August 2009

Sarah Glass here.

Many of you at FPC have watched over me as I have grown up from a child into a young woman, and you have guided me and supported me as I pursue a call in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It is my great honor and privilege, then, to extend to all of you an invitation to another milestone in my life.

On August 15th at 2pm, Ben will be presiding over my marriage to Alex Weisiger, a wonderful person whom I met while at seminary, and we would both be honored to share this celebration with all of you. We are continually blessed by your love and support, and we look forward to sharing this sacred moment with you.

What? Sarah Glass and Alex Weisiger's Wedding
When? August 15, 2009 at 2pm
Where? Foothill Presbyterian Church, sanctuary


The Life of a Seminary Student
-Maxine Millender

One of the wonders of grace is that it can move into the most broken of lives with a kindness that is as wise as it is good. -Mart de Haan

This is my final unit of the one year residency program and there are a lot of things to complete prior to our graduation. We have our summer resident students (two), we have a lot more reading this unit, we have to facilitate class and teach three chapters from a book, we have verbatims to write and present, reflection papers (two a week for me), a five page Theology of Pastoral Care paper, and our final unit eval in late August. We are still expected to complete our pastoral visits and write a stats reflection paper each month. In addition, we have had to watch two movies and write reflection papers on them. I have spent more time at work due to many residents on vacation or out sick but the nice thing is I am compensated with time off, when I can take it.

I have had the summer residents shadow/trail me and had to write a reflection paper when their training was completed. I had so much joy with them and was glad to be in this position to help them. Also, I learned that I have grown tremendously and it wasn’t until they were with me that I noticed it. In my papers, I described what it was like to have someone trail me, debrief with them, I taught them how to observe a patient and be clear what they see in someone’s room, and I taught them how to chart electronically. Because both are Catholic and studying to become Priests, I worked with them on how to be a Chaplain to anyone, regardless of their faith tradition. The influence and power I had over them was used to enable and empower them.

These past few weeks I have started to take care of myself to be sure I am healthy. I have had a physical, mammogram, nuclear stress test and an upper/lower GI test and they have come back negative. I am also going to a chiropractor three times a week for disk decompression due to pain in my lower back which is starting to go away. After working as a Chaplain and seeing so much sickness and poor prognosis, I decided it was time to do this.

We have seen many increases in full arrest (results in death), suicide attempts, self inflected gunshot wounds, and accidental drowning beside the usual natural cause deaths.

I had a very traumatic death on 6/20. A young man of 16 was brought in due to being in a pool for a long period of time. He was at his girlfriend’s house and she had not seen him and thought he was sitting outside until she checked. He was at the bottom of the pool. She dove in, pushed him up and immediately started CPR. Her parents called EMS, they rushed to the house, took over CPR and continued it until they reached the hospital. Because she was not family, I could not share any information with her.

I was able to get his Mom on the phone and handed it to the RN because Chaplains are not allowed to share medical information unless it is a dire emergency. She and her husband rushed to the hospital and while reroute, I was with the girlfriend, her Father and Mother who were all sobbing. At one point she was on the floor crying to God to let him breath but unfortunately he never woke up again but we couldn’t tell her due to HIPPA laws.

When his Mom and step-Dad arrived, we brought them to a room that had the Doctor, RN, and me. When the Doctor explained what he had tried to do, the Mom screamed and said, “I know this is a dream and I am going to wake up from it.” When she opened her eyes, she said, no Mother should have to bury her son, especially one so young. She cried and cried and I held her for a long time. When she finally said, “I want to see my son”, the officer came in to tell her that she couldn’t due to the suspicious nature of his drowning, I thought she would fall over and die.
As I stood outside the room, I asked if he had children, how many, and what ages. He did have a 16 year old and did understand. They were allowed to see him but not touch him and this was so difficult for her not to touch her son who was the youngest of four children and he was the only boy. When the biological Father came, he broke down and was sobbing for some time.

There were police officer, detectives, and our medical examiner that had to examine him to understand the nature of his drowning. We were informed by the Mom that he was an excellent swimmer but maybe he drank alcohol and fell into the pool. Anyway, I spent 6 hours with this family. When they finally allowed the girlfriend to come back to see him, she almost passed out and we had to hold her for a long period of time. The Mother was so sick that we had to admit her in what’s called kwik care to get her some valium. She could not understand how her son who was healthy could have drowned and she wanted to wake up from this nightmare. I have not been able to completely process this death nor write about it in a verbatim. I have had many deaths this month but not as traumatic.

Because I worked on a Saturday (6/20), I have 6/26 to 6/28 off to relax and travel someplace. It was highly recommended that I go to the Long Horn Caverns near Austin, TX and enjoy the weekend sightseeing.

I will begin school on 8/24 but only take three courses due to my work schedule. My director at work has committed that he will read my reflection papers and give me feedback and one of the Staff Chaplains has also committed to be a resource for me when I start my new Chaplain’s role.

How sweet are thy words unto my taste!
Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
~Psalm 119:103 ß King James Version

~to be continued~

*Academics*
The kids are learning about
Letters “X” “Y” “Z” Colors: Orange & Green
Shapes:

*Themes & Activities*

*Transportation*

8/3-8/7

8/3 Art: Shape Train
Poem: Trains
8/4 Learning the letter X
8/5 Learning the color orange

*Veggie Tales*

Bible Week
8/10-8/14

8/10 Topic: Kindness
Story: Blind Bartimaeus
Art: Kindness Place Mat
8/11 Topic: Forgiveness
Story: Zacchaeus
Art: Trees Of Forgiveness
8/12 Topic: Gentleness
Story: Let The Children Come
Art: Children Come To Me
8/13 Topic: Love
Story: The Crucifixion
Art: Jesus’ Cross
8/14 Topic: Compassion
Cookbook Day: Pudding
Pleasers



*Dinosaurs*
8/17-8/21
8/17 Art: Dinosaur T-Shirt
Poem: The Dino Ditty
8/18 learning the letter Y
8/19 Learning the shape Circle






*Five Senses*
8/24-8/28·


8/24 Art: Scented Flower
Song: 5 Senses
· 8/25 Letter review day X Y Z
· 8/26 Learning the shape Square


*Special Events*
Summer Jazzercise
Monday & Wednesday



Let’s get wet Fridays
Veggie Tales
8/10-8/14


Dinosaurs T-Shirt
8/17

*Re-Occurring Activities*

Every First Wednesday Of The Month
With Pastor Ben

Every Friday
Movie & Share day





*Spread the word*

FCP is now excepting enrollments.


*Spiritual Poetry*
A Child’s Prayer

Dear angel ever at my side,
how lovely you must be,
To leave your home in heaven
to guard a child like me!

When I am far away from home,
or maybe hard at play,
I know you will protect me
from harm along the way.

Your beautiful and shining face
I see not, though you're near,
The sweetness of your lovely voice,
I cannot really hear.

But when I pray you're praying too,
your prayer is just for me.
And when I sleep, you never do
-you're watching over me!
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The Fall Retreat registration has begun. I hope you are planning to attend the weekend of September 25th.

The location of the Fall Retreat is Happy Valley Conference Center in Santa Cruz. The center is located in the beautiful redwoods. Each room has its own heater and bathroom. The food is good and plentiful. And this is always a fun fellowship weekend with the FPC family.

Sam Barry, columnist Dave Barry’s brother, will be providing our program. The theme is "How to Play” focusing on keeping a sense of fun in the life of the spirit. We will explore ways to keep humor and levity in our spiritual lives despite trying times. I expect music and humor to be a large part of the weekend.

With additional donations I was able to obtain this year, the fees have been lowered.
THANKS FOR THE HELP!

The costs are as follows:
Adults $130
12-19 $95
03-11 $55
Less than 3 $15

This includes 2 nights and 6 meals. Partial attendance is available, also.
Please contact me for the costs.

Please register early as it helps with planning. Look for the sign up table after church or sign up at the church office.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Thanks!
Martha Belz

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During the month of May the Lord’s Pantry helped to feed 832 families, 1420 adults, 1860 children, and 13 homeless individuals.

Foothill has partnered with the Lord’s Pantry and helps to support this mission by contributing food, blankets, and infant layette items. Thanks to all who help.

Especially in these times, we need to continue to help those who need it most. Please bring a non-perishable food item to church with you.
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Feast Day of St. Francis
Blessing of the Animals
11:00AM Saturday, October 3, 2009

followed by a Pot Luck lunch

We will also be collecting blankets & towels to donate to
the City San Jose Animal care and Services

Please have your animal leashed or crated.