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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Weekly Happenings at SHPC
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October 12th, 2017
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Season of Peace continues with
Enough for Everyone
Blessed are the peacemakers -
(Mt. 5:9)
With wildfires still burning in Sonoma and Napa counties, let's all come together
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his Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
to build up the peacemaking community. Let's show all our children and grandchildren that we are committed to making the changes needed to intentionally, actively make peace each day.
This Sunday we'll examine how feelings of insecurity or scarcity make it hard to be satisfied with just enough. We'll shift our focus from "more" to "enough for everyone" and take home a peace practice to continue peacemaking through the week.
Middle school and high school youth, please welcome Charles Wei, returning as Youth Director! This Sunday, Charles invites our youth to head downstairs with him after the sermon to get acquainted or reacquainted, and to let him know your wish list for our two youth groups.
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A Note from Pastor Bev
If you are feeling stretched thin by catastrophe after catastrophe, so many people and their homes and livelihoods wiped out, so much of God's beautiful creation destroyed, come on over to church. We'll sit together while the Spirit washes over us and renews us. There is much we can do to help the growing number of people suffering serious losses. But first we need to catch our breath, feel our fear subside, shake off weariness, regain our energy, and see the path before us.
Thank you to all of you who have been gathering clothes, books, and toys (Matt Podboy!), offering spare rooms in your house, buying gift cards, creatively working to make more shelter space available, calling and checking on folks, and praying. We are all making a positive difference. At times like these, every single act of kindness brings hope back into the world.
With blessings of peace,
Bev
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Friday, October 13
8 a.m.
NOON
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Justice Garden Harvesting
Bible Study |
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Saturday, October 14
9 a.m.
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Flower Guild Harvest Instillation |
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Sunday, October 15
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:40 a.m.
10:45 a.m. |
Season of Peace Continues
Enough for Everyone!
Coffee and Fellowship - All Welcome
Youth Welcome Back Charles Wei, Youth Director
MEXICO MISSION REUNION AT MILLENNIAL PARK
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Wednesday, October 18
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
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Session meeting
Session meets with new members
SHPC Singers- All Welcome
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Friday, October 20
8 a.m.
NOON
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Justice Garden Harvesting
Bible Study
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Sunday, October 22
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:40 a.m.
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We Celebrate Baptism and Welcome New Members
Rev Yolanda Norton, SFTS Professor of Old Testament Preaches
Coffee and Fellowship - All Welcome
Let's Talk: Elevate the Discusion
Childcare provided
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Bible Study this Friday, October 13th at NOON
Mathew 5:9,
19:16-22, and 22:34-40
Everybody is welcome!
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
All those impacted by the wildfires, those who have lost loved ones, their homes, their livelihoods, their pets, their health, their neighborhoods, f
or strength, support, comfort, healing, and resilience; may people far and wide be God's hands, feet, and heart bringing relief from suffering, and comfort in mourning;
The firefighters, for safety and strength, may they be blessed;
Victims of the Las Vegas shooting,
for God's
comfort, strength, and healing for all those who have lost their loved ones, are injured and/or traumatized, and suffering as a result of this tragedy;
The people of Puerto Rico and all those suffering from the hurricanes and their aftermath, and from the Mexico earthquakes, for strength, support, comfort, and healing; may people far and wide be God's hands, feet, and heart bringing relief from suffering, and comfort in mourning;
Nance Rosencranz,
recovering from a stroke, for full and complete recovery, for God's loving presence to be felt;
Carolyn Goodman's sister Wendy, who lost her home to a house fire, for God's loving and constant presence, and for the loving support of all around her to be with her as she rebuilds;
Dennis Latta's father Leroy,
recently diagnosed with dementia, for God's loving presence to be with Leroy and his family;
Kalli Bane,
for relief from abdominal pain, and for restful sleep surrounded by God's love for her and her family;
Peg Maclise's sister Kim, for God's healing presence, and for Peg, God's strength, love, and peace;
Kelsey Lopin,
for total healing, renewed strength, continued flourishing, creativity, and energy to share her God-given gifts;
Jeri Rayford and her family, grieving the loss of Prentis,
for God's loving presence, strength, and support in their bereavement;and for her daughter Regina, recovery and healing;
Katie Brendler, may God's loving presence and comfort abide with her and her family as they mourn the loss of Katie's dear Father, and for full recovery for her Mother as she gets treatment for cervical cancer;
Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for complete healing, and for Nancy to continue to feel God's abiding presence in companioning her;
All those suffering from racial discrimination, racial violence, and hatred, for God's justice and healing;
Those living in the shadows and fearing deportation, for safety, security for their families and children, a path to citizenship, and sanctuary;
The incarcerated, and their loved ones, for a justice system and prison system that uphold our highest values;
Our country, for a way forward where we live our values of justice and equality for all people;
The refugees and displaced
, almost 1 out of 100 people in the world today, for safety, homes, the basics of life, and freedom from being scapegoated;
Our Muslim neighbors, subject to Islamophobia and hate crimes;
Our planet, the world's poor, all who suffer from disruptive climate change, may we continue our work to keep the planet livable;
The PC(USA), for courage and energy to continue our world-wide mission of love and justice for all people;
Dr. Doug Tilton, our PC(USA) mission co-worker in Southern Africa;
Our church, for the Spirit to continue to guide us and fill us with energy for mission and love for all our neighbors!
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
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Report on wildfire damage to our sister church families from our regional office in Napa, Presbytery of the Redwoods Executive Presbyter Rev. Dr. Conover. We are in close touch about how we can be of service and more info will be coming to us in the next few days.
St. Andrew, Sonoma: 1 home lost. The most recent first-hand report I have is that there is now a mandatory evacuation in the Agua Caliente and Boyes Hot Springs area, so things are continuing to develop in Sonoma area.
Knox, Santa Rosa: No homes lost that we know of, the pastor, Emily Stockert, has evacuated her home
Calistoga: No homes lost that we know of. The pastor, David Moon-Wainwright, took care of transporting church members to safe homes/evacuation sites at 4:00 a.m. David and Natalie were at an evacuation center shortly thereafter and have now gone to Merced to stay with family.
Roses, Santa Rosa: At least ten homes have been lost. The pastor, Cindy Alloway, has evacuated her home.
The Cove, Santa Rosa:
Nine homes have been lost so far, another six or seven are still in danger.
First Santa Rosa:
At least 37 homes have been lost. They anticipate there could be more and are waiting to receive reports.
Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship, Fairfield:
At least 30 families have been evacuated. The road to the church is closed and entry to the church is not permitted. The pastor and church leaders have removed the computers, records, and historical documents.
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First Sunday Peace Practice:
Mindful Breathing
Second Sunday Peace Practice:
Relationship Repair
Third Sunday Peace Practice:
"Louisville
Wallets"
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Worship is Our Sacred Gathering
Sunday worship is sacred time, a co-created safe and supportive space for the beloved community to gather and worship and pray together, so that all can be spiritually nurtured and renewed. It is not a time for discussion of church finances.
Questions and feedback about church business may be brought to the Session as a whole by emailing the Clerk, or to any of the elders, your elected representatives, individually:
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We celebrate Baptism and Welcome New Members Sunday, Oct. 22 and 29 during the service
We'll be celebrating baptism and welcoming new members on the last two Sundays of October! The New Member packets are on Bev's desk; just let Bev know if you have any questions, and which day you would like to meet with Session by clicking on
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Calling All Middle School and High School Students:
Welcome back Charles on Sunday, October 15!
We are thrilled to announce the return of Charles Wei to the SHPC community. Charles will be collaborating with the youth to build a new engaging way to do church for middle schoolers and for high schoolers, while expanding our faith community beyond our campus! This will all start in the pews beginning
Oct 15
! Please join Charles on the 15th for church and then chat ...this is only the beginning, and just like a great raffle, must be present to win!
Charles was born in Southern California, where he has lived for most of his life. He earned his M.Div., with a concentration in Christian Spirituality, from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and is currently working towards ordination in the United Church of Christ. He is a writer, an artist, and a game designer. He loves to cook, and has an unending passion for stories. Charles will be co-creating our youth groups with YOUTH INPUT, and one possibility for a field trip this month is:
For 28 years, Bioneers has been the leading summit calling for a revolution from the heart of nature. This year's conference is OCT 20-22, 2017 in San Rafael.
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| Pepper Jam |
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The Cook's Cozy Corner
Michael's Banana Bread
Sometimes a simple, quick-and-easy banana bread really hits the spot, especially when your family seems to have lost their appetite for the pile of bananas you bought last week. If you have about 5 of them left over, getting really soft, you're set.
- 1/2 cup canola (or other neutral) oil
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 ⅓ cups (about 5) very ripe bananas
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- dashes of cinnamon, cloves and ginger
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Put the sugar and oil in a mixer and mix until thoroughly creamy. Beat in the eggs until well mixed. Mix the dry ingredients together and add to the wet ingredients in two or three stages, just mixing enough to thoroughly incorporate. Add the nuts and mix gently to combine. Bake in an oiled loaf pan (I use a parchment paper lining to make it easier to get out) for 30 min at 375 and thirty more at 350. The goal of this cake/bread is to be pretty banana-y with only a minor spice component.
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Do you have gently used Halloween costumes that need a new home?
Kira Swaim from Children 4 Change is collecting gently used Halloween costumes for children in need. If you have some you would like to donate, please put them in the box that is located in Bev's office.
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SEASON OF PEACE HONORED GUEST: Sunday October 22, we are delighted to welcome SFTS professor of Old Testament,
Rev. Yolanda M. Norton to the pulpit.
Rev Norton is a Ph.D. candidate in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel and Theology and Practice Fellow at Vanderbilt University. Her current research interests include womanist interpretation, narrative and literary criticism, and the Persian period. In particular, her work focuses on the books of Genesis and Ruth, and how each text treats foreign women, and considers the ways in which insider-outsider paradigms in Scripture influence constructions of identity and facilitate the vilification and/or oppression of women of color who encounter the biblical canon in the modern world.
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Peacemaking Opportunity!
Repair Our Social Fabric
Rebuild Community
Elevate the Discussion
Sunday, October 22 -
Let's Talk at 10:45 a.m.
How do we reclaim our standards of decency and respect, and build up rather than tear down?
"I pledge to discuss challenging community issues with thoughtfulness, to treat people whose opinions differ from mine with respect, and to focus on ideas, policies and solutions. I will encourage others to do the same. I will speak up and publicly object when I hear name-calling, stereotypes, disparaging comments and slurs. I will do this because our community's health and social well-being is important to me and I know that we cannot effectively deal with challenging problems without these commitments."
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Our Annual Stewardship Campaign Kicks Off this Sunday, October 15!
Stewardship Sunday and Harvest Feast will be
Sunday, November 5
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Food 4 Good,
SHPC's Youth R.E.S.T. Cooking Program will start Sunday, November 5th. W
e will also plant our winter garden from 3-4pm. We will then be cooking from 4-6pm.
Can't make it to the first one? Come join us next month. We meet the first Sunday of every month from 4-6pm.
Hope your kids can join us! Please sign up online here.
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Save the dates!
The REST season kicks off in November.
Men's REST Monday, Nov 6th
Women's REST Tuesday, Nov 14th
Sign ups will soon be available.
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JOIN US FOR COMMUNITY YOGA
Tuesday 5:30-6:30pm
Community Yoga @ Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian
Upstairs at 100 Tarry Rd
$10 donation, we have mats if you don't.
This is a gentle evening class where we are macing through the basics of yoga whilst building strength and flexibility in a supportive community.
Karen
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Financial Resiliency -
Criteria for a Sustainable Resilient Church
and the Way Forward from the Session
Dear Members and Friends of Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church,
Session is planning a mid-November
Let's Talk
where Session will again outline the Sustainability Criteria (below) and the Session's best option for church finances going forward, as presented in the congregational letter and Let's Talk in August, and the Financial Resiliency Alternate Group (FRAG) will present their option(s). After the
Let's Talk
, a survey of preferences will be conducted to help to guide Session on the path forward. That will conclude the financial resiliency discussions for this year. In January, at budget time, and before the 110 Tarry lease runs out, the current Session will discern whether a strong consensus exists in favor of selling the church property at 110 Tarry, and if so, will call a congregational meeting for a vote on the sale of 110 Tarry.
Here are The Sustainability Criteria:
(1)
pastor housing option which is affordable to the church and a future pastor (note that the cost of removing the large fallen tree at 110 Tarry in August exceeded the maintenance budget for 2017 and the rental increase, so that
110 Tarry will finish the year "in the red," taking from the church operating budget rather than contributing);
(2)
reduce our debt (as a tax-exempt organization we get no tax benefits from debt; debt is our third largest expense; dollars which go into paying the 110 Tarry mortgages add to illiquid equity instead of living ministry;
SHPC is the 4th most indebted church of the 48 churches in our regional body);
(3)
establish a capital improvement/maintenance fund to meet the significant needs of the church facility, so that we invest in our church;
(4) i
ncrease the operating budget without putting additional stress on our pledgers, so that unmet staffing, facilities, and program needs can be met (unmet needs, aka "the structural deficit") and the church can continue to grow and flourish;
(5)
direct precious volunteer energy and hours into God's work.
In peace,
THE SESSION OF SHPC
Dennis Latta, Clerk, Doug Eisinger, Finance Elder, Jody Brockett, Worship Elder, Patti Vance, Mission Elder, Janel Stewart, Family Ministries Elder, Ahmed Abu-Aly, Building and Grounds Elder, Merle Ongaro, Membership Elder, Kit Argilla, Board of Deacons, Moderator, Rev. Bev Brewster, Pastor
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Our Presbyterian General Assembly 2016 directed our mission to focus on 7 mandates. Last week's newsletter highlighted refugee resettlement and this week we look at food justice and poverty
Presbyterian Hunger Program meets with participating countries on poverty, hunger issues
LOUISVILLE - For more than 17 years, the
Presbyterian Hunger Program(PHP), through its Joining Hands initiative, has been tackling the root causes of hunger and poverty. PHP staff recently gathered with representatives from several countries to look at the progress and where to go from here.
"Every four years, we have had a consultation with participating partners to see how the work is going and meet with churches to ensure they understand why we are still dealing with these problems," said Valéry Nodem, the PHP's international associate. "In the past, we've met in the states of Washington, California and Illinois. This year, we held a smaller consultation outside the U.S. for the first time, gathering in Peru."
Nodem said the weeklong session of sharing, reflecting and planning was an important next step in helping member countries address some of the root causes.
"We brought partners from all of the involved countries that are doing this work together, sharing approaches, tactics and trying to determine how to move forward," Nodem said. "It was a very exciting time."
The Joining Hands initiative was launched by PHP in 2000 to address the systemic and root causes of poverty. Currently, there are eight participating networks in eight countries: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Haiti and India. All of the partner networks in these countries address long-term poverty by working to improve policies and corporate practices at the local, national and international levels.
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Nodem recommended a four-step process for the participating countries to keep moving forward. The first step, he said, is to continue to meet with other countries and share approaches, tactics and strategies.
"The second step is to make new connections while remaining connected with the church. There are many groups in the U.S. and Europe doing the same kind of work and there needs to be global synergy around this," Nodem said. "Third, diversify the sources of funding, and the fourth step is to share the stories of impact so that people are aware of what's going on."
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Support Anti-Trafficking Legislation
Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked in countries around the world, including the United States. It is estimated that human trafficking is one of the most profitable forms of transnational crime in our modern world. Recent reports indicate that there are more than 21 million people who are victims of forced labor, 19 million victims exploited by private individuals and enterprises, and that this illicit industry generates $150 billion profits in the U.S. alone.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, provides the tools to combat trafficking in persons both worldwide and domestically. The Act authorized the establishment of the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to assist in the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts. The most recent reauthorization of TVPA passed in 2013 as an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act. It expired in September.
In late September, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed the Trafficking Victims Protection (TVPA) Reauthorization Act of 2017 (S.1862), which focuses on strengthening the most recent TVPA and improve U.S. global leadership in international efforts to combat human trafficking. It authorizes critical U.S. programs to combat trafficking internationally for the next six years. It is awaiting passage in the Senate.
Four other pieces of legislation have also been introduced in the House and Senate that would update and reauthorize provisions from the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. These four additional bills focus mainly on creating domestic infrastructure to combat human trafficking.
"Both the House and Senate versions of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017 (S. 1311/ H.R. 2803) include a critical provision to establish Human Trafficking Justice Coordinators in all U.S. Attorney's offices across the country. Currently, many prosecutors don't have the time and resources to tackle the growing number of trafficking cases. Perpetrators, therefore, face very little risk of being caught or convicted. A designated prosecutor would build a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement and victim service providers to effectively investigate and prosecute complex trafficking cases.
The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017 (H.R. 2200) enacts a similar provision and calls for increased transparency into enforcement of the Tariff Act ban on imports made with forced labor. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017 (S.1312), introduced by Senators Grassley and Feinstein in June, reauthorizes critical anti-trafficking programs at the Departments of Justice and Labor." (From Human Rights First https://www.humanrightsfirst.org)
Please contact your members of congress and urge them to pass the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S 1812) as well as the additional bills to help strengthen the efforts to fight human trafficking!
Click here to contact your members of congress today!
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WE ALL LOVE FELLOWSHIP--
PLEASE SIGN UP TO HELP OUT
NEW FOLKS - We will match you with a veteran so that you can be trained on our highly complex coffeemaker and have FUN!
Fellowship time is organized by your Deacons. We need everyone to sign-up about 3-4 times a year.
Click below to sign up:
Sign up now and keep the hospitality
going!
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Don't be shy, Greeting is a Treat!
We've updated the signups for the new year!
Help with our ministry of hospitality by signing up to be a greeter! All you have to do is get to church by 9:15, light the candles, and hand out bulletins with a smile. Thank you to all who have signed up so far!
Thank you all for your continued support,
Jody Brockett,
Worship Elder
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Improv Marin brings people together through spontaneity. We produce improv workshops, performances and events to educate, entertain and inspire the people of Marin (and beyond) to work and play better together.
Throughout the month of October, Improv Marin will be putting on shows in the
West End Studio Theatre in San Rafael on Saturdays at 8pm.
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Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of men and women who help each other to maintain sobriety through sharing their recovery experience with others.
Looking for more information? Check out the
San Francisco/Marin AA website for more information including meeting times and places, including
a weekly men's meeting at Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church every Tuesday at 8:30pm
24-hour hotline is also available for immediate listening and guidance if wished -
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6pm-10am in Marin
415-499-0400
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10am-6pm - SF Central Office
(415) 674-1821
(they will refer Marin callers to Marin resources)
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
100 Tarry Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Katie Brendler,
Editor
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