Montclair Presbyterian Church

C O N T A C T  September 10, 2010

Kathy Ray September 5

THIS SUNDAY September 12: We will baptize and receive two new members to MPC. Welcome Julie McDonald & Carrie McKiernan.

GUEST PREACHERS In the coming weeks: Sept.12: Leonard Nielson. Sept. 19: Rebecca Herrero. Sept. 26: Mark Smith. Oct. 3: Youth Group Mission Trip report.

Leonard’s ordination! Leonard Nielsonis being ordained here at MPC on the afternoon of October 17.  Mark your calendar now.  We will celebrate in the Family Room after the official service. Debbie Fallehy will be coordinating the refreshments & would prefer monetary contributions to be used toward the purchase of the food (please mark checks “Reception Food”).  Just think, you won’t have to cook, but if you’d rather, plated food donations will also be graciously accepted.  Questions – please contact Christine Peterson or Debbie Fallehy.

There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday Sept 26 after church to elect the church nominating committee (those who will nominate the next session class) and also to act at a Board of Directors for the congregation in having the annual meeting of the Board of Directors (i.e. the congregation) of the Corporation (this is a simple meeting at which we affirm the budget and formally meet to adhere to state corporation requirements)

Gifts for Rebecca and Leonard: Rebecca is retiring, and Leonard is being ordained. This is a chance for us to let them know how much they mean to us.  If you would like to contribute toward gifts toward either or both of them, please send your check to the office, marked “gift for Rebecca”, or “gift for Leonard.”

COME ONE, COME ALL to the MPC Fall Kick-off celebration next Sunday, September 19, following Celebration.  Again, we will gather for a pot-luck luncheon.  With good food & great conversation it’s a casual yet meaningful way to start our new program year.  Everyone is asked to bring a pot-luck dish to serve 8-10 people. This year’s kick-off has an Asian theme, so if you are adventurous in the kitchen, please consider bringing an Asian-inspired hot or cold dish.  Beverage & dessert will be provided. Hope to see you there.  Questions – contact Debbie Fallehy, Welcome & Family Life Committee.

YOUTH GROUP resumes on Kick-off Sunday Sept.19, 5-7 PM (note time) with a picnic/BBQ at Lake Temescal. Parents of new youth invited too.  Walk in from Broadway Terrace parking lot on the south side and look for us.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH,who would like to play an instrument in celebration some Sunday, please send your names to Susan or Talitha so we can know who you are. We’d love to have you share your talent.

TALITHA PHILLIPS joins staff. This past Sunday we welcomed Talitha, who is now our Coordinator for Children and Youth, assisting Susan Hunn with those programs. This frees Susan to work part time again this year and also to take on some adult program responsibilities. Talitha will work 10 hours per week while she completes a Masters of Divinity and a Masters in New Testament at San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo. While she has served in a small church for her official internship, she sees this job very much as a learning opportunity. Talitha will be at the church primarily on Wednesdays and Sundays and can be reached by email at Talitha@mpcfamily.org. She will share the music office upstairs in the Ed Bldg. We are excited to have for the second time an outstanding seminary student to work as part of our staff.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

DELCYE BAILEY SMITH, longtime MPC member, died this past Saturday after suffering a stroke. Delcye had at one time been active in many areas of our church life including teaching church school, being a youth group advisor, and part of an extended family. Her sons joined us in celebration last Sunday, reminiscing about growing up in this church with their mother. A celebration of her life will be held here at MPC. Sunday September 26 after church . Time to be determined.

MPC GARDENS – a note from our gardener Wendy Dutton:

NATIVES IN THE GARDEN
California lilac, white sage, sticky monkey flower, and wild currant – these are the main natives that grow at MPC now.  A couple of years ago we became interested in native plants because they are the least water-thirsty of all the plants. They are also the plants that grew in this area when the Indians lived here, so it’s an honor to replant them now.

Natives are often not the showiest plants except in the spring when they dazzle.  The plants in the courtyard and also under Thornhill’s redwood are all on an automatic drip system that saves the church hundreds of dollars a year in water use.  The middle island still has a spray system which is slated for conversion to drip perhaps later this year. As we gradually convert our gardens to native plantings, we continue to celebrate new ways to save water.

Plant of the month: CHICORY The true blue bloomer out front of the church is actually chicory.  Chicory is a wild plant in the dandelion family.  You can see it along the roadsides in California, growing without water.  Its root makes a nice coffee substitute popular during war time.

ADULT EDUCATION

ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES FALL SCHEDULE 2010 will be available online. Hard copies available in the Family Room this Sunday.REGISTER FOR CLASSES DURING FAMILY HOUR  SEPTEMBER 19 AND 26.

Bible Study will meet next Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 in the Thornhill Room. Please join us.

PACE E BENE ALL-DAY WORKSHOP SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16. The cost will be $30, with lunch provided for an additional $5.  For more information or to register your interest, contact Mary Smith at smithmcam@yahoo.com or (925) 943-4986.

September Birthdays

Back Row from Left:  Russell Bruno, Mary Pat Shepard, Suzanne Jones, Kathy Horn & Tom Davies.  Front Row from Left:  Nancy Murr, Francie Chan, Cathy Sawyer & Lee Ann Smith

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FOOD BASKET: INTERESTED IN TUTORING OAKLAND STUDENTS? The principals of the two schools where we take the Food Basket donations have requested help for students who are behind in their reading skills. This is a well-structured, phonics-based program. No preparation involved. Just volunteer at the reading center for an hour or two, preferably once a week or every other week, with the same student/s. Children are chosen based on reading need, positive attitude and ability to communicate in English with tutors. If you’d like more information, contact Jan Stites at scribejes@aol.com, 339-3454, or Ruthann Taylor at clydetaylr@att.net, 527-0673.

Worried about crime in Oakland? Concerned for the safety of yourself and your family?  Wonder how to make things better?   Know why Measure Y is on the ballot again?  Come to the next MPC Forum sponsored by the Community Connection Committee featuring a panel composed of the mayoral candidates and people working on the national program Lifelines (aka Ceasefire).  Learn about successful programs combating crime and violence in Oakland.  Hear frontline workers tell of their experiences.  Listen to young men whose lives have been changed through these positive programs.  Have your questions answered.  Meet the mayoral candidates.  Network with concerned citizens.  Become informed about Measure Y Amendment.  Stoke the flames of hope for our beautiful city.  Friday, Oct. 8th, 7 PM in the Family Room.  Refreshments and discussion following the panel presentation.  Babysitting upon request.  ??  Contact Jean Gregory, jeancgreg@gmail.com or (510) 635-8838.

Last chance this Sunday, Sept. 12, to purchase tickets ($5) in the Family Room for MIXED NUTS, our Storytellers’ annual program of original writings. Anita & Emery Garriott, Bertha Reilly, and Bud Sisson will entertain surprise and move you with stories and poems about what Bertha calls “The Workings of the Universe.” A special gift to us all. Childcare available upon request and refreshments included.

PAKISTAN FLOOD RELIEF: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working with ecumenical partners to respond to the disaster in Pakistan. One Great Hour of Sharing funds are helping with the provision of the basics — food packages, shelter materials and non-food essentials — for families in need. Church World Service Pakistan, which has worked in the area for more than five decades, is providing medical teams and mobile health facilities, which are helping to provide emergency health services.

PDA funds will help provide emergency food assistance to 35,000 people, emergency shelter supplies to meet the needs of 17,500 people, and mobile health access for 17,500 people. The food packages consist of basics for a family for a month. Shelter kits include a winterized tent and plastic sheeting. Donations: http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/aid-begins-reach-flood-affected-families-pakistan/

Read the Aug. 4 Situation Report from PDA (copy-paste into web browser):
http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/situation-report-pakistan-flooding-august-4-2010/

San Francisco Presbytery Joining Hands Committeeis looking for two young adults (18-35) who would like to represent our Presbytery at the Youth Environmental Congress in Peru in January 2011.  Priority will be given to people who are involved in environmental projects (emphasis on water) and who speak Spanish (preferable, but not required).  Contact Jean Gregory at jeancgre@gmail.com or (510) 635-8838 for more information.

Attention Chairs, Coordinators and Session members,

Which of the two dates for the leadership retreat will work: November 6 or November 13? Please reply. We will then make a decision and notify everyone. Many thanks!

MPC Calendar: http://www.mpcfamily.org/CalendarPrelim.htm

Blessings,

Christine Stickever- Peterson
Associate in Communications and Logistics
Montclair Presbyterian Church
5701 Thornhill Drive
Oakland, California 94611
510/339-1131

Christine@mpcfamily.org

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MONTCLAIR PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH

Office Hours:  Tuesday – Friday, 9:00AM-4:00PM

Leonard Nielson  Office hours Tuesday 9-4:00, other times by appt.

Susan Hunn, Associate for Children & Youth: Office hours Tues-Thurs 9:30-2:30 pm

Christine Stickever- Peterson, Associate in Communications & Logistics: Office hours Tues. – Friday 9:00-4:00pm

Rebecca Herrero, Associate in Life & Programs: Office hrs Tues/Thurs 1:00-3:00 pm

Kim Rankin, Associate in Music

Marcia Roy, Organist

Talitha Phillips, Children & Youth

Gil & Maria Chiguila, Caretakers

Rev. John Hadsell, Theologian in Residence

Rev. Kathy Ray, Parish Associate