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February 26 - March 5, 2017
Volume, 256
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Faith is a Verb... Musings by Pastor Tony
February 24, 2017
Vitality:
the capacity to live and develop[1].
The United Church of Christ has developed a questionnaire for churches to evaluate their vitality [2] and their capacity to develop and grow. Here are the top 10 questions; how would you rank Arlington Community Church? Ask yourself, "What role do I play in helping this congregation be vital?"
- There is excitement about the future here.
- There is a clear sense of mission here.
- This place has lots of meaningful activities.
- This congregation is always ready to try something new.
- This place incorporates newcomers into the congregation's life.
- This place seeks out and uses the gifts of members of all ages.
- This place helps to build strong, healthy relationships among members.
- This place manages disagreements in a healthy respectful manner.
- This congregation equips members to share their faith with others.
- This place interacts with the local community.
With the New Beginnings [3] conversations last year, we began the work of Revitalization, and we discerned that for us to remain vital beyond our next few decades we need to clarify the vision of our life together as congregation to focus more on life-long spiritual formation as well as mission and service to our community. We divided this work in terms of our values: Making the World a Better Place, Faith (God is in the room), Justice, and Helping (Living Beyond Ourselves). Several people are working on creating a vision, based on those values, for our ministry together; we will be discussing and discerning these as a congregation in the next few months.
I encourage you to think about how we continue to develop the life that is here at Arlington Community Church. How is faith a verb for you? how is Arlington Community Church a verb for you? How are vital?
I look forward to the conversations.
Peace,
Pastor Tony
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Pastor Tony's Sermon
Sunday February 19, 2017
Today is the fourth Sunday that we are working on Jesus' teachings called the Sermon on the Mount. Although the Sermon on the Mount goes on for a few more chapters, we are stopping here as the church calendar calls us onward.
We started with the Beatitudes, blessings for people who are not feeling blessed, and we claimed them to be life preservers for when the storms get rough. Next, we heard Jesus tell us all that we are salt of the earth and light for the world, but that none of us does that alone; we claimed these to be provisions for our faith journey, remembering the community we are journeying with. Then we heard Jesus stretching the law, reminding us that the laws are there to build and strengthen community not divide it. This we claimed as the rope, the tie that binds us. Today we think about loving not just our friends, but also our enemies, which is an anchor to our faith.
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The 2017 ACC Directory is Available!
Copies of the 2017 directory will be made available following morning worship starting this Sunday.
If you are unable to attend church, you can request a copy by emailing our office at [email protected].
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Ash Wednesday
Wednesday March 1st @ 7:00 PM
Join us as we enter into the season of Lent, reminding ourselves of our humanity and placing ourselves before God with this service of placing ashes on our heads or hands.
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ACC & BACH Presents:
Vajra Voices: Voices of Women in Medieval to Modern Song
Friday March 10th @ 7:30 PM
Inspired by the stories and voices of women, Remembered Migrations weaves medieval French chanson and motets with premieres of new works by Shira Kammen, and Theresa Wong. For the medieval trouvére the passion and pain of unrequited love was a virtuous pursuit. Theresa Wong's new work, To Burst, To Bloom: Songs on Poems of 12th Century Taoist Immortal Sun Bu'er are settings of ancient texts on inner alchemy, these songs explore the fluid interplay of abstract vocal utterances with language and meaning. And, Shira Kammen's lush settings of American poems - Cold Wind and Rain, and Sun, Moon, and Stars - align with traditional songs, such as, Jean Ritchie's Now is the Cool of the Day to make for an evening of reflection and intrigue.
Since 2010, the seven women of Vajra Voices, directed by Karen R. Clark, have delighted audiences with their performances of medieval music. In 2016, Vajra Voices provided the vocal inspiration for the Garrett Moulton dance premiere of Divining with the Oakland Ballet; and, again, in the production of Speak, Angels in San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center. KQED wrote, "Vajra Voices' unearthly sounds were thrillingly spun." Vajra Voices & Shira Kammen's recent CD, O Eterne Deus: Music of Hildegard von Bingen (Music & Arts label) is receiving international attention. Choir & Organ (U.K.) writes "the rich, full-blooded ensemble sings with intensity."
Tickets:
$20 General Admission
$15 Seniors
$10 Students (At Door with ID)
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Now is the Time- Health Care for Everybody
Sunday March 12 @ 5:00 PM
Contra Costa County Chapter and the Arlington Community Church - Mission and Social Justice Committee will sponsor a showing of a powerful new documentary, Now Is The Time Healthcare for Everybody on Sunday, March 12, 2017, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the Arlington Community Church - United Church of Christ, 52 Arlington Blvd, Kensington, CA 94707
With the future of the Affordable Care Act in serious doubt, millions may lose their health insurance. Medicare and Medi-Cal are under attack. This documentary explains what single payer healthcare is and how it saves money. It shows what behind-the-scenes heroes are doing to clear the fog of misperceptions that has kept us from moving forward.
The film and a Q & A with the film producer Laurie Simons & Terry Sterrenberg will give audience members a chance to learn more about the national healthcare debate and Our New Legislative Campaign in California for Single Payer Universal Health Care.
Free of charge!
You can see a trailer of the movie at http://www.nowsthetimemovie.com/
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Borders & Identity
Wednesday March 17-18 @ the Pacific School of Religion
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Capital Campaign Donations
Please remember to fill out your pledge card for the Capital Campaign. Brochures and donation receipts will be available after morning worship.
For more information there will be a Spectrum after church Sunday March 5.
- Bill Day & Dudley Thompson
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One Great Hour of Sharing
Sunday March 26, 2017
How is the United Church of Christ's OGHS offering used?
In 2016, the United Church of Christ received over $2.2 million for the OGHS offering. Every dollar was used to help people and communities living in critical situations worldwide. Sixty-three percent went to Health, Education, and Agriculture Ministries; 13% to International Disaster Ministries; 10% to Refugees and Immigration Ministries; 9% to National Disaster Ministries; and 5% to Promotion and Marketing. (From the UCC 2016 Mission Report)
One Great Hour of Sharing will be celebrated by UCC churches on Sunday, March 26. If you wish to make a donation sooner, you are welcome to send a check to the church with "OGHS" in the memo line. Donation envelopes are available at the back of the sanctuary.
Thanks,
Sara Laferte
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It's a Party; It's a Fund-Raiser!
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 4:30 P.M.
A real "Old West" evening for all ages.
The party: At 4:30 p.m., we'll meet our story-teller, Lariat Larry. Lariat Larry dresses as an authentic cowboy of the Old West and combines fancy trick roping with tales of the Wild West that are full of adventure and excitement. Stories include true tales, historical fiction, and tall tales, with plenty of fun audience involvement.
After the entertainment, we'll be serving a chuckwagon-style chili dinner (vegetarian and omnivorean options) with cornbread and salad and all the trimmings, and Texas Sheet Cake for dessert.
The fund-raiser: Our church council has offered to pay all the costs of this party.
*** All the ticket money will go to help pay medical expenses for Margaret and Larry Kornfeld. *** You probably already know that Margaret and Larry were both seriously injured in a car accident on their way to church in December. Margaret in particular has injuries that will need a lot of physical and occupational therapy in the coming months.
Please bring the family and invite some friends.
Pre-paid tickets are: $25 for adults; $12 for children under 12. After March 23, they will be $30 for adults; $15 for children. Dinner will include a variety of soft drinks. Beer will be available for sale to adults.
Checks payable to ACC should be sent to: Attn. Sara Laferte, Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Avenue, Kensington 94707. Please write "
fundraiser" or "
chili dinner" in the memo line.
For more information, email the church at [email protected], or call Sara Laferte at (510) 526-8362.
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Need a Ride to Church?
Call Tim at Elite Car Service (510) 926-0121
If Tim is not available, you can call a cab or any of the other ride services. You will have to pay and give a receipt to Randy for reimbursement. You can use these options for a ride to any church activity.
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