A Note from Pastor Ben
Friends,
An odd thing happened when I went to vote last week: I got a flu shot. It’s true. A group medical students from Stanford were using the gathering of the community around the democratic process as an opportunity to promote public health. It’s a great idea, except that more and more people are voting by mail.
Two years ago I experienced the importance of going to the polls when I was called upon to translate for a neighbor of mine who was confused about his provisional ballot. I found it odd that there were no Spanish-language translators in my neighborhood, which is predominantly Hispanic, so I mentioned my experience to the Mercury News. The next day my experience was in the newspaper, and the following week I got a visit from the Justice Department, which was investigating voting place irregularities.
I don’t vote by mail because I like my democracy face-to-face, and I like the opportunity to meet my neighbors, and I have found that important things can happen when one votes in person. While it is true that not all of us can go to the polls, many of us can, and going to the polls is a good way to participate in the community and safeguard our democracy.
Something similar can be said for going to church. Just as it is possible to vote without going to the polls, it is entirely possible to live a life of deep and dedicated faith without ever setting foot in a church. People do it all of the time. The problem with not going to church, however, is that without attending Sunday worship it is hard to maintain healthy ties to the community, and without coming to church it’s impossible to become engaged in the process of making the church better and stronger.
And I like it when people come to church because I get to greet each person after church, which give me the opportunity to connect—if briefly—with everyone who shows up. This is important. My pastoral contact greeting people after church and during coffee hour has resulted in some important interactions between me and members of the congregation.
So come to worship. Come talk to me at coffee hour. Greet your friends. Give to this community the gift of your presence. By doing so you make the church better and stronger.
I bid you peace,
Ben
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Foothill On German TV
Ben Daniel, Pastor
In 2007 Foothill Presbyterian Church appeared on German Television in a documentary on American Fundamentalism. This seems strange, of course, because ours hardly is a fundamentalist congregation, but the film makers wanted to interview me because I have written about an organization called "The Fellowship," a powerful,well-connected and secretive organization based in Washington, D.C. While they were here interviewing me, the film crew shot some footage of an ecumenical worship service we had here in our sanctuary. A few church members can be seen sitting in the pews.
Recently I came across the documentary, which is on YouTube, broken up into six ten-minute segments. Foothill shows up at about 4 minutes and 30 seconds in the segment below and continues on and off for the next 4 minutes. Check it out:
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Afternoon Tea
and Bible Study
with Pastor Ben
Join Pastor Ben Tuesdays in Advent for Afternoon Tea and Bible study.
Tuesday, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14 & 12/21
at 1:30PM in the library.
The Bible Study will compare and contrast the Christmas stories from the Gospels of Mathew and Luke.
Coffee, tea and cookies will be served.
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From the Treasurer
Sue Williams, Treasurer
Here’s where we are year-to-date as of October Receipts: $108,633 Expenditures: $ 92,412 We have been blessed this fall with several members reviewing their pledged giving and catching up last year’s pledge. We thank those who have been able to catch up their prior year pledges! And if you are in a position to catch up on your prior year pledge and your current year pledge, now is as good a time as any to help your church meet their ongoing financial commitments.
We continue to make great progress paying off the loans we borrowed from our Memorial Endowment fund. The portion we borrowed for the parking lot is completely paid off. Yahoo! We are blessed with good and faithful tenants of the cell towers and will have the portion we borrowed for the kitchen roof paid off soon as well. But we do know we need to seal the parking lot which will be another significant expense coming up. So keep tuned.
Through your faithful giving we are continually blessed to support the programs and services of the church. So please keep your pledged giving up-to-date. If you are able, please consider giving a 13th month. This year we passed an ambitious budget and will need your continued and timely support to meet the financial obligations that go along with the programs of the church.
Preschool is Having
Fun in November
with 33 Kids
*Bible Lesson*
Chapel Day with Pastor Ben
Wednesday, November 3
Spiritual Message is Giving
"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:3-4
*Special Events in November*
Scholastic Book Fair 11/2-11/10 in Room 7
Open Sunday November 7 after worship service, 11:30AM
Preschool Picture Day 11/19
Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch 11/23
Preschool Closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday 11/25 & 11/26
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The Semibreve
-Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries
MANY THANKS!
To Anne Marie Daniel, Greg Hill, Dana and Benjamin Marino, and Eileen Parks for the successful production of the Celtic Rose concert. Thanks so much for your support.
"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:3-4
*Special Events in November*
Scholastic Book Fair 11/2-11/10 in Room 7
Open Sunday November 7 after worship service, 11:30AM
Preschool Picture Day 11/19
Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch 11/23
Preschool Closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday 11/25 & 11/26
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The Semibreve
-Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries
MANY THANKS!
To Anne Marie Daniel, Greg Hill, Dana and Benjamin Marino, and Eileen Parks for the successful production of the Celtic Rose concert. Thanks so much for your support.
Untitled from Foothill Presbyterian Church on Vimeo.
NOVEMBER CONCERTS!Junko Aono Syliva Loebach Sunday, November 7th, 3 PM
Chinese Dulcimer (*Yangqin) player Junko Aono is a native Japanese artist who grew up playing classical piano. She began formal lessons on Yangqin from a Chinese instructor while studying the Chinese language at Waseda University in Japan. Having debuted her first CD “Fantasy of Silk Road” in 1993, Ms. Aono immigrated to the US in 1999 and has been performing in solo concerts and with classical and jazz ensembles all over the Bay Area. Having been broadcasted on the air, her second CD “Peace of Mind” was released in 2009. Having received her Bachelor of Music from The University of Illinois and her MA from the Juilliard School, clarinetist Sylvia Loebach has performed with a variety of chamber music groups as well as with the Mexico City Philharmonic. www.junkodulcimer.com *The biggest and the most complex instrument in the dulcimer family, the Yangqin originates from the Persian Santur. Its range of tones is about four octaves with 135 strings. Its strings are struck by thin bamboo sticks that are rubber-tipped. Suggested Donation: $10/person
“All-Russian Concert” South Bay Philharmonic Friday, November 12th, 7:30 PM
The concert will feature conductor George Yefchak conducting Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.2 (“Little Russian), and former San Jose Chamber Orchestra assistant conductor Jay Jordana conducting Kalinnikov’s Overture to Tsar Boris. www.southbayphilharmonic.org Suggested Donation: $10/person
FESTIVAL OF CAROLS
Friday, December 10th, 7 PM
Summer flew by! It’s that time of the year again when we feature all the FPC ensembles and musical guests from the community coming together to usher in the Season of Advent through music. This year’s line up includes the Foothill Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, Glory Ringers, La Dolce Clarinet Quartet, Peralta Consort, the Alum Rock Christian Golden Handbells, the a cappella vocal jazz sextet Amaranth, and many other special guest soloists. Suggested Donation: one non-perishable food item per person for the Lord’s Pantry and ? Please mark your calendars. We’d love to see you there!
AUDIOVISUAL (AV) LIBRARY
We have in our archives original recordings of previous worship services since August 9, 2009. If you would like a recording of a particular Sunday, please fill out the CD request sheet in the AV Library. Be sure to include your email address if you have one, so that we can contact you when the CD is ready. You may pick up your copy in the AV Library. Your CD will have your name on it. To help with our digital expenses, we would greatly appreciate a $1 donation per CD.
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Outreach in October
Nancy Leonard, OutreachCommittee Moderator
Halloween was the big Outreach feature this month with our annual community Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31. This year’s event had the biggest attendance ever! It was a huge success due a lot of hard work by many hands led by the capable organization of Marilyn Kromrey. The focus was on young children with many activities including a popular cakewalk, wagon rides and mountains of candy and hot dogs for all.
While many people participated special thanks goes not only to Marilyn and Fred Kromrey, but also to Rene Banks, Peg Nickl, the Gatzke family, Jay Jordana, Sue Ann Spencer, Milton Brewster, Greg Hill, Dana Marino, Gay Southwell, Angie Carrillo and John Wallace, Ray and Virginia Mignogna, Darlene Siegfried, Malia Munoz, Darlene Ristrim, Glenda Parmentier, Jane Wallace, Pat Heisey, Joyce Banks, Jennifer Mullen, Nick Thill, Barbara Audrey, Eileen and Tom Parks, Bill Leonard, Laura and Gary Robertson, Ben and Anne Daniel, Jeff Siegfried, Jerry Siegfried, Joanne Reinecker, Frank Andrea from the dog group, the scouts and parents from Troop 13 and Pack 113 and the Jazzersize women. (Apologies to any helpers missed)
Preceding the Halloween community event was a Friday night pumpkin carving event with dinner. More than 20 children of the church, Troop 13 scouts and parents attended. In addition to providing spooky carved pumpkins to decorate the courtyard for Halloween, kids and their parents enjoyed chili dogs and old fashioned good fun.
Next, outreach is working with Buildings and Grounds to organize and run the rescheduled Fall Flea market. In early December outreach will partner with CE for Family Art Night, when children and others are invited to participate in a workshop to create Christmas decorations. The East Valley Artists will be assisting.
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Foothill Family Art Night
Friday, December , 5:30 PM in Fellowship Hall
Our first Family Art Night was such a success we’ve decided to do it again! This time we’re going to create Christmas art. Julie Cline from the East Valley Artists has volunteered to help us create ornaments and Nativity scenes. Dinner will be served. Donations to cover the cost of dinner are appreciated.
Art Night Material Donation Wish List
Old earrings, ribbons, lids, spools, tiny bottles, (even empty prescription bottles would make great nativity bodies), bits of cloth, braid, thread, wire, extra paper clips, or whatever you have to donate to the nativity/ornament night.
Any ideas? Let us know. The more people we have involved the better the event will be.
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From Joanna Reinecker
Music Enthusiast & perhaps, your new “Publicist”?
I did sit next to a real Publicist, Michael Bell, for the “Celtic Rose” concert Sunday, October 17th, in the first row, so as not to miss anything. My hearing isn’t the best, but I still got 3 ½ pages of notes. There were no programs.
Doris Williams, soprano, played a variety of instruments: Lute, Tin Whistle, Penny Whistle, a White Recorder. Caroline Garbarino, the alto, played a red classical guitar and the bodhrán, an Irish frame drum. Doris sings so well, whether amplified or not, in a cultivated yet natural voice with clear diction, declamation, great presence and control. This duo was sincere and engaging in their total delightful presentation. Doris in her solos sang some songs in story telling mode, part spoken, part sung- recitative style with dramatic accents that resounded well with our own audience. The audience was much too small but very enthusiastic. I wish more of our congregation would be a part of it. The programs enrich me and others so much. Please tell others about the concert series.
The program began with a familiar Renaissance English song with the theme of friendship and joy. Making music together can result in a happy life. Second, an Italian madrigal having Signore in the sky. Next a Scottish ‘ditty’ even Doris’ name was in it, “A Little Nightcap,” being quite humorous. So enjoyable were quite a few songs about water as “A Wide Water”, “The Water is Wide”, “Love is Kind”, “Bonny Portmore”, “On the Water on the Mountain”, with lute and drum.
The most moving lyrics and music was “the Man in the Boat”. One can even sense and actually hear those tears, whispers, and cries. Doris used spoken words at varied levels as dramatic effect. The following ballads and folk songs were terrific, a sing along, “Isle of Skye”, story of Bonnie Prince Charlie, Scottish and Scottish coast; English ballad of a country lass and her city venture very fun in mood, achieved musically through major – minor harmonies and melodies. A very beautiful ballad, “The Rose of Allendale” with themes of friendship and love gone awry with amazing lyrics and rolling music.
The last group were Doris and Caroline’s own colossal original works, best lyrics by Doris and beautiful music by Caroline combined to make really lovely, extraordinary well done songs. The futurist story, played out in Mt. Shasta with an extra-terrestrial being. The one I enjoyed greatly was Doris being inspired by a solo of her own campout with her family, using incredible strings of works so artistically technically speedily executed- but all so unpredictably pointing to the “me” of home. Hard to get this concept, the words leading to it were so funny it makes you laugh and smile as you think, “Oh yeah, I remember now what that’s like.” There were so many dreamy reminiscences.
Great was the Poet/Banker ballad “Live a loving way” and “Divinity has voice… Rejoice”. The Poet runs off with a bride-to-be and changes Destiny.
To end this rich and fascinating program a song with such presence, the Irish prayer was rendered with simplicity and beauty, “The Road Shall Rise to Meet You.”
I’m hearing Doris a second time; I know she has a fine training vocally. She has a master in Vocal Performance from Stanford and a true mastery of the Classics. As she told us at the reception, her love of Richard Strauss and Debussy and French literature in particular.
In the Heart of a Rose
Joanne Trallis-Reinecker
Today I looked in the heart of a rose,
And there God’s love was disclosed,
By plucking each petal with loving care,
By plucking each petal with loving care,
I sought to find Life’s mystery there.
This secret I found but not without pain,
To bring back the beautiful rose again.
So tenderly placing each petal in place,
But the rose has lost all,
Had lost all its beauty and grace.
Yet the soul grew in beauty
With sorrow and pain,
This wonderful love and secret we gain,
In testing our faith in the path we have trod,
We there find Life’s mystery,
Communion with god.
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Halloween Family Festival 2010Marilyn Kromrey, Coordinator
Many thanks to all who participated in the Halloween Family Festival held at Foothill on Oct 30th. The event was fantastic in terms of support from the congregation and the community members who participated. Every one from the youth to adult pitched in to set up and decorate the church grounds to achieve a safe Halloween Festival atmosphere.
We sincerely appreciate the time, effort and talent of those who made the Festival such a success. The advertising flyer was designed by Peg Nickl. The flyer was distributed to local schools (thank you Julia Bargas), Alum Rock Talks, Save Mart and other businesses in the area.
Set up began Friday evening with setting up the walls of the Enchanted House by Rene Banks, Peg Nickl, Greg Hill and Boy Scouts. Greg also strung lights in the Patio area. Set up Saturday morning by Ray Mignogna, Jerry Siegfried, Fred Kromrey, Nick Thill, Jennifer Mullen, Nancy & Bill Leonard, Marty & Henry Nickl, Eileen & Tom Parks and Greg Hill, Hay bales were brought in by Greg Hill. The Community gardeners provided the corn stalks. We thank those who participated in the pumpkin carving party Friday evening for the pumpkins to decorate around the trees and on the Hay Bales. We thank the preschool for their help and the congregation for candy donations and loan of decorations.
Thanks to the Geezers for getting all the decorations down from the attic.
Our greeters were SueAnn Spencer, Milt Brewster and Gay Southwell. All kinds of activities were handled by our members and community volunteers: from Ghost Bowling with Dana and Benjamin Marino; The Riverboat Card Shark, Pastor Ben; Cake Walk, Dan & Joleen Allen and the Cub Scouts. Thanks to Rosemarie Nelson for cookies and Laurie Schuler for cupcakes.
The Enchanted House decorated with help from Toni Ann, Katelyn and Natalie Gatzke, Darlene Siegfried and Melia Munoz, Joanne Reinecker participated as the witch in the Hansel and Gretel set and handed out candy. Marty & Henry Nickl worked the Halloween joke/riddle game and Greg Gatzke became the Nutty Professor guiding the children to make paper plate faces for the Faceless Monster. Frank Andres appeared as a handsome Count Dracula. The children then passed by John Wallace and Angie Carrillo caught up in spider webs giving out even more candy.
Game helpers included Jennifer Mullen & Virginia Mignogna - Bean Bag Toss, Nick Thill floating duckies, and Barbara Audrey supervised the Glo ring toss. Laura Robertson brought a Pumpkin Putt game that was a success with the boys. We were so pleased that Peg Nickl learned how to create balloon animals and pumpkins. Eileen Parks supervised the Pigeon drop game in the Hall and Donna Gezetta did a wonderful job face painting. Udell Eby was at the coloring table helping the children with their projects while waiting for the face painting.
The trick or treat doors with Bill Leonard, Joanne Sanchez (as our fortune teller), Donna Gezetta's daughter were visited and gave out the generous candy donations by members of the congregation/Scouts/Jazzercise. The Fellowship Hall was well decorated and the extremely efficient kitchen crew of Darlene Ristrim, Joyce Banks and Pat Heisey served 100 hot dogs, ran out and had to by more.. Tine Ude had fun handing out popcorn to the kids and adults and Ray Mignogna helped keep the popcorn popping.
Extra special thanks to Eileen Parks for help gathering and sorting prizes ahead of time and Nancy Leonard for her assistance.
Many thanks to Jeff Siegfried for driving the tractor and hay wagon. And to Bob Nelson for the loan of the wagon and Jerry Siegfried for arranging to move the hay wagon down to the church. Thanks to Yvonne Siegfried for handling the liability forms at the gate entrance. Our Halloween visitors enjoyed the hayride around the field.
Thank you all for participating in this Outreach Project. The turn out was above our expectations and the cooperation and creativity of the volunteers was beyond measure.
----------------------------------------------------------We sincerely appreciate the time, effort and talent of those who made the Festival such a success. The advertising flyer was designed by Peg Nickl. The flyer was distributed to local schools (thank you Julia Bargas), Alum Rock Talks, Save Mart and other businesses in the area.
Set up began Friday evening with setting up the walls of the Enchanted House by Rene Banks, Peg Nickl, Greg Hill and Boy Scouts. Greg also strung lights in the Patio area. Set up Saturday morning by Ray Mignogna, Jerry Siegfried, Fred Kromrey, Nick Thill, Jennifer Mullen, Nancy & Bill Leonard, Marty & Henry Nickl, Eileen & Tom Parks and Greg Hill, Hay bales were brought in by Greg Hill. The Community gardeners provided the corn stalks. We thank those who participated in the pumpkin carving party Friday evening for the pumpkins to decorate around the trees and on the Hay Bales. We thank the preschool for their help and the congregation for candy donations and loan of decorations.
Thanks to the Geezers for getting all the decorations down from the attic.
Our greeters were SueAnn Spencer, Milt Brewster and Gay Southwell. All kinds of activities were handled by our members and community volunteers: from Ghost Bowling with Dana and Benjamin Marino; The Riverboat Card Shark, Pastor Ben; Cake Walk, Dan & Joleen Allen and the Cub Scouts. Thanks to Rosemarie Nelson for cookies and Laurie Schuler for cupcakes.
The Enchanted House decorated with help from Toni Ann, Katelyn and Natalie Gatzke, Darlene Siegfried and Melia Munoz, Joanne Reinecker participated as the witch in the Hansel and Gretel set and handed out candy. Marty & Henry Nickl worked the Halloween joke/riddle game and Greg Gatzke became the Nutty Professor guiding the children to make paper plate faces for the Faceless Monster. Frank Andres appeared as a handsome Count Dracula. The children then passed by John Wallace and Angie Carrillo caught up in spider webs giving out even more candy.
Game helpers included Jennifer Mullen & Virginia Mignogna - Bean Bag Toss, Nick Thill floating duckies, and Barbara Audrey supervised the Glo ring toss. Laura Robertson brought a Pumpkin Putt game that was a success with the boys. We were so pleased that Peg Nickl learned how to create balloon animals and pumpkins. Eileen Parks supervised the Pigeon drop game in the Hall and Donna Gezetta did a wonderful job face painting. Udell Eby was at the coloring table helping the children with their projects while waiting for the face painting.
The trick or treat doors with Bill Leonard, Joanne Sanchez (as our fortune teller), Donna Gezetta's daughter were visited and gave out the generous candy donations by members of the congregation/Scouts/Jazzercise. The Fellowship Hall was well decorated and the extremely efficient kitchen crew of Darlene Ristrim, Joyce Banks and Pat Heisey served 100 hot dogs, ran out and had to by more.. Tine Ude had fun handing out popcorn to the kids and adults and Ray Mignogna helped keep the popcorn popping.
Extra special thanks to Eileen Parks for help gathering and sorting prizes ahead of time and Nancy Leonard for her assistance.
Many thanks to Jeff Siegfried for driving the tractor and hay wagon. And to Bob Nelson for the loan of the wagon and Jerry Siegfried for arranging to move the hay wagon down to the church. Thanks to Yvonne Siegfried for handling the liability forms at the gate entrance. Our Halloween visitors enjoyed the hayride around the field.
Thank you all for participating in this Outreach Project. The turn out was above our expectations and the cooperation and creativity of the volunteers was beyond measure.
Community Supported Agriculture
Peg Nickl, Office Administrator
Great news, we only need 30 people to get our program started. We’re ready to move to the next phase and get people signed up. So contact the office to sign up!
The benefits are many.
- It’s good for you. The produce that you will receive each week is local and organic.
- It’s good for the earth for the same reasons.
- Buying local reduces your carbon footprint. Buying pesticide free protects the soil and watershed.
- It’s good for California. It keeps local farmers farming.
- It’s good for Foothill. Foothill will receive $100 per week or $2 for each person who signs up.
- It’s an Outreach opportunity. This is a great way to bring more people from the neighborhood to Foothill.
- It’s a Mission opportunity. Missed pickups and unwanted items can be donated weekly to support the Lord’s Pantry.
- It’s a Fellowship opportunity. Who doesn’t like to talk about food?
Spread the word. Invite your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Contact the church office to sign up.
From Wikipedia: Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farming operation where the growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production. CSAs usually consist of a system of weekly delivery or pick-up of vegetables and fruit, in a vegetable box scheme.
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Women’s Holiday Brunch
Saturday, December 4
9:30 am in Room 9
If you would like to help with organizing or have questions, please contact Karen Withrow (408-735-8067). A sign-up sheet will be available in the foyer
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Clothing & Shoe Recycling
Keep old clothing and shoes out of land fills. Bring them to Foothill for recycling.
Collection bin is located at the front of the church. Items will be recycled by USagain, a for profit company that bundles and sells items for reuse. Foothill receives 1¢ per pound of items collected. USagain is a for profit green business working to make textile recycling standard practice in cities across the country.
For more information about USagain visit their web site at www.usagain.com. Questions? Contact the church office.
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Holiday Food and Toy Collection
Support the Lord’s Pantry
We will be collecting frozen and fresh meat before Thanksgiving and Christmas again this year. We are also collecting toys for 4 year olds, 25 toys for boys and 25 toys for girls.
We are currently collecting toys, frozen meats, and non perishable holiday food items. We will accept fresh meats (poultry, ham, pork, and beef) for Thanksgiving from Monday, November 22 to Wednesday, November 24. Christmas meat will be accepted starting Monday, December 13 to Thursday December 23.
The following is a list of items requested for holiday meals: Evaporated milk, canned pumpkin, canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, packaged gravy mix, canned yams, canned broth, canned tuna, turkey, ham, chicken, potatoes, onions, carrots, oranges, apples, mac&cheese, gelatin, and pudding mixes.
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Reason to Celebrate
Peg Nickl, Office Administrator
Last month I invited everyone to use the Messenger to celebrate the good things that happen at Foothill. I’m happy to say that people have had some great things to say. Here in no particular order are some of those things.
Keep celebrating! Let me know what makes you happy this month.
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The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender
Hold tightly to what is eternal,
but loosely to what is temporal
- D De Hahn
September has come and gone and this month has been spent with devoting more time for Pastoral Care. What I mean is I still have crisis calls, traumas, and death but I have had more time to spend with each patient I have visited. On Sept 19th a Hispanic man was in a tour with 29 other people traveling from Dallas to Oklahoma. When they arrived in Denton (north of Ft. Worth) there was an accident. No one gave us details but the bus hit a wall and the man was ejected out the window. He was airlifted to our hospital and when he arrived in ER, I was given his wallet.
Most of his papers were in Spanish and I could not understand them. I contacted a person who passed the Spanish test and could translate for us. The patient informed her that he had a sister in Los Angeles, knew the street name and address but not the phone number. I called information but it was unlisted. I then called the Police department there and asked them to go to the house to knock on the door and ask her to call the hospital in Texas. His niece called because his sister was afraid to call and hear what I had to say. When she asked how he was doing, I told her that I would check with his RN and if she allowed me, I would get a wireless phone and call her so that he could speak to her. I got the interpreter, had her explain this to him and then called his niece. When I called and put the phone to his ear, he talked for 30 minutes. The most amazing thing happened, he smiled and his blood pressure went down. This was a happy moment for me and it doesn’t always happen this way.
I had three domestic violence patients (all women) come in during this month. They all wanted to file a complaint so I helped them. Since we have off-duty police officers at the hospital, it is easy to have one interview someone. Calling safe-haven and alerting them to the possibility that they may have a client is a good thing, however, when the time came for them to talk to a counselor at safe-haven when discharged from the hospital, not one of them wanted to go. I could not believe my ears when they informed me they wanted to go back to their respective apartments. All I could think of was they would get abused all over again and how could they do this to themselves. I should not have been shocked but I was.
One Saturday, an RN in ER came to me and said, “We have a 14 year old girl that I want you to talk to.” This young girl had been raped; her Mom had arrived, and was in the room crying. She wanted to talk but her Mom wanted to remain in the room and she chose not to say anything. I knew it was important for her Mom to be with her so I explained that I would be available for them, if they wanted to speak with me. She was discharged from the hospital because our hospital does not have rape assessment capabilities.
I have baptized several babies and all were 20 to 32 weeks old and the sad thing is they all died. One couple cried as they held their little girl (5.8 oz) and I felt bad for them. If a baby is 20 weeks or more, they have to be buried. I still have difficulty with the tiny little babies that I baptize and sometimes hold. They fit in my hand and some are a little longer but still fit in one hand.
For every baptism, I provide a baptism certificate to the parents, the RNs make little footprints, take photos of the baby for them using a disposable camera, and the parents can have them developed when they are ready.
I saw many patients who had been stabbed but not quite as many as last month. Many were not critical enough for admittance to ICU and most of them went home and some were admitted to other floors for observation.
Seminary status
The vast amount of reading this semester is sometimes difficult. Taking a History class, along with Theology is a good way to learn, but it is a lot of work. We are given two weeks to read the books in History of Religion in America but along with the reading, you have to understand what you read. I am barely completing the reading. I really do like the Christian Worship class. I am learning to write prayers and this is brand new to me. In Christian Worship we have to write prayers. I have not written prayers before and sometimes it’s a challenge because it seems as though I am being dishonest to God. I am paying more attention to inclusive language and how things are said. Along with all of this, I am taking a Spanish class for eight weeks to learn how to say the Lord’s Prayer so that I can be much more effective to my Hispanic patients. I have passed the initial interview for the ordination process and I am now a candidate. My next interview is April, 2011.
~ to be continued
“ I am grateful that God walks with me, never to leave me alone”
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Women’s Holiday Brunch
Saturday, December 4
9:30 am in Room 9
If you would like to help with organizing or have questions, please contact Karen Withrow (408-735-8067). A sign-up sheet will be available in the foyer
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Clothing & Shoe Recycling
Keep old clothing and shoes out of land fills. Bring them to Foothill for recycling.
Collection bin is located at the front of the church. Items will be recycled by USagain, a for profit company that bundles and sells items for reuse. Foothill receives 1¢ per pound of items collected. USagain is a for profit green business working to make textile recycling standard practice in cities across the country.
For more information about USagain visit their web site at www.usagain.com. Questions? Contact the church office.
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Holiday Food and Toy Collection
Support the Lord’s Pantry
We will be collecting frozen and fresh meat before Thanksgiving and Christmas again this year. We are also collecting toys for 4 year olds, 25 toys for boys and 25 toys for girls.
We are currently collecting toys, frozen meats, and non perishable holiday food items. We will accept fresh meats (poultry, ham, pork, and beef) for Thanksgiving from Monday, November 22 to Wednesday, November 24. Christmas meat will be accepted starting Monday, December 13 to Thursday December 23.
The following is a list of items requested for holiday meals: Evaporated milk, canned pumpkin, canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, packaged gravy mix, canned yams, canned broth, canned tuna, turkey, ham, chicken, potatoes, onions, carrots, oranges, apples, mac&cheese, gelatin, and pudding mixes.
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Reason to Celebrate
Peg Nickl, Office Administrator
Last month I invited everyone to use the Messenger to celebrate the good things that happen at Foothill. I’m happy to say that people have had some great things to say. Here in no particular order are some of those things.
- Employee Appreciation Lunch was Amazing!
- Ben’s bible study was so Energetic, Fantastic, and Fun!
- The Halloween Festival had the Biggest Turn Out Yet and was Energized with New Energy from New Groups of volunteers!
Keep celebrating! Let me know what makes you happy this month.
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The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender
Hold tightly to what is eternal,
but loosely to what is temporal
- D De Hahn
September has come and gone and this month has been spent with devoting more time for Pastoral Care. What I mean is I still have crisis calls, traumas, and death but I have had more time to spend with each patient I have visited. On Sept 19th a Hispanic man was in a tour with 29 other people traveling from Dallas to Oklahoma. When they arrived in Denton (north of Ft. Worth) there was an accident. No one gave us details but the bus hit a wall and the man was ejected out the window. He was airlifted to our hospital and when he arrived in ER, I was given his wallet.
Most of his papers were in Spanish and I could not understand them. I contacted a person who passed the Spanish test and could translate for us. The patient informed her that he had a sister in Los Angeles, knew the street name and address but not the phone number. I called information but it was unlisted. I then called the Police department there and asked them to go to the house to knock on the door and ask her to call the hospital in Texas. His niece called because his sister was afraid to call and hear what I had to say. When she asked how he was doing, I told her that I would check with his RN and if she allowed me, I would get a wireless phone and call her so that he could speak to her. I got the interpreter, had her explain this to him and then called his niece. When I called and put the phone to his ear, he talked for 30 minutes. The most amazing thing happened, he smiled and his blood pressure went down. This was a happy moment for me and it doesn’t always happen this way.
I had three domestic violence patients (all women) come in during this month. They all wanted to file a complaint so I helped them. Since we have off-duty police officers at the hospital, it is easy to have one interview someone. Calling safe-haven and alerting them to the possibility that they may have a client is a good thing, however, when the time came for them to talk to a counselor at safe-haven when discharged from the hospital, not one of them wanted to go. I could not believe my ears when they informed me they wanted to go back to their respective apartments. All I could think of was they would get abused all over again and how could they do this to themselves. I should not have been shocked but I was.
One Saturday, an RN in ER came to me and said, “We have a 14 year old girl that I want you to talk to.” This young girl had been raped; her Mom had arrived, and was in the room crying. She wanted to talk but her Mom wanted to remain in the room and she chose not to say anything. I knew it was important for her Mom to be with her so I explained that I would be available for them, if they wanted to speak with me. She was discharged from the hospital because our hospital does not have rape assessment capabilities.
I have baptized several babies and all were 20 to 32 weeks old and the sad thing is they all died. One couple cried as they held their little girl (5.8 oz) and I felt bad for them. If a baby is 20 weeks or more, they have to be buried. I still have difficulty with the tiny little babies that I baptize and sometimes hold. They fit in my hand and some are a little longer but still fit in one hand.
For every baptism, I provide a baptism certificate to the parents, the RNs make little footprints, take photos of the baby for them using a disposable camera, and the parents can have them developed when they are ready.
I saw many patients who had been stabbed but not quite as many as last month. Many were not critical enough for admittance to ICU and most of them went home and some were admitted to other floors for observation.
Seminary status
The vast amount of reading this semester is sometimes difficult. Taking a History class, along with Theology is a good way to learn, but it is a lot of work. We are given two weeks to read the books in History of Religion in America but along with the reading, you have to understand what you read. I am barely completing the reading. I really do like the Christian Worship class. I am learning to write prayers and this is brand new to me. In Christian Worship we have to write prayers. I have not written prayers before and sometimes it’s a challenge because it seems as though I am being dishonest to God. I am paying more attention to inclusive language and how things are said. Along with all of this, I am taking a Spanish class for eight weeks to learn how to say the Lord’s Prayer so that I can be much more effective to my Hispanic patients. I have passed the initial interview for the ordination process and I am now a candidate. My next interview is April, 2011.
~ to be continued
“ I am grateful that God walks with me, never to leave me alone”
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