A Note From Pastor Ben
Dear Friends,
It’s not uncommon for me to feel distracted while writing—in fact, distraction is the biggest obstacle I face as a writer—but as I write this note for the Messenger I am doing so with an entirely new distraction vying for my attention: the noise of roofing.
Above my head a shirtless man with tiger stripes tattooed on his chest (I’m not making this up) is nailing tar paper to the roof in preparation for the shingles he will lay down eventually. Meanwhile, a guy named Al is using a conveyor belt to move shingles from his flatbed truck up onto the roof. It’s noisy and kind of interesting to watch.
While all this was happening up on top of the office wing, on the other side of the sanctuary building, a carpenter is replacing the rotted parts of the roof. I spoke with him and watched him at his craft; while we chatted he took a quick break from his work to move a spider from harms way, displaying more dexterity and tenderness in the movements of a gloved hand than I would have thought possible.
I realize that as I sit here listening to the noise of repair I have a choice. I can be annoyed by the distraction or I can try to find beauty in the work and in the labor that will make our church watertight.
Some of my favorite poets—Walt Whitman, Carl Sandburg and Wendell Berry—wrote poems about the beauty and satisfaction of work that is honest and well-done, and I’d like to be the kind of person who heeds the wisdom of great poets, so I’ll be looking for beauty as the work on the roof continues. It should be good practice. If I can find beauty in the shingling of a sanctuary, I will be better able to find beauty—and by extension the handiwork of God—everywhere I go.
Peace be With You,
Ben
---------------------------------------------------------
A Letter from
Ray, Virginia &
Jason Mignogna
August 18, 2011
Dear Foothill Family,
Truly, we have not fallen off the face of the earth, but that’s what it feels like in terms of missing you.
We arrived on the Eastern Shores, (Chesapeake, Virginia) April 18th, four months ago. We’ve been alternately busy, bored, happy, depressed and all of afore mentioned descriptives, sometimes within a 24 hour period. We continue to evolve.
Finding a home, three adults and one dog, presented the first challenge. Decision made but not without lingering doubts. We are in a retirement community of 180 homes. We live in an attached condo that is actually quite spacious, very traditional looking on the outside, brick, columns, paned windows, covered front porch and two-car garage. Inside, not so traditional, open floor plan, rooms blending into each other, few walls to separate dining from living from family room to kitchen. How do you place furniture in this setting? And where do you put a lot of wall art when there are no walls? Ray tried to advise me to leave most of the “Stuff”, but you know me, I don’t always listen to practical advice. That being said, we’re trying to “work-it-out.” The biggest “Stuff” that I could not part with is the “Books.” They are my security blanket, my friends in my home away from home (San Jose). We are waiting for a carpenter to build the shelves for the “Books” that live in the garage in boxes. So while the “Books” remain in boxes, I’ve bought more books to tide me over until the “Books” are out of the boxes and in their home to be in my hands again, offering solace and joy and everything in between. But then again, I wax poetically because the reality of a move after forty plus years in one place has too many edges.
Read More
I think we have found a church. We have spent a goodly amount of time trying to find Foothill in our worship. “Ain’t gonna happen!” But worship and faith levels the playing field. Great Bridge Presbyterian is traditional and open to all. The minister reminds us of Ben, in that he welcomes all who love the Lord. He is gracious and kind. It’s a large church, over 1,000 members, about 750 attending on a Sunday with three services, two contemporary and one traditional. You can see where we fit in. Jason attends a contemporary at 11:15, and we are at the traditional at 9:45. It’s not hard to get to earlier service because everyone wants to get the day started before the summer heat kicks in.
That’s all I’m gonna say about the weather. Your minds will have to do the math.
Being close to family is a blessing (most of the time). Family dynamics run the gamut, something we missed out on for so many years, except to visit “back East” being treated like royalty during our visits. We have been dethroned -- not in a bad way.
We’re making new friends, (and it seems slow), and trying to envision our future here. We pray for patience. Our role model is our dog Teca, who lives moment to moment, peeing and pooping and playing like dogs do with acceptance and gratitude for any kindness shown, or any food treat that comes her way. Talk about the “DOG DAYS of AUGUST” and I said I wouldn’t mention the weather again.
Last week we drove to Michigan to witness the ordination of Mary Bahr-Jones, on August 14th at Northville Presbyterian. She has been “under care” for 18 years and has received a call. What a joyous occasion. We split up the 13-hour trip with one overnight going and coming, and visited friends along the way. Thank you God for friends and family in this part of the world.
Well, dear Foothill Friends, that tells the saga of our last four months. We are well physically, our heads and hearts are learning a new way of living, but the “memory luggage” is heavy with longing that we would still be with you, who have enriched our lives beyond words. Life changes, sometimes big, sometimes small. You and I will fulfill God’s plan for our lives wherever we are planted in this world.
Continue to grow and be well. We expect to see you again whether here on one of your sojourns to Virginia or ours to San Jose. We’ll keep ya posted, (goes both ways).
Love,
Virginia, Ray and Jason
p.s. It’s hot and humid – but I didn’t say that!
p.s.s. Stardate 8-25-11: Regarding the 5.8 Earthquake 8/23 ---- (I Virginia was in Mechanicsville, 20 miles from the epicenter, baby sitting my 8 year old grand niece.) At first I thought it was the train whose tracks are about ¼ mile from the house and runs regularly throughout the day and night. I knew it sounded louder and vibrated much more violently than normal. I stood in disbelief thinking this couldn’t possibly be an earthquake in Virginia, surely we had left that scary dark cloud in California. “It must be a terrorist attack or possibly the end of the world.” Then the house started to sway for a long, long time (15 seconds). At that split second I knew it was an earthquake and I started shouting instructions to two children, a nurse and my sister to seek cover. By this time the earthquake was over and I was the only thing still shaking. Ray and Teca our dog were 100 miles further east in Chesapeake and experienced only mild rocking of our home. And the dog yawned.
We have been accused of bringing the earthquake to Virginia, even in the midst of hurricane preparations for the coming weekend. I’m telling people the earthquake was a “love pat” from our California family to remind us of your all.
Thanks, but no thanks, V & R
---------------------------------------------------------
*Bible Lesson*
Chapel Day with Pastor Ben
Wednesday, September 7
*Spiritual Message is Joy*
I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
--John 16:22
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
--John 15:11
*Special Days in September*
~Honoring Grandparents~
Grandparent & Grandchild Lunch
Thursday, September 8th
Grandparents Day
is on Sunday, September 11th
Back to School BBQ
Friday, September 9
----------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to all our Summer Sunday School teachers- Barbara Ardrey, Anne Daniel, Carol Goedde, Dana Marino, Libby Moore, Carol McManus, Nancy Rubio, and Gay Southwell.
----------------------------------------------------------
 |
Friday, September 16th
5:30PM in Room 9
All ages are welcome.
Join Julie Cline from East Valley Artists for an evening of creativity and artistic endeavor.
Children will have the opportunity to create an artwork to display at the East Valley Artist's annual show on October 1st.
We will have a finger food potluck for dinner. For more information, contact Peg in the church office.
----------------------------------------------------------
East Valley Artists’ Annual Members Show
Saturday, Oct 1st from 10 AM to 4 PM
Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Oct 1st from 10 AM to 4 PM
Fellowship Hall
Children of the church community will display their art, including 3D art and photographs. There will be fun activities for children at the show! Come out and vote for a People’s Choice and a Children’s Choice Award. Your child can enter the show too! Children’s entry forms are available in the church office.
----------------------------------------------------------
All ages are welcome
Join us for a wonderful weekend in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz.
Come out for some fun with your church family. The cabins are heated and have private bathrooms. The food is delicious and there is plenty of it. There will be a campfire each night.
Questions? Contact Eileen Parks
or Susan Andersen .
----------------------------------------------------------
Chancel Choir Thursdays at 7:30PM
Glory Ringers Tuesdays at 7:30PM
Children’s vocal and handbell choirs
Sundays at 11:30AM
We would love to have more people in our choirs. All music enthusiasts are encouraged to join. Being in a church choir is an uplifting way of worshiping God and a wonderful opportunity to foster fellowship.
Contact Jay Jordana for more details.
----------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Concerts
Suggested Donation for all concerts is $10 per person.
Sunday, September 18 at 3PM
The music of Loyalty Band is a fusion of original
Christian/Jazz compositions that swings with a
combination of spiritual lyrics and uplifting jazz melodies. Their album "Prince of Life" is sharing their struggles,
interpretations and blessings of their journey with Christ. Pianist/Drummer/Vocalist/Composer/Arranger Jon Roblin has teamed up with Teresa Anthony, a vocalist/songwriter, to form the Loyalty Band of smooth jazz music with a spiritual message of renewal and optimism. Teresa's from a jazz family and has been singing and writing original compositions for years. Jon is an accomplished musician, live performer, and music teacher and his choice of chords, instrumentation and dynamics throughout their repertoire, brings to the listener a new and lively jazz sound.
Solo Guitar
Saturday, September 24, 7PM
This a celebration concert, an opportunity for the South Bay community to
acknowledge Ashwin's accomplishment in winning the Junior Division 2nd Prize, 2011 (June) Guitar Foundation of America International solo Competition held in Georgia. This occasion is also an opportunity for Ashwin to share his competition experience by performing works which so impressed his judges.
Ashwin Krishna, age 13, is currently studying guitar with Scott Cmiel at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Preparatory Division. He has won
several competitions during the last few years, most recently being the first
guitarist to win the Pacific Musical Society competition in the instrumental category in its 100 year history.
He also placed first in the 2011 Menhuin–Dowling guitar competition in his age group, and second in the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America Junior
Division in both 2010 and 2011.
Ashwin has performed in numerous master classes with world-renowned
guitarists, such as Sergio Assad, William Kanengiser, David Tanenbaum,
Marc Teicholz, and Xufei Yang.
----------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, October 15th
8AM to 2PM
Grab your favorite tools and roll up your sleeves,
it’s time for some end of summer cleaning up.
There’s plenty to be done so we’ll need plenty of hands to help out. Look for a sign up sheet in the narthex in early October.
---------------------------------------------------------
Foothill Music Series is
Jazzing up the Fall Flea Market with live music!
We’ll need the usual kind of help. Pricing and organizing on Friday afternoon and people to work on Saturday.
We’ll begin collecting donations Monday, October 17th.
Contact Jay for more details.
----------------------------------------------------------
Halloween Festival
Saturday, Oct. 29
The annual Halloween Festival is less than two months away!
Volunteers Needed!!
If you would like to take on the challenge of leading the Halloween committee, please contact Darlene Ristrim.
We will begin to collect candy starting Sunday, October 2nd
----------------------------------------------------------
The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender
If we depend wholly on God, we will find Him wholly dependable-DJD
During the month of July, I took six work days of vacation and worked eight days. This month has been filled with many crises but it has also been very rewarding. I have had deaths (6), code blues (2), crisis calls/trauma (8), motor vehicle accidents (4), stabbing (2), miscarriage (1), assaults (3), gun shots (5), baby deaths (1), and over doses (2).
During the week of July 22nd, a young man (21 yo) was brought in because of a motor cycle collision. He and his friend (both had helmets) were riding around in the driveway, his friend looked behind him and the young man had popped a wheelie, landed on his head, and was not moving. EMS was called immediately and he was rushed to the hospital. Even though he was wearing a helmet, his head was crushed. He had lived in Fort Worth two years and his family was still living in Oregon.
Read More Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
We were informed that he had mentioned to his friend he was homesick and wanted to see his family. When his Mom received the call from his friend, she was devastated and family members took the first flight to Texas. Upon arrival, she cried uncontrollably for a long time. She decided that he would want to be a donor and gave consent. When this happens, the Chaplain goes to OR with the family. At 1:00 am in the morning, we went to OR, watched them sterilize his body, and then all of us went into the room when they withdrew him from life-support. His Mom held his hand for the 40 minutes he still had life and when the Doctor pronounced him, his Mom sobbed. We were quickly ushered out of OR so the team could harvest his liver, tissue, and eyes. Throughout these 4 hours, we prayed together several times, held hands, and hugged. His Mom informed me how much she appreciated the presence of a Chaplain.We have what’s called auto-ped accidents, which is what happens when a person driving a car hits a pedestrian. On July 23rd, a young lady (24 yo), along with her Mom and Dad were going to get her car. They had to stop because of a flat tire and all of them got out of the car. When a car drove by, it hit and killed her Dad, seriously injured her Mom and she was taken to a local hospital. The young lady was injured so badly that she had to be flown to the hospital. What was so sad is she was 24 on the 23rd! It was her birthday! She was talking when she arrived, gave us a phone number and passed out. I contacted local officials where she was flown from and they were able to help me locate her Mom. Yes, the driver has been caught and is in jail. It’s a small town in the country where everyone knows each other and from what the officer informed is that he knows the family.
When the call came for me to visit the young lady (29) whose baby had just died, I was concerned because the RN’s voice sounded somber. When I arrived, I was informed the baby was 29 weeks and had been in the neonatal unit for 3 days. She had been doing fine that morning and then at 1052 pm, she died. The Doctor was baffled, felt bad, and kept saying he could not believe this had happened. He explained that that baby had sepsis (Sepsis is a toxic response to infection) and died. When I walked into the room, the baby’s Dad was holding her and sobbing. The baby’s Mom was also crying. At moments like these, I introduce myself and let them know I am there for them. They nodded in the affirmative and I let them know I would be outside, when they were ready for me to come back. I requested a shell and some sterilized water from the RN so that I could bless the baby. After 30 minutes, I went back in, offered prayer and a blessing for them and the baby. They both said yes, please. After prayer I blessed the baby and gave them the shell. After hugging them, I left but not before letting them know I was available all night, if they needed anything pastoral. They thanked me for the visit.
I continue to thank God for the wonderful call of being a Chaplain. It is a blessing to be able to be present for a patient and their family. It is also a blessing to be there for them, in their need and at their lowest point. I am a servant to them.
Seminary status
I have been reading, although not a lot because I am making prayer beads. I am also walking in the morning for two hours. Because it has been in the triple digit (temp), I am careful to go walking early in the morning before it gets too hot.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers.
~ to be continued~
Worry is pulling tomorrow’s CLOUDS over today’s SUNSHINE-Adrian Rogers
