january 8, 2010 community church of mill valley newsletter

8/8/2019 January 8, 2010 Community Church of Mill Valley Newsletter

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Of Good Report is published on the second and fourth Monday of eachmonth. Deadline for submissions is the previous Monday at noon.

Pastor: Pam ShortridgeMinister Emeritus: Jack BartlettParish Associate of Mission: Dora FordMinister in Covenant: Jacquie HoffmanSeminarian In-Care: Arn Lou MutiaSeminarian In-Care: James ChristieDirector of Music: Esther ArcherExecutive Editor: Barbara StraderFacility Operations Manager: Aaron Young

Sunday Morning:

9:00 a.m. “The Unexpected Word” Class, Foster Room10:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary

Nursery Care for Infants & Toddlers, NurseryProgram for Children in Preschool through ThirdGrade, Children gather in the Chapel

11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour in the Tamalpais Hall

The Community Church of Mill ValleyUnited Church of Christ

An Open & Affirming Congregation8 Olive Street, Mill Valley , CA 94941

Phone 415/388-5540Fax 415/388-1678

e-mail [email protected]

In a November issue of OGR, Linda Xiques graphi-cally described the energy and feeling of hopefulenthusiasm that permeated the October 25 th MOCFounding Convention. Participants at the post-Convention meeting agreed on the importance of obtaining feedback from those who attended theConvention. They asked MOC member institutionsto hold meetings in January to generate feedback from those who attended. They also urged thatother members of their congregations be invited inorder to receive an update on what has happenedsince the Convention. The time agreed upon forthe meeting at Community Church is at noon fol-lowing worship on Sunday, January 24 . A sign-up sheet will be posted in Tam Hall. You can alsosign up by calling Jack Bartlett (388-8440), BetsyBikle (388-4649), or Linda Xiques (383-1929).Hopefully, many of you will join us.

In addition to Convention feedback, Linda Xiqueswill give an update describing the research activi-ties of the MOC Health Care Research Team. If time permits, you will receive a report on the ac-tivities of other MOC research groups. Keepingwith MOC tradition, we will begin on time, end on

time, and keep the meeting to no more than anhour-and-a-half. We’ll also provide you with foodto stay your hunger pangs. We look forward to see-ing a generous number of you on the 24 th.

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MOC ConventionFeedback & Update

First Shelter DinnerThe December 22 shelter dinner went very well. Wehad about 9 homeless women, plus four Unity of Marin workers, Alison Hendley from First UnitedMethodist, and me. Plus Suzanne Walker of St.Vincent's and Walker Somebody, the homeless mu-

sician showed up for dinner. We had three full ta-bles. Unity had set them nicely with white table-cloths and Christmas decorations. They also pro-vided gift bags for each woman, with gloves,socks, toothbrushes and toiletries. Alison expectsto be hosting at First United Methodist starting inJanuary. The complaining neighbors have not filedan appeal, so things should proceed smoothly.

We had more than enough food. Three casserolesseem to be plenty. The salad was great. So was the

bread— it's fabulous heated until hot and crusty.And Rinny's cookies went over well. She madesome with nuts and some without. A good thing,because many of the women had lost half their teethand appreciated soft stuff to eat.

I sat between two very interesting women. One justout of the psych ward and one who probably quali-fies. They all had interesting stories to tell. We lin-gered at the table talking until it was time to cleanup. I gathered my church utensils and headed homefor Mill Valley; meanwhile the women werespreading out their sleeping bags and preparing tosleep on the floor. We can't do enough.

- Linda Xiques



The Marin Interfaith Council invites all to An Inter- faith Afternoon in Honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Lu-

ther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 17, 4:00-5:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo at72 Kensington Road. This years' theme is The Callto Freedom. The event will include readings fromMLK's writings; inspirational words from RabbiLavey Derby and Pastor Johnathan Logan; musicand congregational singing from the Marin Inter-faith Singers; prelude by Jazz musicians Saxopoly ,and more! This event is free and open to the pub-lic. A freewill offering will be taken.

Earl LecturesThank You, Thank You

An Interfaith Afternoon

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All are invited to the Pacific School of Religion’sEarl Lectures conference, happening in just a fewweeks. This year’s Earl Lectures, January 26-28,will explore the increasingly popular phrase spiri-tual, but not religious. “Spiritual, but not religious”includes those who glean inspiration solely fromnature and the physical world around them, as wellas those who prefer to divorce themselves from in-stitutional structures. The phrase also refers to somewho are alienated from organized religion—refugees from a house of worship that has not ac-cepted or affirmed them. “Spiritual but not reli-gious” can also describe those who find church ir-relevant or who prefer to worship in individual andprivate ways.

The Earl Lectures are free and open to the public.Registration for the Leadership Conference work-shops is $99 through January 11, $125 after January11, 2010. To register, or for more information,please see http://www.psr.edu/earl-lectures-2010 .

• For 420 pounds of non-perishable food donatedto the Marin Community Food Bank

• $656 given to provide school supplies for thepoor children ofMasaka, Uganda and of Tarlacin Luzon, Philippines

• One hundred and fifty-nine gift bags of socks,candy and hygiene products for Cornell resi-dents. Altogether the gift bags contained threehundred eighteen pairs of socks, approximatelytwenty-five pounds of candies and seventy fivepounds of hygiene products.

From Dora and Cornell:Thank you from Cornell for the most wonderfulChristmas ever. Your gifts of socks, candy and hy-giene items meant that one hundred forty-four menand 15 women woke to a reminder that someonecared. For some it was the only gift they re-ceived. 2009 was the first Christmas in nineteenyears that Robert had the possibility of being withhis family. They live near by yet he was not in-vited home. Your gift was the only one he re-ceived. When I saw him this week he had a smileon his face. It was the first I had seen in awhile.

Everyone loved the home made cookies. Elf Dorawas surrounded the moment she came in thedoor. Jesus pointed out the care given lilies of thefield. Two hundred residents and forty staff feltcared for also. The needs of Cornell residents feeloverwhelming at times. Your continued lovemakes it clear we are not alone in our efforts toserve these men and women. Thank you from thebottom of all our hearts.

- Dora Ford

Linda Clever BookCome to hear our very own Dr. Linda HawesClever talk about “The Fatigue Prescription: FourStpes to Renewing Your Energy, Health and Life($16.95) at Book Passage on Friday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.Filled with easy self-assessments, informationalcharts and sound advice from a physician whohealed herself, this book aims to help you avoid ill-ness, reset priorities and most importantly, regainyour health and happiness.

Jan. 26 Shelter DinnerNeeds VolunteersIt’s our turn to provide the evening meal forwomen at the shelter at First United MethodistChurch on Tuesday, Jan. 26. We have 2 volunteersfor casseroles; we need 1 more volunteer to make acasserole, 1 to make a salad and 1 to bake cookiesfor twenty. If you can help, please contact LindaXiques at 383-1929.



The Community Church of Mill ValleyUnited Church of Christ8 Olive StreetMill Valley, CA 94941

Return Service Requested

Postage

Upcoming Church EventsSunday

8:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary (Newcomers welcome)9:00 a.m. The Bible: Viewed and Re-viewed with Pam Shortridge.

Tamalpais Hall. A conversation open to all.10:00 a.m. Worship

Child care for children 4 and under, Nursery10:15 a.m. Children’s Program for children Kindergarten through 3 rd Grade,

Tamalpais Hall11:15 a.m. Coffee and Conversation, Tamalpais Hall

All are welcome.

This Week

Wed., Jan. 13, 11:45 a.m., Men’s Lunch, Moylan’s , Novato

ComingSat., Jan. 16, 10:00 a.m., Board of Directors Retreat, ChapelSun., Jan. 17, 4:00 p.m., An Interfaith Afternoon in Honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther

King Jr. ; First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

Mon., Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Office closedTue., Jan. 19, 12 Noon, Of Good Report newsletter deadline

7:30 p.m., Christian Life Team, Foster Room



Toward a GreenerGreenerGreener Faith:Loving the Earth for Lent

You are invitedto the

Adult Faith RetreatFebruary 19-20, 2010

atEnchanted Hills Camp

“God loves the earth fully.By loving one another and every sentient being

—even the rocks who cry out—we love God.

In this love we are called to resist the poisoning of peoples and earth.”— Karen Baker-Fletcher



Toward a GreenerGreenerGreener Faith: Loving the Earth for Lent Annual Adult Faith Retreat February 19-20, 2010

Where?Enchanted Hills Camp. Located above the NapaValley in a wooded coastal environment, 20 minutesfrom the town of Napa at 3410 Mt. Veeder Road.Travel time from Mill Valley is approximately 1¼ to 1½hours. The camp is fully accessible and is managed byUnited Camps, Conferences and Retreats.

Lodging is in heated lakeside cabins with rooms fortwo, real beds, and an adjoining bathroom. We meetin the Kiva, a large private room. Delicious meals—made with adult tastes and appetites in mind—areserved in the Dining Hall.

When?6:30 p.m., Friday, February 19, to 2 p.m., Sat-urday, Feb. 20. The retreat begins in the Kiva at6:30 p.m. on Friday; supper is at 7 p.m. You maycheck in as early as 5 and enjoy a walk by the lake ora short hike along one of the trails, take a nap, or en-

joy some coffee in the Kiva. The retreat ends Satur-day at 2 p.m. Please plan to stay for the full time.

Cost?

The cost for lodging, 3 meals, and materials is $95per person . (Partial scholarships up to $50 are avail-able. Please note on your registration the amount ofhelp you need, then enclose what you can afford topay.)

Who?All adults are welcome. The camp accommodates allages, singles & couples, and people with limited mobility.

Facilitators: Pam Shortridge, Pastor, and Carol Manahan,Associate Conference Minister.

Carol completed an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Environ-mental Ethics and Biblical Studies at the Graduate Theo-logical Union in 2006. In addition to her work with thechurches of the Golden Gate Association, she teachespart time at California College of the Arts. Her focus ison environmental ethics and biblical studies with a par-ticular interest in agriculture. She and her spouse AnniJensen have created a drought-tolerant ornamental gar-den and organic food garden of fruit trees, berries, andvegetables around their Richmond home.

What? Study, story-telling, reflection, discussion,meditation, and hands-on exploration & discovery....

“This is our vision—a beloved creation of raucous diver- sity and extravagant beauty, a web of life knit together by the Spirit of God who infuses every cell. It is a deeply religious vision, and yet it can easily be translated into the language of the public sphere. Doing justice,

promoting equity, ensuring freedom, and conserving na- ture are the social dimensions of loving our neighbors as ourselves.” — Janet L. Parker, Christian ethicist andpastor of Rock Spring Congregational UCC

Registration for Adult Faith Retreat, Feb. 19-20, 2010(Deadline for registrations is 12 noon, Friday, Feb. 5.)

Name ______________________________ Phone ____________ E-mail ______________

Name ______________________________ Phone ____________ E-mail ______________

Address _________________________________________________ Zip ______________

Scholarship requested $_______ (Up to $50 per person)

Deduct requested scholarship from the full cost ($95).Total amount enclosed $_______ Make checks payable to Community Church. Note “Adult Retreat.”

january 8, 2010 community church of mill valley newsletter

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