Richmond First United Methodist Church

Serving Richmond Since 1900

Newsletter July 19, 2014

by

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Jacqueline Cord-Seidel, Lay Leader from El Sobrante UMC spoke on Sunday..
Please see attached to read her message.

    

Joys and Concerns
Pastor Dan received an email below from a friend and collaborator, Patrick Matsikenyiri who is a retired music professor at Africa University in Zimbabwe. His wife, Avis, needs a hip replacement and he lacks the financial resources for her to have the surgery. Our prayers are with them.
Subject: It never rain, it pours. Hope this finds you well. Aves has been diagnosed Anthritis in the hip. Doctor has advised hip replacement. This is a major issue when resources are not available. I am appealing in case you know who would help some., that will be very helpful. I thought of this saying, Share happiness it multiplies, share sorrow it divides. One other way is to encourage churches , groups and individuals to buy my books from GBGM in New York and from Abingdon Publishers in Nashville Tn. The money would be deposited in my BB&T Bank No. 5134227070. We have delayed due to insufficient resources and yet the pain is deepening.. What ever help we get we will appreciate much. Hope all is well with you. Warm greetings from Aves as struggles.
Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.
Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) is having severe medical problems. She recently moved to North Dakota where the medical community has been more responsive to her medical needs than here in California but she had not followed through with contact until it became emergent. Fran is particularly stressed because it’s difficult to be so far away although Sandra’s physician has been in contact with her. Pleas add them in your prayers for healing and compassionate support.
Kristi and Russ Johnson went to Idaho for Kristi’s nephew’s wedding. Russ was having some medical difficulties and tests have shown that he needs a pacemaker. Kaiser services are available to them. They would be pleased to have 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 and has started chemotherapy She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old so
 Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing. Linda had surgery to remove the hematoma. She is home but weak.
Robbie Robinson  would appreciate your prayers.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy.
News
Plans are underway for our 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction on October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm at the Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd. Art work, jewelry, arts & crafts, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, music and a whole lot of fun! Suggested donation $10. Letters will be going out soon to encourage local businesses to donate. We are hoping to raffle off dinners for two, gym memberships, gift certificates, etc.  We plan to have items for sale as well as auction items. Do you have art work you no longer use? Do you knit, crochet, weave, potter, make jewelry, paint or sculpt? Would you like to donate to the auction?  Can you recommend a contact person for businesses that may be interested in helping us out?  Please contact Debbie Benko @ 510-517-6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com <mailto:DebBenko160@aol.com
Camp Liberty Update: With the current fighting and chaos in Irag, our Irani friends in Camp Liberty need your prayers and support. I am sure this is a harrowing time for them.
Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal: We only need about $30 to complete our $500 sponsorship donation. Won’t you consider giving so we can continue to sponsor her good work?
 Kia Croom (Public Relations) from GRIP will worship with us and speak briefly to update us on GRIP on Sunday, July 27.
Pastor Dan’s time away this summer:
July 21-25 Journey Farthest Out Camp.
August 11-20 Vacation in Hawaii.
August 28-September1 Western Methodist Justice Movement Meeting at Lake Tahoe.
The Administrative Board will not be meeting in July, The next meeting is Thursday, August 14 at 7 pm in Friendship Hall.
   

Generosity
 
The United Methodist Church has a shopping site at umcmarket.org where you can sign up and when you shop on line through the Market Place a percentage of your purchase comes to our church. They have updated the site and it is easier to use and user friendly. This is a very easy way to give.
Events
Vacation Bible School: August 4-8, 9-11:30 am in Friendship Hall. This is always a fun time with the children. If you would like to help or bring snacks let Jean Reynolds know at 510 734 3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com. They need refreshments every day and lunch is provided on Friday.
Finance Committee Meeting is scheduled for Saturday August 9, 1:00 pm at Matt and Jennifer Foster’s home.1052 Hawthorne Dr., Rodeo.
Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st  2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.
Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org Only three days left for the “early bird” rate!
6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction: Saturday, October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm, Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Donation at door $10. We will have arts/crafts for bidding; music and hors d’oeuvres to satisfy other senses and a good time! To donate or offer help, contact Debbie Benko: 510 517 6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com.

.
Send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net
  • Sermon 5 Faith Shape for 1UMC
    .pdf

Newsletter June 28, 2014

by

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Dear Friends,

Prayer for me as I travel to Paris with our Iranian American friends. Pray
for Fran as she shares with you this Sunday.

Love and Joy,

Dan

Conference Devotions, Matthew 10:24-39
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 6-22-14

Introduction

I was asked to lead the Friday morning devotions at our California Nevada
Annual Conference in Burlingame this week. Here are some highlights from
that devotion:

³My prayer life is in these hymns, my devotional lifeŠ my spiritual life is
in these hymns. I work on my hymnwriting every day. I develop my craftŠ
music, poetry, theologyŠ I write about people in relation to God, real
people like us, people with tattoos, piercings, and twitter accounts, people
with a past, transformed and transforming by the love of God.

I pastor a vital small church: Richmond First, 90 members, 40 on most
Sundays. We sing At Your Altars, The Love of God Receives Us, I Want Jesus
to Walk with Me, and Here Am I (words by Brian Wren). We sing ³Goddess of
Love, we want to worship, not as outsiders waiting for crumbs, but as your
children, part of your body, we long to praise you, part of your church.² We
try things, we imagine, we hope, we work, we pray together. We sing ³Eternal
Christ, you Rule keeping company with pain.²

We are small, we are few, but God is at work in us. We give food to the
hungry, comfort to the oppressed, we reach out in concern and service to the
world.

God is with us. Jesus walks with us. The Holy Spirit is with us in sorrow
and in joy.²

***

At conference we sang the songs mentioned above, but with you, here today,
I¹d like to sing new songs from our new book.

Let¹s sing AYA 4, Abide in Me
and AYA 70, Receive Our Bits and Pieces

Retell the Scripture Story

In the gospel lesson appointed for today we hear these words:

³Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on
the ground with our your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.²

Jane tells me that we have a family of sparrows living in our belfry on the
Martina Street side. Have you seen them coming and going? They have, indeed,
found a home near the altar of God.

Sing AYA 1, At Your Altars

Application

At the close of our gospel reading for today we hear these words:
³Those who do not take up their cross and follow me, are not worthy of me.
Those who find their lives shall lose them, but those who lose their lives
for my sake shall find them.

I just finished reading ³Stages of Faith² by James Fowler. He says that in
mature faith we spend and are spent for the kingdom of God. In some cases
this leads to an early death. In some cases we spend and are spent in
creating a peaceful and a just world throughout a long life. How will you
spend the days that God gives you? I will follow Jesus, as God gives me the
grace to do so.

I look forward singing many new songs here with you, as long as the bishop
continues to appoint me to this church, and as long as God gives me breath.

Sing AYA 93, Who Is My Neighbor?

Let us be in prayer.

</div>

st United MethodiRichmond First United Methodist News and EventsRichmond First United Methodist News and EventsRichmond First United Methodist NewFirst United Methodist News and

    

Joys and Concerns
  • “The American Maritime People” at The Frank C. Munson Institute: An NEH Summer Institute for College and University Teachers, June 23 – July 25, 2014. Jennifer Metz Foster has been chosen to teach this class! Congratulations!
  • The Frank C. Munson Institute at Mystic Seaport invites selected college teachers to participate in its five-week National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute, “The American Maritime People” from June 23-July 25, 2014. The NEH Institute gives college teachers the opportunity to enhance course offerings by studying the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.
  • I’ll be participating in order to develop a course in American Maritime History for the Spring 2015 semester at CSUM, as well as building context for an upcoming exhibit I’m consulting for at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum on the history of maritime diversity in Vallejo
  • Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.
  • Julio Osegueda was recently hospitalized with severe GI bleeding. He is home and feeling well. He welcomes your prayers for continued healing and good health.
  • Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and has started chemotherapy She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.
  • We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.
  •  Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing. Linda fell last week and hit her head but had no symptoms of injury until Thursday when she developed a severe headache and couldn’t walk. She was admitted to ICU and found to have two subdural hematomas in the brain. She was given medication to decrease brain swelling and today was able to walk. There is consideration to moving her to Redwood City for further treatment if improvement doesn’t continue.
  • Robbie Robinson  would appreciate your prayers.
  • Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy.
News
  • Plans are underway for our 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction on October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm at the Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd. Art work, jewelry, arts & crafts, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, music and a whole lot of fun! Suggested donation $10. Letters will be going out soon to encourage local businesses to donate. We are hoping to raffle off dinners for two, gym memberships, gift certificates, etc.  We plan to have items for sale as well as auction items. Do you have art work you no longer use? Do you knit, crochet, weave, potter, make jewelry, paint or sculpt? Would you like to donate to the auction?  Can you recommend a contact person for businesses that may be interested in helping us out?  Please contact Debbie Benko @ 510-517-6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com <mailto:DebBenko160@aol.com
  • Good News! Rev. Frank Schaefer (Ret.) who had been defrocked after officiating at the wedding of his gay son, has been fully reinstated as a clergy in good standing by the North East Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church.
  • Camp Liberty Update: With the current fighting and chaos in Irag, our Irani friends in Camp Liberty need your prayers and support. I am sure this is a harrowing time for them. News: Paramilitary forces from central and southern Irag have come to “Camp New Irag” (Camp Ashraf) and the buildings are being occupied by these forces. It is reported that Iraqi Prime Ministry agents are opening warehouses locked by the United Nations in 2012 to safeguard the belongings of the Camp Ashraf residents. Flatbed trucks have been seen loaded with warehouse items and automobiles belonging to Camp Ashraf residents now in Camp Liberty. Protests are being issued and pleas for assistance from the United States and United Nations are being made to have these belongings sent to the owners in Camp Liberty.
  • Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an UPDATE . Hindus in Nepal have arrested Christian leaders and are being encouraged by Hindu political leaders visiting from India to outlaw conversion to Christianity.  Hindu extremists in Nepal are apparently feeling threatened by the rapid growth of the Christian Church in Nepal. The Christian Church leaders have since been released. Katherine is currently safe and asking for your prayers in this difficult time.
  • Pastor Dan will be attending the annual conference in Paris, France for the human rights of all people, including Iranians in Camp Liberty in Iraq, June 25- July 2 as a representative of our support of this cause.
Pastor Dan’s time away this summer:
  • June 25-July 2 as above.
  • July 9-19, Hymn Society Conference in Ohio.
  • July 21-25 Journey Farthest Out Camp.
  • August 11-20 Vacation in Hawaii.
  • August 28-September1 Western Methodist Justice Movement Meeting at Lake Tahoe.
  • The Administrative Board will not be meeting in July, The next meeting is Thursday, August 14 at 7 pm in Friendship Hall.
   

Generosity
 
  • The Administrative Board met Thursday evening,  June 12 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $47654. Our budget need is $44,065. We are above budget by $3000 thanks to Junktique II. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II added some funds to help with the deficit. Summer is coming and attendance at church declines, as do our collection amounts. Have you considered mailing in contributions over the summer months?
  • Imagine No Malaria Campaign: The United Methodist Church has partnered with other organizations to help stamp out malaria which is killing children at a rate of one every minute. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has donated 390,000 insect repellant bed nets to Sierra Leone. As you consider where you can give and make a difference consider this worthy cause.

As inspection of the three “Sunday School” windows started, it was determined that there is more dry rot than expected, raising the cost of the window repair. an Anonymous Donor is covering the entire cost of custom built windows, matching the windows in the church! Our gratitude and thanks to this person. The Building Funds will be used to repair and replace windows in the parsonage.

Events
  • Sunday, June 29 (Pastor Dan away) Fran Smith will share her faith and speak about her experience at our CA/NV  United Methodist  Annual Conference.
  • Saturday, July 5 at 2 pm we will have an informal Memorial for Marian Hawkins, who died last month. We will have coffee/tea and refreshments. Let Barbara Haley know if you would like to bring something (bahcats@sbcglobal.net). Come and share your memories of Marian.
  • Vacation Bible School: August 4-8, 9-11:30 am in Friendship Hall. This is always a fun time with the children. If you would like to help or bring snacks let Jean Reynolds know at 510 734 3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com.
  • Finance Committee Meeting is scheduled for Saturday August 9, 1:30 pm at Matt and Jennifer Foster’s home.1052 Hawthorne Dr., Rodeo.
  • Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st  2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.
  • Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org
  • 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction: Saturday, October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm, Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Donation at door $10. We will have arts/crafts for bidding; music and hors d’oeuvres to satisfy other senses and a good time! To donate or offer help, contact Debbie Benko: 510 517 6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com.

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

Newsletter June 21, 2014

by


Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective

Dear Friends,

What a great celebration we had for our Father’s Day Jazz service! Sheilani
gave our sermon in song, so I have no notes to send. Keep us in your prayers
as we travel.

Love and Joy,

Pastor Dan Damon
    

Joys and Concerns
  • “The American Maritime People” at The Frank C. Munson Institute: An NEH Summer Institute for College and University Teachers, June 23 – July 25, 2014. Jennifer Metz Foster has been chosen to teach this class! Congratulations!
  • The Frank C. Munson Institute at Mystic Seaport invites selected college teachers to participate in its five-week National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute, “The American Maritime People” from June 23-July 25, 2014. The NEH Institute gives college teachers the opportunity to enhance course offerings by studying the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.
  • I’ll be participating in order to develop a course in American Maritime History for the Spring 2015 semester at CSUM, as well as building context for an upcoming exhibit I’m consulting for at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum on the history of maritime diversity in Vallejo.
  • Manuel  Navidad, Fran Smith’s great-grandson, had his tonsils removed on June 12th. We wish him a fast recovery. Do you remember “all the ice cream you can eat”? Well, I do and of course I couldn’t swallow anything! Let’s hope that phase passes quickly for Manuel and he is back to feeling good soon. Your prayers for healing are welcomed. Cards can be sent to 2149 Beaujolais Ct., Fairfield, CA 94533.
  • Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.
  • Julio Osegueda was recently hospitalized with severe GI bleeding. He is home and feeling well. He welcomes your prayers for continued healing and good health.
  • Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and has started chemotherapy She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.
  • We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.
  •  Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing.
  • Robbie Robinson  would appreciate your prayers.
  • Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy.
News
  • Plans are underway for our 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction on October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm at the Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd. Art work, jewelry, arts & crafts, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, music and a whole lot of fun! Suggested donation $10. Letters will be going out soon to encourage local businesses to donate. We are hoping to raffle off dinners for two, gym memberships, gift certificates, etc.  We plan to have items for sale as well as auction items. Do you have art work you no longer use? Do you knit, crochet, weave, potter, make jewelry, paint or sculpt? Would you like to donate to the auction?  Can you recommend a contact person for businesses that may be interested in helping us out?  Please contact Debbie Benko @ 510-517-6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com <mailto:DebBenko160@aol.com
  • Camp Liberty Update: With the current fighting and chaos in Irag, our Irani friends in Camp Liberty need your prayers and support. I am sure this is a harrowing time for them.
  • Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an UPDATE on her activities. She has sent an email about the abuse of workers from Nepal, including deaths, who are working construction jobs in Qatar. The construction bosses takes their passports away and refuse to give them their  temporary residence cards and withhold payment for their work, essentially enslaving them. This is a desert country and water is not provided at the construction sites The lack of payment means they often have to beg for food. Qatar is doing major construction for the World Cup.  The Qatar government is looking into the allegations. Please remember these men in your prayers

 

  • Pastor Dan will be attending the annual conference in Paris, France for the human rights of all people, including Iranians in Camp Liberty in Iraq, June 25- July 2 as a representative of our support of this cause.
   

Generosity
 
  • The Administrative Board met Thursday evening,  June 12 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $47654. Our budget need is $44,065. We are above budget by $3000 thanks to Junktique II. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II added some funds to help with the deficit. Summer is coming and attendance at church declines, as do our collection amounts. Have you considered mailing in contributions over the summer months?
  • Imagine No Malaria Campaign: The United Methodist Church has partnered with other organizations to help stamp out malaria which is killing children at a rate of one every minute. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has donated 390,000 insect repellant bed nets to Sierra Leone. As you consider where you can give and make a difference consider this worthy cause.
  • As inspection of the three “Sunday School” windows started, it was determined that there is more dry rot than expected, raising the cost of the window repair. an Anonymous Donor is covering the entire cost of custom built windows, matching the windows in the church! Our gratitude and thanks to this person. The Building Funds will be used to repair and replace windows in the parsonage.
  • The Administrative Board will not be meeting in July, The next meeting is Thursday, August 14 at 7 pm in Friendship Hall.
Events
  • Sunday, June 29 (Pastor Dan away) Fran Smith will share her faith and speak about her experience at our CA/NV  United Methodist  Annual Conference.
  • Saturday, July 5 at 2 pm we will have an informal Memorial for Marian Hawkins, who died last month. We will have coffee/tea and refreshments. Let Barbara Haley know if you would like to bring something (bahcats@sbcglobal.net). Come and share your memories of Marian.
  • Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st  2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.
  • Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org
  • 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction: Saturday, October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm, Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Donation at door $10. We will have arts/crafts for bidding; music and hors d’oeuvres to satisfy other senses and a good time! To donate or offer help, contact Debbie Benko: 510 517 6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com.

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

Newsletter June 14, 2014

by

 

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Dear friends,

Here is my Pentecost sermon from last week. Don’t miss the Jazz Service this Sunday, Father’s Day.

Love and Hope,

Dan
The Spirit in Us, Acts 2:1-21
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 6-1-14

Introduction

³The Spirit in me greets the Spirit in you,² is a traditional greeting. We
may think of it with a capital [s] or with lower case, the divine or the
human. Both understandings are good.

A common greeting South Asia, is ³Namaste.² In Hinduism it means ³I bow to
the divine in you.²

At our Journey Farthest Out Christian family camps we sometimes sing ³Christ
in me greets the Christ in you, allelu, alleluia!²

Sally, my yoga teacher at 24 Hour Fitness [an occasional customer at the
Hotel Mac] closes each class session by saying: Honor yourself for taking
good careŠof mind, body, spirit. Namaste. She is like us, small but mighty,
90 pounds of power and light in this world.

The Spirit of God dwells in all of us. We understand this differently. We
use a variety of languages to talk about what we feel to be true. And on
this day, Christians around the world celebrate the day of Pentecost, fifty
days after Easter, as the day the Holy Spirit came in power to the fearful,
doubting band of followers who had yet to be described as ³Christians.²

The Spirit of God is a constant presence in our lives, the Comforter has
come to us, and dwells in us. But sometimes our human spirits are up,
sometimes they are downŠ

A friend told me once, ³ I hope the down time doesn¹t last any longer than
it has to.² To some extent we do control our moods. We can do things that
make them better or worseŠ

The spirit in us is like the wind, it blows where it wills, and we see the
results. We are productive or unproductive based on the movement of the
Spirit within usŠ

Retell the Scripture Story

The bible story today is very excitingŠ                        They were all
with one accord in one place [that is the first miracle: to be in agreement,
in one accord] It may not have happened since.
Suddenly: Wind, cloven tongues of Fire, all filled with the Holy Spirit and
all began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance.

People came together to see and hear this great thing. All these Galileans
were speaking, but people from all over the know world heard the message in
their own language. Russian, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Spanish, English,
Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, to name a few.

In their own languages they heard of the wonderful works of God. All were
amazed, but some doubted [always we see in the stories, the mixture of faith
and doubt]. What does this mean? ³They are full of new wine,² some said.

³No, it¹s too early in the day for that,² came Peter¹s response. And that
served as the introduction to one of the best sermons ever preached. Peter
called upon his knowledge of the Hebrew prophet Joel and quoted the words he
knew by heart:
It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out my Spirit
on all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your
young men shall see visions, and your elders shall dream dreams: And on my
servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs
in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and smoke; The sun shall be turned
into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of
the Lord shall come.

And it shall come to pass that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall
be saved.

Application

The Holy Spirit dwells in usŠall of usŠgiving us power to act each day with
courage, as we face our own problems, and as we make the problems of others
our own. The people who gathered on that first Pentecost had the same needs
that all of us haveŠ and the same struggles. Some of them had no home, no
regular place to sleep and eat. Some were wealthy, and enjoyed great
privilege. All gathered there in Jerusalem had choices to make about how
they would live out their days after this powerful encounter with the power
and presence of God.

I close with a new hymn text that addresses one basic human need:

All people need a home,
a place to feel secure,
where common needs are known and met,
a home that will endure.

All people need a home,
a welcome at the door,
a place to share and to enjoy,
a home for rich and poor.

All people need a home,
a place where hurts can heal,
where help is given and received,
a home where love is real.

God, help us build a world
where all can feel secure,
a place where all can live and love,
a world that will endure.

Dan Damon

WORDS and MUSIC © 2014 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All
rights reserved.


Let us be in prayer.
    
Joys and Concerns

 “The American Maritime People” at The Frank C. Munson Institute: An NEH Summer Institute for College and University Teachers, June 23 – July 25, 2014. Jennifer Metz Foster has been chosen to teach this class! Congratulations!

The Frank C. Munson Institute at Mystic Seaport invites selected college teachers to participate in its five-week National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute, “The American Maritime People” from June 23-July 25, 2014. The NEH Institute gives college teachers the opportunity to enhance course offerings by studying the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.

I’ll be participating in order to develop a course in American Maritime History for the Spring 2015 semester at CSUM, as well as building context for an upcoming exhibit I’m consulting for at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum on the history of maritime diversity in Vallejo.

  • Manuel de Jesus Navidad, Fran Smith’s great-grandson, had his tonsils removed on June 12th. We wish him a fast recovery. Do you remember “all the ice cream you can eat”? Well, I do and of course I couldn’t swallow anything! Let’s hope that phase passes quickly for Manuel and he is back to feeling good soon. Your prayers for healing are welcomed.
  • Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

  • Julio Osegueda was recently hospitalized with severe GI bleeding. He is home and feeling well. He welcomes your prayers for continued healing and good health.
  • Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and has started chemotherapy She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.
  • We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.
  • Update:Our friend, Arinel Greene, from Easter Hill UMC, has finished her radiation and chemotherapy and is cancer free! She is a woman of great faith and welcomes being on our prayer list for healing. If you would like to send her a card: 5326 Conestoga Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803.Please remember her in your prayers.
  •  Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing.

  • Robbie Robinson  would appreciate your prayers.
  • Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy. She’s taking a well deserved vacation to Ireland for a break in June!
News
  • Plans are underway for our 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction on October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm at the Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd. Art work, jewelry, arts & crafts, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, music and a whole lot of fun! Suggested donation $10. Letters will be going out soon to encourage local businesses to donate. We are hoping to raffle off dinners for two, gym memberships, gift certificates, etc.  We plan to have items for sale as well as auction items. Do you have art work you no longer use? Do you knit, crochet, weave, potter, make jewelry, paint or sculpt? Would you like to donate to the auction?  Can you recommend a contact person for businesses that may be interested in helping us out?  Please contact Debbie Benko @ 510-517-6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com <mailto:DebBenko160@aol.com
  • Camp Liberty Update: With the current fighting and chaos in Irag, our Irani friends in Camp Liberty need your prayers and support. I am sure this is a harrowing time for them.
  • Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an UPDATE on her activities. She has sent an email about the abuse of workers from Nepal, including deaths, who are working construction jobs in Qatar. The construction bosses takes their passports away and refuse to give them their  temporary residence cards and withhold payment for their work, essentially enslaving them. This is a desert country and water is not provided at the construction sites The lack of payment means they often have to beg for food. Qatar is doing major construction for the World Cup.  The Qatar government is looking into the allegations. Please remember these men in your prayers.
  • Pastor Dan  Eileen Johnson and Fran Smith will be attending the California Nevada Annual Conference this year in Burlingame, June 18-21. Dan and Eileen are in the conference band.
  • Pastor Dan will be attending the annual conference in Paris, France for the human rights of all people, including Iranians in Camp Liberty in Iraq, June 25- July 2 as a representative of our support of this cause.
   

Generosity
 
  • The Administrative Board met Thursday evening,  June 12 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $47654. Our budget need is $44,065. We are above budget by $3000 thanks to Junktique II. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II added some funds to help with the deficit. Summer is coming and attendance at church declines, as do our collection amounts. Have you considered mailing in contributions over the summer months?
  • Imagine No Malaria Campaign: The United Methodist Church has partnered with other organizations to help stamp out malaria which is killing children at a rate of one every minute. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has donated 390,000 insect repellant bed nets to Sierra Leone. As you consider where you can give and make a difference consider this worthy cause.
  • As inspection of the three “Sunday School” windows started, it was determined that there is more dry rot than expected, raising the cost of the window repair. an Anonymous Donor is covering the entire cost of custom built windows, matching the windows in the church! Our gratitude and thanks to this person. The Building Funds will be used to repair and replace windows in the parsonage.
Events
  • Father’s Day Jazz Service, Sunday, June 15, 11am. The Dan Damon Quartet will present the service with music. Kurt Ribak, bass: Lincoln Adler, sax; Randy O’dell, drums;Dan Damon, piano The Joyful Noise Choir will end their season by singing with the band. Come early to be sure to get a seat.
  • Sunday, June 15 is a Special Sunday/ Peace with Justice Sunday. Your donations help fund programs both in the US and abroad. Funds for educating people about human trafficking in the US come from this special Sunday. Also work with communities along the Arizona border where there are great differences in views on how the borders should be handled, use these funds.
  • Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 pm, Cal/Nev Annual Dinner,  sponsored by the Methodist Federation for Saocial Action, the Conference Advocacy and Justice Committee with the Philippine Solidarity Task Force present Rev. Liberto Bautista, : “Typhoons, Trade and Talk of Peace: Winds of Change in the Philippines”.  New Vision UMC, 450 Chadbourne Ave., Milbrae. Cost $20. Reservations are still being accepted. Contact Fran Smith: 707 427 2132 or junosmith@aol.com.. Please mail your check made out to MFSA to Fran Smith, 2149 Beaujolais Court, Fairfield, CA 94533
  • At the above dinner the Methodist Federation for Social Action will be giving its Peace with Justice Award to Rev. Jeanelle Ablola. Rev. Ablola is the Lead Pastor at Pine UMC, Co-Chair of CA-NV Philippine Solidarity Task Force and Charter Member of Northern California National Ecumenical Forum for Filipino Concerns.
  • Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st  2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.
  • Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org

 

  • 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction: Saturday, October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm, Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Donation at door $10. We will have arts/crafts for bidding; music and hors d’oeuvres to satisfy other senses and a good time! To donate or offer help, contact Debbie Benko: 510 517 6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com.

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

Newsletter May 31, 2014

by

 Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

 

Pastor’s Perspective

 

If You Love Me, John 14:15-21

Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 5-25-14

 

Introduction

 

Do you remember this song from Fiddler on the Roof [music: Jerry Bock, lyrics: Sheldon Harnick]?

 

Tevye says to Golde: I have decided to give Perchik permission to become engaged to our daughter, Hodel.

 

(Golde) What??? He’s poor! He has nothing, absolutely nothing!

 

(Tevye) He’s a good man, Golde. I like him. And what’s more important, Hodel likes him. Hodel loves him. So what can we do? It’s a new world… A new world. Love. Golde… Do you love me?

 

(Golde) Do I what?

(Tevye) Do you love me?

 

(Golde) Do I love you?

With our daughters getting married

And this trouble in the town

You’re upset, you’re worn out

Go inside, go lie down!

Maybe it’s indigestion

 

(Tevye) Golde I’m asking you a question… Do you love me?

(Golde) You’re a fool

(Tevye) I know… But do you love me?

 

(Golde) Do I love you?

For twenty-five years I’ve washed your clothes

Cooked your meals, cleaned your house

Given you children, milked the cow

After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?

 

(Tevye) Golde, The first time I met you

Was on our wedding day. I was scared.

 

(Golde) I was shy

(Tevye) I was nervous

 

(Golde) So was I

 

(Tevye)

But my father and my mother

Said we’d learn to love each other

And now I’m asking, Golde

Do you love me?

 

(Golde) I’m your wife

(Tevye) I know… But do you love me?

 

(Golde) Do I love him?

For twenty-five years I’ve lived with him

Fought him, starved with him

Twenty-five years my bed is his

If that’s not love, what is?

 

(Tevye) Then you love me?

(Golde) I suppose I do

(Tevye) And I suppose I love you too

 

(Both)

It doesn’t change a thing

But even so

After twenty-five years

It’s nice to know

 

Retell the Scripture Story

 

In our gospel lesson today Jesus continues from the story of the “many mansions,” and the statement of being “the way, the truth, and the life.” Our lesson today begins with the conditional clause: “If you love me…” The if/then construction goes like this: If you love me, keep my commandments.

 

If you are like me, you will immediately think of all the commandments you have broken, and the impossibility of keeping them all. The ten commandments, and all the other laws we have made. We need these laws, but it is the highest law that Jesus is speaking about here and elsewhere in the gospels: the law of love.

 

If you love me, keep my commandments [to love self, neighbor, and God] and I will send you another Comforter [because I am going away/ my life is almost over] and this Comforter will abide with you forever.

 

Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God always with us. We will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Christian church on June 8 this year, but of course the Spirit has been present with all creation from the beginning. In Genesis 1:2 we read: And the earth was without form and void: and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved [brooded] upon the face of the waters. [v.3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

 

This eternal Spirit of comfort was there from the beginning and is with us always. This comfort transcends time and space. It transcends faith and doubt. It is present in all faith traditions. To return to our gospel less, in John 14:17 Jesus says this is the Spirit of truth. As we consider our seeking faith, we always look for love and truth. They go together. Here they are in John’s gospel. Our faith leads us deeper into these mysteries: love and truth.

 

In verse 19 Jesus, according to John, says: Because I live, you shall live also… You will know that I am in my Father, and you are in my, and I am in you.

 

This is poetic language. Jesus is trying to tell us something about the final way of things. Jesus saw a deeper and higher reality. He saw that union with God is the true and final resting place for all creation. Sometimes we get a glimpse of that union here on earth. In a good marriage we can glimpse it. In our deepest love relationships: parent and child, marriage partners, perhaps even the gardener’s love of growing things can show us a little of this deep mystery. Jesus told us all he could about love, truth, and the mystic and eternal love in which we live and move.

 

Application

 

How should we then live? Let us live each day in the knowledge that God loves us, and all of creation. Let us learn to love ourselves. Let us learn to love others a little better every day. Let us make peace with ourselves and with others. Let us make peace on earth our work and our prayer. Let us work and pray for justice every day, trusting that God is at work with us, and in us. Let us now give in to despair, depression, and fear. Let us live each day in the love and power that God gives us, trusting that the Comforter will come to us [has come to us] and will abide with us forever.

 

Let us be in prayer.

Joys and Concerns

 

  • Congratulations to Heather Damon! Heather graduated from UC Davis with a master degree in social work! We are all pleased and proud of her completion of this program.
  • Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

 

  • Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and will be starting chemotherapy next week. She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.
  • We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.

 

  • Our friend, Arinel Greene, from Easter Hill UMC, is being treated with chemo/radiation for uterine cancer. She is a woman of great faith and welcomes being on our prayer list for healing. If you would like to send her a card: 5326 Conestoga Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803.Please remember her in your prayers.

 

  •  Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing.
  • Robbie Robinson  would appreciate your prayers.

 

 

News

 

  • Marian Hawkins (a longtime member and participant in the church) died May 22nd after a long decline in her health. She loved to tell stories about her childhood on the Point. She held various church offices and she and her husband, Fay, donated their time and skills to the church. She was in her early nineties. There will be no services per family request. Mid Dornan shared some memories about Marian at Sunday’s Service If you would like to send a card to the family, send to: Sandra Hawkins, 2131 Via Media, Benicia, CA, 94510.

 

  • Junktique II was very successful per Fran Smith. We don’t have exact figures as yet but the sale made over $2,400, pancake breakfast over $500 ( with our thanks to Norm and Jean Reynolds for all their work in making it happen) and our Lady Bug ( Ioulia Solovieva) who so much wanted to sell succulents she had started and grown made over $115! Congratulations and thanks to all who participated to make this day a success.It’s all the more special because it comes so close to the huge effort made for Junktique. Special thanks to Fran Smith and Betty Graham! See attachment.

 

  • Camp Liberty Update: Iran’s judiciary chief is urging his Iraqi counterpart to extradite the residents of Camp Liberty (3000 people) to Iran for a “fair trial”. Iran is saying they will pardon 423 people after investigation showed they are not guilty of any crimes. In April of this year Iran and Irag signed an understanding which includes the extradition of criminals. This is a serious and life threatening request. Please contact your representatives for intervention:  President Obama, 202 456 1414, Vice President Biden, 202 456 1414, Senator Barbara Boxer, 202 224 3553, Senator Diane Feinstein, 202 224 3841, Representative George Miller, 202 225 2095.

 

  • The Administrative Board has approved the project to repair the church windows beginning after Junktique II.

 

  • Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an update on her activities. On a personal level, she is moving into an apartment of her own. Katherine is working as a health advisor in rural Nepal where she works with communities through improving water sanitation, hygiene, food security and nutrition. She has a blog (bokashi.blogspot.com) where you can find information on her recent adolescent sex education class. Donating to support Katherine’s work makes you a partner in improving the quality of life for the less advantaged. Copies of her letter are in Friendship Hall.

 

  • A Study and Survey of the Worldwide Nature of the United Methodist Church will be presented by Pastor Dan Damon and Jean Reynolds for four Sundays, May 18 through June 8 during Adult Sunday School 10 am in Friendship Hall. Anyone interested in joining the church is encouraged to come and all are welcome. Recommendations from the class will be presented at General Conference 2016. Weekly topics in order: 1. General Conference, Jurisdictions, and Central Conferences.2. The Book of Discipline.3.Boards, Agencies and Finances. 4. Education of Clergy and Laity. This is an opportunity to have input into proposals and changes

 

Generosity

 

 

The Administrative Board met Thursday evening, May 8 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $31,180. Our budget need is $35,252 which is a $4000 deficit. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II will add some funds to help with the deficit.

 

 

 

Events

 

  • Father’s Day Jazz Service, Sunday, June 15, 11am. The Dan Damon Quartet will present the service with music. Kurt Ribak, bass: Lincoln Adler, sax; Randy O’dell, drums;Dan Damon, piano. Come early to be sure to get a seat.

 

  • Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st  2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.
  • Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org.

 

.

Send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor at bahcats@sbcglobal.net

 

__._,_.___

Attachment(s) from BARBARA HALEY | View attachments on the web

1 of 1 File(s)

Junktique II 2014 report.docx

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

Make a Donation