Thursday, July 5, 2012

July 2012





A Note from Pastor Ben
Dear Friends,

I celebrated Independence Day by heading home to Mendocino, a town that celebrates the Fourth of July like nowhere else I know. The centerpiece of Mendocino’s Fourth of July festivities is a parade that is singular in its wonderful kookiness.

Leading the parade were members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. When they walked by everyone cheered. Next came tucks from five different volunteer fire departments, with sirens blaring, which caused everyone to cheer. Then came several anti-war floats and a few anti-GMO floats. When they passed by, everyone cheered. Then we got the “Occupy Mendocino” float, which was followed by “Occupy Dick’s Place” float (Dick’s Place, being a favorite local bar). People kept on cheering. Then we got the cast of the local production of Rent, singing their hearts out on a flatbed. Some 4-H kids walked pass, leading goats, and a huge, inflated zebra arrived, with a sign around its neck proclaiming “fire safety for zebras!” As we were cheering, a woman next to me asked me “what’s the zebra supposed to mean?” I confessed to her I had no idea. Then I looked closer and noticed that my sister was pushing the inflated zebra, promoting fire safety. I still have no idea which zebras are in danger of incineration. I never got the chance to ask my sister. It doesn’t matter, of course. We cheered for everyone. All of us who lined the streets of my hometown that day clapped and hooted and laughed and showed our love for all of the folks who were willing to march in the parade.

We even cheered for a float that featured a young woman dancing in tank-top festooned with a Union Jack. I have no idea if she had no sense of history or a great sense of irony. Either way we cheered.

Some of the folks cheering were dressed from nose to toe in red white and blue. Some were dressed principally with the goal of attracting midsummer romance. Some were dressed in tourist threads. One man with lots of facial hair wore an oversized Uncle Sam hat, a lumberjack’s shirt and a long, flowing gypsy skirt. We all sat there, side by side, along the parade route, cheering for America and for the freedom to be strange.

I think that America’s churches could learn a lesson from the Mendocino Fourth of July parade. We need to open our doors and to cheer for anyone who comes in. We need to welcome the folks with whom we agree and those with whom we don’t. We need to celebrate everyone’s presence, for indeed the kingdom of God is made of every type of individual, and the celebration the Kingdom begins when we rejoice in those who have joined us under the shadow of God’s loving arm.

Happy Summer,
Ben

Crop Walk Results
Pat Plant, Hunger Action Advocate
Presbytery of San Jose

I just got the totals for this year's CROP WALK for Church World Service. I feel such gratitude for how much money our Presbytery of San Jose Churches raised for the great cause of alleviating hunger and poverty around the world and in the U.S. - $13,523 (!) which is 1/3 of the total earned by everyone on our walk - $42,000. I'm impressed and giddy with joy!

Thanks for all of your effort on this event.


Happy Birthday 21st Birthday to Kate Mawi

















Changes to Garbage Pick Up at Foothill
Peg Nickl, Office Administrator

Beginning this month we will no longer have garbage at Foothill. Thanks to the City of San José's Zero Waste Strategic Plan* and Republic Services we now have only recycling.
Here’s how it works. Republic Services separates all that used to be termed “garbage” into two categories, wet and dry recycling. Food, food soiled paper and yard trimmings go together in the wet bin, everything else goes in the dry bin.

Wet Recycling
Organics

Yard Trimmings
Fruits & Vegetables
Bread & Pasta
Dairy Products
Meat & Seafood
Coffee Grounds & Filters
Food Soiled Paper/ Cardboard
Napkins & Paper Towels
Paper Cups & Plates
Paper Take Out Containers

Dry Recycling
Everything Else

Glass Bottles & Jars
Packing Materials
Carpet & Padding
Reusable Items
Clean Paper & Cardboard
Scrap Metal
Plastics
Wood
Reusable Items
Styrofoam
Disposable Diapers
Sanitary Products
Fabric

* Zero waste is a perception change. It requires rethinking what we have traditionally regarded as garbage and treating all materials as valued resources instead of items to discard. Zero waste entails shifting consumption patterns, more carefully managing purchases, and maximizing the reuse of materials at the end of their useful life. Achieving zero waste entails encouraging San José, its residents, and its businesses to reevaluate what we view as waste. http://www.sjrecycles.org/zerowaste.asp















 *Special Days*
Tuesdays & Thursdays- Jazzercise
Fridays- Water Play Day
7/6 YSI Fieldtrip

*Spiritual*
Chapel
Wednesday, July 11th
Message
*Goodness*

Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow (James 1:17).

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).
 

The Semibreve
Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries

MANY THANKS…
to Carolyn Clark, Carol Tillman, Arlene Zimmerman for helping out at the Vivace Youth Chorus concert.

DIXIELAND JAZZ, July 29th, 10:30 AM
Remember last year when the Top of the Hill Dixieland jazz band came and played at the worship service, and then we had a sing-a-long after worship, and then we had a potluck after that? Well, we’re doing it again! Top of the Hill will be providing special music for the worship service on July 29th to be followed by a sing-a-long of ‘ole time hymn favorites right after. Then after that, we will be having a potluck in the Fellowship Hall where instead of a salad contest, we will be having a Refreshing (non-alcoholic) Summer Drink contest.

If are interested in participating in the Refreshing Summer Drink Contest, then please sign the sheet in front of my office with an indication of what kind of drink you’ll be bringing (TBA or to-be-announced, or I don’t know yet is okay too).

If you are planning to attend the potluck, then please the sign-up sheet in front of my office with an indication of what food you’re planning to bring.

Don’t miss this event! And in the meantime, start thinking about that summer drink! And start thinking of whom you’re going to invite!

AUGUST 11TH, 12TH TO BE A COMMUNITY-ORIENTED, ARTS-FILLED WEEKEND AT FOOTHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (The following press release was written by Julie Cline.)
On Sunday, August 12th, the Foothill Presbyterian Church Music Series will present its 12th annual outdoor Jazz on the Grass concert. A combo of professional musicians, plus special guests, will perform at 12:30 PM in the courtyard at Foothill Presbyterian Church. New this year, East Valley Artists, an association of artists local to the eastern foothills of San Jose, will present its Annual Fine Art Show in conjunction with the outdoor concert. “We like to provide the community with lots of reasons to come join in the fun,” says Jay Jordana director of the Foothill Music Series.

East Valley Artists’ Fine Art Show will be located in Foothill Church’s Fellowship Hall, at the north end of the courtyard. The show will begin on Saturday, August 11th and continue on the 12th. On Saturday, the visual artists will be joined by “Kathy Sherman and the Good Folk Collective”, a diverse group of folk singers. The group recently released a CD, “Welcome to the Folksong Café,” available at both CDBaby.com and Amazon.com.

On Sunday, besides experiencing visual arts and music, community members may opt to donate blood to the Stanford Blood Drive. Afterward, donators may refuel by sampling free refreshments provided by East Valley Artists or enjoy the picnic lunch provided by the Foothill Music Series and the Foothill Deacons. “We ask for a small freewill donation-- around five dollars—to cover our expenses,” explains Jordana. For another small donation, concert attendees may indulge in a barbeque lunch with “all the fixin's.” “We did this last year,” says Jordana. “The barbeque was a big success.” Community members are also free to bring their own picnic lunches on Sunday.

After indulging, those who want to burn a few calories in their own flurry of artistic expression may feel free to dance. Others may watch Kathy Domen of Domen Strength Pilates burn calories as she demos core-conditioning principles and gives tips for maintaining a strong back and toned abs.

“And don’t forget to bring your children,” reminds Julia Cline, community liaison for East Valley Artists and a member of Foothill Church. “Experiencing art in a leisurely way is something that many kids miss these days. Plus, our artists will be manning a children’s table on both Saturday and Sunday, with some fun things to do---so much fun that I hope that we can keep our artists out of the kids supplies!”

Some music, a few masterpieces, a chance to help others, a good meal, a dose of healthful advice, dancing and fun stuff for the kids---get it all in and around the courtyard at Foothill Presbyterian Church, August 11th and 12th!

Where: Foothill Presbyterian Church, 5301 McKee Road, San Jose, CA 95132 (408-258-8133)

August 11th:
East Valley Artists Annual Fine Art Show 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Kathy Sherman and the Good Folk Collective 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

August 12th:
Stanford Blood Drive 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
East Valley Artists Annual Fine Art Show 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Jazz on the Grass 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Admission: Suggested donation $5
ONE TWICE?!
Foothill Presbyterian Church will be presenting Part 1 (Advent) of Handel's Messiah twice this coming December!

Sunday, December 2nd, 3 PM- The Foothill Music Series will be presenting its first Annual Foothill Messiah Sing-a-Long. YOU (yes, you!) and your friends get to sing along with a professional orchestra!

Sunday, December 9th, 10:30 AM – With the help of generous donations into the Psalm 150 fund, professional and semi-professional musicians will once again present Handel’s Messiah at the worship service.

Stay tuned for more details.

WHAT’S UP IN THE HOOD?
*Vivace Youth Chorus will be holding a Music and Arts camp for ages 6-10. Entitled “All the Animals In the Zoo (and then some),” the camp will meet at Stone Church from August 6-10, 9am – 1 PM. To be taught by Jay Jordana, Peggy Spool, and an art specialist, the camp will include music theory, arts and crafts, instrumental workshop, games, t-shirt, snacks, and performance on the last day of camp. For more information, you may email info@vivaceyouthchorus.org, or call (408) 885-1746.

Here’s to the continued growth of Vivace East!

*Jay Jordana will be receiving Level 2 Kodály training at Holy Names University for three weeks in July. Prayers and positive vibes are appreciated. The program is tough!

SUMMER MUSIC
Thank you to the following folks for providing special music during the summer while the choirs are on break:

AUGUST
August 5th – Peralta Consort
August 12th – Liam Peterson
August 19th – Sine Nomine
August 26th – Sine Nomine

FALL SCHEDULE
Tuesday, August 28th, 7:30 PM –Glory Ringers rehearsals resume
Thursday, August 30th, 7:30 PM – Chancel Choir rehearsals resume

We welcome enthusiastic music lovers!

LAST MONTH’S TIDBIT
The Yang quin is a type of ________, that has evolved into many different versions in many parts of the world.
Answer: Santur  Having existed in ancient times the (Iranian) Santur may be the likely predecessor of the Chinese yanqin via the Silk Route, which stretches almost 5,000 miles reaching from China to the Middle East.  - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangqin

Congratulations to Catherine Boe for having answered the question, correctly.

JULY TIDBIT
True or False: Dixieland is a kind of Twinkie.

Aside from Dixieland, there are also ___________________.

Please email me your complete response. If yours is correct, you get to choose the closing hymn of the final worship service this month. First one to let me know the correct answer gets the prize! Hurry!