St John's Call

July 21, 2010

 

From the Pastor

Hi, Church, it is good to be back in town after a whirlwind tour of El Salvador, Guatemala and the ICU unit of Chandler, AZ.  I want to thank Bob and Marilyn McKenzie.  They have been an incredible support to me and the congregation. 

            Seven of us went down to Central America.  We studied Spanish and surfed in El Salvador.  We then made our way up through a tropical storm and swollen rivers and went to Feliciana’s house to celebrate and mourn the year anniversary of her father’s death.  We had a mass and fed the whole village tamales.  Then we headed up to the highlands to visit our friends the Tums and their village Xuicauic.  The clinic is fully stocked with medicine and receiving about 25 visitors a day.  We had a great party and more tamales.

            Then returning home we were diverted to Phoenix where my father had had a massive heart attack.  I stayed for a few days, came home to help officiate Carrie and Elliot’s wedding and returned for the removal of the ventilator.  My father came out strong, and while confused and weak, still has his amazingly positive attitude…most of the time.

                                                                        Yours in Christ,

                                                                        Pastor Max

Also— Folks, we have heard pieces of Todd’s "Mazz" in worship.  We are wondering if there are some of you who would like to contribute to the financial cost to have it performed in its entirety.  I think it would be a blast.  Read more about it below, and perhaps you could let Todd know if you would like to give this project a kick in the right direction.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all God's furry little creatures!"  And fuzzy little creatures, and feathery, and slimy, and scaly, too.  The text of "Mazz:  A Celebration of Twentieth-Century Prophets," Todd Jolly's jazz mass which he completed nearly a decade ago, is not exactly traditional, although the ancient structure of the mass remains.  There is the piece based on a bit of Howard Thurman's writings, and a psalm setting, and an Amen that comes at the end, Presby-terian style, instead of before the serving of the communion elements, as would be done in a traditional Latin mass.  The congregation has already heard a few movements sung by the choir, with solos by Jennifer Paulino and a saxophone part played on oboe by Bill Bennett.  Yet there is a whole lot more, never heard, except in Todd's head.

             Each December, the choir sings a major work in worship, related to Advent or Christmas, accompanied by a chamber orchestra.  How would you like to expand on that idea, and hear "Mazz" as part of the worship service, say, on World Communion Sunday?  The bass player and drummer walk out and start improvising, the pianist joins in, and the choir takes its place as a clarinetist and trombonist join in.  Imagine taking part in a call-and-response anthem in the style of Cab Calloway.  Envision receiving communion while the choir sings a jazz ballad.  This is what the Worship, Music, and the Arts committee hopes will happen in October.

             Why haven't we done this already?  Simply put, it costs money to put together major musical works.  Extra musicians need to be hired and extra rehearsal time is required.  To present Mazz would cost $3,000 beyond our usual budget.  An extra professional singer will cost $200, and we will need five more.  Five jazz instrumentalists will cost $1,500.  Our usual staff will be working overtime.

             Is this something you would like to experience?  Would you go to Yoshi's or a concert hall and pay $40 or $60 or $100 to listen to an evening of jazz?  If sixty people were to give $50, for example, we would have the funds needed to bring "Mazz" to St. John's.  Is this an investment you feel called to make?

Bring a hat! This Sunday is the outdoor service with a barbeque afterward.  Please bring a salad or dessert or drink whatever you wish.  Fred Harvey will be barbeque master.  Don't miss it!

Get to the movies!  Flick Flak will meet on Friday, August 6, at 6:30 pm,  for a potluck, in the Campbell Reception Room.  The films to see are "I Am Love" currently at the Albany, and/or "Winter's Bone" currently at the Shattuck. (The date honors vacation schedules.)  Come help pick the next film, even if you haven't seen either film.

Barbara Taylor would like to correct her announcement in church that she and John will have celebrated their 50th anniversary, July 19.  No, it's their 58th anniversary, which offspring Kathy and Bob may be relieved to know.

Presbyterians Today.  Be sure to pick up the “Special Edition: An Introduction to all things Presbyterian” in the narthex, or on the table outside the office.  Included are many excellent articles, which would be particularly useful to members new to the Presbyterian Church and/or church officers.  Don’t miss, in particular: "Decently and in Order,"  "What Presbyterians Don’t Believe," and "Being Presbyterian" which shows a time line from Martin Luther to the present. 

Women’s Bible Study, Thursday, August 12, noon to 2pm.  We will study articles about religion from news magazines, and from the Special Issue of Presbyterian Today.  Our lessons on Revelations will begin in September.  Bring your profound theological questions, or whatever is in your soul.  Also, your lunch and your Bible. Marietta Harvey.

             Everyone in the congregation is invited to attend Camp Elmwood's closing barbeque and program Friday, August 13.  Food service will begin at 5:30pm. The program will begin at 7:00. Please join us to meet our campers and their parents.

             Space is still available for campers at Camp Elmwood, August 9-13. Pick up flyers and applications. Invite friends and neighbors.

Still three chances to sing in summer choir! July 25, August 8, August 29. We will meet in the sanctuary at 9am to learn an easy anthem, and then we will sing it in worship that morning.  Come and join us!

Water Into Wine meets at the home of Stuart and Glenda Pawsey! Saturday, Sept. 18, 5-8pm. You needn't RSVP but that would be nice: 

Calling all interested persons:  There will be a meeting concerning the Kitchen Remodel on Wednesday, July 28 from 9:30-10:30 in the kitchen.  Please bring all your ideas, needs, desires, and concerns to the meeting.  If you have input but cannot attend, please email to Linda jBostjanick:  prior to the meeting. Hope to see you!

The Prime Timers welcome church members and friends to join us on Tuesday mornings for coffee, tea, snacks (provided by La Farine) and friendly conversation.  You may participate in our gentle exercise class led by Helen Dole, or try making hand-built ceramics with the help of Diana Bohn. At 12:45 Dorothy Witt’s writing group meets. Please join us for any or all of these activities. If you have an idea for other activities, let Helen Betts know—we’ll try to get them going.

Football Parking!  Volunteer now!   Cal opens its season on September 4 against UC Davis and I'm again asking for volunteers to assist with football parking in St. John's lot.  This is a BIG moneymaker for the church, raising over $5000 a season, but we can't do it without YOUR help.  Yes, YOU!  Usually, you only need to work 2 1/2 hours and it's both fun and very easy.  First shift begins two hours before the game; next shift is at game time, approximately, and last shift begins about half way through the game.  Please call  or email  and let me know you're available on one of the following dates.  (As I'll be away from Sept. 16 till mid October, I need to get this set up before I leave.)                    —Claudia Cate

9/4             UC Davis            Time TBA 

9/11           Colorado            12:30 PM

10/9           UCLA                 Time TBA 

11/13         Oregon              Time TBA

11/26         Stanford             12:30 PM 

11/27         Washington        Time TBA 

St. John's Presbyterian Church

2727 College Avenue

Berkeley, California 94705