For a unique Lenten experience:

Participate in St. John’s “Walking Worship
Lenten Meditation”:

1. On Saturday morning, March 26, naturalist Karma Dewitt will lead us on a creek walk to investigate our local watershed.  Join her at 10:00am in the church garage. This is a moderately strenuous walk, with facilities available only at the start and finish. Bring lunch and wear shoes for mud.  Rain cancels.

2.  Also, St John’s suggests you take a contemplative walk, by yourself or with a loved one, along your neighborhood creek as part of your Lenten preparation. This is a chance to get to know your local watershed, to think and pray about our water sources, to give thanks to God, and to become more acquainted with this place we call home.

            If you need help finding your closest creek, or want more information about it, check out this very informative website: http://museumca.org/creeks/   Click on “Graphic Creek and Watershed Finder” in order to zero in on your creek.

            Bring back a photo, reflection, memento from your walk to add to the water altar we will build during the Lenten season.

You may want to reflect on the following passage from Psalm 104:
 

10             God makes springs pour water into the ravines;

            it flows between mountains.

11            They give water to all the beasts of the field;

            the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12            The birds of the air nest by the waters;

            they sing among the branches.

 

The beautiful banners introduced in the Sanctuary last Sunday, to celebrate a Lenten season of water-related reflections from Max and prompt consideration of this most precious resource, are the artwork of Abby King Kaiser, a pastor currently lending her talents to St. John’s in several ways, including a spirituality- based discussion group with young people on the UC Campus. 

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COME WALK the WALK !

The 2nd Annual Berkeley CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) WALK is an event held to raise awareness of hunger and poverty around the world. A mere stroll of 3.1 miles around town, Sunday afternoon, April 3, this is a good chance to participate in a national effort to help end hunger, locally and worldwide.

            To join the walk, or to walk and find sponsors to support you, or simply to donate directly, please see Gail Peterson after church in the narthex.  She’ll be glad to sign you up in any way you care to be part of this program, organized by Church World Service and local agencies.  Twenty-five percent of the funds raised go locally to help the work of the Food Pantry, the Dorothy Day House, and YEAH (Youth Emergency Advocacy Housing). The remaining 75% goes to CWS or the relief agency of your choice.

            For more information and/or contribute, please See the website: (www.crophungerwalks.org/berkeley) and spread the word to prospective walkers, sponsors, donors.  You could even send/hand me a check payable to CWS/CROP) next Sunday! 

            To “walk the walk,” join us at 1:00pm, Sunday, April 3, at the YEAH Shelter/Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1744 University Avenue. 

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In keeping with this year's theme of "Reprise,"

the English literature seminar . . .will discuss "The Best Years," a long short story by Willa Cather, at our next meeting. Last year we read her novel, "My Antonia.” We will meet at 2:30 on April 7 in the Campbell Reception Room.

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MARDI GRAS “Thank-you’s”!

A few months ago I had an idea and everyone I talked to liked it, but suddenly I realized it was not enough to like it—it would not become a reality unless enough key folks bought into the idea. And they did. And so the Mardi Gras at St. John’s became a reality. And now I would like to thank some of those folks—to my fellow CE commissioners Fred Harvey and Kathy, and especially to Kathy for running with an idea to create a banner on the subject of water and to her and David for getting all those pictures with help from Max and to Gail for coming up with the words and for Nelly for making them plenty big. Yet we know that the most thanks has to go to Todd and his impromptu Dixieland Jazz Band.  Someone said, “the music made the day”   AMEN. Yet there were others, especially Tami and to her food crew and for beads, Pinata – what a treat for the bouncing kids to swing for! And did I mention Max, at the beginning, and at every stage of the way—including my panicking, and for moving the furniture and putting up the banner.  Yes, Max, as always, Max! (and he still had to drive to LA!)

                                                                                    —David McPhail

 

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How do you feel about illegal immigration?

Come for a reading from the book “Neighbor: Christian Encounters with ‘Illegal’ Immigration” by Rev. Ben Daniel, Wednesday, March 16, 6:30pm

Ben is a progressive Presbyterian minister who moonlights as a provider of left-leaning, spiritually-grounded social and political commentary. His writing has appeared in a wide variety of print, broadcast and online media. He writes a column for the Huffington Post, and is a regular participant in the Perspective Program on KQED FM San Francisco, the nation’s largest NPR affiliate.

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Flick Flak, St. John’s eternal movie group, invites you to join them in the Campbell Reception Room at 6:30 pm Friday, March 25 for a potluck.  Access will be from Forest Avenue or from the College Avenue door to the Narthex.  The picture to see is "Cedar Rapids" still at the California and the Piedmont Theater.

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Women at the Well will meet Saturday, March 26, at 8:30 am in the church office.

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Fred Goff has been invited to deliver the "Faith and the Common Good" lecture at San Francisco Theological Seminary on April 7. The lecture will focus on Fred's work with the Data Center, how his faith has impacted his work. This lectureship is endowed by a gift from John and Virginia Hadsell and has been running for about a decade. The lecture is at 7:00pm preceded by a reception at 5:30 and dinner at 6:00. The total cost is $30. The public is invited (especially members of St. John's). This is a time for honoring Fred and enjoying an evening of fellowship. For details talk with Bob McKenzie, Pastor Max or Fred.
St. John's Has a New Handyman

Bernard (Bernie) LaCrosse will be starting work Tuesday, March 15, as St. John's new handyman/custodian with a focus on repairs needed in the church.  Bernie worked for extended periods in Michigan as a building maintenance mechanic, plumber, and pipefitter until his recent retirement.  He and his wife moved to Walnut Creek  to be near family in Berkeley.  We welcome him—please make an effort to introduce yourselves to him.

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Modest price increases in your fair-trade Chocolate Sunday purchases

Global warming has resulted in smaller crops, which increases competition for organic fair trade products as more people learn their value. “it’s only fair,” says Marilyn Chilcote, St. John’s Fair Trade chocolate/coffee coordinator, to pay a small increase in the price of products we receive via the Interfaith Program, to enable their continued investment in the movement to empower and sustain small farmers.  For more about this effort, ask Marilyn.

 

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