Standing Rock Camp of Prayer and Ceremony
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Weekly Happenings at SHPC
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January 26, 2017
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Are Christians Foolish or Wise?
In Marin County today, the conventional wisdom is that church has nothing to offer. Church attendance in our county is among the lowest in the nation. And yet on Sunday, we gather at SHPC and experience great energy, purpose, inspiration, love, and joy. Are we foolish or wise? This Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., join Rev. Bentley Stewart for "The Folly of Stumbling," an exploration of 1 Cors. 1:18-25 and God's unconventional wisdom. Our SHPC Singers are reprising an old favorite!
LET'S TALK about Standing Rock - Join Rev. Bentley Stewart after the service to hear about his experience as a trauma chaplain at Standing Rock, N.D. What happened, what does it mean, and where do we go from here?
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A Note From
Pastor Bev
Last Sunday, we explored some of the root causes of teen alcohol/drug abuse, depression and stress with our guest, Drake HS senior Noah Block, and this fraught subject led us into some deep feelings. It is hard to hear that teens feel so much pressure to "socialize," and that "socializing" means getting totally wasted. It is hard to hear that social media makes middle school and high school so stressful, with the terror of cyberbullying. Many of us have been bullied, and many share the experience of going to adults for help and getting no help. We are called to heal and be healers. We are called to help build a better world for our youth. So last week our 10 and unders did some great work on how to identify and manage bullying. This week they'll be focussing on how to get help, and what to do when the first try doesn't work. Please come see me if you want to talk confidentially about your own experiences as a young person or your concerns about your kids.
Our church is a place where we can safely talk about what's really happening, so that we can work together towards solutions, healing, and peace. God is guiding and energizing us, and filling us with compassion and love.
I'll be away for the next 4 days and will miss you! For pastoral care emergencies, please call Rev. Bentley Stewart at 407-489-1258.
In the peace of Christ,
Bev
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January/February Calendar
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Friday, Jan. 27th
Noon
5:00 p.m.
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PASTOR BEV AWAY FOR WEEKEND
For Pastoral Care Emergencies, please call Rev. Bentley Stewart at 407-489-1258
Bible Study with Paul Lambert
Yoga with Karen
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| Sunday, Jan. 29th
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
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Rev Bentley Stewart "The Folly of Stumbling"
Coffee and Fellowship -- All are Welcome!
Let's Talk - about Standing Rock
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Wednesday, Feb. 1st
6:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
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Hand Chimes rehearse
SHPC Singers rehearse
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Friday, Feb. 3rd
Noon
5:00 p.m.
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Bible Study with Pastor Bev
Yoga with Karen
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Sunday, Feb. 5th
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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COMMUNITY BUILDING
Creative, Connecting, Community
Coffee and Fellowship -- All are Welcome!
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Wednesday, Feb. 8th
6:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
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Hand Chimes rehearse
SHPC Singers rehearse
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Friday, Feb. 10th
Noon
5:00 p.m.
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Bible Study with Pastor Bev
Yoga with Karen
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Sunday, Feb. 12
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Annual Meeting of the Congregation following the service to elect officers, review the budget, and approve the Pastor's Terms of Call.
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Church Directory Updates
Has Your Address, Email or Phone Changed? Our SHPC Member & Friends Directory is being updated, and the 2017 edition will be handed out at the congregational meeting on Sunday, Feb. 12. If you have any changes that need to be made to your listing, please
contact the church office by Sunday January 29th.
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Bible Study - Friday, Jan. 27th - Noon
With Paul Lambert
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
The family and loved ones of Betty Swalberg,
who passed away Dec. 30, may God comfort our dear Wil and all Betty's family in their bereavement;
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;
All our young people, especially those for whom addiction, dependence and/or abuse of alcohol and other drugs is destructive, and for their loved ones;
Our Muslim neighbors, subject to Islamophobia and hate crimes;
Those living in the shadows and fearing deportation, and their families, may they find sanctuary;
Our planet, the world's poor, those suffering from tornadoes, all who suffer from disruptive climate change, may we continue our work to keep the planet livable;
The refugees and displaced, almost 1 out of 100 people in the world today, for safety, homes, and the basics of life;
Laurie O'Hara and her family, for God's loving presence and comfort in mourning the loss of her mother, Carolyn;
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;
Paul Lambert's Mom, blessed assurance of God's constant presence;
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 a dark world.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
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In Memoriam
Betty Swalberg
6/10/1928 - 12/30/2016
Please Join the Family at a
Celebration of her Life
and Service of Witness to the Resurrection
SHPC - Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.
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YOGA
FRIDAYS JANUARY 27 :
5 - 6PM
Join us for yoga this January, ours is a community class, a place of welcome for all skill levels and experience. Bring an open heart and come as you are, everyone is welcome.
We are practicing upstairs in the sanctuary during these chillier months, walk up the stairs to your left after you enter the building.
Come early if it is your first time or you are new to yoga or would like to discuss an injury you need to work around.
This is a donation based class. Suggested donation $5-$10.We have extra mats if you don't have one.
See you on Fridays, Karen x
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Thank You to all Who Pledged!
Thank you to 55 pledgers for pledging $138,213 to the life of church in 2017!
With gratitude,
Doug, Finance Elder and Stewardship Chair
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Annual Congregational Meeting
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held immediately following the service on Feb 12th, 2017. The Annual Budget will be reviewed, outgoing officers will be thanked, the Nominating Committee's slate of officers will be voted upon, and the congregation will vote on the Pastor's Terms of Call (compensation).
--Dennis Latta, Clerk of Session
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Another great Westminster Woods Women's Retreat Weekend!
Left to Right: Rhonda, Nancy, Amy, Lori, Jackie, Diane, Sue, Ellen, Jody, and Liz
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This past Sunday, we welcomed a visit from Rev Garry Schmidt and wife Lynne who are long time friends of SHPC. Great to see them both.
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Volunteer Now - to Help the Kids at Short School
The adorable kids at the Short School in San Rafael are a community at risk - both because they are mostly living in poverty, and because they come from a community where fear of deportation runs high. NOW IS THE TIME TO HELP!
Our own Jody Brockett is now coordinating the After School Enrichment on Wednesdays, and she needs:
Cooking help - Wed. 2:15-3:15
Gardening help - Wed. 4:00 - 5:00
(please a few gardeners)
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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:
SHPC
will continue to organize Middle and High School students to contribute to REST -- this year youth will prepare soup and bread for our REST guests. For more info, contact Jennifer Gauna at [email protected]
If you have questions, please contact Shannon Mong at
[email protected]
(phone is 415-279-2402).
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
[email protected]
(phone is 415-279-2402).
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Do you have any blank and/or occasion cards you would like to donate to the card ministry?
Linda has blessed so many throughout our church family with her card ministry. A big thank you to Linda for all the time spent and love shared. If you have any cards you would like to donate to her ministry, please leave them in the church office for her.
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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!
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
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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Suffering While Watching Today's Villains and Victims
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The events surrounding us today are causing suffering among many. When we suffer we are impaired.
Suffering arrives in many forms and its consequences are substantial -- we loose our edge, minimize our confidence, and thwart our drive and ambition. "When suffering knocks at your door and you say there's no seat for you, it tells you not to worry because it's brought its own stool."
No one escapes the snarls and snags of suffering.
Someone near you is suffering. It may be a family member, a relative, a good friend or a co-worker. It may be that they are feeling unconnected or unheard, experiencing an emptiness inside or suffering extreme financial pressure. It's obvious that many in America have been marginalized and are now suffering. I say let's be more aware of those suffering. Let's be more active in comforting them, befriending them, and working to address their problems.
I believe "suffering" is at the heart of today's political friction and discord, because, at the heart of our "value system" is a desire to care for for those who are less fortunate, oppressed, and shamed by unintended circumstances. There is a raging fight between the villains and victims in our society, today. Both political parties have decided it's time to apply a wrecking ball to what's going on.
The Psalmist has said "My soul is filled with troubles ... I am like a warrior without strength ... I feel caged in, I cannot escape " (Psalm 88). Sound relevant?
We all have to recover from suffering. And through recovery comes discovery. Take a moment and examine your situation. Have you thought that you may be suffering (and experiencing what you are experiencing) because you are to use these circumstances to discover something? Being able to discover things through this time of suffering may be important to implementing God's plan for you. Your discovery may determine your destiny.
Two great verses for us to keep in mind at time like these are : "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11) and, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Phil 1:6). Thank goodness God plans to use us even with our imperfections. Thank goodness God uses ordinary people, and always has. Onward!
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Paul Lambert is a member of SHPC who travels extensively for his career as a producer of Broadway-bound musicals. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute who studies the Bible daily and attends our Bible Study whenever he's in town. He posts this blog each week no matter where he is, to the delight and comfort of many. SHPC thanks you, Paul.
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Our presbytery consists of 48 congregations, 5,922 congregational members, and 151 minister members. Our geographical boundaries stretch along the northern California coast from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, including the counties of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Lake, Mendocino, and Humboldt. We are a partnership of Christ's disciples with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. In the midst of our diversity and differences, we respect and support one another as we carry out our individual ministries and our common mission as a presbytery.
To find out more about what's going on in the presbyte
ry,
click here.
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 Oppose the DAPL Fast Track, Support the Standing Rock Sioux
Tens of thousands of us have stood with the Great Sioux Nation against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). In December, President Obama
declared that a full Environmental Impact Statement is required to test the safety of a pipeline that crosses the biggest river on our continent. Now, President Trump has reversed that decision and signed a memorandum ordering the Secretary of the Army to expedite approval of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Our indigenous neighbors have asked people of faith to speak on behalf of native sovereignty and care for God's creation and
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Tell Department of the Interior to support the full environmental review currently underway for DAPL because your faith calls you to protect Creation, care for future generations, and justice for Indigenous peoples: 202-208-3100 or submit a comment at:
www.doi.gpv
·Submit an electronic comment to the White House (White House comment line is down)
www.whitehouse.gov or FAX:202-456-2461
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Call your senators at the United State Capitol switchboard and ask to leave a message for your senators: 202-224-3121
Building on a long history of General Assembly policy related to the environment, the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved an action empowering the Presbyterian Mission Agency to witness against environmental degradation and to affirm public policy that supports good stewardship of natural resources." Among the environmental concerns identified were threats from "all modes of fossil fuel extraction, processing, transport, and storage."
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson III, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in conjunction with the Rev. Irvin Porter, associate in the Office of Native American Intercultural Congregational Support, issued a statement in support of the Standing Rock Sioux on August 29, 2016.
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From Our former Office Manager Sophia De Quattro:
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
100 Tarry Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Katie Brendler,
Editor
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