Tim Johnson was born in the Charlottesville, VA area and raised primarily by his mother in the Baptist tradition while periodically attending services at a small rural Episcopal parish with his father. After graduating from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA he decided to follow a calling to ministry at Union Theological Seminary.

Does your employer have a matching funds program? Did you know that your pledge to St. Thomas' qualifies for matching funds at many companies? Many employers will match charitable donations dollar for dollar others match at an even higher rate. So the value of your annual pledge to St. Thomas' can easily be doubled or even tripled.

To take advantage of this program, just ask for a matching funds form from your employer, human resources office or matching funds department. Then complete it and return it to St. Thomas'.

The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) and Casey Trees are offering $50 rebates to District residents who plant trees on their property. The program also includes a free “Ooze Tube” watering bag to help care for the tree.

For more information about the program and to download a rebate coupon, please visit: http://www.caseytrees.org/programs/Rebate2008-2009.html.

Take a step toward volunteering in a meaningful volunteer position with Samaritan Ministry. We need front office coordinators, computer mentors, resume writers, and casework associates to help our participants, many who are homeless, take steps toward a better life. The Next Step Program works because of the many volunteers who give their time to this ministry. Call or email Dianne Lewis at 202-722-2280 x 319 or dlewis@samaritanministry.org to find out more.

Robert Prechtor published a book in 2002, "Conquer the Crash", which not only warned of the current financial crisis but also explained how to prepare for it. The basis of his insight is based on the Elliott Wave Principle. The Elliott Wave Principle is based on the Wave Principle which is a detailed description of how groups of people behave. It reveals that mass psychology swings from pessimism to optimism and back in a natural sequence, creating specific and measurable patterns.