Montclair Presbyterian Church

Montclair Presbyterian Church

Melinda’s Musings

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. – Anatole France, (1844-1924)

The spiritual discipline of “letting go” is one of the most difficult to master. We like to hang on to our “stuff”. I have a recurring dream that I am climbing through an enormous obstacle course when I have the realization that I have left my suitcase behind. As I clamber back over the various obstacles to get my “stuff”, I keep wondering if I should just keep going and leave it behind. After all, it is really hard to traverse a bunch of obstacles carrying a heavy suitcase. You don’t have to know much about Jungian psychological theory to get the point of this dream: it is much easier to travel light!

This need for lightness is obviously not limited to things. Our spirits need to hold our attachments to people and places much more lightly, too. If we carry every care for everyone we know all the time, pretty soon our backs will be bent and our spirits withered from the strain.

Many of you have commented that you liked our little InterPlay mantra, “get in, get out, get over it!” It really is a mantra for me – a continuous prayer put into practice that I practice all the time – especially in the context of interim ministry.

I am now entering the “getting out” part of my time with you. And I know from experience, that if I can make a good exit, then it is much easier to do the final thing, “get over it!” Sloppy exits are much harder to process, so let’s do this well! My final Sunday to preach here at Montclair will be March 9th. The Rev. Kathy Ray will be preaching here on March 16th and the Rev. Ben Daniel will preach on March 23rd. In the meantime, we have some things to finish together to make the way smooth for Ben AND we still have time for fun. I am particularly excited about singing a jazz concert here with Tom Dambly and his great gang on Sunday, February 16th and I hope you all will attend and bring lots of friends.

I already know that I will miss this church very much and will always carry fond memories with me of this short, but lively sojourn with you.

Many blessings,
Melinda

Talitha’s Take

This Monday I attended the book talk with Thomas Moore. I took home a copy of his new book, A Religion of One’s Own: A Guide to Creating a Personal Spirituality in a Secular World. Although I have just begun to dive into it, his talk has already raised important questions for me. He spoke of the importance of interfaith work, which I believe is something we understand well at MPC; not just to respect other religions but to study them and to let our own lives be enriched by the teachings we find. He also spoke about the importance of personal sacred days: the anniversary of a loved one’s death for example, or other dates that have special meaning for us.

I did find myself immediately challenged by his talk of personalizing our religion. Am I “coasting” on the spiritual benefits of our church community, or truly doing my own spiritual work to find and claim my particular religious practices? It is important to remember that a church community can never fulfill all my spiritual needs, and that there are things I can (indeed must!) do on my own to enrich my religious life. At the same time I wonder about the role of community.

There have been times in my life when it was too hard to believe, but I always knew I could lean on – and even borrow – the faith of my friends, and this has helped me through. Although Thoreau’s solo woodland cabin might truly be a “House for God” as much as any cathedral, to me God’s House must have room for at least a few more people, so we could sing together (because I’ve found God in song!) As people walk the road of life, some go off alone and some search for company. Some may duck off the road for a time and rest a while with us here at MPC. And others may make this their permanent spiritual home. I hope that together we can find ways to support those of us who are on the road spiritually, and also work together on making this place God’s House for those who need a place to stay.

Where are you on that road? Could you share that with us? I’m seeking faith statements that I will be using with the children and youth… and perhaps adults! I’m not seeking “correct” answers but interesting ones. Write and answer one or more of these questions: … What do you believe? … Where is God in your life? … and the zinger: why do bad things happen to good people? Keep it to 200 words or less, and let me know if you want your name attached or to keep it anonymous. Bonus points if you get it as short as a tweet (140 characters).

Thank you for sharing this journey.
Talitha

Youth Group meets Sunday, 6:45-8:45 PM

Parents of Youth Group meet next week, January 22nd, at 7 PM in the Thornhill Room.

ATTENTION: DID YOU SIGN UP FOR BIRD CLASS ON JAN. 18?? The sign-up list has been misplaced, and the McKeys need to know who is planning to come to the class this Saturday. We will start at 8:00am at Arrowhead Marsh. Please let the McKeys know that you are coming, and we will send you more information and directions. Call 510 652-5854, or email mmckey@lmi.net. Mary Ellen

CALLING ALL CHESTNUTTERS! The Chestnut Choir will sing “Precious Lord” this Sunday, January 19th in Celebration as part of our celebration of the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All past, present and future (!) choir members are welcome to sing this familiar and beloved anthem. We will also learn a couple of short, easy chants. Come one; come all at 9:15am in the sanctuary.

YULE FEAST: WOW! Congratulations to so many people who did amazing jobs in creating and running this festive night. We had a blast. Thank you all so much! Although many people helped, I’d like to thank in particular the committee: Francie Chan, Jeanne Dunn, Debbie Fallehy, Gretchen Garlinghouse, Eloise Gilland, Cindy Gullikson, Steve McKiernan, Kristin Nicholas, and Cathy Sharp. I’m already looking forward to our next Feast in 2016. Every blessing, Talitha

THANK YOU FROM THE DANIEL FAMILY:

Dear MPC Friends,

We loved joining you for the Yule Feast! The magic of that night and the congregation’s joy enchanted the Daniel family. We are grateful to you for inviting us to the feast, and we are absolutely excited for the day–now soon to be upon us–when our journey will join yours.

With Gratitude and Great Expectation,

Ben, Anne, Mimi, Nellie and William Daniel

YOUR AUCTION ITEMS! Dear Donors and ‘Winners’, we will be notifying all the top bidders this week. Please pick up your items AND/OR information packets for the donors and winners of non-physical items THIS SUNDAY AND NEXT SUNDAY during Family Hour in the Family Room when you bring your payment. If you won’t be at church either of these days, please contact either of us to make special arrangements. Thank you for your wonderful participation! We will post the results when we finish the final details. Gretchen Garlinghouse at ggarlinghouse@aol.com and Suzanne Jones at suzanne@unwiredltd.com.

ADULT ED: Sign-ups begin this Sunday, Jan. 19 and continue to Jan. 26. There are many educational and fun classes. Biblical studies of Genesis, Revelations, First Peter, and meditation will be offered during the early morning time. Beginning singing, egg decoration, CORE, computer classes, and perhaps South Eastern Cooking, and Teen Communication are on the menu too! Come and sign-up. If you have questions, contact Paula Moseley 339-8570.

MONTCLAIR VILLAGE COMMUNITY WORK DAY: After Celebration this Sunday, January 19th, stop by the Montclair Park for a service day of repairs and clean-up for Montclair Park and Moraga Ave. For more details go to the MVA Website at www.MontclairVillage.com and look at the top of the page for “Day of Service.”

FAITH TRIO NEWS: The Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael will be exhibiting a significant selection of the artwork from the Interfaith Art Exhibit Finding Common Ground Through Sacred Words that was sponsored by the Faith Trio and held in May and June of 2013 at the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California in Oakland (ICCNC). The opening reception for this new exhibit, “Sacred Words: Finding Common Ground, An Interfaith Art Exhibit”, will be on Sunday, January 26, 2014, from 4 pm – 5:30 pm at the Marin JCC located at 200 N. San Pedro Rd in San Rafael. Please come to the opening, view the artwork, and renew friendships with the artists and organizers of the 2013 Interfaith Art Exhibit. This event is free and open to all. Complimentary refreshments will be served. The exhibit will be on view through April 11, 2014 at the Marin Jewish Community Center. Open hours are 6 am to 9:30 pm Monday through Thursday, 6 am to 6 pm on Fridays, and 8 am to 6 pm Saturdays and Sundays. See information here http://www.marinjcc.org/events/2014/01/26/jewish-life/sacred-words-finding-common-ground/. To RSVP or for more information or any questions, contact me at (510) 528-6725 or lea@delsonphoto.com.

“PER CAPITA”: The Per Capita apportionment (what it costs to be Presbyterian!) per person is $35.15 this year. The money that we contribute is divided between General Assembly, Synod of the Pacific and the San Francisco Presbytery. If you would like to contribute toward our cost per member, please do so by writing a check to the church and designating it “Per Capita” on the memo line. Thank you!

JAZZ@MONTCLAIR: Please plan to join us on Sunday, February 16th for an evening of wine, food, and wonderful song. The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and then at 7:00 p.m., we’ll have a concert featuring Melinda V. McLain with the Tom Dambly Quartet performing selections from the great American songbook including songs by Arlen, Gershwin, Waller and more! Freewill offerings for food and wine and suggested donation for the concert of $10. All proceeds to benefit the church. Childcare is available upon request to Talitha <talitha@mpcfamily.org) by Sunday, February 9. Follow this link to RSVP via facebook <https://www.facebook.com/events/239850729525886/239850736192552/?notif_t=event_mall_commen> or just show up and bring your friends!

CHILDREN OF UGANDA: In 2012 we enjoyed a weekend with the Tour of Light, Children of Uganda’s touring dance troupe, who performed at our church and sang with our choir. They are returning again this year and will be at MPC on March 9th. They will participate in Celebration that morning and then give two performances in the afternoon – one at 2 PM and one at 5 PM. Donations will be taken at the door, which go to support COU’s programs of education and care for orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda. If you are interested in helping to publicize the performance, usher, entertain or feed the kids, please contact Talitha… and please spread the word!

LOOKING FOR WINTER WORK! Mariah Carray is looking for gardening, babysitting, catering, and other work to make some money for books for her 4th semester of college. Mariah will do gardening work. She loves to help serve, set up and/ or clean up at holiday parties! She will babysit day or night, so you and your sweetheart can go on a well-deserved date-night. Additionally, she would love to do other various tasks. (Mariah will be here until late January). Contact Mariah at: MariahCarray@gmail.com or(510)-299-9053.

LOOKING FOR A ROOM TO RENT: Hi! I’m moving to the Bay Area to be a librarian at UC Berkeley, and I’m looking for a room starting in mid-January in a shared house within biking distance of the campus. I probably won’t have a car, so parking is not an issue, but fairly easy access to public transportation would be great. Ideally I’d like to live with a few other people, and am looking for a situation where the people are interested in being friends, and not just sharing a space with strangers. I like to bake and garden and hike, among other things. My ideal price range is $600-700, but I can consider up to $1,000. I can best be reached by email at smpowell@gmail.com. Thanks! Susan Powell

LOOKING AHEAD AT SUNDAY CELEBRATION:
Jan 19th: Melinda Mathew 5: 43-45 “Revolutionary Wisdom”
and celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan 26th: Melinda Matthew 4: 12-23 “Fishy Wisdom”
Feb 2nd: Melinda Matthew 5: 1-12 “Living Wisdom”
Feb 9th: Melinda Matthew 5: 13-20 “Salty Wisdom”

Front Row, from left: Vince Mok, Helga Mok, Elizabeth Todd, Gretchen Garlinghouse
Back Row, from left: Earl Hamlin, Debbie Fallehy, Shelley Kelly, Jim Alardice, Kurtz Gilligan, Hope Boije

THE POWER OF PRAYER AT MPC: Each Sunday, as you share your joys and concerns, we will endeavor to carry those prayers – spoken and unspoken – through the week. And on Tuesday mornings, your staff (Melinda, Sherrill, and Talitha) will pray for those mentioned again and any other requests that come to us. Do feel free to email, text, or call us with prayer requests and let us know if you do not want us to share the request in Celebration Sunday Service or in Contact.

WE PRAY FOR:
• Mary and Wayne Smith’s daughter, Leslie who is hospitalized awaiting more test results.
• Talitha’s sister Cassia who is working for a few weeks in Sierra Leone.
• The family and friends of longtime More Light activist, Dick Sharpnack, who died this week.
• The family and friends of Judy Fletcher who died on Monday in Woodland, CA (Judy was the church secretary for MPC for many years).
• For those who do not have secure housing.
• For Aiden and all those with Cystic Fibrosis.
• Rain and safety during this high fire danger time.
• Worldwide action on climate change.
• All those who are grieving.
• Those needs that live as “sighs too deep for words.”

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR:
• The Pacific Boy Choir Intermezzi who sang for us last Sunday.
• The FABULOUS Yule Feast Team.
• The coming ministry of the Rev. Ben Daniel – huzzah!

If you have additional prayer requests that you would like included in Contact or during the Sunday Celebration prayer time, do feel free to contact Pastor Melinda melinda@mpcfamily.org.

DEADLINES: To submit announcements for the bulletin and Contact, please send them to office@mpcfamily.org. The deadline for Contact is Tuesdays at 3:00 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, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Rev. Dr. Melinda McLain, Temporary Supply Pastor, Office hours Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 -4:00 pm
Sherrill Figuera: Administrative Assistant, Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Talitha Phillips: Coordinator for Children, Youth and Family Life, Office hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Kim Rankin: Music Director
Marcia Roy: Organist
Gil & Maria Chiguila: Caretaker and Janitor
Rev. John Hadsell: Theologian in Residence
Rev. Kathy Ray: Parish Associate
George Somers: Artist in Residence
Allen Todd, Lori Kendall, Brad Hestir & Linda Spencer, Sound Technicians