Do you drink water? St. John's is planninga "Water Faire!" October 18 Get on board!
Call David McPhail!
Behind-the-Scenes Good Steward Awards!We ordain Deacons and Elders, commission Education and Mission trip volunteers, and worship leaders are up front all the time. But few of us know who does all the work behind the scenes. Church work is a bit like an iceberg, most of it is not visible. We hold a thank-you lunch for volunteers each year, but not everyone who volunteers is invited, not everyone can make it, and, ironically, it is led by volunteers.As pastor I find myself constantly thankful for the love and dedication shown to me and the church, for all the good work we do. I am certain I do not express my gratitude well enough, and I am struck dumb at the task of trying to thank everyone for everything. I am also certain that if your love and service to the church were dependent on some kind of material reward or gratitude, the Church would have ceased to exist a long time ago.Even as the list of people and jobs below is long, there is much left out, and each person's primary gift to the Church is first and always your presence, your smile, your love of God, and your reflection of the gift of God’s grace. So much has been done before I arrived here to be your pastor, and much love is shared even now that I do not know fully. These thanks will continue (alphabetically) through a few CALLS, no doubt, but do let me know who's inadvertently missing from the list (Heaven forbid!)We are also deeply indebted to the love and compassionate financial giving of many, many people who go, for the most part, unnoticed.Lois Andiloro – Elder, co-chair of WMA, choir member, Organ
Committee memberVirginia Anderson — Leader for several years now of literature seminar, focusing on great books, poetry, and the Bible's literary merits. She has also been a choir member and conductor of "Speech Choir."Ann Arndt – Deacon, Office Volunteer, Home Communion volunteer, Center Commission member.Andy Benson – Clerk of Session for umpteen years (includes recording and distributing minutes, keeping church records, creating Session agendas, receiving and distributing all phone or email polls and official correspondence for the Church. Center Commission member.Linda Bostjanick – Elder, Chair of Center Commission (primary mover in the increase of Center income which helped bring the budget from -$70,000 to balanced for the last two years. Primary mover of new contract $160,000 per year contract with Maybeck High School, Worship Music and Arts Commission member, Centennial Campaign Leader, planner of numerous retreats, Worship Grant writer, rummage sale organizer, responsible for new wood floors in Campbell and Fireside Room, leading kitchen renovation committee, etc. When you really want something to get done, Linda is one of those folks you want on your team.Tami Boulet – Deacon, coffee hour organizerNick Boulet – Cook for After-School programClaudia Cate – Elder, Chair of Commission on Personnel (CAP) for three years (the toughest job in the church), Capital Campaign leader, cook for after school program, football parking organizer, volunteers her cabin for the annual snow trip. Serves on St. John’s Childcare board. Etc.Ching Chang – Leader on Concert Committee, publicityBob McKenzie – Pastoral support, Adult Forum leader, preaching, fair trade coffee organizer, social justice advocate, resident theologianMarilyn Chilcote – Pastoral support, preaching, Fair Trade Coffee sale organizer, social justice advocate, resident theologianHelen Christensen – Senior Center volunteerMark Coplan – One of our very visible guys who also does a bunch behind the scenes. Prolific camera man (Mark has taken thousands of photos for St. John’s and dozens of hours of video, and then makes copies and gives them out for free.) Mark steps in to help with events and audio visual equipment all the time. He is sound booth operator, is involved with most set ups for church events. He has served six years as a Deacon, responds to alarms in the middle of the night, comes to St. John's work days, helps with Camp Elmwood, and is supportive of Nelly, his wife and the Administrator here at St. John’s. Also a vocal political activist, led St. John’s participation in marches against war, for gay marriage, health care, education, etc..Nelly Coplan – Center Administrator. Webmaster, publicity, full time Camp Elmwood volunteer, primary After School Program volunteer, Mission and Justice Commission member, BOCA (represents St. John's in the ecumenical Berkeley Organizing Congregations for action), able to leap chairs while lifting a table in a single bound, does set up and clean up and lockdown for church events all the time, responds to alarms in the middle of the night, her compassionate and loving smile is the primary face representing St. John’s to the community here at the church and at numerous events around the city.Charlie Dewitt – Elder, Chair of Grounds and Facilities (In the last two years has over-seen half a million dollars of maintenance and renovation), more than has been done in God only knows how many years. Sound booth operator and maintenance, junk hauler, general heavy lifter. Has also served as Deacon.Karma Dewitt – Chair of Deacons, Chair of Concert Committee, choir member, has planned Centennial celebration and too many parties to name, Nature Walk leader, has served as Elder numerous times.Helen Dole – Deacon (Helen keeps track of a bazillion members), Concert Committee member, home communion organizer.Fred Goff – Elder, new Chair of Commission on Personnel, Co-Chair Mission and Justice Commission, Corporate Board President, Chair of Pastor Search Committee (smart, compassionate, a good listener and well organized, Fred is the primary person responsible for the impact St. John’s has on issues of peace and justice), and a general all-around helper.Annabelle Graves – St. John’s face at the post office, CALL distributorMarietta Harvey – Women’s Bible Study Leader, political activist, health care reform leader, Concert Committee Member, Choir member.Fred Harvey – Well known as Christian Educator, Camp Elmwood leader, Fred also serves on the corporate board, and Commission on Personnel (He was chair for multiple years) and provides legal assistance to St. John’s. Check signer. Almost always one of the first people called in an emergency. St. John’s evangelist.Sally Hussey – helped start and serves on board for St. John’s Childcare, grief support group facilitator.Sarah Johnson – Member of Commission on Personnel, Webmaster with Nelly, edits and types sermons, posts sermons on the internet, and helps prepare and print worship bulletin weekly. Sarah puts is as much behind-the-scenes volunteer time for the church as anyone.Irene Krones – Years of highly dependable service as sanctuary organizer before worship.Ralph Lastuka – As a new member, Ralph has jumped on board Deacons and serves as Deacon representative to Session meetingsCharles Lee – We see Charles on the scene as talented pianist. Behind the scenes he provides legal aid to St. John’s, the primary author of our new large contract with Maybeck High School.Karla Lemon – Elder, member Commission on Personnel, this counselor in training lends her listening skills to the pastor. Frequently represents St. John’s at Presbytery.Fran Lynch – Years of service as office volunteer, sends welcome cards to new visitors, and every other kind of card to everyone else. She has arranged the pastor’s home communion schedule for years. One of the unofficial church historians who provides tons of behind the scenes wisdom and information to the pastor.Ken Lynch – Years of dependable service in various jobs related to church finance.Feliciana Lynn – Deacon, prolific coffee hour food producer, has a bad habit of cleaning up before people enjoying events can get back to help, in-the-clutch child care volunteer, mission trip health inspector, Camp Elmwood volunteer, lends deep intuitive wisdom when pastor is perplexed, has a quiet, steady compassionate drive that puts children, elders and the pastor at ease, making them want to give her a hug. Is the mother of the pastor’s two teenage children, and has put up with the pastor as husband for nineteen years. What a wonderful life we have been blessed with.Nicholas Lynn – son of pastor, years of leadership among children, 16 years of attending worship where his fathers works, hundreds of hours of volunteer work (or forced labor – depending on who you talk to when), Christmas caroling, Camp Elmwood counselor for three years, countless nights at home while father is at meetings, hours of hanging out in hospital hallways or waiting rooms while dad visits someone, patiently putting up with trips to the movies or beach cut short due to dad’s change of plans, bizillions of hours listening to his father ramble when he is stressed, angry, nervous, passionate or proud, and making his father joyful and proud by just being who he is.Kevin Lynn – Son of pastor, years of leadership among children, 14 years Christmas pageants and attending worship “every single Sunday” where his father works, hundred of hours of volunteer work (or forced labor), Christmas caroling, Camp Elmwood counselor, countless nights at home while father is at meetings, hours of hanging out in hospital halls or waiting rooms while dad visits someone, patiently putting up with trips to the movies or beach being cut short due to dad’s change of plans, volunteers humorous (most of the time), cynical honesty, patiently (or not so patiently) putting up with dad’s late night sermon practice funneled from office into his room via the heating duct, and making his father joyful and proud by just being who he is.Bob McConnell – Opens church and prepares sanctuary for worship virtually every Sunday of the year. Teamwork with pastor is deeply appreciated. Was the pastor’s Tom Tom, showing him how to get around the East Bay for visitation, and until Nelly bought pastor real Tom Tom, provided directions via the phone. Weekly office volunteer. Grounds and Facilities Commission member, Choir member and all-around helper of the choir. Bob has also been a Deacon for multiple years and provides ongoing Christian charity to numerous members and friends. He also volunteers as joke teller, ready or not.
(to be continued!)Flick Flak invites you to see the films. . .
"Inglourious Basterds" and/or "Flame and Citron" and join in potluck plus discussion, Friday, Sept. 25, 6:30pm, in the Campbell Reception Room.____________________________________
Women at the Well, a source of fellowship, healing and spiritual enhancement, meets Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30am in the church office.
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Important event — St. John's is a sponsor — a school of the americas watch report. Lisa Sullivan, SOA Watch Latin America Coordinator, will speak on "THE COUP IN HONDURAS: THE ROLE OF SOA GRADUATES IN LATIN AMERICA," Saturday, September 26, 6:30-9:00pm, at Uptown Body & Fender, 401 26th St., Oakland, between Telegraph and Broadway. Music by Francisco Herrera and Jon Fromer, $10.00 Donation (no one turned away). Sponsored by The School of the Americas Watch West.
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"Before Work" Book Study! Fridays 7-8AM beginning October 2
Pastor Max will lead a study on Reformed Spirituality. We will share coffee, juice and pastry and reflect on Howard Rice's book, nourishing and strengthening our inward journey with God and our understanding of our Presbyterian tradition. Let pastor Max know if you are interested.
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Church Women United (Berkeley-Albany Unit) will hold its annual Prayer Breakfast at Phillips Temple (Christian Methodist Episcopal) 3332 Adeline Street, Berkeley on Friday, October 2, 9:30am. This year tickets will not be sold, but a free will offering will be taken. The speaker will be Akiko Miyake-Stoner. a theological student at Pacific School of Religion and also a Seminary Intern at Berkeley United Methodist Church. She will speak on the theme "Making the World Fit for All God's Children." For further information, please speak to Marietta Harvey or Ardyce Worth.
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Women's Bible Study, Thursday, October 8, 2009, noon to 2pm
Who is the God of Joshua? Read Joshua 1:1-9; 23. Many Christians find it nearly impossible to believe that God as described in parts of Joshua could be the same God revealed In Jesus Christ. Bring your Bible, your lunch and your thoughts. Call Marietta Harvey for more information
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Glenda and Stuart Pawsey invite you to celebrate with them . . .
their 40th anniversary, 70 years on this earth, and the birth of their first grand-child. Barbecue & Picnic, Oct. 17,1-5pm, at the Willows on South Park Rd., Tilden Park. Please bring salad or dessert. No presents! RSVP Glenda PawseyGRIP Hunger Walk (StJ is a COSPONSOR) is October 10
Each year the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) raises a significant portion of its funding in the GRIP Hunger Walk. GRIP has provided a free lunch for over 20 years — now over 200 folks line up 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This forty year old organization grew out of the response of 40 plus religious communities to the 1968 race riots in Richmond. Its family shelter and counseling center provide housing and three meals a day to 60 plus children and adults. A portion of the funds also goes to support the Richmond Food Pantry started by GRIP. This year's "Walker" from St. John's in the GRIP—Harmony Walk—will be Pastor Max Lynn. David McPhail is collecting pledges through next Sunday, but he hopes everyone redeems their pledge with check or cash no later than Oct. 4. The walk is on Oct. 10.
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St. John's annual Haunted House and Pre-Halloween Party
is coming Saturday, October 24! This is a family event for the whole church family plus our friends and neighbors. Youth fifth grade and up come at 3:00pm to build the Haunted House in the depths of the church. The Haunted House will be open 6:30-8:15 pm. Survivors enjoy Halloween games and stories in the Fireside Room. Come to admire the costumes and share the warmth of St. John's with our visitors.____________________________________
Prime Timers program for September, October
September 22 11:00 Marietta Harvey will show a video and discuss health insurance legislation.
October 6 10:30 Bridge with Irene and Bob Krones
October 13 10:30 Blood pressure checks by Roma Arellano
October 27 11:00 Shirley Pan will show her pictures of travels in Macedonia
St. John's Presbyterian Church
2727 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705