep these wonderful young people in prayer.

Teacher Appreciation Dinner

The Teacher Appreciation Dinner will be held this year on June 8, 2008 at 6:00pm, at the Riffe’s home in Great Falls. I will be needing two individuals to help with set-up and three more for clean-up. If you or your child has benefited from attending Sunday School or adult education classes, please consider assisting me in this effort. The majority of our teachers have been teaching at least for several years and this is one way we can show them our gratitude. If you can assist or, if you have questions, please contact me at 703-363-3044. Louise Babirak, Learning Chair.

Vacation Bible School

Set aside these the week of July 28-August 1 for Vacation Bible School. This year we will meet at St. Francis. Teachers and assistants are needed.

ADULT ED

Special thanks to Gale Bobzien for teaching the Sunday morning Adult Class exploring the book of Judas as well as discussing how books came into the canon.

Crossways will conclude in early following a two year class. Gale has shouldered this teaching task along with a few others who have stepped in to help.

On April 29 Pastor Gysan began an Adult Class on “Forgiveness.” Using Biblical teachings on forgiveness, coupled with two recent movies “The Power of Forgiveness” (recently written up in The Lutheran magazine), and “Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness” we will explore areas such as “How Forgiving Am I?”, “Forgiveness and Justice,” “Forgiving Oneself,” “Forgiveness and Faith,” “Forgiveness and Health.” Come, share and explore – Sundays at 9:45 am in “Luther’s Lounge.”

Greetings from Mother’s Day Out!

The children have been quite busy this month! We’ve enjoyed talking about Spring and all the beautiful things that it brings! We made flowers of all shapes and sizes. We’ve also been carefully watching five caterpillars spin themselves in cocoons. We’re waiting “patiently” to see when the butterflies emerge. Excited filled the air on April 9^th for our annual Pizza Party. We had about 100 children and family members feast on pizza, veggies and fruit. A special thanks to all who helped make the day run smoothly! The families participated in some special after lunch activities – including a music class with Miss Jane (Cooper), face painting and a craft.

In May, our themes will include the solar system and summer. May also brings our Pre-K graduation program. It’s hard to believe that it is time to say good-bye to our Koala and Polar Bear Classes. They are a special group of children. We’re excited to see them start the next adventure in their lives!

We have a limited number of openings available in several of our classes this fall – especially in the Teddy Bear classes (for those children who are 2 ½ by September). Please stop by for a facility tour or contact Karen Anderson at 703/759-6935 or mothersdayout@verizon.net for more information.

Peace, Karen Anderson, Director

“Part of a disciple’s job description

is to serve for the sake of others”

http://myweb.cableone.net/LESMBETH/index.htm

NOVACO Life Skills Dinner – May 12^th

Food donations are needed for the upcoming NOVACO Life Skills dinner on Monday, May 12^th, at 6:00pm. We need an entrée, salad, dessert and beverages. If you can donate, please contact Trudy Fleit at 703 406-0603 or tfleit@hotmail.com or Susan Boruff at 571-434-6272 or susanbherenow@hotmail.com. Set up help is also needed.

Professional Clothing Drive

If you’re doing any “Spring Cleaning” in your closets this month – don’t throw out those business suits and professional attire! Starting on May 4^th, CTK will be holding a “Professional Clothing Drive” to benefit Bread for the City – an organization in Washington DC that provides those in need with comprehensive services including clothing for clients with new jobs or job interviews. Men and women’s business suits and professional clothing is needed! The clothing should be clean (dry cleaning suggested) and in good condition. Shoes, handbags, and briefcases are also needed. There will be a rack in the narthex from May 4^th through May 25^th. If you have any questions or require further information please contact Tracey Shenk (703) 438-8989.

Rebuilding Together

Thanks to all who participated in Rebuilding Together on Saturday April 26^th, especially Tim Zimmerman who headed up this project. Look for a detailed report in next month’s newsletter.

Hunter Woods Fellowship House Spring Fling

Thank you for sharing your time, talents and baked goods with the senior residents of the Hunter Woods Fellowship House on Sunday April 27^th!

“Wanted”

4-6 joyful, creative & fun-loving members to oversee church fellowship events for the 2008-2009 year. Great training, encouragement and plenty of event volunteers will be included! For more information, please call Amy Swineford at 703-481-6488.

Cedars

On April 15^th, everyone learned a lot about the Honey Bee business from Eileen and Chuck Lucas. We then enjoyed a delicious lunch of tomato tortellini soup, barbequed pork, baked beans, coleslaw, corn and homemade rolls with lemon meringue pie for dessert. Thank you to the kitchen crew: JoAnn Durig, Sheryl McEwan, Ann Neaves, Kathy Schlaich, Joyce Weber, Audrey Wild, Ellen Cole, Coty Dickson, Donna Dunn, Jean Lee, Dorothy Harsher, Lois Scott, Jean Shea, and Martha Sullivan.

In May, George Scott will be presenting a video slideshow of the Great Falls UMC Mission Trip to Gulfport Mississippi in March. Those over 55 are welcome to join us on Tuesday, May 20^th, at 11:00am, at Great Falls UMC. Lunch: $5.00. Reservations are requested. Please call the Church Office at 703-759-3705 by Thursday, May 15^th, if you are not included on the Cedars call list.

Helpers are always appreciated - set-up and food prep begins at 9:00am or come to help serve and clean-up at 11:45am.

Eagle Project

My Eagle project is done. I want to thank the people and families below for their generous contributions to the garden: Whelan, McEwan, Rian, Saba, D. Gaibler, Mickert, Sweet, Hilgartner, Rymal, Sahm, Rambo, Cooper, J. Anderson, Durig, Zmuda, Kalka, M. Petersen, Pilka, Gysan, Chatlos, Fergusson, E. Anderson, Smith, Neaves, Stowers.

Please let me know if you put money in the offering and your name is not listed here so you will be included in my list of donors. A special thanks goes out to Pastor Scott, Pastor Gysan, Mr. Kalka and Mr. Hummel for working with me on the plans, Mr. Pilka for buying the plants, Mr. Wild who matched $500 in donations from Thrivent, Mrs. Gysan and the Wilsons who came and worked all day and Mr. Swineford who handled all the money and bills.

Joey Kiffe

Pedaling to End Poverty Housing

Hi, my name is Kristin Prishivalko and I am currently a teacher at MDO. This summer I will be taking a break from teaching to participate in a cross-country fundraising bike trip to benefit affordable housing efforts.

Starting June 11th, I will be biking from Jacksonville, FL to San Francisco, CA with 30 other young adults. The group I’m going with, Bike and Build, is an independent nonprofit organization whose events direct funds, volunteers, and community and media attention to affordable housing efforts. The trip takes over two months and we will be stopping along the way to meet with local residents, give presentations about housing issues, and build affordable homes with local housing groups, like Habitat for Humanity.

I have already spent some time working with Habitat for Humanity. Last year I served for ten months in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, a team based national service organization. While in AmeriCorps*NCCC, three quarters of my service was with Habitat for Humanity in the Gulf Coast. By working alongside community members who told me how their houses were destroyed by the hurricanes, I learned a lot about the desperate need for decent affordable housing. I was touched by the personal stories of those who benefited from Habitat for Humanity and saw first hand how this organization brings communities together. This experience also made me realize that a group of committed and hopeful young adults can truly make a difference in the world.

I look forward to being a part of Bike and Build this summer, an organization that acts as a catalyst to build homes, foster the spirit of service, and empower young adults. In order to participate though, I have to raise 4,000 dollars.

If anyone would like to support my efforts, donations can be made by going to www.bikeandbuild.org and selecting Kristin Prishivalko in the **Select a rider (or general donation)** box.

I really appreciate anything you can offer to help me reach my goal. If you would like to contact me personally, you can email me at kcp5a@virginia.edu. Please keep me and my fellow riders in your prayers. Thank you and I hope you all have a wonderful summer.

A Spring Evening on the Grate Patrol in DC

By Rudy Chatlos