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March 17-24, 2019
Volume, 363
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Living in Paradox
Sometimes it seems to me that the great gift of being religious in this day and age is the ability to be comfortable with a certain degree of paradox. Paradox comes from a Greek word meaning "contrary to expectation" or "incredible."
We live in paradox when we hear old stories like the Transfiguration and the Resurrection, after a week of listening to NPR and reading the newspaper. But we also live in paradox when we suffer losses we never could have imagined, and still have to wake up and find our joy in this life. Paradox is true to our experience of being alive.
Jesus spoke in parables to his followers, as a way of expressing the power of metaphor and paradox. For me, the art of poetry is another way to experience the paradox that's a characteristic of living in God.
Join us in the Fireside Room at 11:30 after worship on Sunday, as we read and discuss a few short poems that speak to our journey during this Lenten season. We'll be out of there by 12:15 and on our way for lunch, I promise!
And, to follow up on my article last week, do reach out to let me know when a good time for an individual coffee or a visit might be.
I hope you've enjoyed these longer evenings and glimpses of spring! Little Zoe, by the way, is still adjusting to the time change...
Peace,
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Less Plastic for Lent
Anita Baker teaches in a school that over the past year has moved to ZERO WASTE in school lunches, including those prepared by an outside vendor. The students are being encouraged to help their families on this journey. One of the staff members found this calendar online "
Less Plastic for Lent!" and it was sent home to each family. Anita and Russ are using it and hope you also consider making it permanent.
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Anita Baker
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Update from Dorothy Streutker
On Monday, March 11, I received my last chemo treatment. Once again, I am experiencing very few side effects. The next step is surgery, for which I had an MRI on Tuesday. On March 26, I will be having an outpatient surgery to remove the remainder of the tumors after they've been shrunk by the chemotherapy.
My broken leg is healing, albeit slowly. I've lost a lot of strength in both legs, so exercise is important. I can now make it carefully up and down the six stairs outside our house, and can shuffle my way to the end of our block (the short end) with my walker. Little by little ....
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers as this long process continues.
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Sunday March 17 @ 11:30 AM
Poems for the Season of Lent
Join us after coffee hour as we read a few compelling poems that relate to this season of renewal. Hear a little more about how writing and ministry relate for Rev. Nate. No poetry experience needed!
Monday March 18 @ 10:00 AM
Memoir Group
Monthly Memoir Group led by Ruth Robinson in the Fireside Room. Here's your writing prompt for this month: look through old family pictures and select one that intrigues you. Write about it, setting down anything that comes to mind. Or, just bring a picture and talk to us about your memories.
Friday March 22 @ 4:30 PM
Theology on Tap
Join Pastor Nate at Kensington Circus Pub as we talk about a few pressing theological questions that this season raises. Number one: What is the point of confession? Number two: Why is our culture afraid of mortality?
Monday April 4 @ 6:00 PM
First Thursday Fellowship
Monthly potluck supper, all are welcome. After dinner, Rev. Nate Klug will offer a short presentation on "The Weird Genius of the Puritans." Stick around to learn a little more about some of the spiritual ancestors of Arlington Community Church. Bring a dish to share, and if you wish a beverage, too.
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Holy Week & Easter Sunday
Join us as we listen for God's voice this spring.
Holy Week at ACC
Palm Sunday, April 14, 10 am.
A joyous procession of palms, with ensemble music, as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday, April 18, 7:30 pm.
A service of "Tenebrae" (shadows) and remembrance as we journey towards the cross.
Good Friday, April 19, 12 pm-3 pm.
Sanctuary open for quiet meditation and prayer.
Good Friday Joint Service, April 19 at 7 pm
2345 Channing Way in downtown Berkeley
Together with his wife, Rev. Nate is organizing a special joint Good Friday worship, with seven local UCC churches participating, including us! The service will feature music from local choirs (as well as a moving community choir piece) and brief reflections on the last seven words of Jesus. Carpooling encouraged: let Nate know if you will need a ride or are willing to provide one.
Easter Sunday, April 21.
7:30 am. Easter Sunrise Worship.
8:30 am. Easter Breakfast.
10:00 am. Worship, with special music.
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Lent Discussions with Rev. Nate
Poems for the Season of Lent
. March 17, 11:30 - 12:15, Fireside Room. Join us after coffee hour as we read a few compelling poems that relate to this season of renewal. Hear a little more about how writing and ministry relate for Rev. Nate. No poetry experience needed!
Theology on Tap
. March 22, 4:30-5:30. Kensington Circus Pub. Join Nate as we talk about a few pressing theological questions that this season raises. Number one: What is the point of confession? Number two: Why is our culture afraid of mortality?
Book Group: The Uninhabitable Earth
, April 7, 11:30-12:15, Fireside Room. Joins us after coffee hour as we talk about selections from The Uninhabitable Earth: Life after Warming by David Wallace-Wells (the book that Shanti mentioned in a recent Moment for the Planet). Photocopied selections will be available a few weeks before, so you can read ahead of time if you'd like.
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Messa da Requiem/Guiseppe Verdi
Chorale, Orchestra and Soloists
Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 pm
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Cantare Con Vivo Chorale presents Giuseppe Verdi's Messa da Requiem, certainly one of the most dramatic settings of this historical text. It calls for four soloists, double choir and a very full orchestra that includes 8 trumpets. It is as close as one gets to merging Verdi's romantic operatic style with religious subject matter. Without question, it is one of the pinnacles of human artistic achievement.
I'm really enjoying rehearsing this beautiful music, and the concert will be wonderful. I hope you can join us! Tickets are available online at cantareconvivo.org.
Sara Laferte
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Nate loves to visit folks and to get to know them through all the ups and downs of life. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. In the case of a pastoral emergency, he can be reached at any time on his cell phone at (617) 549-8178. Nate would love to hear how God is moving in your life; please do contact him to set up a visit.
As a ¾ time pastor, Nate will be in the church office on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Mondays and Tuesdays will primarily devoted to his writing and teaching.
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