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Dr. King Marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama - 1965 |
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Weekly Happenings at SHPC
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January 15, 2015
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Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In the Wake of Ferguson
This Sunday, January 18, 2015, at 9:30 a.m., we remember the life, leadership, and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the wake of last year's events in Ferguson, Missouri. Fifty years ago, Dr. King courageously led the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to advocate for the Voting Rights Act. Marchers suffered police brutality and risked death for their right to vote. In 2013, the U. S. Supreme Court struck down the heart of the Voting Rights Act, with the Chief Justice writing that our country had changed. In her dissent, Justice Ginsberg noted that throwing away the protection of the VRA was like throwing away your umbrella in a rain storm because you weren't getting wet! She was right. Eight states, released from the restriction of the VRA, swiftly took steps to enact laws apparently intended to limit or discourage voting by people of color.
In 2014, police response to people of color took center stage, with the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson and the death of Eric Garner in Staten Island. From the professional sports arena to the streets of major cities across the country, we have seen thousands of protesters with "I Can't Breathe" and "Hands Up - Don't Shoot" shirts.
Do we live and worship so far from the fray that we can comfortably look on from the bleachers? What is God calling us to do, individually and as a church, when confronted with racial injustice? We'll explore these questions and more this Sunday during church and afterwards at Let's Talk, so bring your thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Our scripture passages are Habbakuk 1:2-4, 2:2-4, Micah 6:6-8, and Galatians 3:26-28. Our youth choir will bring us original music composed for this Sunday by Hallie Foster, and the SHPC Singers have something special for us, too.
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A Note from
Pastor Bev
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-- James Baldwin
This Sunday we are honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who gave his life for his dream of racial justice, by exploring the events of the last year in Ferguson and beyond. Bring your thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and if you find or write a poem which says it all for you, bring that to share during Let's Talk. Let's explore what God is calling us to do individually and as a church about racial injustice in the USA!
In peace,
Bev
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January/February Calendar
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Friday, January 16
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study | |
Sunday, January 18
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
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Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King- In the Wake of Ferguson
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome! Let's Talk | |
Friday, January 23
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study | |
Sunday, January 25
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
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PCUSA Criminal Justice Sunday
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
MOLOTH hosts Botswana Night!
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Friday, January 30
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study | |
Fri., Jan. 30 - Sun., Feb. 1
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Westminster Woods Women's Retreat | |
Sunday, February 1
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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Pastoral intern Lora East preaching
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
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Friday, February 6
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study
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Sunday, February 8
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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What Keeps the Unity in Community?
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome! | |
Friday, February 13
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study | |
Sunday, February 15
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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"Fat Sunday" pre-Lent Extravaganza
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome! | |
Wednesday, February 18
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Ash Wednesday | |
Friday, February 20
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study | |
Sunday, February 22
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome! | |
Friday, February 27
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study |
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 Bible Study - Friday, Jan. 16 at NOON- Habbakuk 1:2-4, 2:2-4, Micah 6:6-8, Galatians 3:26-28
Whatever your experience with the Bible might be, you are welcome to come and learn and make meaningful friendships.
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 Fast Forward
Wouldn't it be great if we could fast forward and see what is down the road and around the corner in our lives?
A fast forward glimpse could be exciting, because we'd see in many cases how "God's favor" is spread over certain projects, events and people.
Have you ever wondered who God embraces with this divine favor? Isaiah 66:2 states "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." Also in Psalm 41:11 we read "By this I know thou favorest me, because my enemy doth not triumph over me."
God's favor is a reflection of divine approval, acceptance, and carries with it benefits and powerful safeguards. Noah and Moses received God's favor and protection. The angel Gabriel told Mary she had "found favor with God" (Luke 1:30). Both Samuel and Jesus as they grew in "wisdom and stature" were surrounded by God's favor.
I believe you and I (and our projects and dreams) can be surrounded by God's favor, too. Even though we can't fast forward and see where we'll be a year from now, we can prepare ourselves and do things now that definitely assures us we are preparing and doing what is necessary to receive and experience God's favor.
I think there are three things we might consider when thinking about God's favor:
1) Aligning our lives and behavior with Biblical principles and the example of Jesus. This means studying scripture, thinking about it, and making changes in our lives. I am actively doing this and believe it is having an effect on attracting God's favor in my life and on my projects.
2) Increasing our faith. To me, faith is believing that God has my best interest at heart, is anxious to be involved in the tough things in my life, and understanding that God really loves me. This increased connection to faith needs to keep growing and evolving as we mature as Christians.
3) Giving of our time and energies to people in need and good causes. Faith and kind-hearted works matter to God and I believe attract God's favor.
So, my suggestion today is to be active and take the initiative in affecting our futures. Do not be afraid of the fast forward because being ready for "God's favor" and ultimately having "God's favor" will enable us to go places where nothing else can and experience things beyond what our imaginations can dream.
I miss you all.
From New York, your friend,
Paul
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
The family of Clyde Ongaro, who died December 30; may Clyde's spirit be blessed and may Merle and the family be surrounded by God's comfort;
Ahmed Abu-Aly, for healing;
Patty Sanders, for healing for her hip;
Jean Brockett, mother of Jody, for full recovery, and for Jody and her father;
Carolyn O'Hara, mother of Laurie, for healing, and for strength and support during her recovery;
Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for complete healing, and for Nancy for strength in companioning her;
Jerry Lambert, mother of Paul, for healing, and for blessed assurance of God's constant presence;
For all those oppressed by racism and racial injustice all over the world;
For victims of violence everywhere, may they know healing and peace;
For the unhoused community as the winter storms come;
For our church community, for unity in the Spirit and energy for mission in the new year.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
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MOLOTH (Middle School Youth Group) - JANUARY SCHEDULE
- Sunday, January 18 at 9:30 a.m. - Join in the remembrance of Dr. King and meet with youth leader Charles Wei after the service for discussion.
- Sunday, January 25 at 4 p.m. - BOTSWANA NIGHT with the Baigrie Family. All are invited to travel to Botswana for an evening! Bring friends!
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BOTSWANA NIGHT with the Baigrie Family
Sunday, January 25th
4:00-6:00 p.m.
We are delighted to invite you to an inspiring evening with the Baigrie Family,who will be presenting photos and stories from their 4 week adventure through Botswana:
"In the summer of 2013 we spent 4 weeks off the grid, living out of a Landrover (sleeping in tents on the roof) and exploring one of Africa's last un-spoiled wildernesses. We observed animals in their true habitats, their ancient genetic lines having matched them perfectly to their environments generations before. Many of these animals may not exist in 20 years time (Lions especially) in their native environments and we wanted to show them to the boys before they are gone. We cooked over a fire at night, carried our own water, followed GPS coordinates instead of roads and hoped that the kids would want to do it again once it was over (they did!). We were forced to give the boys (7 and 8 at the time) responsibility for their own safety in a very real way and every day saw them evolving in to seasoned adventurers, with hearts and eyes wide open to all that came our way.
It was a transformative experience for us all to seek out such a big adventure as a family and come back not only in one piece but emboldened by it."
Hope to see you there! The Baigrie Family
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Let's Talk! January 18
at 10:45 a.m.
All welcome!
What are we called to do about racial injustice in the USA? Bring your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and a poem if you wish to share.
Richard Peltzman
Matt Ehlen
Cathy Sarkisian
Fred Morfit
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 Martin Luther King Day Celebration:
Black Lives Matter
Unity In Marin
January 18, 2015
7:00 - 9:00pm
The NAACP has made a cry out for churches to take a stand and not be silent in proclaiming that "Black Lives Matter." Please join us in not being silent. Join Rev. Ulis J. Redic, the Lighthouse Gospel Singers, Bobbie Ellison, UIM choir members and our very own rapper Billy Knight for a musically inspiring night Sunday Jan. 18 from 7 to 9 pm.
We begin this heartfelt evening in a deeper conversation with a dynamic panel moderated by Debbie Sweeney and Larry Hinkle, with Oscar Grant's Uncle Bobby, key leaders from the NAACP, Marin community activists, Crack the Code of Racism documentary film maker, our own young people Colin Henry and an Oakland Mom who is raising a young black boy in the middle of all the demonstrating. Panel topic is on the #2 principle of King's 6 nonviolent principles - to win friendship and understanding. For the purpose, King says, "of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community." After the dynamic panel discussion, there will be a candlelight vigil to honor the unarmed fallen and then an uplifting night of musical inspiration and Gospel Jam.
Suggested donation $15 online pre-sale /$20 at the door.
Location Unity In Marin 600 Palm Dr. Novato, 94949 www.unityinmarin.org
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Marin City March, Celebration, and Volunteer Project
101 Donahue Street, Marin City
9 am-3:30 pm
Join hundreds of marchers en route from St. Andrew Presbyterian Church to the Manzanita Recreation Center. Lead chants, sing songs, and keep Dr. King's dream alive! Afterward, participate in a volunteer project in the Mattie and Clarence Boatman Community Garden and Orchard.
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MLK Day Celebration
Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito
9 am-5 pm
Even if your little ones are too young to lend a hand at a volunteering event, they can come to the Bay Area Discovery Museum to learn about Dr. King's life and work. Join in a special project in the Art Studio, and enjoy an uplifting performance by E. W. Wainwright and the African Roots of Jazz (separate ticket purchase required). Storytime will focus on the values Dr. King advocated. Free with museum admission.
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 Westminster Woods Women's Winter Retreat, Friday, Jan. 30-Sunday, Feb. 1st
Come nurture your body - mind- and spirit with a weekend away in the woods for inspiration, outdoor time, contemplation, relaxation, and fun. All women are welcome! If you have questions, talk to Lori Lopin or Sue Burr. To sign up, click here.
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 THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO TAKE MEALS TO WIL AND BETTY!
Now's your chance to share your cooking and your love! Thank you and bless you for taking a hot meal and your love to Wil and Betty on Wednesday nights.
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 Food Barrel Ministry Update
Thank you to all who donated food items to the Food Barrel. Wil Swalberg took 85 pounds of food items to the SF-Marin Food Bank at the end of December! Thank you Wil and Betty for all of your good work!
This is a year-round ministry of our church community to the hungry, and we are so grateful to Wil and Betty Swalberg for all the heavy lifting!
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It Takes a Village --
Thank you so much to all the volunteers who have made our church so warm and welcoming in 2014 with coffee hour hospitality!
Fellowship time is organized by your Deacons, but we rely on everyone pitching in to help. While each Parish is assigned a month for Fellowship, that time may not be convenient for your schedule. So now you can sign up online! Just click here and pick a Sunday that's most convenient for you.
January 2015 - Parishes: Cat Caldwell and Nancy Elberg/Frankie Eakes
February 2015 - Parishes: Laura Taylor and Patti Eisinger
March 2015 - Parishes: Nancy Elberg/Frankie Eakes and Patti Eisinger
Sign up now before the good slots are all taken!
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Greeters Needed for Sunday Mornings: Jan. 18, 25 and Feb. 15
Help with our ministry of hospitality by signing up to be a greeter! All you have to do is get to church by 9:15, light the candles, and hand out bulletins with a smile. Thank you to all who have signed up so far!
Jody Brockett Schmetz,
Worship Elder
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church,
100 Tarry Road, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Allie Duro, Editor/Office Administrator
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E-mail us at shpchurch@comcast.net or call us at 415-453-8221
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