 | The Church is Christ's Body: Our REST Team
Gets Ready to Welcome our Homeless Brothers for Dinner |
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Weekly Happenings at SHPC
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February 5, 2015
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Keeping the Unity in Community
The Church is Christ's Body in the World
How do you manage conflict? Do you tackle conflict directly, by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)? Are you a believer in venting and then apologizing later (or not)? Or are you, like so many of us, a conflict avoider who sometimes finds yourself feeling resentful and stepped on? Christianity is meant to be practiced and lived out in community, and that means managing conflict in ways that build up the church, the body of Christ in the world. This Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 9:30 a.m., we'll examine how we deal with this sensitive and crucial area of human relations, and where God might be calling us to grow. Our scriptures are John 13:34-35 and Ephesians 4:1-3, 14-16.
Let's Talk, after the service, presents mediator Jack Hamilton, author of Conflict - the Unexpected Gift, Making the Most of Disputes in Life and Work. All are invited to join the discussion!
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A Note from
Pastor Bev
We are all part of this lively and growing church community, and that means we are all part of the body of Christ. It's a sacred calling, to be part of Christ's body in the world.
It's a calling that asks us to figure out what our own special contribution to the body might be, and to joyfully contribute our time, our resources, our knowledge, and our energy to building up the church and serving the world. God is also calling us to remember to love our neighbor, and to work out disagreements (of which there will always be plenty!) by speaking the truth in love, and practicing forgiveness. We need to put aside the power plays which our culture values, and learn new ways to keep the church healthy and strong. This is our calling! Thanks be to God!
In the peace of Christ,
Bev
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Thursday, February 5
7:00 p.m.
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Choir Practice - New Singers Welcome! | |
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.
10:45 a.m.
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What Keeps the Unity in Community?
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome! Let's Talk with Jack Hamilton - Conflict, the Unexpected Gift! | |
Thursday, February 12
7:00 p.m.
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Choir Practice - New Singers 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" Musical Extravaganza
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome! | |
Wednesday, February 18
7:00 p.m.
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Ash Wednesday
Service of Contemplation and Music | |
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
ANNUAL MEETING of the Congregation
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome! | |
Thursday, February 26
7:00 p.m.
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Choir Practice - New Singers Welcome! | |
Friday, February 27
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study |
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 Bible Study - Friday, Feb. 6 @ Noon - John 13:34-35 and Ephesians 4:1-3, 14-16
Whatever your experience with the Bible might be, you are welcome to come and learn and make meaningful friendships.
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 That Was the OLD Me, This Is the NEW Me
I am on Amtrak making my way from New York to Chicago. The slushy snow, windy ice storms and unpredictability of the weather made it a smart move to jump on the train and head west. Just imagine a bumpity bump and back and forth sway as I ride to the rhythm of the rails and write to you.
This past week was an important one, because in New York we solidified the final script for the musical. As I witness the story of The First Wives Club from afar, I am struck by the awful pain and the broken dream that a divorce represents. This dilemma is what is at the crux of the plot of The First Wives Club: three women have caught their husbands drifting from their marital commitment and are trying to figure out what to do and how to move on in light of it.
The First Wives Club is one of the biggest clubs in the world that no one wants to join. Yet, through the divorce experience, sometimes a fresh start occurs; sometimes an individual who has been suffocating in a relationship is freed. At the end of our musical, the three wives who have come through this difficult journey sing "That Was the Old Me...This Is the New Me." It is a transcending moment as they rise above what they have been through to discover a "new" me.
Life isn't fair sometimes. Often we get thrown into a whirlwind of circumstances that truly weren't our doing. At times like this the Bible has some thoughts: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9), "When the righteous cry out for help the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:17); and, "If any person is in Christ, they are a new creature: old things are passed away; and behold all things are become NEW." (2 Cor 5:17).
Developing a close relationship with God and depending on the Lord in times of need is the key to a "new you." Together, God and you can navigate the tough circumstances in your life, the rocky relationships, the unfair hardships that make day to day living so tough.
I get to hear this wonderful song "The Old Me, The New Me" every night. The actresses singing it have realized that through their journey they have come full circle to discover the "me" they always wanted to be and were meant to be. I wish this for every one of us, that of claiming the "New Me." The person God meant you to be. So together, let's focus on unshackling ourselves from the old me, and striding towards the "NEW Me."
As always ...your friend ... Paul
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
Cat Caldwell and her family as they mourn the loss of Cat's mother;
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 with relationship problems, may the light of God shine on their paths and show them the way forward, and may they feel God's loving presence:
For victims of violence everywhere, may they know healing and peace;
For the unhoused community;
For those with food insecurity;
For our elected leaders;
For the people of the Nigeria;
For the PCUSA, for unity in the Spirit, following God's lead on 14-F, and energy for mission;
For our church community, for unity in the Spirit and energy for mission.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
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MOLOTH (Middle School Youth Group) - FEBRUARY SCHEDULE
Sundays with Charles Wei:
- Sunday, Feb. 15 @ 9:30 a.m.
Musical Extravaganza! We are excited about the Return of the Boomwhackers!
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Photos from Botswana
In case you missed Botswana Night with the Baigrie Family on January 25th, here are a few wonderful photos from their spiritual adventure in Botswana.
 
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REST Serves Warm Meals!
 
On Monday, February 2nd, 9 wonderful volunteers prepared and hosted a delicious warm meal for 20 unhoused guests through the REST (Rotating Emergency Shelter Team) Program.
The men that night were touched by the warm welcome and a home-cooked meal served up by loving hands and eaten at tables alight with candles and caring conversation.
In the first photo above are a few classmates in Lucas Russell's 6th grade class, who took part of their school day to prepare an organic green salad for the men. Pictured in the next photo are some of Monday evening's REST volunteers -- back row is Max Devlin, Andrew Eldredge, Scott Hamilton; front row is Susie Boldt, Dominic, and Lucas Russell. Not pictured are Shannon Mong (behind the camera), Judy Ford (who made incredible homemade toffee & pumpkin bread) and Birgit de Frondeville (who cooked pots of a hearty beef chili that our guests raved about).
These REST dinners let our unhoused guests know they aren't alone and unseen. If you would like to volunteer to help host men or women in the REST program, one slot has opened up -- please sign up online at: http://bit.ly/RESTprogram
If you'd like to learn more about our church's volunteer efforts with REST, please contact Shannon Mong:
shannon@In-SightAssociates.com
With thanks,
REST
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"Fat Sunday" Musical Extravaganza!
Sunday, February 15th
9:30 a.m.
For the past few years, we've been celebrating the Sunday before Lent with a musical extravaganza we call FAT SUNDAY (like Mardi Gras, but without the alcohol and nudity).
Come enjoy a New Orleans sound and feel the Spirit lift the roof!
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Let's Talk!
February 8 at 10:45 a.m.
Let's Talk! with Jack Hamilton -
Conflict, the Unexpected Gift!
Join the Let's Talk! discussion with Jack Hamilton as he shares his wisdom about conflict and how to make the most of disputes in life and work.
Richard Peltzman
Ethan Russell
Cathy Sarkisian
Fred Morfit
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 Status of the Vote on Marriage Equality Amendment 14-F
The Covenant Network of the PCUSA reports:
As of February 3rd, 30 presbyteries have voted YES and 13 have voted NO on marriage equality constitutional amendment 14-F, which changes the definition of marriage in the PCUSA constitution from "a man and a woman" to "two persons."
The constitutional amendment was passed at General Assembly last summer, but needs to be ratified by 86 of the 171 presbyteries to be enacted.
On Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, our own Presbytery of the Redwoods voted YES for the marriage equality amendment by 69 for, 10 against, 1 abstention.
Everyone can do something to help. Please consult our simple organizing outline here.
And please be in prayer. Others will be praying for you!
The Covenant Network has a growing set of online resources to help spur your own thinking; included are biblical reflections demonstrating that those favoring a more inclusive understanding of marriage do so because of, not in spite of, the teaching of Scripture. In addition, here are
It is important that every supporter shows up!
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Building a Movement to End Mass Incarceration
From January 14-16, representatives from
20 community-based organizations in 13 states convened to discuss the findings from the community-driven research project on the effects of mass incarceration on formerly incarcerated people and their families.
During the convening, co-hosted by the Ella Baker Center, Forward Together, and Research Action Design, discussions revolved around the biggest struggles people face as they re-enter society, and everyone brainstormed possible policy solutions.
With partners, The Ella Baker Center is building a movement to end mass incarceration by moving funding away from prisons and towards the kinds of resources that will help people succeed, like jobs, education, and healthcare.
More resources:
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Support Our Youth in Spring Musicals!
Several of the SHPC youth will be performing in the upcoming Spring Musicals through the YES! organization. Help support our students/youth and the arts!
 
If you wish to find out which students are in which production, please contact Janel Stewart: janelstewart@gmail.com
Click here for more information about purchasing tickets to the upcoming Spring Musicals.
For more information about YES! 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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It Takes a Village --
Thank you so much to all the volunteers who are making our church so warm and welcoming 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.
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: Feb. 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 (The Season of Lent)
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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