Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Here is Tanya Cothran’s message from Sunday. She is an administrator at Spirit in Action.
Assume
I saw a sign recently on a bathroom. It was claiming the public restroom space as a safe space for everyone. It was a co-ed bathroom. Anyone could use it – male, female, transgender, everyone across the spectrum. “Assume I belong” the sign said. No matter what I look like, if I’m using this restroom, assume I belong. Establishing categories helps us make order of a complex world. It simplifies things to think of two genders – male and female – as fixed, obvious things. When I assume that anyone belongs in my “my” bathroom, I acknowledge that everything is not as simple as that.
When cops arrest black people who are unlocking their own homes – thinking they are burglars and not homeowners, they are assuming that person couldn’t possibly belong in that neighborhood.
Once I started exploring assumptions around belonging, examples kept popping up!
I listened to an amazing story about the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, a deaf school. Before 1988 the school had only had hearing presidents, not one of their own from the deaf community. I think assumptions are at the bottom of that: ‘It’ll just be easier to have a hearing president; they’ll have been better trained; they’ll be able to talk to the media and donors easier.’ King Jordan, this first deaf president concluded the interview by saying “deaf people can do everything except hear.” Assume I can do it, he was saying. Assume I am capable. Assume the students want someone like themselves to lead them.
I live in Canada – I can’t vote there yet but we did just have an exciting government transition. Within the new government, half of the appointed cabinet members are women. The newscasters asked the new Prime Minister Trudeau about why he wanted this gender equality. “Because it’s 2015,” he said bluntly. It’s time to assume women are leaders. And assume that diversity matters in the leadership of a diverse nation. For the first time in Canadian history an indigenous person is the leader of the Aboriginal Affairs committee. So many negative assumptions blocked indigenous being selected to this position. It’s time to assume indigenous people have solutions for indigenous issues and rights in Canada.
And this brings me to my work giving grants and supporting families and communities in Africa. What assumptions do we have about Africans? First of all, that they are all alike, rather than assuming that Africa is a continent with 54 different countries and many more different cultures. We have assumptions about poverty, desperation, violence as a normal, everyday occurrence.
With Spirit in Action, I want to challenge these assumptions and instill new ones. “Assume that I can be an entrepreneur,” people like Mestina in Malawi are saying. Mestina received one of our Small business Fund grants. $150 to start a family business. And she decided to start making donuts. Every morning she wakes up early to make donuts and then travel to the nearby markets to sell them.
Slowly Mestina and her family started saving the money from the business. They bought iron roofing sheets one at a time, dreaming of the point in the future when they could replace their thatched roof with iron sheets to keep out the rain. So slowly they improved their own house. I got to visit their house when I was in Malawi in July 2014. Our local coordinator, Canaan Gondwe, told us “This is not a house a villager would have.” This house was beyond their dreams. It was better than had been assumed for them.
And they still had money they were saving! So they built another small house on the same property and now they are renting it out to a school teacher. “Assume I can be a landlord,” Mestina is saying.
People sometimes ask me how we know that people are using the money that we give them well. Part of it is that we have on-the-ground local coordinators who help ensure that people are using the grants for the intended purposes. Another part of it is that we trust them. In a way, we assume that they will use the grant wisely. Why assume that? Well, because for many poor families who want to provide a better future for their children, this $150 is their great chance to take a step forward in life. I assume they don’t want to mess it up. I assume they want to use the money to start that business they’ve been dreaming of. A new report just found that the poor, especially poor women, tend to use money well.
“Assume I have ideas about how to change my community,” people like Margaret at CIFORD Kenya is saying. Rather than tell our grant partners how to implement a girls empowerment workshop to reduce child pregnancies, we assume that they know best how to introduce the concepts to the girls and their families. They know how to talk to families and how to change customs in their own culture.
Some charities seem to rely on the old assumptions. The pictures of crying children asking for money assume that the child doesn’t want anything more than you to come in and save them. It assumes they are helpless to improve their future.
The flip side would be someone like Malala, the girl from Pakistan who is very active in advocating for female education, earning her the Nobel Peace Prize. What if we assume girls want an education? What if we assume that parents (like many of the SBF leaders and families) want to send girls to school, it’s just they don’t have enough money? Once we have those new assumptions we have a deeper, more urgent obligation to support these families. We aren’t supporting them in pity, but instead supporting them in their dignity.
Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” It’s only unawares if we assume that it takes a certain kind of person to be an angel (and the person in front of us doesn’t fit the mold). What if we assume that an angel can be, could be anyone? Then our call is to entertain those around us, letting go of old assumptions and embracing a new lens.
Assume I belong.
Assume I can lead.
Assume I can start a successful tailoring business.
Assume that I want steady employment, rather than a handout.
Assume that, like you, I want to do the best for my family.
Assume that I know the best way to bring about change in my community.
Assume that I am an angel.
Joys and Concerns
Pasto Dan had ankle fusion surgery on November 19. He is doing well and is pain free! He will need to be using crutches for 6 weeks to keep weight off his foot. He appreciates your prayers and warm wishes for healing. Cards: 226 Nicholl Ave., Point Richmond, CA 94801
Deby McFadyen’s father, Jack, died peacefully Saturday morning, Dec. 5. Deby and her mother, Nancy, were with him when he died. He had been suffering from lung cancer. If you would like to send a card to Nancy the address is: 2021 Glitter Ct. Middleburg, FL 32068. Deby’s address: 1334 Mallard Dr. Point Richmond, CA 94801. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they go through this difficult time.
Kristi Johnson reports that Russ is home and he and the dog are cuddling.
Jane Carnall is happy to be back with our church community. Jane reports that her back is improving and she is walking more and tolerating it well. She thanks everyone for their prayers.
Mayor Tom Butt and Shirley are off to Paris for two weeks for the international conference for city mayors. Tom will be presenting about our decrease in energy use with Marin County Energy (MCE). Let’s wish them a safe journey, time for fun and a productive conference outcome.
Linda Andrew-Marshall had a knee replacement surgery on November 12 and your prayers for healing are welcome. Cards: PO Box 70222, Point Richmond, 94807. She is home with her son, Aaron, helping her out. She is able to drive again and loves the freedom! She thanks everyone for their love and support.
Linda WoodyWood had hip replacement surgery on Wed., December 2. Once she has recovered let’s pray that she will be pain free. Cards may be sent to Linda at 5584 Circle Drive, El Sobrante, CA 94803.
Susan Wickesser, Doris Swope’s niece, has been cancer free for two years and living life to the fullest. She has just sent a message that new tumors have been found on her lungs. She has started chemotherapy. Please remember her in prayer for healing.
Pat Dornan can use your prayers and support as she grieves the loss of her beloved Linda.
Our dear church friend, Pat King, is sending thanks for the warm wishes and prayers for her recovery. She has been asked to play the keyboard for the current musical at the Masquers Playhouse and is finding it a joyful experience but it takes most of her energy.
Kathe Kiehn is asking for healing prayers for her daughter, Karen Gagnier. Karen has survived breast cancer once and is now facing treatment for a new aggressive cancer in her other breast. Karen is currently undergoing a 5-6 week course of chemo and once that is completed she’ll have a second round with different drugs. She is trying to live her life as normally as possible and your prayers are welcome.
Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.
Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for two young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington and Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing and gaining strength. Chemotherapy has been completed!
News
United Methodist Giving Tuesday: Missions received $1.8 million in donations to support missions around the globe. The first million was met with matching funds. The United Methodist Church extends its gratitude to all those people who donated worldwide.
Our Thanksgiving Dinner was a great success. Many people from the community enjoyed the food. Thank you so much to Kristi Johnson and Fran Smith who organized and help to keep thing running on schedule. Thank you to our cooks Tinna Manansala and Paul Garnett for their skills. Thank you to all the people who helped in any way and for the support of the Point Richmond community.
Our Dinner/Theater event was Thursday night. About 45 people attended. As usual the food at Hotel Mac was delicious and the music from the songs of Kander and Ebb, “The World Goes ‘Round” was fun with very good singers. Thank you to everyone who participated either by your presence or by donation.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency the number of people forcibly displaced at the end of 2014 is a staggering 59.5 million. That is 1 in every 122 persons on earth is a refugee, displaced or seeking asylum!
Camp Liberty Update: Missiles landed in Camp Liberty on Thursday killing 23 people and injuring many others. The injured have been taken to Baghdad hospitals for care. Our State Department and the United Nations are condemning the attack, but it is unclear what action may take place.
Pay/Pal is here! Our website, pointrichmondmethodist.org now has a donation tag that takes you to PayPal. The Home Page does not have it, but any page for the news or events has it listed on the right-hand side of the page. Just scroll down to Donate. This makes it easy for when you miss church, you can still participate by giving.
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal:
Happy morning listening to Handel’s Messiah Overture (the only part I managed to download) and feeling grateful. It was so exciting to have the power come back for an hour this morning (the generator at the local hydro plant was out for several days). I had coffee and was able to heat water to wash up (and do some laundry too).
Generosity
Parsonage Sewer Line: The parsonage sewer line is leaking and needs replacement. It’s a long line that connects to the main sewer below the Catholic Church. Estimated cost is $7,100. We will check with Tom Butt when he returns from Paris next week to see if the church would qualify for some funding from the city since it is a historic building. We are also asking our congregation for donations to help fund this project.
General Budget update: We are currently behind our projected budget by $5,252. End of year donations are welcome to close this gap.
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 your church in your Will and Living Trust.
Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.
Events
Saturday, December 12, 6 pm, United Methodist Women’s Annual Christmas Party and Dinner. Mid Dornan is hosting at her home with daughter Pat’s help at 220 Bishop Alley, Pont Richmond. Parking is difficult so you may want to park on Washington and walk the short distance up to the house. The ham is provided by UMW and the rest is up to us. If you would like to bring gifts for the Rescue Mission, please do so. Contact Doreen Leighton for food to bring: 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com. All are welcome.
Saturday, December 19, 9 am-3 pm: Annual Bake and Crafts Sale. Bring your baked goodies for sale by 9 am, open for donations at 8:30 am. Donations for the crafts can be given to Barbara Haley any time. Point Richmond Community Center.
Thursday, December 24,7 pm: Christmas Eve Jazz Service featuring the Dan Damon Quartet and Friends. Free will offering. Come early to get a good seat.
Saturday, December 26, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Jazz Presents the Berkeley Choro Ensemble with Jane Lenoir. Jane Lenoir, flute; Harvey Wainapel, clarinet; Ricardo Peixoto, guitar; Brian Rice, pandeiro; and special guest Irene Sazer, violin. Choro is a unique traditional Brazilian music style that has been compared with styles from the blues, bebop and bluegrass. The word choro in Portuguese means “tears”. Choro had tremdous influence on classical musicians, especially the Brazilian composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, who wrote a number of works he called “choros”. Advance tickets $18 at prjazz.org, $25 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Finance Committee Meeting: It’s that time of year to plan the General Budget for 2016. The Finance Committee is meeting Saturday, January 9, 1:30 pm at Matthew and Jennifer Foster’s home, 1052 Hawthorne Dr., Rodeo, CA. Please let Fran Smith know if you plan to attend: 510 685 2338 or junosmith@aol.com.
Friday, January 15, 7:30 pm Point Richmond Acoustic Presents Steve Seskin, Craig Caruthers and Don Henry,” Trading songs in the Round”. These are three of the best award winning singers and songwriters working in Nashville today. Tickets in advance $15, at the door $20. First United Methodist Church, 210 Martina St., Point Richmond. For advance tickets and more information about this program: pointacoustic.org.
