Oct. 21, 2009
http:/www.stjohnsberkeley.orgPray! Pray my friends. Pray for everything. Pray selfishly. Pray for compassion for the poor and oppressed, for our leaders in government, for people losing houses and jobs. Pray for healing and eternal life. Pray to have a relationship with God. Pray when you don't feel like it. Pray when you lack faith. Pray when it doesn't make sense. Prayer is our relationship with God. It is more about the relationship than the petition. More about getting in touch with that part of ourselves that is connected to something beyond our body; to the Spirit of life and goodness, to the Spirit of love and forgiveness, to the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Not a stone statue, but a living, breathing, uniting presence. A personal God doesn't make sense in my thinking mind, a being, a dude named Theo with physical and anthropolistic definition. But if we dare boldly to pray and listen, we sense a leading, a nudging, a gracious and forgiving presence, a vision embodied by Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi, Teresa. Pray as they prayed, and let's see what God will do with us. Love, Pastor Max
Continuing our thanks to the volunteers of St. John'sEven as the list of people and jobs is long, and still incomplete, 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. God has given you great gifts, especially that great, true gift of grace, and you honor and give thanks in your dedication, love and service. Your service to God benefits and builds the Church. Thank you.Another thing to remember is that most of us go through cycles when at certain times we just need to be fed. It may be a time of grief, an especially difficult work or study load, a family that needs attention. It is my hope and prayer that each and every one is fed by God’s amazing grace and Spirit here at St. John’s, regardless of how much time and energy we have to volunteer.We are also deeply indebted to the love and compassionate financial giving of many, many people who go, for the most part, unnoticed. As with our work for God’s Church, our financial giving goes through times and seasons, and is always between you and God.You, this small congregation of dedicated people in Berkeley, preach the Gospel of God’s inclusive love and justice here in our community, and far and wide, in word and deed. I am proud of you, and I know God is smiling upon us, graciously encouraging us, rooting for us, challenging us, dying for us, that we might continue to thrive both personally and together. It is a privilege and honor to serve and worship with you all.David Pingitore – Sunday school teacher, heroically stepping in to support Kathy and Fred’s longtime ministry.Kathy Pratt – Sunday School teacher (forever), Camp Elmwood, Kid’s time in worship, and anything else having to do with kids.Don Rising – Well known as Choir member and lover of bells, maker of boats and flying birds for Christmas pageants. He does science and pottery and fills in however needed for Camp Elmwood, supplies the haunted house with scary stuff. Don is described as a “Myth Busters guy” by my sons because he knows everything and can build anything, including the half pipe. He does more work and maintenance than anyone in and around the building, serves on the Grounds and Facilities Commission, lending his engineer and contractor wisdom to decisions.Lynne Royer – A willing volunteer in numerous ways, but Lynne’s big behind-the-scenes impact is as Elder, Stewardship and Growth Chair, Centennial Campaign leader, and in particular our trusted Treasurer. Like “clerk of session,” treasurer is a small title for a big job. Thanks to Lynne’s work, St. John’s took a relatively small hit in the stock market this past year. Very good news as she had just helped us put most of our pledged $900,000 into play.Harlan Stelmach – Mission and Justice Commission Member, leader in South American mission, resident scholar and compassionate heart.Barbara Taylor – Office volunteer, home communion volunteer. Barbara recently gave up being the chair of Deacons, a position she led forever. Born and bred for such a job, her wise compassionate heart draws people to her, to be loved and cared for — whether she is an official Deacon or not. Serves informally as the getter-together of various groups, and historian for St. John's illustrious past.Gail Peterson – Every two weeks (for over 20 years) she has produced our newsletter, the CALL. She is a member of Mission and Justice Commission and the Stewardship and Growth Commission, has served as Deacon and Elder, chaired Commission on Personnel, Christian Ed, Worship and Arts, Stewardship commissions, and been a choir member, a leader of the Centennial Campaign. Organizes retreats, makes banners, has edited and printed sermons, edits and often writes everything else that comes or should come from the pastor’s pen, enthusiastic leader or helper of almost anything new, home communion volunteer, etc.Fred Toh – New member Fred has joined the Deacons and choir, and was a youth leader for the Covenant Network advocacy at General Assembly.Bob Traer – Former Interim Minister, volunteer instructor for Sunday Forum.Carl Williams – Grounds and Facilities member. Along with Don, Carl is a handyman around the church, doing several projects a year for us and dealing with contractors. He knows the workings of the building better than anyone.Gloria Worrell – Recently finished term as active elder and chair of Worship Music and Art Commission, she is steward of the grounds. Gloria is our secret agent gardener, sneaking in and working for hours, trimming trees and planting flowers, painting the kitchen. When the timing is right, she goes on home communion visits. A compassionate caregiver with knowledge of the system, Gloria is often helpful to people in need. She shares Feliciana's habit of sneaking behind the scenes to clean before an event is through. And she is often the last to leave.Ardyce Worth – Served as Deacon for a bunch of years, leader in Senior Center, like Barbara Taylor and Fran Lynch, one of those compassionate souls who get pastoral information before the pastor does.Don Worth – GRIP dinner volunteer, all-around compassionate soul and volunteer.Dorothy Worth – Deacon with professional hospital advocate and caregiving skills, flower and coffee hour organizer.————————————————————————
The next Flick Flak will meet Friday, Oct. 23, 6:30pm in the Fireside Room. The films to see are "Paris" at the Shattuck and/or "Bright Star" at the Elmwood. Bring food to share and opinions, a good lively time for all.
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Haunted House, Saturday, October 24
We dare everyone, adults, children, and youth of all ages to attend St. John's Haunted House and Family Pre-Halloween Party this Saturday, October 24, 6:30-815 PM. Youth grades 5 and up come at 3:00pm to build and staff the Haunted House. Volunteer adults (we need 6) come from 6:00 to 9:00pm to support our youth. Everyone else, friends and neighbors, come at 6:30 to join in the fun, enjoy the costumes, and share the warmth of St. John's with our community guests.
Christmas Pageant, December 13
Yes, it's time to begin planning for St. John's Christmas Pageant to be presented by the children and youth during worship Sunday, December 13. We need actors, singers, dancers, musicians, people to help with props and costumes and help write the script to tell our favorite story in a new and meaningful way. Let Fred Harvey know as soon as possible that you will participate. All children, youth, and parents will gather in the Sproul Room immediately after worship Sunday November 8 to share ideas and agree on a rehearsal schedule. Let friends know that we welcome guests, pre-school through high school, to be a part of the pageant.
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Rev. Evangeline Louise Hermanson, a former intern at St. John's, died Saturday, Oct.10. A funeral service will be held at Montclair Presbyterian in Oakland, Oct. 25, 2:00pm.
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Women at the Well meets Saturday morning, 8:30am, Oct. 31. Come see what makes this a warm wonderful fellowship!————————————————————————
With great sadness, we report the passing of our beloved member and friend Karla Lemon, on Thursday, Oct. 15. A memorial service will be held for Karla on Saturday, November 7, 10:00am at First Congregational Church in Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. (Take note: not at St. John's, due to an anticipated large number of attendees.)
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Women’s Bible Study, Thursday, November 12, 2009, noon to 2:00pm.
Read Joshua 1:2-18; 24:1-15. A Leader is Called: We will talk about the character and actions of God, and consider the characteristics that make a good leader. Bring your Bible, your lunch and your thoughts. Marietta Harvey,
The Fair Trade chocolate is in! It's fresh and delicious:
Milk chocolate, dark chocolate with almonds, mint chocolate with a crunch, dark chocolate with coffee beans or cocoa nibs, very dark chocolate, EXTRA dark chocolate!Special for Christmas we have beautiful gift bags of mini chocolate bars which will delight your friends. One sample description to tantalize you: Organic Panama Extra Dark Chocolate (80% Cacao), 3.5oz per bar. This 80% cacao content bar is Equal Exchange’s darkest yet. Unlike many high cacao content bars that are dominated by a bitter or sour note, this bar is perfectly balanced in a way that allows the true chocolate flavor of the Panamanian beans to shine. This bar is made with chocolate liquor from the COCABO co-operative, in Panama, cocoa butter from CONACADO, in the Dominican Republic, and the fairly traded organic sugar comes from a farmer co-operative in Paraguay. Vegan and gluten-free.
Also! There are many exotic varieties of coffee, in 5 pound bags at the astonishing price of less than $6.50 per pound. Go to: http://shop.equalexchange.com/category.aspx?categoryID=33 Click on each coffee to discover descriptions that will tantalize your taste buds, and stories of local producers who are so proud of their organic products and the environmentally sensitive lands they are protecting. Then tell me what I can order for you..
Also-also! The Mission and Justice Committee is looking for a volunteer to assemble 35 gift bags full of Fair Trade Candy — all supplies included. (Plus a few samples for you)
Call Marilyn Chilcote
————————————————————————Football parking volunters needed
to open our parking lot Nov 7 and Nov 14, the last two games of the season. Please call Claudia Cate, 510.658.3408.————————————————————————
St. John’s Prime Timers
October 27 11:00 Shirley Pan will show pictures of her trip to Macedonia
November 3 10:30 Bridge • 12:00 Lunch, birthdays
November 10 10:30 Blood pressure
11:00 Laurabeth Nelson, docent at the Asian Art Museum will present a fascinating
program with pictures of the museum’s new exhibit: Emerald Cities
November 24 11:00 Helen will show pictures from her trip to Japan and China
St. John's Presbyterian Church • 2727 College Avenue • Berkeley, CA 94705