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.