Richmond First United Methodist Church

Serving Richmond Since 1900

Newsletter January 17, 2015

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Newsletter January 10, 2015

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Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective
Dear Friends,
 
Here are my notes from last Sunday:
 
Turning Points, Matthew 2:1-12
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 1-4-15
 
Introduction
 
The wise came late to see the Christ child. Luke does not tell their story at all. His gospel moves from the manger to the temple. The old man, Simeon, had been waiting for the consolation of Israel. When Joseph and Mary brought their eight-day old baby boy to the temple Simeon took the baby in his arms and said, “Now let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation, a light for all people.” Luke also tells us about the old woman, Anna, who gave thanks for the child and spoke to all about Jesus. Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth in Galilee. “The boy grew, was strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” The next scene in Luke gives us a glimpse of Jesus in the temple at age twelve talking with the elders. His parents had to go find him. Luke gives us the comic and human dialogue, “I thought he was with you.”
 
Retell the Scripture Story
 
Details of Jesus’ early life are few. Next week we will turn to the baptism of the young adult Jesus as told by Mark, but today we look at Matthew 2 and the unique and powerful story of the wise, the wealthy, the powerful coming to worship the child, giving their rich and exotic gifts. Do you remember what they gave to Jesus? Gold: a valuable, frankincense: a perfume, myrrh: an anointing oil. The gifts were commonly given to kings. The spiritual or symbolic meaning of the gifts may be noted as well: Gold was a symbol of kingship on earth. Frankincense was symbolic of deity. Myrrh was used in preparation for burials. Matthew does not tell us how many scholars came to see Jesus. Tradition gives us three wise men because there were three gifts mentioned in the story.
 
The wise came late to see the Christ child. They had come from the east. They had travelled far. [They may have been really good singers, as we had in our pageant.] They were wise enough to ask directions, but foolish enough to ask directions of the wicked king Herod. They were wise enough to listen to their dreams and to return to their country by another way.
 
Matthew gives us this story to show that the light of this child shines not to the Jews alone, but to all the nations of the earth. This is a huge insight. Jesus was a Jew. The Jews felt they were chosen by God. They had stories of origin and struggle, slavery and freedom, psalms of praise and lament, visions of a peaceable kingdom. They had the insight that God is one. The internet did not yet exist, and yet Matthew tells the story of this Jewish boy reaching out to all the world in a new way. The symbol for the season of Epiphany is the star, a new star, rising in the east, leading to this particular boy child, born a Jew in Roman occupied Judea, now called Palestine. The light from the star shines to all. It shines on the just and the unjust, on the wise and the foolish, on people of all faith traditions and no faith tradition. As we remember from John 1: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.
 
Application
 
I like preaching at the beginning of a new year. It gives us a natural opportunity to look back, and to look forward. It is a turning point. The ancients observed the winter solstice. They celebrated the return of the light. There is wisdom in that celebration. In our culture we put pretty colored lights on our picket fences during the darkest time of the year. We need a little emotional boost to get through the season of darkness. Electricity helps us. Songs and stories shared with the community of faith help us a lot. We heard Jean Reynolds read the year in review at our recent Church Conference. We wept together as we remembered Liam Thompson’s death last spring. We celebrated the many good things our church did in the past year.
 
There are many turning points in our lives: the birth of a child, the death of a child, the excitement of a new romance, the sadness of divorce, the blessing of good health, the discovery of a serious illness, coming and going of the light. How can we live as people of hope and faith in this turning world? How can we embrace life as it is? Can we follow the light in our own faith tradition in a way that acknowledges and respects the traditions of others? When we are angry, can we admit it to God and to ourselves? Can we talk about it, and learn to forgive? Then the anger will lose its power to create the depression that may poison our lives for years. The darkness has not overcome the light. Hope can rise again in us as long as we live.
 
We can do something now that future generations will thank us for. We are deeply grateful to those who gave the land for this church, to those who planned and build this lovely sanctuary that has held our songs and stories, our hopes and fears, our laughter and our tears. As we look back with gratitude, we can look forward with an eagerness to act now to give future generations their chance to live and work, to worship and pray, to continue the song of the church. What will we do with the time that is ours, with the talent that is ours, with the treasure that is ours to share? It is our caring actions that give our lives meaning. It is our caring actions that make us people of faith and hope— that turn us toward the light in the darkest of times.
 
Let us be in prayer.

: Richmond First United Methodist News and Event


Joys and Concerns

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.
Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) up date: Fran Smith visited with Sandra for a week and feels very good about the medical care she has been getting. Her Social Worker is very involved and capable which makes Fran feel more at ease. Sandra is doing well. She just had her stitches removed so her abdomen is less tender. Sandra has a good support system there including her son, Robert. She still has a drain in her abdomen. Please keep her in your prayers for healing.
Molly Smith is requesting prayers for her brother who has been treated for a brain tumor for several years and has recently entered the Hospice program. Prayers for his family and her brother as they go through this very difficult time.
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. Pat is inviting people to pop in and say “Hello”. Linda is sad and needs some different faces to cheer her up.

Robbie Robinson  would appreciate your prayers.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy. 
Please keep the people of Camp Liberty in your prayers as chaos reigns in Iraq and near the camp.
  
News
Katherine Parker, our missionary in Nepal, has sent a Christmas message. Please see attached letter.
The complaint against retired Bishop Melvin Talbert has been resolved. He will not face a church trial or possible loss of his clergy credentials. The complaint occurred after Bishop Talbert had officiated and blessed a same sex marriage in Alabama. One of the requests from the review committee asks that the Council of Bishops consider options in addition to the complaint process to address differences that reflect our Wesleyan heritage and acknowledge that ways of resolving disagreements within a faith community should be distinct from those of a civil judicial process.
Pastor Dan will be attending the Gathering of the Orders Conference, Tuesday, January 20 thru Thursday, January 22 at the Mt. Hermon Retreat Center. He is part of the Worship Planning Committee regarding the music for the program.
Generosity

Don’t forget that donations for Imagine No Malaria are always welcome.
How are we doing? The Administrative Board met on Thursday evening and the final figures for our general budget are available. The great news is that we made our budget! We can’t thank you enough for your generosity to our church. Between our fundraising events and your gifts to the church and our faith that we could do it, and we did.

 

Events

Saturday, January 10, 7:30 pm the Palomarin Chamber Music Foundation presents “A Musical Offering” to welcome in the new year. This is an intimate chamber music concert featuring the music of Bach, Telemann and Martinu. Yael Ronen, flute, George Hayes, violin and Burke Schuchmann, cello. Suggested donations $20, Seniors $15 and children $5. For more information about Palomarin: http://www.palomarin.org/ First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Tuesday, January 13, 6:30 pm; Swearing-In Ceremony for Tom Butt, Mayor, and for Councilmembers Jovanna Beckles, Gayle McLaughlin, Eduardo Martinez and Jael Myrick. Richmond City Council Chamber, 440 Civic Plaza Center, Richmond. Pastor Dan has been invited to give the Invocation. All are welcome.
Sunday, January 18, Human Relations Day Sunday. The first United Methodist Special Sunday offering for this year. Your donations support vital community ministries working with at-risk youth, the disadvantaged and underserved struggling to survive on the margins of society.
Friday, January 23, 7:30 pm: Point Richmond Jazz presents the Sylvia Herold ensemble featuring Julian Smedley, violin. This will warm up the evening for Point Richmond Jazz’s first concert of 2015. Julian Smedley, long a fixture in the Bay Area jazz scene, returns to join guitarist and vocalist extraordinaire, Sylvia Herold, formerly of the Kats “n” Jammers and Wake the Dead. This will be an evening of elegant swing jazz favorites. Both Julian and Sylvia are alumni of the Hot Club of San Francisco. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St. Point Richmond. Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 through prjazz.org.
Saturday, January 24, 11 am to 1 pm. Workshop with Julian Smedley, ” Sources of Jazz Violin”. First in a series of master classes/workshops designed to bring bowed instrument players and aficionados face to face with the finest  and most stylistically varied jazz violinists available. More information and advance tickets $30 at prjazz.org. Tickets at the door $45. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St. Point Richmond.
Please send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net.
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Newsletter January 3, 2015

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                                                                   Happy New Year
Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

 

Dear Friends,
 
Here are my notes from last Sunday:
 
The Word Made Flesh, John 1:1-14
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 12-28-14
 
Introduction
 
There is a tendency in our culture to domesticate the birth of Jesus. We make everything sweet and nice, and forget the rugged conditions of the barn, the animals, the shepherds, the hay trough (manger), and the woman who was too young to be a mother. We may easily forget the concerns of Joseph as we celebrate the lovely story. As we reflect on the Christmas story told only by Luke, let us remember the rough conditions and the many poor of our world today who suffer want as they wait and hope for a chance at a better life.
 
Retell the Scripture Story
 
Matthew is the only gospel writer who tells of the wise men who came to worship Jesus bringing their gifts from afar. It is very interesting to me how each gospel writer focuses on a different aspect of the story. In the four canonic gospels we begin to get a fuller picture of the Christ child. The gospel lesson appointed for reading on Christmas Day is John 1:1-14. Listen to how the writer of John tells the story:
 
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of all.
And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
 
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light,
that all through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lights everyone that comes into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the children of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.
 
In The Mystical Way in the Fourth Gospel William Countryman writes: In creating his gospel, John was balancing at least three structural concerns: (1) to preserve the outward form of a “life” of Jesus; (2) to detail, beneath this surface form, the believer’s path toward mystical union; (3) to offer a theology that would make sense of the two. Professor Countryman, now retired from Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, started studying Greek when he was only sixteen years old. He served as an Episcopal priest before becoming a professor. He was one of the people who was important to me as I made my way out of the fundamentalism of my childhood into what I think of as mainstream Christianity. We are on a journey into union. Jesus is our guide. It is a long journey, but we are not alone.
 
Application
 
In John 1:14 we have the amazing statement: The Word (Logos) was made flesh and dwelt (pitched a tent) among us. Jesus lived on earth for a short time, about thirty-three years, we are told. He didn’t build a house, but he pitched a tent with us. He walked the streets, preaching and healing as he touched the people around him. As John tells the story, the eternal Word became flesh for a brief time. We, too, are here for a short time. We have many opportunities to love, to give, and to serve. Thanks be to God for these opportunities. Thanks be to God for those people who are generous and kind. Thanks be to God for those who seek justice and peace each day. Like Jesus, we, too, can be the Word made flesh in our time. Share the good news.
 
Let us be in prayer.

Joys and Concerns

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.
Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) up date: Sandra is at home with Visiting Nurse assistance. Please keep her in your prayers for healing.She thanks us all for our prayers. Fran Smith is off to visit Sandra this week.
Molly Smith is requesting prayers for her brother who has been treated for a brain tumor for several years and has recently entered the Hospice program. Prayers for his family and her brother as they go through this very difficult time.
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. Pat is inviting people to pop in and say “Hello”. Linda is sad and needs some different faces to cheer her up.

Robbie Robinson  would appreciate your prayers.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy. 
Please keep the people of Camp Liberty in your prayers as chaos reigns in Iraq and near the camp.
  
News
Our annual Bake and Crafts Sale was a huge success! The Bake Sale made over $900 which will go to the church general budget. That is the most we have made! We ran out of food and closed down early. The Crafts sold over $400 and that money goes to our United Methodist Women. We can’t thank all of you who crafted and or baked and helped at the sale enough. Pat Dornan always deserves special kudos for the lovely wrapping of cookie plates for people to buy. She was especially happy because of the large variety of cookies to choose from. As always the homemade pies flew out of here. Diane Frary and Mary Lee Coles’s jewelry items were big sellers. Our thanks to Pastor Dan for schlepping tables, putting up signs and moving the sandwich boards for us. Also thank you to our staff who manned the tables: Mid Dornan, Fran Smith, Doreen Leighton, Barbara Haley and Pat Dornan.
Our Christmas Pageant was grand! Thank you to Tammara Plankers who made it possible. The quality of the singers was superb, the costumes were great and we had 12 angels in the Angel Choir! We enjoyed singing carols and the quality of Pastor Dan’s piano playing. Jennifer Metz Foster played the cello which added to the tonality of the music. We thank Robert Love who narrated the Christmas Story and all the Masquers friends who participated along with members from our Joyful Noise Choir. The star arose over Bethlehem as smooth as silk thanks to Bill Thompson. Barbara Haley wishes to thank all the food contributors for refreshments after the pageant.
Christmas Eve Jazz Service was precious & beautiful as ever – Angel Choir with strong voices & radiant beams glowing from their faces, all soloists with magically beautiful voices & the quartet so jazzy & strong.  Pastor Dan read The Christmas Story sharing that our church family lost our Dear Liam this year (with audible gasps by those who didn’t know), loving tears shed by many who heard Liam’s soft clear voice in the reading.  We are So Blessed to share this time together.  Thank You Pastor Dan. Submitted by Linda Andrew-Marshall.
Generosity

Don’t forget that donations for Imagine No Malaria are always welcome.

 

We delivered our collection of disposable diapers to the Richmond Childhood Mental Health Program before Christmas. They were pleased to receive them and they have many needy families who will benefit from your generosity. Thank you to all who contributed.

 

Events

Thursday, January 8, 7 pm, Administrative Board Meeting in Friendship Hall. All are welcome.
Friday, January 9, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Acoustic Presents Noctambule. Marla Fibish and Bruce Victor present a variety of music from original instrumentals to traditional Irish songs played on a variety of musical instruments. Their music is rendered with lush beauty, sensitivity and humor. Special guests Kyle Alden and Susan Spurlock open the show with their original songs. Tickets are $15 on line and $20 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. pracoustic.org
Friday, January 9, 6 pm Easter Hill UMC United Methodist Women are presenting missionary Carol Partridge. Carol has been the Director of Christian Education in Macedonia for the past fifteen years. Carol will speak about her experiences and show some videos. Please contact Arinel Greene at 510 223 4226 if you plan to attend. There will be light refreshments so they would like to know how many people are attending. There will be an offering to support Carol’s work if you care to donate. Easter Hill UMC, 3911 Cutting Blvd., Richmond.
Saturday, January 10, 7:30 pm the Palomarin Chamber Music Foundation presents “A Musical Offering” to welcome in the new year. This is an intimate chamber music concert featuring the music of Bach, Telemann and Martinu. Yael Ronen, flute, George Hayes, violin and Burke Schuchmann, cello. Suggested donations $20, Seniors $15 and children $5. For more information about Palomarin: http://www.palomarin.org/ First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond..
Please send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net.

Newsletter December 27, 2014

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                                                                   Happy New Year
Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

 Dear Friends,

After a wonderful Christmas Pageant and a Christmas Eve Jazz service to remember, I am looking forward to leading you in worship and spiritual growth in the new year. What goals do you have for the new year? How will you use your gifts to share the good news of God’s love? After we rest up from the holidays, there is work to do. Let us fill our days with the love, joy, peace, and hope of the season.

Faithfully,

Pastor Dan Damon
 
Joys and Concerns

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.
Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) up date: Sandra is at home with Visiting Nurse assistance. Please keep her in your prayers for healing.She thanks us all for our prayers.
Molly Smith is requesting prayers for her brother who has been treated for a brain tumor for several years and has recently entered the Hospice program. Prayers for his family and her brother as they go through this very difficult time.
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. Pat is inviting people to pop in and say “Hello”. Linda is sad and needs some different faces to cheer her up.

Robbie Robinson  would appreciate your prayers.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy. 
Please keep the people of Camp Liberty in your prayers as chaos reigns in Iraq and near the camp.
  
News
Our annual Bake and Crafts Sale was a huge success! The Bake Sale made over $900 which will go to the church general budget. That is the most we have made! We ran out of food and closed down early. The Crafts sold over $400 and that money goes to our United Methodist Women. We can’t thank all of you who crafted and or baked and helped at the sale enough. Pat Dornan always deserves special kudos for the lovely wrapping of cookie plates for people to buy. She was especially happy because of the large variety of cookies to choose from. As always the homemade pies flew out of here. Diane Frary and Mary Lee Coles’s jewelry items were big sellers. Our thanks to Pastor Dan for schlepping tables, putting up signs and moving the sandwich boards for us. Also thank you to our staff who manned the tables: Mid Dornan, Fran Smith, Doreen Leighton, Barbara Haley and Pat Dornan.
Our Christmas Pageant was grand! Thank you to Tammara Plankers who made it possible. The quality of the singers was superb, the costumes were great and we had 12 angels in the Angel Choir! We enjoyed singing carols and the quality of Pastor Dan’s piano playing. Jennifer Metz Foster played the cello which added to the tonality of the music. We thank Robert Love who narrated the Christmas Story and all the Masquers friends who participated along with members from our Joyful Noise Choir. The star arose over Bethlehem as smooth as silk thanks to Bill Thompson. Barbara Haley wishes to thank all the food contributors for refreshments after the pageant.
Christmas Eve Jazz Service was precious & beautiful as ever – Angel Choir with strong voices & radiant beams glowing from their faces, all soloists with magically beautiful voices & the quartet so jazzy & strong.  Pastor Dan read The Christmas Story sharing that our church family lost our Dear Liam this year (with audible gasps by those who didn’t know), loving tears shed by many who heard Liam’s soft clear voice in the reading.  We are So Blessed to share this time together.  Thank You Pastor Dan. Submitted by Linda Andrew-Marshall.
Generosity

Don’t forget that donations for Imagine No Malaria are always welcome.

 

We delivered our collection of disposable diapers to the Richmond Childhood Mental Health Program before Christmas. They were pleased to receive them and they have many needy families who will benefit from your generosity. Thank you to all who contributed.

 

Events

Wednesday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Celebration, 5 pm at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St., Berkeley. The Dan Damon Trio leads a worship service for the new year.
Thursday, January 8, 7 pm, Administrative Board Meeting in Friendship Hall. All are welcome.
Friday, January 9, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Acoustic Presents Noctambule. Marla Fibish and Bruce Victor present a variety of music from original instrumentals to traditional Irish songs played on a variety of musical instruments. Their music is rendered with lush beauty, sensitivity and humor. Special guests Kyle Alden and Susan Spurlock open the show with their original songs. Tickets are $15 on line and $20 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. pracoustic.org
Friday, January 9, 6 pm Easter Hill UMC United Methodist Women are presenting missionary Carol Partridge. Carol has been the Director of Christian Education in Macedonia for the past fifteen years. Carol will speak about her experiences and show some videos. Please contact Arinel Greene at 510 223 4226 if you plan to attend. There will be light refreshments so they would like to know how many people are attending. There will be an offering to support Carol’s work if you care to donate. Easter Hill UMC, 3911 Cutting Blvd., Richmond.
Please send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net.

Newsletter December 20, 2014

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Location

201 Martina Street
(at West Richmond Avenue)
Richmond, CA 94801

Worship

Sunday Morning at 11 am
Followed by Coffee Hour
Adult Bible Study at 10 am

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