|
|
| Blessed Rainfall! Experiencing a Holy Moment |
|
|
|
Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
|
|
|
Weekly Happenings at SHPC
|
March 15, 2018
|
|
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Holy Moments
Welcoming New Members
The Season of Lent invites us to take a moment - or more - each day to experience holiness. This Sunday, March 18, at 9:30 a.m., we're waking up to the extraordinary that surrounds us in life, and experiencing holy moments of love, grace, healing, peace, and joy. We'll also be welcoming new members and celebrating community!
Let's Talk What's Next After REST- Friend of the church Howard Schwartz, Ph.D., of the Homeless Outreach Team will be joining us after the service to help us discern SHPC's future role in ministering to the unhoused community, because the REST program ends next month. All are welcome!
|
|
|
|
A Note from Pastor Bev
Last Sunday we closed with an invitation to add a Lenten spiritual practice to our busy lives:
when water touches you, think of that touch as God's touch, and remember that you are loved. That includes drinking water, taking a shower, washing dishes, and yes, rain.
So if you've been out in the rain this week, hopefully you've been feeling touched, blessed, kissed by the rain. Let rain renew your spirit as it renews the earth. Let it fill your cup, as it fills our creeks!
When we give thanks for water - and for the air we breathe, and for the ground under our feet - we renew our connection to Sacred Earth, to all of nature, and to all of life. In that connection, we are held, comforted, loved. In that deep connection, we find our peace. Current events or our work or family lives might feel like a storm raging, but we can find our way home to peace. May peace be with each one of you.
With Lenten blessings of peace,
Bev
|
|
|
Friday, March 16
NOON
|
Bible Study
|
|
Sunday, March 18
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
|
Fifth Sunday in Lent
We Celebrate New Members
Sacred Circle- Holy Moments
Coffee and Fellowship - All Welcome!
Let's Talk- Homeless Outreach after REST with Howard Schwartz, PhD
|
|
Tuesday, March 20
5:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
|
Newsletter Items Due
Yoga
AA- Men's meeting
|
Wednesday, March 21
6:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
|
Session Meeting
SHPC Singers |
|
Friday, March 23
|
Bible Study
|
|
Sunday, March 25
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:30-12:30 p.m.
|
Palm/Passion Sunday-
Holy Week Begins
Coffee & Fellowship - All Welcome!
Mexico Mission Meeting
|
|
WE ALL LOVE FELLOWSHIP--
PLEASE SIGN UP for MARCH
March 18 and 25 (Palm Sunday)
We need a clean up person for March 18!
|
|
 |
Sue Burr
|
|
Fellowship time is now organized by your Hospitality Team, and we're excited to get everybody on board!
We need everyone to sign-up to help out at least 2
times from March through August.
Sign up for set up/snack, snacks, clean up/snack.
Sign up on the bulletin board at church (for the next 6 months,) or
click Sue to sign up for
Sign up now and keep the hospitality
going!
|
Calling Gracious Organized Friendly People
to Lead Our Hospitality Team 2018!
We are off to a terrific start! Thank you!
Sue Burr- March
Robin and Ahmed - April
Karen Baigrie- May
Linda Peltzman- June
??- July
Sharon Adams - August
Charles and the Youth - where needed
We're trying something new, and inviting all members and friends to sign up 2-3 times for set-up or clean-up plus snacks. Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board! The hospitality team leader of the month will teach new folks how to make coffee etc. This will be fun! If you're thinking of leading a month,
Yes, you can co-host with a friend!
|
Bible Study this Friday- March 16, Noon
Luke 8 and Luke 13
ALL WELCOME!
|
|
Please Remember in Your Prayers
Ahmed AbuAly's dear mother, Sherifa, who has had a serious stroke and is in a coma in Egypt, and Ahmed and his family, for God's loving presence and for God's peace.
Those who lost their lives, their loved ones, and those injured in Florida International University's tragic collapse of a pedestrian walkway, for God's healing and comfort.
Those who lost their lives and loved ones in the Florida school shooting, and all those whose lives have been disrupted by gun violence, may the bereaved feel God's comfort, and may God continue to energize the youth of Parkland and all of us who stand in solidarity with them to advocate for a solution to this epidemic;
Marie Ongaro,
for full and speedy recovery for her injured right knee, and for God's peace to continue to comfort and uplift her;
Ellarie and Andy Bane, for successful recovery from surgeries;
All asylum seekers and those living in the shadows and fearing deportation, for security, a path to citizenship, and sanctuary; for a humane solution to the DACA crisis;
Our mission partners in immigrant detention visitation, CIVIC, for restoration of visiting privileges:
Dennis Latta and Diane, Juliet, and the extended family as they mourn the loss of Dennis' father Leroy, for God's accompaniment, comfort, and peace as they grieve;
Nance Rosencranz,
recovering from a stroke, for full and complete recovery, and for God's healing presence;
Peg Maclise's sister Kim, for God's healing presence, and for Peg, God's strength, love, and peace;
Kelsey Lopin,
for total healing, renewed strength, continued flourishing, creativity, and energy to share her God-given gifts;
Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for complete healing, and for Nancy to continue to feel God's abiding presence in companioning her;
Our Muslim neighbors, subject to Islamophobia and hate crimes;
The incarcerated, and their loved ones, for a justice system and prison system that uphold our highest values;
Our country, for a way forward where we live our values of justice and equality for all people;
The people of Puerto Rico, still suffering from Hurricane Maria, and the refugees and displaced
, almost 1 out of 100 people in the world today, for safety, homes, the basics of life, and dignity;
Our planet, the world's poor, all who suffer from disruptive climate change, may God energize us to continue our work to keep the planet livable for all people;
The PC(USA), for courage and energy to continue our world-wide mission of love and justice for all people;
Dr. Doug Tilton, our PC(USA) mission co-worker in Southern Africa;
Our church, for Spirit to continue to guide us and fill us with energy for mission and love for all our neighbors!
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
|
REST Sign-ups!
Our Life-Giving REST Ministry to the Unhoused Community Concludes in April
|
|
| Bringing dignity to our unhoused friends @ St. Rita's on Monday, March 5: Scott, Nancy, Sharon, Ana, Steve, and Katie |
Please sign up to help bring friendship, food, and dignity to the unhoused community through the REST program -- the men on the first Monday of the month at St. Rita's in Fairfax, and the women on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Wellness Center in San Rafael. We need YOUR help!
Please volunteer to make food, set up, serve, share the meal, clean up:
To volunteer to be a part of the women's program,
sign up here
To volunteer to be a part of the men's program,
sign up here
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our REST coordinator, Carolyn Goodman,
carolyn@goodmanmarketing.com or 415.250.6264.
|
|
After REST, how will SHPC continue to answer God's call to serve the unhoused community?
We are in the process of
discerning the Spirit's call and identifying how we are being led to continue our commitment to serve the unhoused.
Join us this Sunday, March 18th following the service for a Let's Talk with friend of the church Howard Schwartz, PhD, of the HOT (homeless outreach team) program. Howard has lots of ideas about how we can help and stay engaged, and we'll have Q and A and discussion.
A warm thank you to Supervisor Katie Rice for her time Sunday 3/4 addressing our questions and concerns about the end of the REST program.
Supervisor Rice affirmed the meaningful contribution SHPC volunteers have made over the years in bringing dignity to the unhoused community through our ministries to the men, the women, and with our youth's cooking from the Justice Garden.
|
|
Our Youth Group Won Second Place at the Marin Youth Climate Change Summit- ECO Awards
The Summit was a great success, and we are so proud of Patti Vance, her youth leader team, and Charles and our youth group!
Juliet Latta accepting the award on behalf of the SHPC Youth Group
|
|
To Middle and High School YOUTH and their PARENTS from Charles
Hello everyone,
The group just uploaded their second video, in which the kids review the trailer for "Locked in a Box." This short was produced by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Lutheran Refugee and Immigration Service, and it documents the plight of immigrant detainees and the efforts of those who visit them. There are terrible injustices happening within our immigrant detention system, and we need to do all we can to shine a light on it so that things can change. Please watch the video that our kids made, and share it with as many people as you can!
In conjunction with this video, we are also preparing a letter to be sent to elected officials, asking them to stand with us against this unjust treatment of innocent people.
Let's keep the momentum on this going!
Grace and peace,
Director W
Collective Voices Initiative
(Charles Wei
Youth Director
Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church)
Always feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback by clicking
here.
|
|
CIVIC's Visitation to Immigrants in Detention Terminated; ACLU NorCal Responds with Letter to ICE & the Contra Costa County Sheriff to Reinstate Visitation Program
From the CIVIC Coordinator:
All of us (both folks on the inside and outside) are so grateful for the outpouring of community support we've seen over this past week for the visitation program we've built together over years. Thank you again for being in this fight with us.
In solidarity,
Rebecca Merton
Program Coordinator, National Visitation Network
Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC)
(408) 471-7841
www.endisolation.org
|
American religious leaders seek preliminary injunction to stop deportation o f immigrants-
from the Presbyterian News Service
Churches like First Presbyterian Church in Metuchen, New Jersey, continue to voice opposition to the arrests of immigrant Christians for possible deportation.
A group of American religious leaders consisting of priests, rabbis, imams and other clergy, have joined forces to seek a preliminary injunction to stop the deportation of immigrants currently residing in the U.S. To read more click
here.
|
|
Thanks to all who came out for the Mexico Mission Kickoff BBQ!
And many thanks to Mark, Chris, Gary, Jim, Brian, Lundy, Walter, our terrific adult leader team
Our next meeting will be
Sunday, March 25th at 11:30am at Sleepy Hollow Church.
Andrew and Charles are presenting and leading activities to prepare for the trip.
The remainder of the forms and your deposit are due on March 25th. Please bring them to the meeting if possible.
You can find these forms as well as other information on our
website.
The completed information can be mailed to Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church (c/o Mexico Mission, 100 Tarry Rd San Anselmo), e-mailed to
Katie
or dropped off in the black lock box at the church on the outside wall of the building to the left of the ground level fellowship hall window/door.
Spread the word!
Questions?
Click
here
for Katie in the church office
|
|
One Great Hour of Sharing gifts transform lives far and near
We will be collecting for One Great Hour of Sharing on Palm Sunday (3/25) through the envelopes that will be in the bulletin that Sunday as well as through the fish banks that will be given to the children. Below you will find some information about the program.
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity.
The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing -Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.
Received during the season of Lent (February 14 - April 1), each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God's love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.
PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (PDA)
Works alongside communities as they recover and find hope after the devastation
of natural or human-caused disasters, and support for refugees
Receives 32% of funds raised
PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM (PHP)
Takes action to alleviate hunger, care for creation, and the systemic causes of
poverty so all may be fed
Receives 36% of funds raised
SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE (SDOP)
Invests in communities responding to their experiences of oppression, poverty
and injustice and educates Presbyterians about the impact of these issues
Receives 32% of funds raised
Learn more about the One Great Hour of Sharing offering by
clicking here.
|
|
Report from Building and Grounds
from Ahmed, your B and G Elder
|
|
|
| Richard Peltzman repairing the roof over our historic church bell |
|
The Session would like to thank Bob and Bobby Steiner for their generous gift to the church building and grounds! We are delighted to put your gift to work!
If you feel called to work on repairing and updating our building and grounds, please contact Ahmed by
clicking here.
We are still in the process of getting our plumbing and irrigation lines repaired and upgraded. And getting our MMWD bill reduced!
The Fellowship Hall closet doors continue to be a problem despite great efforts by the B and G team. The Fellowship Hall needs a fresh coat of paint, at least on the high impact spots!
Upcoming Projects:
We are in the process of planning and design for wheelchair access from upstairs to downstairs. Last Sunday we had two visitors on crutches and faced the dilemma of no access between sanctuary and restrooms for the disabled.
Our outdoor lighting needs to keep the building illuminated enough for safety and be earth-friendly.
We are evaluating what to do about the sanctuary windows, which may not be repairable.
Most exterior doors need repair or replacement. Wheelchair access needs work!
Our sidewalk around the church is uneven and needs leveling so it's not a tripping hazard.
The kitchen is not adequate for our youth REST cooking program and needs immediate attention for stove/oven safety.
Previous surveys have shown a great interest in updating the kitchen and bringing beauty to the grounds next to the patio.
|
|
Yoga with Karen
JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY IN MARCH FOR COMMUNITY YOGA:
SLEEPY HOLLOW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
UPSTAIRS IN THE SANCTUARY
TUESDAYS 5:30-6:30PM
MARCH 20, 27
We will move our bodies and in so doing, our spirits will move too.
We will make time for silence as we build community.
Karen x
|
|
Don't be shy, Greeting is a Treat!
From Koren Grubb, Worship Elder
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.
|
From Marin Moms Demand Action: We've had enough. Thoughts and prayers are not enough to honor the victims of gun violence.
What we need now is ACTION. Lawmakers have had enough time to come around to common sense, and we're done waiting. We must now elect leaders who will finally act to save lives from gun violence.
It's time to throw them out. You can find out more at
https://momsdemandaction.org/
The local chapter, Marin Moms Demand Action, will be joining in the wider community for the March for our Lives which is a rally in support of the National #MarchForOurLives movement in support of the children of Stoneman Douglas High School. If you would like to ride together to the Sat. March 24 1 p.m. MARCH for OUR LIVES convening at SF Civic Center, sign the clipboard in the narthex. To register for the event, click here.
SHPC is working with Marin Moms Demand action to bring a sensible gun law event to our church. Stay tuned for more information as it arises.
|
|
The U.S. has chosen to admit at most 45,000 refugees this year - lower than historical norms and far lower than the need. Further, as described in
recent news stories
, under-staffing and numerous significant changes to the rules for refugee admissions mean that the actual number of refugees allowed in under the Trump Administration is likely to be far fewer.
****
This April 20-23, NRCAT and several of our national faith partners are sponsoring the annual
Ecumenical Advocacy Days with the theme of "A World Uprooted: Responding to Migrants, Refugees and Displaced People." You are invited to join 1,000 faith advocates who will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to learn more about the global refugee crisis and to lobby Members of Congress to protect refugees - more information at
advocacydays.org. If you are already planning to attend, please stop by the NRCAT booth and say hello!
|
Zephyr Experience June 24-29, 2018
Bridges to Hope: Exploring Diversity in Religion and Politics
Join a community of progressive Christians
Learn from scholars and church leaders-
including Pastor Bev
Look more deeply together into pressing issues
Celebrate in worship and song
Enjoy Lake Tahoe at your footsteps
Zephyr Experience 2018 offers five days of morning classes for adults and children. Afternoons are free to explore a choice of activities, and evenings offer a time to worship together, watch the sunsets, and play games.
Register by phone or mail (we have brochures in the narthex), and find more information online at www.zephyrpoint.org
|
|
|
|
Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
100 Tarry Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Katie Brendler,
Editor
|
E-mail us at shpchurch@comcast.net or call us at 415-453-8221
|
|
|
