August 25, 2011
Montclair Presbyterian Church
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday after Celebration, Jay Gregory talked about his time at the Presbyterian Big Tent meeting in Indianapolis earlier in the summer. Our Montclair church family sent him as our representative to the Big Tent meeting. It was so refreshing to hear about the exciting aspects of our denomination. Jay spoke about some of what is happening in World Mission and for me it was a testament to the fact that there are still hopeful seeds sprouting in various places in the PC(USA). Jay also talked about the closing sermon preached by J. Herbert Nelson II in which he emphasized that the church has been pruned at different times in the course of history (slavery, civil rights, ordination of women, reunion between north and south) and that God preserves that part of the church that is bearing fruit. Jay was energized by the sermon and passed on that energy to those of us gathered for the brunch.
Jay’s presentation was timely as this week is a difficult one in our denomination. Today and tomorrow there is a gathering called “The Fellowship.” Close to 1800 pastors and church members representing almost 900 churches are meeting in Minneapolis to explore what they want to do about the fact that the denomination is now openly ordaining LGBT people. One of the pastors writing about the necessity to have such a conference said,
“Please understand that when all the subtle nuanced arguments are complete, when all the qualifications and caveats have been expressed and the footnotes are in place, a radical departure from biblical standards has now taken place. Resist the temptation to underestimate the significance of what has occurred. The empty clichéd sentiments of denial and doubt have been disguised in the drab deceit of so called “progress.” As a denomination we are now examining the Scriptures through a cultural lens rather than examining the culture through a biblical lens. A defining moment has arrived.” (Richard Gibbons, Senior Pastor, 1st Pres, Greenville, SC)
There are two things about his statement that bother me. One is his assertion that “a radical departure from biblical standards has now taken place.” We still have biblical standards for ordination. We have simply removed the exclusion that refuses to take an individual person’s call and gifts into account. His statement, though, assumes that we all agree on biblical interpretation and we simply do not and that is at the heart of the problem. While the conservatives believe the Bible is very clear about homosexuality and gay marriage, we progressives believe the Bible says very little about it directly. Jesus said nothing about it directly. The second thing that bothers me is his observation that “As a denomination we are now examining the Scriptures through a cultural lens rather than examining the culture through a biblical lens.” He says it as if the two are mutually exclusive and instead I think both are necessary. How does one approach the Bible without taking culture (past and present) into account? We have to use cultural lens at times to examine the Bible. At the same time, we need to use biblical lens at times to examine culture (the prophets, for example, are fabulous lens through which to see our current world of greed and consumption). It’s the rhetoric like this of Rev. Gibbons that drives me bonkers in our denomination. How can such intelligent people be so unthinking about the Bible?
On the website for the gathering this week are the Four Possibilities listed below:
Tier 1: Some who are coming to Minneapolis do not want or need to change any part of their structural reality. They are either in a healthy and nurturing presbytery or they are called to ministry where they are despite a less than healthy presbytery environment. We honor and affirm this, and will be offering ideas and options for nurturing Christ-honoring ministry in place.
• Tier 2: Some who are coming are part of a presbytery where innovation, entrepreneurial vision, and creative leadership are enabling substantive change within the current presbytery structure. A few of these models will be explained and explored.
• Tier 3: For those who need more distance and differentiation from their current presbytery or the PC (USA), new possibilities for “affiliate” congregations will be introduced. We will provide information on how this new type of relationship could work and language for possible overtures to the 2012 General Assembly.
• Tier 4: There is increasing interest in the creation of a “new Reformed body,” distinct from the PC(USA) and distinctly different from any other existing “denomination” in its structure and focus. The idea is to recapture our core identity, believing that Reformed theology has much to say to our contemporary culture, and that Calvin’s original vision for the nature and role of presbyteries offers a better way of relating to one another than most of us are experiencing now. In forming this new Reformed “body,” there is also the opportunity to move with imagination and energy into the reality of a post-denominational world.
Notice two of the four possibilities involve “removing” themselves from the rest of us in the PC(USA). While in some ways I will not grieve for those who leave, in other ways I am incredibly sad because this is an example of the church not being able to live with diversity. I cannot claim with absolute certainty that Jesus is the only way to salvation and the people who do claim that certainty don’t want to be in the same church with me or you. That’s really at the heart of all of the fighting that has gone on over the years. The gay issue has certainly been the flash point, but if you go a little deeper you’ll find that the same people who support LGBT ordination are the same people who have resisted saying that Jesus is the only way and that the PC(USA) must be clear about it.
Many of the churches represented at the meeting will be large, mostly white, wealthy, suburban churches. There is some fear that the denomination will crumble if and when they leave. I disagree. The pruning will be painful and yet the opportunity for new life will be tremendous. Life will be different and the denomination will have to change and in that I see great opportunity. Let us pray that regardless of what happens, we all experience new life!
See you Sunday,
Beth
LOOKING AHEAD AT CELEBRATION:
Sunday, August 28: Rev. Beth is preaching on Romans 12:1-2 and whether there is such a thing as the “will of God.” We will also celebrate Wayne and Mary Smith’s 50th wedding anniversary. Some of our more traditional hymns will be sung.
Sunday, September 4: Rev. Mark Smith will be preaching. Celebration will be outside in the courtyard so wake up early enough to dress accordingly! The Barrelhouse Jazz Band will lead us in music so wear your dancing shoes.
Sunday, September 11: The clergy from the Faith Trio (Rabbi David Cooper from Kehilla Synagogue, Imam Rahim Nobahar from ICCNC, and Rev. Beth from Montclair Church) will lead us in a service to reflect on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. A special reception following the service will be held for all 3 faith communities.
Sunday, September 18: Kick-Off Sunday! Rev. Beth will be preaching. Special Luau Lunch held afterward for whole congregation to meet in Beacon Pods!
Sunday, September 25: Dramatic Presentation on Aging – more details to follow.
Sunday, October 2nd: World Communion Sunday – Rev. Beth and the Youth who attended the Mission Trip to Portland, Oregon, will reflect on Hunger and what we can do about it. Congregational Meeting immediately following the service to elect the Nominating Committee and to hear a report from the Mission Study Team.
MISSION STUDY TEAM UPDATE:
The Mission Study Team met again this week to continue the conversation about what kinds of questions we need to be asking as we engage in developmental and frame-bending planning. There was also a discussion about whether or not we could use the material from the past two mission studies and just update the demographic information. The consensus was that enough has changed that we need to create a new mission study with different foci than the two prior mission studies. We also set dates for our Congregational Meetings (one per month) from Oct to May. We may not need all of them but wanted to be sure we have time and space reserved.
SUSAN’S SCOOP:
Family Farm Day: The Day on the Farm was a very meaningful experience for 13 of us last Saturday. 8 youth and 5 adults spent several hours harvesting and sorting potatoes at the Soil Born Farm near Sacramento. Then many of the youth went on to spend 5 hours at a waterpark. Thanks to all for their hard work. We hope to plan another farm day in the future.
Youth Group Alumni: We are meeting at Shelly and Seth Hamalian’s in Lafayette this Sunday, beginning at 11 AM, for a BBQ and Swim Party. For more information contact Susan Hunn at SHunn@mpcfamily.org. We expect a wide age-range and quite a few children from our 32 years of Youth Group. We are looking forward to a great time together. I certainly look forward to these gatherings. One of the most interesting things for me at these events is our former youth discussing parenting issues.
TIME HAS COME FOR MPC WOMEN TO RETREAT TO THE HILLS OF THE EAST BAY! Registration begins this Sunday, August 28th, for the Fall Women’s Retreat
Where: Family Room following morning service.
Cost: $180.28 due at time of registration. There are some scholarship possibilities.
Details: This year our retreat falls on Halloween Weekend, aptly our focus will be The Masks Women Wear, led by Rev. Beth Buckingham-Brown. Our gathering begins Friday evening, October 28th, for dinner and continues through breakfast and celebration Sunday, October 30th. We are asking all participants to commit to full time attendance to experience the fellowship and support of this retreat community.
Possibilities: This is a time out from the hurry of our lives, a time for reflection, singing, sharing, laughing and community. The art muses will encourage us to get our hands dirty with clay, design meditation beads and our resident scribe will tickle our imaginations.
Registration Questions:
Cynthia Blumgart 510-339-2240
Susan ten Bosch 925-254-0743
Retreat Questions:
Francie Chan 925-899-5667
Gretchen Garlinghouse 510-482-1157
ART GANG AT DILLON BEACH: All-day headquarters (b’fast/lunch) at 35 Kona Lane. Mark the date this Saturday, August 27. Contact Pat Schwinn or Elsa Wollenweber for details.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT: This Sunday, August 28, is the deadline for submissions for this year’s anthology. Contributions should be copy-ready, signed, and unstapled on 8 ½” x 11” white paper. Submit to Margaret Irvin, 510-243-1114.
THE FAITH TRIO INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE FOLLOWING UP-COMING EVENTS:
September 11, Sunday at 10:00 a.m. a joint service at MPC will commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, led by pastor Beth Buckingham-Brown, rabbi David Cooper and imam Rahim Nobahar. Reception to follow in the Family Room.
September 17, Saturday: TWO EVENTS!
Event No. 1, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.: A Peace Forum at the Pacific School of Religion, sponsored by 3 collaborating institutions (United Nations – Association of the East Bay, the Graduate Theological Union and the United Religions Initiative). Brief presentations, discussion groups, refreshments. (Representatives from interfaith groups such as ours are especially welcome as persons presumably experienced with potentially contentious issues). No fee, but donations are welcome at the door. Address: 1798 Scenic Ave., Berkeley.
Event No. 2, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.: Opening Reception for the Faith Trio’s Art Exhibition, “Diverse Visions of Harmony,” at the ICCNC.
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK:
- Teachers and students who are going back to school.
- Lindsey Parrott and John Spencer who are beginning college.
- Continued healing for Kini York.
- Continued healing for Tracy Livezey.
- Wisdom & guidance for the Mission Study Team.
- Continued healing for Burt, Jan Stites’ husband, and for patience for both of them.
- Joy & gratitude for the 50th Wedding anniversary for Wayne & Mary Smith.
DEADLINES: To submit announcements for the bulletin and Contact, please send them to office@mpcfamily.org. The deadline for Contact is Tuesdays at 3 pm, and the deadline for the bulletin is Wednesdays at 12 noon.
MPC Calendar:
http://www.mpcfamily.org/getting-involved/calendar/
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MONTCLAIR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
5701 Thornhill Drive, Oakland, California 94611, (510)339-1131
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm
Rev. Beth Buckingham-Brown, Office hours Monday-Wednesday, 10:00-4:00 pm
Susan Hunn, Associate for Education: Office hours, Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30-2:30 pm
Sherrill Figuera: Administrative Assistant, Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 pm
Talitha Phillips: Associate for Congregational Care and Life
Kim Rankin: Music Director
Marcia Roy: Organist
Gil & Maria Chiguila: Caretakers
Rev. John Hadsell: Theologian in Residence
Rev. Kathy Ray: Parish Associate