September 2011

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
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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



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*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
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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.

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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.
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East Valley Artists’ Annual Members Show
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.

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Register now for Family Camp
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 .
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 Choir Rehearsals


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.

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Upcoming Concerts
Suggested Donation for all concerts is $10 per person.

The Loyalty Band
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.

 Ashwin Krishna
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.
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All Church Service Day
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.
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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.

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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


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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

July 2011

A Note From Pastor Ben



Dear Friends,

As I write this my hands smell like basil, which isn’t that uncommon this time of year; when basil is in season I like to make pesto. The difference is that today the basil came out of my plot in the community garden.

This is the first year I’ve ever been successful growing anything in the ground. I’ve always grown plants in pots in my patio, and I’ve tried unsuccessfully to grow vegetables in an unused bit of ground beyond my back fence—its part of my home owners’ association common area—but I’ve never been a very good gardener.

This year is different. I’ve got more basil than I know what to do with, my corn is already springing ears, my strawberries are sweet, my tomatoes are outgrowing their cages, and my cucumbers are in bloom with the promise of a bumper crop. Suddenly I’m some kind of farmer.

My experience in the garden this summer is changing how I think of myself. I’m no longer just a person of words and ideas. Now I’m a man of the soil. My mind is full of garden metaphors. Ideas germinate. Thoughts blossom. When I finish a project it is harvested.

Only a few months ago, I had no idea I could plant a garden and watch it grow with the promise of nourishment and the joy of delicious vegetables, but now all of that has changed. And it’s a mater of grace. I didn’t do anything to become the kind of person who can grow food. All I did was plant in the right place. The soil, sun, and rain, together with miracle of the life-giving earth did the rest.

It makes me wonder what else is possible when we try new things. So often in life our ideas for doing new things are met with doubts. Sometimes we doubt ourselves and sometimes we listen to the doubts of others, and those doubts keep us from changing and growing and learning new ways to think about ourselves. But, of course, nothing new can be done if we don’t ignore those doubts.

We need to listen to the promise of grace instead of paying attention to the nagging of doubts. We need to plant gardens. We need to try out new ideas and follow fresh innovations. We need to do this personally and as a church.

As we think about the future, let’s say “yes” more than we say “no.” Instead of doubts, let us be mindful of grace. Let’s be gardeners together.

I Bid You Peace,

Ben
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The Prayer Chain
Joan Destro

The Prayer Chain at Foothill would like to add more members to their network.

The strength of others praying together unites with the power of the Lord and makes all the difference in the world to those who are ill or in need of spiritual support.

An example of receiving a Prayer Request:
All this is needed is a paper and pen to record the request or thanksgiving as it is given. upon receiving the telephone request, the Prayer Chain participant prays for the request, then telephones the next available prayer chain person on the list and forwards the prayer request to them. The person in turn, telephones the next person, and so on tot he last person on the list.

For those interested in joining the Prayer Chain contact Joan Destro.
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Special Worship Music, Dixieland Hymn Sing,
& Salad Contest
-Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries

The South Bay Traditional Jazz Society is be coming to Foothill on Sunday, July 17th to play Dixieland Jazz. They will be playing special music during the worship service to be followed by a hymn sing where we have the chance to tap our feet, snap our fingers, and sing our favorite hymns a la Dixieland. Following that will be a potluck.

Here is where it gets interesting...

We mentioned before that it would be great if everyone would bring food to share. However, we've decided it would be exciting if we have a salad contest instead!

Here's how it goes...
For those who want to participate in the contest (which we hope will be everyone). We would love it if:
1) folks brought their most awesome salad to enter in the contest
2) folks (that's the rest of us) sample the salad
3) folks vote on which salad they prefer by written ballot

We will then count the number of votes, and the salad that gets the most votes wins!

Then what?

Here is the best part...

Whoever owns the salad that gets the most votes wins a free week of CSA fruits & veggies! You heard it right! One week of free CSA produce!*

Interested? If you are, please sign your name to indicate that you are intending to bring your salad to enter into the contest. The sign-up sheet will be outside my office door. I hope to see your name on there!

Remember, July 17th... Hope to see you (and your salad) there!

* Free CSA share will be for August 2, 2011. If you are already a CSA member your cost for August will be reduced from $150 to $120.
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Join us Tuesday evenings this summer in the courtyard (or room 9 depending on the heat) to enjoy the long summer evenings. You can bring games, the kids can play on the playground, we can share a snack and enjoy the good company.
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Dabbler’s Delight Schedule of Classes
Fellowship Hall on Tuesday afternoons from 12:30 to 3PM

Offered by the East Valley Artists

You may sign up for the entire series ($80) or for individual sessions ($10 each). Walk in are welcome at a cost of $15 per class. Materials will be provided by the instructors, additional material fees may apply.

To sign up contact Julie Cline (juliacline@sbcglobal.net or 408-258-4984) or register in the Church Office with Peg Nickl. Please make checks payable to East Valley Artists.

July 12
Robert Johnson
Charcoal

July 19
Carolina Mueller
Silk Painting

July 26
Jeanne Wardrip
Oil

August 2
Clyde Stout
Watercolor

August 9th
Linda Sieker
Watercolor

August 16
Candy Yu
Watercolor

August 23
Julie Cline
Collage

August 30
Julie Cline
Pastel
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Peg Nickl, Office Administrator

Thanks to the people who "liked" us on Facebook. Now we can easily be found at www.facebook.com/FoothillPresbyterianChurch.

Each week we will post a video link to Pastor Ben's latest sermon. We will also post things like concert and special service announcements, worship and mission opportunities, parish concerns and things we are celebrating.

Stop by and "like" us so you can see our posts on your Facebook News Feed page.
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The Semibreve
Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries


MANY THANKS

I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has made this year another wonderfully musical year! -To the members of the Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir (their parents and guardians), the Glory Ringers; to all who have in any way helped to produce/staff the Music Series concerts; to Kraig Williams and his crew for assistance with concert production of early music and for bringing great talent to the church through the Peralta Consort; to all who have provided special music and musical assistance in any way; to the congregation and your community of family and friends for promoting and attending the concerts, and for Ben Daniel and the Session for continued support. Your every show of support and appreciation is an expression of gratitude for God’s gift of music to humankind.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The music program wouldn’t be where it is if it weren’t for your continued support. THANK YOU!

GREAT JOB!

Congratulations to Kraig Williams and the Peralta Consort for a successful debut concert! All your hard work, patience, and practice paid off. You guys sounded great. Well done!

Read More Semibreve

DIXIELAND HYMN SING AT FOOTHILL!
Members of the South Bay Traditional Jazz Society will be coming to Foothill on July 17th to provide special worship service music followed by a hymn sing after the service, and a potluck to follow. Sing along, snap your fingers, and tap your toes as the band plays traditional hymns that we all love. Mark your calendars for July 17th You won’t want to miss this!

2011 VBS
JOYFULLLY MAKING MUSIC
Parents, and guardians are invited to bring a child (or more) to a VBS- inspired summer music camp here at Foothill. Anne Marie Daniel, Ben Daniel, Ronn Ealy. and I will offer classes that involve Music Theory, Kodaly, Singing, Instruments, Song games and many more! The VBS music camp will begin on August 8th at 9:30 AM. Stay tuned for more detailed information.

11TH ANNUAL JAZZ ON THE GRASS
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with your family and friends. Hang and chill in the Foothill courtyard where you’ll hear Steve Turner’s jazz ensemble play standards. Mark your calendars for August 21st at 1 PM. See you there!

WHAT’S UP IN THE HOOD?
Thanks to the Personnel Committee’s financial support, I will be attending what is called the Summer Institute at Holy Names College from July 11th to the 29th. During this intensive, three-week course, I will be learning Kodály. Developed by the Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodály (1882-1967), Kodály is a system of music education for children. Specifically, it teaches children to sing solfeggio using movable do (do, re, mi, et al…), and a repertoire of songs and exercises based on the Hungarian folk tradition. Since 1954, it has been a staple in the Hungarian school system. Moreover, it also has been modified for use in other countries (431). In the United States, for example, the repertoire of songs and exercises are based on Hungarian and American folk traditions.

*Randel, Don Michael, ed. The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, Massachusetts: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1986.


SUMMER MUSIC
The following folks have generously volunteered to provide special music while the choirs are on summer hiatus:

July
7/3 – Friends of Taiwan International (Brass ensemble)
7/10 – Ronn Ealy
7/17 – South Bay Traditional Jazz Society
7/24 – Libby Moore
7/31 –Anne Marie Daniel

August
8/7 –Peralta Consort; Joanne Reinecker
8/14 – Bob Barker
8/21 – Jon Roblin
8/28 – Dawn Imada; Kraig Williams

JULY TIDBIT
What is the third partial in the harmonic series? Explain.
Hint: A vibrating body (i.e. strings, vocal cords, etc…) does this.
Please email me your 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!

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*Bible Lesson*

Chapel Day with Pastor Ben
Wednesday, July 6

*Spiritual Message*
Goodness

The kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 14:15

*Special Days in June*

Icecream
Mondays & Wednesdays

Kid’s Jazzercise
Tuesdays & Thursdays

Water Play
Fridays

*Field Trip*
Emma Prush Farm
Thursday, July 14th
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Community Supported Agriculture
Foothill CSA
Local Produce Direct from the Farm to You

Sign up now for August CSA. Cost for August is $150.

Give it a try and sign up for August. See what eating seasonally, locally, and sustainably is all about.

Read More About Foothill CSA

How much does this cost? $30 per week in the summer. Cost will drop to $25 per week after the summer season.

How do I pay? Produce shares are on a pre-payment, monthly subscription basis. Total prepayment is due the last Tuesday of each month. We accept cash or checks. Checks should be made payable to Foothill Presbyterian Church with CSA in the memo, or set up direct payment from your bank.

How much do I get? You will get between 17 and 20 different fruits and vegetables. Each week you will fill approximately 2 large grocery bags.

Can I buy half a share? We only purchase full shares from the farm. If you would like to split a share and do not have someone who you can partner with, please let us know and we will try to find a partner for you. Half share people are required to coordinate payment and splitting of the share with their partner. You must pick up a full share and then divide with your partner.

I’m here to pick up my share. What should I do? Please bring your own bags or boxes including small bags for items such as salad greens. Check off your name on the sign in sheet.
The produce is set out in boxes in the narthex. The amount you should take and the name of the item with be marked clearly on the box. Look for great recipes ideas to take with you.

What if I don’t want an item? Look for the “Barter Box”. You can trade the item you don’t want for something in the Barter Box.

What happens to the leftovers? Unclaimed produce is taken to the Lord’s Pantry, a local food bank located on White Road.

What if I can’t pick up my share? You can have a friend or neighbor pick up your share for you, or you can donate your share to the food pantry.

When do I pick up? Every Tuesday from 10:30AM to 9PM.

How do I register? Email or call Peg: foothillpc@gmail.com or 408-258-8133.

What can you tell me about the grower?
Name of farm: Field of Greens
Owner: Peter Trembois
Business license: M15770

Farm land and history: 86 acres in San Benito County and 25 acres in Madera County; approximately 100 miles from San Francisco. Pete’s family has been farming as far back as he can research.

Farm specialty: Over 200 different varieties of vegetables, specializing in root crops and leafy greens.

Philosophy and growing practices: Although not certified organic, Field or Greens practices sustainable agriculture to provide the highest quality, freshest and most nutritious produce possible. They use mulch, compost and cover crops to produce fertile soil. The soil on this San Benito County farm is Class 1, the most fertile soil in the area. The crops are hand weeded. Soap is used to discourage insects. Beneficial insects are introduced. A 300-foot well supplies 86 acres, and river water is used as a backup source.

Farm Staff: Field of Greens is primarily a family-run business. There are 11 family members working for the farm, as well as nine other full time workers and 15 seasonal helpers.
Contact information: Farmer Pete: Psemcd@aol.com, 650-948-0621
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The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender

To be found, you must admit you are lost-Sper

The month of June has been very exhausting for me and kind of unusual. During this month I had deaths (14), strokes (11), code blues (2), crisis calls (7), motor vehicle accidents (9), stabbing (3), heart attacks (1), miscarriages (2), assaults (2), falls (4), gun shots (1), baby deaths (2), snake bites (1), drowning (3), and falls (2).

What is so unusual is the number of deaths. On June 24/25, I had a total of 8 deaths and a level 1 stabbing. This is the first time this has happened to a Chaplain and by the time I left work, I was emotionally and physically tired. Because the deaths were spaced I did not have to call a Chaplain for back-up and whenever family comes we have to be available for them. When the 7th death happened, I was informed family would not come to the hospital and this gave me to complete most of the paperwork and hand off to another Chaplain.

Read More Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain

One of the deaths was a 22 year old male. He had been married for one year and his wife was teaching him to swim at their apartment’s pool. However when family arrived, they said he was a great swimmer and a lifeguard. The ER Doctors and RNs worked on him but had to send him to our ICU department for trauma care. He was stable for 15 minutes, coded, they did cpr for 40 minutes and they were not able to save him. One of his sisters threatened to kill the wife and because there was tension between his spouse and family we had to call security. His grandmother started to do cpr because she could not believe he had died and his Mom was in shock. He had to go to the medical examiner and it was very sad for all of his family members.

A man who was 59 years old could not swim but could float on his back. He was at a Lake with family, in the shallow area but was pulled by a wave into a deep section. He went down, family could not reach him right away and when they did, cpr was started right away until EMS arrived. His organs were full of water, there was liver damage and he was admitted to our Neuro-ICU floor. His ex-wife was there and his new wife of three years was also there. There were 30 people in his room. His pastor was there but thanked me for taking charge and helping them through it. The RN cried as they withdrew him from life support and it was so sad. His granddaughter cried for a long time and said she would have a difficult time without him.

When a 69 year old male died of leukemia, I had to call the medical examiner because he had fallen prior to coming to the hospital. His wife was in shock but the patient was a medical examiner’s case because of the trauma from the fall. He also had a huge bruise on the right side of his face and the medical examiner has to rule out foul play.

The very last death was also very sad. A man of 45 years had shortness of breath, the family gave him cpr until EMS arrived and took over. When he arrived at the hospital, the mechanical cpr machine was keeping him alive but they could not save him. When his family was informed, his wife was stunned. When I escorted them to the viewing room, they sobbed and shook uncontrollably for some time. I stayed with them for two hours but then had to make calls, especially the medical examiner’s office. Because of the suspicious nature of his death, there were two sheriff’s available to stay close to the body.

When there is so much death, you have the physical strength but can become emotionally drained and exhausted. I was fortunate I was ok but when I arrived to the house, I was tired but got on my knees to thank God for carrying me through this and being available for family. The Chaplains could not believe it and I ensured them I was not trying to be superwoman.

The man (55) bitten by a copper snake was visiting from Ohio. He was sitting in a lounge chair, reached down to get his drink and was bitten. Fortunately it was not a full grown snake but he did have a lot of swelling and his heart was racing. His sons killed the snake and brought it to ER. I do not like snakes and did not want to see it. Before they gave him the serum, they had to make sure his vitals were ok. He was discharged, after spending three hours in ER.

When a 52 year old male came (June 3rd) in suffering from a stroke, I tried locating his family but had no success. He was treated in ER and then admitted to our trauma ICU floor where he remained until he died, without family that we could find. We had security checking all possible places but we were not successful and this saddens me and this is why I try very hard to find family.

Because the summer time causes more deaths, traumas, and accidents, I am very careful to watch for signs of compassion fatigue which can be common to Chaplains and RNs. I am glad for the daily exercise such as walking!

Seminary status
I am very happy that school is over for the summer. This is a time of reflection, meditating, and writing and I am enjoying it because it’s not academic. I am still walking in the mornings, reading some in the afternoons and also making prayer beads. Because I do not like snakes, I carry a cane with me, just in case!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.
~ to be continued~

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

---------------------------------------------------------
Presbyterian
Disaster
Assistance

Disaster relief donations can be made to Foothill and we will forward your money to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Disaster Relief--USA Disasters & Emergencies DR000015

Disaster Relief--Japan Earthquake and Tsunami DR000117

These designated accounts supplement the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering to enable a significant response for relief and disasters in affected areas. Your faithful giving is deeply appreciated. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) shall honor the requests of donors concerning the use of their gifts for PDA programs; however, if the need for the funds for that specific project no longer exists, then those funds may be applied to a similar project or need at the discretion of PDA.

For more information regarding the PDA their efforts go to http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/

---------------------------------------------------------





Foothill Fellowship Lunch
Wednesday, July 27th
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
First Saturday of the Month
8:30A

June 2011

A Note From Pastor Ben

Dear Friends,

I’ve been complaining about the weather quite a lot lately, and not without cause. For weeks it’s been wet and chilly during what should be one of the nicest times of the year. The worst day was Saturday, June 4. On that dreary day I attended a presbytery meeting in Santa Cruz, where it was raining sideways. It was an honest to goodness winter storm in June. They should pass a law against that kind of thing.

Don’t get me wrong. I like the winter when it is wintertime, but in June I want to wear a Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts. I want to buy a watermelon, put it in the refrigerator, and eat it in the mid-afternoon heat while having a seed-spitting contest with my children. After the kids are in bed on a particularly warm night, I want to sit with Anne out on the back patio listening to a Giants game on the radio and drinking a glass of wine. Summer is lovely; or at least it should be.

But here’s what I know: it is easy to dream of hot days and balmy nights in the fog and drizzle of a late-spring-that-feels-like-winter; it’s much more difficult to avoid complaining when the mercury actually starts rising past 90 during the day and the nights are oppressive sweat and unmoving air. If I’m not careful, I could complain all of the time.

I don’t want to complain, however, and so this summer I will commit to being thankful for the weather, whatever may come. I will remember the rain in Santa Cruz when August seems unbearable, and if 2012’s June is as chilly and damp as the one 2011 has offered up, I will recollect my discomfort when August got hot and I will be glad.

At Pentecost we celebrate the day when the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus’ disciples to speak the languages necessary to communicate the gospel to people who didn’t happen to speak Aramaic, Hebrew, or Greek, which were the three languages in which the disciples may have been fluent. This summer my prayer is that the same Holy Spirit will enable me to speak a language with which I am not entirely fluent: the language of gratitude for every kind of weather. Furthermore, I pray that my fluency in the language of thanksgiving will increase in every part of my life, and I hope you will join me in this linguistic study.

I bid you peace.

Ben
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Peg Nickl, Office Administrator

We are now on Facebook. We need 25 people to "like" us so we can have our own custom Facebook user name. This makes finding Foothill on Facebook much easier for people. Just click the Foothill Presbyterian Church on Facebook link above to "like" us.

Each week we will post a video link to Pastor Ben's latest sermon. We will also post things like concert and special service announcements, worship and mission opportunities, and things we are celebrating.

If you have any suggestions, or would like to add content to our Facebook page, please let us know.

Pastor Ben and William watching The Amgen Tour

From the Treasurer
Sue Williams, Treasurer

It's June and we're coming to the end of our fiscal year. We have one more month to go before we begin the 2011/2012 fiscal year.

This is where we are in a snapshot at May 23rd:

Year-to-date general fund receipts: $288,000

Year-to-date general fund expenditures: $281,000

So here’s where we are regarding pledges:

Total general fund pledges: $173,000
Year-to-date pledges received: $147,600

As you can see, pledged giving is behind. Please prayerfully consider catching up your giving for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. We have June to catch up
We have been very fortunate with rents and other activities helping us meet our financial obligations. By catching up with your pledge, you can make the difference as we prepare for the upcoming repair of our roofs. Stay tuned for more about the roof project in the months to come.

And finally, help us plan our next year’s programs. We need your pledge of fiscal support to plan the next year’s activities. You can turn in your Pledge Card with the Sunday offerings. Or send an email, make a call or drop your card by the office. Your pledge is important. Through your faithful giving we can continue to provide the programs and services of the church and make a difference in this world.

Thank you so much for your support.
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What is That Unusual Towering Plant?
Marilyn Kromrey

Have you been wondering what is the name of the unusually tall plant by the fence near Fellowship Hall?

According to Udell Eby it is Echium wildpretii - or Tower of Jewels. The Sunset Western Garden book describes it as a "biennial, Zones 15-17 and 21-14. Striking oddity from the Canary Islands spends its first year as an attractive, roundish mass of long, narrow leaves covered with silvery gray hairs. In its second year, it starts to grow. By mid or late spring, it forms a column of countless little rose to rose red flowers 6 to 10 feet high and a foot or more in diameter. When all the flowers have faded, the plant dies, leaving behind a vast amount of seed. The resulting seedlings may grow and bloom the next year if they are not hoed out. " Sunset Page 323.

Requires full sun and little to moderate water.

We first noticed the pale silvery grey plant when pruning the roses. I decided to let it grow to see what it was. It wasn't a weed I was familiar with seeing in the gardens. We did not water it - we just watched the plant as it grew larger. It seemed to thrive in a small crack in the asphalt. In March we noticed the plant getting very tall and it kept getting taller until the first part of April when we started seeing flower buds in between the leaves. It has been fun watching it grow taller and taller. Udell has had several plants in her garden and has tried to start from seed with not much luck. The plant seems to thrive on neglect.
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The Semibreve
Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries



MANY THANKS
To Carol Tillman, Patty Potter, Jerry Siegfried, Kraig Williams for help with concert production. I would especially like to thank Darlene Ristrim, Carol Tillman, Jane Wallace, and Don Village for their above-and-beyond help at the South Bay Philharmonic concert. It does take a village! Thanks again.

FINAL CONCERT OF 2010-11 SEASON
The Peralta Consort
Saturday, June 11th, 3 PM

From Bach to Quantz, the Peralta Consort’s break-out concert presents a program of mostly Baroque with a savory surprise in the center! Join recorderists Kraig Williams and Stevie White, recorderist and flutist Michael Megas, recorderist and percussionist Greta Haug-Hryciw, keyboardist William Andersen, cellist Carl Myers, harpist Carol Tillman, and guitarist Bruce Perkins for an afternoon of “Kings, Canons, and Fugues!”

Suggested Donation $10

Proceeds benefit the Foothill Music Series to provide future concerts to the community. Thank you for your support.

MUSIC RECOGNITION SUNDAY
We are blessed with so many talented folks who share so generously of themselves and their time to glorify God and to create a meaningful worship experience. Join us at the June 12th worship service to honor our FPC musicians.

Read More Semibreve

DIXIELAND HYMN SING AT FOOTHILL!
Members of the South Bay Jazz Society will be coming to Foothill on July 17th to provide special worship service music to be followed by a hymn sing after the service. They will be playing traditional hymns that we all love. Stay tuned for more info. In the meantime, mark your calendars for July 17th. You won’t wanna miss this!

WHAT’S UP IN THE HOOD?
It was only four months ago when the Vivace Youth Chorus started an East side contingent here at Foothill. On May 21st, Vivace Youth Chorus East successfully produced a concert with stellar performances from the Prep and Intermediate groups. Founder and Head Director of Vivace conducted the Prep group, which included our own Nellie Daniel who sang beautifully! The Peralta Consort played with them on one of their pieces. I directed the Intermediate group who sang very well. I’m so proud of those kids (sniff, sniff) :D

Vivace Youth Chorus will have their final concert of the season on June 5th , 4 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Performances will include Nellie Daniel singing with the Prep group, and the Peralta Consort playing with them on one of their pieces.


SUMMER MUSIC
The following folks have generously volunteered to provide special music while the choirs are on summer hiatus:
June
6/19 –Joanne Reinecker
6/26 – Grace Takeda

July
7/3 – Friends of Taiwan International (Brass ensemble)
7/10 – Ronn Ealy
7/17 (Dixieland!) – Jim Harget and members of the South Bay Jazz Society
7/24 – Libby Moore
7/31 –Anne Marie Daniel

Stay tuned for August.


MAY TIDBIT
Congratulations to John Belz for getting the correct response to the question:

Who was the first female musician named in the Bible?

The correct response is “Miriam.”

Exodus 15:20
(After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea):
“Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and with all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

-The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version

More on Miriam…
A descendant of Levi, she watched as her mother laid her brother Moses in a basket in the reeds. She persuaded Pharaoh’s daughter, who found Moses, to let his own biological mother nurse him. Considered a prophet along with Aaron and Moses, she became a leper later in life but was healed by God after seven days at Moses’ request. She died and was buried in the Zin desert at Kadesh, which is in modern day Syria.

-del Mastro, M.L. All the Women of the Bible. New York: Castle Books, 2004.


JUNE TIDBIT
What is the third partial in the harmonic series? Explain.

Please email me your 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!


-----------------------------------------------------------
Critic’s Corner
Lawrence R. Ealy

The Doris Williams Ensemble

I don’t know what I was expecting at an Early Music concert having never previously attended one or spent much time listening to or studying music from this era so I went into it with an open mind and willingness to learn.

The instruments were various lutes and recorders which accompanied Ms. Williams as she sang. She has a very interesting sound and color to her voice. Very little vibrato was used and, at times she sounded almost boy soprano. She has good command of her program. I would have preferred, however, that she had not used music and preformed the pieces from memory. This seemed to take away from her connection with her audience.

Her program was quite diversified and represented the four basic musical language groups (French, German, Italian, and English). She seemed most at home with the Italian literature. Maybe because it was a bit more up temp and ore story telling in nature. Of the multi languages I had most difficulty understanding her German.

Ms. Williams has a very pleasing light soprano voice, not suited for the operatic stage but worked perfectly in interpretation of this early period’s style. If she needs to concentrate on anything I would suggest that she pay attention t her pitch on the upper notes and her breath control at the end of soft phases.

The two gentlemen (Howard Kadis and Jonathan Harris) gave tremendous support to Ms. Williams throughout the program. Most thrilling were the recorder solos. I can just imagine a young man in the early 16th century sitting under a chestnut tree while watching his flock of sheep playing songs to pass the time of day. Also, the lutes were very subtle in nature and gave a solid support to the soloist.

All in all it was a very tastefully diverse and complete concert. I appreciated the narration between songs which gave us a sense of the story about to be sung. It was a great learning experience for me and an afternoon well spent. I only wish there had been more attendants.

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*Bible Lesson*

Chapel Day with Pastor Ben
Wednesday, June 8

*Spiritual Message*
Patience

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming near
James 5:8

*Special Days in June*

Tuesdays & Thursdays
Kid’s Jazzercise

6/3
Pre-K Grad Night

6/9
Happy Hollow Fieldtrip

6/16
Father’s Day Lunch

6/24
Ice Cream Sunday
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Opportunity to Help Organize a 5K Cancer Walk/Run

Jason Fromoltz is a teacher at Rocketship Sí Se Puede Academy in East San José. He is looking for help in organizing a charity 5K walk/run to raise money to benefit lung cancer research. Jason lost his father two years ago to lung cancer. The following is a letter that Jason sent to Anne Daniel requesting help from the Foothill Community. If you are interested in getting involved and helping with this event, please contact the church office and we will put you in touch with Jason.





I’m writing you (seemingly out of the blue) because I have a favor to ask of you and Ben. My father passed away two years ago due to lung cancer. In order to honor his life and help in the fight against lung cancer, I’ve decided to organize a 5k Walk/Run to benefit lung cancer research through the organization LUNGevity (www.lungevity.org). The walk is tentatively scheduled for October 23rd in Downtown San Jose.

Right now I am in the very early planning stages and am looking to put together a planning committee to help organize the walk logistics, recruit sponsors, fundraise, and find/manage volunteers.

Because I’m still relatively new to San Jose (been here 2 and a half years), the network of people I know is very small (consisting primarily of Rocketship teachers and parents). I am wondering if either of you know any people who might be interested in getting involved with the planning of the event. These might be people you know who have been affected by lung cancer in some way or just people who really want to be involved with something like this.

If you do know anyone, could you please spread the word and give them my contact information or put me in touch with them via e-mail/phone? I would really appreciate your help with this. I’ve attached* a timeline for what the planning will entail over the next six months and a description of responsibilities that individuals on the planning committee might have based on their subcommittee assignment.

Thanks so much!
Jason
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2011 Vacation Bible School
August 8-12 time TBA

Volunteers Needed for games and lunch
Contact the church office for details
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Community Supported Agriculture
Foothill CSA
Local Produce Direct from the Farm to You

We are starting our 6th month of CSA and the produce is only getting better. The picture above is of a full share from June 7th. Included are the following from left to right: 1 bunch chard, 8 plums, 1 bunch celery, 3 zucchini, 1 basket snap peas, 3 onions (purple and yellow), 3 shallots, 1 garlic, 2 Armenian cucumbers, 8 apricots, 1 bunch green onions, 1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper, 6 large yellow and purple potatoes, 4 avocados, 6 carrots, 1 bunch oregano, 1 leek, fava beans, and salad mix. All this for only $25 a week (cost will increase to $30 per week in July and August)

Give it a try and sign up for July. See what eating seasonally, locally, and sustainably is all about.

Read More About Foothill CSA

How much does this cost? $30 per week in the summer. Cost will drop to $25 per week after the summer season.

How do I pay? Produce shares are on a pre-payment, monthly subscription basis. Total prepayment is due the last Tuesday of each month. We accept cash or checks. Checks should be made payable to Foothill Presbyterian Church with CSA in the memo, or set up direct payment from your bank.

How much do I get? You will get between 17 and 20 different fruits and vegetables. Each week you will fill approximately 2 large grocery bags.

Can I buy half a share? We only purchase full shares from the farm. If you would like to split a share and do not have someone who you can partner with, please let us know and we will try to find a partner for you. Half share people are required to coordinate payment and splitting of the share with their partner. You must pick up a full share and then divide with your partner.

I’m here to pick up my share. What should I do?
Please bring your own bags or boxes including small bags for items such as salad greens.
Check off your name on the sign in sheet.
The produce is set out in boxes in the narthex. The amount you should take and the name of the item with be marked clearly on the box.
Look for great recipes ideas to take with you.

What if I don’t want an item? Look for the “Barter Box”. You can trade the item you don’t want for something in the Barter Box.

What happens to the leftovers? Unclaimed produce is taken to the Lord’s Pantry, a local food bank located on White Road.

What if I can’t pick up my share? You can have a friend or neighbor pick up your share for you, or you can donate your share to the food pantry.

When do I pick up? Every Tuesday from 10:30AM to 9PM.

How do I register? Email or call Peg: foothillpc@gmail.com or 408-258-8133.

What can you tell me about the grower?
Name of farm: Field of Greens
Owner: Peter Trembois
Business license: M15770

Farm land and history: 86 acres in San Benito County and 25 acres in Madera County; approximately 100 miles from San Francisco. Pete’s family has been farming as far back as he can research.
Farm specialty: Over 200 different varieties of vegetables, specializing in root crops and leafy greens.
Philosophy and growing practices: Although not certified organic, Field or Greens practices sustainable agriculture to provide the highest quality, freshest and most nutritious produce possible. They use mulch, compost and cover crops to produce fertile soil. The soil on this San Benito County farm is Class 1, the most fertile soil in the area. The crops are hand weeded. Soap is used to discourage insects. Beneficial insects are introduced. A 300-foot well supplies 86 acres, and river water is used as a backup source.
Farm Staff: Field of Greens is primarily a family-run business. There are 11 family members working for the farm, as well as nine other full time workers and 15 seasonal helpers.
Contact information: Farmer Pete: Psemcd@aol.com, 650-948-0621



---------------------------------------------------------
Presbyterian
Disaster
Assistance

Disaster relief donations can be made to Foothill and we will forward your money to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Disaster Relief--USA Disasters & Emergencies DR000015

Disaster Relief--Japan Earthquake and Tsunami DR000117

These designated accounts supplement the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering to enable a significant response for relief and disasters in affected areas. Your faithful giving is deeply appreciated. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) shall honor the requests of donors concerning the use of their gifts for PDA programs; however, if the need for the funds for that specific project no longer exists, then those funds may be applied to a similar project or need at the discretion of PDA.

For more information regarding the PDA their efforts go to http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/

---------------------------------------------------------
The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender

God does not save us by grace so that we may live in disgrace. —Faber

The month of April was busy but not as bad as March. There were deaths (4), strokes (7), stabbings (2), crisis calls (13), motor vehicle accidents (9), heart attacks (4), miscarriages (3), code blues (2), assaults (3), falls (2), stabbings (2), gunshot wounds (1), and a multiple stabbing. During this month I have had many issues with family dynamics where the family members want to argue with the nurses and among themselves about who can sign consents, make medical decisions or not, and when I am called, I politely inform the family that the patient is most important. The cases I share are ones which have resonated with me for specific reasons such as what was on my heart when looking back, wanted to let you know the difficulties I faced during the month or wanted to share my deep concerns about something.

Read More Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain

Early one Sunday morning, the charge nurse received a call on the radio that said there was a patient (24 yrs) who had been stabbed multiple times and they did not know if he would make it. When the patient arrived, he was bleeding and the doctors, nurses, respiratory people, and x-ray persons were busy trying to save his life. There were nurses putting bandages on his arms where he had been stabbed many times, trying to defend himself. He was stabbed in his eyes, back, stomach, literally all over his body. The doctor counted 17 stab wounds and had to stop counting because he was bleeding too much. We had his name but had to remove it and make it a doe name. The police officer who came with him had no clue about him or how to get in touch with his family. When I called the hospital where he transferred from, they did not know him either but did tell me he was married but did not know her name. When his grandparents arrived and verified his birthdate, I had the doctor give them a medical update and they were informed that someone meant to kill him. When I asked if he was married, they said no. He was rushed to OR and surpassed everything. On that Monday, some of the men who had tried to kill him tried to get onto the trauma floor to finish the job but security shut down that floor and no one could get in or out without a proxy card reader. Now for the rest of the story! The young man had been married for less than a week but the problem is, he is American, his wife is Middle Eastern, she was promised to someone else but did not want to marry this person. The young man recuperated enough to leave the hospital and the most amazing part is: his Mom works at the hospital and I know her. When I hugged her, she cried. She had no idea he had been married. She will not discuss his location due to the threat that is still on his life and we did find out his wife is missing.

Sometimes I have patient visits for reasons that are beyond my wildest imagination. A young lady (28 yrs) wanted help because she found out she was pregnant and when I met her, she shared her life’s review with me. She lives in a room, is a prostitute and the only way she can eat and pay for the room is to prostitute her body, she believes. She shared how she had not been on crack or other hard drugs for six months and wanted to change her life. She felt empty and wanted to get back in church and asked what to do. The first thing I wanted to do with her was to have silence and then I offered prayer. We held hands and prayed. When we finished, I asked some questions to help her come up with what was best for her. She decided she could not have an abortion (12 wks), wanted to go to a maternity home, have the baby, and give it up for adoption. I found some resources for her and the best place would come get her and she would be willing to go and live there. I could not get a cab voucher for her but found a way to get some money so she could have a safe ride back to her room. When I came to work on Saturday night (4/30), I was informed that the young lady I had helped had been beaten and raped and the only reason she was not killed is because she pleaded with the guy not to hurt her baby! I was in shock when they told me. She had come to our hospital but because we don’t have the capacity for rape victims, we send them to a local county hospital. The police officer and others remembered I had helped her and wanted me to know. This semester one of the classes I took was Religion and Violence to study what causes people to become violent and all I could think about is no one deserves to be violated this way.


Seminary status
I am still amazed that I have taken four classes this semester and not missed one assignment. I received another B on my Christian Education paper and have a B average. My final paper was submitted ahead of the due date. I received a B on the Religion and Violence paper and have a B average in this class. I received an A- on my Theology mid-term and have an A average in this class. My professor for the Conflict class has not graded the book report or case study so I am not sure what grade average I have but I did receive 14 of 15 points on the personal inventory reflection paper.

I had my intermediate interview for ordination and passed it, praise God. My final ordination interview is in January and the entire committee will be present for this one. Thank you so much for your continued prayers.
~ to be continued~

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





Foothill Fellowship Lunch
Wednesday, June 29th
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
First Saturday of the Month
8:30AM in Fellowship Hall

May 2011

Spring Flowers at Foothill- photo credit Kromrey


A Note From Pastor Ben

Friends,

Here’s something I mentioned in a sermon a few weeks back but I want to mention it again because I think it’s important: I want you to celebrate on May 21.

You may have seen the billboards: “Cry Mightily Unto God! Judgment Day is Coming on May 21! The Bible Guarantees It!” Such announcements have popped up all over the Bay Area. Apparently someone read the Bible, made a few assumptions, took an illogical leap of faith, did the math, and came up with a calculation: Jesus is coming back in a matter of weeks.

This, of course, is nuts. People have been using the Bible to predict the end of the world for as long as there has been a Bible and they’re never right. The history of the Christian church is filled with stories of great disappointments that occur when communities get hoodwinked into believing the rapture is at hand; true scholars of the Bible know that biblical passages about he End of Days are poetry, not meant to be taken as actual predictions. Not everyone listens to the smart people, however, and so come May 22 a goodly number of folks around the world will be confused and disappointed.

Nonetheless, we should celebrate on May 21 because I once heard a wise man say that if the world comes to and end, the only thing you really need is a bottle of Champaign and a couple of glasses, and so I say let’s make May 21st a holy festival, not because the world will come to and end but because it won’t. Celebrate life and the ongoing beauty of the world we are blessed to call home and the human family in which we are privileged to claim membership.

And maybe you don’t like Champaign or you cannot drink the stuff. That’s OK. Celebrate in some other way: make cupcakes and eat them off fine china, drink lemonade from heirloom crystal. Put on a tuxedo and dance, wear a ballroom gown and cowgirl boots and go fly a kite at the beach. Do whatever works; just have fun because life will go on.

And if for some whacky weird reason Judgment Day does come to pass on the 21st of May, you will be in a state of grace, entirely prepared to stand before your God.

Peace,
Ben
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A Note about Natalie Gatzke

As you all know, we have recently gone through one of the most difficult ordeals with Natalie’s recent surgery. On April 7th, she had her brain revascularized to protect her brain from strokes caused by an extremely rare condition known as MoyaMoya.

Three years earlier she had the right side operated on. This time, it was her left side. We entered the situation fairly confident. After all, it’s only brain surgery and we had gone through it before. We knew what was going to happen this time and it would be a much better experience than the previous operation, which was a nightmare.

Unfortunately, Natalie had drastically worse side effects from this operation. There was a time when we didn’t know whether she would be able to speak properly or not. They weren’t sure if it was due to parts of the brain not getting sufficient oxygen or if it was caused by swelling of the brain. Fortunately, it was caused by the swelling and when the swelling went down, she returned to normal.

I have to say that Natalie is extremely strong. After her previous operation when she came home from the hospital, she still had a large bandage on her head with the words “No Pressure “ written on her right side. It was placed there by the surgeon to ensure that no one put pressure where the surgery had occurred. Never before had a sign had the reverse effect. As she walked in our house for the first time after being in bed for a week, we were very nervous she would fall over and hurt her head. As Greg walked behind her ready to catch her, she suddenly started skipping. She is unstoppable.

While Natalie is stronger than anything, I don’t know if we could have made it through this ordeal without the support we have received from our Foothill Family. Your thoughts and prayers truly made a difference. I don’t know if I could have gone through the experience without your support.

Pastor Ben was with us every step of the way. His support was unbelievable. Thank you for your calming influence and confidence.

Also, a special thanks to Dana. You brought me a loving friendship and comforted Natalie. She and I both loved your visits.

Thank you to everyone. We are so pleased to have you all as part of our family. Your support will never be forgotten and your cards will remain as a memory of your caring and loving prayers for Natalie.

In Christ,
Toni Ann Gatzke
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We are saddened by the passing of Charlie Klotz on April 22, 2011.
Our sympathies to Helen and their family.

A memorial service for will be held in the sanctuary on
Monday, May 9th at 11AM. A lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
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Spring Flea Market
May 21st from 8AM to 2PM











Mark your calendars! Saturday May 22nd we’re having a HUGE flea market! We’ve only got a few weeks to go and a whole lot of work ahead of us. We’d be SO grateful for any help making this event an awesome one, which we hope it will be!

We need stuff. Lots of stuff. While you’re getting your Spring cleaning on, don't forget about us...please consider donating to the sale. We’ll take whatever you’d like to bless us with. So what exactly should you donate? This can be a tricky question. You may have a ton of things to get rid of. But ask yourself, is this something that can still be useful for someone else? Anything that you have used but is still in fairly good condition gets the chance to be in our flea market! The way we see it, if we had a thousand things to sell and sold each for a dollar, we would have $1,000! (Of course we are better at pricing than that!)

Some good examples of items we need are:

* Books, Children's, cookbooks, how to
* Sofa's and large pieces of furniture
* Clothing, especially jeans and kid's clothing
* Electronics
* Video games
* Old Jewelry
* Kid's toys
* Leftover building and repair supplies: Paints, tiles, stones, brick
* Sporting goods including swim items
* Bicycles
* Small household items
* Wedding Items
* Flower pots
* Old power tools
* Paintings
* Gardening Tools
* Music CDs
* Lawn care
* Clocks
* Dishes and glassware

You can email us at foothillpc@gmail.com if you need help getting your donations to the church.

Spread the word! We are renting out spaces for just $10. If you, a family member or a neighbor want to be a part of something amazing and at the same time get rid of your stuff – give us a call!

We need volunteers to help at this event. Please contact Kathy Havis-Faler at falerjk@comcast.net to choose a time slot. Blessings to you all!
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Sealcoating the parking lot.

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*Bible Lesson*
Chapel Day with Pastor Ben
Wednesday, May 4

*Spiritual Message*
Faith
Romans 3:28 – For we maintain that man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

*Special Days in May*


5/5 - Mother’s Day Lunch

5/20 - Crazy Hair Day

5/27 - Picnic on the grass

5/7 - Cooking day- We’re making S’mores

See’s Candies Fundraiser
Hip, Hip Hooray ! We made a profit of over $1,000.
Thanks to everyone who participated in our fundraiser. We hope you enjoyed the candy.

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The Semibreve
Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries

CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

With much love and appreciation to all the Foothill musicians and guests who participated in the Easter service.

Thank you for your time, and continued dedication and commitment to creating transformative worship experiences here at Foothill. You are appreciated by many.

MANY THANKS…
To Benjamin and Dana Marino, Patty Potter, Carol Tillman, Kraig Williams, for the successful production of the Flauti Dolci and Amici II, NACUSA sf concerts. Congratulations to Kraig and Joanne for on their performances.


WE’RE ON YELP!
What is Yelp? *“Yelp is an online urban city guide that helps people find cool places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play, based on the informed opinions of a vibrant and active community of locals in the know. Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great — and not so great — in your world.”

Well, guess what? We’re on it!! Check out this link.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/foothill-presbyterian-church-san-jose

Thanks to all who have supported and who continue to support the Music Series.

* http://www.yelp.com/faq#what_is_yelp


MAY PERFORMANCES

Doris Williams
Sunday, May 1st, 3 PM

Performing Love Songs of the Renaissance, vocalist and lutist Doris Williams will feature works by Dowland, Morley, Hofhaimer, Johnson, Guedron, and Attaignant. www.doriswilliams.com


South Bay Philharmonic
Friday, May 13th, 7:30 PM

This All-American Concert will feature Ron Miller’s Overture to a Summer Afternoon, John Knowles Paine’s Overture to Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Aaron Copland’s Prairie Journal, George Gershwin’s An American In Paris, and a medley from Les Misérables.


Monteverdi Brass Quintet
Friday, May 27th, 8 PM

Trumpet players Richard Roper and Robert Wilkins, trombonists Don Benham, Frank Bunger, and Mike Cushing share their passion for chamber and Renaissance music featuring works by Palestrina, Schein, Isaac, and Victoria.

Suggested Donation: $10/person per concert

WHAT’S UP IN THE HOOD?

As you know Vivace Youth Chorus (East) meets here at Foothill on Tuesdays from 4 – 6:45 PM. My class (Intermediate) will have a concert here at Foothill on May 21st at 4 PM. The Peralta Consort has been invited to play in several of the pieces.

For more information, go to www.vivaceyouthchorus.org. Let’s support music in the community! Go East side!

APRIL TIDBIT

Congratulations to Woody Moore for getting the correct response to the question:

Who was the first musician that was mentioned in the Bible?

The correct response is Jubal.
Genesis 4:21
“His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and pipe.”

More on Jubal…
(Genesis 4: 17-22)
Okay so here goes:

Adam + Eve
‡
Cain + wife (unknown) , Abel (deceased)
‡
Enoch + wife (unknown)
‡
Irad + wife (unknown)
‡
Mehujael + wife (unknown)
‡
Methusael + wife (unknown)
‡
Lamech + Adah (first wife) + Zillah (second wife)
‡ ‡
Jabal, Jubal Tubal-Cain, Naamah

Whew! Did you get that?

-Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version


MAY TIDBIT

Who was the first female musician named in the Bible?


Please email me your 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!

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Call of the Wild
-Darlene Ristrim

Staff at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley wish to thank the following who recently answered a call for help in labeling 6,000 envelopes: Joyce Banks, Fred Kromrey, Rosemarie Nelson, Glenda Parmentier, Patty Potter, Darlene Ristrim, Jeanette Roberts, Lila Slanovec, Jane Wallace and Tine Ude.

The Wildlife Center located on Penetencia Rd is a rehab and release facility. You are encouraged to take any injured or orphaned wildlife to them. For more information go to www.wcsv.org. (FYI - Spaulding Norris, a long time Foothill member, was instrumental in the establishment of the Wildlife Center.)
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Celebration of Women
Sunday, May 22nd during the worship service.

Come celebrate the Women of Foothill Church during this special worship service.



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Clothing to Inn Vision
-Darlene Ristrim

A trunk load of clothing was taken to Inn Vision the last week in April.
Suggestions for clothing donations:
• Please see that all donations are bagged
• Paper bags tend to tear in the transportation process
• If possible, please use plastic bags and “tie them off”
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Session Notes- April 2011
-Darlene Ristrim, Clerk of Session

• Building/Grounds requests all committees to complie a “wish list”. This list will be published at a later date
• Reviewed and made recommendations regarding status of roofing
• Nominating Committee seeking two officers to fill vacant positions
• Katelyn Gatzke and Grace Takeda having completed the Confirmation Class will be received into membership on Easter Sunday
• Set May 15 for a Congregational Meeting
• Worship Committee preparing for Holy Week events
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Congratulations to Joanne Reinecker

Joanne has completed her music CD project. The following is Joanne's bio.

Joanne Katherine Reinecker (Trallis)
Professional Singer, Composer, Teacher, and Abstract Artist

Joanne was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Los Angeles, CA. She was raised in Santa Barbara, CA, by a single working mother during the Great Depression. From 1937-1950 she completed her basic education and her introduction to music. Joanne started taking piano lessons at the age of 6 and voice lessons at age 13. In 1947 she studied with the famous concert singer, Judith Litante, who introduced her to the amazing world of German Lieder. In 1952 she took private composition lessons with Donald Pond. Her music studies included University of California-Santa Barbara, University of Southern California an Idyllwild Music course and Light Opera Workshop in 1954.

After completing her BA degree with a music teaching credential in 1955 at San Jose State College, she went to study voice specifically opera in Europe. There she had the opportunity to perform professionally in numerous cathedrals and churches in Germany, in opera like “Rigoletto”, “The Magic Flute”, and ”Orpheus”. Joanne was a member of the renowned Bachchoir Freiburg and lead singer in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore”. She performed with Ingrid Sahlin in a Vocal Recital in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1960. As Soprano soloist, in Germany and the U.S., she sang Bach and Mozart Cantatas, Pergolesi’s Passion Music, and Lieder Concerts. She also performed in various local choirs and senior resident homes as a pianist, vocalist and choir member.

Her graduate work continued in Germany at The Freiburg State School of Music in 1955 and a master class in voice in Lucern, Switzerland in 1957. 1957-1962 she was a student at The Conservatory of Music/Opera School in Wiesbaden, Germany. She had four years of private voice lessons from the famous Professor Paul Martienssen-Lohmann. During this time she also attended a master class in opera in Salzburg, Austria at the famous Mozarteum.
Joanne got married in Wiesbaden, Germany, 1962 to Hans Wolfgang Reinecker who recorded many of her songs.

When she returned to San Jose, CA in 1963, she started teaching private piano at her studio. Since 2005 she has been taking private piano lessons from James F. Farber, culminating in a duo recital of piano and voice with original compositions at the Foothill Presbyterian Church in 2008.

At a religious summer conference, 1950 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, “Camps Farthest Out”, Joanne was exposed for the first time to painting and fell in love with pastels. Classical Music, dance motions and rhythm encouraged her to pursue he work in abstract art. The following artists inspired her: Vasilii Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and American geniuses, Jackson Pollock, Vance Kirkland and Lyonel Feininger. Joanne chooses to express herself in bright or (pastel) colors, and rhythms and emotions, like “Water Lilies” by the French Impressionist, Monet.

As a composer, Joanne has 17 original pieces: 14 for piano, 1 for organ, 1 for piano-voice, and 1 for choir. April, 2011, she performed her original piano tone- poem, “The Glory of the Dawn”. She is grateful to Anne Delaney for introducing her to NACUSA and its members enabling her to perform her own works.

“Passion, Expression, and beautiful tone.”
Peter Gaskell Clarke (Played with the Beatles in Liverpool.)
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Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose Spring Concert
May 21, 2001 at 4:00PM

Ticket prices are $15.00 Adults, $8.00 Youth, 3-17 years
Free admission to Foothill Kids. Contact the church office for details.


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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Disaster Relief--Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Disaster relief donations can be made to Foothill and we will forward your money to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Disaster Relief--USA Disasters & Emergencies DR000015

Disaster Relief--Japan Earthquake and Tsunami DR000117

These designated accounts supplement the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering to enable a significant response for relief and disasters in affected areas. Your faithful giving is deeply appreciated. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) shall honor the requests of donors concerning the use of their gifts for PDA programs; however, if the need for the funds for that specific project no longer exists, then those funds may be applied to a similar project or need at the discretion of PDA.

For more information regarding the PDA their efforts go to http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/

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Foothill CSA Enjoying the Bounty of Creation
Local Produce Direct from the Farm to You





$25 per week. Price will increase to $30 per week in the summer.
Payment: produce shares are on a pre-payment, monthly subscription basis.
Total prepayment is due the last Tuesday of each month

Pick up dates and times:
Foothill Presbyterian Church narthex
Tuesdays 10:30am to 9pm

To register
email or call peg:
foothillpc@gmail.com or 408-258-8133.
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Church eDirectory
This year the church directory is available in PDF format. Traditional paper directories are also available. Contact the church office to request a copy of the church directory.


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The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
-Maxine Millender

He who holds the stars in space holds HIS people in HIS hands-SPER

The month of March was a busy month for me with deaths (8), strokes (3), stabbings (4), crisis calls (13), motor vehicle accidents (9), heart attacks (4), miscarriages (2), rape (1), code blues (4), and assaults (1) and this is in addition to the regular visits I make.

As I walk the halls to the room, or head to ER, or labor and delivery, I am thankful that I get to work doing what I have been called to do. When I make the phone call to a family in the middle of the night to say, “Your love one is in the hospital” it can be an anxious time for them. When I have to verify a birth date or something else to be sure I am talking to family, this scares people. Since I have learned to identify myself as an employee of the hospital, sometimes the person feels more at ease. When I put the RN or Doctor on the phone, they feel better about receiving a medical update but still pretty anxious.

Read More Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain

Before they leave for the hospital, I inform them to ask for me by name at the ER desk and this helps them feel a little better. It’s the joy of finding a family that makes my search worthwhile. Sometimes I am on the phone with a police person or on the internet trying to find family if there is no wallet or cell phone. When the family member comes to the hospital and I meet them, they thank me for being there and immediately ask how the person is doing. Of course I cannot give any medical information to the family but I explain why and most times they are ok. When they realize that I am also an advocate for them, they feel better.

There are many patients that I see and what I share with you gives you a glimpse of what I do at the hospital. As you can see from the above numbers, I have had many crisis calls and recently women being raped. What happens is I speak to the patient, the RN sees her and then we have to tell her she will be going to another hospital because ours is not equipped to handle rape cases. I found out today that our hospital will have a rape RN and crisis counselor to support women who have been raped so they can stay in one place. This was excellent news given to me.

The miscarriages were difficult calls because both patients wanted their babies and questioned why it happened to them and they had been doing everything right. There are no easy answers to give them but what I can say is I am here for you and I don’t have the answer for you. In both of these calls, the husbands have been crying with his spouse. I am a non-anxious presence who is with them in their need and this is a blessing.

One of the deaths was a 1 day old little girl who was born at 23 weeks with abnormalities. She was born alive and her Mom wanted her baptized. I provided a service for the family, baptized the baby, held her, and hugged her Mom. The entire family was in tears and when I informed the Mom that she would receive a baptism certificate and naming certificate, she was very happy. She wanted to hold her baby and could not decide if she wanted to bury or cremate her. We discussed what each meant and I asked her to decide what she wanted based on her faith tradition and what she believed, but to take her time. What joy I receive when I am able to be that non-anxious presence who is willing to meet them where they are.

Death is never an easy thing no matter if you have prepared for it or not. When EMS brought a 69 year old man in, he had a mechanical pump pumping his heart to keep him alive. His family was enroute to the hospital but he died before they arrived. When they arrived, I put them in a family waiting room; got the Doctor who was a little anxious but I informed him that family was waiting for him to tell them something. When he informed them that the patient had died, the son threw his keys on the floor, hit the wall, and ran out of the room cursing. He was in shock. When he came back into the room, he said. “My Dad can’t be dead; he was alive when EMS was there.” When he didn’t realize was EMS had been doing CPR for 40 minutes and it continued at the hospital. It was sad and all ER deaths have to be reported to the medical examiner’s office. Sometimes the family wants prayer and a service and sometimes they just want peace and quiet, which I give to them.

What has been surprising and scary to me is the heart attack patients that are in their mid-50’s. I often tell the other Chaplains that this is scary because it is close to my age and when I visit, I sometimes see an image that says please be sure to spend extra time with me.


Seminary status
The time off from school was a nice break with lots of reading and writing. I received a B on my Christian Education paper and currently I’m working on the 2nd one which will probably be much longer because of the Sunday school teaching, which ends on 4/3. My Theology mid-term was completed and the only assignment left is the Credo which is due on 5/2. My conflict and reconciliation case study has been written and it is due in two weeks. I am waiting for my Religion paper on war to be returned and hope I received a B or better. We are now reading and discussing abortion. This is a difficult discussion for the entire class and our 12-page paper is due on 4/28.

I have registered for the summer school class which is Pastoral care to children and youth. The fall class is Disciples History and will be on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:30. It will be a blessing to have one class but it is a difficult class with lots of reading and writing that includes a 20-page research paper.

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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Foothill Fellowship Lunch
Wednesday, May 25th
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, May 7
8:30AM in