St. John’s CALL
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
2727 College Ave • Berkeley CA 94705 510.845.6830
October 27, 2010
We are
experiencing a rich Fall at St. John’s —
with all sorts of high quality, creative experiences available
I think, perhaps, we have the best balance of mystery/spirituality with intellect and action that we have had in a long time. Worship has been rich with creativity and mystery. Abby, our new and (very pregnant) “Outreach Minister” is leading a group (Exegesis and Expresso) that meets over at the International House and is discussing the book of Job. She also lent us her artistic creativity to All Saints/ All Souls, or Dia de los Muertos celebration in worship. (By the way, bring pictures and momentos of loved ones lost for this Sunday, the 31st, to place on the memorial wall, and light a candle.) Also, Gail Peterson’s “Poetry and Spirituality” group draws us deep into the Spirit's movement in our lives. And we are in the middle of a study taught by Bob Coote, recently retired professor of Old Testament over at San Francisco Theological Seminary. I have hyped this class quite a bit, and I think that those who have attended the last two weeks understand why. Again, I highly recommend making the extra time in your Sunday to stay until 12:30, to experience this very rare opportunity to learn about the influence of Hebrew scripture on the Gospel of Mark.
Big thanks to Don Worth for organizing the dinner for GRIP, Greater Richmond Interfaith Project family shelter. And thanks to David McPhail and Don Rising who did the GRIP walkathon and all of you who helped them raise $1,000. St. John’s will be hosting the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant annual dinner at 5:00pm on Sunday, Nov 14.
Tuesday, November 9, St. John’s will host San Francisco Presbytery. This is the business meeting for some 80 SF and East Bay churches. Over 200 people will be at St. John’s between 2:00 and 10:00pm. Of course, for this we will need all the help you can give. First, we will have a work day, Saturday, November 6 from 9:30-1:00. Then we need volunteers to help with registration, to support the catered dinner, and clean up.
And we are beginning to think more intently about stewardship, and where we feel led by God to go in 2011. Session has spent an hour at each meeting this year for the process of "visioning." At our last meeting we committed to finding room in the budget for a Youth/children’s education minister. I am excited to see the Session’s
commitment to this programming, to those things that feed and develop maturity in Christians. Good stuff, folks, keep it up, and may God bless you all and us as a congregation.
Pastor Max
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Haunted House and Halloween party this Saturday
St. John's Youth dare everyone to attend their Haunted House and Family Pre-Halloween this Saturday, October 30, 6:30 to 8:15pm. Invite everyone! Our Haunted House, featuring adjustable scariness, is suitable for all ages. Our family party in the Fireside Room for those who survive the Haunted House will feature Halloween games, stories, songs and refreshments for adults and children. Wear costumes!
Calling adults to assist at St. John's haunted house, October 30!
St. John's Youth need adult helpers to assist with registration and greeting of children and parents who will be attending our Haunted House and Family Pre-Halloween Party Saturday, Oct 30. Please come by 6:00pm and plan to stay until 8:30pm. Help give our visitors a warm St. John's welcome.
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November is Stewardship month!
Come to church and hear what stewardship is all about at St. John’s. We will have Stewardship "Minute for Mission" three Sundays in November starting the 7th. Watch your mailbox for the annual stewardship letter and pledge card for making a financial pledge to St. John’s for the upcoming calendar year.
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Jazz in Worship!
On November 7, Russ Jolly, Todd's dad, will play jazz clarinet in worship, joined by piano player Jon Herbst, bass player Jeff Neighbor (who played in "Mazz"), and Todd on drums. Come to worship for a toe-tapping time! And look ahead! St. John's choir will sing Haydn's St. Nicholas Mass with chamber orchestra (Bill Bennett, Bill Harvey, and friends) during worship on Dec 5.
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Youth Ministry car wash Sunday, November 7
Members of St. John's Youth Ministry for grades 7-12 are serious about raising money to help the church and support group activities. We are planning a car wash (weather permitting) after church Sunday, Nov 7. The car wash will be free with donations accepted. Hot dogs and sodas will be sold. Proceeds will go half to our activity fund and half to St. John's stewardship drive. For information, contact our new officers: President Anna Saldinger, Vice President Nicholas Boulet, and Treasurer Coriama Delgado.
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Women at the Well, offering fellowship, support and encouragement, will meet this Saturday, October 30 at 8:30am in the church office.
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Men's Breakfast meets the first Saturday of the month, 8:00-9:30am for fellowship, sharing, and learning. The next one will be Saturday Nov 6, 8:00-9:30am in Campbell Reception room. Bob McKenzie will kick off a discussion on "strategies for growing old." All St. John's men are invited. Breakfast will be provided by David McPhail. Letting Fred Goff (fgoff@comcast.net) know if you will attend would be appreciated.
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The East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (EBSC)'s Annual Dinner
Sunday, Nov 14, 5:15pm at St. John's. Come to celebrate EBSC's Community Development, Education and Leadership Program, its outreach programs in Haiti and Guatemala, and the Refugee Rights Program, which has just won its 1260th political asylum case. All are welcome. Donations will be requested at the door.
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Flick Flak, our irrepressible, eternal movie group, will meet Friday, December 3 for a potluck at 6:30pm. The films to see are "The Social Network" playing at the UA Berkeley and the Cerrito and/or "Hereafter" at the Shattuck, the Grand Lake or the Cerrito. Note the change of date from our usual fourth Friday.
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Women’s Bible Study, Thursday, November 11, noon to 2:00pm. Lesson 2: “Seven Letters to Seven Churches.” Read Revelation 2-3. Through the letters to the seven churches, John encourages his readers to remain faithful to Christ, and Christ alone. Bring your lunch and your Bible and join Claudia Cate as leader.
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An immediate need — Do you have, or know of, a car available for $2000 or less? As soon as possible, please help meet the need of a family we have recently welcomed to St. John’s. Call or phone Lalnunzira Bungsut at blalnunzira@gmail.com or 510.981.1456. Or call Gail Peterson at 510.527.3863.
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“Poetry and Spirituality,” a new program at St. John's. . .
meets the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month,10:00am in the church office. This is an opportunity to find and share the words in our lives, past and present, which stir our souls. They may be "poems" from many sources, which speak to our faith from many perspectives. Join us, not for teaching and preaching but for the pleasure of sharing our "finds" —and collecting our discoveries. November 5 is the next get-together. For starters, bring a “poem” you recall, or passages in the Bible/hymnal which you feel have poetic qualities.
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Join clergy, choirs and congregants from member congregations of BOCA (Berkeley Organizing Communities for Action) and the wider community for Berkeley’s 12th Annual Multi-faith Thanksgiving Gathering & Service
on Tuesday, Nov 23 at 7:00pm. Choirs from a variety of traditions and religious communities will share their music, along with readings from sacred scriptures and American history. Hosted by Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street (at Rose) in Berkeley. Following the service, all are invited for refreshments and fellowship. Contact BOCA at Berkeley.boca.org or 665-5821.
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Contribute to a greater need than ever. . .
for food (nonperishable, self-opening, ready-to-eat)— and also for clothing (especially men's underwear, pants, etc.). Please bring to church on Sunday mornings — and anytime during the week during office hours. Remember, the current economy has made life worse for many people already in difficult straights. You can help.
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Prime Timers for November
2 To be announced
9 NO PRIME TIMERS TODAY!
Pot luck lunch at Helen’s house—20 Anson Way, Kensington.
RSVP for directions.
16 To be announced
23 11:00 Shirley Pan will show her slides of Northern Spain
12:00 Lunch will be served. November birthdays celebrated.
30 To be announced