Friday, January 21, 2011

February 2011


A Note From Pastor Ben



Friends,

The man who was my pastor when I was a kid recently sent out an email with a link to a video that contains what I think is an interesting metaphor for life in the church.

Here’s a link to the video so you can watch it yourself http://www.jokeroo.com/bin/player.swf?5f9f_f369 ; for those unable to link the video, or if you are not reading this online, the video shows two clowns who fold themselves up so that they can fit together inside a glass box that is about two feet cubed. This is an amazing feat. I have no idea how people can be so flexible. When I’m standing up, I can bend over and touch my toes, but only if I bend my knees a little bit, and only because I do about half and hour of yoga five mornings a week.

The metaphor for the church is simple: in order for the church to work, we have to be like those clowns: we must be flexible and we must get along.

This is especially important during the current season of our life together as a congregation. We’re trying new things—more Bible Studies, and the CSA, for example—and we’ve been opening our facilities to more and more community groups. Furthermore, the newest class of Elders and Deacons is entirely unlike any group of church leaders I’ve had the pleasure of ordaining and installing: all but one are women, more than half are under the age of fifty. Three of the deacons grew up in our congregation. It is likely that this new group will offer new ideas for the direction of our life together.

We will need to be flexible and we will need to get along, just like the clowns in the video. Thankfully, we are a good and gracious group. Getting along and being nice is always a stretch, but ours is a limber church. We’ll do just fine.

Peace,
Ben
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Join Pastor Ben for Bible Study


Pastor Ben is offering a bible study on Matthew during February at two different times. Tuesday afternoons at 1:30PM and Thursday evenings at 7:30PM.
Everyone is welcome to join this class.

Tuesday at 1:30PM Thursday at 7:30PM
2/8, 2/15, 2/22, & 3/1 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24

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Dinner/Discussion

“On Rendering to the Presbytery”
By Robert McAfee Brown
Wednesday, February 9, 6:30PM


Pick up a copy of the essay “On Rendering to the Presbytery” and sign up to join Pastor Ben for an evening of dinner and discussion. Sign up sheet and essay can be found in the narthex.
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Painting Dedicated in Memory of Joy Horch
Virginia Mignogna

On Sunday, January 23, 2011, a painting was dedicated in memory of Joy Horch. The painting is hung in the library next to the fireplace. The painting was commissioned with funds donated to Joy's memorial. The painter is Joseph Mandracchia of Connecticut. He is a cousin of Ray Mignogna. The painting is from a photograph taken in Glacier National Park by Kathleen Morrow of San Carlos. We believe both the photographer and the artist capture the essence of Joy, a gentle, enduring soul. Please come see and enjoy the painting up close.
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Presbyterian Women
SPRING GATHERING

March 12, 2011
2:00 to 4:00 pm
“Come and Encounter Immigration”

Pastor Ben will introduce his book, “Neighbors” to the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery when they meet for their Spring Gathering at Foothill this Spring. All Foothill Women are welcome to join in this free event. Please RSVP to Claudia Hamm, PW Moderator, 408-356-6665 or jnchamm@gmail.com. For more infomation about Presbyterian Women, contact Isabelle Taylor or visit http://www.sanjosepby.org/PW.htm.
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Called to Serve
Darlene Ristrim

Ordained as an elder in 1955, I did feel a strong sense of being called to serve and that sense of serving has remained ever strong. I remember my ordination as one of those life changing events. (Want details…just ask) Do I think it was predestination? Yes, Do I think I was called? Yes.

I joined First Presbyterian Church, Petaluma when I was in high school. Along with my friends we attended Westminster Fellowship (youth group), joined in Youth Presbytery activities (such as work projects at Westminster Woods), attended Youth Synod and had a close connection with SFTS.

As I recall, in the early 50’s, the church had five elders, four men and one woman. They were all very “old” to my 21 year old eyes. So it was with much prayer and soul searching that I agreed to serve.

I attended First Church, downtown San Jose from 1959-1965. Teaching Sunday school, being active in the Women’s Group, Mariners and serving on the Christian Education Committee.
In 1965 with three small children, I decided to attend a church closer to home. Foothill has been my home church ever since. Over the years I have served in many different areas and I am currently serving as Clerk of Session.

I want to thank our 2010 Nominating Committee for their wisdom in nominating three young adults (children of Foothill) to serve as Deacons. Also in their wisdom, our Session will include two newly ordained elders and two elders returning to “active” duty.

To our newly ordained/installed officers, I say “Serve the Lord with joy and thanksgiving in your heart.”


Would you like to share your ordination story? Contact Peg in the church office to have your story published in the Messenger.

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Boy Scout Sunday

Sunday, February 13

Boy Scout Troop 13 has called Foothill their home church for over 40 years. The boys of Troop 13 will be here during worship next Sunday to show us their appreciation by greeting, and serving coffee hour. Be sure to join us next Sunday and take this opportunity to meet Foothill’s Boy Scouts.


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*Bible Lesson*

Chapel Day with Pastor Ben
Wednesday, February 9

Spiritual Message
Love

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another.
Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.
John 13: 34

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes,
is ever ready to believe the best of every person,
its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances,
and it endures everything [without weakening].
1 Corinthians 13:7

*Special Days in February*


2/14 Valentine Party
2/25 Parents call your child to say “I love you” day
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Fellowship Opportunity
Family Art Night -Paper Making
Special Invitation for Adults



Friday, March 4, 5:30PM
Fellowship Hall
RSVP to the church office
Dinner will be served, we will ask for donations to cover the cost.

Family Art Night is meant to be a multi-generational event where all members of the Foothill Family come together in fellowship to share artistic expression and creativity. The last 2 art nights have been well attended by the children of our Foothill Family, but we didn’t get many adults. In order to be more welcoming to all ages, we will have an adults only area. Please come out and join us for an evening of art, food, and fellowship.

Donations and Volunteers
Volunteers: We need 3 people to help with the paper making stations. We need 1 person to help with food preparation. Supplies: We need plastic tubs 6” deep and large enough to fit an 11x14 inch sheet of paper. We need these non-returnable items: 1 blender, 9”x12” and 11”x 14” wooden picture frames, embroidery hoops, netting or mesh like window curtains or screen, flat plastic trays or Plexiglas, interesting stuff to embed into the paper like seeds, leaves, or flower petals.
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Foothill Presbyterian Church
Festival of Carols 2010
Carol Tillman and the Peralta Consort

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The Semibreve
Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries












SING AND RING!


HEY KIDS! I know you already love to sing. Interested in learning how to play bells too? They’re bright, shiny, and come in different sounds and colors! Sound good? Our first children’s bell/chancel choir rehearsal will be on Sunday, Feb 20th after church. Come check it out!

For the big kids of the adult variety ;) if you would like to help me keep some of the kids (particularly the very young ones) focused, that would be a tremendous help! Thanks for your support. We’ll have those kids ringing in no time!

IT’S BACK!
Remember when the Semibreve used to have a tidbit of the month? When I would throw out a musical question, and anyone who got the answer would get to choose the closing hymn (from the Presbyterian hymnal) for the last Sunday worship service of the month ? Well, here it is again! If you know the answer, there are several ways you can get it to me: via email at jayjordana@gmail.com, phone (408) 258-8133x105, or via my mailbox in my office.

So here goes: FEBRUARY TIDBIT: What is a Semibreve?

CONCERTS OF THE MONTH
Falling in Love With Ragtime
Sunday, February 13th, 3 PM

Sparkling and lively ragtime is coming when duo pianists Jack and Chris Bradshaw return to Foothill, this time teamed up with Robyn Drivon, tuba, and Steve Drivon, percussion and vocals as the Ragnolia Ragtette. Adding to this mix is special guest, Tom Brier, pianist extraordinaire. Their program will cover 100 years of toe tapping, rib-tickling, heart-bursting ragtime pieces including favorites as Pearl of the Harem (Harry P. Guy), Pickles and Pepper (Adaline Shepherd), and Swipesy Cakewalk (Joplin & Marshall). www.

South Bay Philharmonic
Friday, February 25th, 7:30 PM

This concert will feature works by Beethoven such as Symphony No. 2, Coriolan Overture, and Turkish March. www.southbayphilharmonic.org

Suggested Donation: $10 per person, per concert

Proceeds will benefit the Foothill Music Series to facilitate future concerts for the community. Thank you for your support.
SNEAK PEAK
Flauti Dolci & Amici I – Saturday, March 5th, 3 PM
Gabrieli West – Sunday, March 13th, 3 PM
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SESSION NOTES – FEBRUARY 2, 2011
  • Committee assignments made
  • 8 Elders to attend Safe Church Training
  • Confirmation Class scheduled
  • 10% tithe from CSA “shares” for mission
  • Reviewed January financial report
  • Discussed handicapped parking needs
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Community Supported Agriculture
Sign up now for March - $125 for 5 weeks
Prepayment due by February 25th

Don’t forget to bring your own bags or boxes!

Pick up your produce in FPC’s narthex Tuesdays from 10:30AM-9PM
Contact the Church office to sign up
Find out for yourself what everyone is talking about, join the Foothill CSA! Our goal is 50 shares, so please help spread the word about Foothill CSA.
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Just Coffee Group Order

The church office will be placing an order with Just Coffee and invites everyone to try this Fair Trade coffee. We will split the cost of shipping between those who place orders.


To see what products are available go to http://www.justcoffee.org. Contact Peg in the church office to place your order.
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Artists Open Studio
Tuesdays, 10AM to 3PM
in Fellowship Hall






Bring a bag lunch and your art supplies!

East Valley Artists has reserved our fellowship hall from 10 AM to 3 PM on Tuesdays, beginning February 1st. Local artists and crafters of all levels are invited to drop in to paint, sculpt and craft while enjoying each other’s company. Don’t be shy if you are a beginner! Also, if you plan to attend, it would be nice for you to let Peg know, so that we will know how many tables to set up. However, if you decide to come at the very last minute, please do! We will be glad to get out another chair. Questions: Peg Nickl (258-8133) fothillpc@gmail.com or Julie Cline (258-4984), juliacline@sbcglobal.net.
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Finance Update

Sue Williams, Treasurer

As of Jan 29, 2011

Our monthly offering
  • Needed $15,662
  • Collected $16,112
  • Variance $450
Fiscal Year to date
  • Needed $114,028
  • Collected $114,659
  • Variance $631
Per Capita progress:
The new year brings with it the responsibility to submit our Per Capita Apportionment for 2011. It is a fee we are charged by our governing bodies to support their administrative costs. Thank you for those who have been able to provide us with their per capita donation. Here’s our progress:
Per capita bill $5,975
Collected to date 1,795
Variance $4,180
As you can see, we still could use your help. Per Capita amount is at least $30 per person again this year. We ask that you pay your per capita as soon as possible.

Blessings,
Finance and Stewardship Committee Members
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If you are a senior and do not have mobility concerns, we ask that you leave the reserved senior only parking spaces open for those seniors who do have mobility concerns.



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Reasons to Celebrate

Things that made us happy in January:
  • We welcomed our 2013 class of Elders and Deacons and are very excited about the new committee assignments.
  • A beautiful painting was dedicated in memory of Joy Horch and will be displayed in the church library.
  • Our Community Supported Agriculture program is off to a very successful start.
  • We welcomed another Scout troop, Daisy Scouts who are all 5 years old
  • As a congregations we enthusiastically answered the need of a neighborhood family that is in need of assistance due to the illness of their mother. We are helping with the families childcare needs by providing a Preschool Scholarship for their youngest daughter. Members of our congregation have been providing meal assistance by preparing dinners for the family.
  • The East Valley Artists are holding Open Studio every Tuesday in the Fellowship Hall and have invited all of the Foothill Community to come and share and create art.
  • We have a lot of content for the February Messenger!
Keep celebrating. Let us know what made you happy in February.
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Women’s Brunch
Saturday, January 29th
11:30 AM, Room 9
Join us for Brunch and program.


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Presbytery of San Jose Safe Church Training for Elders, Deacons, and Teachers
February 26, 2011
10AM to 3PM

Fellowship Hall


Lunch will be provided
Reservations are required. Please RSVP to the church office.
If you have any concerns about attending Safe Church Training,
please contact Pastor Ben.
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The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender

We need prayer the most when we have the least time to pray-Sper

The month of December has been a very trying time for most of us as Chaplains. Typically December is a time when it’s blue, or so many say. Well, it has been for us at the hospital! In addition to making time for visits I have crisis calls and traumas that I have to respond to. During this month it has been heart attacks (7), Deaths (10), strokes (5), vehicle accidents (4), autopeds (3), suicide (1), stabbings (2), falls (1), and motor cycle collisions (2). Please keep in mind that I work on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights but in the spring, this will change to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights due to my class schedule. There are always one or two calls that affect me in some way and this month it is the suicide of a teenager and an autoped accident where a young lady fell from truck and was rolled over.

The call came in for a 16-year old female who had hung herself because of an argument with her boyfriend. Her Mom found her in the closet with curtain cord wrapped around her neck; she cut her down, and started to give her CPR. She called for her son and told him to call 911. When they arrived, they were in process of CPR and got her stabilized. I met with the Mother, Father, and son when they arrived. They were quiet and I respected this but did explain that she was being assessed and I would have the Doctor come in soon.

I met with the Doctor and he was concerned about the patient and did not know the words for the family but I explained how he could do it. After the explanation he asked if there were questions and her Mom said, “I would like to see my daughter.” After 20 minutes, I brought them to her room and closed the curtain to give them privacy but did let them know I would come check on them. I came back after 15 min and again asked how I could be of comfort. Prayer was the response and this is what I did. When I finished, they were all crying. When the RN came into the room, they would not have a conversation or share information but felt comfortable with me.

When I walked them to the trauma floor, her Mom started to share some information with me. On Sunday morning about 7:30, her Mom was standing in front of the Chaplain’s office when I came up the stairs and I took her into the Chapel. She cried and then told me she had wanted to leave the hospital and walk outside to let a car hit her and kill her. As she talked I listened and when she finished, I asked if she still had thoughts of killing herself and she said no. She shared about her daughter’s depression, eating disorder, and attempts at her life. We prayed together, she cried, I listened and she shared that I brought comfort to her. Her husband came in, embraced her and I left but let them know I would come back to check on them. When I returned, he was sobbing and asking God why this happened.

During the week their daughter was being cared for but did not get better and her health continued to decline. The family wanted a 2nd and then a 3rd opinion but when the Doctors insisted on the brain flow test, it was found that there was no activity and in the state of TX, this is declared as death. When I returned to work that Thursday, I was able to spend some time with the family; her husband hugged me and thanked me for the care I had given to them. Of course there were a lot of conversations that happened on that Sunday between me and the family. I am glad I listened to both of them during this time with them because they shared a lot about their family and problems they have had. This death affected many in ER and the trauma floor. Because of so much trauma, I spent individual time with many RNs to help them cope with their emotions because many have children who are close to this age. As for me, I have spent time in prayer, reading the Bible, going to a movie, and talking to another Chaplain.

When a young lady sat on the back of a U-Haul truck, she fell, and as the driver put the truck in reverse, he ran over her. Someone called 911 but no one came to the hospital. The medical team worked on her for more than 10 min but she died from many extensive injuries. I was able to get information from the police, call her Mom and left several voice messages. Her Mom did not return my calls and she did not return calls from the police. We believe her cell phone was turned off. We released her body to the medical examiner and this tragic accident was in the paper. It was sad to think her Mom would hear about the death of her daughter from the medical examiner.

Seminary status
The fall semester is over and it was a difficult one but with help from God, I have passed. I received a B- in History of Christianity, B- in Theology, and B+ in Worship. I have a commitment from my Theology professor to spend time with me so that I can better understand the theologians from the past and learn how to integrate their work so that I can write better papers. I am excited and eager for my classes in the spring and believe it will be a much better semester for me. Besides Theology II, I am taking Christian Education, Religion and Violence, and Conflict Management. I will be working with another student on the project for Christian Education and we have already agreed on one. As it gets closer to the end of my seminary education, I can say I am learning more and integrating more at work but nothing is better than the practical work of a Chaplain.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

~ to be continued~

Worry is pulling tomorrow’s CLOUDS over today’s SUNSHINE-Adrian Rogers

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'For



Foothill Fellowship Lunch
Wednesday, February 23
11:30AM @ Denny's
Capitol Ave & Berryessa Road









Fiber Arts Group
meets every 1st & 2nd Saturday
in Room 9 at 10AM.
All are welcome.





Men's Breakfast
Saturday, March 5
8:30AM in Fellowship Hall







Wednesday, January 5, 2011

January 2011
















Julie Cline, East Valley Artist & Family Art Night partner
chooses her Community Supported Agriculture produce.
Foothill CSA
Enjoying the Bounty of Creation

It’s time to sign up for February

COST: $100

PICK UP DATES AND TIMES:
FPC Narthex, Tuesdays 10AM to 9PM
2/1/2011; 2/8/2011; 2/15/2011; 2/22/2011

TO REGISTER:
Email or call Peg: foothill@gmail.com or 408-258-8133.
Register Sunday morning in the narthex
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Recipe for CSA Vegetables Bill Leonard



Foothill members and friends who are part of our new CSA program of delicious fresh vegetable deliveries, and who are curious about what to do with the leeks, might give this soup a try. It has been a family favorite of ours literally for decades.

I understand leek and potato soup, or some version of it, was a precursor of vichyssoise. The difference is, this is served hot and in large bowls; with a green salad and sourdough or similar bread, it is a complete meal. There undoubtedly are many versions; this one is from the Sunset Cook Book of Soups and Stews, published in 1967.

The soup:
1 bunch of leeks (2 or 3 large ones, or 4 or 5 smaller ones)
2 tablespoons butter
2 pounds of potatoes, peeled and diced
2 quarts of water or chicken broth (canned or home-made)
1/2-cup half-and-half (optional; substitute milk, or simply omit)
Salt and pepper to taste
Minced parsely
Croutons

Wash the leeks thoroughly, discarding the heavy, tough green tops. Cut in thin slices* and rinse thoroughly again, then drain. Saute in the butter until leeks are soft. Add the diced potatoes, water or chicken broth, and simmer for 40-45 minutes. Add the optional cream and salt and pepper to taste. Puree if desired; this will make the soup thicker. If too thick, thin with milk, water or broth. Sprinkle the fresh minced parsley and serve with croutons and salad.

This makes 8 generous servings; the recipe can be halved or otherwise scaled down (or up) as needed.

*Cook's tip: Leeks can acquire real layers of dust and dirt between layers of the vegetable. I clean them by first rinsing, then slicing off and discarding the heavy tough tops. Then I make a deep slice longitudinally along the stalk prior to opening the leek and again rinsing thoroughly. Then make thin (about 1/8-inch) slices horizontally until the leek is completely sliced.


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Memorial Service for Maury Mitchell

There will be a memorial service for Pastor Maury Mitchell on January 15, 2011 at 1:30PM in the Foothill Sanctuary.

Maury passed away on December 28, 2010. Our sympathies to his sons and their families.

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From the Finance and Stewardship Committees
Submitted by Sue Williams, Treasurer

Happy New Year!!

Annual giving statements:

Welcome back from the holidays and to the New Year! With the end of the year, you may be starting to consider getting ready to think about your annual income tax reporting… The end of the year giving statements will be available for pick up in the church narthex mid-January.

These statements cover the entire calendar year 2010, and may be used for IRS purposes.

Please help us save postage by taking yours out of the box. Those not picked up will be mailed at the end of January.

Per Capita:

The new year brings with it the responsibility to submit our Per Capita Apportionment for 2011. The amount has been set at $30 per member again this year. We ask that you pay your per capita as soon as possible.

13th Month appeal:

We trimmed and we scraped and we pared this year’s budget to its bare bones. And even then, we fell short some $15,000. We asked for your help covering the shortfall by appealing to you for an extra month’s pledge. (The 13th Month.)

Our progress so far:

Needed as of December 2010: $7,500 (Goal at the half-year)

Received as of December 2010: $1,394

As you can see, we have a shortfall. Our request has been soft-spoken up till now, but we need to get the word out. Please consider contributing to the 13th Month - Special Appeal, either in increments or fully in one payment.

Our thanks go out to those of you who have already heard the call. We encourage you to join with those already answering this appeal so that all programs in our budget can be met. Please mark your checks in the memo section “Special Appeal-13th month” so that we may track our progress.

Blessings, Finance and Stewardship Committee Members
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The following is taken from the PCUSA website,
http://oga.pcusa.org/percapita/

What is per capita?


Per capita funding is how Presbyterians mutually share the costs of coming together to discern the Spirit’s leading for the future.

It is how Presbyterians are trained to become better elders and ministers.

It is how Presbyterians discern God’s call in their lives.

It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the wider church by serving on GA committees and commissions.

It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the Church universal as we commit ourselves to work and live in fellowship with “all persons in every nation” (Book of Order, G-4.0101)

The Westminster Confession says, “all believers, are therefore, under obligation to sustain the ordinances of the Christian religion where they are already established, and to contribute by their prayers, gifts, and personal efforts to the extension of the Kingdom of God throughout the whole earth” (6.058).

Per capita is a fundamental way in which all of the nearly 11,000 congregations and governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are connected and participate in the work of the wider church.

Because it is rooted in the connectional and covenantal nature of the Presbyterian church, as affirmed by the ordination vows taken by elders and ministers of the Word and Sacrament, per capita could be called the Presbyterian Covenant Community Fund.
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Women’s Brunch
Saturday, January 29th, 11:30 AM, Room 9

Join us for Brunch and program.
RSVP in the narthex or contact Peg in the church office.

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Shares Card

Thank you to all who use their SHARES cards! We’ve made $659.26 during July, August, and November.

The SHARES program donates 3% of qualifying purchases to Foothill when we shop at SaveMart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx. If you don’t already have a card, you can pick one up in the narthex on the information table or contact Peg in the church office to have one sent to you.
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Reason to Celebrate
Peg Nickl, Office Administrator

There are a lot of wonderful things that happen each day at Foothill. Some really big things and some pretty small things. The following is a list in no particular order of things that happened in November that made us feel happy.

  • We received over 30 turkeys and the Boy Scouts collected over 200 pounds of food for the Lord’s Pantry.
  • Pastor Ben’s Tuesday afternoon Advent bible study is so well attended he had to move from the library to the narthex
  • Jay and the Foothill Music Series were mentioned in 2 publications, 1 local and 1 national.

  • We began our shoe and clothing donation/recycling program with a very successful clothing drive for Inn Vision
  • We partnered with the Boy Scouts for a successful flea market.
  • We celebrated Virginia Harro’s 100th Birthday
  • We had two symphony concert performances including Silicon Valley Symphony’s first concert as a member of the Foothill Community.
  • Our request for donations of craft items for the second Family Art Night resulted in bundles of donations of every supply we asked for.

Let me know what’s making you smile. Send me an email or give me a call. Let’s keep celebrating.
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The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender


No matter who your boss is, you are really working for God--Sper


This month (Nov) was very emotional for me. During this month I had 5 CVA’s (strokes), 3 Assaults, 8 Crisis calls, 2 Miscarriages, 7 deaths, 2 Trauma calls, 1 Gunshot, 5 Code Blues, and 4 Car Accidents, which includes roll-overs.

Sunday morning, Nov 21st a couple and their two children decided to go for a ride to Wal-Mart to get last minute things she would need when she delivered her baby. A drunk driver hit her side, their car rolled over, and she was rushed to our hospital. Her husband and two boys (3,7) were taken to the children’s hospital, which is next door. The little boys were not in restraints, she was full term, and scheduled to deliver her little girl in a few days. The ER room was filled with Doctors trying to save her baby. Because her husband was hurt, they brought him to ER and put him in a trauma room far from her. I had a translator because he was Spanish speaking only. He wasn’t hurt badly and was more concerned about his wife, baby, and boys. The Doctor released him, we took him to her room, brought in some family members who had been contacted and explained the medical condition of his wife.

I had received condition of his little boys because I had gone to the children’s hospital to check on them. I prayed the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish to the 3-yr old but they would not allow me to see the 7-yr old due to his serious condition. When we explained that his little girl had died and his wife was in serious condition, he wept like a little child. We gave him some time alone but had to explain why she had to be rushed to the ICU floor.

I walked him to the children’s hospital and his knees buckled while he sobbed. I hugged him and just stood for a while. The RN was waiting for us and took us to the floor where his sons were taken. You see, his 3-yr had liver damage and his 7-yr old had a brain bleed. He was allowed to see his youngest son. Since this accident, the police have arrested the person who left the scene and they will be charged with many violations, including murder because the baby died. I was not at the hospital when they delivered the baby and the Chaplain informed me it was best that I was not there because it was very emotional and I had been through enough (4 hours) emotion during that Sunday morning.

The crime scene guy was great. He took photos, had photos of their car but I did not want to see it. I thank God for the strength he gives me to do this work. As of December 3rd, she is still in ICU but in critical condition.

There have been many traumas this month but nothing that compares to the above. Sometimes we have to deal with more than our share but God is with us, around us, and takes us through it to help our patients and their families. One night when I was in ER, a 94-yr old man was yelling at the top of his voice, “Come change me.” He had been laying in his waste and urine for two hours. His RN was too busy helping someone else and the care techs were also busy. I visited him but he was so hurt lying in this mess that he yelled at me. His RN finally came, apologized to him, and talked to him which helped to calm him.

When I went back into his room, he apologized and said, “I am so sorry that I yelled at you but I was humiliated.” I told him it was ok now and I was there with him to read to him and he said, “I would like that.” I read some of the psalms to him and then prayed with him. He shared about his life in the nursing home, his children, being in the war, and his love of God. He spoke about Christ and how he longs to be with Christ and said, “One day I will.” He said he forgave the RN because she did not understand what he was going through by living in a nursing home, losing his independence, and having to rely on someone to change him. He said it hurt and is tough to grow old. I was angry with the RN, frustrated with the charge RN, and disappointed that the nursing staff would allow this to happen.

I wrote a reflection paper and sent it to my Director and explained that I would like to discuss my concerns with her and share what it felt like for him. She was an RN who works in L&D but had picked up extra hours that night. I have yet to speak to her because she has been back in ER.

We do have different kinds of crisis calls to attend to. I am pulled in two directions; elderly and younger folks as my call. I am not sure what this means but I know that God will lead me in the right direction.

Seminary status
This has also been a difficult semester for me. Taking a History class and Theology class is not the best thing to do because of the amount of reading required. I have struggled in the History class because of this and tried to read a book each week but it was too much. I finally completed the 20-page research paper and received an A- on it and I gave thanks to God. I received a B- on my Worship paper, my History final exam has been completed, and hopefully my Worship project will be graded soon. My Theology exam is due on Dec 8th and the Credo paper is due on Dec 16th.

I have registered for the spring semester and books are on order. I will be taking Theology II, Christian Education, Religion and Violence, and Conflict Management. I am thankful that I am close to graduation (Dec 2011) and happy that I have almost completed my seminary education.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

~ to be continued~

Worry is pulling tomorrow’s CLOUDS over today’s SUNSHINE-Adrian Rogers