June 9, 2011
Friends:
To polish is to work the exterior until the interior luster shines. You need not polish the whole world. Simply polish the corner where you live until it is clear and shines! Therefore, polish your mind and understanding with Bible 365 and adult education; polish your soul with the sacraments; polish your children’s baptismal spirit with Sunday School; polish your spirit with joy in Spiritual Direction; polish the gift of life with justice and grace.
Congratulations to our Confirmands: Ayanda Mkhize, Kylie McCann, Jordan Turner and Mackenzie McCloy-Dobson! You are wonderful young women and we are grateful for your faith and witness.
Pr. Margareta was surprised and delighted with the celebration of her 30th Ordination Anniversary. Her thanks for all your prayers. May her gifts of pastoral care, Spiritual Direction, Healing Prayer, Eco-theology and Small and Tall Worship continue to bless Peace, the global church and her!
We are thankful for the Teaching Parish work of Seminarian Emily Weller who officially concluded her work at Peace this past Sunday and we are grateful for the Peace Seminarian Committee (Karl Pfeiffer, Chair; Bobbi Jardine, Gun Johnston, Alessandra Kath, Juleen Ricci, Amy Garzon and Michael Valenta) that worked with her. We are also glad that Emily and Dan Trubey will be married at Peace on August 13 – the whole congregation is invited – and that we can throw them a Reggae Party on the return from their honeymoon. May your preparations for Ordained Ministry be sustained and blessed by the Spirit, Emily!
Summer Celebration Schedule:
Bocce Picnic — Father’s Day– June 19 — Sycamore Valley Park, 2101 Holbrook Drive Danville, CA 94526. Picnic & Bocce games start after Church service. Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and drinks will be provided! Please see the sign-up sheet in gathering hall. There is also a separate sign-up if you would like to share a side-dish, salad, or dessert. For additional information contact Christine Johansson at mcjohansson@yahoo.com.
Take a Hike! On July 24 you are invited to trek…..no, make that enjoy a wonderful hike on beautiful Mt. Diablo – the most amazing hidden treasure we see – and don’t see – every day. Though it is in full view, many people are unaware of its lovely magnificence. Join us for a stroll and picnic with friends.
Family Camp: This year we will replace our Vacation Bible School experience with a Family Camp from August 1 – 3.
We will gather in the late afternoons/early evenings for fun intergenerational activities with kids of all ages, parents and grandparents. Details to come.
Reggae Love Fest: In the Dog Days of summer on Sunday, August 28 at 4:00 pm Natural Elements (a 10 piece Reggae Band) will perform on the lawns of Peace. This began as a Honeymoon Gift to Seminarian Emily Weller and fiancée Dan Trubey….and now it is evolving into an Anniversary Celebration Party for all Peace members. Gifts in honor of your anniversary are welcomed….$10 for each year of bliss…..up to $100 ensures your name in the program and a great seat! Invite family and friends to join you on this memorable occasion as you bask in the sun, soak in the fun and joyfully remember the people you love and have loved in your life. Probably some dancing happening as well. Neighbors from our hood will be invited too. BBQ goodies available, our Earth/Faith/Food CSA will provide food, and Chris Cortez of KCSM Radio will lead his band and announce the show. Too much fun!!!
Please keep in your prayers: Steve Petersen’ mother, Pete Yellin, Sheila, Kersti, Lisa, Sandra, Annie, Jean, Heather, Paul van Wangeringen, those with Parkinson’s, our graduates, our Confirmands, the people of Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Haiti and the Ivory Coast.
Bev and I will be on vacation through the end of June. Pr. Elizabeth will preach and preside as well as respond to any emergency calls.
Δ – “The more I see you, the more I love you!”
Blessings, Pr. Steve
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June 2, 2011
Friends of the Rainbow Covenant:
The Inspiration concludes the Good News today. If you desire I am still willing to build an Ark for you this weekend.
Confirmation will be celebrated this Sunday. It will be a joyful and uplifting service. Keep the families, godparents and grandparents of Ayanda, Kylie, Jordan and Mackenzie in your prayers.
Hope you noticed the Butterfly Art in the Courtyard last Sunday. Pr. Anita and the Sunday School children created it for us.
We have recently added a number of resources related to the Columbarium Project online. Just go to peacejourney.org, select “explore peace” and at the drop-down click on “Columbarium Project.”
Our Earth/Faith/Food CSA officially opens this Sunday at Danville Congregational Church from 11:30 – 2:00 pm. Feel free to drop in, check it out, taste and purchase veggies and fruit if you wish. You can sign up there too. This rotating Market will come to Peace in August and September. Check out our website at: www.earthfaithfood.wordpress.com.
Members of the Moms Group met this week and shared insightful conversation about proposed worship and education schedule changes in the Fall. You will be hearing more.
The Women of Peace meet this next Wednesday from 10 – Noon. All the women of Peace are invited.
Summertime options for Fun with Peace will include: Bocce Ball Picnic on Father’s Day, June 19; a Hike and Picnic on Mt. Diablo on July 24; Family Camp on August 1 – 3; and the Reggae Love Fest on Sunday, August 28 at 4:00 pm. Details in this Sunday’s bulletin.
Counters Needed: If you like to count and account for money your services would be greatly appreciated during the summer months. Please contact the church office.
Jazz at Peace happens this Sunday at 5:00 pm with Mad and Eddie Duran. Eddie is a Guitar Ikon Legend.
Keep in your prayers: our Confirmands, graduates, Susanna and April and all who are pregnant; Lisa, Sheila, Taylor, those living with addictions; Heidi and Fidel, Nancy and Gun; those facing surgery; Pete Yellin; those experiencing torture and murder in Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, Libya; the people of Haiti, Japan, Burma, Ivory Coast; those who are moving; our Prayer Circle and those who pray for us.
May was a good month wasn’t it: Cindy Carroll’s Ordination, Destiny Disrupted book study, Small and Tall Service for Mother’s Day, Korean Youth in the Pacific Choir, CSA organizing, the Benefit Concert for Japan, Imam Amer Araim speaking at Peace, the gift of a 2nd Baby Grand Piano, Emily and the Confirmation Class, the trio of Destiny, Tarika and Vince playing for worship. I tend to think we are blessed even in the midst of struggling times.
Rainbow Covenant
Never again will I doom the earth …
Never again will I destroy all life
So long as the earth endures,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Summer and winter,
Day and night,
Shall not cease.
… This is the sign that I set
For the covenant between Me and you
And every living creature with you,
For the generations forever:
I have set my bow in the clouds. (God to Noah and family and all the creatures of the Earth!)
Ascension Blessings, Pr. Steve
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May 28, 2011
And what a way to end out an incredible season! We are happy to announce that The Mad and Eddie Duran Quartet will be appearing at the Jazz Church West on the FIRST SUNDAY – June 5/Cinco de Junio – at 5:00 pm. The evening will feature Madeline Duran (soprano, tenor sax, and flutes) and Eddie Duran (jazz guitar icon).
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Palpable emotional and musical chemistry…a warm glowing core, whether the tune are straight-ahead standards or Afro-Cuban and Brazilian, Eddie boasts complete chordal and melody line virtuosity, and Mad, especially on tenor, elegantly reflects the influence of Stan Getz. – Derk Richardson, San Francisco Bay Guardian
The Quartet features fiery percussionist Raul Ramirez and solid double bassist Adam Gay!
Raul Ramirez started playing the drums at the age of 5. He has been an active performer and one of the most versatile percussionists in the Bay Area. His mastery of different styles including jazz, fusion, Latin jazz, Brazilian jazz, and South American music has helped him to travel around the world performing with the very best Latin jazz artists.
Adam Gay grew up in Tucson Arizona in a family of musicians. His mother, a professional violist, introduced him to classical violin at the age of two. His father, an organist, opened the world of jazz music which became the musical passion of his life. In Tucson, Adam studied double bass with Patrick Nehr and graduated from the University of Arizona in 2004. During this time he gained the necessary experience to play in jazz, salsa, and Latin jazz groups.
This joyful celebration will culminate our 6th Season!
Spread the word – First Sunday of June.
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May 25, 2011
Friends:
Each one of you has received a special grace – so like good stewards responsible for all these varied graces of God, put yours at the service of others. -1 Peter 4: 10
A Pair of Jeans presented a marvelous concert on Sunday. Music of Meditation, Hope, Commitment and Blossoming surrounded us. A wonderful crowd gathered to appreciate the music, haiku, images and the premier of a double piano duet newly composed by Gerry Grosz just for this occasion entitled Tango on 9.0. (Gerry and his wife Michiyo Aoyama also played together for the first time in public!) Our thanks to Libby Flynn, Charlene McPherson, Julie Arnone, Pr. Anita, Susanna El Mogazi, Kaleo and Elise Ching, Mark Donahoo, and students from Athenian School, and Las Lomas High School for contributing their skills and gifts to the day. Also to Thrivent Financial for their Matching Funds. (Below is a summary or the crisis in Japan.)
The culmination of our Destiny Disrupted series was an insightful conversation with Imam Amer Araim. Our thanks to Deacon Gil Jardine for initiating and guiding this 4 Week Study. It revealed a deeper understanding of Islam and heightened our awareness of how much more we have to learn.
Please keep in your prayers: Eric (friend of Tom Popp) who was injured in a hang gliding accident, Sheila, Taylor, Lisa, Heidi and Fidel, Bob, Janelle, Japan and each other.
This Sunday harpist Destiny Muhammed and her cousin Tarika join us to lead worship with their musical gifts. Come renew the friendship with them!
Thanks to our Council for the Ministry Tables presented during May. You can still sign up to assist our Deacons in their ministries.
Now is the time to Sign Up for our CSA/Earth, Faith and Food! Deliveries of produce will begin on June 5. Freshest food on the planet! Go to: www.earthfaithfood.wordpress.com to learn more or sign up. Details available at worship on Sunday too.
Elise and Kaleo Ching will offer Acupressure once more on Sunday, June 5. Please sign up this Sunday to receive their healing gift.
Four Disasters struck Japan simultaneously: A 9.0 earthquake, a tsunami, a grave nuclear radiation threat and freezing winter weather. The radiation has had an enormous impact on the agricultural sector and the area around Fukushima will be uninhabitable for decades. The damages cost estimate is $309 billion. At the beginning of April over 12,000 people were confirmed dead; over 15,000 are still missing. The earthquake was the 4th largest in recorded history.
Turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. May we O God build the Living Temple with you.
Blessings,
Pr. Steve
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May 19, 2011
Friends:
To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places – and there are so many – where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory. – You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train – Howard Zinn
This Sunday two special gifts come your way: The Benefit Concert of Meditation and Hope for the people of Japan will be presented by A Pair of Jeans at 4:30 pm. The concert will include their beautiful music, Haiku, images and photos of Japan and special guests Gerry and Michiyo Grosz (who was in Japan during the tsunami). They will share musical gifts too. Thrivent Financial will provide Matching Funds. Invite friends – share the bounty and the blessings. After the Reception Imam Amer Araim will speak at 6:00 pm. He is the author of the book Understanding Islam: 50 Questions. He will then dialogue with participants about the realities of Islam today. This will conclude the 4 week book study series utilizing Destiny Disrupted which has prompted animated conversation! Please attend even if you have not been able to be part of the book study. Guaranteed to be insightful and enlightening.
Soul/Food Connections: It is time to Sign Up for a membership with our I-SRV (Interfaith) CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). You can do so by going to terrabellafamilyfarm.com or by filling out a registration card this Sunday. For 22 weeks of produce (veggies and fruits) the cost is $660 for a Large Share or $506 for a Small Share. You can split the Share with a friend if you wish. You receive the freshest food on the planet and it is more economical than local stores and farmers markets. The produce will be delivered on Sundays from 11:30 – 2:00 pm and you get to make choices! The Market will rotate among interfaith congregations beginning with Danville Congregational on June 5 – July; Peace during August & September; Beth Chaim October – December. To learn more speak with Libby, Charlene, Gun, Lois or Elana or check out the website at: earthfaithfood.wordpress.com (as hundreds of other people are doing!) The Organic Feast this past Monday was fantastic!
Rodgers and Hammerstein and the Broadway Chorus! Martha Mantei invites you to hear the Chorus this Friday or Saturday at 8:00 pm or Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Amador Theater in Pleasanton. They will sing your heart into delirious happiness!
Ministry Tables: The Church Council wants to make you aware of all the ministries at Peace. This Sunday the Deacons for Youth and Family, Justice and Education will present information about their ministries during the Hospitality Hour. Get the scoop, stay in the loop – they will even let you sign up to participate with them! (Take note of all the Worship Leaders walking around with Gold Stars on their name tags. They are really special!)
Acupressure given by Elise and Kaleo Ching was so well received by 10 people that June 5 will be another occasion for 10 other people to experience the healing gift of these friends which is so freely offered to Peace.
The DVC Plant Sale is this Saturday from 9 – 1 featuring unusual herbs and edibles, color bowls and salvias and perennials. It’s located at 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill or check out the website at: dvcplantsale.com.
Karl and Grace Pfeiffer are off to Germany to visit family and daughter Elisabeth who has been living and studying there for this past year. There will be much to share on their return.
Bread for the World is presenting a National Gathering, June 11 – 14 on Changing the Politics of Hunger. It is happening in Washington, DC. Worship, workshops, meeting with members of Congress are all happening. You will get to support the “1,000 Days Initiative” – an international effort to improve nutrition in the critical period of ‘Pregnancy to age 2’ for children in developing countries. To register go to: bread.org/event/gathering-2011/. Let me know if you desire to attend.
Please keep the Confirmands in your prayers as they prepare in these final weeks for their Confirmation on June 5.
Need a beautiful place of rest and renewal in which to explore the creative arts? The Grunewald Guild, founded by Richard and Liz Caemmerer, hosts various classes for 10 weeks throughout the summer. Joyful, innovative, invigorating – whether you are a beginner or master you will be delightfully formed and transformed. For info: grunewaldguild.com. See info on our Kiosk this Sunday.
Our thanks to the Pacific Choir who performed publicly for the very first time at Peace this past Sunday. A talented group of young people under the direction of Mr. Jae Sung Choi. They invite you to a concert with them this Saturday night at 7:30 at the Methodist Church in Alamo. Tickets are available at Peace.
Blessings, Pr. Steve
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May 12, 2011
Friends:
The rulers of this world love to lord it over others, they like to make their ‘authority’ felt. (They think they are Somebody if they step on nobodies.) Not so with you. If you would be great – serve others; if you want to be first then become last. So it is with the Son of Man – who authors life with understanding, compassion and wisdom. -Jesus, mostly.
Such joy in celebrating our Small and Tall Worship! Our thanks to the Youth Group for dramatically sharing the Gospel, to Sarah Kath for preparing the Prayer of the Day, and to Prs. Margareta and Anita for creating and leading this delightful service.
A Mother’s Day Gift – Urban Legend exposed: In numerous studies scientists see no effect on kids’ behavior from eating sugar in any form. In one study some moms were told their sons got a big helping of sugar and others were told their sons got a placebo. When researchers had mothers interact with their kids and asked about what happened, moms who thought their boys were amped up on a sugar high rated their children as being significantly more hyperactive than the other mothers did. The catch: None of the kids actually got any sugar. Just thinking that a child had sugar makes parents see worse behavior the study concluded.
On the other hand – children who receive spiritual nurture and live on a balanced diet of the Sacraments tend to grow into happiness, self-understanding, wisdom, courage and compassion; they are kinder to themselves, willing to encourage others (especially losers), laugh at absurdity more, are willing to find hope in dark times, enjoy rest and experience peace in surprising times and circumstances. When older they tend to appreciate their parents more. No studies have conclusively documented this phenomenon but 2,000 years of practice have revealed the trustworthiness of this path.
Thanks to Mackenzie Dobson for organizing the Car Wash with the Youth Group and friends this past Sunday and providing support for servicemen and women and their families.
The Pacific Choir under the direction of Jaesung and Hyunjung Choi will join us for worship this Sunday, May 15. The choir consists of 12 – 15 young people who are learning the intricacies of choral music. Please honor them with your presence.
Next Monday, May 16 at 6:30 pm at Peace is the 2nd Soul/ Food Organic Extravaganza! And it’s Free!! The official launching of Soul/Food Connections began with an Organic Feast at Peace two months ago. The evening was composed of delicious foods, background information about CSAs, connections with new friends from the interfaith community, and conversation about what we might create in the San Ramon Valley. A delicious evening of conversation, connections with new friends, healthy food and spirit await you!
Since then we have met with organic farmers, visited and picnicked at Terra Bella Farm in Sunol, experienced the CSA at Temple Isaiah, organized committees and our 2011 priorities, created our website, consulted with the Table Project, arranged speakers to address our congregations this Sunday on May 15, planned special summer activities for our youth, begun to receive memberships in our CSA, prepared a Training Session for volunteers on May 22, and arranged for our rotating ‘Market’ to begin on June 5 at DCC. The Market will come to Peace during August and September. The food will be provided by farms that are certified organic by CCOF, selected by our lead farmer, Shawn Seufert from Terra Bella Family Farm. (Signup forms are on our Soul/Food website at: www.earthfaithfood.wordpress.com.) Please join us on May 16 and bring your friends. Your RSVP is necessary for our preparations: Call our office at 925-648-7000 or email office@peacejourney.org.
Congratulations to April and Matt Rasmussen who are pregnant!
Please keep in your prayers: our children, all the moms, those who mourn the loss of loved ones, families experiencing Alzheimers or Parkinsons, the unemployed and underemployed, those facing addictions, those in war zones, the poor, the people of Syria who are living and dying in their nonviolent uprising.
Join Destiny Disrupted for a lively Book Study conversation this Sunday, May 15 at 6:00 pm. A great opportunity to learn about the history of Islam! On May 22 (following the Benefit Concert for Japan) Imam Amer Araim will join us to co-lead the final session with Deacon Gil Jardine. You may want to get a copy of his book on the 50 Key Questions of Islam.
A Pair of Jeans presents a Benefit Concert of Hope and Meditation for Japan on Sunday, May 22 at 4:30 pm. The concert will include beautiful music, images and poetry. Gerry Grosz, one of our jazz musicians will be present with this wife Michiyo. She was in Japan during the Tsunami and will share personal stories from that experience. Thrivent will provide Matching Funds through Church World Service who is providing shelter and care for 25,000 people in 100 Evacuation Sites near Fukushima. This is an opportunity to be present to the suffering of others while offering our prayers, hope and support. Please invite friends to join you for this blessed occasion. A reception follows.
True Authority (like wisdom) is subtle and profound…..no need to dominate or enforce;
there is no way to describe it….we can only describe the appearance of true authorities:
They are careful as someone crossing an iced-over stream in Springtime.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.
Can you remain calm and still until wisdom emerges from within?
Then you will truly author life that is real. -Tao te Ching, mostly
Blessings, Pr. Steve
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May 6, 2011
Friends:
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
In honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday we will have another favorite Small and Tall Family Service. This is so much fun for all the children and grandchildren and such a blessing for all the adults. Come prepared to stretch your heart with joy!
During May the Council Deacons will present Ministry Tables with information for you regarding the variety of ministries at Peace during the Hospitality Hour. Explore, inquire and get involved.
Healing into Wholeness: Are you in need of Acupressure/massage? Kaleo and Elise Ching will each offer 5 free 20 minute sessions after worship on May 15 as a special gift to the members of Peace. Experience the healing calm, energy and focus you need. Please sign up in advance this Sunday after worship. Half of the slots have been chosen already.
Mackenzie Dobson is offering a Car Wash after church this Sunday. Help our Confirmand achieve success by supporting her in this community endeavor!
Destiny Disrupted our Book Study on Sundays at 6:00 pm began with a class of over a dozen people. Please join in this Sunday even if you’ve not been able to read the book yet. (The class will begin after Jazz at Peace so you can attend both.)
Jazz at Peace welcomes Kat Parra singing lovely Latin Jazz this Sunday for Mother’s Day at 5:00 pm. Bring your mother to church a 2nd time in one day – you know she would approve!
A Concert of Meditation and Hope for Japan will be presented by A Pair of Jeans on Sunday, May 22 at 4:30 pm. This will be a beautiful concert of music, image and poetry with a Reception following. Please encourage friends to join you. (Then at 6:00 pm Imam Amer Araim will lead the final session of the Book Study Series.)
Soul Food Connections: A second Organic Feast/CSA Dinner is planned for Monday, May 16 at 6:30at Peace. This is a delicious way to learn all about Community Supported Agriculture/CSA, our Sunol Farmers and how the Freshest Food Available will be delivered to our I-SRV/Interfaith Congregations. (Speak with Libby, Gun, Lois, Charlene or Elana about their visit to the farm this past Sunday!) Your RSVP is needed since seating is limited to 90 people gathering from the interfaith community. Check out our website at: earthfaithfood.wordpress.com.
Stephen Hitchcock (another classmate of mine) of Bread for the World will lead a discussion on the book Exodus from Hunger at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Walnut Creek on Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 pm.
The death of Osama bin Laden marks this as a Time of Reappraisal. Much has been lost: Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi and Afghan people have been killed or maimed, there are a million widows in Iraq alone; a decade of war and occupation has pushed U.S. society to a breaking point by debt, division and an assault on social services and collective bargaining. Now is the time for us to pray for clarity for our nation as we rebuild and invest in education, health, environmental stability and a market place that serves the Common Good.
The Pacific Choir composed of 12-15 youth who rehearse at Peace every Sunday evening, will sing for us as part of our worship on May 15. Please honor these young people with your presence.
Cindy Carroll’s Ordination was a great celebration with several congregations participating, much music and joyful festivity. Pr. Margareta and I represented Peace by leading the prayers for the Ordination Congregation. Peace also gifted Cindy with a new red stole for the occasion. (Pictures will be coming.) Cindy sends her love and gratitude to all the people of Peace for our prayers, guidance and encouragement during her years of membership and Teaching Parish Training among us.
This note from Pr. Anita:
I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude to everyone at Peace for showing such compassion, love, and concern for me, Dana, and my family during my brother Randy’s hard journey with ALS. While I take comfort in knowing Randy’s suffering has ended and his spirit is now free from a body that no longer worked for him, the grief I continue to carry runs deeper than anything I’ve ever know, yet even in the hours immediately following Randy’s death and so many miles from home, I could feel the love and care of all of you and that sustained and comforted me.
Several months before Randy died he wrote to me saying “I think most of our family has been sheltered from what an illness like ALS means beyond the words. At least I have been. Maybe this new generation will see the devastating effects of an illness like ALS and become a helping hand to others….Sis, there is no question that at the end of your life you can discard most of the things you did for yourself and keep as a lasting reward those things you did to help others.” That was my brother, his concern and compassion for others, and inspired by him I will continue what’s been started with Sweet Hope Cookies. Not only as a legacy to Randy but with the hope that one day effective treatments and a cure will be found. Until that day, thank you for supporting me through your prayers and for helping others with ALS through all your cookie buying. I’ll keep baking so please, keep on buying 
I love and appreciate you all, Anita
And Prov. 24:17, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.”
Easter Blessings, Pr. Steve
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April 28, 2011
Friends:
I beg you…..be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves….the search going on within your inmost being is worthy of your whole love….the point is to live everything you experience. Live your questions now. Do not seek “answers” which cannot be attained because you would not be able to live into them anyway. -Ranier Maria Rilke
Gratitude to all who participated in our Palm Sunday, Seder, Good Friday and Easter Celebrations. Noah Ashley certainly blessed us with his calm spirit and gaze during his Baptism; the Seder Liberation Story becomes more pertinent (and tasty) every year; the contemplations of Good Friday stirred profound connections and stillness; and the music and drumming of Easter brought much joy. The Lenten Fast of Unplugging from Technology is now over. You may replug with new wisdom gained during Lent and omit technological frenzy from your life.
May 1 – this Sunday we have much to offer you:
- Lori England who participated in our Pet Festival will offer a half-hour session for children on Pet Handling and Care after worship.
- Soul Food Connections/CSA invites you to Meet your Farmer at Terra Bella Family Farm. A carpool leaves from Peace at 12:30. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the farm with I-SRV friends.
- Our former Seminarian Cindy Carroll invites you to her Ordination at 3:00 pm in Sacramento. A group is carpooling from Peace
- Our Book Study – Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World though Islamic Eyes begins at 6:00 pm on Sunday evening at Peace. It continues for 4 Sunday evenings. Friends from the Islamic Center will join us. Deacon Gil Jardine will lead the sessions. Copies are available at Peace. Imam Amer Araim will join us on May 22.
May 8: Our next Small and Tall Family Service will be celebrated on Mother’s Day. It will be another great occasion for children and parents.
Keep in your prayers: DeeAnn, Anita and Dana on the death of Randy, Gun Johnston, Nancy Carlston, Rich Larson, Sheila, Lisa, our Confirmands and Cindy Carroll.
Are you in need of Acupressure? Kaleo and Elise Ching are offering this gift to members of Peace after worship on May 15. They will each offer 5 sessions of 20 minutes in length. This is a wonderful Healing Gift they are offering us. You will need to sign up in advance to reserve a time slot.
Ben Foley of Homecoming will attend a Memorial Garden/Columbarium at Peace on Friday, April 29 at 10 am. Interested members are invited to attend.
Two incredible Jazz Events are coming your way: Clifford Brown III and the Brewing Company will play this Saturday night at 7:30 pm for the culmination of our April JAM Series. These outstanding musicians will share the cutting edge of Spirit-Jazz and Nu-Jazz with you. Eight winners have already gotten free tickets through KCSM radio. Invite friends to join you for this remarkable event. And the ideal Mother’s Day gift awaits you on May 8 at 5:00 pm. Vocalist Kat Parra will entertain you with Latin Jazz Delights. You can finally prove to your mother that you love her!
Earth Day Celebration: Governor Jerry Brown signed a much-awaited piece of legislation which increases the amount of renewable energy in our electricity from 20% by 2010 to 33% by 2020. This bill, which failed in previous attempts to pass, was revised in the last two years and enjoyed bipartisan support in both the California Senate and Assembly. “CIPL (California Interfaith Power and Light) members and clergy have been advocating for this legislation for almost three years,” said Susan Stephenson, Executive Director of CIPL. “This puts California back in the lead for the clean energy future, and we congratulate the governor and the legislature for passing it.”
Fasting for the Poor: 28 members of Congress joined in the Fast to protect the poorest of our nation from having essential services cut. Strange isn’t it that some legislators think that by cutting educational programs, health care, and human services to the least among us that this will save our nation from disaster and halt the debt. And meanwhile there are no current attempts to stop corporate tax dodgers. Pray that we come into our right mind.
The Race to Nowhere is a film about destructive educational priorities and the consequences our children are experiencing in their lives. It is playing Thursday evening at 7:00 pm at the SRV United Methodist Church in Alamo.
A Pair of Jeans is preparing a Benefit Concert of Meditation and Hope for the people of Japan on Sunday May 22 at 4:30 pm. Please invite friends to join you. A Reception will follow (…..and then the final Book Study session with Amer Araim begins at 6:00 pm). See the fliers posted on the Kiosk. More details to come.
Easter Blessings, Pr. Steve
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April 14, 2011
Friends:
Biblical study should have one primary aim and view: confrontation of all of us by the living God….with fear and trembling, we can dare to hope that God would address us through the biblical words….no serious question is out of place. No pious phrases will take the place of honest and determined examination of the Bible. – Walter Harrelson
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 17 with the baptism of Noah Hunter-Ashley; our Seder is Maundy Thursday at 6:30 – please sign up after worship or notify the church office this week; Good Friday worship will be at 7:30 pm. Easter will be celebrated at 10 on April 24.
A number of Sue Field’s music students will be joining with Sue in providing our music for Easter worship. Among them will be Cleo Kozlowski, piano; Maria Rao, mezzo; Diane Sangster, flute; Emily Weller, trombone; and Dan Trubey with John Ashley on drums. They will be performing arias, duets from the Bach St. John Passion, Vivaldi Gloria, Mozart’s Grand Mass and the Per Harling Sanctus. The musicians will also be joining the Peace choir for a celebratory anthem.
Every Sunday you are welcomed to join the Bible 365 study group. This class raises tough questions and faces your tough questions. Thanks to Pr. Elizabeth for her leadership.
Do you know who your Farmer is? Check out the new Soul/Food: Earth, Faith and Food website at: www.earthfaithfood.wordpress.com.
Our thanks to the Youth Group and Confirmands for expanding our California Native Garden! Your love and hard work increases the beauty of Peace.
John F. Kennedy University Arts and Consciousness Faculty Art Exhibition: Kaleo and Elise Ching are exhibiting their art and poetry in this Exhibit. Kaleo writes:
Beginning in 1999 I was passionate about doing healing energy work, acupressure, and bodywork. Instead of sculpting masks or painting on canvas, I massaged muscles and tendons, felt energy flows, accompanied others on their journeys into subconscious realms. Ten years late a close friend died and her spirit inspired me to paint again. Elise and I are exhibiting paintings and poems which are offspring of this ongoing process of inquiry and discovery.”
Please visit and enjoy the Exhibit when you can.
Bread for the World Covenant Church: Peace is a Covenant BfW church. The Justice Advocacy ministry offers our thanks to those who participated in our annual Offering of Letters to Congress last Sunday when we wrote on behalf of the hungry in our nation and the world. Imagine if Congress decided, “From now on we will only vote for military funding measures when they have an equal amount of funding dedicated to the ending of global poverty, homelessness, hunger, inadequate education, and inadequate health care as proposed in the Global Marshall Plan.” How would our lives, values, and society change? You are encouraged to fast from Monday lunches during April and use this time for prayer and/or to urge Congress not to “balance” the budget on the backs of the poor by stripping them of essential resources.
Our thanks to Susanna and Raddi for the Clothing Drive on behalf of the people of Japan. They packed and shipped a total of 136 boxes! What a labor of love! Gratitude to all who helped in a variety of ways. Also – a Pair of Jeans is intending to present a Benefit Concert for Japanese Relief on Sunday, May 22. Details to come.
Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World through Muslim Eyes – Sundays May 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 6 – 7 pm. All of us experience but few of us understand the world view of by Islamic history and theology. This 4 Sunday Forum will help us understand Islam – its expectations, perspectives and challenges in the modern world. We will learn why many Muslims are discouraged by the preeminence of Western culture and the presence of US and coalition forces in the Middle East; the original intention of the Prophet Mohammed in founding Islam and the basis for the Shiite/Sunni split that resulted following the Prophet’s death. Gil Jardine will be leading the sessions. At the final session, Sunday, May 22nd Iraqi-born, Sunni Imam Dr. Amer Araim, author of “Understanding Islam: Fifty Questions” will join us as an additional resource. Copies of “Destiny Disrupted” are available from the Church office prior May 1st.
Bev and I were invited to a Mashal Celebration of Pakistani culture and heritage hosted by the Islamic Center this last weekend. Our friend Zeba made us aware of a public event promoting Hate Speech against Muslims happening this week in our Valley Community. Zeba spoke from her heart and shared her fears with us at worship this past Sunday. We will accompany her to this event and let the members of Peace know what happens. Your prayers are appreciated.
Rev. Fran Geddes, our mentor for Healing Prayer, has completed his book entitled Contemplative Healing. We hope to host Fran for a Book Signing Party in the Fall.
The Social Evolution of Jazz was an incredible evening’s performance. Jazz you may know is the only art form created in America. It is also unique because its roots and formation has been a journey of such suffering and yet …always an adamant turning toward hope. It was compelling to hear the history in one evening. And the Reception…..o my, you’ve never had such fine Fried Chicken and sweet potato chips in your life! Our thanks to EW Wainwright and the African Roots for their profound gift!
Jazz Church West hosted alto saxman/composer Pete Yellin and his Quartet – Glen Pearson, Peter Barshay & Ron Marabuto – for JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month) this past Sunday in a Tribute to jazz icon Charlie Parker! Isn’t it amazing that musicians who have played at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall are now playing at Peace!!
We received this message last week: I am Seetha Ananthasivan, from Bhoomi Network, NGO based in Bangalore, India. We are bringing out a quarterly magazine called Eternal Bhoomi for Food, Community and Sustainable. We are distributing this magazine to almost four thousand schools and colleges in India. We would like to know if we can use these pictures of your Peace Mosaic for one our articles which we had found from your website. I said Yes! Do you see how sowing spiritual seeds in the universe produces unimaginable results?
Congratulations to Karl and Grace Pfeiffer on their 100th Birthday….each contributing half of the equation!
A new Tai Chi Class has begun on Thursdays at 7:00 pm at Peace. All who wish are invited to join in.
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter, when you see the naked to clothe them, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear. (Isaiah 58)
Lenten Blessings, Pr. Steve
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April 1, 2011
Friends:
From the Belly of the Beast
Seated upon the convex mound
Of one vast kidney, Jonah prays
And sings his canticles and hymns,
Making the hollow vault resound
God’s greatness and mysterious ways
Till the great whale spouts music as he swims. (Aldous Huxley)
Join us for Soup and Sacrament on Wednesdays at 6:30. Jonah is wilder than you think. (This is a great way to practice your Lenten Unplugging from Technology.)
Our thanks to the Healing Prayer Team for the beautiful and comforting Healing Prayer Service this past Sunday. And gratitude to Julie Arnone for designing the altar.
We will begin a book study of Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary on Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm in May. This is a wonderful way to understand the historical context of Islam. An Imam will join us for our final session. Gil Jardine will be sharing more details with us.
April is JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month). We have now linked ourselves with St. Peter’s Lutheran, the Jazz Church of NY where the Jazz Vespers began. There will be 3 Special Events in April.
1) This Saturday EW Wainwright and African Roots present ‘The Social Evolution of Jazz’. Destiny Muhammed our favorite jazz harpist will be performing with this group. This event is educational and inspirational as it convey the historical development of jazz from the continent of Africa, through the formation decades of development, into its current exuberant expression. Keith Hines from KCSM radio (91.1 FM) will be hosting the event. The station is advertising Peace and this event throughout the week. You may even win free tickets if you call in. (How’s that for creative outreach!) A reception will follow. Tickets are $10/person or $25/family. This is a benefit for children and artists involved in the Arts Programs of the Oakland Schools.
2) Pete Yellin’s Quartet will offer a Tribute to jazz icon Charlie Parker on Sunday, April 10th at 5:00 pm. Can you believe this!! This event is free.
3) Clifford Brown, III and his Brewing Company will be present on Saturday, April 30th at 7:30 pm. Same ticket prices. More details to come.
We also want to let you know we’ve added a new link in our Friends section in the far right hand column of our website to the incredible jazz happenings taking place at St. Peter’s Church in New York. They seem just about as jazz-crazy as we are!
The Youth Group and Confirmands will be performing a Service Project for Peace this Sunday after worship which is the expansion of our Native Garden. If you can’t resist and want to join them you will not be prohibited.
The Sound Board Team will receive instruction from Josh Camacho who has recently returned our sound board to its excellent quality. If you are willing to assist this team by monitoring the sound and recording homilies, you are invited to join in at 11:30 on Sunday.
Bruce Silverman will be interviewed on progressiveradio.com this Friday, April 1 at 11 am about the Dream Work Classes he has taught and facilitated at Peace and other college campuses. If you need technical assistance so you can get connected to hear him, please email me.
“Because of your great work and support, wonderful progress has been made in providing for the welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and allowing for the fuller participation of all in the life of the ELCA. The Reconciling in Christ program has grown to nearly 500 settings. (Peace was the 70th congregation to become RIC 20 years ago in 1991.) The policy of the ELCA concerning ministers in committed, same-gender relationships has changed because of your efforts and prayers. Together, we have even influenced the public discourse concerning LGBT people of faith, and through that, the discourse in secular society.” With gratitude, Lutherans Concerned.
Please keep in your prayers: the people of Japan, Haiti, the Midwest, the Arab nations and all loved ones in need of healing.
Congratulations to Cindy Carroll who will be ordained at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento on Sunday, May 1 at 3:00 pm. As one of “our own” we are delighted for Cindy and she invites all the members of Peace to join her for this occasion. Carpooling arrangements will be made. Congrats, Cindy!
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 17 and culminates with our Easter Celebration on April 24th!
Lenten Blessings, Pr. Steve
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