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God Brings New Life to the Dry Places
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Weekly Happenings at SHPC
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August 4, 2016
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Our Summer Storytelling Series Continues with...
Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones
God Breathes Life into Dry, Dead Places
This Sunday, August 7, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., we'll get to know the prophet Ezekiel, a priest called to be God's spokesperson during hard times. Ezekiel may be most remembered for literally eating sad words (a scroll of lamentation) and for his astonishing conversation with God in the valley of dry bones. "Mortal, can these bones live?" God asks. We'll find out!
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A Note From
Pastor Bev
Summertime is sweet at church! Our gorgeous Justice Garden is thriving, the flower garden is blooming, and vacationing visitors are coming by each Sunday for stories of heroes and sheroes of the Hebrew Testament. We're gearing up to welcome the Chamber of Commerce to the church on Thursday, August 18, at 5:30 p.m., and if you would like to help host, and/or provide h'ors d'oeuvres, please click here to let us know. Also, if you have a nice picnic table and benches in sturdy condition which you'd like to donate to the church, that would be lovely.
Plans for a stimulating fall series* are well underway, but before we get there, let's enjoy August. And let's all enjoy Free to Be Me on August 21 during the service! We're setting aside a Sunday to delight in community and creativity. Be bold and share your talent!
What a joy to serve this vibrant church!
In the Spirit,
Bev
*Tentative title: "Where in the World is Jesus? Let's go there!"
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Friday, August 5
Noon
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Bible Study with Pastor Bev
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Sunday, August 7
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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Summer Storytelling Continues
Ezekiel - Life from Dry Bones
Coffee & Fellowship - All are Welcome!
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Wednesday, August 10
7:30 p.m.
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SHPC Choir - New Singers Welcome!
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Friday, August 12
Noon
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Bible Study with Pastor Bev
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Sunday, August 14
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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Summer Storytelling Continues
Micah - The Bible in One Sentence
Coffee & Fellowship - All are Welcome!
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Wednesday, August 17
6:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
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Session Meets at the Church
SHPC Choir - New Singers Welcome!
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Thursday, August 18
5:30 p.m.
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HELP WELCOME THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO THE CHURCH | |
Friday, August 19th
Noon
5:30 p.m.
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Bible Study
SHPC Farmstand @ The Clubhouse | |
Sunday, August 21st
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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FREE TO BE ME!!!
Coffee & Fellowship - All are Welcome!
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Wednesday, August 24th
7:30 p.m.
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SHPC Choir | |
Friday, August 26th
Noon
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Bible Study |
Sunday, August 28th
9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.
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Guest Preacher Rev. Bentley Stewart
Coffee & Fellowship - All are Welcome!
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Bible Study - August 5th w/ Pastor Bev - NOON
Ezekiel 37:1-14
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free to be me!
Join Us for our Aug 21st "WE'VE GOT TALENT" Service.
Our theme will be "Free To Be Me" and the
goal is for all of us to share in music, dance or a reading, something that reflects who we really are. Be creative, use your imagination and join so many who are excited and already signed up. We are a community and this will be great fun and a chance to take our masks off and connect with the real you and me.
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Blissful Birthdays
If you haven't received a Birthday Card from the church family this year, this could mean we don't have your date!! Please send month and day to Linda Peltzman in a text to 415-860-0378 or email is also ok. Donations of birthday or appropriate blank cards very much appreciated. They may be left in church office for Linda or bring them to her in person. We all want to be reminded that we are loved and that our church family celebrates the day we were born!
-- Linda Peltzman, Elder for Membership Nurture
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
Firefighters and their loved ones during fire season, and campers, for fire safety;
The family and loved ones of Deb Birrell, who passed away Monday, July 25, for God's comfort in bereavement;
Joan Marks, dear friend of the Argillas, for healing and full recovery;
Michael McCarty, our music minister, for full recovery;
Ryan Burks, son of Warren and Jackie Burks, for healing, and for strength and hope for his family;
Joan Shannon, mother of Nancy Derr, for God's comfort, companionship, strength, and healing;
Carolyn O'Hara, mother of Laurie, for God's comfort, companionship, and strength, and healing;
Kelsey Lopin, for healing and full recovery from complications of Lyme disease;
Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for complete healing, and for Nancy for continued strength in companioning her;
Betty and Wil Swalberg, for God's presence and community support and for health and vitality for Wil;
Paul Lambert's Mom, blessed assurance of God's constant presence;
The PC(USA), as it discerns and follows God's call to be a Matthew 25 church, and its new Co-Moderators, Revs. Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston, and Stated Clerk, Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson;
Dr. Doug Tilton, our PC(USA) mission co-worker in Southern Africa;
Rev. Kate Taber, our PC(USA) mission co-worker in East Jerusalem;
The world's poor, and all who suffer from disruptive climate change;
Our church community, keep us faithful to the love and justice of Jesus, 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.
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Summer Camp Was Terrific - Here's What's Next for Our Youth
There's nothing more important that making the church a second home for our young people, a place where they feel accepted exactly the way they are, without having to compete or win approval. And we have an important spiritual job to do so that our kids have the tools and support they need to make healthy choices and feel hopeful, not stressed, about their futures and the world. This is Pastor Bev's passion, and so look for Let's Talk Junior, more Game Nights, and hopefully by fall, a new Youth program in place for Sunday mornings and a floating fun night or outing each month. Contact Bev or Janel to be a part of this ministry!
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Charles, Andrew, Aiden, Van Ike, Cadence, Laura
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| | Charles, VanIke, Lucas O'C and friend, Lucas R |
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From Our Justice Garden to the Food Bank for the Hungry
Thank you to Supervisor Katie Rice for delivering 43 pounds of beautiful fresh produce from our church JUSTICE garden to the SF-Marin Food Bank this week. Go Garden and Green Teams! |
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Calling Garden, Farm Stand, and Short School Volunteers!
Find your bliss in our gorgeous Justice Garden, harvesting, or at the weekly Farm Stand starting up soon- contact
Let Patti or Bev know if you would like to join the team to volunteer at Short School |
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SHPC Commits to Bringing Back Cynthia Scharf, Climate Change Expert from the United Nations, for More!
 On Sunday, July 17, Cynthia Scharf visited our church. Cynthia Scharf has served since 2009 as the senior officer and speechwriter to the United Nations Secretary-General on climate change and sustainable energy, supporting the UN's top leader in framing the discourse on these critical global challenges. Ms. Scharf leads strategic communications, partnerships with civil society and the global scientific communities, and is responsible for writing the Secretary-General's speeches, media remarks, op-eds and thought leadership material on all aspects of climate change.  From 2011-2013, Ms. Scharf served as the head of communications for the Secretary General's Sustainable Energy for All initiative, a global public-private partnership seeking to expand energy access, efficiency and renewable energy in more than 80 countries.
Now We're Gathering Interfaith Partners, Youth, and Youth Leaders to Address Climate Change Realities, Spiritual Impact, and Solutions
We are seeking to partner with the Marin Interfaith Council, local congregations, community leaders, schools, non-profits, youth activists, and counselors to host one or more events with Cynthia Scharf in the Sept. 29- October 2 time window. Let Bev or Patti Vance know if you feel called to be part of this world-saving effort!
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Cook's Cozy Corner -
Pesto with Beans (or Zucchini!)
We're so used to seeing pesto with pasta that we don't think of all its other uses. And why not use it for veggies? If you give it a try, you'll see it works great for beans, cauliflower, carrots and others. Right now our garden is producing beautiful beans, giant zucchinis, and loads of basil...a combination made in heaven.
For the pesto:
These measurements are just starting points; pesto is one of those dishes that varies a lot according to the mood of the cook.
2 c. firmly packed basil leaves (also include parsley or other herbs if you like)
1 clove garlic
1/2 c. walnuts
1/4 c. good olive oil
1/4 t. salt
1-2 t. lemon juice
Puree these in a food processor or immersion blender, then add:
2 T. Parnesan or Romano cheese
Continue blending until creamy.
For the beans:
about 1# green(or yellow, or purple, etc.) beans
Take off the stem ends of the beans, and throw them into some salted boiling water. Bring back to the boil and cook for a couple of minutes until just tender-you will have to taste them frequently to determine this. Drain them, saving a little of the hot water, and put them immediately into a cold water bath. When they're mostly cooled, drain and toss them with the pesto, adding a T. or two of the hot water you've saved to make it a bit more creamy, as needed. Taste and adjust the salt.
This works great with shelling beans as well. Use cannellini beans, fresh, dried, or even from a can, and it makes an easy and hearty side dish.
And of course, you can use zucchini, chunked, and sauteed or stir fried.
--Michael Durphy
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PC(USA) 222nd General Assembly Resolves to Be a Matthew 25 Church - This Fall We'll Unpack That!
One of the most important takeaways from this year's GA is our national church's commitment to be a Matthew 25 church. That means to "locate ourselves with the poor, to advocate with all of our voice for the poor, and to seek opportunities to take risks for and with the poor...among the immigrants, with those working to end mass incarceration, and with those who seek to protect all of us, especially the poorest of the poor around the world, from the vagaries of climate change." Look for a series of Let's Talks this fall to chart our path forward!
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End Prolonged Juvenile Solitary Confinement in CA!
CA Senate Bill 1143: The National Religious Campaign Against Torture asks us to support this Bill to create safer facilities for incarcerated youth and facility staff throughout the state
Read full article here:
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Calling Volunteers to Visit Immigrants in Detention
Contra Costa West County Detention Facility
We are answering our national church's call by beginning to build a volunteer team to visit immigrants currently detained at the Contra Costa West County Detention Facility in the East Bay. Detainees are often cut off from contact with their families and friends, left alone without the resources they need to help them legally. We are called to bring humanity, hope, and God's love to them. We already have a small group committed with two bilingual English- Spanish speakers. If you're interested in joining this volunteer team, please reach out to Pastor Bev .
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We're changing things up a bit!
You are encouraged to ask Wil over to your home for lunch or dinner! Any time by pre-arrangement.
Pictured at right, Wil and Nance sharing a birthday cake at our TLC Fiesta!
Please call Wil at 415-454-8303. And bless you!
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WE ALL LOVE FELLOWSHIP -
PLEASE SIGN UP TO HELP OUT
Fellowship time is organized by your Deacons. We need everyone to sign-up about 3-4 times a year.
Click below to sign up:
Sign up now and keep the hospitality going!
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Don't be shy, Greeting is a Treat!
We are in need of greeters to sign up through the signup genius website.
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!
Thank you all for your continued support,
Jody Brockett,
Worship Elder
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Hang On Tight to Those You Love
This past weekend I had the joy of being a part of a phenomenal wedding - one staged "rustically" in a cow pasture. The bride and groom were vibrant, smart, had a great sense of humor, and are destined to be billboards for all that's "right" with the next generation.
As I fanned myself in the sun and constantly dusted off my shoes, I was struck by the harmony and joy among the invitees who had assembled. There were aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, professional associates and close friends all who had suspended the razzle dazzle of their every day lives to witness this memorable day.
Old friendships were re-established, people laughed and cried as the wedding vows were read, and heartfelt speeches were delivered at the reception. It was a great scene, a happy scene, and a reminder to me that we need to "hang on tight to those we love."
Intimate friends and close-knit family members are an unflappable bond we can count on in good times and bad.
I too, suspended my routine for a few days, stepped back, and spent some time reflecting and revisiting some wonderful thoughts:
1) Life is 10% what happens to you - and 90% how you react to it
2) Things turn out best - for people who make the best - out of the way things turn out
3) Don't choose the one who is beautiful to the world - choose the one who makes your world beautiful
4) When you see the good in others - you'll find the good in yourself
5) Everybody deserves somebody who makes them look forward to tomorrow
Who we hold dear matters. For they help us feel what we need to feel, hear what we need to hear, and know what we need to know. A good reminder about these thoughts and sayings is always worthwhile. Here are some more gems and prompters, this time from the scriptures:
Walk with the wise and become wise - Proverbs 13:20
Spur one another toward love and good deeds - Heb 10:24,25
Honor your father and mother - Ex 20:12
Bear with one another and forgive one another - Col 3:13
Encourage one another and build each other up - I Thess 5:11
These reminders help me, and I hope they will help you. Let's keep them close by as we navigate our fast lane of activities. Choose wisely who you let influence you. And always remember to hang on tight to those you love, because one of their greatest gifts is ... they understand.
Have a great week, your friend ...Paul
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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.
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 We're on Break, but Mark Your Calendars, Because Friday Afternoon Yoga Returns...
August 19 - 5:30 p.m.
Join us for summer-time YOGA IN THE HOLLOW we will practice from 5:30-6:30pm at Sleepy Hollow presbyterian Church.
We are a community class for all levels and all ages.
Class is donation based, $5-$10 suggested, anything welcome.
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Donate Furniture to SFTS Students!
Donations will be accepted: Sunday, August 21, 1:00-4:00 pm Monday, August 22, 2:00-6:00 pm.
Drop off at Lower Alexander Hall, 40 Kensington Rd, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Items especially needed: tables, chairs, sofas, love seats, desks, bookcases, linens, kitchen & laundry items, and kids' gear. Please no tube TVs, fold-out sofa beds, or oversize furniture.
For more information, contact: Nancy Gutgsell, 415.451.2816, nancyg@sfts.edu
You are so appreciated!
Our mailing address is:
San Francisco Theological Seminary
105 Seminary Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
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HORIZONS BIBLE STUDY DAY
Saturday, September 10, 2016 | 10:00am - 3:30pm | $40 in advance | $50 at the door
Spend the day learning and preparing to lead this magnificent study which invites you to join "a journey to expand our understanding of who Jesus was and is-a journey of our hearts and our minds, a journey that we will take together." Rev. Dr. Judy Yates Siker, author of the 2016 Horizons Bible Study, invites you to be good conversation partners along the way, sharing with one another how you see and experience the various lenses and how these different perspectives impact your understanding of who Jesus is. READ MORE
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Foster Parent Outreach
Become a Resource Family
1. Attend Orientation
Learn about the process of becoming a resource parent at one of our monthly
orientations with a social worker and an experienced resource parent.
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Orientation Calendar 2016
August 31 | September 22 | October 18
7-8:30pm at 3240 Kerner Blvd, Room 110, San Rafael
November 17 | December 8
7-8:30pm at 3250 Kerner Blvd, Room 107, San Rafael
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2. Apply
Complete an application and background check.
3. Complete Training
Complete a training course and become CPR/First Aid certified.
4. Get Approved
Work closely with a social worker during a 60-90 day approval process. There will be interviews with family members and a home safety inspection. The interviews help make matches between a family's strengths and children's needs. Become a Resource Family
Resource Family Orientation
Learn about fostering opportunities!
July 26 | August 31
7-8:30 pm
3240 Kerner Blvd. Rm 110
San Rafael 94901
FosterOurFutureMarin.org
Questions? (415) 473-2200
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YES THEATER
Summer Playwriting Workshop 2016
with Andrea Hart
AUGUST 15th-19th
TIMES:M-F, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
PLACE:White Hill Middle School RM 601
COST: $150 Full Week
$ 35 Daily drop in
You do not have to sign up for the entire time!
Different options Available
All current Middle School students are eligible to participate! Bring a friend!
Students will use a variety of writing, devising and improvisational exercises to create a play. Participants will discuss topics and themes, use a variety of exercises to explore those themes, devise short scenes around those themes and create a larger work incorporating the ideas of the entire group. Methods used might include physical improvisation, found and source material writing, Silent Sustained Writing, site-specific writing and other methods of devised theater.
Participants will learn about character development and arc, plot, universal themes, dramatic writing, employing stage directions, and using design elements to create a story.
Come for both weeks, one week or one day
REGISTER HERE
or contact Yes Theater Managing Director
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
100 Tarry Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Sophia De Quattro, Editor
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E-mail us at shpchurch@comcast.net or call us at 415-453-8221
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