November 2009

Dear Friends,

At the end of his newest book, Patience With God: Faith for People Who Don’t Like Religion (or Atheism) Frank Schaeffer writes,

At its best, faith in God is about thanksgiving, shared suffering, loss, pain, generosity, and love. The best religious people and best secular people learn to ignore their chosen (or inherited) religions’ nastier teachings in order to preserve the spirit of their faith, be that faith in secular humanism, science, or in God. It’s the tediously consistent fundamentalists—religious or atheist—who become monsters. They are so sure they have the truth that they dare claim that only the members of “my” religion will be saved.

I like how that paragraph starts with an affirmation of thanksgiving and ends with a rejection of intolerance because both are important and I think they are connected. What if, for example, our faith inspired in us so great a sense of gratitude to God that we were rendered unable to be distracted by the lesser demons that inspire intolerance. At the very least, it seems like a worthy goal.

In a few weeks the American people will be celebrating Thanksgiving and when we do I am going to make this my goal: to be so thankful for all the goodness that surrounds me and for all for all of the beauty that fills my life that I will not have time for thoughts of intolerance or of any other lack of kindness that might cloud my thoughts.

I invite you to share this goal with me. Together, let’s practice the very best in religion: let’s be grateful, sharing our suffering, loss, pain, generosity and love. And let’s remove all intolerance from among us. Let’s be the very best Christians we can be.

Gratefully,

Ben

P.S. We will be discussing Frank Schaeffer’s book over dinner starting at six thirty on Tuesday, November 17. Please reserve a spot around the table by calling the church office.

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Many of you know but perhaps some of you don't know where I now live. My home now is at Wesley Pines, Lumberton, North Carolina where 114 of us live getting partial care as needed. The building belongs to the Methodists and sits among acres of the most beautiful pines that I have ever seen. Hence the name "Wesley Pines".

I was lucky to get a two room unit with a kitchenette and bath. Because I have the room, I brought my office furniture, computer, printer TV, and some chairs, and bookcase. I was lucky because there are only five such units in the building. It has been a while since I have lived in such clean quarters. Once a week two kind ladies do the job.

I’ve been enjoying my the Sony eBook book portable reading system. It’s great and I have bought several books now using the money that was given for that purpose. And there is still a lot of money to be used. I am currently reading The Murder of King Tut. Thank you for the entertaining gift.

This is rated as a medical place. Consequently we get constant medical attention. For instance, a lady comes into my bedroom at 5:15 am to check my blood pressure! If I have any need what so ever I have but to push a button several places on the walls, and some one is here immediately. Kindness couldn't be better

This a great place to live until I think about Foothill Presbyterian Church and then the tears flow. And this is quite often. As a Presbyterian, I know it was predestined. (intended humor)

Thank many of you for your letters and telephone calls,
Maury

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The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender

“God has not promised to keep us from life’s storms, but He will keep us through them”

-Unknown author

Starting this month I am back in school and will be writing from two perspectives; seminary student at Brite Divinity and as a Hospital Chaplain.

When I started my new role on September 4^th as a Chaplain, it was exciting, exhilarating and wonderful. I am truly called to be a Chaplain, all credit to God. My night (1030 pm to 830 am) was full of visits with staff members in addition to some patients. Most of my patients are asleep but I get to spend time in the entire hospital and I am the only Chaplain in house.

I had plenty of trauma, crisis calls, and fetal demises- the baby is born (20 weeks or more) with an abnormality, lives for minutes to a few hours, and then dies. I spend time with the patient and her family but most of my attention goes to her. During my last fetal demise, the baby was a boy who was 23 weeks. She really wanted this baby but knew it would not survive. She had asked the RN to call a Chaplain because she wanted her son to be blessed and baptized. When I arrived, the RNs had already dressed the baby in blue and the Mom was holding him. I pulled the RN aside to ask if the baby was still alive and was told he was. The parents had named him and as they were telling me his name, tears flowed freely from their eyes. I asked for sterilized water, prayed with the family, blessed the baby and then baptized him. When I lifted him, he was small enough to fit in one hand and it touched my heart. When I gave her son back to her, she thanked me for a wonderful service and I told her how sorry I was and would get a Christian Baptism certificate to her with her son’s name on it. She smiled. The fetal demises are still very emotional for me and I thank God for the strength and courage I have to walk into a room where I know the baby will die soon.

Last Saturday night I spent seven of my hours in ER. We had a young man who was 25 come in as a Level 1. He had either jumped or was pushed from an 80 foot bridge. The police believe he was possibly running from someone and thought that by jumping he would land in the water but he missed and ended up head first is some sand. He was given CPR, one unit of blood pushed into him but he died after 40 minutes of constant CPR. After trying to find family, the policemen told me it would become a homicide investigation which means no one from his family or friends come view the body. Imagine how difficult this is! We had a policeman stay with the body, crime scene members come take photos and our medical examiner come and bag him for evidence. When his Mom and Dad arrived, we (Doctor, RN and me) met with them to explain about the death in ER and some of what we knew so far without compromising police information. The mother was very distraught, could hardly talk, and the tears flowed constantly from losing her son. I spent time, a lot of time, with her. I had several calls on this night and many deaths but she was important so I had to triage my calls and visits and was able to get them completed.

One of my parishes in the hospital is the Klabzuba outpatient center where our cancer patients go go for their treatments. I visit them once a week and get to see how the medication is administered to them and watch (if they are ok) to see how it affects them. My first visit has been to get to know staff, the patients, their families, and share what Chaplains do so that they can get to know more about me and my role. This type of visit can be difficult but I take bibles and prayer books with me and offer them, if they don’t have reading material. Some of the appointments last 2 hours, some all day, and some patients come every other week. I really like it and the patients tell me how fortunate they are to be alive and most have found God because they had cancer.

I am also responsible for visiting the palliative care parish, which is fairly new and recently remodeled. I have anywhere from 8 to 15 patients and there are many deaths on this floor. The patients who come to this parish have been given a very poor prognosis and are treated for pain and given comfort measures only. Sometimes they opt to leave for home and have a hospice center take care of them so they can die peacefully at home with family surrounding them. All families are invited to stay with the patients around the clock, if they want. The ages range from 20’s to 90’s and all are very special. My other parish is ER/medicine which I had before. I have close to 80 beds now.

School is awesome. I am taking 3 courses this semester which are Evangelism (total of 4 books to read), Congregational Leadership (total of 6 books to read), and History of Christianity (total of 5 books to read). All of the courses have handouts which have to be read and of course many papers to write. My History of Christianity is the only one which has take home exams with 3 questions. In my other two classes, I have the same professor (used to be a Pulpit Pastor) which is very nice.

All new Brite students have to take a one credit course called Theological Resources to learn the correct way to format papers, how to use the software, and how to use the Turabian style of writing papers, which Brite prefers. It is a six week course and we have almost completed it. So far I am doing ok with all of the reading and have handed in two papers and received good marks. It is difficult with work but I am able to keep up, get enough sleep, and still see a movie. I may only take two classes in the spring and take a course in the summer, if I can.

Lord, may I continue to have a servant’s heart in all that I say and do.

~to be continued~

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*Academics*
The kids are learning about
Letters “E” “F”
Numbers: 5 & 6
Lesson for the month:
Words that Rhyme
Pre K Classroom: How to hold a
Pencil.






*Themes & Activities*

*Hat*
11/2-11/6

11/2 Art: Crown
Poem: Happy Hat
· 11/3 Learning the letter E
· 11/4 Learning the number 5
· 11/5 Lesson: Words that rhyme with HEAD
·11/6 Lesson: How to hold a pencil


*Baby*
11/9-11/13

· 11/9 Art: Putting baby to bed
Song: Hush little baby
· 11/10 Learning the letter E
· 11/11 Learning the number 5
· 11/12 Lesson: Words that rhyme BLUE
· 11/13 Lesson: How to hold a pencil


*Thanksgiving*
11/16-11/20


· 11/16 Art: Big Turkey
Poem: Little Pilgrims
· 11/17 learning the letter F
· 11/18 Learning the number 6
· 11/19 Lesson: Words that rhyme with EAT






*Thanksgiving*
11/23-11/25

· 11/23 Art: Hand & turkey card
Song: Mr. Turkey
· 11/24 Learning the letter F
· 11/25 Learning the number 6







*Bible Lesson*




Spiritual Message: Giving

Chapel day with Pastor Ben
Tuesday, November 3

Christian stories, songs & art
Monday-Thursday



*Poetry*

I Found God Today
By Tommy Smith

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


*Special Events*

Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch
Tuesday, November 24
at 11AM.

*Preschool Closed*
Thanksgiving Holiday
11/26 &11/27

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The Semibreve
-Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries


MANY THANKS…

To Carol Goedde, Melissa and Greg Hill, Dana and Benjamin Marino, Jerry and Brian Siegfried, and all others who have helped in the successful production of the Funk Train Express Concert. Thanks for all who came and danced.

Back 2 Back Concerts

South Bay Philharmonic

Friday, November 13, 7:30 PM

Having performed major works all over the Bay Area for over fifteen years, South Bay Philharmonic, formerly known as the HP Symphony Orchestra, will present a program that will feature Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, selections from Elgar’s The Wand of Youth, as well as small chamber works.

Doris Williams and Friends

Sunday, November 22, 3 PM

Performing Celtic and Renaissance music of ancient and modern times, Doris Williams and Friends will feature Doris Williams on lute, vocals, bodhran, and tin whistle; Andrew Davis on violin and vocals, and Karl Franzen on classical and steel-string guitar, bouzouki, tin whistle, recorder, bodhran, dumbek, melodeon, and vocals.

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. Studying piano, violin, and voice at a young age, Mr. Davis continued his studies at Oberlin College in Music Composition and East Asian Studies. Listening to videogame soundtracks, and his father’s medieval music collection inspired a newfound love of Celtic music, prompting him to rename his old violin a fiddle. Self-taught harmonica, mandolin, tin whistle, melodeon, and doumbek player, Mr. Franzen studied with East Coast guitarist Phil Cooper. Appearing on many modern folk recordings, he is currently playing with Alan Keith, Gary Breitband, Mr. Barky, Harmon’s Peak, Luceo, Slainte of SF Bay (Peter Tommerup), and is also teaching music, privately.

TENTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF CAROLS

Friday, December 11^th, 7 PM

Featuring Foothill Music Ensembles, Voices of the Valley, soloists, and many other special guests. Please mark it on your calendars. Suggested Donation: one canned good per person will benefit The Lord’s Pantry to feed those in need.

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Special Appeal Update 10-1-09

Dear Members and Friends of Foothill Presbyterian Church,

As you may recall, our projected income for fiscal year 2009-2010 fell some $15,000 short, even after we pared the budget to it bare bones.

To allow this bare bones budget to carry us through the year, we asked your help in covering this $15,000 short fall by donating an extra month’s pledge. (The 13^th Month.)

Our thanks goes out to those of you who have already heard the call and started contributing your 13^th month, either in increments or fully in one payment, and at this point we can report that we’ve reached almost 25% of our $15,000 goal.

In addition to providing you with this interim report of progress, we are also taking this opportunity to address anyone who has not yet begun to assist in meeting our budget needs, by asking that you prayerfully consider your part in the financial support of our church.

Specially marked “pew envelopes” are available in the foyer, marked “Special Appeal 13^th Month.” These envelopes are for your use. We encourage you to join with those already answering this appeal so that all programs in our budget can be met.

Blessings on you,

Finance and Stewardship Committee Members

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-Martha Belz

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

The Fall Retreat is behind us and I hope all who attended had a wonderful experience. And I hope more of you will be able to attend next year, the weekend of September 24^th.

I was unable to attend, but I heard Sam Barry did a wonderful job and everyone had a good time.

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

Virginia Mignogna was once again our nurse.

Ellen Chellino and her husband, David, provided programs for the children. Jerry Siegfried’s granddaughter, Darlene, and her friend, Malia helped. Greg and Melissa Hill also led children activities outside program time.

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

Jane Wallace was responsible for the cabin assignments.

Jane Wallace and Darlene Ristrim made the name tags.

John Belz designed the tee shirts. Toni Ann Gatzke picked them up for me.

Sharon Rowser covered registration for me on many Sundays.

Gene Hewitt ran the ice breaker Friday night and led the morning watch.

Jay Jordana coordinated the blessings before the meals.

Jim Withrow led the Saturday afternoon hike and was the camp photographer.

Greg Hill built the campfire.

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

Eileen Parks secured Ellen and David to run the children’s program.

Karen Withrow provided much needed support and advice.

Last but not least- thank you so much Sharon Rowser and Gene Hewitt for agreeing to run the weekend in my absence. I really appreciated it!

If I have missed anyone, I apologize. I appreciate all the help and all who attended. Thank you all so much! I could not have coordinated this without you.

Martha Belz

COATS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NONE & FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY

-Submitted by Darlene Ristrim, Clerk of Session

If you have two coats, share one with someone who has none. If you have food share it with someone who is hungry. Luke 3:11

Winter will soon be upon us, the wind will blow strong, and rain will pour down from the sky above. Most of us will be snug and warm in our homes. Some 10,000 homeless people, who live within the bounds of our Presbytery in Santa Clara County, one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S. will face a bleak winter. Cold dark days that can chill the body, never satisfy the hunger and fill the soul with despair.

The need is great. How can Foothill Folks respond? Two immediate areas in which we can response are:

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY - The Lord’s Pantry

• administered by the Deacons forFoothill Folks

Come fill the basket by the entrance to the foyer. The need is great every day and every week. Hunger takes no holiday. We can share with the hungry can by can. Strive to make shopping and sharing part of every trip to the grocery store. I make peanut butter my special item…

ONE COAT TO SHARE – Inn Vision’s Donation Depot

• administered by the Mission Committee for Foothill Folks

Come fill the barrel in the foyer. Have you bought a new jacket or coat recently? Is your coat closet overflowing? How many gently worn jackets and coats you can share? Warm the body and soul of someone who has no coat. The barrel will be available from November 8 – 29.

We will have a Service of Ordination for Sarah Glass Weisger on November 22, 2009 at 5:00PM. We hope you will join us.