I. We'd LOVE to have you share your views as to how we should spend our time at the forthcoming I-SRV Leadership retreat. Here's a link to a survey that can easily be answered in 5 minutes, or less!

  Retreat topic and format survey

II. Here are your January 8, 2009 I-SRV meeting minutes:

Location: Wesley Center; Room 202; San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church; Alamo, CA.
In Attendance:  Dan O’Connor (Chairperson); Heather Hammer (San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church); Steve Strane (St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church); Kathy Trapani (St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church); Suzette Mariel (Baha’i Community).
Announcements:

• The San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church has agreed to host the 2009 Ecumenical Good Friday Eve Celebration on April 10, 2009 at 7 p.m.  All are invited.  Those participating are asked to arrive not later than 6:45 p.m.  Interested communities should contact Heather Hammer directly for participation assignments.  An interfaith choir is being assembled with Bruce Koliha directing.  All prospective choristers are encouraged to join in.  It is unlikely that there will be intervening practices, except for arriving approximately one hour early, prior to the service.
  
  
• The retreat scheduled at San Damiano Retreat Center, located at 710 Highland Dr; Danville, CA now has ten (10) individuals signed up with many more professing an intention to attend.  If you are interested in coming, but have not signed up, as yet, then it would be a good idea for you to do so in that San Damiano’s has pressed us for a defined range of participants in the near future and intends to curtail changes to those numbers, so they can plan to accommodate us. The cost is $47.50 per participant, which includes lunch and full use of the grounds, as well as a meeting room and the chapel.

          It was decided at the last meeting that only I-SRV representatives or their invitees are eligible, unless they signed up pursuant to an offer made prior to the last meeting.

           The time is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009 and will take the place of our regular March meeting.  It will consist of three or four sessions with each being optional, although everyone is encouraged to attend the convocation at 10 a.m. and first session, which will last until lunch time.

• An interfaith picnic is planned for all congregants of all faiths who wish to attend. The tentative date is July 10, 2009 at a local park.  School ends on or about June 11, 2009.  I-SRV representatives had conflicts on June 20 and June 27, although June 13th was not given serious consideration in that there was confusion over the precise school calendar and will be reconsidered later.  July 3rd is a Saturday as well, but July 4th weekend was thought to be a bad time to hold this event in terms of conflicts.       

           All in attendance agreed that steps should be taken so that attendees and their immediate families would naturally be led to sit with and interact with those of other faiths.  The only topic that is intended to be off limits for discussion: religion.
Retreat agenda:              
                   Most of the balance of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of the agenda for the forthcoming retreat.

• Concern was expressed that the preponderance of sign-ups for the retreat include individuals who opposed Proposition 8.   “In order to have a meaningful discussion,  it’s necessary that we have all points of view represented.”

                   It was decided that each of those in attendance, or who read these minutes, are encouraged to approach their contacts with an eye toward finding those who are willing and able to effectively present a pro-Proposition 8 viewpoint.  Caution was also added that it must be clear that the basis for the request is primarily to hear well reasoned pro-proposition 8 arguments and not attack the purveyor(s) in any way.  Such assurances must be well conceived and honored.

                   Also, it must be made clear that the ultimate purpose of this discussion is for understanding, future harmony, and healing, NOT advocacy.  It was also noted that some societal adaptations within the San Ramon Valley as a whole may be required, depending on the California Supreme Court’s pending ruling on the constitutionality of the Proposition itself and the fallout to be anticipated from an unpopular decision in one sector or the other.

• There were those at the meeting who are concerned that the day could become too ambiguous in terms of purpose and continuity to sustain interest and focus for this length of time.  “Additional topics should be presented for consideration.”

                   Here are some topics that were mentioned, as possibilities:

                   How do you teach lessons to your congregations about materialism?  This was noted to be a chronic problem in our area.  “You teach a gospel of spirituality, yet many of your parishioners show up in fancy cars and clothes, driven from luxurious homes, professing a commitment to moderation of consumption, while living lives of opulence.”

                   How do you deal with dissent in your faith based community? “We’ve lost members, who say, ‘We’re too liberal,’ only to lose other members in close proximity who say, ‘We’re too conservative.’

                   “Then, there are those who out and out challenge our core belief structures.  What do you say to them?” [Ideally without alienating them, or like-minded individuals in the process.]

                   The subject of comparative religions came up again as a topic of general interest.  Several of those in attendance shared that they had no idea what the M.A. Center’s doctrinal beliefs were, for example.  The idea of learning more about: What is doctrine vs. “leanings?”  How are your core values established and interpreted?  What are matters over which individual congregants are encouraged to have their own opinions and follow their own consciences?   ETC.

• Looked at from another angle, everyone agreed that it would be a good idea to have as wide of a variety of presentation formats as possible, e.g., forums, lectures, Q & A’s, perhaps even breakout groups to work on particular topics and report back to the group.
  
• The Chairperson asked whether or not the group wanted him to try to locate an attorney, who was conversant on church vs. state matters with regard to political activism, taxation and/or basic human rights [requiring legislative action to qualify for the ballot] vis-à-vis the California Constitution. If yes, I will likely try to find a Bay Area law professor, who is willing to share his or her views on the subject.

                   The group felt this was a “good idea,” in generally, only “Is this the subject we’d most like to hear more about?”  No one knew for sure.

                   So, here’s your chance to express your views on how you’d like to spend the day.  Please take a moment. There are very few questions and you may skip the ones you don’t wish to answer:   Retreat topic and format survey

• Note:  The Chair has decided to try to provide a monthly newsletter during the remainder of his term (through May.) 

                   I would like to feature a member community (AKA church or congregation) each month.  One I am keenly interested in hearing from is the M.A. Center, since I have recently discovered that they are THE national headquarters for their faith, as well.
                   Every I-SRV representative is hereby encouraged to present a 2 -3 page insert for the newsletter on the following topic(s):

• You are invited to tell us about your faith based community, either locally or nationally, including, if you wish, some things you’d most like us all to know about your faith.  And/or,

                   B.   You can present a spiritual thought, or lesson, as it were, that you would like others in other faith based communities to hear.

                   Both are equally acceptable, and I would like to have one from each of you!  If we get more than we need, I’ll find a way to see that they are disseminated in such a way as to get attention and readership.  2-3 pages is merely a guideline, but please do keep in mind the best chances that your piece will be read by the widest array of people.  

Spiritual Thought or Prayer
                The meeting concluded with a prayer by Suzette Marial of the Baha’i Faith Community. It was one that she had been composing for some time and everyone was touched by its sensitivity and powerful voice.
The San Ramon Valley Islamic Center will host the February 12, 2009, 11:30 a.m. meeting at 2232 Camino Ramon in San Ramon, CA. 

By copy of these minutes, I am asking someone (by requests I’ve been receiving) at the Islamic Center to describe the requirements with respect to attire for women and when/where/if we are all supposed to remove our shoes.

If there is anyone whose congregation is available to host the April, 2009 meeting, please let me know, particularly if you have not hosted one since May, 2008.  You have all been very generous so far, and I thank you very much. 

The March meeting will be held at the San Damiano in Danville and the May meeting will be held at St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Danville.

Peace be with you,

Dan O’Connor
For ISRV

dan@danoconnor.com

www.danconnor.com