St. John’s CALL May 19, 2010

 

 

 


As I wandered around during our Springtime work day, a sense of thanksgiving arose for the beauty of the church. 

            I want to express gratitude to God and all of you who have been so faithful to Saint John’s over the years.  I was trying to think of when the church has looked this good, and I think I can honestly say it looks as good as any time since I have been here.  We had a huge amount of upheaval last year, and with the economy along with it, and health and family issues thrown in, it was trying, to say the least.  But now, looking back, we can see how much was accomplished.  And I am proud to say that despite the floor dropping out of the economy, we have collected $875,000 for our Centennial campaign.  Some of us have a bit more to go, but we can celebrate your faithful love and generosity as an overwhelming success!  Over a half million dollars (between Maybeck High School and us) was spent on renovations and upkeep of the building; we have a whole new upstairs, two beautiful, accessible bathrooms by Hunter Hall, a new cylinder for our elevator, new electrical lines and a tuned-up electrical box, a more secure roof on the sanctuary and a newly refinished floor, new floors in Campbell and Fireside room. Childcare has a new playground—and this is a big one—no serious water leaks this rainy season.  The sun is shining, the grass is green, the flowers are blooming, children are playing, and teenage couples are smooching in our front yard. Thank God for Spring!  And thank you.

            Many thanks to Bob McKenzie  for leading worship while many of us are attending the retreat want to highlight June 13 in hope that many of you stick around after worship.
            And make note of special upcoming Sunday Forums, in particular: June 13: Glen Hauer, co-founder of Jewish Voice for Peace and civil rights lawyer, will be discussing "What is Anti-Semitism and What it is not," 11:40, Fireside Room. I've heard his presentation and it is very good.  This is important stuff for Christians in general, and especially for those of us who are working for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel. Plan to come. You will be glad you did.
            Glad to say, St. John's raised $750.00 dollars for CROP Walk of Church World Service, whose programs feed hunger throughout the world. Max, Jason, Robin and I did the walk and enjoyed visiting with each other! Water and snacks were provided along the way through downtown and the UC campus as we walked with other folks from churches in the area.

                                                                                                 Pastor Max

 

Schedule for Sunday Forums

The May 30 Forum will give time not only to Not My Priorities Post Card campaign challenging our nation’s heavy dependence on military force, but also Fred Goff will lead a continuing discussion that began with our April 25 Adult Forum, which found a lot of energy among the 24 people present to do MORE on opposition to continuing the war in Afghanistan.

June 6 will be devoted to usher training

June 13 will be on anti-Semitism led by Glen Howard of Jewish Voice for Peace (see Max's aforementioned comments).

Many thanks to Jason Guy, our Seminary intern, for his work in support of our Christian Education work this year.  His time with us has concluded and we wish him a future of hopes fulfilled and assorted blessings!

Feeding the hungry and homeless  Mission and Justice has committed St. John’s to doing at least two dinners at the GRIP (Greater Richmond Interfaith Program) shelter. The dates for these dinners are June 6 (by the youth of St. John's. See below.)  also July 14. Don Worth and David McPhail, veterans in this work, will give leadership. We need at least five or six others who can be available to purchase and then be present by 4:30 to prepare dinners for approximately 40 to 50 people (about half children) living at the shelter. We serve at 6 and generally are finished by 6:45. Please speak to Don or David if you can help.


St. John's youth have been invited to prepare and serve dinner for residents of the GRIP homeless shelter in Richmond, Sunday evening, June 6. All youth grades 7-12 are invited to participate. We will meet after church Sunday May 30 to plan the menu. Let Fred Harvey know if you will be able to participate.

Now is the time to encourage all families to register children and youth for Camp Elmwood, our summer community outreach program. The camp program is led by teen counselors ages 13-18 who have attended our teen leadership camp August 2-6. Camp Elmwood for ages 5-13 and our teen counselors is August 9-13. Flyers and applications are available in the narthex and on line at our church web site stjohnsberkeley.org.  The program is free for all teens and camperships for all children are available as needed.

The ever-popular Flick Flak will meet on Friday, May 28, at 6:30 pm, for a potluck, in the Campbell Reception Room. The films to see are "La Mission" currently at the Shattuck, and/or "The Ghost Writer" currently at the Elmwood  and the UA Emery Bay.  If you haven't seen either film, come anyway and help pick the next film!

 Women at the Well will meet Saturday, May 29, 8:30-10:30am in the church office. Come to Women at the Well for friendship, comfort and support for your concerns, hopes or dreams!

Virginia Keilch passed away May 12 at her board & care home in Alameda. A memorial service for Virginia will be held Sunday, May 30 at 12:30pm at St. John's. Her children, John, Patrick and Kathleen, hope you will join them following the memorial service for a fellowship reception and lunch.

Our wedding belle Carrie (Caroline) LeFeber and Elliott Schneider would like to announce their wedding here at St. John's on July 10, at 3:30pm.  They would be honored and delighted if all of their dear friends in this congregation would join them as they begin their married life together!  The ceremony will be followed by a patio reception with punch and hors d'oeuvres.

 Outdoor BBQ on July 25th!  We need volunteers to coordinate the BBQ, buy meat and stuff to grill, buns for hamburgers/ hotdogs/ veggieburgers, paper products, ketchup, mustard, relish etc. Also someone to do the BBQing!  The rest will be a salad & dessert potluck.  It's never to early to plan ahead!  Email  Lois Andiloro  with your enthusiastic desire to do stuff!

For a look at the consequences of bottled water, take a look at this website: http://storyofstuff.org/bottledwater/


(For your reading pleasure, inspired by Max's opening comments)

God's World by Edna St. Vincent Millay

O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!
            Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
            Thy mists that roll and rise!
Thy woods this autumn day, that ache and sag
And all but cry with colour! That gaunt crag
To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!
World, World, I cannot get thee close enough!
 
Long have I known a glory in it all,
            But never knew I this;
            Here such a passion is
As stretcheth me apart, -- Lord, I do fear
Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year;
My soul is all but out of me, -- let fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call.