Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Weekly Happenings at SHPC    
January 21, 2016
Justice Sunday
Expanding Our Circle of Concern
     
     How many times have you driven by San Quentin State Prison? Have you visited a prisoner there?  Why does the New Testament teach us to visit prisoners, and to remember prisoners as though we were in prison with them?  This Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 9:30 a.m., we'll answer the Bible question first.  Then we'll hear from a friend of the church, a championship point guard who visits San Quentin to go up against the inmates' basketball team.  We'll learn how those basketball games, and also how teaching computer skills to those imprisoned for life, expands our circle of concern to include the invisible and forgotten.  Our scripture texts are Matthew 25:31-46 and Hebrews 13:3.
In This Issue
Quick Links
Bev piano
A Note From 
Pastor Bev
 
Thank you to all who have expressed concern and love and who have prayed for my broken leg!  I got the cast off Tuesday, and am in a removable cast boot, which is a great improvement. I'm still on crutches for 3 more weeks, but I feel much more safe on the stairs without that cast!  And thank you to all you angels who surrounded me on the stairs to get up and down safely in vestments last Sunday! This has been such a wonderful opportunity to soak in the goodness and kindness of people here at church and out in the world.  This much goodness does indeed "restoreth my soul" and "improveth" my world view!  I don't recommend breaking a leg, but please do pause and take time regularly to soak in the goodness of your fellow travelers.  It's a good remedy for the negative messages that are getting too much volume on our air waves. 

We are blessed to welcome the inspiring Rev. Dr. Jane Spahr as our guest preacher on Sun. Jan. 31!  Janie has brought the love and justice of Jesus to the PC(USA) through her lifetime of work for equality for people in the LGBT community. Her life and ministry prove that beliefs and attitudes can change, our circle of concern can expand, and together we can create a more just world.  Alleluia!
                           With joy,
                                 Bev


January/February Calendar
Friday, January 22
               NOON

Bible Study
Sunday, January 24
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
JUSTICE SUNDAY
Expanding Our Circles of Concern
Coffee and Fellowship - All Welcome!
Let's Talk about Race & Justice
Wednesday, January 27
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. 

New Baby and Parent Group with Marsha Podd, R.N., C.L.E
SHPC Singers - New Singers Welcome!
Friday, January 29  
Noon

Bible Study
Sunday, January 31
 9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
4-6 p.m.
YOUTH GROUP MEETS 9:30-11:15
Guest Preacher Rev. Dr. Jane Spahr
Coffee and Fellowship - All Welcome!
Youth Cook for REST
Monday, February 1
10:30 a.m.
Men's REST
Wednesday, February 3
7:30 p.m.
 
SHPC Singers - New Singers Welcome!
Friday, February 5
Noon

Bible Study
Sunday, February 7
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
FAT SUNDAY MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA
New Orleans Sound with Gregg Elberg
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

 

STEWARDSHIP/PLEDGE UPDATE:
Thank you to all who have pledged!  We are almost at GOAL!

This year's participation is our best in 5 years!  We have received 50 pledges (GOAL!) with 7 new pledges (GREAT!) and we're at $131,970 towards our goal for 2016 of $135,000. If you haven't pledged yet, your pledge in any amount would be most welcome to take us to the mountaintop!

If you have any questions about church finance, please contact Finance Elder Peg Maclise at [email protected].

 

Bible Study - Friday, January 22nd- Noon with Pastor Bev
Matthew 25:31-46 and 
Hebrews 13:3

Whatever your experience with the Bible might be, you are welcome to come and learn and make meaningful friendships. 

 
YOUTH GROUP 
SUNDAY Jan. 31
during and 
after the service
AND YOUTH COOKING FOR REST
4-6 p.m.

Youth ages 11 and up are WELCOME!

Katie Brendler, Youth Director 
Questions?  
 
Please Remember in Your Prayers
Praying Hands

For all those in prison;
For all those who are grieving;
Ron Saunders, father of Sue Burr, for healing; and for Ron, Sue, and the family, for God's comforting and sustaining presence, made real through the love and support of those around them;
Sharon Adams, speedy recovery from surgery;
Betsy Fox, and all the loved ones of Betsy's nephew Evan, especially Evan's mother, father, and brother, for God's comfort in their bereavement;
Jody Schmetz and her family, for healing and for God's peace and comfort;
Betty and Wil Swalberg, for God's presence and community support in Betty's transition to Harmony House, and for pain relief for Wil's back;
Kelsey Lopin, for healing and full recovery from complications of Lyme disease, and for her family as they care for her;
Carolyn O'Hara, mother of Laurie, for continued 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 blessed assurance of God's constant presence;
For President Obama, and for all who work for solutions to gun violence;
For our church community, keep us strong in our commitment to the church, and make us hope-bringers to the world.

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

Make Sure You're Included and Your Info is Correct in the New 2016 Church Members and Friends Directory 

A new church directory will be given out at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, Feb. 7th.

If your address, phone, or email address have changed this year, please send your new info to the church office by clicking here.

Thank you -- Sophie De Quattro in the church office

 
New Baby and Parent Group
with Marsha Podd, R.N., C.L.E.


     STARTS WED. JAN. 27
    11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
        SHPC SANCTUARY
                     FREE!

          SPREAD THE WORD!  
ALL NEW BABIES A YEAR OLD OR UNDER and THEIR MOMS/DADS ARE WELCOME TO THIS SUPPORTIVE, EDUCATIONAL, ENCOURAGING GROUP -- PLEASE INVITE ALL NEW PARENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

e-mail
Marsha Podd, R.N., C.L.E.         
Infant and Toddler Consultant
Lactation Specialist

www.GoToSleepBaby.com
 

MUSIC - MUSIC - MUSIC!
SUNDAY, FEB. 7, 9:30 a.m.
FAT SUNDAY MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA
AND ANNUAL MEETING OF 
THE CONGREGATION following
the service

Our traditional "Fat Sunday" service takes place the Sunday before Lent.  We are delighted to welcome back Gregg Elberg; our musicians will take us to New Orleans with their sweet sound! 

Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 10th and we will have a 6:30 p.m. service. The First Sunday of Lent is also Valentine's Day, Feb. 14th.  

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation for review of the 2016 Budget, approval of the Pastor's Terms of Call (compensation package), and election of officers will be held on February 7th following the service.

 
Community Engagement Opportunities  
from the Marin Organizing Committee
  
The Marin Organizing Committee (a community-based organization committed to social justice through education, shelter for homeless, and low-income housing) is once again taking up the challenge of trying to engage our community and leadership to provide more shelter options. The Organizing Committee has scheduled several civic gatherings to educate the community and build support for: 
  • a concrete plan for a 24/7 homeless shelter
  • a path for affordable housing
  • safer neighborhoods.
Please consider attending the upcoming gathering (and bring a friend or two):

 
 
SIGN UP NOW FOR REST (ROTATING EMERGENCY SHELTER)
DIGNITY, SOLIDARITY, HOSPITALITY, FOOD & SHELTER FOR OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS 
 
Volunteers include (Left to Right):
Carolyn Goodman and Patti Vance
  • Volunteers are needed to cook and serve dinners on January 31 for Youth REST, Feb 1 and Feb 9 for Men's REST.  To sign-up online, please go to: http://bit.ly/RESTprogram 
  • 7th-12th grade students can sign up online to prepare food (cookies on 1/31) at:  http://bit.ly/REST-StudentCooks
With thanks,
 
Shannon Mong
REST Volunteer Coordinator

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT REST:  
Please contact Shannon Mong ([email protected])

 

The Membership Nurture Team 
would love your clean Mason canning jars to re-load with their special bean soup fixins' which they give to visitors! Please leave them in the marked box in the upstairs office. 
--Linda Peltzman, Membership Nurture Elder
 

SHPC Book Club Library

Do you have a book you have read that you would like others to read? Or would you like to pick up a book recommended by someone you know? Join the SHPC Book Club Library; lend a book, borrow a book. You can add a book to the library just by adding a "checkout card" so others will see who else has read this book. You can borrow a book just by stopping by and picking one out. We hope you'll want to discuss the book with others.  There is no checkout procedure. It's that simple. The Book Club Library is located in "Pastor Bev's MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM."

--Dennis Latta, Family Ministries Elder
A GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP 
PLEASE SIGN UP TO TAKE A WEDNESDAY DINNER TO WIL -
Or bring HIM home and cook together!

Pictured at right, Wil baking cookies in 
Nance's kitchen


Wil is spending most afternoons with Betty at Harmony House, so please call him to arrange a time.  And bless you!

WE ALL LOVE FELLOWSHIP -
PLEASE SIGN UP TO HELP OUT

 

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: Robin Abu-Aly Parish

FEBRUARY: Nancy/Frankie Parish

MARCH: Patti Eisinger Parish

 

Sign up now and keep the hospitality going!

 

Greeters Needed!

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
 
That Was Us Then, This Is Us Now ... 

I'm excited this week because I'm going to celebrate my birthday in LA with a terrific friend and actress, Nancy Stafford. Several years ago Nancy and I met when she starred in a national car commercial I was producing. She was a gem to work with, had a sensational disposition, and was like a breath of fresh air whenever she arrived on
the set.
 
You may have seen Nancy as a guest star on "Who's the Boss", "Remington Steele", "Frasier", "Magnum P I" , "Judging Amy", or as a regular on "St Elsewhere" and eventually as Michelle Thomas on "Matlock" - a role she played for several years. Nancy started her rise to stardom winning the Miss Florida title, and then competed in the Miss America Pageant on her way to a busy career in TV and films. 
 
During our shoot Nancy shared with me she was the wife of Larry Meyers, a Pastor. No wonder we clicked!
 
It has been several years since I've spoken with Nancy, and last week, when I started to ponder who I might spend some free time with in LA, God brought Nancy into my thinking. It's really amazing, since I haven't been in touch with her in over ten years. I prayed and as clear as day, Nancy came to mind.
 
I went on the internet to see what she's been doing and how to connect with her. The internet is an amazing resource isn't it? ... in this case, it revealed some real surprises. I learned Nancy had battled skin cancer, something I didn't know - and the cancer was on her face. Can you imagine?  I continued reading; Nancy openly shared that as an actress and model for so many years, battling skin cancer was devastating.
 
She had to re-adjust a lot of her priorities and thinking. But through this unexpected surprise, God gave her the opportunity to learn amazing lessons. She shared that we all experience scars in one form or another - some are in broken dreams, others may experience a raucous divorce, an illness, or a financial collapse - just to name a few . But she feels there's actually beauty in scars because they become stronger and tougher than the original skin. She also shared on-line that God whispered to her during her crisis that it was time to get rid of some of the things that were burdening her. The Lord needed her to be more agile and available. 
 
The Bible states ... "I (God) will instruct and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." (Psalm 32:8). I'm sure Nancy would agree!
 
I see she has now written a new book, "Beauty By the Book": Seeing Yourself as God Sees You". I can't wait to reconnect with her, hear about her journey, and see what's next. I sure hope we get to work together again; that would be a blast. I'm sure as we celebrate at Cafe Med we'll have a big laugh, take a selfie, and say ... "That Was Us Then, But This Is Us Now!" I'll keep you posted. 
 
From LA, excited and anxious, your friend ... Paul
*********************************************************
Paul Lambert is a member of SHPC who travels extensively for his career as a producer of Broadway-bound musicals.  He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute who studies the Bible daily and attends our Bible Study whenever he's in town. He posts this blog each week no matter where he is, to the delight and comfort of many.  SHPC thanks you, Paul.
 
American Injustice: 
Prison Reform in the Criminal Justice System

Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 6:30 pm, 
Sanctuary of congregation Rodef Sholom

Bryan Stevenson is one of Pastor Bev's heroes, and one of our country's most visionary legal thinkers and social justice advocates. He is the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization providing legal representation to indigent defendants and prisoners denied fair and just treatment in the legal system, and founding leader of the movement against mass incarceration in the U.S. He is the author of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, a memoir that speaks to our shared humanity in the most desperate circumstances, and is a powerful indictment of our broken justice system and the twisted values that allow it to continue. 

This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Pastor Bev has reserved some spots. If you are interested, please contact her at [email protected]

For more information on Bryan Stevenson and his terrific organization, Equal Justice Initiative, please visit eji.org.
 
Report from your Clerk of Session 
January 2016 Meeting



Personnel - Sharon Adams - We have added a new administrator/communications associate:  Sophia De Quattro.  Welcome, Sophia!  Sophia is in the church office on Weds. and Fridays from 9-3 p.m.

Finance - Peg Maclise - We are within $3,000 of our goal for Stewardship, which permitted the Session to approve the 2016 budget.  The budget will be reviewed at the Annual Meeting 2/7.

Building and Grounds - Fred Morfit - The top 3 priorities on the returned surveys were update the kitchen, new double doors at the foot of the stairs, and beautify the lawn area next to the parking lot.  Fred will start on the doors.

Mission - Patti Vance - REST is in full swing, and the Justice Garden Team will be meeting soon to plan the season's planting.

Worship - Jody Schmetz - Advent and Christmas were very successful; Lent plans are underway.

Commissioners to Presbytery Feb. 5 in Santa Rosa elected:  Sharon Adams and Dennis Latta, with Linda Peltzman, alternate.

Thanks and appreciation were expressed to outgoing elders Sharon Adams and Peg Maclise and to Deacon Moderator Carolyn Goodman, and to Deacon Patti Eisinger in absentia. Their shoes will be hard to fill, but the congregation will be electing their replacements on Feb. 7 at the Annual Meeting.  Here is the Nominating Committee's slate of new officer nominations:
Doug Eisinger, Finance Elder
Janel Stewart, Family Ministries
(Dennis Latta will replace Sharon as Clerk, Personnel, Nominating for his final year on Session.)
Kit Argilla, Deacon Moderator
Nance Rosencranz, Deacon.
Nominating Committee:  Dennis Latta, Sue Burr, and Koren Grubb

--Sharon Adams, Outgoing Clerk of Session
 
Tween/Teen Girl Yoga with Lizzy and
 Living Gracefully Yoga with our own Karen Baigrie start up in February 
contact the church office to keep posted

A Crucial Moment for Criminal Justice Reform: Add your Voice!
 
Federal criminal justice reform is possible in 2016, but we need your help in making it happen!  In October the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation to reduce harsh mandatory minimum sentences for low-level drug offences and to protect people in federal prison from sentencing laws that are unfair and racially disparate. The next step is to bring it up for a vote on the Senate floor.
 
Both President and Obama and leaders in Congress have stated that federal sentencing reform is a top priority. It is time to remind them of their commitment!
 
Your senators need to hear from you. Call and ask them to urge Senate leaders Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Harry Reid (D-NV) to make passing the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S.2123) a priority. Call 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senator's office.
 
Here is a sample script that you can use to call 
both of your state Senators!
 
"Hello, my name is ________, and as a Presbyterian I believe that our criminal justice system should be both just and merciful. I urge Senator _______ to support the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S.2123), and to also urge Senator McConnell and Senator Reid to make passing this act a priority!"

"Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age
Second Screening Added
January 25th Premiere Sold Out

February 3rd at 7 p.m. at Drake High School followed by a discussion with producer and local parent, Lisa Tabb.

Check out the movie trailer:


*69 Tickets as of January 20, 2015
Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (PST)

San Francisco Theological Seminary- Montgomery Chapel - 5 Richmond Road. (Corner of Bolinas Ave and Richmond Road). San Anselmo, CA 94960

Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
100 Tarry Road
San Anselmo, CA  94960
Sophia De Quattro, Editor
E-mail us at [email protected] or call us at 415-453-8221