Wednesday, November 5, 2008

December 2008













Dear Friends,

The season of Advent is always a spiritual challenge. Along with everyone else, those of us who keep a spiritual Advent season join into the full-throttled secular Christmas season. We deck the halls, hit the eggnog and kiss under the mistletoe. Frosty and Rudolph share space with shepherds and angles, stockings are hung by the window with care, chestnuts roast on an open fire, Clarence gets his wings, we all dream of a white Christmas, and it’s wonderful.

Yet somehow those of us who keep Advent must celebrate the Holidays with our friends, family, and neighbors while remembering to wait for the birth of Christ. My suggestion is that we wait by keeping watch.

We must keep watch because the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem on the first Christmas comes to us every day. Jesus is present in the joy of the Holidays; Jesus is among us in the poor whose needs abide even as the privileged celebrate the Season. Jesus returns to us in the needy those we may help with our material generosity as well as those whose longings are spiritual and emotional.

Keep watch for the Christ who beckons in the beauty of creation and in the wonder of art and science. Keep watch, for this Advent—as during the rest of the year—Christ is on His way.

With Warm Wishes for the Advent Season,

Ben
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Fun in December

It's Christmas Around the World!

*Academics*

· The kids are learning about the
letters “G” “H” & numbers 7 & 8.

*Themes & Activities*


Christmas
12/1-12/5


· 12/1 Art: Christmas Tree
Sung: “Hear His Bells”
· 12/2 Letter *G* day
· 12/3 Number 7 day
· 12/4 Bring a Christmas Card
· 12/5 Movie & share day

Christmas

12/8-12/12


· 12/8 Art: Triangle Reindeer
Poem: Santa Claus
· 12/9 Letter *G* day
· 12/10 Number 7 day
· 12/11 Bring last year’s Christmas gift
· 12/12 Movie & share day

Christmas 12/15-12/19


· 12/15 Art: Santa Hat
Song: “Santa’s Coming”
· 12/16 Letter *H* day
· 12/17 Number 8 day
· 12/18 Bring a red item
· 12/19 Movie & share day




Christmas
12/22-12/24
· 12/22 Art: Christmas Angel
Poem: Call Rudolph
· 12/23 Letter *H* day
· 12/24 Number 8 day




*Special Events*


Preschool Christmas Store
Fellowship Hall
Saturday, December 6
10:00-3:00PM



The Christmas Program
Sanctuary
Friday, December 19
6:30pm

Preschool Closed
December 25-January 5

*Christian Poetry*

I Found God Today
I found God today through the eyes of a child
He looked up at me and he gave me a smile
He brought me such comfort for which I have longed
Through the eyes of a child I realized I belonged
I found God today in an old woman's face
As she held my hands, I felt God's embrace
From problems in life I knew I would prevail
Which I felt through her hands so old and so frail
I found God today in the warmth of a friend
Who has given me strength for which I can depend
When life had me down and I felt so depressed
I realized through my friend just how much I was blessed
I found God today when I searched for so long
And it's now I realize, he's been there all along
In family and friends and in all who I see
Each day I find God and now I've found him in me
By Tommy Quin

Christmas Treasure


Dear Lord, we're here at Christmas time
To honor your sacred birth,
Dear Savior, thank you for bringing all
Your precious gifts to earth.
As we delight in this holiday
With its bright and special pleasure,
We pray to remember all year round
That You are the only true treasure.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
By Joanna Fuchs ________________________________________________________
December Lectionary Readings

Sunday, December 7, 2008
2nd Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8

Sunday, December 14, 2008
3rd Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126 or Luke 1:47-55;
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

Sunday, December 21
4th Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:47-55 or
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26;
Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96;
Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

Thursday, December 25
Nativity of Jesus Christ/Christmas
Dawn:
Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7)8-20
Day:
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4(5-12); John 1:1-14

Sunday, December 28, 2008
1st Sunday after Christmas
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148;
Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40
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Stewardship


Tree Fund Update: We still need $2,560. The diseased pine trees have been removed but we still need to meet the cost. Thank you for those of you who have
responded. We have collected $1090.



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~The Life of a Seminary student {on internship} ~
-Maxine Millender

My Grace is Sufficient for you…2 Corinthians 12:9

There is a saying that you have to be careful what you ask for because you just may get it. All of us residents have to have one to three goals and present a verbatim to our peers for discussion. This is difficult for all of us and my last one made me feel like I was on the hot seat. I have three goals which are 1) Learn to write theological reflection papers, which will display feelings and emotions, 2) Increase my knowledge of MSICU, NISC, Trauma, Rehab and Oncology as it relates to patient issues, concerns, and spiritual support, 3) Learn to write meaningful sermons which display that I have understood the scriptural text.

I bring this to your attention because my patient visits are giving me experience in each of my three goals. First, we have to write a theological paper each week which is one to two pages single spaced prior to our one on one with our CPE supervisor. Secondly, we are required to get familiar with our patient location, illness terminology, and a personal goal which I chose as writing sermons.

Because of so much trauma and death, I am getting lots of experience which has lots of emotions and feelings for me and my patients. I have had patient deaths with one family member, no family members, and up to 50 family members. I am dealing with a lot of trauma such as car collisions, head-on collisions, stabbings, people jumping out of cars, people falling several feet, and suicide attempts. Lastly, a verbatim presentation shares what you have learned from the visit and a possible biblical theme that you could share. All of this turns into self awareness, how you interact with your patients and each member on the team. We are learning how to work as a team, respect each other who are different than we are, and learning how to listen. It may sound easy but try it with someone you don’t know that well. Not so easy!

My relationship with the charge nurses, techs, and unit secretaries have started to get better on some floors and still working at it on other floors. It is difficult because they all see new residents each year and it’s starting new relationships each year for them. For us, it is difficult because some of them become set in their ways, and we have to find ways to get around this to develop a relationship in order to visit on their floors and ask them for help when we need it.

The most difficult area to build a relationship is the emergency room. There is a lot of trauma (we have 16 bays) and more if we use the hallways as rooms and everyone is on alert. I have great relationships on the evening shift and still working on the day ones. The nurses and techs change every few hours so that they don’t have to deal with burnout. They are assigned to an area each morning and get different patients daily. The hospital has its own culture and is very interesting in each department. It’s now funny to each of us as we navigate through the short cuts that we thought we would never learn.

I dealt with a lot of death last month and again this month. Sometimes the deaths have had BIG families (up to 50) and some have had one or two. Let me share death with you from the patient and family member perspective as best I can. When a patient comes into the emergency room with the expectation of going home but all of a sudden, their heart stops or it’s discovered that there is a brain bleed and they have to operate quickly.

When a person’s heart stops, there are teams of capable medical professions who work very hard to get it beating again. One young lady (48) came into ER about two weeks ago, she was talking when she left her house, but in the ambulance, she stopped talking and the paramedics had to perform CPR. The team was waiting for her when she arrived and started on her to try and get a heartbeat. Her Mother rode in the ambulance with them but when she saw what they had to do (CPR), she could not take it and I had to bring her outside the bay. I had to walk the sister to another room. (The bays are what the emergency dept calls them and they are rooms that are separated by curtains)

When the young lady coded (Code blue) again, the team manually pumped for 30 minutes and could not get a heartbeat. The Doctor came out to tell the Mother there was no heartbeat and his recommendation was to stop but would do what she wanted. She wanted them to continue but after another 20 min, nothing happened so she said to please stop. She then went into shock, the sister said, “there’s no way my sister can be dead” and the other sister was in shock. This is what we as Chaplains have to work with and we have to also help the Doctor and sometimes the nurses. Death is difficult, especially when it’s not expected.

Our verbatims are written based on experiences like this. We have to recall our conversation, our observations, discuss the patient’s sociological, psychological, theological/spiritual concerns, and what we learned as a biblical theme. Our verbatims are presented to our peers and CPE supervisors and everyone gets to ask you questions and sometimes it feels like you are on the hot seat. It is sometimes painful, feels hurtful, and there are some who have cried.

I have wanted to work on feelings and I am getting many patient visits where feelings are a big issue. Like I said, I have had a lot of death but have also helped the family to deal with it at that moment. Also, many patients don’t get better and the family members decide to withdraw all of the medication and ventilators. This becomes difficult for the doctors, nurses, techs, and chaplains. We don’t offer any advice, only support what a family or patient wants to do, pray to God with all patients, and I read scripture with most of my patients.

I will continue to write about my specific experiences so that you have an idea what I do, in detail. We all have to preach sermons and I preached on 10/15. All of our services are televised for the patients and whoever is watching during that time.

~to be continued~
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The Semibreve
-Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries




9TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF CAROLS
Friday, December 12, 7:00 PM
Celebrate the sounds of the holiday season with the Foothill Presbyterian Church Chancel and Children’s choirs, Glory Ringers bell choir, early music ensemble Peralta Consort; Voices of the Valley Community Choir, and other special guests. www.foothillpc.com

Suggested Donation: one non-perishable food item per person
All proceeds will benefit the Lord’s Pantry to feed the hungry.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PLAY 2008
Sunday, December 21st Worship Service
We are inviting children from first grade to high school to participate in this year’s Christmas play. We would like older kids to fill the speaking roles of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, angel Gabriel; secondary roles: King Herod, innkeepers, shepherds, three wise men, other angels, and animals in the manger. For those very young or those who do not want a speaking part, they are welcome to participate in a choir that would lead the congregation in traditional Christmas Carols.

Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, November 2, 2008, 12 – 1PM and will be ongoing, weekly. There will be no rehearsals on November 9th, and November 30th. Dress rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 20th, 9AM – 12PM. The performance will be held during the worship service on December 21st (Call time is at 9AM).

For additional information as well as for those who would like to help in play production, please contact John Isberg.

We are looking forward to your participation!

MUSIC SERIES BROCHURES
Winter 2009
We’ll be ready to print, fold, seal, and send the next batch to over 200 churches and businesses in San Jose. Please sign up at the board in front of my office if you would like to help. It’s a lot of work, so the more the merrier (and easier too!).

Let’s keep the Music Series healthy and alive!

UPCOMING CONCERTS
Winter 2009
Monteverdi Brass Quintet – Tuesday, February 10, 7:30 PM
Nothingset Ensemble – Sunday, February 22, 3PM
Flauti Dolci & Amici – Sunday, March 1st, 3PM
American Recorder Orchestra of the West (AROW) – Saturday, April 18, 3PM
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Saturday, November 1, 2008

November 2008





















A Letter from the Pastor



Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago we had a church cleanup day at which I made what I think is an important observation for the life and ministry of our congregation.

In the effort to beautify our facility members of our congregation were joined by Boy Scouts and their families, preschool families, and probably a few folks from the dog park community (these are people who bring their dogs to play off lease in our back field).

Some of these people have churches where they are active, but many do not. In our community a lot of people consider Foothill to be their church even if they don’t come to worship on Sunday.

That provides us with a bit of a challenge. We need to be exploring how we can minister to such people, to share the love of God with them when it isn’t Sunday morning. Eventually, I hope they will come to worship on Sunday, but in the mean time we have the opportunity to be a church for friends and neighbors who have yet to join our worshiping congregation.

So we have to be creative. For example, in September the Preschool put on a great dinner and fellowship event for Preschool families. We had a great turnout. In October we had a blessing of the animals back in the dog park. It was raining that day, but we had maybe ten dogs to bless anyway.

Let’s put our heads together and let’s think of more ways to reach out to our community. Were a great church with lots to share and we serve an awesome God whose grace and love are ours to communicate to the world around us.

This is good work!

Warmly,
Ben
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~The Life of a Seminary student {on internship} ~
-Maxine Millender

“God uses our difficulties to develop His Son’s likeness in us”

-unknown author


This month has been difficult and sometimes frustrating for all of us who are first year residents. The second year residents have been through these frustrating moments that we face and are helping us with it. We are still learning a BIG hospital’s culture, learning how to quickly get to a location to respond to a crisis or trauma within the specified amount of time, trying not to get lost in the tunnels or walkways, keeping stats on what we do, write a weekly reflection paper, write a verbatim and present it, write a reflection paper for the stats, weekly reading from two books, assist or officiate in weekly worship, attend reporting twice a day, and doing cold visits on assigned locations in addition to the many referrals from nurses and the emergency room.

We all take turns being the primary or back-up Chaplain and we work the extended shifts. The extended shifts start in the morning at 8:30 to 12M during the week and on weekends, we get to stop at 10:30 but are on call, if we are needed, which is why we stay in the sleep room. All of us have to also take turns working weekends because of the 24 our coverage and believe me, there are lots of hours. We are learning how to triage our calls, our visits, and education while trying to become a united team. We are also recalling and telling our stories about our lives, our original calls to ministry, and general things about our lives.

During this month, I have been with many families whose loved one or ones have died. I extend pastoral support, prayer, read scripture, sometimes sing, and show compassion. Sometimes I am quiet to have presence for the patient. I complete what is called the disposition of body form, spend time with patients who want a living will, called the MPOA (medical power of attorney), and get witnesses for them.

Each week we have a one on one (1 hour) with our CPE supervisor and send him the reflection paper prior to our meeting. We discuss many things such as how our week is going, how we are getting along with those on the team, what do you need help with, and is there anything bothering you that you can’t discuss in the team meeting time. We also have a weekly meeting with our clinical coordinator who is a staff Chaplain. Each of us are assigned a staff Chaplain to work with, guide/mentor us, and give us advice. The staff Chaplains can also ask to attend our verbatim presentation to give us advice to further help us. We have 100 hours of education each month so we really have to triage our work to get everything completed.

On Thursday (9/25) our education was taking a tour of the Women’s center which is called the Jones Tower. This tower has labor & delivery, neonatal, maternal assessment, surgery, breast feeding education, and support for mothers and their families. During the tour we were able to see many of the babies who are less than 4 pounds; they are in incubators. Part of our responsibility when we are paged is to bless the babies, baptize, handle deaths of babies, and support the families as they go through this ordeal. When the baby is born, we go and pray with the family to celebrate their lives and bless them.

This month has been difficult due to many deaths, withdrawals, many traumas in ER, miscarriages, strokes (levels 1,2,3); sicknesses that leave folks in comas, and many being told they have cancer. I have been on many code blue calls. When someone’s heart stops or gets to a certain percent, the alert is sent for code blue. A team of Doctors, nurses, techs, pharmacy, chaplains, and others rush to the bed to do whatever they have to do to save that person. In order to process what has happened this month and then let it go, I go to a movie each week. I found a theater that charges $5.00 before 6:00 pm and going helps release the hospital activities from my mind. When I was a hospice Chaplain, it was different because I had many deaths but most of my patients were DNR’s (do not resuscitate) but in the hospital setting, it is very different

In our resident office, we all have desks and a cabinet that we can lock, two computers to use, and a phone. We are trying to work together, have conversations, and become a team. On the surface it is easy to do but when you are in a room of people who are more than strangers now, we try not to have small talk but useful conversations to help each other. This is more difficult than it sounds. We all have different personalities, different ways we approach things, and of course, we all have opinions. I have learned quickly that I want to get a lot out of CPE so I am putting in a lot so that it benefits me. I was told that of the first year residents, I am the only one who would be considered for hire due to education, experience, and what they have seen so far. This was a wonderful compliment for me to hear this. It is not time for me because I still have to complete seminary, get my masters in social work, and get ordained into chaplaincy sometime in
the future, God willing.

I had started going to the gym but during this month, I probably went three times. Sometimes I
am so tired from the day and just don’t want to go down to the gym but I keep saying that I need to go even if it’s to sit in the sauna for relaxation.

I have been to church twice and will try a different church this Sunday (9/28); it’s about 15 minutes from the apartment. I would like to get involved and do some prison ministry as outreach but have to find a compatible church where I can attend frequently.

~to be continued~
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Fall Retreat Thanks
-Martha Belz


THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

The Fall Retreat is behind us and I hope all who attended had as wonderful an experience as I did. And I hope more of you will be able to attend next year, the weekend of September 25th.

Stephen Dietrich did a terrific job leading us through discussions about reaching out to help others and how to best do that.

Ben Daniel led singing after meals, the campfire program, and Sunday morning worship.

Virginia Mignogna was our nurse, led morning watch Saturday and Sunday mornings, and brought some beautiful music to share.

Peg Nickl stepped in at the very last minute (the day of the retreat!) to lead the children’s program. Jerry Siegfried’s granddaughter, Darlene, and her friend, Malia agreed to pitch in and help at the retreat.

Peg was also tremendously helpful overseeing moneys and paperwork for the retreat.

Glenda Parmentier did so much and I could not have done this without her. She coordinated the shirt orders which included creating the design, coordinating the order of “sweat free” shirts, placed the orders and picked them up. She also was responsible for the cabin assignments, made the name bandanas, and signs for the cabins.

John Belz led the Friday night ice breaker and built the campfire with help from Mark and Matthew Isberg.

Jay Jordana coordinated the blessings before the meals.

Jim Withrow led the Saturday afternoon hike.

Bill Anderson and Kraig Williams provided music during worship Sunday morning..

Eileen Parks set up the children’s program and helped Peg at the retreat.

Jane Wallace, and Joy Horch provided support and help along the way.

Karen Withrow made a snack run Saturday afternoon and really outdid herself.

John Belz, Ray Mignogna, and Jerry Siegfried helped save the weekend with their handyman skills. Both Bobbi at the camp and all that were without hot water on Saturday morning really appreciated that. Bobbi even gave them awards at the closing of camp.

To everyone listed and those that helped that I’ve missed- THANK YOU SO MUCH! I could not have coordinated this without you.

Martha Belz
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Hope – Love – Education and a Future
- Virginia Mignogna

On October 12th, “Presbyterian HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday”, I presented the Minute for Mission, advocating the organization Children of Grace, which provides hope, love, education and a future for orphaned children affected by HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

I challenged the congregation to open their wallets and contribute to this worthy cause.

I am happy to report that a total of $463 in donations and pledges was received that day!

The $463 will be added to our Mission Committee’s designated $500 amount and sent to Children of Grace for the furtherance of their work.

If you missed out on your chance to support this 501(C) 3 Non-Profit Organization, you may still contribute either through our church, by making your check out to Foothill Presbyterian Church and note in the memo portion “Children of Grace” or you may send your donation directly to Children of Grace at 4456 Deer Ridge Road, Danville, CA 94506.Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.
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Clean It, Fix it, "Garden Party" Oct 18, 2008

There was a great turnout for the Fall All Church Work Day. The Cub and Boy Scouts were so helpful by sweeping pine needles and wheel-barrowing them to the Community Garden. The Community Gardeners were happy to see the needles to be used for mulch and along the main path.

Laurie and Al Schuler washed windows in the kitchen and East building and dusted the louvered doors in Room 8. Others who participated with various yard trimming and clean up were Ray Mignogna, Herb & Jan Miller, Lin Peng, John and Mark Isberg, Ben, Kate, Mimi and Nellie Daniel, John Belz, Udell Eby, Fred and Marilyn Kromrey, Dana Marino, Preschool teacher Davina and Teacher Ellen and five parents as well.

Tony Escamilla and his son Marc Escamilla were there too, trimming ivy on our west fence and Tom and Eileen Parks were on scene. Tom helping with trimming and dumping and Eileen working hard in the preschool sand box.

Thanks to Barbara Audrey who cleaned the office and entrance doors. The Scouts treated us all to lunch of hot dogs or hamburgers. Scout Dad, Kim, installed a new sink in the office bathroom.

Thank you, thank you to everyone who came.
Your Buildings and Grounds Committee.
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Preschool Fun in November

*Academics*
· The kids are learning about the
letters “E” “F” & numbers 5 & 6.

*Themes & Activities*

Jungle
11/3-11/7

· 11/3 Art: Binoculars
Sung: Little Hoot Owl
· 11/4 Letter *E* day
· 11/5 Number 5 day
· 11/6 Bring a jungle thing
· 11/7 Movie & share day

Pets
11/10-11/14

· 11/10 Art: Puppy Puppets
Poem: Dogs in the dirt
· 11/11 Letter *E* day
· 11/12 Number 5 day
· 11/13 Bring a picture of a pet animal
· 11/14 Movie & share day

Nursery Rhyme
11/17-11/21
· 11/17 Art: Mary Had A Little Lamb
Song: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
· 11/18 Letter *F* day
· 11/19 Number 6 day
· 11/20 Bring your favorite nursery rhyme
· 11/21 Movie & share day



Thanksgiving
11/24-11/28
· 11/24 Art: Thanksgiving Wreaths
Poem: We eat Turkey
· 11/25 Letter *F* day
· 11/26 Number 6 day



*Special Events*

Spaulding’s Donation
A portion of the donation will go towards a visit from the animals at YSI on Friday, November 7.





Scholastic Book Fair
Narthex
11/18-11/25
9:00am-5:30pm


Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch
Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, November 25
11:00am

Preschool Closed
Happy Thanksgiving
November 27 & 28

*Christian Poetry*

The Love of GOD
Thanksgiving

A day of reflection for blessings bestowed
A day spent with family and friends both new and old
A day of feasting, fellowship and fun
A day to give thanks for all God has done
This day has been celebrated year after year
By people of all cultures both far and near
It’s a day most people reflect on how they have been blessed
All the ways, the people and things that brought blessings are addressed
There’s turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce and lots of dessert to eat
Everyone fixing their plates, going for seconds while all diets cease
There’s lots of greeting, laughter and eating being done
While the men look at football, children play games and women’s conversation goes on and on
This is one of the greatest days looked forward to for the year
It brings people together in unity and makes hearts full of cheer
This day is set aside to give thanks for everything
This is the will of our Heavenly Father for everyday, not just for Thanksgivings

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The Semibreve
-Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries


THANKS MUCH… to Patty Potter, Darlene Ristrim, Bud Schmidt, and all the others who helped to make the William Kenville concert a success. Thanks also to all those who came. It was nice to see a lot of folks from the congregation come.


BACK-2-BACK
Hewlett-Packard Symphony Orchestra Friday, November 14, 7:30 PM Now on its 15th year, the HP Symphony Orchestra, directed by George Yefchak, will feature Borodin’s Polotsvian Dances, Chaminade’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, Herb Gellis’ arrangement of Praetorius’ Praetorius Suite, Adam Kent’s arrangement of Holst’s Second Flute in F, and Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival.
Suggested Donation $10 per person
http://www.hpsymphony.org/


Celtic Rose
Sunday, November 16, 3:00 PM
Fill your senses with lilting melodies, elegant lute, guitar strings, and soulful harmonies of the Celtic and Renaissance music of ancient and modern times. Celtic Rose features Doris Williams on lute, recorder, and tin whistle, and Viola Garbarino on vocals, guitar and bodhran. Having received degrees from Oakland University of Rochester, MI, and Stanford University, CA in vocal music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, Ms. Williams has performed with the California Bach Society, Philharmonia Baroque Chorus, and the San Francisco Choral Artists. Having an M.L.S. in Library Science, and an M.A. in Instructional Technology from San Jose State University, Ms. Garbarino has studied guitar, vocal harmony, and songwriting with Carol McComb. She writes original compositions for Celtic Rose, and performs with Mike Buczek’s rock-n-roll band Summer of Love.
Suggested Donation $10 per person
http://www.doriswilliams.com/


MUSIC SERIES BROCHURES
We have brand new brochures for Fall 2008! They’re hip, sassy, and snazzy. Best of all, they are letting churches and businesses all over know about our musical adventures. If you wanna check them out, or if would like to give one to someone, do take a look on the bulletin board in front of my office door, or in the Audiovisual library. They’re there waiting to be seen.

Thanks to Peg, Carol, Darlene and all the other folks who helped with brochure production. We made over 200 brochures for mailing. We would love your help with the next batch - Winter 2009. There’ll be a lot of folding, sealing, labeling that we’ll be doing for the next 200 and above.

Spread the word! Let’s keep our Music Series healthy and alive!
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The First Annual Blessing of the Animals

-Peg Nickl

The Feast Day of St. Francis opened with the first rain of the season, and as much as clear skies are wanted for an outdoor event, this rain was welcome. On the day that remembers the Patron Saint of the Environment this first rain, with its promise of green hills, did nothing to dampen spirits.

Ben led a small group of soggy dogs and their people in prayer that celebrated the value of all God’s creatures then blessed each of the fourteen dogs present. At the end of the service he was covered in muddy paw prints and dog kisses.

Following the blessing the people gathered in the courtyard to share a meal, while the dogs chased after balls and searched the backfield for muddy puddles to roll in. It was a wonderful event.

Thank you to everyone who came together on such short notice and made the first annual blessing of the animals such a success.

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Parish Concerns

A note from Sue LeValley

I want to thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers, cards, and phone calls during my surgery, chemo-therapy, and radiation therapy. With the help of God, family, and friends I am a survivor.


Sincerely,

Sue LeValley


Lectionary Readings
Available in the Presbyterian Planning Calendar


Saturday, November 1 All Saints Day
Revelations 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10,22
1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

Sunday, November 2 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Joshua 3:7-17; Psalm 107:1-7,33-37
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23;1-12
Sunday, November 9 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

Sunday, November 16 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30

Sunday, November 23 Christ the King Sunday
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100
Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46

Sunday, November 30 1st Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37





The Lord's Pantry Toy Collection
This year we are collecting toys for 2 year olds.
Our goal is to collect 20 boy toys and 20 girl toys.

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A letter from Mike and Nancy Haninger in Congo

October 18, 2008

Dear Friends, We wanted to share with you some stories of how you are making a direct and profound difference in the lives of people here in the Congo. In many cases, the difference is whether they live or die.

Kayaya Yshimbawu is alive today because of contributions from caring PC(USA) donors.

Kayaya Yshimbawu is 39 years old and has eight children. Earlier this week, one of our physicians, Dr. Jean Jaques Mulalu, was returning from our outpatient clinic in Kananga. As he was passing by the maternity of a nearby Catholic mission, he was urgently flagged down for help. They had a “pregnant woman in shock from bleeding.” Jean strapped this patient on his motorcycle and brought her to Good Shepherd Hospital in Tshikaji. She was suffering from what is called a placental abruption, where the placenta prematurely separates from the wall of the uterus, causing severe bleeding in pregnancy. She was in profound shock, having lost about 50 percent of her total blood volume. We needed to take her to surgery immediately and, fortunately, had two units of donor blood that we had not needed for another patient. We quickly began transfusing blood and transferred Kayaya immediately to the operating room.

All were aware that she had a very high chance of dying in surgery, but would
certainly die shortly without it. When we opened her abdomen, it was full of blood that did not have clots. This is due to a large clot having formed between the placenta and the interior wall of the uterus, which used up all of the body’s “clotting factors,” that is, substances that are necessary to coagulate blood. Her blood would no longer clot, and she was bleeding from everywhere. She needed clotting factors which, in the United States, all hospitals have readily available. Here in Congo, we have no such thing. What we can do is transfuse fresh donor blood with the clotting factors it contains.

But we had no fresh blood and no donors. Kayaya’s husband is a very small man, weighing only 90 pounds. Because of his size, he could only give half a unit of blood, and after doing so he went quickly into the village to look for other possible donors. He was able to find donors for his wife because we told him that the donors would be paid using charity funds that you, PC(USA) mission donors, have given. Five donors came forward. Two of the five had compatible blood. Nancy also donated her blood, and we were able to give Kayaya enough fresh blood with its clotting factors that she stopped bleeding shortly after we finished the surgery. She is alive, looking great, as you can see in her photo! Her husband is not a widower, and their eight children are not orphans thanks to your gifts.

Photo of a woman fully dressed lying on top of a bed.
Muambi Kabungo needed an operation for cervical cancer but didn't have the money to pay for it. Thanks to contributions from PC(USA) donors, she was able to have the operation.

Muambi Kabungo had cervical cancer that was advanced but still operable. She is a poor village woman with no money, but we performed the operation anyway, paying for her surgery, hospitalization, and for three units of blood with the gifts that you have provided to charity care. It costs about 30 dollars per unit to buy blood. Fortunately, she only needed one unit, and we kept the other two in reserve. (Those were the units we used initially for Kayaya in order to give her enough blood pressure to be able to operate her.) Today, Muambi is recuperating very nicely after a surgery that has a very good chance of curing her cancer.

Last December we told the story of Mujinga. Mujinga was admitted convulsing with eclampsia. She looked bad, but she did survive with a very large hospital bill. We asked for your help to pay her bill, and you responded with generosity beyond what was needed. The funds that remained have gone to very good use, including for Muambi and Kayaya, two women who are alive today thanks to your generosity and love.

There are many more stories such as these and many more patients who we cannot help without your generosity. We find a lot of reproductive cancer here, much of it beyond any possible treatment. But some cases are still treatable with surgery. Given that we are the only hospital where such surgery is possible, that makes us the only hope for these women. Good Shepherd Hospital receives some support from churches in the States, but mostly survives off of local receipts from a very poor population. Unless patients pay for their care, the hospital cannot afford to give that care. It breaks our hearts to have to tell patients that before we can schedule their surgery, they must pay what amounts to a down payment of about 110 dollars (the average annual family income in Congo), which is way out of reach of most patients, and they never return. The help that you give is their greatest hope. It literally means their lives.

We thank you for saving so many and ask you to help us save more.

Would that we could save them all!
Our love,
Mike and Nancy
Nancy and Mike Haninger Mission Co-workers, PCUSAGood Shepherd Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo Permanent mailing address:121 Summit Ridge RoadRocky Point, NC 28457
http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/haningerm.htm

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

October 2008






















Dear Friends,


I’m not sure I’d want to turn back the clock on technology, but on a recent trip to the park with my three-year-old son I was moved with nostalgia when I saw an older gentleman taking photographs with an old-fashioned single-lens-reflex camera.


Jealous of his film, the photographer took his time, gazing through the viewfinder, adjusting his tripod and fussing with dials. This is something I remember well. It wasn’t that long ago that I took pride in my ability to shoot decent photos with a Pentax as old as I am—a camera that once traveled the world with me, bumping my hip as I walked along the Sea of Galilee, and braving the weather on Scotland’s Western Isles. My SLR came with me to Switzerland and Italy, and twice to China where it recorded the adoptions of my two daughters.


But parenthood requires many snapshots, and I have replaced my Pentax with a digital Panasonic with a Leica lens and lots of memory. It’s a good camera, and I’m happy not to be spending money on film and developing; but when I saw that photographer in the park I realized that I miss the way I used to see the world when I could take only as many photos as I could fit on a roll of film, when I needed to make every click of the shutter count. Back then, I paid closer attention to light and color and when I was shooting black and white I noticed contrast and texture. I tried to watch the edges of my viewfinder and to be patient.

Now I pay less attention. I take lots of pictures, confident that at least some of them will turn out, and if not, I can doctor them on my laptop.


Admittedly, there’s much to be said in defense of digital cameras—I won’t be giving mine away anytime soon—but over the weekend I purchased a roll of black and white film. I felt a familiar but forgotten excitement as I wound the film into the box and I went out to look at my neighborhood through the lenses of my dusty old camera.


I don’t yet know how the pictures came out—the film is still at the lab—but I know how I came out: like a man who has found his missing spectacles and is become reacquainted with the joy of sight.


Peace,

Ben

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The Life of a Seminary student


“Search my hidden places, O God that they may become wellsprings of strength. In your wisdom, renew me, that I may in turn make all things new.”- Jan Richardson

During the month of August so many things have happened to me and for me. I returned from my internship in Ghana, Africa, spent some time with my colleagues at San Francisco Theological Seminary, completed packing for the upcoming trip to Ft Worth, spent a few days visiting a friend in Culver City, CA, and stopped along some cities going east as I drove to Ft Worth. My journey thus far has been amazing, incredible, and a wonderful blessing and the journey was uneventful. I continue to thank God for watching over me as I drove the 1800 miles.

Many of you have viewed the photos and read the most of the BLOG that I posted. One day soon I will complete the BLOG so you can enjoy the rest of my journey in Ghana. While in Ghana, I completed the required two reflection papers but decided to write four of them in addition to the two sermons. I preached on 31-Aug at a church in Oakland which was entitled “Humility.” I preached from scripture and what was on my heart without a manuscript and it lasted for 30 minutes and was given some great feedback.

I started CPE (clinical pastoral education) on 18-Aug. CPE is a method of learning and strengthening my pastoral competence which serving as a Chaplain Resident for one year. I will development and become aware of myself, my theology, and the needs of those I serve. The training will help to integrate my training experience into my personality. We visit and write about it which is called action and reflect. There is a lot of writing, reading books (two so far), and we all have to write our goals and present them to our peers.

There are five of us first year students in this program and they are Bruce (retired, Catholic, has hospice experience), Janie (youngetrs-27, Baptist, completed seminary, one unit of hospital CPE), Maria (Presbytery, from PR, completed seminary, no prior CPE), Stella (Methodist, from Kenya, Pastor, no prior CPE), and me (hospice CPE and still in seminary). Everyone has completed seminary except me and only one person is ordained. We are a diverse group. All Chaplains are given free parking because we are considered clergy and have to be there all the time for patient needs.

There are four 2nd year residents. (John-27 and completed one year at Harris), Denise (CPE supervisor in training), Mandy (2nd year), and Tricia (2nd year). They will be in some of our classes during the week. We have lots of class time, one on one time with our CPE supervisor, and one on one time with our clinical CPE Chaplains. In addition we all have 70+ beds that we have responsibility for, we have to work extended shifts, but we get flex time. We work from 8 to 4:30 each day and everyone is a primary, back-up, standby, or on extended shift because of the 24-hour coverage, seven days a week.

The hospital has over 700 beds and a level 2 trauma center. We will not be able to do rounds for all of our patients in a week and have to do the best that we can and see as many as we can. This is a BIG hospital with many shortcuts and tunnels. I have been lost many times but finding my way in the main corridors. We also have a sleep room for our extended overnight stay. There is a main cafeteria called legacy and the food is awesome and not too expensive but I have started to bring my lunch. We also have a Physicians dining room and a man name Neal who is the Chef for all of the physicians because they get special food like lobster, filet mignon, and more. This week we begin to recall our stories and share with the team. During this time, we can get asked anything by our peers but we don’t have to answer. Sometimes it can get emotional because you are sharing with a stranger whom you have to learn to trust and develop a relationship over the next 11 months. This is difficult for some people but I am sure I will enjoy it.

The fitness center cost $17/month with no membership fee, towels are provided, sauna in the men’s and women’s room. We are given two assessments; there is plenty of equipment, probably 10 treadmills, stair masters, lots of weights, swim/exercise classes, and lots more. We are also given a locker with a key each time we go the gym.

Professional dress all the time and comfortable shoes are a necessity. We have already been told that if we come to work and it is not professional, we will be sent home to change.

I am still getting calls and email from friends I have made while in Ghana and this is a blessing for me and I will continue to update you.

Being away from an academic setting for this year is different, a welcome change, and will be beneficial when I do go back to seminary.

I am now on Central time and still waiting for my things to arrive from CA. The maintenance guys here at the apartment have been awesome. They gave me a small television so that I could
get bundled service and a much better cable internet package that did not cost a lot of money. The apartment manager has given me a monthly discount because I work at Harris Methodist Hospital and this is helpful. There are 400 apartments in this complex and mine is very nice. I have carpet on my floors, have air conditioning (kept at 80), garbage disposal, and a nice size for me. We have a fitness center which is small but it makes more sense to stay at work and get the workout completed.

Each day will be a journey in this new role.

~to be continued~

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The Semibreve
Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries




TH
ANKS MUCH to Patty Potter, Lin Peng, my friend Graciela, and Kraig Williams for making the production of the Les grâces concert a success. We really appreciate your generous contribution of time and skills.

PIANIST WILLIAM KENVILLE IN CONCERT Sunday, October 12, 3PM
Long-time student of internationally renowned pianist William Corbett-Jones, and founder of Bay Concert Arts and the Monterey Bay Ragtime Festival, pianist William Kenville will bring to life seldom heard masterworks by Liszt such as Venezia E Napoli and St. François de Paule Marchant sur Les Flots to name a few. For more info, check out http://bcaweb.bayarea.net. Don’t miss it!

IN MEMORIAM

She got a kick out of being afflicted by Synesthesia, an involuntary neurological condition in which the brain is linked to sensory and cognitive pathways. Each composer’s music was a different color. Rachmaninoff’s music was always periwinkle blue. Hues and shapes had corresponding numbers. Life must’ve been a colorful palette much like her’s.

Having been a Stanford and UCLA student, she was a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Master’s Degree in Education. Holding a Literary Degree in Children’s Literature and Poetry, she was an accomplished, published, award-winning writer. She served in the Women’s Army Corp during WWII where she became the 2nd lieutenant in charge of Recruiting Tour of Duty at Ft. Douglas, Utah, and the first woman graduate of the Adjutant General Schools at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and the Philanthropic and Educational Organization (PEO). She was our resident composer, music critic, bell choir ringer, chancel choir singer. She was a wife, a mother, and our friend.

Miss Maggie, we will miss you.

WHO I AM
I’ve lived my life with no regrets,
And not as one who oft forgets
The Golden Rule;
I’ve always done the best I could
In marriage and in motherhood,
In home and school.

For beauty, sought to satisfy
The passion of both ear and eye,
The need was strong;
I found its joy in sight and sound
And written word and rhythm bound
In note and song.

Tho’ wealth and fame eluded me,
The urge of creativity
Was intertwined
With sense of humor, joi de vivre,
The search for answers to relieve
My hungry mind.

And when my earthly life is o’er,
I’ll march right up to Heaven’s door
With joy and pride
To greet with great expectancy
The cherished friends and family
Who wait inside.

-Margaret Lynn Steelhead Montgomery
May 10, 1920 – July 14, 2008

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Preschool is having fun in October
with










*Academics*
· The kids are learning about the letters “C” “D” and the numbers 3 & 4.

*Themes & Activities*

*Hospital*


· 10/1 Number 2 day
· 10/2 Make a get well card for the children at Stanford Hospital
· 10/3 Sharing & movie day




*Health & Safety* 10/6-10/10
· 10/6 Art: Achoooo
Poem: Cough & Sneeze
· 10/7 Letter “C” day
· 10/8 Number 3 Day
· 10/9 Bring a healthy snack

· 10/10 Sharing & movie day

*Colors* 10/13-10/17
· 10/8 Art: Blurry Rainbows
Poem: If your wearing red
· 10/14 Letter “C” day
· 10/15 Number 3 day
· 10/16 Wear multicolor day
· 10/17 Sharing & movie day


*Disney* 10/20-10/24 10/20
· 10/20 Art: Mickey Mouse

Song: Did you ever see Tigger
· 10/21 Letter "D" day
· 10/22 Number 4 day
· 10/23 Bring a Disney item


*Harvest/Trick-or-Treat* 10/27-10/31
· 10/27 Art: Balloon Jack O Lanterns
Poem: Four little stars
· 10/28 Letter “D” day



· 10/29 Number 4 day
· 10/30 Bring a picture of your last Trick-or-Treat day







*Special Activities*








10/11 Children’s art will be displayed at the Eva Annual Art Show


10/27 We’re creating our very own Pumpkin Patch

10/31 Trick-or-Treat Costume Parade, We will trick-or-treat at the local businesses


*Fieldtrip*
Friday 10/24 Disney On Ice at the HP Pavilion



*Christian Poetry*

MY HAND IN GOD'S

Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today;"
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with his tender care
When paths are dark and I despair---
No need for me to understand
If I hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.
When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
Tomorrow… I’ll place my hand in God's again.

By, Florence Scripps

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Parish Concerns

A letter from Ann Quamen

Dear Friends and Family,

Miss Helen Funnell passed away September 7, 2008. Below find and excerpt of the biography that can be found at www.mem.com. I thank you for the letters and cards sent to Helen. She always enjoyed hearing from everyone.
In 2006, the PEO Home closed and Helen moved to the Pacific Grove Convalescent Hopital in Monterey. Helen's favorite resident was a big old cat. She padded around the place like a practicing runner from her whellchair. Once again, that smile, bright eyes, and untarnished disposition inspired everyone. Not one thing could be said to have been wrong with her; everything began to hurt at once. She was under Hospice care for the final 5 weeks. I blasted Chopin into her morphine aided sleep with a CD player. A little Chopin: Nocturne No. 2 in E Flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2 - dainty smooth fingers poised over the keys-- pracitce, practice--neat, waved bob bending over the key board- hands scarcely big enough to span an octave- Helen Funnell lived to be 103 years old.

Regretfully,
Ann Quamen

Lectionary Readings
Available in the Presbyterian Planning Calendar


Sunday, October 5, 2008
27TH Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 ; Psalm 19
Philippians 3:4b-14 ; Matthew 21:33-46

Sunday, October 12, 2008
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Exodus 32:1-14 ; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Philippians 4:1-9 ; Matthew 22:1-14

Sunday, October 19, 2008
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Exodus 33:12-23 ; Psalm 99
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 ; Matthew 22:15-22

Sunday, October 26, 2008
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 34:1-12 ; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 ; Matthew 22:34-46

Special Prayers for Roxie Banks, Linda Shadoe, Dee Daniel, Helen Klotz, Bobbie Stites, Joy Horch, Eleanore Otis, Shirley Schmidt, John Roberts, Mary Mints, Karen Withrow, Sue LeValley, Natalie Gatzke, Jack Stutz, Kitty Rugebregt, and Ron Sparrow.