Welcome to Arlington Presbyterian Church

Who We Are
APC's Covenant with God
Position Descriptions. As the Arlington Presbyterian congregation continues to discern the ways God is calling us to be active in our community, we recognize the need for specific skills and gifts that will help support the ministry of the church. At this time, we are hoping to add to the staff of the church in three significant ways: a church educator, a nursery care worker and an office manager. All three of these people will greatly enhance and support the faithful work of the congregation.
- Shared Director of Christian Education
- Nursery Childcare Provider
Arlington Presbyterian Church’s Covenant with God
Introducing our Pastor: Rev. Sharon K. Core
Introducing our Pastoral Intern: Lorraine Gardner
Introducing our Office Manager: Maria Cervantes

Who We Are

Arlington Presbyterian Church is an open congregation and is committed to the welcome, nurture, and service of all God's children. We invite you to join us in ministry and membership as we continue to discover the ways we proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. It is an exciting, challenging journey and we look forward to you traveling with us.

If you are interested in exploring membership at Arlington Presbyterian Church, please, speak to Pastor Sharon Core or any member of Session. Please, contact the church for more information.

There are three ways to join Arlington Presbyterian Church, all of which include meeting with the Session, the governing body of the church by:

Profession of Faith, including the Sacrament of Baptism
Reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ
Transfer of Letter from another church.

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Arlington Presbyterian Church’s Covenant with God

“This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be my people.” ~ Jer. 31:33

Our Call

Moved by God’s love and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Arlington Presbyterian Church is challenged by the Word of God to welcome all, to nurture spiritual growth and to serve with compassion. We proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Our Foundational Truths

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock.” ~Mt. 7:24-25

We are a God-centered community of faith.

· We come from God. We are going to God. Our life together is a gateway to God.

· Our choices have a “higher spiritual purpose”. This is true for both what we choose to do and how we act on those choices.

· Jesus is the pattern of our living, suffering, dying and rising.

We are made in the image of a creative God.

· We are open to a very creative God – doing a new thing.

· We are inquisitive, seeking to discern and mirror the creativity of God.

· Our commitment is to stir our minds and souls to new life.

We are people of the Word.

· The Bible is central to our life and our understanding of God.

· Christian learning never ends; it is a life-long task.

· The study of God's Word helps us discern God’s will, and translate it into living as God's people.

Worship defines who we are.

· Prayers of praise, thanksgiving, confession, and petition frame our lives.

· Christian formation requires a commitment to growing together as the Body of Christ.

· Worship tracks our journey from brokenness to wholeness, from sickness to health, and from chaos and anger to calm and joy.

All things are God’s and we are stewards.

· We actively support one another in discovering, developing, and sharing our gifts in gratitude.

· We have faith in God’s abundance and trust that God will provide.

· God has blessed our congregation with abundant spiritual gifts and resources, including, but not limited to, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our time together, creation, time, talents, money, and real estate.

We are inclusive of all people.

· Scripture demands that we be open, receptive and welcoming to all people.

· God’s truth is usually too much for any one of us alone. We are committed to learning from one another.

· We need each other and access to each other’s faith to live a Christian life.

We seek unity in the midst of diversity.

· We are committed to staying connected, available and joyful together.

· God’s plan lies in the hearts of people, and our togetherness, discernment and decision-making are rooted in active listening, dialog, forgiveness, learning from one another and supporting one another.

· Our beliefs and actions have a spiritual unity and the session, ministry teams, and

· individuals of APC are instruments of that vision of unity

We want justice and peace for all people.

· Proactive service on behalf of justice and peace is a basic dimension of living the Gospel.

· We see the presence of Christ in everyone and seek to serve Christ as we serve “the least of these”.

· Worship expands our vision of God’s gift of peace and our capacity to express that peace to others.

Our Hopes

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” ~Heb. 11:1a

“Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” ~James 2:17

Arlington Presbyterian Church trusts in God’s faithfulness to continually form us into:

A Welcoming Community

As a Christian community, we follow Jesus’ example of welcoming all people as we continually seek to be “community for the sake of the world”.

We will work towards this by:

· Nurturing our sense of common identity and calling in diverse Christian community, even during times of physical separation,

· Engaging in healthy and honest communication by sharing strengths and temptations, hopes and fears, accomplishments and failures; facing reality; and honestly facing denial and dysfunction.

· Considering our time spent together in the community of APC as one of our most precious resources for spiritual nourishment

A Nurturing Community

In all times and places we faithfully embody God’s love by caring for all, nurturing each other’s body, mind, and soul.

We will work towards this by:

· Worshiping, praying and praising God, as joyful disciples, so that worship becomes a way of life for our congregation, forming us into the image of Christ and ensuring that people are fed when we come together.

· Embracing new ways of doing and being, as we expect, listen for and respond to the Holy Spirit.

· Engaging in lifelong learning through participation in ongoing, small group Bible study to hear God’s transforming call and to discern and obey God’s will.

A Serving Community

As a community of faith and as individuals engaged in spiritual growth, we share all our gifts and embody God’s love in faithful service to others.

We will work towards this by:

Encouraging all people to discover, develop, and share their God-given gifts, allowing those gifts to shape our ministry and ensuring that everyone has a sense of

· clarity about their own and the rest of the congregation’s gifts.

· Determining what God wants us to do with our gifts from God (the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our time together, creation, time, talents, money, and real estate), and making decisions based on prayerful discernment.

· Living lives of servanthood that seek to follow Jesus’ example of serving all people.

A Proclaiming Community

As joyful disciples, we integrate worship into our community and lives so completely that it strengthens, renews, comforts, connects, challenges, and transforms us.

We will work towards this by:

· Developing our capabilities to share faith with others in a supportive and loving manner.

· Joining in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation to build peaceful relationships.

Making every decision based on our identity as disciples of Christ aware that our decisions reflect what we believe and have “kingdom consequences.”

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Introducing Those Who Have Been Called To Serve At APC:

Our Pastor: Rev. Sharon K. Core

Please, tell us a little about yourself, Sharon.
I am a daughter, a sister, and most recently a wife! I am married to Nick Kuhn and help care for our newly adopted chocolate Labrador retriever. My parents, both born in Eastern North Carolina, now live outside of Charleston, South Carolina. While I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, I am a product of the South. I love grits--topped with salt and butter is the best. I can make a one syllable word into five. I know what a double-wide is. I'm surprised when people tell me I have an accent.

Why are you a Presbyterian?
The simple answer is because I was born Presbyterian. I was raised at Southside Estates Presbyterian in Jacksonville, Florida. I never knew there was another denomination to be a part of. As I have grown up in this church, I have seen it at its best and worst. I know its warts and its beauty. I love the way we govern ourselves and our theology. I value our impression that we are reformed and always reforming. We take seriously the movement of the Holy Spirit as we seek to discern God's call for the church, recognizing at times the call may change.

When did you first think about being a minister?
I first thought about the ministry when I was a youth delegate to the General Assembly in 1982. That was the year the southern church voted on reunion. It was a powerful experience. The debate while passionate was civil and I was amazed that people who had such different views continued to laugh and work together. The vote for reunion was overwhelming and I thought, "I want to be a part of this." I had just finished my freshman year at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. I attended Central Presbyterian Church where a woman was the associate. It was the first time I had seen a woman in the pulpit, but the reality was too new for me to consider that I could be in the pulpit too. It wasn't until after I graduated from college, working for two years, that the call was renewed.

What is your favorite part of ministry?
The privilege of being part of people's lives. I get to see the babies when they're first born. I hold hands as I sit beside the hospital bed. I conduct wedding services. I'm invited to dance recitals. I cry when a loved one dies. I celebrate high school graduations. I worry as someone looks for work. I am invited to be a part of people's lives--the very best, the very worst and everything in between. It is humbling, hard, and joyful.

What is the best sound you hear at church and why?
When the Arlington congregation takes communion, we usually pass the bread and the cup tray down the pews. We eat the bread together first and then drink together. It is after that drinking, that the best sound comes--a symphony of cups hitting the pew cup holders. The community, having shared the joyful feast of the people of God, audibly signify by the sound of those cups, that having been fed, they are now ready to go be God's people in the world. The next time we share communion together, listen for the symphony!

What's fun about church?
Worship, service, new learnings, new challenges, friends, sharing life with others, baptisms, communion, children playing "preacher", in short, EVERYTHING!

How can APC or the larger church make a difference in an individual's life?
While I was in college, after college and during seminary, I attended Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. One of the ways this particular church made a difference in my life was by the community of the choir. I love to sing and loved being a part of the choir community. I enjoyed the fellowship of Wednesday night practices, the challenge of learning a new piece, the support and encouragement of friendships. Especially as I entered seminary and all the demands of that study, the Central choir became my shelter. It was one place where I could leave behind (however briefly) my studies and engage in the pure joy of making a joyful noise to the Lord.

Why APC?
After 4 years in my previous position, I became aware that God was preparing me for something else. What that something else was I didn't know and it took me 3 1/2 years to find out. My first knowledge of APC came when I saw their pastor position posted on the opportunity list. I was in love with the metro DC area and regularly checked the positions available in this presbytery. When I saw Arlington's listing, I called a friend in the area. "that's a good church," he said. "You should send them your PIF." And so I did. I devoured the CIF when the search committee sent it. it communicated humor, honesty, warmth, and excitement. One conversation I will always remember. A member of the church committee said "We really like knowing everybody in worship, but we know we need to grow, but we really like knowing everybody in worship." You see the paradox. I like the honesty of these people, I thought and that's still true. When I announced to people I was going to Arlington as their pastor, one person said, 'Oh, you get to go to Washington, D.C. Aren't you thrilled?" "No, I'm going to Arlington Presbyterian and yes, I am thrilled."

What do you envision for APC?
That we will truly be a congregation who welcomes, nurtures, serves, and proclaims.

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Our Pastoral Intern: Lorraine Gardner

We have been blessed over the past several years to have seminary students interning with us. This year, we welcome a very familiar face: Lorraine Gardner. Lorraine, for the past year has been an intern chaplain with the Virginia Hospital Center. As that program is no longer in existence, Lorraine will complete Wesley Seminary’s internship requirement here at home. Lorraine’s primary responsibilities will be regular worship leadership, preaching and teaching. Look for words from her in subsequent editions of The Bridge. Welcome. Lorraine!

Our Office Manager: Maria Cervantes

Maria Cervantes joined the APC staff as our office manager on January 7. Maria comes to us with a solid background as a senior administrative professional with years of experience managing office operations for private sector and non-profit organizations. We are very excited about her ability to help our ministry at APC become more effective through her support of our pastor, staff, and volunteer ministry teams.

Available Position

As the Arlington Presbyterian congregation continues to discern the ways God is calling us to be active in our community, we recognize the need for specific skills and gifts that will help support the ministry of the church. At this time, we are hoping to add to the staff of the church in three significant ways: a church educator, a nursery care worker and an office manager. All three of these people will greatly enhance and support the faithful work of the congregation.

Shared Director of Christian Education for Arlington Presbyterian Church and Church of the Covenant

Through a process of intentional study and prayerful discernment, Arlington Presbyterian Church and Church of the Covenant ( Arlington ) have joined together in seeking leadership for our educational ministries. We are churches of similar size, need and circumstance who look forward to growing in the knowledge and love of God as individual congregations and together as the body of Christ.

      Responsibilities

Working with and through the Education Committees of Arlington Presbyterian Church and Church of the Covenant, the primary responsibilities of the Educator will be…

Program development and support of adult and children’s programming at the two churches

Curriculum and resource coordination/development/selection for the two churches

Planning and implementing with volunteers a viable youth ministry program at each church, including joint activities as appropriate

Leadership coordination and support, especially Sunday School teachers

      Working Relationships

The educator will work closely with the Pastor and Education Ministry teams of both churches initially to assess and develop their programs. The Joint Committee and Pastors will work to assist the educator in coordinating his/her work between the two congregations.

The Committee and Pastors will work with the educator to seek opportunity for joint events as the ministry develops; for example teacher training, officer training, confirmation classes, occasional seasonal Bible Studies, etc.

The Committee (or representatives thereof) will be responsible for organizing regular feedback and an annual review of the educator’s work. The Personnel Committees and Pastors of the two churches will participate in the process as directed.

The Christian Educator will share his/her time equally between the two churches. Regular Sundays are to be alternated. Holiday and special events to be agreed upon with the Committee.

Qualifications

This is a full time position. We are seeking an experienced educator (2 or more years of experience), who at minimum is in the process of obtaining certification. We are looking for someone with strong organizational skills and enthusiasm to help our churches articulate and achieve a new vision for Christian Education.

Office Arrangements and Support

Each church will provide a permanent space for the Joint Educator to use when he/she is at the office for weekly, agreed-upon office hours. Every effort will be made to provide appropriate and adequate equipment to support the work of the educator while they are on site. The educator may wish to develop a home office for personal books.

Each church will develop and maintain a resource room to support on-site programming.

      Staff support

Limited clerical support is available. Support for bigger projects and /or joint endeavors will be negotiated.

      Compensation and benefits are competitive.

      Please direct all correspondence to: jobs@arlingtonpresbyterian.org

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