Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Dear Friends,
We are celebrating Easter this Sunday with an 8 am service in the garden. Heather plans to help out with that service. I always look forward to this outdoor worship experience. At 9 am we will again offer a free community breakfast. We will clear the plates away in time for 10 am Sunday School, and 11 am worship in our beautiful sanctuary. At noon we will have an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden. This is one of my favorite days of the year. I hope you can join us.
If you would like to know more about joining the church please let me know.
Love and Joy,
Pastor Dan Damon
Joys and Concerns
Terry Cullinane, a dear friend of Fran Smith, has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment. Terry has helped us numerous times working at the Sweetheart Dinner and with UMW on many of our teas. She is a treasure. Prayers for healing are welcome. If you would like to send a card: 995 Glendora, Oakland 94602.
Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) up date: Sandra thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns. Fran reports that Sandra is more animated and cheerful than she has been in months. Sandra has undergone 4 chemo treatments and feels good. Both Fran and Sandra ask that prayers continue.
Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer. Currently he is doing well.
Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing. Update: Linda came home on Tuesday. She has a hospital bed downstairs and Pat had handrails put in the downstairs shower. Short visits are welcome. Linda really wants to be at home so any support you can give Pat will be appreciated.
Robbie Robinson would appreciate your prayers.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy.
Bobby and Pamella Hall would like to be remembered in prayer as they go through some difficult personal times.
Arpha MacIntyre is requesting prayers as she comes to the end of her life with a terminal illness. Arpha played the piano at our church for many years. If you wish to send a card: Sierra View Homes Retirement Community, 1155 E. Springfield Ave., Reedly, CA 93654. Jane Carnall has spoken with Arpha several times and Arpha is thrilled to be getting cards and messages of love from our church community.
Please keep the people of Camp Liberty in your prayers as chaos reigns in Iraq and near the camp.
News
Kristi Johnson’s father died March 25 after a long illness. Prayers for Kristi and the family as they gather to honor Earl Greenwalt, Jr. Cards can be sent to Kristi at: 1317 Ptarmigan Dr. #6, Walnut Creek, CA 94595.
CA/Nev Annual Conference registration is open at www.cnumc.org/acs15.
United Methodist Women are starting a collection for 10 School Kits. There will be a box in Friendship Hall for your donations. Lists of needed supplies will also be in Friendship Hall for pick up. Remember that you can only donate things that are on the list or UMCOR will remove them. Linda Woody-Wood is generously going to sew the school bags for us again. We would like to have our kits packed up and ready to go to the Annual Conference in June. Update: Rulers have been purchased so cross them off your list.
Generosity
Don’t forget that donations for Imagine No Malaria are always welcome.
Events
.
Easter Sunday, April 5: 8 am garden service, 9 am free community breakfast, 10 am Sunday School and 11 am service with choir. Easter egg hunt after church.
Friday, April 10, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Acoustic presents Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands. Grammy winner Laurie Lewis, pre-eminent folk and bluegrass singer, songwriter and multi- talented musician brings her band for a splendid concert. Right Hands: Tom Rozum, mandolin, Chad Manning, fiddle, Patrick Sauber, banjo and Max Schwartz, bass. Singer/songwriter Richard Brandenberg will open the show. Advance tickets through Point Richmond Acoustic $20, at the door $25. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Saturday, April 11, 9 am- 1 pm, CA/NV United Methodist Women Legislative Event presents “Seeds of Peace: Alternatives to Violence”. The focus issue is Peaceful Alternatives to Violence with Deputy Police Chief Ed Medina from our Richmond Police Dept. speaking. Affecting Change with Domestic Violence Offenders with Donna Pedroza who is working with domestic violence felons through restorative justice methods to help the healing. Registration deadline April 5. First United Methodist Church, 2100 “J” Street, Sacramento. Car pool if enough people are interested in attending. Cost $15. Registration forms in Friendship Hall.
ANNUAL JUNKTIQUE SALE is SAT. MAY 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Richmond’s Historic First United Methodist Church.
We are now accepting donations of still usable furniture, toys, books, electronics, appliances and other household items as we look forward to our biggest fundraiser of the year. (Please no clothing, shoes, hide-a-beds, exercise equipment, metal frame recliners, particle board furniture.)
The church basement door facing West Richmond Ave. will be open for drop-off donations:
Wed. mornings through April from 10 am to noon.
Thurs. evenings through April from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat. mornings through April from 10 a.m. to Noon
To arrange pick-up, email Jonathan Swett at jnscons@comcast.net, Bill Thompson at abthompson2@comcast.net, or Betty Graham at
Please also email the above people to arrange to help in other ways: to price, organize or clean items before the sale or to help move merchandise before, during or after the sale.
Don’t forget our Famous Lunch of Chili, Minestrone, Hot Dogs, & Pie from 11:30 a.m. til gone.
The day of the sale, come early and avail yourself of the bargains and unbelievable one-of-a-kind items. And bring a friend!
Sign up sheets for pies and helping before and during the sale are in Friendship Hall.
Save the Date: Saturday, May 16, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, District Conference. Rev. Schuyler Rhodes has sent this reminder. The Conference includes a Mission Fair with displays by local churches, a fair trade marketplace, training opportunities for Staff-Parish Relations Committee Members, Trustees, church council and more. Plus a briefing on legislation coming up at the Annual Conference. Donations $15 includes lunch and materials. First United Methodist Church, 502 Virginia St., Vallejo, CA 94590. To register: https://calnev-reg.betrapp.com.
Ca/Nev Annual Conference, June 17-20 (Wed. thru Sat.). This year’s theme is ” Engaging Faith in the Public Square”. Registration is now open at www.cnum.org/acs15. San Francisco Airport Hyatt Regency, 1333 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA.
Save the Dates: June 14-20 for Mt. Lassen Journey Farthest Out Camp. The camp provides a time apart for spiritual growth and opening our lives to God physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The vision is to provide a place where all people are accepted with the unconditional love that Jesus shares. All ages are welcome. Registration is open through “Mt. Lassen JFO”.
The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) is meeting in San Antonio, Texas in conjunction with the Reconciling Ministries Network. Gather at the River, Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 9. The conference will be working on issues of justice throughout the church and resolutions they would like to see presented at the General Conference in 2016. Register at http://www.gather2015.org/.
Please send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net