Dear Friends,As the start of summer approaches, you will be receiving several appeals for your financial support during the coming fiscal year, which begins on July 1. We ask for support and for pledges so that we who are in charge of mapping out the course of the Church’s journey of ministry can know what to expect. Your pledge of support helps the leadership of the congregation exercise faithful stewardship.
So pledging financial support for the church is vitally important, but the church doesn’t just need financial support. We also need your presence on Sunday morning.
Simply showing up at worship is, perhaps the most important way you can support the life and ministry of our congregation. When you show up, you make Foothill a better place, a more exiting place to worship and to experience a community of faith.
When you come to worship you are able to connect with your friends and to meet new people who are joining us on Sunday Morning. When you come to worship you make Foothill more appealing to those who visit us, because a church with full pews is an exciting place for newcomers. When you come to worship you are better able to learn about what is happening in the life of our congregation.
So please come home to your church on Sunday. This is particularly important during the summer months when many of us take vacations, and when we get a larger number of visitors checking out our church to see if ours is a good place to worship.
So when you are in town on Sundays during summer, please join us for worship. It is the best support you can give the congregation.
Happy Summer!
Ben
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Volunteers Needed for Summer Sunday SchoolWe need volunteers to teach Summer Sunday School. Summer session runs from June 13th to August 29th. If you're interested in teaching Sunday School this summer, contact Jane Wallace
Sunday School Open House- You Are Invited
June 6th following Worship Service. Come by and see what the kids have been working on this year.
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Flea Market ThanksMarilyn Kromrey, Building and Grounds
The Buildings and Grounds Committee thanks the congregation for their donations of usable household goods for the Flea Market held May 15th. It turned out to be a beautiful day and did not rain. Thanks to the men who rose before dawn to come to the church to move tables from the Narthex to the parking lot.
Special thanks to Angie Carrillo, Darlene Ristrim and Carol Tillman for categorizing the many different types of items donated. Thanks to Ray Mignogna for donut holes which gave us sustenance throughout the day. Herb Miller was wheeling and dealing. Jan Miller made signs, Lin Peng, Udel Eby and Carol Tillman helped sell items. Fred Kromrey painted new "a frame" flea market signs and John Wallace helped place them around the neighborhood.
The Community gardeners participated as well and sold plants and seedlings to benefit the Community Garden.
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The Music Series
Joanne Reinecker, Music Enthusiast
Here at church I, Joanne Reinecker, saw last night (May 18) The Monteverdi Brass Quintet playing music from 1500-1600. Three ”Madrigals”, normally vocal, from Italy, starting with “Return of Spring”, from Marenzio and Monteverdi, were well received: one, a chorale-like with sonorous chords, of lyrical depth, using trombones effectively; the other being jovial or rousing in mood.
The next group of Renaissance Spanish pieces had a delightful trumpet duet. Another, “My Luna” had three trombones with a gentle theme but more full and songlike. Next, using solos, a trumpet and a trombone was having a dance-like dotted rhythm. Very fun was “Tres Villancios” which our choir once sang with a popular theme much like Lady Gaga! I even recall use of a triangle for this lively piece.
Our next prolific known court composer, H. Isaac (14th-15th C), wrote the non-sacred chancons (songs) into instrumental works that led to fugues (esp. Bach 17thC/1600- quite tender morsels for our ears). The individual players gave us the history of the types of brass families during the Renaissance Period, including a family of four trombones as to size and pitch, trumpet, and the early cornetto. They said this caused a cross-pollination of instrumental voices.
The Italian group also added a Flugelhorn. 1st composer, Banchieri, made music more complex and compellingly satisfying. Closing the concert was Purcell’s “Voluntary on an old 100th” (Doxology) with its precise melody and intricate, grandiose variations. To our delight, they chose to repeat it, being rather short.
A wonderful reception followed a fine concert that could have continued even longer.
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The Semibreve
-Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries
I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has made this year another wonderfully musical year! -To the members of the Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir (their parents and guardians), the Glory Ringers; to all who have in any way helped to produce/staff the Music Series concerts; to Kraig Williams for assistance with concert production, and for bringing great talent to the church and the community at large through the Peralta Consort and early music; to all who have provided special music and musical assistance in any way; to the congregation and your community of family and friends for promoting and attending the concerts, and for Ben Daniel and the Session for continued support. I feel like your every show of support, appreciation is an expression of gratitude for God’s gift of music to humankind.
I’d also like to thank everyone for all the support that Anne and I received at our recital. Personally, after 10 years of not having had one (in classical music), it helped to see a sea of friendly faces cheering us on. Thanks for the love.
The music program wouldn’t be where it is if it weren’t for your continued support. THANK YOU!
VIVACE YOUTH CHORUS
Saturday, June 19th, 3 pm
In preparation for the Pacific International Children's Chorus Festival, and the distinguished Bach Festival in Oregon, the Vivace Youth Chorus will be presenting "Pacific Gems," a bon voyage concert. This concert will feature Brian Holmes's premiere performance of The Song of Mr. Toad. It will also feature works by Bach, Bernstein, Conte, Chatman and Hatfield as well as settings of folk music from France (via Louisiana), Venezuela, and Newfoundland. Performers will include Jerry Holmes on bari sax, and Margaret Collar on flute. www.vivaceyouthchorus.org Suggested Donation $10/person
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From Deacon Carol GoeddeI had a nice visit with Mary Mints yesterday, 5/13/10. She informed me that her brain tumor is in remission. She is taking medicine that helps with pain control. She was teaching an art class at her care center on Jackson each Thursday. I've had the opportunity to meet some of the artists and visit with them. Mary would appreciate visitors. Her address is LifeHouse 180 N. Jackson.
WelcomeAustin Michael Brown was born to Tiffany Kunsman Brown and Ryan Brown. Grandparents are Charlene and Michael Kunsman. Great Grandparents are Robert and Bertha Nelson.
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assembled Gift of the Heart Kits
Gift of the Heart Kits
-Jay Jordana
Thanks so much to all of you who gave so much to our Gift of Heart Kits project. Through your support, we were able to send 5 boxes of baby kits, and hygiene kits to Church World Services to help countries who have suffered major calamity. Moreover, when finished with assembly, we will be sending boxes of school kits to add to this as well.
I’d like to extend special thanks to Nancy Leonard for pretty much doing most of the ground work- inventory, shopping (She and Peg found great deals!), and more. I’d also like to thank the Joubert family for shouldering all of the shipping costs. With this generous help, we were able to produce more kits from money that would have otherwise been spent on shipping costs. Finally, with Anne Daniel’s, Nancy Leonard’s, and Peg’s help, we were able to put the kits together and prepare them for shipping. Thanks so much for your generosity!
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~A Special Thank You~
To: Elieen Parks, Jan Miller, Fred Kromrey & Jay Jordana for helping to make our graduation ceremony a success!
*Bible Lesson*Chapel Day with Pastor Ben
Wednesday, June 2
*Special Events*
Summer Jazzercise
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Ice Cream Fridays
Father’s Day Lunch
6/17
*Fieldtrip*
6/18 Bounce-A-Rama
A Father’s Day Poem
~Author Unknown~
I find myself wondering...
Did I give you your due..
For all that you've done for me
Did I ever thank you?
For all of my childhood memories
For helping me deal with life's stresses
For helping me accept my defeats
And celebrate my successes?
Did I every thank you?
Or for teaching me the value of hard work,
Good judgment, courage, and being true
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared
Did I ever thank you?
If I’ve forgotten, I'm thanking you now, dad
I’m sorry it’s taken me so long....
I hope you, instinctively, knew it all along.
*Academics*
The kids are learning about the Letters "S" & "T" and Numbers 19 & 20
*Themes and Activites*
Zoo Animals 5/31-6/4
Summer 6/7-6/11
Fathers 6/14-6/18
Beach 6/21-6/25
The 4th of July 6/28-7/2
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Recycle Your Old Athletic ShoesBring your used athletic shoes to church during June. Collected shoes will be turned in to the Nike for recycling. The material from the recycled shoes will be is used to make athletic court and playground surfaces. For more information on this recycling program visit http://www.nikereuseashoe.com.
The next Women's Brunch will be Saturday, July 10th at 9:30 am in Room 9.
A sign-up sheet will be available in the Foyer. Any questions can be directed to Karen Withrow (408-735-8067 or Karen@dfj.com).
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The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
Maxine Millendar
Inspect your own life before you look for specks in others
-Branon
This month has been a very good month and I am always pleased when outcomes are good and I can share them with you. During the past two months I have been working Friday nights all alone and my back-up is at home, if I need her.
Last month I shared about a 22 yr old male who was in critical condition due to a wall falling on him. He was a patient in ICU for 50 days and his parents finally agreed to move him to a hospice center close to their home in Houston. The swelling in his brain had gone down but his head was sunken and it was not a pretty sight. During his last night at the hospital, I visited him, prayed with him, read scripture to him, and talked to him. During an earlier visit, one of the Chaplains held his hands while he talked to him, spoke to his Dad, and both cried many tears. Some of the RNs cried also because they had spent a lot of time taking care of him. The young man will never have a quality of life but his family is not willing to let him go, just yet.
Another person from last month is the young lady who was stabbed while sitting at a park with one of her daughters. Her neighbors got together, retrofitted her house, and surprised her. In an interview at the hospital, she said “I am overwhelmed with generosity from her neighbors and strangers,” and this kind act of generosity made national news.
I have had many deaths this month and spent a lot of time with many family members. When a patient dies and there is no family or they are not coming to the hospital, I spend time with the patient and have a ceremony for them. Most times I will call the family to let them know their loved one was not alone and if no family exists, I leave the room with no one to call. One man (46) was brought to ER by a friend, his condition deteriorated, and he was taken to our cardiac center. Our head of security tried to locate family but to no avail. His parents had died but he did have a step brother who came forward but he did not want to make decisions for him and asked us to utilize his friends because they were closer to him. When he died, his friends surrounded him but due to legalities, we had to declare him as indigent and call the police dept. to get a funeral home that was next in line to provide a funeral for free.
This is the second time I have had a very large family for a bad prognosis which ended in death for their loved one. The patient (male) was 66, had been married several years, and had 12 children. The children have children and there are 112 grandchildren and some great-grand children. When the wife received the bad news, her children were with her, they started calling relatives, a total of 80 people came and were in and out of his room. I was able to handle the large crowd, pray with them, and provide pastoral care and support to them, especially the children.
When it was time for the consultation with the wife, her children, and RN, I was invited to attend. After the RN explained the process, I highly recommended that the family allow me to explain the decision to withdraw life support and the immediate family would stay with their father. When I went into the waiting room, I had everyone gather around to that I could explain what was going on and afterwards, prayer was offered. When I went back to the patient’s room, the Doctor’s order had been completed in the system, the RN and respiratory withdraw life support and the immediate family went back into his room. They gathered around him, cried, and within 10 minutes he died peacefully. They informed me how happy they were that I was there to comfort them at this difficult time.
As Chaplains, we extend pastoral care to RNs, PCTs, Doctors, and others. Sometimes people are hurting emotionally and I am so glad to be there for them. When an RN informed me a patient had clawed and scratched her, she was sad and mad. She said the patient was bipolar, had taken medication, and still did this to her. When I arrived on the unit, the patient was already asleep and the RN did not want me to wake her. I spent time with the RN talking to her about being emotional; the need for her to remove herself as the patient’s RN, and it was ok to do this.
Seminary status
I have completed all my papers for finals and getting ready to read two books of the seven for the summer class. This class is two weeks starting on May 10th and it will be intensive but I am looking forward to it. It is a discipline that I like very much, which is Pastoral Care in times of Crisis. It will be good to learn some additional things about being in a crisis situation and be able to share my experiences with the students and professor.
~ to be continued
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Foothill Fellowship Lunch
Wednesday, May 26th
11:30AM @ Denny's
Capitol Ave & Berryessa Road
Fiber Arts Group
meets every 1st & 2nd Saturday at 10AM.
All are welcome.
Men's Breakfast
Saturday, May 1st
8:30AM in Fellowship Hall
