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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March 24, 2011
Friends:
Why do we rush about looking for God – who is here at home with us, if all we want is to be with God? Let us fly to our beloved homeland – from the noise that is around us to the joys that are silent. St. Augustine
Susanna El Mogazi invites you to bring clothes and shoes for the relief of Tsunami victims in Japan to Peace this Saturday, from 9 – 12 or with you to church on Sunday. All sizes are needed. If you can help her transport these items please let her know. There will be a Packing Party at her home on Sunday afternoon April 10 – time to be announced.
The Soul / Food: Earth, Faith and Food Project invites you to attend the next meeting with Rebecca Calahan Klein on Thursday, March 31 at 7:00 pm at Peace. Help us decide how the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) project can be most effective in providing organic food for the families in our Interfaith Community and those living in poverty in our county.
Several weeks ago, my friend Tony Hall told me he felt called to a period of fasting in response to the budget debate that now dominates Congress. I have decided to join Tony—a former member of Congress who now leads the Alliance to End Hunger—in a one-week, water-only fast. I will begin March 28. I invite you to turn to God in fasting and prayer during these weeks before Easter. If you choose to fast—for a week or until Easter—do it in a way that’s right for you. What’s important is that we invite our loving God more fully into our lives and into the life of our nation. The debate about the federal budget is really a debate about national priorities, so we invite God to reshape our personal priorities and the priorities of our nation. Your calls and emails to Congress are a welcomed part of this fast. (David Beckman, President of Bread for the World)
This Sunday we will have a Healing Prayer Service – a time to release the burdens which are too heavy to bear. Invite friends to join you for this service of strengthening and peace.
April is JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month). We will have two additional Jazz Events in April to celebrate JAM. Keith Hines of KCSM Radio will host the Saturday, April 2nd event with EW Wainwright and the African Roots performing “The Social Evolution of Jazz”. Hear the whole evolutionary history of jazz in one evening! Our favorite harpist Destiny Muhammed will be performing that evening as well. Pete Yellin performs for Jazz at Peace on April 10th at 5 pm. Clifford Brown, III performs with his Brewing Company on Saturday, April 30th. The Saturday events are both at 7:30 pm.
Please join us on Wednesday evenings throughout Lent at 6:30 for Soup and Sacrament. Our focus is Jonah: The Comedy of Forgiveness. You will discover yourself laughing at things you never thought funny before.
How is your Unplugging from Technology going? Are you able to slow down, have dinner with friends, enjoy strolls in nature, breathe more easily? Aren’t Lenten disciplines demanding?!
“The wind moves wherever she pleases, you hear the sound but you don’t know from whence or to where the wind is flowing……..and so it is with everyone who is birthed in the Spirit.” – Jesus
Lenten Blessings, Pr. Steve
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March 17, 2011
Friends:
I am the one whose praise echoes on high.
I adorn all the earth.
I am the breeze that nurtures all things green.
I encourage blossoms to flourish with ripening fruits.
I am led by the spirit to feed the purest streams.
I am the rain coming from the dew
That causes the grasses to laugh with the joy of life.
I am the yearning for good. (The Greening God, Hildegard von Bingen)
Lent means Spring and to encourage our Greening like the Spring our Soup and Sacrament Series (6:30 on Wednesdays) will focus on Jonah: The Comedy of Forgiveness. With the overwhelming news in Japan, northern Africa, Haiti and the US Midwest it is clear “our little systems have their day….and cease to be” (see the poem at the end of the Good News). The centering and confidence of our lives must be anchored in the One to whom time and space, life and death belong. Feel like you’re trapped in the belly of a whale? Join us for some refreshing hilarity and insights on the next 5 Wednesdays.
A Healing Prayer Conference held this past weekend was initiated by our friend and mentor Rev. Francis Geddes. At last his book Contemplative Healing has been published. We will have a healing prayer service at Peace on March 27th. We will have a Book Signing Party with Fran at Peace sometime in the not too distant future.
Mudzunga Farisani and daughters Nzumbu and Ndamu have arrived home safely. Mudzunga sent word of her appreciation for all the love and prayers they received at Peace. She looks forward to the Peace Delegation who will travel to Beuster Parish for the Dedication of their new church in October of 2012. Our thanks to the Partnership Committee, Karl Pfieffer, Chair for their continued support of this ministry at Peace.
The Sound Board has been revamped and is now working perfectly thanks to Josh Camacho. New devices for the hearing impaired will arrive soon. Please let me know if you sit in a spot where amplified sound is not heard well.
Please keep in your prayers: Emily (Linda Hall’s mother), Randy and DeeAnn, Annie, Ralph, John Dahlin, Richard Howell, Bob, Sheila, the tsunami and nuclear reactor victims of Japan, all those advocating for democracy in the Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria; for the people of Haiti that they might have elections and a government of their choosing; for the people of Wisconsin and the 16 Midwest States advocating for their livelihoods, the 7 imprisoned Baha’i leaders in Tehran, and our Confirmation Class.
A proposal to create a rotating Spiritual Art Exhibit among several Interfaith Congregations of I-SRV is being examined. If you want to be an advocate for more of the visual arts at Peace please contact me.
Soul / Food: Earth, Faith and Food – the next meeting with Rebecca Calahan Klein regarding our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) project will be at Peace on Thursday, March 31 at 7:00 pm. All interested members are invited to attend.
A disturbing statistical Note: In 2009 U.S. health care spending grew by 4%; yet health insurance premiums in California are set to increase in 2011 by 39% – 59%.
International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 8th – marking its 100th Anniversary. Here are two reasons the celebration and work must continue: 1) In Egypt – not one woman was named to the national committee writing the new Egyptian Constitution, despite the essential role women played in the protests that led to President Mubarak’s resignation.
And 2) Rev. Dr. Elaine Neuenfeldt, the secretary of the LWF Women in Church and Society Program delivered a statement at a UN Member States expert panel discussion on science and technology. She expressed the need for, “women and girls to fulfill the needs that they identify at all levels of science and technology research and development.” Neuenfeldt shared a story of illiterate Mauritanian women from poor communities. Through the support of the LWF’s Department for World Service, the women received training to be women engineers and set up a solar electric system for their rural communities. The new access to solar technology has since provided power for lighting, mobile technology and other electronic devices. This unique “best practice” of empowering the women from rural areas is an example of how opportunities can be created for women and girls to access science and technology that transforms communities.
Our thanks to Sue Field for the gift of a new piano to Peace!
Jazz at Peace will have 3 Special Events in April for JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month). On Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 pm: The Social Evolution of Jazz with EW Wainwright and African Roots. You will get to hear the entire musical history of jazz. April 10 at 5 pm the Jazz Church West will host Pete Yellin. On Saturday, April 30 at 7:30 pm Clifford Brown, III and his Brewing Company will perform their magic. Tickets for April 2 and 30 are $10/person or $25/family. These are all incredible opportunities for inspiration. Please invite friends to join you. (No one present this past Sunday will ever forget the Paul Scheffert jazz of this past Sunday!!)
Please complete the Memorial Garden/Columbarium Surveys of Interest and bring them to church this Sunday.
“Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be;
They are but broken lights of thee,
And thou, O Lord, art more than they.
We have but faith: we cannot know;
For knowledge is of things we see;
And yet we trust it comes from thee,
A beam in darkness: let it grow.
Let knowledge grow from more to more,
But more of reverence in us dwell;
That mind and soul, according well,
May make one music as before,
But vaster.”
( from Tennyson’s “In Memoriam”)
Lenten Blessings, Pr. Steve
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The homily from this past Sunday, March 13, is now available online for your listening and soul’s pleasure. You may listen or download the this and past sermons by going to the audio sermons online section.
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March 11, 2011
Friends:
Here is the struggle no human presumes to picture….no one wants to face:
In our living and dying – how shall we be rescued from endless dark Shadow?
How break through the coldness of earth and stone, the hardheartedness of a faithless world?
How shall we birth breath and heartbeat to walk this world with joy and freedom and dignity….A world filled with open wounds and anguish?
The Spirit streamed through every cell of Christ’s body (the Transfiguration tells us);
If mortal sight could bear to perceive it, we would see His mortal flesh was lit from within.
And he is aching to bring us home …..in the company of friends and the mystery of ourselves.
A second piano was received as a gift from Sue Field this past Sunday. It offers additional musical opportunities. We are thankful.
The Transfiguration painting in honor of Judy Collins was also unveiled. Our thanks to the Collins Family here and across the country who have blessed Peace with this gift. We pray it will be a light pointing to the Light.
Members of the Healing Prayer Team will be attending a Healing Prayer Conference this weekend which is initiated and sponsored by our good friend and mentor Rev. Francis Geddes. Pr. Margareta and I will be presenting a workshop on Healing Prayer in Congregational Life.
The Archives Committee will meet this Thursday at 1:15 pm.
Congratulations to Betty and Ted Schwann on their 67th Wedding Anniversary! And to Lois and Bob McGee on their 57th Wedding Anniversary!
Blessings, Pr. Steve
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March 3, 2011
Friends:
I was thinking how often and how many of us feel unloved, and unwanted on many occasions during our lives – all the misunderstandings there are in families, even between husband and wife. We all want heaven here and now, no patience, no waiting. Don’t think I don’t understand how you feel, because I have felt the same many a time. How many times I have felt even a wall of hatred and resentment around me – sometimes over little things and also over the big ones…..sometimes I never want to see people again. But then I remember St. John of the Cross saying, ‘Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love.’ And I can breathe again. When it comes down to it, even on the natural plane, it is much happier and more enlivening to love than be loved. Dorothy Day
A blessing to have had Mudzunga, Nzumbu and Ndamu Farisani with us this past Sunday. Mudzunga is encouraging all of us to participate in a Delegation to attend the Dedication of the new church at Beuster – probably in 2012! Partnership Ministry can seem a baffling proposition until the heart to heart connection of our faith reveals our common humanity and what we are capable of together. We need each other more than we can comprehend. We will continue to share our prayers and stories and grow in the faith which is mutually ours. Keep the people of Lwamondo Parish in Venda, South Africa and Laurel Galan, Nicaragua in your prayers.
Karl and Grace Pfeiffer hosted a wonderful Partnership Meal with the Farisanis on Tuesday evening. You will be learning about future ways to nourish our ministries together in future weeks and months. All of you would have enjoyed Natalie’s table prayer!
The Crab Feast is this Saturday at 5 pm. Thanks to Julie and Robert for coordinating this annual tradition, to Michael Valenta for his kitchen magic, to all who are volunteering – the youth and otherwise, and to Mark and Lisa for organizing the Silent Auction. More Silent Auction gifts are welcomed!! This year we will also have beautiful music to accompany your dining pleasure. Bring your friends to this tasty celebration!
You can expect Two Special Surprises on Sunday – just in time for Transfiguration. Look for them.
Ash Wednesday worship will be at 7:30 pm on March 9th. This service will initiate the season of Lent.
Tamara Bohlin, our occasional guest cellist, invites you to a Gold Coast Chamber Players Concert on Sunday at 2 pm at the Community Hall: Lafayette Library. A flier is posted on our Kiosk.
Happy Birthday to John McVicar who recently celebrated his 91st birthday. Many blessings, John!
Hopefully you have no more worries after last Sunday’s worship. Keep gazing on the blossoms.
Epiphany Blessings, Pr. Steve
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Pastor Steve’s homily from this past Sunday, February 27, is now available online for your listening and soul’s pleasure. You may listen or download the this and past sermons by going to the audio sermons online section.
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