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5/15/12: White House Press Briefing

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:34:56 +0000

White House Press Briefings are conducted most weekdays from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing.

NCRA SPORTS™ WASHINGTON DC AREA EXPERT ANALYSIS- COACH KAVANAUGH

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:34:56 +0000

BE THE FIRST TO SEE COACH JUSTIN KAVANAUGH AS HE JOINS THE NCRA SPORTS NETWORK TEAM™, EXPANDING OUR COVERAGE INTO THE WASHINGTON DC, VIRGINIA AND SURROUNDING AREAS, WITH HIS EXPERT HIGH SCHOOL ANALYSIS ON AND OFF THE FIELD.

In Support of Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani, Activists to Conduct Prayer …

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:34:55 +0000

In Support of Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani, Activists to Conduct Prayer Vigil and Public Witness

The Washington, DC event is called “Christianity is Not a Crime!”

Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741

Event Details—

When: Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 2:30 P.M.

Where: In front of the Iranian Interest Section in Washington, D.C. located at 2209 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Why: Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been sentenced to death in Iran for his refusal to renounce his Christian faith and embrace Islam. He has now been in prison for 950 days.

Participants will call for the free nations of the world to keep the pressure on Iran to embrace human rights and religious freedom and demand that Pastor Nadarkhani be immediately released and continue to pray for the Nadarkhani family and the church in Iran.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states:

“We are gathering outside of the Iranian Interests Section to pray and ask God for the safety and immediate release of Pastor Nadarkhani. We are standing as a public and prophetic witness in front of the Interest Section to show our solidarity for Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all our dear brothers and sisters who are persecuted around the world for their faith.

“We are also praying that Iran embrace religious freedom for all and move away from a government that crushes human rights and the free expression of faith.”

Jordan Sekulow, Executive Director of the American Center for Law and Justice, adds:

“We cannot and should not stop working to secure Pastor Youcef’s immediate and unconditional release. At the American Center for Law and Justice, we are doing all we can in this country and abroad to secure his freedom.

“We continue to pray for Pastor Youcef and all of those who face persecution because of their Christian faith.”

For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at 540.538.4741

Read Original Article

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VIRGINIA: Congregation of The Falls Church must begin again …

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:34:55 +0000

[Ed. Note: Tomorrow, May 20, The Falls Church (yes the town was named for this church) will hold their worship services in a different location than the historic building in the center of town. This op-editorial was written by the Rev. John Yates, rector of the Falls Church since 1979. He is one of the best known Bible expositors in the United States and this church will continue to grow and impact the greater Washington DC area. To locate where services are held, go to their website at www.thefallschurch.org. Cheryl M. Wetzel]

By the Rev. John Yates

The Washington Post

www.washingtonpost.com/local

May 11, 2012

Our Anglican church in Virginia, The Falls Church, faces a hard hour this month. A Virginia court has ruled that buildings and funds we believe to be ours actually belong to the Episcopal Church. Our congregation of 4,000 must begin again, finding a new home and place of worship.

As the rector of the church since 1979, I believe I speak for all in saying that we leave without resentment or acrimony; we pray only the best for those who will follow us in our old and historic church, and that the transforming good news of Christ will always be proclaimed on this spot.

In 2006, The Falls Church and six sister congregations in Northern Virginia voted (overwhelmingly) to pull out of the Episcopal Church because, in our view, it had drifted so far from orthodox Christianity that we could not remain in good conscience.

Reasons for the division have been mainly theological, particularly focused on how we interpret the Bible, and what doctrines of the Christian faith are essential for leaders to maintain. The doctrinal divides have been widening for several decades, and in 2003 when a practicing homosexual was consecrated as Episcopal bishop, many realized that the divisions in the church were unresolvable.

We will stay in the Anglican Communion under the Archbishop of Canterbury, but through a different branch.

Following our decision to withdraw were a series of lawsuits over the ownership of the church property we believed to be ours: the original church dating back almost 300 years, the new sanctuary that seats 1,000 that was built in 1991, the house in which my wife and I have lived for 33 years, most of the funds in the church’s accounts, and so forth.

A trial court decided in our favor, but that decision was reversed on appeal. After a second trial, a Fairfax County judge has given us the final order to depart.

The lawsuit has been a huge distraction and expense for everyone – on both sides – over the past five years. It has drained funds that otherwise could have been put toward good works. But we have learned valuable lessons about the true nature of the church and about our mission. Of course, we knew that a church is its people, not its buildings, but we see that much more clearly now.

We will move on. It has taken a long lawsuit and several rulings for me to accept that this is for the best. It is possible still that our leadership will attempt another appeal. But we vacate this property in a few days.

The overwhelming scope of the ruling has caused me to conclude this is part of a larger plan.

The cost to us is huge. Locating available worship space and office space for a church our size is challenging. But we remain convicted about our decision to leave the Episcopal Church.

Do I have regrets? Yes, a few. I regret that so much ink has been spilled over a few social issues (important as they are), instead of on the deeper theological issue of how we understand and obey the will of God. And I wish we could have communicated more successfully that none of us is without sin. We all need the Savior.

Some good things have also happened. Since 2006, we have helped fund, staff and populate independent “daughter” churches in Alexandria, Arlington, Vienna and beyond. In our parent church, we continue to have 2,500 people in worship and fellowship each Sunday.

God also has given us opportunities to serve our local community. We recently entered into a partnership to expand a ministry in the Baileys Crossroads area, with Columbia Baptist Church and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Together we minister to the poor and the immigrants among us in the Culmore Clinic. People now have a safe place to ask for and receive prayer, even as they are being treated medically.

We’ve been humbled by an outpouring of encouragement and offers of assistance, including furnishings and building space from Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics and other friends.

Many details for our path forward remain unclear, and we know the adventure ahead is going to be challenging. But, we move forward with an invigorated feeling of purpose.

In a sense, this will be like starting all over again. There is a teaching in the New Testament: When you are at your weakest you actually are at your strongest. In weakness we are forced to trust in God. We know that where God leads us is a good place.

The greatest of all outcomes for us at The Falls Church would be if all of us were transformed through this experience, changed into Christ’s likeness. For to be like Him is the greatest of all possible outcomes.

John Yates has been rector of The Falls Church since 1979

Washington DC area APRS time lapse 2

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:40:48 +0000

One week of APRS activity in two minutes. 1280×1024 map screen captures were made once per minute, and then converted into a 30fps video. The timestamp is on the lower right side of the map. Video by dcaprs.net

Simple Maryland Wedding Reception on the Eastern Shore …

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:40:48 +0000

Time to take a gander at the lovely light and airy reception that followed Emily and Matt’s outdoor wedding ceremony on Maryland’s Eastern shore. Shabby chic centerpieces, a super sweet wish jar and, perhaps most important to the newlyweds, great music were all this wedding needed, along with Sweet Tea Photography catching all the fun on film!

From Emily: My favorite memory was listening to the heartfelt and hilarious toasts given by our friends and family.

One of the main priorities for our wedding, and what we chose to splurge on, was the entertainment. We felt so luckily to find the amazing Adrian Duke Project whose jazz/blues/soul style matched the classic, old-school vibe we wanted our guests to experience.

Emily’s advice to other DC-area couples:

Start researching and securing vendors as early as you can. The good ones fill-up fast! A good amount of vendors starting filling up their schedule a year in advance.

The following Washington, DC area wedding vendors contributed to Emily + Matt’s wedding:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Tidewater Inn
Photographer: Sweet Tea Photography
Wedding Gown & Bridesmaid Gowns: J.Crew
Groom & Groomsmens’ Suits: JoS. A. Bank
Floral Designer: Intrigue Design and Décor
Hair Stylist: Studio 2 Salon
Cake & Cupcakes: Peace of Cake
Guitarist: Chris Dunn
Band: Adrian Duke Project

Don’t forget to visit our vendor guide for more fabulous Washington, DC area wedding professionals or our real wedding gallery for more beautiful Washington, DC area weddings!

Photo Credits: Sweet Tea Photography

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

* Sweet Tea Photography is one of our fabulous sponsors. For information on our editorial policies, please click here.

Breaking News: “The Godfather Of Go Go” Chuck Brown Dies At Age …

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:40:47 +0000

According to sources in Washington D.C., The Godfather of Go Go has passed away at the age of 75.

Brown’s musical career began in the 1960s playing guitar with Jerry Butler and The Earls of Rhythm, joining Los Latinos in 1965. He still performs music today and is commonly known in the Washington, DC area. Brown’s early hits include “I Need Some Money” and “Bustin’ Loose”. “Bustin’ Loose” has been adopted by the Washington Nationals baseball team as its home run celebration song, and was interpolated by Nelly for his 2002 number one hit “Hot In Herre.” Brown also recorded go-go covers of early jazz and blues songs, such as “Go-Go Swing”, “Run Joe”, and “Stormy Monday”.

Preparing for a new home: Space shuttle Discovery and Shuttle Carrier Aircraft mating operations.

Sun, 13 May 2012 18:31:24 +0000

Discovery was lifted and placed atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) today in preparation for its departure to Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Va., on Tuesday, April 17. The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, designated NASA 905, is set to back out of the Mate/Demate device at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility tomorrow morning around 7:30 am Discovery is set to just after sunrise and arrive in the Dulles/Washington, DC area around 10 am Discovery will be moved to the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles for permanent public display on April 19. Discovery rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time at 5 am this morning. The orbiter arrived at Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing Facility Mate/Demate structure at 7:15 am Discovery is set to be lifted and placed atop NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA-905) today in preparation for departure on Tuesday, April 17. Discovery is set to depart Kennedy just after sunrise and arrive in the Washington, DC area around 10 am Discovery will be delivered to Dulles International Airport and then be moved to the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles for permanent public display on April 19.

Discovery Flyovers Delight DC Area as Seen at Dulles Airport

Sun, 13 May 2012 18:31:24 +0000

Space Shuttle Discovery, atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, NASA 905, is shown from various vantage points around the National Capital region on April 17 on the final leg of its ferry flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

Been-abuurka iyo fadhataysiga sawirada bulshada ee ku saabsan …

Sun, 13 May 2012 18:31:24 +0000