Recharging Devices During Superstorm Sandy 
Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Weekly Happenings at SHPCJanuary 23, 2013

  

Feeling Connected?

      

     Mobile phones and the internet may seem like the answer to isolation and loneliness, but how does electronic connection affect our spiritual needs for authenticity and for deep commitment to a greater whole?  We'll explore these questions and more this Sunday, January 26 at 9:30 a.m. in our service, and afterwards from 10:45 until noon with social media expert Janel Stewart.  Bring your mobile devices, questions, and ideas!  Our scripture passages are Acts 4:32-37 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 21-26.

  

In This Issue
Bible Study
Why Pay Attention?
Friday Deadline for Directory Updates
Social Media Conversation
Children's Choir and Sunday School
Worldwide Justice and Mexico Mission
REST at the Wellness Center
Presbyterian Action Alert
Marin CROP Hunger Walk
Prayers
High School Student from China Seeks Housing
Climate Change Speaker
Meditating on the Miracles
Quick Links

Bev piano
A Note From
Pastor Bev

      

The church is God's body in the world, and every part of the body is valued and needed.  When we're all working together for the greater good, amazing things happen!  

 

This week three wonderful upcoming opportunities have bubbled up and are ready for your energetic participation: we will be welcoming back the Children of Uganda Tour of Light Dance Troupe to our church for a dance performance and dinner on Friday, March 7; we are kicking off our Mexico Mission homebuilding trip 2014 (don't miss the preview in church February 2); and we're forming a Green Team, exploring possibilities of a community/educational/ food sharing garden and rainwater conservation.  If you're not on a team yet, and you'd like to be a part of the wonderful work of the church, please let me know. Together we make a real positive difference in the world!

 

     It is my joy to serve as your pastor,

 

                                          - Bev

 

January - February Calendar

 

Thursday, January 23rd 
   7:30 p.m.      Choir practice at the church - new singers welcome
  
Friday, January 24th 
 12:00 p.m.      Bible Study with Pastor Bev 
                       Deadline for submitting changes for the Members                               and Friends' Directory to the Church Office     

Sunday, January 26th
   9:30 a.m.       Feeling Connected? with Pastor Bev
 10:30 a.m.       Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!

 10:45 a.m.       Social Media Conversation with Janel Stewart 

 

Thursday, January 30th 
   7:30  p.m.      Choir practice at the church - new singers welcome

Friday, January 31st
  12:00 p.m.      Bible Study with Pastor Bev

Friday, January 31st to February 2nd
                        Women's Retreat at Westminster Woods

Saturday, February 1st
   10:00 a.m.      Quarterly Meeting of the Presbytery of the
    - 3:00 p.m.    Redwoods at St. Luke's in San Rafael

Sunday, February 2nd
   9:30 a.m.       Worldwide Justice with Patty Sanders and Mark
                        Sarkisian and the Mexico Mission Team
                        SHPC Children's Choir Sings at Worship 
 10:30 a.m.       Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!

 

Thursday,  February 6th 
   7:30  p.m.      Choir practice at the church - new singers welcome

Friday, February 7th
  12:00 p.m.      Bible Study with Pastor Bev

Sunday, February 9th
   9:30 a.m.         Celebrating Community with Pastor Bev
 10:30 a.m.        Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
 10:45 a.m.        Annual Meeting of the Congregation to Elect
                         Officers and Review the Pastor's Terms of Call 

Wednesday, February 12th
  6:30 p.m.        Session Meets with New Officers; Officer Training

Thursday, February 13th 

   7:30  p.m.      Choir practice at the church - new singers welcome

Sunday, February 16th
   9:30 a.m.        Called to Lead, with Pastor Bev
                        Ordination and Installation of New Officers  
 10:30 a.m.        Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!

 
 
Bible Study 

 

Bible Study meets every Friday in January at noon in Pastor Bev's office.  All are welcome, and you are invited to bring your lunch. If you are new to studying the Bible, join us!  This week we explore the issues of isolation and connection. Our scripture passages are Acts 4:32-37 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 21-26.

 

 

Why Pay Attention to What Is In the Bible?

   

Whenever I don't spend time in the Bible I find myself drifting.

 

The good news is ... the minute I get back to reading the Bible I quickly sense God's presence and have a better grip on priorities and discretion.

 

In this blog we have been reflecting on the need to carve out a regular quiet time with God.

Adding Bible reading to that personal time with the Lord is so helpful because the Bible is where we ...

 

-  find God's wisdom

-  learn how to discern between confusion and clarity

-  gain the strength to avoid temptation

-  see how to make changes 

-  find out what priorities really matter

-  discover how to become the person we are meant to be

-  reacquaint ourselves with the fact that God loves us ... just as we are

-  and rediscover that we are still a work in progress (thank goodness).

 

I have missed being in our Friday Bible Study with Pastor Bev... but I'll be there this Friday for sure.

 

Join us... as we together look into the Bible and help each other discover its amazing nuggets of wisdom and instruction.

It's always fun and uplifting --   be sure to come if you've been curious and haven't yet attended. Pastor Bev is terrific.

 

Paul Lambert

Bible Study - this Friday at noon - downstairs in Pastor Bev's office.

 

 
Friday Deadline for Directory Updates
 

We have good news:  we are in the process of creating a 2014 "Directory of Members and Friends." This hard copy directory is for both members and friends of SHPC. You do not need to be a member of the church to be in the directory; all friends of the church are welcome to be included. 

 

On January 24th we will take all updated information and get it to the printer. If you have had changes to your contact information since January 1st, 2013, when the last directory was printed, please email the church office by January 24th at shpchurch@comcast.net. If you were not in the directory last year, but would like to be this year, please email the church with your contact information, including name, children's names, address, email and phone numbers.  

 

The hard copy booklet will be available for pick up at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday February 9th.  A PDF of the Directory will be available by email from the office upon request. 

  

If you have any questions, please contact Birgit in the office at 415-453-8221.

 

 
A Social Media Conversation with Janel Stewart All Ages and Devices are Welcome
January 26th, 10:45 a.m. 
   

Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Facetime, Google+...

 

In this age of social media, where do I jump in or jump out? On Sunday January 26th, Janel Stewart will lead a discussion on the topic of social media and community. If you are an active user, a casual browser, or if you have never even heard of a "Tweet", unless it came from a songbird,  this conversation is for you. All ages, stages and levels of interest and engagement are welcome and will be encouraged to share thoughts and ask questions. This is real time face time! You may bring your smartphone or tablet, so we can refer to them during the discussion.  

 

The topic of Social Media is pretty broad. In an effort to shape our discussion time to best meet our group's interest, Janel will be collecting questions on social media leading up this discussion. If you have a question or interest point on social media please email janelstewart@gmail.com.  

 

 
Children's Choir and Sunday School 

 

Last Sunday the Children's Choir performed the song, "We Shall Overcome" in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the Children's Time, they learned about the message of fairness to which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. devoted his life and in Sunday School they made a banner depicting what they learned. Some of the messages on the banner are "We Must Keep Moving," "Marching with Dr. King,"  "Following in the Footsteps of Jesus," and "We Will Overcome." 

 

This coming Sunday, January 26th, the children will explore their connections with each other, God, and all life. They will also rehearse "Down in my Heart" with Hallie in preparation for singing at worship on February 2nd. We look forward to seeing your children again. It is truly a lot of fun to sing with and teach them. 

 

Hallie Foster and Lora East

 

 
World Wide Justice and Mexico Mission 
February 2nd, 9:30 a.m.

  

Don't miss Sunday February 2nd when we travel to Nicaragua along with Patty Sanders and to Mexico with Mark Sarkisian and the 2014 Mexico Mission Team! We will hear about exciting opportunities for involvement in world wide justice initiatives. 

 

 
REST at the Wellness Center 

  

This past Tuesday evening we welcomed a group of women at the Wellness Center who are without a home to call their own. Our guests were so thankful for our support. They commented on the fabulous enchilada soup, made by Cat Caldwell, as well as the delicious salad, bread, fruit and home made cookies. One woman was so thankful there were whole tangerines that she could slip into her pocket. I learned tonight there are several ladies who have part or full time jobs. Two ladies had to come into the shelter late tonight, due to job conflicts. This is hopefully a sign that some of their lives are beginning to turn around. And we, once again, got the comment that they feel the love when there are so many of us volunteers visiting and listening to them. Many thanks to everyone who supported the women, including Cat Caldwell, Liz Girvin, Robin Holway, Megan Jones, Millie Millar, Linda Peltzman, and Wil and Betty Swalberg. I am thankful to have such dedicated people giving their time and resources to make this program for the unhoused work.

 

Kit Argilla 

 

 
Presbyterian Action Alert: Urging "No" on Fast Track for TPP
 

The Presbyterian Church USA Office of the Public Witness seeks your help in supporting the interests of social justice. Please contact your Representative today and ask him or her to Vote 'No' to Stop Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

 

Voting "No" on Fast Track will stop the TPP from offshoring more jobs, raising medicine prices, and allowing corporations to sue us in international tribunals for enforcing standards for wages, job safety, and protection of our land, water and air that we've fought for in America for a century. Congress must assert its constitutional authority over trade agreements to stop the TPP from becoming a reality.  

 

This issue is pressing because Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) just introduced legislation in the House to revive the Fast Track trade authority. If the Fast Track bill passes, the TPP could be signed before Congress votes. Then the agreement could be pushed through Congress with no amendments and limited debate.

 

The best hope is that trade functions as a means of grace to create dignified work that support people's lives, puts food on the table and undergirds the creation of a just society. The moral test is whether our increasingly globalizing economies support the human enterprise and the larger creation, according to the PCUSA Resolution on Just Globalization, released in 2006. If trade further impoverishes segments of the world's population, its purpose is distorted and such injustice calls for reshaping global structures that cause economic oppression and creates wealth for only a few at the expense of the many. Such a world is a parody of the biblical vision for just community.

 

For background information on the Trans-Pacific Partnership click here. For more information on Fast Track click hereTo send a vote "No" message, click here.

 

Back to the top 

 
Save the Date: 18th Annual Marin CROP Hunger Walk 
Sunday March 23rd, 1:30 p.m.

 

The 18th annual Marin CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2014.  The walk, with its theme of "Ending Hunger One Step at a Time", is co-sponsored by Church World Service and the Marin Interfaith Council. The 5K walk start at 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael, 1510 Fifth Street, in San Rafael. 
 
The goal of the CROP Hunger Walk is to increase awareness about hunger issues and to raise funds for local and international anti-hunger programs. This is a family friendly event which invites both adults and youth to march together in support of a social justice program. Packets for participants, with forms to obtain sponsors, will be available at the church in February. We would love to have a group from SHPC march together like last year. 
 
For more information about the event, please contact Matt Ehlen, Mission/Social Justice Elder at m.ehlen@comcast.net.
 
 
Please Remember In Your Prayers
Praying Hands

Kate Pace, cousin of Stephanie and Julia McNamara, for healing; 

Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for healing, and Nancy, for strength in companioning her; 

The Paige Family, dear friends of Diane Latta, and for Diane, for comfort in mourning the loss of Aunt Glo and for comfort for Uncle Mo in his illness;

Jeri Rayford's sister-in-law Lee Livingston, recovering from stroke, and for her loved ones; 

Jerry Lambert, mother of Paul, for healing;

Linda Peltzman, for healing from surgery;  

Beth Gilmartin and her family, for comfort on the loss of beloved father and grandfather, Chuck Hughes;

Patty Kuehn and her family, for comfort on the loss of beloved father and grandfather, Dick Conner; 

Gregg Elberg, recovering from surgery;

Clyde Ongaro, recovering from surgery;

All those who feel isolated and are disconnected from their families or their community. 

 

Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.

   

Back to the top

 
High School Student from China Seeks Housing in the Community starting in February 
 
A 17 year old girl from China, who is currently a junior at San Domenico, is facing a predicament. She has been living with her mother, but unfortunately her mother has been unable to secure a reentry visa in the U.S. until January of 2015. The San Domenico School does not have dorm space for her. Brice Butler, the Pastor to Young Adults and Families at Tiburon Baptist Church where the family attends services, is seeking to help find housing for the student from February through early June and from late August through December of 2014, either for the entire time, or any part of it. Her family would be able to pay for rent and food and she has access to the San Domenico school bus for transportation. A room with a family anywhere in Marin would be welcome, but the closer to San Domenico, the better. She speaks excellent English and is both kind and polite. If you are able to help with housing or have ideas of how to help this family, please contact Pastor Butler at Brice@tiburonbaptist.org or 235-1231. 
 
 
Facing the Facts: Climate Change and the Actions that Matter 
January 31st, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. 
 

First Presbyterian Church in San Anselmo is sponsoring a "Green Chautaqua" speaker series on climate change.  At the first event of the year, come hear Dr. Melanie Fitzpatrick speak about the latest research on climate change and what actions we can take now that will make the biggest difference. 

 

Dr. Fitzpatrick is a climate scientist with the Climate and Energy Change Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (U.C.S.). Her work encompasses basic climate research, the local and global consequences of climate change, and communicating scientific findings to policy makers, the media and citizens. Dr. Fitzpatrick has been cited by the New York Times, USA Today, the Associated Press, and Reuters. To learn more about the Union of Concerned Scientists, click here. To learn more about Dr. Fitzpatrick and follow her blog, click here. First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo is located at 72 Kensington Road in San Anselmo. A suggested donation of $10 is payable at the door but all are welcome regardless of donation. 

 

 
Companions on the Inner Way Retreat
March 9th to 14th 
Serra Retreat Center, Malibu, CA 
 

Meditating on the Miracles is the theme of the next retreat by Companions on the Inner Way. If the miracle stories in the Gospels were few in number and limited in spectrum, they could be dismissed as pre-rational accounts of explicable phenomena.  But there are 32 of them, and some take up whole chapters.  What if their purpose were to offer profound insights into the nature of God and humanity?  What if they provided a mirror for the soul?   What if we moved from marveling at to engaging with? Consider joining this event, which will be led by John Bell, an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland and a member of the Iona Community in Scotland. For more information and to register click here, call 510.484.3078 or email companions@seventhavenuechurch.org. Hope to see you there! 

 

Ann Pope

 



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415-453-8221