Sara – Page 12

Upcoming Events

October 17, 2015 by Sara

Events

Friday, October 23, 7:30 pm: Point Richmond Jazz presents Carlos Reyes. Carlos is a world-renowned violinist and harpist. Carlos was born in Paraguay and now lives in the Bay Area. His charismatic personality and outstanding musical talents are a potent combination insuring a great concert. He has started a program in Paraguay to bring back musical instruments to the children. Come and hear him. Tickets: $18 through prjazz.org and $25 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina, Point Richmond.

Saturday, October 24, 2 pm: A Gathering to Remember Eli Botchan. Eli was a long-time friend/partner of our own Heather Damon. United Methodist Women are offering to help with refreshments. We will set up, bring something if you like, and stay and clean up. If you would like to help, contact Barbara Haley at bahcats@sbcglobal.net.

Sunday, October 25, after church: Finance Committee Meeting.

Sunday, November 1, after church: Publicity Committee Meeting.

Sunday, November 1, after church: Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Meeting.

Friday, November 13, 7:30 pm: Point Richmond Acoustic presents Katie Dahl and Friends. Katie is a singer/songwriter of folk music from Wisconsin. She’s got a gorgeous alto voice which she uses to fine effect on her carefully wrought lyrics and beautiful melodies. Katie’s husband, Rich Higdon, accompanies her on bass and percussion. Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan will back her on vocals and mandolin as well as open the show. Tickets: $15 richmondacoustic.org, $20 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina, Point Richmond.

Thursday, November 26, 12-2 pm, Community Thanksgiving Dinner lovingly prepared for our community to enjoy. Interfaith Service of Thanks, 11:30 am. If you wish to help, contact Fran Smith: 707 427 2131 or junosmith@aol.com.

Thursday, December 3: Dinner/Theater. Dinner at Hotel Mac and Theater at the Masquers Playhouse for the musical “The World Goes ‘Round. Songs by Kander and Ebb the men who created Cabaret and Chicago. Save the date and invite friends! Times and pricing to come.

Saturday, December 5, 1 pm: Annual All Church Conference, held at El Sobrante United Methodist Church. Bridges District Superintendent, Rev. Schuyler Rhodes will preside. All are welcome. 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.

Newsletter October 17, 2015

October 17, 2015 by Sara

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

One More Thing, Mark 10:17-31

Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1^st UMC, 10-11-15

Introduction

On World Communion Sunday we are singing folk hymns from Scotland, England, South Africa, and Sweden, and one of mine inspired by my trip to Zimbabwe several years ago with the Jubilate Choir. I found this article this week as I was working on my sermon. It relates to the endowment work that we are beginning for our local church.

Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Jubilate! Choir

endowed chair in music at Africa University

Adapted from a release by Tom Richardson, director of the Pacific Northwest Conference Jubilate! Choir. <pnwumc.org>

Music training at Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe will benefit from new resources this year from the Pacific Northwest Conference Jubilate! Choir Endowed Chair in Music. James Salley, the associate vice-chancellor for institutional advancement, has announced that $10,000 will be awarded from the chair for the 2015-2016 academic year. The first annual distribution of funds from the chair marks the realization of a long-held dream for the members of the Jubilate! Choir. They made the pledge of an endowed chair in music at the official opening of Africa University in 1994.

“The music of Africa has touched us so deeply,” said Patti Jones, a choir member and driving force behind the effort. “To be able to know that training in music at Africa University will continue to grow through this chair is wonderful and exciting.”

An original gift of $31,000 raised by choir members and congregations in the Pacific Northwest Conference has grown to $338,000 in current deposits and planned gifts to fund the endowment.

“This is the first campaign that successfully utilized planned giving vehicles—two gift annuities, one life insurance designation, and a will bequest—to meet its goal of $400,000.00,” said Elaine Jenkins, director of planned giving in the Africa University Development Office.

“This endowment is an enduring legacy from the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference for Africa University,” said Tom Richardson, director of four Jubilate choir tours to Africa University from 1992 to 2013. “The Dream is Alive is both a song and a reality.”

The PNWAC Jubilate! Choir Endowed Chair in Music at Africa University remains open to contributions, bequests and planned giving through the Pacific Northwest Conference Treasurer’s Office and the Africa University Development Office.

[I preached in the chapel there, which was built thanks to a large gift from the Methodist churches in Korea. We sang my first hymn, “If I Take the Wings of the Morning” in that beautiful worship space.]

Retell the Scripture Story

In the gospel lesson today we heard that the young man was very rich. He had followed all the commandments, which is very hard to do. Jesus told him there is one more thing.

He came running

knelt

and said, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus, “Only God is good.”

“I have kept the commandments.”

Jesus observed him and loved him.

“One thing you lack. Go, sell all you have and give it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Come take up the cross, and follow me.”

And the young man went away sad. He grieved for he had great possessions.

Application

The children in the village in Zimbabwe were real. They had little in the way of material possessions, but much in the way of joy, faith, and hope. We gave them pencils and notepads, but they gave us so much more by way of spirit, love, and memory. I wrote about them in the song we sang this morning:

To the thirsty world,

to the hungry children,

reaching out looking up,

Jesus comes to bless

and to give himself

in this bread, in this cup.

What is the one more thing that God is speaking to you about this morning? Is it something to give up, or something to take on? Are you doing too much, or too little? How are you spending your resources of time, money, and energy? Do you feel trapped in patterns that are not working for you? With the help of God and this faith community you can change and grow. You can develop into the mature and loving person you were meant to be. God made you as you are and goes with you every day. You are not now what you will become. Don’t give up. Give yourself time to heal and grow. Keep praying, singing, giving, and growing. Trust God to guide you each day.

Let us be in prayer.

Joys and Concerns

Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery and anticipates further surgery December or January. She is making every attempt to join us at Sunday Worship.

Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.

Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for three young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington, Carolyn Thomas a Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support. Update: Hospice services continue. Pat says that Linda is not able to get out of bed and is sleeping most of the time. Lorraine, Linda’s mother, is home with attendant care and volunteers are bringing her over to see Linda to supplement Pat’s help. Pat is very grateful for the assistance.

Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing and gaining strength. Chemotherapy has been completed!

News

Pay/Pal is almost here! The Administrative Board has been thinking about modernizing our payment system especially for use at Junktique and the Art Auction. Matthew Foster did a trial run at the Art Auction and the system seems to be working. We are now getting a PayPal button for our website to make giving when you are away easier. Our donations always go down in the summer months when people are away on vacation. Our expenses remain the same. Keep it in mind. We will let you know when it has been added.

Our Korean Tea was this past Saturday and what an event it was! Lara Choe did most of the planning and food preparation and United Methodist Women did the decorating, plating and clean up. Lara had members of the Oakland Korean Methodist Church come and perform their special drumming music for our enjoyment. Many people were dressed in Korean clothing which made the event more festive. A special “Thank you” to Lara and all her hard work. Many thanks as well to the people who came and supported us by partaking in our tea. We couldn’t have had the success we had without your support. Many thanks as well to those who donated money and couldn’t be there. Doreen Leighton and Fran Smith outdid themselves as well as all those who waited tables, helped set up and take down and the kitchen workers. We earned over $1500 which allows us to send money to various organizations performing good works in our community and to contribute to the upcoming kitchen project.

Pinole UMC is celebrating 125 Years of Blessedness with events throughout October. October 3 Walkathon; October 10 Concert; October 18 Worship Homecoming; October 30 Trunk or Treat. See attached flyer. 2000 San Pablo Ave., Pinole. Support our sister church if you can.

News from Camp Liberty in Iraq: Since July 13th the Iraqi government has stopped supplies from entering Camp Liberty. They have prevented supplies of food, fuel and septic tank trucks from entering the compound. The lack of fuel means that the generators can not function so there is no electricity, no sewage system, no air conditioners with the temperature reaching 120 degrees. The United States Committee for Camp Ashraf is asking our Secretary of State, John Kerry, to intervene as well as the United Nations. Please remember these people in your prayers and that actions are taken to reverse this situation. One man has died due to refusal to allow his treatment for cancer.

Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery.

New Public Address System: Donations are coming in to support our new system. Donations are $45 for a whole piano key which you can color and sign and donations of any amount are welcome. Karen Merkle, who died early in June left a Memorial Donation of $500 to our church. The Memorial Committee has donated the money to our new sound system. Karen would be pleased since music was such a large part of her life. See the display of piano keys and further information at the desk in the back in Friendship Hall. We have met our goal! Pat Dornan has generously donated $1500 for our sound system. Our gratitude and sincere thanks to Pat for her donation.

Generosity

We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program.

Did you know that there is no limitation on the size of a charitable gift that may be given at the time of your death? No matter how large, the gift is tax deductible for Federal estate purposes.

Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.

Events

Sunday, October 25, after church: Finance Committee Meeting.

Sunday, November 1, after church: Publicity Committee Meeting.

Sunday, November 1, after church: Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Meeting.

Please send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net

Newsletter October 10, 2015

October 10, 2015 by Sara

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

Here are Fran Smith’s notes for last Sunday.

Peter Story – opening worship

Gather at the River Conference

San Antonio, Texas August 2015

Peter Story opened his remarks by saying he hoped we would be moved tonight to continue the struggle so that righteousness and justice become seamless and invisible.

He said he wondered why the organizers of this event would invite someone at great cost, from a small country in Africa, about twice the size of Texas. (Laughter) to come all the way to speak to you.

He wondered if it was because the struggle of South Africans against the agony of apartheid, the degradations of thousands of people fleeing Syria, the longing of the Palestinians for their rightful home land, the cruelty of coyotes bringing migrants to the borders of the United States are all the same. This conference is about the fight for righteousness and justice

He stated that we are all persons of sacred worth. The struggles of the LGBT peoples are one and the same: whether it will be the power of pride and prejudice and exclusion, to have the last word, will fear and violence take away the right to joy and love. Or will compassion rule.

This conference is about the fight for righteousness and justice. Or will love and compassion rule. You have many stories to tell. This is a place of hope. When I look at you I see the future of the Methodist church

Will God look elsewhere for love and compassion.

If we choose the way of Jesus, it will not be easy. We will need hope. He made a plea for hope.

Many people have asked him if during the apartheid struggles were there any signs of hope. Yes, he said, he would take people to his small church where there were people of many colors all worshipping together in defiance of the laws of the land. As long as he could see people continuing to struggle for the separation of power and exclusiveness, he had hope.

He told the audience that as he looked out at them he could see the future of the United Methodist Church.

He sees a future of the UMC where none are excluded. He said he feels deeply that he would be with this group.

Our first allegiance is to the sovereign God and to the lamb. The bible tells us so. The Spirit brings us together. The Spirit breaks down barriers and overcomes our fears.

Today the Book of Discipline, the tall steepled churches, the bishops and the judicial council are blocking the way.

We must fling open the gates of our hearts and refuse to shut out the love and compassion.

We can break the banks of our fears so that the river of justice that we never knew existed will flow freely. We are the promise of the future that is before us.

But…and there are many buts…the River of life is always preceded by conflicts: by tribes, by different peoples, by languages.

During Apartheid many people died in South Africa. Today Apartheid is gone, but there is still struggle.

Some more still need to die. It is not God’s will but struggles will come.

Justice is not only hard to achieve, but it hard to sustain.

The River does not flow by accident. It comes because others struggle.

In Africa a loving couple in a pastor’s church wanted to be married. It was a same sex marriage. The pastor realized that the two people loved each other and she officiated at their wedding. There was pain for her. She served a 90 day suspension without pay.

Some of you have been a witness to God’s love for others. You have experienced pain…and will so again. You may ask if your witness was worth it.

You are not asked to be a judge of the witness of others …..you are asked to simply be a witness. That’s all you are required to do.

The President of the World Church Council came to South Africa. When he was asked how long the struggle for justice would continue he said it takes many strokes of the ax to fell a broad oak. You never know which struggle will be the stroke that fells the tree. Each one of you who makes a stand for justice is another stroke.

We the church must apologize for the hurts we have caused. At one time the church recognized it has been racist. I predict t that the church will someday seek forgiveness for those we have hurt.

The struggle against apartheid across Africa took many years. The struggle was prolonged because so many were silent. Small groups of black and white pastors rose to speak out because people were dying because so many were silent. When asked to speak, they whispered.

People in South Africa could be put in prison for speaking out. But what or who can a pastor be afraid of in America for speaking out. A Bishop? Could a Bishop water board him?

Many of us have pledged our lives to the church that we thought was for justice. Now we have come to realize that the church we loved has become an oppressor. How can we be silent? Right now the world needs us.

The spirit still has lessons to teach…we have lessons to learn. Now is one of the times we must hold out our hands and invite Jesus to become our life.

Holding out our hands for the blood and the wine is the most subversive act one can perform.

As we take the sacraments we pledge that the actions of Jesus will become our actions…..the sacrifice to become ours.

We must make the river of justice flow away our fears and become a life giving source.

We must become the church God wants us to be.

Here is a link to the video: Speed through the first part until you come to Peter’s story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=5039&v=iRUFT7vl_XU

Joys and Concerns

Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery and anticipates further surgery later in the fall. Pat was at the concert Sunday night. She looks good and feels pretty good. She would love to come to church services but has some difficulty getting on top of some abdominal pain in the mornings.

Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.

Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for three young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington, Carolyn Thomas a Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.

Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy.

News

Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery.

Generosity

We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program.

Remember, if you have no will or trust, state laws will determine who will inherit your property at your death. State laws do not include your church or any other charity as a beneficiary.

Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.

Events

Today, Saturday, October 10: You are invited to a Korean Tea. There are two seatings: 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. We will have three people in authentic Korean dress. Come and enjoy yourselves and learn more about Korean culture and tradition and feast on authentic Korean foods. This should be a fun event for all ages. Bring your friends and children. $20 adults, $10 children. For reservations contact Doreen Leighton at 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@icloud.com. This is a fundraiser for the United Methodist Women to continue their good works in the church and community. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina Street, Point Richmond.

Sunday, October 11, Special Sunday, World Communion Sunday. On World Communion Sunday your giving helps to provide scholarships for national and international graduate students whom God has gifted to learn and to serve.

Sunday, October 11, 6 pm: The Hymn Society Presents,An evening of Singing with Jim & Jean Strathdee.

Internationally honored song writers, worship leaders and concert artists, their music offers hope and encouragement with songs of love, justice, and healing and for all the Earth. Free will offering, reception to follow. El Sobrante United Methodist Church, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.

Please send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net

Events

October 3, 2015 by Sara

Events

Thursday, October 8, 7 pm, Administrative Board Meeting, Friendship Hall.

Friday, Oct. 9, 7:30 pm – Point Richmond Acoustic Series returns with Reid Jamieson and Carolyn Mill to open the 2015-2016 season. This duo excels with beautiful voices, incredible harmony & award-winning songs. Jaspar Lepak opens this show. This Americana songstress has a gift for melody that is only surpassed by her poetry. For more info & to get $15 tickets online, see www.pointrichmondacoustic.org , $20 tickets at the door the night of the concert.

Saturday, October 10: You are invited to a Korean Tea. There are two seatings: 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. We will have three people in authentic Korean dress. Come and enjoy yourselves and learn more about Korean culture and tradition and feast on authentic Korean foods. This should be a fun event for all ages. Bring your friends and children. $20 adults, $10 children. For reservations contact Doreen Leighton at 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@icloud.com. This is a fundraiser for the United Methodist Women to continue their good works in the church and community. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina Street, Point Richmond.

Sunday, October 11, 6 pm: The Hymn Society Presents,An evening of Singing with Jim & Jean Strathdee.

Newsletter October 3, 2015

October 3, 2015 by Sara

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

Walking This Earth, James 5:13-20

Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1^st UMC, 9-27-15

Introduction

Today the Joyful Noise Choir sang a stewardship hymn written [this week] after a meeting with Susan Peters, Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation, regarding starting an endowment fund for Richmond First United Methodist Church. The tune is named for Silver Fork Campground in the Sierra Nevada Mountains off of U.S. Route 50 in California. I will be driving up highway 50 this afternoon on my way to Journey Farthest Out Camp. Bethany Reynolds is coming up. You are all invited to the camps. There is one in June at Mt. Lassen near Mineral [Jean attends this one], one in July at Monte Toyon Campground near Aptos, and the Autumn camp at Zephyr Point. We meet for prayer in small groups every afternoon around 4 pm. Pray for us this week as we pray for you.

Retell the Scripture Story

Matthew 5:13 gives us the pithy and famous sentence: “You are the salt of the earth.” Mark 9:50 puts it this way: “Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Thanksgiving is coming. We will use a little salt as, with the expert guidance of chefs Paul Garnett and Tinna Manansala, we cook up another traditional Thanksgiving feast and serve it free to those who will come. All year we are salt in the city of Richmond. We season the year with love, prayer, and good works. All are invited to help. Talk to Fran Smith if you’d like to get involved.

The Art Auction was a lot of fun yesterday evening: art, jewelry, crafts, food, music, and great people enjoying the Richmond waterfront. Warm thanks to all who worked hard to make it a joyful experience for the community. We extend our thanks especially to Debbie Benko and Diane Frary for their leadership of the event. Every time we gather, there are many benefits. The money we raise allows us to do our work of mission in the city of Richmond and the world. We are building and sustaining a loving community as a witness to love and hope in this tangled and troubled world.

James is a very practical letter. I read it a lot while I was growing up in Rapid City, South Dakota. I underlined a few verses that still speak to me today:

Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. [1:19]

Faith without works is dead. [2:26]

Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. [4:8]

If you know how to do good, and do it not, it is a sin. [4:17]

Today we look at the last eight verses in the letter. Here is how it goes in the New American Standard Bible:

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Application

As we walk this earth we have many experiences, some joyful, some painful. The writer of James mentions a few human experiences as he closes his letter: Suffering, prayer; cheerfulness, praise; sickness, healing oil and the prayer of faith; God’s power to raise us up; sin, confession, and forgiveness; drought, rain, and fruit; straying from the truth, someone there to draw the person back.

These are some of the things we try to do in the church, generation after generation. We are grateful to those pioneers who came before us donating land and materials to build this building. We are grateful to those sitting here today who have made strong commitments to the church in the present and future years. Today we open our hearts to the message of hope for future years at this location, trusting that God’s Spirit will inspire new generations to care as we have done, to sing and pray as we do now, and to move in the ways of love as the Spirit moves.

I want you to hear the stewardship text I wrote this week in time to teach the choir Wednesday. These words may change slightly as I polish the text and harmonization this week at Journey Farthest Out Camp. We are moving on to perfection.

I will not always walk this earth

with gentle step and caring heart,

but now I pray, prepare, and give

to lasting good and living art.

My back is strong. My mind is sound.

Today I lift and carry on,

but younger generations wake

to worship in an unknown dawn.

What can I do with what I have

to help the church in years ahead ?

What gift can I now place in trust

for future needs for home or bread?

For children’s children yet to come

like flowers living life’s brief span,

I give this church a lasting gift,

a pledge, a promise, and a plan.

So join with me in heart and voice

and celebrate our time on earth.

Come sing with me of future years,

and trust the Spirit for new birth.

Daniel Charles Damon

Let us be in prayer.

Joys and Concerns

Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.

Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for three young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington, Carolyn Thomas a Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.

Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy.

News

Our Art Auction Fundraiser was this past Saturday. We had a lot of volunteers who helped move things from the church and set up the tables and displays, brought yummy food treats and helped take down and cleanup. The ambience at the auction was fun and pleasing. Background music was provided by Pastor Dan Damon, piano and Kit Eakle, violin both contributing to the feeling of the event. We heartily thank all who helped and special thanks to Debbie Benco and Diane Frary for their hours and days of work to make this such a special event. Thank you to the Point San Pablo Yacht Club for letting us use their facility. We made $4000 for the church. Well done!

Pastor Dan will be away at Journey Farthest Out Camp at lake Tahoe, Sept. 27 through Oct.4. Fran Smith will be speaking about her experience regarding reconciling ministries at the San Antonio conference “Gather at the River”. If you are interested in attending the JFO Camp at Zephyr Cove, contact Carol Horn at 530 595 3290 to see if any spaces remain.

Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery.

Generosity

We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program.

Preparing an estate plan is good Christian stewardship-saying thanks to God, expressing your love and concern for family, and showing charity towards others.

Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.

Events

Thursday, October 8, 7 pm, Administrative Board Meeting, Friendship Hall.

Sunday, October 11, 6 pm: The Hymn Society Presents,An evening of Singing with Jim & Jean Strathdee.

Please send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net

Upcoming Events

Newsletter October 17, 2015

Newsletter October 10, 2015

Events

Newsletter October 3, 2015

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