Fearless Love in a Sea of Need
Italian Coast Guard Rescues Asylum Seekers from Africa
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Weekly Happenings at SHPC
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March 16
, 2017
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Third Sunday in Lent
Fearless Love
Have you ever felt your tears welling up, and felt afraid of expressing your feelings of sadness? Have you ever turned away from a relationship, afraid that someone might be too needy? Do you ever feel that the world is a sea of need that could drown you, so you must shut your heart to be happy? Imagine your life without fear.
This Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., we'll continue to explore Fearless Love, our theme for the six Sundays of Lent. We'll encounter Jesus in a story of courageous compassion and boundless love from Mark 6:30-44, and renew our connection to the Source of Love and Life. See you Sunday!
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A Note From
Pastor Bev
I've been a Presbyterian since I was a child, and I love the Presbyterian church and the Presbyterian way of doing church. We're known for the way we make decisions by listening to each other, guided by the Holy Spirit. For the ordinary business of the church, your elected elders sit with the Pastor on the Session, the decision-making council of the church. In our system, the Pastor is not the decider. The Session as a whole, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, decides for the church. For
major decisions such as calling a pastor or buying, mortgaging, or selling real property, a meeting of the whole congregation is formally called, with notice of exactly what is going to be voted on, and members vote.
The Session has been taking a good look at the church's financial organization and resiliency, and will be bringing education and opportunity for discussion about finance and facilities to the whole church starting with a workshop on Saturday, May 6. This is a workshop, NOT a congregational meeting for decision-making.
The idea is to bring the best information to the church as a whole, and let the Holy Spirit speak to and through us so that we can begin to discern together God's way for the church. There will be more opportunities for education and discussion after that, but please save that date if you can for a good start.
I am privileged to serve on the ethics and policy team (ACSWP) of our denomination, and will be representing that team next week at the national Board meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico! The Board usually meets in Louisville, KY, so I lucked out!
Dear friend of the church, Rev. Bentley Stewart, will be providing pastoral care while I'm away from 3/20-3/29, and you can contact him for pastoral emergencies at 407-489-1258.
I will miss you, but I promise to bring back some very interesting stories!
With Lenten blessings,
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Friday, Mar. 17th
NOON
5:00 p.m.
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Bible Study at the church
Healing Yoga with Karen |
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Sunday, Mar. 19th
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
FEARLESS LOVE - Fearless Church
Coffee and Fellowship -- All Welcome!
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Mar. 20th through Mar 29th
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Bev will be out of town for a Presbyterian Mission Agency Board meeting.
Rev Bentley Stewart will be available on call for pastoral emergencies
cell: 407-489-1258 |
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Wednesday, Mar. 22nd
7:30 p.m.
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SHPC Singers rehearse - all are welcome |
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Friday, Mar. 24th
NOON
5:00 p.m.
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NO Bible Study - Bev's away
Healing Yoga with Karen
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Sunday, Mar. 26th
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Rev Scott Clark, SFTS Chaplain
Coffee and Fellowship -- All Welcome!
YOUTH SUNDAY! |
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An invitation from friend of our church
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All Church Family Picnic
April 30
Save the Date
Redwood Grove at
Samuel P Taylor State Park
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Bible Study Friday, March 17 at Noon
Mark 6:30-44
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Ongaro Family, mourning the loss of Phyllis Ongaro, for God's presence and comfort in their bereavement;
Wil Swalberg, for a speedy recovery for a sprained wrist and for God's comfort in his bereavement;
Paul Lambert, for God's comfort as he grieves the loss of his beloved Mother;
Those living in the shadows and fearing deportation, for safety, security for their families and children, a path to citizenship, and sanctuary;
The victims of hate crimes, in Kansas and nationwide, and their loved ones, comfort in their sorrow, and safety and healing for the survivors;
Our country, for a way forward where we live our values of justice and equality for all people; for a well-informed citizenry; for government of, by, and for the people, with leaders of integrity, and for an end to hate crimes;
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;
Kelsey Lopin, for healing and full recovery from complications of Lyme disease, and for God's abiding presence, comfort, and love;
Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for complete healing, and for Nancy for continued strength in companioning her;
The PC(USA), as it strives to speak up effectively for justice for all people, especially the vulnerable and marginalized;
Dr. Doug Tilton, our PC(USA) mission co-worker in Southern Africa;
Our church community, renew us and grant us fortitude to continue to bring light to the darkness in this world.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
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YOGA THIS
FRIDAY
March 17 & 24 at 5 p.m.!
Join us for our Friday flow,
TOMORROW FRIDAY MARCH 17, 5-6pm
upstairs at Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian.
With our days warming and spring on her way, the time couldn't be better wake up the parts of us that may have been hibernating these past few months!
We will move our bodies mindfully,
winding down our week while lighting up our spirits.
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Fearless Love - Lenten Series
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Floral art by Flower Guild for Betty Swalberg's Celebration of Life
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FEARLESS LOVE
with quiet time,
space for pondering,
reflection,
prayer,
meditative music,
love songs.
What are you afraid of?
How much power does fear have over you?
Is fear sapping your energy?
Would you love more if you feared less?
How can we grow into fearless love?
Imagine a life without fear. . .
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A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God's love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed. Take a fish bank home and fill it with your change and bring it back to church on Palm Sunday.
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Thank to all who helped out at Garden Work Day
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A big thank you to Wil,
Ahmed, and LMP Dads Michael and Robert for re-striping the parking lot!
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Thanks to all who Walked to End Hunger at this year's
20th Annual Marin Crop Walk!
Thanks to all who walked and all who contributed! Sleepy Hollow raised $1,000 to end hunger!
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An Invitation to the Congregation from Sasha de Frondeville:
My Senior Recital is
Sunday, March 19th at 3 p.m. in the Little Theater at Drake High School.
I would love it if you guys came out.
This is kind of the culmination of my high school music career, and I would love it if you could come see it.
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Mexico Mission Next Meeting - March 26 11:30
Thanks to all who are ready to go on the Mexico Mission! The next meeting will be at the church on March 26th 11:30-12:30.
Please bring the rest of your forms as well as your deposit of $150
Want to help but can't come on the trip? Consider becoming a mission co-worker through donations of your thought/prayers and or monetarily. You can
donate online or if you prefer by checks. If you are donating to a specific person, please note their name in the comment section of the donation page or memo line of the check.
Need a copy of the forms or other information?
Please contact us if you have any questions. We are looking forward to a GREAT mission trip!
Mark Sarkisian Katie
Brendler
Cell
Ph
: 415-812-3395
Office
Ph
:
415-453-8221
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REST UPDATE
On Tuesday SHPC coordinated a delicious evening meal for unhoused women in our community. 15 women attended, along with 9 adult and youth volunteers from Children for a Change. The youth volunteers gathered and distributed useful Health kits for the guests -- including feminine hygiene products, cough drops, sewing kits, nail clippers, tweezers and more! Their parents prepared and served a lovely meal,
including a vegetable au gratin dish lovingly prepared by the SHPC youth from vegetables and herbs harvested from the justice garden. Thank you, all!
There are two remaining events for this REST season - on 4/3 (men) and 4/11 (women). To sign up please go to:
http://bit.ly/RESTprogram
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Report from Clerk of Session -
Wed. Mar. 15 Meeting
Your Session met Wed. Mar. 15 from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Devotional from a sermon by Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1933.
Clerk and Chair of Personnel - Dennis: Transfer of membership for John and Patty Sanders to Knox Presbyterian, Santa Rosa, regretfully approved with appreciation and affection for the Sanders. Staffing needs for Bev's time away discussed.
Finance - Doug: Review of monthly reports, report on 3 meetings of Finance team comprised of current and 4 former Finance elders, approval of Workshop about Finance, Facilities, Financial Resiliency Sat. May 6.
Finance/Green - Doug: Approval of $3,600 to Solar Panels, effectively a 3 year pre-payment on electric bill so as to realize 20-25 years of savings.
Building and Grounds - Ahmed: update on parking lot, sign, faucet sensors, etc.
LMP Lease Renewal - Dennis, Merle, and Ahmed will meet with LMP.
Family Ministries - Janel: Youth Garden to REST chefs are doing great! Need volunteers for Easter Egg Hunt 4/16.
Mission - Patti: MM had a big turnout for BBQ, Katie is serving as MM admin, Justice Garden off to a terrific start welcoming new gardeners, REST is nearing end of season, still seeking Shannon's successor, Marin Youth Climate Change Summit update with great news about $5,000 Marin Community Foundation support, Robin led us in CROP walk for hunger with $1,000!
Membership - Merle: Picnic reserved for 4/30 and WW retreat possibility, membership ladies' tea planned for May.
Worship - Jody: attendance has been excellent, Lenten art installed, music has been terrific.
Deacons - Kit: Parishes have been re-shuffled - see the bulletin board across from Photo Board. Peg is on board. Cinco de Mayo Feast will be 5/7.
Moderator - Bev: Invitation from Mubarack Muthalif to 3/25 event and to mosque on a Friday to be arranged for worship and dinner.
Meeting adjourned with prayer.
--- Clerk, Dennis Latta
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REST Program Needs You
We will continue to host meals through April. To
read more information about REST and to sign-up online, please click on this link:
If your youth want to get involved, join us once a month for Food 4 Good - Sleepy Hollow's Youth Cooking Program.
In advance - thanks for your support of this year's REST evenings!
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Interested in being our REST Coordinator?
Our wonderful REST Coordinator Shannon is looking to pass the baton onto the next person. If you are interested in taking up coordination of this important ministry,
please contact Shannon Mong at
shannon@In-SightAssociates.com
(phone is 415-279-2402).
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Wil LOVES an invite for lunch or dinner!
Thank you and bless you to all who have reached out to invite him over for a meal. You are lighting up his life!
Sunday our dear Wil, took a small fall during the Marin Hunger/CROP Walk. Determined to finish the 3 mile walk, even after the fall (refusing our request to drive him the rest of the way), Will ended up at the hospital with a lot of pain in his right hand. Except for a bad right hand sprain and a scraped left hand, he is fine.
However, he can't really cook and shouldn't drive probably for at least a week. Therefore, if anyone can make and bring him some meals this week, it would be of great help to Wil.
Click here to sign up to bring him a meal.
And we thank him for his faithful and continuing FOOD BARREL MINISTRY.
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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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Are you missing something?
Possibly a pair of glasses? The bottom right pair of glasses was found this past week in the compost bin, but we have a collection of other glasses as well. If you're missing any of these items, they will now reside on the Lost and Found shelf in the upstairs admin office.
Your stuff misses you; bring it home soon!
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5th Annual Conference:
Faith, Farms & Food Access
Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2016
Registration begins at 1:00 pm
Conference program is from 1:30 - 7:30 pm
Cost: $45 through March 10th, $55 afterwards
Scholarships available -- no one will be turned away due to lack of funds!
3 or more people from the same congregation will get $15 off each ticket!
Contact us today to learn more about scholarships and group discounts.
Location: First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
2407 Dana Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
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TOWN HALL ON HOMELESSNESS
Carolyn Goodman shares this with the congregation - from our State Senator on an issue dear to SHPC:
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this finds you well!
We're reaching out to you today to talk about a new initiative to fight homelessness in Northern California.
Homelessness, especially the lack of resources for housing and services, is at a crisis point across California - and our North Bay communities have been struggling to meet the need with limited resources and support.
While there is still an incredible amount of work to be done, we have made great strides by securing $2 billion statewide that will be invested in permanent homeless housing, and tens of millions of dollars will flow into Marin County and all throughout Northern California in the years to come.
That's why we're reaching out to you today. Please join us for a Town Hall on Homeless Housing and Services on March 23. You'll hear from leading experts from state and federal agencies along with nonprofit and community leaders about how our communities can rally to address this growing challenge and how communities can secure funding - from the $2 billion - that will become available starting this year.
Date: Thursday, March 23
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: City of San Rafael Council Chambers
1400 5th Avenue in San Rafael
RSVP: Karlene Rebich or (707) 576-2771
Save Room!
Snacks and refreshments will be available
Warm regards,
State Senator Mike McGuire
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Fresh back from their border trip to the Douglas, AZ/Agua Prieta, Mexico border crossing, League members Barbara Rowe, Linda Jackson and Veda Florez will share their experience at the April membership meeting. Immigration has been a hot topic for the League's Justice Committee for a year now, and will continue to be so as we learn more about national immigration issues going forward. You won't want to miss this one.
Marin League of Women Voters on Monday April 3, 11:30-1:30
4340 Redwood Hwy, San Rafael
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What is God calling us to do about deportations and immigrant detention?
Let's start with study and prayer.
Watch for upcoming Let's Talks!
Our own Dennis Latta has become part of a team visiting immigrants in detention in Richmond. Contact
Bev if you are interested in joining this team.
Communities of faith throughout CA are connecting to share info, pool resources, and work together effectively. Here's a link from that group which is a good starting place:
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What a blast to have a surprise visit from ZE faculty member Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr on Fat Sunday!
Join us at ZE!
"The best lakefront experience ever"
"Great classes"
"Awesome bike rides"
"Food was not bad and plentiful"
Guess who said which - Dennis Latta, Michael Durphy, Pastor Bev
Hope to see you there!
To learn more or to register for the event
check out their website:
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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 meetings 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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E-mail us at shpchurch@comcast.net or call us at 415-453-8221
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