NEWSLETTER Volume 47—Issue 9 September 3, 2017 - University Presbyterian Church, 139 East Alameda Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282

SEPTEMBER 2017

Consecration Sunday is September 24th

Your stewardship committee has focused on understanding how we are called to be faithful stewards of God’s resources. They are God’s gift of resources and we have been blessed with their care.

The UPC annual budget has been about $350,000 in recent years. This congregation has also responded with well over $50,000 additional mission giving through many spe-cial offerings (such as the Peacemaking offering) and special programs (such as youth mission and the Christmas Angels tree). Of the $400,000 in financial resources availa-ble, approximately one-fourth has been used for mission, one-fourth for worship, one-fourth for nurture and education of our UPC community and one-fourth to maintain our facilities.

We encourage everyone to make a step up in their 2018 pledge. We know that some will not be able to increase their pledge based on personal financial situations; howev-er, others may be able to do more. We simply ask that you pray about how God is call-ing you to use the resources that you have been blessed with. A step up will enrich your personal relationship with God and also allow UPC to more clearly achieve its vi-sion.

Every attendee and member who completes a pledge estimate does so voluntarily. We ask that you prayerfully plan to turn in your pledge estimate during worship on Conse-cration Sunday, September 24, 2017. We will not visit homes to ask people to complete the form. During our morning worship, we ask that all members and regular visitors re-turn their commitments as a confidential and planned response to sharing resources that God has entrusted to each of us. If you are unable to submit a pledge form on Consecration Sunday, we will follow up with a reminder.

Following the service and the brief fellowship time on the patio, we invite all members, friends, children and adults to join us in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00. It will be a joyous occasion as we celebrate the use of God’s gifts and resources at UPC. We will serve a brunch of quiche, a yogurt bar with add-ins, and pastries. Juice and coffee will be avail-able.

We are asking all members and friends to help us put together a celebration program of UPC in action. Please submit photos for possible inclusion. We will edit these submis-sions into a program that will run during our time together at brunch. Before September 10

th, please email Jim Hershauer (james.hershauer@asu.edu) to let him know if you

have photos available for possible inclusion.

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REMINDER!! The 4th Sunday of the month (September 24th)

is canned food Sunday. Please bring your donations to the narthex.

FOOD BANKS IN NEED - Because of an ever increasing demand for food, local Food Banks and food pantries are currently very short both of money and protein foods. The pantry at Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) needs your contri-bution of foods like tuna, beans, canned meats, ramen noodles, canned vegeta-bles and soups. Bring them, and any other foods, to church and place them in the boxes in the narthex. If you would like to contribute financially, make out your check to TCAA, with "food pantry" in the memo line, and direct it to the office.

GET CONNECTED Connect to your UPC community!

Check out our website for calendar and news ............................................... www.upctempe.org Like our Facebook page, like and share our posts ................................. facebook.com/upctempe Follow us on Twitter ..................................................................................................... @upctempe

Connect with Pastor Eric:

Email him ............................................................................................. pastoreric@upctempe.org See his availability for appointments .................................................. doodle.com/ericledermann “Friend” him on Facebook .............................................................. facebook.com/ericledermann “Like” his Facebook page ............................................................... facebook.com/faithandcoffee Read his blog posts and watch his videos ...................................................... faithandcoffee.com Follow him on Twitter ............................................................................................ @ericledermann

Connect with our ministry staff:

Dianna Philips ........................... Administrative Assistant ............................... upc@upctempe.org Carol Rickel .................................... Director of Music ........................................ crickel1@cox.net Syndey Boyle............................... Nursery Coordinator ......................... sydneyb412@yahoo.com Carrie Miter .......................................... Custodian ............................................... mbmiter@att.net

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Ponderings from Pastor Eric... ...on Christian values and ethics...

Love. Respect. Listening. Understanding. Gratitude. Generosity. These words mark the key values (principles or beliefs) that undergird the ethics (rules) by which we, as a community of Christian faith, seek to embody the Way of Jesus. They have been shaped into a “Values Statement” which I hope will guide us in all that we do:

We at UPC value a place at the table for everyone, following in the Way of Jesus, by seeking to embody:

Love and Respect

Empathetic Listening to Seek Understanding

Gratitude and Generosity

Each value has layers of meanings for those of us who claim the label of “Christian,” or one who follows Jesus as God’s anointed one (Christ in Greek, or Messiah in Hebrew). The mean-ings we ascribe to them are often much deeper than the meanings typically associated with them. I am thankful to the Issues Task Force, which session created at my urging back in January, as well as the members of session who have all helped shape and refine this statement. I can truthfully say I “love” ice cream, but it is not the same as the ancient teaching to love God and one’s neighbor. That latter is a deeper and much more complicated kind of love that requires a sense of equality and humility. Each value undergirds the next one: from the practice of radical table fellowship, we are shaped by God’s love as we seek to see everyone as a child of God (whether or not they claim that title for themselves); from love and respect, we are drawn in to one another’s stories, paying attention to one another and seeing our sense of identity inti-mately dependent and intertwined with that of others; and in practicing each of these, we are led to a life of gratitude for God’s presence and provision, with which we can let go of and freely share. Do you see how that works? The neat thing about creating a statement like this is that they of-fer a deeper meaning and purpose to our mission and vision statements:

Mission Statement: University Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) is an open, dynamic Christian community that invites all seekers to join with us in glorifying God and discover-ing God’s will as expressed in Jesus Christ. We celebrate God’s love in joyful worship and learning, demonstrate Christ’s compassion in generous service to others, and experi-ence Christ’s love in supportive fellowship. (Revised and adopted by Session November 17, 2015) Vision Statement: Our vision is that UPC is called to glorify God and to take the light of God out into the world. We believe that Jesus calls us to have an open and inclu-sive worship with a spirit of faith that welcomes all. We seek to actively listen for God and the Holy Spirit among us by nurturing one another’s faith, by teaching through thought and deed, and by praying as individuals and as a community. We believe that God has commissioned us to seek justice for all who feel hunger, hurt and pain. We seek to demonstrate our love in Christ by generously offering our human and material resources to helping others. (Revised and adopted by Session November 17, 2015)

(continued on page 4)

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Ponderings from Pastor Eric... ...on Christian values and ethics… (continued from page 3)

Each of these statements has been gleaned both from scripture and our Reformed theological tradition. They have been shaped and re-shaped over the years as our understanding of what it is God is call us to do and be has continued to mature. I encourage you to ponder these statements, and ask God to help you discern how you are living into them. I’ll be unpacking the values further during a sermon series in September. Then in October, in the spirit of the Refor-mation movement of the 16

th century, we’ll be looking at how these values get enacted through

a document initiated by the 219th General Assembly (2010), and approved by the 222

nd Gen-

eral Assembly (2016), originally entitled: “Risking Peace in a Violent World: Affirmations of Peacemaking,” which included a number of other actions steps for our churches and presbyter-ies.

Presbyterians are a talky bunch—we like our words; we like to think and ponder; we like to pontificate; we enjoy trying different words on for size (well, maybe not this last one so much). We also appreciate the value of our history and tradition. This is especially true here at UPC. My hope and prayer for this coming program year (August-May) is that we might continue to be diligent and intentional in our spiritual growth together, that we will be faithful to our calling to be the church for the world.

Stay tuned for more on all this in the coming months. In the mean time, …

Be of good courage, and know that you are loved!

Peace, Pastor Eric

PRIMETIME

The monthly speaker series, PrimeTime, resumes after the summer break with a speaker on Wednesday, September 13 with strong credentials on global warming and how the world must cope with the changes in climate.

Dr. Sonja Klinsky is a senior sustainability scientist at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University where she is an assistant professor. She will use a PowerPoint and speak with a fierce energy on this topic. She has traveled widely to environ-mental conferences around the world.

Dr. Klinsky is particularly interested in the dilemmas inherent in attempts to address complex, multi-scalar, sustainability public policy issues. Within this, she is working on two major re-search trajectories. First, she is continuing to investigate how climate change policy has been developed and perceived in both domestic and international arenas. This work focuses on the development of cap and trade mechanisms, ongoing debates about justice, and the role of eco-nomic modeling in policy decision-making. Second, she is engaged in research that explores methods for exploring public opinion about sustainability issues. This has included work on public understandings of "pro-environmental" behavior, public perceptions of justice, and com-munication strategies for sustainability. Dr. Klinsky received her B.S. with honors in Internation-al Development and Environmental Science from the University of Toronto. She later received her M.A .in Geography from McGill University and received her Ph.D. in Resource Manage-ment and Environmental Studies from the University of British Columbia.

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Adult Christian Education “We celebrate God’s love in joyful worship and learning”

University Presbyterian Church Mission Statement

ACE CLASSES – Fall Schedule – weekly during the Christian Education Hour in the Meeting Room. September 3, 10, 17 Reality-Grief-Hope Using Walter Brueggemans ’ book, Reality Grief Hope: Three Urgent Prophetic Tasks, the class will explore comparisons between the modern and the biblical experiences of conflict and destruction. Whether God’s “chosen peo-ple” (ancient Israel) or God’s “exceptional people” (modern USA), there was/is a need to face reality, to grieve, and to have hope for the future. Led by Rev. Bev Phillips October 1 “My Neighbor’s Voice” This class will introduce us to an active program on com-munity civil discourse. The program was launched by two teachers-same denomination, differ-ent political parties-in South Carolina. Led by Mission/Social Justice & Peacemaking Commit-tee October 8, 15 Considering Belief in an Age of Evangelical Atheists In recent year, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Richard Dawkins published books intent on dissuading peo-ple from believing in “god,” whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or other. Reading the books caused me to do considerable soul searching. I discovered that contemporary writers reflect centuries of thinking about religion. This course will identify numerous challenges to belief and explore what belief means. Led by Doyle Burke October 22, November 5 Revelation What do you really know about the New Testament Book of Revelation? What is it about, really? How is it useful to us and our individual and cor-porate faith journeys? Join us as we dive, head first into Revelation. Lead by Rev. Shelly Moe and Rev. Ken Moe November 12, 19, 16 Bibles, Bibles, Bibles How many bible versions are out there? Which bible should I use? This class will: explore bible history, help us sort out why there are so many versions, and introduce us to a variety of bibles that might suit our individual purposes. Led by Dr. Joseph Ryan Kelly and Rev. Dr. Eric Ledermann. December 3, 10, 17 Advent in Narnia Infused with enchanting themes of sin and for-giveness, temptation and hope, darkness and light, C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will inspire us to consider the holiday season from a new perspective. Led by Cathe-rine May and Rev. Dr. Eric Ledermann FRIDAY BOOK CLUB - See page 9 for details PRIMETIME - See page 4 for details

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Odds and Ends Gleaned from the Annals of UPC Materials – Part II

University Presbyterian Church marked its 65th anniversary this year. We have noted that there are no longer any charter members active – and maybe none even still living. The church has a long, distinct history, and as the years pass, less and less is known or remembered of its past.

Recently Ruling Elder Stan Settles donated a fat and fascinating collection of UPC annual reports, newsletters and materials going back to 1960s when they joined the church. It is an informative and interesting gathering of material. The July Newsletter included a part of that material and we will continue this for several months.

What follows are a fun sampling of more from the Settles’ donated church publications:

Presbyterian Women had a longer name in 1967: University United Presbyterian Women’s Association. Its report that year noted that meetings were 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday, preceded by a Newcomer Coffee for all new and potential members. The monthly meeting were ended by a potluck luncheon. LeeAnn Nelson, presi-dent, said the Uncle Sam Steak and Franks Dinner and Art Show “was successful beyond our greatest expecta-tions” with a profit of $329. Half of it was used to purchase a triple-sink for the church kitchen.

Average Sunday school attendance for 1967 was 233. During June, July and August, the average was 155.

Vacation Bible School in July 1967 brought out 195 students and 73 helpers. Children age 4 to sixth grade met Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while teens and adult met Tuesday and Thursday evening and used, “The Gospel According to Peanuts.”

In 1968, Pastor Charles Jenkins “converted our session from a committee structure to a commission structure, giving each commission chairman a much freer hand in the implementation of their vision.”

The Board of Deacons’ 1968 report noted that in order to “better fill the needs of our ‘Senior Citizen,’ a new program called ‘the Whosoevers’ was started. Each month an average of 25 Whosoevers met with the Deacons at the church for a potluck supper.

Betty English, organist and director of the Westminster Choir, wrote in the 1968 report that there were approxi-mately 49 young people singing once a month for the 9:30 a.m. service and for special occasions. Barbara Jenkins and Edith Yarter were assistant directors.

The Senior High Fellowship went on ski weekends to Flagstaff and Williams. They also participated in painting of the Paradise Valley Presbyterian Day Nursery and went caroling to shut-ins.

Associate Pastor Gifford Troyer told about a special Vacation Bible School in 1968 when University children joined with a black church, Christ Chapel Methodist Church. The program “explored the need for greater insight into the Negro’s dilemma in our culture” and was organized by six from each church. “We listened to Negro lec-tures from the Phoenix ghetto area and divided up into small talk-it-over groups where whites sat knee-to-knee with blacks and traded their mutual frustrations and disappointments. This was obviously the first time many of the white participants had ever personally encountered Negro people in depth.”

During 1968, Ruthie Zucco held art classes at UPC. Seventy-five to 100 adults and children took part in oil painting, and she said she particularly wanted to involve the underprivileged.

Things tried in 1969 for worship were communion served in the round; a folk music service conducted by Fa-ther Tom Belt, an Episcopal pastor at ASU; and a “youth litany service.”

In 1969, a Thursday afternoon program for 4th, 5th and 6th graders, met from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for “worship, study, play, field trips and the manufacturing of adobe blocks.”

Trustees reported for 1969 that they installed a patio, barbecue, new sign on Alameda, a sprinkler system in grassy areas and refurbishing work on the “flood-damaged church offices.”

The annual report that year noted “fifteen families who pledged in 1969 moved out of Tempe and seven moved their membership to other churches…We have never had so many move or change before, and it represents an estimated loss of pledges of $7,000 to $9,000.”

(continued on page 7)

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Odds and Ends Gleaned from the Annals of UPC Materials – Part II (continued from page 6)

Roberta Evans, Circle No. 4 leader, told how they “went to Mayor (Elmer) Bradley, Mr. Vega of Community Action and Gil Montanez, chairman of the Community Action Board of Temp, Mayor Bradley asked that we write a letter to him concerning the possibility of acquiring a truck for the Tempe area (to pick up commodities for people in need). This was done and he sent a letter along with ours to the proper authority. We received a response from the City Manager’s office saying the matter was being looked into.”

The United Presbyterian Men listed “the highlight of the year for our group was a steak fry with the minister. This provided for a free-flowing conversation between the minister and indi-vidual members in a group setting.”

Robert Lofgren, president of the United Presbyterian Men, wrote about a “more dynamic role” the group could take including doing campus maintenance and repair, “find an energetic president with commitment and time to do an effective job…institute an annual father-son din-ner with recognition and awards for outstanding personal service given the church...Expand program topics to attract young men.”

In the 1971 annual report, Chaplain Jack Hughes, who came to UPC after 30 years of chap-laincy in the U.S. Air Force, described his job as “the junk man who does a little of everything at the church, some preaching, participating in roles in worship, counseling and such things as taking he senior hi’s on water skiing outings to Lake Pleasant.”

Helen Waltz for “Outreach and Evangelism Committee” reported the high school youth had an outreach program featuring Wonderologist Sister Margaret Jimenez. “The first edition of a church newsletter was published in December as an attempt to aid in understanding our faith and keep abreast of the many ways God is working in and through our church programs.”

In her report on United Presbyterian Women for 1971, president Ruth Trimble said, “Under the leadership of Barbara Malchow and Evelyn Gilmartin, the women really got busy and made our Country Store a bigger success than ever. Jean LoPiano was chairman of the Art Show and did a beautiful job as usual.”

Memorial Plants We are currently filling Sundays for the second half of the year with memorial plant reservations. Purchasing a memorial plant is a wonderful way to honor or celebrate special people and events in your life. Contact Joanne Maloney or Suzanne Nie-mann if you would like to reserve a Sunday. The cost is $12.00 and the deacon of the month will purchase the plant for you. After the service, you may choose to keep your plant or the deacon will deliver it to someone in need of care and concern.

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PAZ DE CRISTO

As part of the mission of University Presbyterian Church, we prepare and serve dinner at Paz de Cristo to 225 + people, the 4th Tuesday of every month. Each 4th Tuesday we re-quire 12-15 people to prepare dinner from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and another 12-15 to serve (and then clean-up!) from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. Paz is located at 424 W. Broadway in Mesa. Besides providing a meal each night of the year, Paz assists families with food boxes, hygiene items, job searches, etc. Thanks for the continuing support from the congregation with peanut butter and jelly, hotel shampoo, soap, lotion, razors, etc. If you would like more information please call Joanne Maloney at 480-242-2060 or jmaloney23@cox.net

UPC NewsLetter

Especially today, let us remember in our prayers: Military service personnel serving stateside and abroad

Homebound UPC members and friends Barbara Bell Evelyn Colby Florence Coursen Betty Dumond Gerry Edson Betty English Trudy Hebert Elaine Murray Bill Overton Wally King

Help Us With I-HELP

Thank you to everyone who has made this mission project work. With all of us working together we are able to provide food and shelter for approximately 40 homeless men and women every month. Our next night to host is Friday, September 15th. If you would like to participate in any way, please visit the sign-up sheet on the patio after church. There are many needs in addition to the din-ner and breakfast items. They are white socks, underwear, T-shirts, disposable razors, toothbrushes and travel size toiletries. If you have any extra pillow cases, they would be greatly appreciated as well. If you have any questions or want to help, please contact Jill Russell at 602-315-9026 (e-mail: jillzy55@aol.com)

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M U S I C N E W S

COME SEE OUR “NEW CHOIR ROOM”!!! Thanks to the efforts and imagination of Sue Legg, Steve White and Dianne Watkins the choir room has been reborn…spotlessly clean and with a fresh coat of paint. Robes are washed and stoles dry-cleaned. I’d say we’re “ready to go!”

Our Fall Retreat for Chancel Choir is coming on Sat. September 2nd

from 9 am to 1 pm. ALL are welcome! We begin rehearsing our first set of anthems for the fall, and have time to catch up and enjoy time together.

Regular weekly rehearsals for hand bells and choir resume on Wed. September 6th at 6 pm

and 7:05 pm respectively. Chancel choir returns to worship on September 10th with a favorite,

“Savior, Teach Me”

One last THANK YOU to those who have provided special musical treats in worship this summer: Karson Hawkins, cello, Jon Sywassink, baritone solo, Shelly Moe, two interpretive dances accompanied by vocal ensembles, Hand Bell Ensemble , Nan Beams, soprano, and Molly Winkler and Holly Silcox, soprano duet.

We always thank our amazing organist, Jon Sywassink for the musical gifts he provides each week!

We’re finally on the down swing of summer. Hang in there, fall IS coming, and “Keep a Song In Your Heart”.

Carol Rickel Director of Music 480-966-3437 or crickel1@cox.net

HEADS UP!!

FRIDAY BOOK CLUB Potluck Snacks and Drinks

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm - Locations TBD

September 22 - The Hour of Land by Terry Tempest Williams

October 20 - Where the Wind Leads by Dr. Vinh Chung

December 1 - Astrophysics for People In a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Call Catherine Maay at (602) 363-4119 for additional information.

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Presbyterian Women News Happenings for Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women (PW) Purpose: Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ and em-powered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves: to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study; to support the mission of the Church worldwide; to work for justice and peace; and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA), and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.

PW Fall Gathering Luncheon PW invites all the UPC women to the Fall Gathering Luncheon on Sunday, September 10

th. The

gathering starts at 12 noon, right after Sunday School. Rev. Al Young will be here to speak about the Sky Harbor Chaplaincy – what they do – where they are – and most important – how

we can help!

UMOM Walk for Homeless Families & Youth We invite our UPC members to join PW and their families for this fun walk at

The Phoenix Zoo 9/23/2017. 6:30 a.m. Registration 8 a.m. Walk (1k/5k) Fees before 9/8/17 Adults $25 Students (3-18) $20

Besides helping UMOM provide services for homeless families, participating in this walk will al-low you entrance into the Zoo for the day and an event T-shirt. For more information or

questions, contact Kathy Wagner (602-741-3192).

PW of the Presbytery Fall Gathering Guest Speaker: Peacemaker - Phares Nyaga Mithamo – Kenya

Where: Valley Presbyterian Church 6947 E McDonald Dr. Paradise Valley, AZ When: Saturday, September 30, 2017 Check In & Registration 8:30 am

Registration: $10 per person (lunch included) If interested, contact Kathy Wagner or Joanne Maloney for registration form.

Circle Meetings The title of this year’s Horizon Bible Study is Cloud of Witnesses: The Community of Christ in Hebrews. Chinle Circle meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 pm in the Meeting

Room at UPC. Kayenta Circle meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 pm in the church lounge.

Thank You! Thank You!

The UPC Presbyterian Women would like to thank the congregation for their generous support of PW’s fundraising events this past year. Because of your support, PW was able to contribute $4000 to mission projects this year. These projects include local, state, international and PCUSA Churchwide mission. Some of the organizations that UPC Presbyterian Women support are Hu-mane Borders, Sky Harbor Chaplaincy, Justa Center, Streetlight USA, Tempe Community Action Agency and Montlure camp. We will highlight some of these organizations in future newsletters. We feel blessed to have the congregation’s support for our mission endeavors.

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3rd Annual UPC Family and

Intergenerational Fun Night

The third annual UPC Family and Intergenerational Fun Night will be Sunday, October 29 and will again include a church talent show. It will be 4:30 pm to 7 pm. in Fellowship Hall (and the Arizona Cardinals don’t play that Sunday). We had a dozen acts last year, and many said they hoped it would be repeated this year. Presbyterian Women will be doing crafts activities, including inviting people to create bookmarks for the church welcome bags. There also will a white elephant giveaway based on “voting” with the 10 tickets you are given and if yours is drawn from the cup accompanying the item, it is yours. We encourage you to round up some items around the house that others might want.

UPC’s Youth Ministry kids will also have activities and a fund-raiser as part of this event. A pasta dinner with salads will be served between two rounds of talent show acts. We encourage any kind of acts: singing (solos or ensembles), in-strumentals, comedy, skits, dance, impersonations, readings, monologues. Sign-ups for acts will begin in September. The Congregational Involvement and Outreach Committee is organizing the evening. For more information contact Lawn Griffiths.

NAME TAGS

UPC set up its member badge system two years ago. It encourages everyone to wear a clip-on nametag as a way to increase the faith community’s awareness as to who everyone is. We applaud everyone who pulls their tags from the storage cases on the table outside the narthex and puts them on.

As we might expect, some of those tags are not returned for storage for use the subsequent Sunday. We know a few folks store them in purses or their cars. But we know many get home, are put on dresser or shelf or into a draw-er. Some are essentially “lost” or no longer in circulation or worn.

We are willing to make new badges for those who cannot find theirs. But if you know where your is, please retrieve it, wear it on Sunday and return it to the storage case. If you need a new tag, or never had one but want one, please con-tact Lawn Griffiths at tempelawn@msn.com or (480) 894-1557.

PACKAGES FROM HOME

Once again, UPC members are asked to donate to a campaign to provide gifts to members of our armed forces. These donations of money or goods will be coordinated through “Packages from Home.” The project will be carried out between Labor Day and Veterans Day . A box for receiving contributions will be in the church narthex. Donations of money should be identified for Packages from Home and placed in the offering plate or sent to the

church office. A list of suggested items for donations can be taken from an envelope on the donation box. In order to provide resources for Packages from Home to make up a number of packages at one time, donation of a larger number of a few items is preferable to donating single items. However, any donations will be appreciated. For more information contact Junior Meier.

For more information about “Packages From Home” you can visit their website at http://www.packagesfromhome.org/

The mission of Packages From Home is to send care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who are stationed in active duty theaters around the world, as well as to facilitate activities that elevate morale of all veterans.

You can also visit their Facebook age at: http://www.facebook.com/PkgsFromHome

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September

1 - Kit English 5 - Betsy Youngs 7 - Karson Hawkins 8 - Sidney Robbins 13 - Nancy Martin 15 - Rev. Erin Tamayo 16 - Sue Legg, John Asher, Sophia Namminga 18 - Hazel Davidson 20 - Scott Horne 24 - Elaine Shelden 25 - Jason Reed 28 - Cheryl Hardy 29 - Jessica Hardy

If your birthday is missing or we have the wrong date, please call the office so we can update our records. We wish a special day to anyone we have missed.

The Deacon of the Month will be at the front of the church to greet members and guests with concerns. For September, the Deacon of the month is Joanne Malo-ney. You can call her at 480-242-2060. If you have any needs that we could help you with, please contact Denny Martin at 480-802-9312.

Deacon’s Doings

THE TRUSTEE ON DUTY FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IS:

JIM KNORR @ 480-831-5026

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PC(USA) Leaders Condemn White Supremacy, Racism Charlottesville religious leaders praised; misuse of scripture decried

(From the Presbyterian News Service)

In the wake of a weekend of violence in Charlottesville, Virginia fomented by the “alt-right,” four top leaders of the Pres-byterian Church (U.S.A.) today issued a statement condemning white supremacy and racism.

The leaders – General Assembly co-moderators Jan Edmiston and T. Denise Anderson, Presbyterian Mission Agency Interim Executive Director Tony De La Rosa, and General Assembly Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson, II -- praised the “faithful witness” of church leaders, especially those in Charlottesville, and acknowledged that “Scripture has been mis-used to justify white supremacy and racism.”

The statement further declares that “White supremacy and racism stand in stark, irreconcilable contradiction to God’s intention for humanity” and acknowledges the church’s historic complicity in systemic racism in the U.S. And the leaders commit the church to “stand against, speak against and work against racism and white supremacy, this day and every day.”

The full text of the statement, issued August 14:

In the aftermath of the events of August 11 and 12 in Charlottesville, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reaffirms its con-demnation of white supremacy and racism, names them as sin, and renews its commitment to disrupting them and working for justice and equity.

We give thanks for the presence and faithful witness of church members who stand against white supremacy and rac-ism. Individually and collectively the church, including Presbyterians, stood against hate in Charlottesville. Individually and collectively the church, including Presbyterians, works to disrupt racism and to build racial equity in places across the country. We grieve for Heather Heyer, who was killed while standing witness; we grieve for state police officers H. Jay Cullen and Berke Bates, who died in a helicopter crash while monitoring events in Charlottesville; we pray for the recovery of all who were injured.

We acknowledge that Scripture has been misused to justify white supremacy and racism. However, we proclaim that the Bible’s message presents a far more consistent and insistent witness to God’s love for diversity and justice. This may be observed in God’s delight in the varied creation; heard in the words of prophets who reject oppression and com-mend justice as true worship; seen in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who values all persons regardless of any as-pect of their identity; and experienced through the work of the Holy Spirit, who consistently blows through all the divi-sions we create, to reveal God’s love for all humanity.

White supremacy and racism stand in stark, irreconcilable contradiction to God’s intention for humanity. They reject part of the human family and are utterly contrary to God’s Word made incarnate in Jesus. They are idolatries that elevate human-created hierarchies over God’s freely given grace and love. They are lies about the human family, for they seek to say that some people are less than other people. They are lies about God because they falsely claim that God favors some people over the entirety of creation.

But as we give thanks, we acknowledge the church’s complicity in the creation of white supremacy and racism. We con-fess the church’s failure in challenging and disrupting white supremacy and racism. Too often we have accepted the status quo. Too often we have stood silent in the face of injustice and oppression.

By God’s grace may we remember the events in Charlottesville; repent of our acquiescence and failures; and renew our commitment to proclaim and live the good news of Jesus Christ. May that commitment lead us to stand against, speak against and work against racism and white supremacy, this day and every day.

May it be so. Amen.

Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Tony De La Rosa, Interim Executive Director - Presbyterian Mission Agency Rev. T. Denise Anderson & Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston, Co-Moderators of the 222nd General Assembly (2016)

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UPC NewsLetter

Statement of Former PC(USA) General Assembly Moderators on Charlottesville

An open letter, News release from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), August 28, 2017

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Friends,

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer and Reconciler.

We write to you as former Moderators of the General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor churches, as disci-ples of Jesus Christ committed to the Gospel’s witness and promise of reconciliation, and as agents of God’s transformative justice in the church and in the world.

The brazen march of white nationalist supremacist groups in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 11 and 12, 2017, and President Donald Trump’s subsequent responses that equivocated on clearly identifying, denouncing and condemning those same groups as instigators of ha-tred and violence brought the spotlight upon the deeply embedded and pernicious poison of racism and white supremacy so endemic in socie-ty and, we dare say, in the church. We are increasingly alarmed when notions of nationalism and racial superiority are masked and clothed in terms of the Christian faith, or confused with the Gospel, or somehow supersede the clear exhortation of sacred Scripture to love your neigh-bor as Christ loved the Church, or when the Christian faith is used to inspire and organize hatred and bigotry.

We are wisely instructed by the struggles of our faith forebearers when fascism in the form of Nazism was on the rise in the 1930s, resulting in the Theological Declaration of Barmen, which categorically and emphatically denounced the effects of Nazism in the church and in society: “. . .we may and must speak with one voice in this matter today. Precisely because we want to be and to remain faithful to our various Confes-sions, we may not keep silent, since we believe that we have been given a common message to utter in a time of common need and tempta-tion.” Then again, nearly four decades ago, our South African sisters and brothers stood courageously against the white governmental policy of apartheid and the theologies that undergirded and rationalized that sinful regime. The Belhar Confession stated: “. . .we reject any doctrine which, in such a situation sanctions in the name of the gospel or of the will of God the forced separation of people on the grounds of race and color and thereby in advance obstructs and weakens the ministry and experience of reconciliation in Christ.”

In so doing, we join with our Stated Clerk, General Assembly Co-Moderators, and Presbyterian Mission Agency Interim Executive Director in calling the church to confess and repent of the ways in which we have been complicit and failed to disrupt, challenge, and undo white suprem-acy and racism.

As our concerns, sadness and anger have increased over the state of affairs we find ourselves as a nation, we are also equally determined and committed to active prayer and prayerful action, as we know so many of you are doing in thousands of churches, in counter-protests in streets across the country, in letter writing to and visits with elected officials, in mobilizing through social media, in face-to-face/neighbor-to-neighbor conversations. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in summarizing the 19th century abolitionist leader Theodore Parker, exhorted: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

May we, as the present-future generation of God’s people in this time and for this time, work and pray for the reconciliation of all of God’s chil-dren, and may the Lord grant us grace and courage for the facing of this hour.

Yours in the service of Christ,

The Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel, 214th General Assembly (2002), PC(USA) Elder (Dr.) Thelma C. Davidson Adair, 188th General Assembly (1976), UPCUSA The Rev. Dr. Susan R. Andrews, 215th General Assembly (2003), PC(USA) The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Bohl, 206th General Assembly (1994), PC(USA) Elder Patricia Brown, 209th General Assembly (1997), PC(USA) The Rev. John M. Buchanan, 208th General Assembly (1996), PC(USA) The Rev. David Lee Dobler, 205th General Assembly (1993), PC(USA) The Rev. John M. Fife, 204th General Assembly (1992), PC(USA) Elder Price Gwynn III, 202nd General Assembly (1990), PC(USA) The Rev. Charles A. Hammond, 192nd General Assembly (1980), UPCUSA The Rev. Robert Lamar, 186th General Assembly (1974), UPCUSA The Rev. Harriet Nelson, 196th General Assembly (1984), PC(USA) The Rev. Dr. Neal D. Presa, 220th General Assembly (2012), PC(USA) Elder (Dr.) Heath Rada, 221st General Assembly (2014), PC(USA) The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, 218th General Assembly (2008), PC(USA) Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, 216th General Assembly (2004), PC(USA) The Rev. Dr. Herbert D. Valentine, 203rd General Assembly (1991), PC(USA) Elder William H. Wilson, 197th General Assembly (1985), PC(USA)

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NEWSLETTER Periodicals University Presbyterian Church Postage Paid 139 E Alameda Drive Tempe, AZ 85282

NEWSLETTER UNIVERSITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USPS 652-720) published monthly by University Presbyterian Church, 139 E Alameda Dr, Tempe, AZ 85282. 480/966-6267. Email: upc@upctempe.org. Periodicals Postage paid at Tempe, AZ.

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Volume 47 - Issue 9 September 3, 2017

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