Celebrating the Gifts of Women
Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Weekly Happenings at SHPC    
May 11 , 2017
Celebrating the Gifts of Women
She Persisted

     Look around any church, and you will see women giving generously of their time, talent, and love to care for God's beloved community and for God's house.  Women were important during the Biblical period, too, but most of their contributions aren't given much attention in the text, and they are often nameless.  This Sunday, May 14, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., we'll celebrate the gifts of persistent women, past and present.  Let's give thanks for women, who bring love and justice into the world!
In This Issue
Quick Links
Bev piano
A Note From 
Pastor Bev

Mother love is very precious, and we don't all get it from our moms.  That makes Mother's Day tricky for some of us.  On Mother's Day at SHPC, we wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, and remember our own Moms with gratitude where that works, and then we widen our focus to celebrate the gifts of all women, past and present.  It's a great opportunity to remember some of the wonderful women of the Bible whose contributions are reduced to a verse or two, and whose names are never mentioned.  Sunday we'll be exploring "The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge" from Luke 18, which could just as well be titled, "She Persisted."  

This week, while Washington, D.C. is in turmoil, we can take heart from the widow who would not be worn down by injustice.  More than ever, this is a time to pray more and worry less.  We can focus our energy on bringing more love, beauty, kindness, and justice to the world. Thank God we are part of this beloved community! 

With love,
Bev


May Calendar
Friday, May 12th
                   NOON 

Bible Study
Sunday, May 14th  
                   9:30 a.m.
                 10:30 a.m

Celebrating the Gifts of Women
Coffee and Fellowship -- All are welcome!
Wednesday, May 17th
                   7:30 p.m.

SHPC Singers - All Welcome

Thursday, May 18th
                   RESCHEDULED!

No Let's Talk: Church Finance (New Date TBD May 25th or June 1st)
Friday, May 19th
                   NOON 

Bible Study
Sunday, May 21st  
                   9:30 a.m.
                 
                 10:30 a.m
                 10:45 a.m.
Guest Preacher in conversation w/Bev: Rev. Alonzo Johnson, coordinator for PCUSA Self-development of People
Coffee and Fellowship -- All are welcome!
Let's Talk Finance new date TBD; Today is Let's Talk w/ Rev. Alonzo Johnson

Bible Study Friday, May 12 at NOON 
 Luke 8:1-3, Luke 18:1-8, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Please Remember in Your Prayers

Jeri Rayford and her family, grieving the loss of Prentis,  for God's loving presence, strength, and support in their bereavement;
Jody Brockett and her family, grieving the loss of Jody's mother Jeanne, prayers for the family to feel God's comfort and peace;
The Saunders - Burr Family, for God's love and comfort to be with them as they mourn the loss of Sue's beloved father, Ron Saunders;
Kelsey Lopin, for continued flourishing, creativity, and energy as she pursues her education and excels in art;
Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for complete healing, and for Nancy to continue to feel God's abiding presence in companioning her;
Our students, as they prepare for exams, graduation, and next steps;
The hungry, especially all those depending on the US government for food aid here and abroad;
Those fearing loss of medical insurance, for accurate information and honest, humane decision making by our leaders in Congress;
Those living in the shadows and fearing deportation, for safety, security for their families and children, a path to citizenship, and sanctuary;
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;
Praying Hands
The PC(USA), for the way forward to be illuminated, and for our mission and ministries to be salt and light for the world;
Dr. Doug Tilton, our PC(USA) mission co-worker in Southern Africa;
Our church community, for health, respect, open-mindedness, maturity, and Christian love in our financial discussions ahead.

Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
     
What a great day at church this past Sunday with TLC Day, Deacons' Feast, and MM work site preparation day!  
Thanks to all who made the day a success!
 


CINCO DE MAYO 
FIESTA LUNCH was a hit! Thanks to our Deacons and to all who helped make it a success!

Saturday, May 20 3-5 p.m. at Merle's - click here for info
 

  
CHURCH FINANCIAL RESILIENCY EDUCATION, DISCUSSION, AND DISCERNMENT UPDATE:
DATE CHANGES ON BOTH LET'S TALKS

Thank you to all who participated in the Saturday, May 6 Financial resiliency retreat.  We had a healthy and educational discussion.  The Session is working hard to follow up on the questions and issues raised, and will be bringing Let's Talk educational discussions to the congregation, but must reschedule both previously announced dates due to scheduling conflicts.  The first Let's Talk is now tentatively scheduled for either Thursday, May 25, or Thursday, June 1 in the evening at 7:30 p.m.  The Sunday, May 21 Let's Talk now features our very special guest from denominational headquarters, Rev. Alonzo Johnson.  Watch this space for a confirmation of two new dates for the financial resiliency Let's Talks.  
Dennis Latta
Clerk of Session 

 Report from Your Clerk of Session 

On Wed., May 10th, the Session meeting focussed on review of the May 6 retreat and a subsequent consultation with Louise Kothe, E.A., clergy tax expert.   Based on the work of the Manse Study Team, the May 6 retreat, and the consultation with Ms. Kothe, which included a detailed explanation of the calculation of the clergy housing allowance and how it impacts salary for pastors living in a manse, the Session reached a preliminary finding that it is unlikely that 110 Tarry could be affordable housing for pastor and church.  The Session will bring this information to the first Let's Talk Church Financial Resiliency, date TBD either 5/25 or 6/1 at 7:30 p.m.

Finance/Doug - Review of 5/6 retreat, report on consultation with Louise Kothe, E.A., Financial report review, Solar panel next steps, approval of Equal Exchange Sale at Fellowship on 5/28;
Building and Grounds/Ahmed - terrific TLC day, LMP lease renewal is on track and all is in order;
Family Ministries/Janel - Sandra is departing for the summer and we have a new candidate who could take on more hours and program development;
Membership/Merle - picnic was a success, tea is upcoming 5/20;
Mission/Patti - YCCS was a transformative experience for youth leaders and all; Justice Garden and Mexico Mission doing great;
Worship/Jody - attendance is excellent, Easter was beautiful, appreciation for our musicians and Flower Guild;
Moderator/Bev - Officer Training on Healthy Church, Healthy Boundaries.
Adjourned with prayer at 10 p.m.

Dennis Latta
Clerk of Session 
Presbyterian Polity Highlights of the Week

 We sometimes disagree.  Occasionally people on church councils avoid disagreement in order to be "nice" or more "Christian." As far back as 1788, Presbyterians recognized that "there are truths and forms with respect to which men (people) of good character and principles may differ" and that we then need to exercise "mutual forbearance" (F-3.0105). Disagreement is not a bad thing when it is expressed in ways that do not disturb the "peace, unity, and purity of the church" (W-4.4003g).

We are a constitutional church.  
Presbyterians  believe that our life together is best when lived with "a disciplined concern for order ..." (F-2.08). Our constitution is more than a set of rules. Part 1 of the Constitution is the Book of Confessions, consisting of 12 documents whose origins span 1,800 years of church history. Part 2 of the constitution is the Book of Order with four sections describing the way we order our life together. It is important to remember that part 1 is the Book of Confessions, reminding us that the foundation of our polity is what we believe. Our specifications of order grow out of that foundation. Even the Book of Order begins with a three-chapter synopsis of what we believe (called The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity) before it launches into the other three sections: The Form of Government, The Directory for Worship and The Rules of Discipline. These living documents are changed by a specified method as often as every two years.


Mexico Mission Update
Our team had great success fundraising this past weekend at Safeway selling nails that will be used in the houses they build down in Mexico.

Didn't make it to the nail sale?
Please 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.

checks (MM on the memo line): Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church, 100 Tarry Rd, San Anselmo CA 94960
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED IN  YOGA CLASSES. 

We are currently taking a break from our Friday evening time slot and hope to return with a time and format that works better for more of you. 

Stay tuned for other offerings at Sleepy Hollow Pres.

I am currently teaching private lessons, let me know if you are interested. 

With love and light,
Karen

PC(USA) United Nations Office staff 
Help the PC(USA) Keep Corporations Accountable - Take Action!
Tell Your Reps to Support Shareholder Rights!
Congress is considering a bill to roll back Dodd-Frank known as the Financial CHOICE Act 2.0, introduced by House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas). A provision in this draft Bill would virtually eliminate shareholder proposal, which is a document that a shareholder formally submits to a publicly traded company advocating the company take a specific course of action.. The proposed changes to shareholder proposal rule will make it more difficult for the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (through its Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment) to advance the church's social witness advocacy through the filing shareholder resolutions with publicly-traded corporations. 

These changes include:
1. Requiring a 1% ownership (of total market capitalization) of a company over a three-year period in order to be eligible to submit a proposal.
2. Increase the threshold to refile a shareholder proposal in subsequent years to 6% of the vote in year 1 (from 3%); 15% in year 2 (from 6%); and 30% in year 3 (from 10%).
3. Prohibit the submission of proposals on behalf of a shareholder (what the bill refers to as "filing by proxy").

The current shareholder proposal process effectively facilitates communication between shareholders and companies. It allows the PC(USA) and other entities, large and small, an opportunity to communicate directly with corporations and raise issues of concern and draw corporate management's attention to what are often unmanaged risks. The process has successfully led to reforms in the interest of shareholders and provides a means to hold corporation management accountable to shareholders - the company's owners. Changing the rules would make it impossible for PCUSA and the Committee on Mission Responsibility through Investment to engage with large companies and file shareholder resolutions, which do things like ask companies to report on their climate change planning efforts and provide staff training on how to recognize victims of human trafficking.
In 1971, the 183rd General Assembly affirmed that church investment is an instrument of mission and includes theological, social and ethical considerations. Church investors work in pursuit of peace, racial justice, economic and social justice, and in the establishment of environmental responsibility. MRTI is instructed to work toward these goals by seeking aligned investment opportunities; exercising stockholder obligations and raising questions in appropriate forums; and evaluating company policies with respect to these mission areas. This work becomes almost impossible without access to shareholder meetings and company leadership.

Reach out to members of Congress on the House Financial Services Committee  and Senators on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and encourage them to oppose the suggested changes to the shareholder proposal process currently included in Section 844 of the Financial CHOICE Act 2.0. Ask your elected officials to oppose any attacks on the shareholder proposal rule and to support shareholder rights.

Church World Service Ecumenical Advocacy Days
from the Presbyterian News Service
PC(USA) United Nations Office staff 

Hundreds of clergy and lay leaders headed for Capitol Hill this week, urging Congress to reject what they called the President's "sinful and immoral" federal budget proposal. The group is opposed to increased Pentagon spending and used the opportunity to voice their objections.

The group held a prayer vigil and news conference on the hill on Monday, wrapping up the annual three-day Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathering in Washington, where Christian denominations gathered for wo rship and workshops around important national and world issues. This year's theme was "Confronting Chaos, Forging Community-Challenging Racism, Materialism and Militarism."

The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness, was among those speaking at the vigil. He said Congress should increase funding for programs that support people living in poverty in America and abroad, address systemic racism and exercise responsible care for the earth.

"Budgets can do great good when put to the service of the poor, or they can do great harm," he said. "When implemented with compassion and vision, they can lift millions out of poverty or doom them to a life of despair. They can provide health insurance or make bankrupt, those who do not have it. They can fuel wars or promote peacekeeping and diplomacy."
Learning about sweatshops in the Adams Parlor

The faith leaders also oppose any financial resources going to private prisons or the border wall.

"Some of our leaders worship the false gods of money and power," said Patrick Carolan, executive director of the Franciscan Action Network. "We need to remind them that they will be judged by voters and by God."

After the news conference, seven faith leaders were arrested in an act of civil disobedience including Carolan, the Rev. Traci Blackmon, Bob Cooke, Doug Grace, Elizabeth King, Eli McCarty and Scott Wright. The seven were arrested as they knelt in prayer in the Hart Senate Office Building.

"Christ began the passion week with civil disobedience, which leads with arrest and crucifixion and ends with resurrection," said Blackmon. "We stand in this season, unified in rejection of this budget, committed to be the hands and feet of God, steadfast in our commitment to the least of these."

"In 2017, we have been drawn together at Ecumenical Advocacy Days to challenge racism, militarism and materialism," said Hawkins. "We reflect God's call to love our neighbor through our advocacy for a budget that advances the common good and builds toward the beloved community God intends."
 
Pastor Bev Pays Tribute to President Lincoln 
at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
for Ecumenical Advocacy Days
The pew where the President sat in worship
and the green settee in the Lincoln Parlor where he was counseled by the Pastor (now under a copy of an early version of the Emancipation Proclamation

 
 
Wil would like you to know that this month he will be moving to Alma Via in Terra Linda.  YES, he still plans to come to church! He will have a new phone number and it's a cell phone! At Alma Via, he'll have 3 meals a day, and so now he'll be inviting US to eat with him!   

And we continue to thank him for his faithful and continuing FOOD BARREL MINISTRY, and stewardship of the Cents-ability offering.  What a treasure he is!
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!

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
 

Join us for a screening and introduction to Not in Our Town, a nation-wide movement to stop hate and build safe, inclusive communities for all that thrive on supportive and loving networks of connection.

Building Compassionate Community: a Not in Our Town Marin event

Thursday, May 25, 7:00 pm, JCC Hoytt Theater 

Register for the event here

 



Join us at ZE!


A spectacular setting and the friendliest folks 




Hope to see you there!


To learn more or to register for the event
check out their website:

 
 
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 -
·        6pm-10am in Marin 415-499-0400
·       10am-6pm - SF Central Office (415) 674-1821 (they will refer Marin callers to Marin resources)

Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
100 Tarry Road
San Anselmo, CA  94960
Katie Brendler,  Editor
E-mail us at shpchurch@comcast.net or call us at 415-453-8221