January 26, 2011
Montclair Presbyterian Church
Dear Friends,
Believe it or not, I missed being with all of you last Sunday while I was away! JE and I had a wonderful week of celebrating her birth in a variety of ways. The highlight was going to a Bonnie Raitt concert and then spending a few minutes with Bonnie after the concert. She is a lot like you and me – just another person trying to change the world with her words, her actions, her deep commitments. She is 61 years old and is getting ready to head out on tour again. Her energy and focus on the future was inspiring! She is certainly one who could rest on her laurels for the rest of her days, but instead is using her creativity and gifts to continue to make whatever impact she is able to make in the world.
Before Christmas I was able to visit with John Robles. He could barely hear so I was grateful for my big mouth! We had a wonderful conversation and he even talked about what he thought about the church. He told me he was looking forward to making the transition from this life to the next and that he was going out with gratitude. John was grateful for Donna, for his children, for his friends, for tennis and so many other blessings in his life. He kept telling me that he had had a great life. What a way to go out of this world – with a smile on one’s face! John died on Wednesday, January 19th, and will be missed by all of us and especially by Donna and their children. A Celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, January 29th at 4 pm here at the church. If you want to help with food for the reception, please contact Debbie Fallehy.
One of the more difficult aspects of being connected to a community of people is that sometimes we have to say good-bye to those we love. Grief is a natural part of life and yet we still have difficulty feeling it and expressing it in healthy ways. One reason for that is that when we experience grief for someone or something, it often taps into the grief we have felt or feel about other people or things. As we say good-bye to John, we may feel grief related to pastors who have left the congregation, people who have left or moved away, or grief related to changes that have occurred over time. My invitation to you is to take some time to reflect on all of the things/people for which/whom you may be grieving at this time in your life. If we can be conscious of them, we are less likely to be taken by surprise or to have our grief show up in less than helpful ways.
Many of us are also feeling the continuing absence of Doris Herrick as she undergoes chemotherapy. She has been in the hospital for the past week or so and will be returning home soon with Hospice care. We will continue to pray for Doris and for Ken as they walk this unfamiliar road.
On a different note entirely, the Session Retreat for current and new elders will be held this Saturday, January 29th from 9 am to 3 pm. Please keep all of us in your prayers as we engage in some important work and reflection together.
Continuing to give thanks for you,
Beth
INVITATION: In preparation for Lent and Easter, I invite you to share with me via writing any stories you may have about wilderness or desert experiences you have had or any memorable water experiences.
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 pm. This is a change for all of us, so let’s try to remind each other!
SPLASH TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Visit http://www.oaklandpw.com/rainbarrel to read about the RAIN BARREL PROGRAM and place your order online. Pick up your purchase on SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 9 AM to 1 PM, TEMESCAL FARMERS MARKET, 490 Cavour Street, Oakland.
THE ART GANG: They will be having their Winter organizational meeting to discuss possible events for 2011 in the Thornhill Room Jan.30th at 11:30 after church. Anyone interested in art related events should attend. Light refreshments will be served.
YOUTH GROUP: They will meet this Sunday, Jan. 30, 7-9 PM in room 2.
A SPIRITUAL RETREAT: May 6-14 in British Columbia. Rev. Therese DesCamp, our past Family Camp speaker, will open her lovely home to us. The setting is spectacular with views of the lake and mountains covered with glaciers, lovely gardens and very comfortable accommodations. Maximum of 12 people. Susan Hunn, who is now working with some of our adult programs too, will lead the group. If interested, please contact Susan for a flyer with more details. Already 9 people have expressed interest so don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity.
YOUTH GROUP ALUMNI: They will be meeting tomorrow night, Jan. 27, 7:30 at Lanesplitter Pizza on Telegraph.
ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES: The spring class schedule is now available on the church website. Please note that the aerobics class has been canceled. The last day for sign-ups is after Celebration in the Family Room on January 30.
CONDO FOR RENT: Gini and John Zoranovich’s son is renting out a 1-br condo in the Piedmont Ave area. Pool, parking, beautiful quiet neighborhood. $1,395 month. Call Sam at 408-499-5220
TUTORING ANYONE?: The Community Connection Committee invites you to become a tutor for an elementary school child at Futures School, the very school that receives our weekly food bags for hungry children or other selected schools in Oakland. The commitment is one or two hours a week, meeting with the same child each time. If interested contact Rebecca Buckley at rebecca@faith-network.com or (510) 836-5100 or Jean Gregory at jeancgreg@gmail.com, (510) 343-5159.
SAVE THE DATE: Tahoe Church Family Camp, June 19-25
CLOSE TO HOME PRESENTS: A Trip along the Coast Range with artist Jack Laws
Monday Feb 7 at 7:30pm Family Room
In this illustrated lecture, John Muir Laws will lead us on a virtual walk across the Coast Range of California, exploring delightful relationships between plants and animals as we go. We will explore a three step process you can use to help you see more and think like a naturalist. He will also discuss some of the conservation challenges in the region and what stewards of nature are doing to confront them. For more info: http://www.close-to-home.org/flyer.htm
DONALDINA CAMERON HOUSE PRESENTS SOUL & ELEGANCE 2011 – “CELEBRATING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR”: Please join with Cameron House on Saturday, February 12 for a great evening of food, dancing, renewing friendships, and honoring important contributors to the
Community. For more details and to register on-line, go to: http://www.cameronhouse.org/alumni/SE2011Detail.html
OAKLAND HISTORY: Anna Lee Allan will be giving a talk on “Oakland History” on Monday, January 31 @ 10:30am. The location is at the Nastick Senior Center in Alameda. There is no charge and it is open to all.
MPC Calendar:
http://www.mpcfamily.org/getting-involved/calendar/
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MONTCLAIR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm
Rev. Beth Buckingham-Brown, Office hours Monday-Wednesday, 10:00-3:00 pm
Susan Hunn, Associate for Children & Youth: Office hours, Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30-2:30 pm
Sherrill Figuera: Administrative Assistant: Office hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-3:30 pm
Talitha Phillips: Coordinator for Children and Youth
Kim Rankin: Associate in Music
Marcia Roy: Organist
Gil & Maria Chiguila: Caretakers
Rev. John Hadsell: Theologian in Residence
Rev. Kathy Ray: Parish Associate
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