Queen Esther:   Called to Step Up and Risk Her Own Life to Save Her People
 
Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Weekly Happenings at SHPC    
July 6, 2017
    Summer Storytelling Series  
When God Calls, Is the Answer Always Yes?

     What if you had just achieved your lifetime dream, and God called you to put everything on the line?

     In the Book of Esther, one of only two books in the Bible named for women, that is the situation Esther finds herself in.  Esther  has finally attained a life of privilege and comfort, when her Uncle Mordecai speaks for God and tells Esther that she, and only she, must risk everything to  save her people. She's sure she'll be killed.  

     What would you do?  What's the biggest risk you've ever taken to save someone from harm?   This Sunday, July 9, at 9:30 a.m., we'll explore stories of heroes and sheroes among us!
In This Issue
Quick Links
Bev piano
A Note From 
Pastor Bev
 
Yesterday I celebrated 6 years as your pastor - what a blessing!  
The wonderful 5 year party tree decorated with your love notes has been on display in 
Michael's and my living room for a whole year! Today, I finally took the tags off the tree and put them in a very special box.    
   
But first, I read all of them again.  Thank you for those kind and loving messages.  
 
It's a great joy to be co-creating this amazing experience of lively church with the Spirit guiding and energizing us every step of the way.
God keeps calling us to bring more of God's love and justice into the world, and we are answering the call, and building a thriving and caring community. Each one of us has been equipped by God to take part in this shared ministry, and to make sure that we are looking out for each other along the way. Everyone counts. If you're missing church, be sure that we are missing you!
 
With love,
Bev


July Calendar
Friday, July 7
                  NOON
 
Bible Study
Sunday, July 9
                 9:30 a.m.
                 10:30 a.m.

Birthday Blessing, Storytelling continues 
Coffee and Fellowship - All Welcome
Wednesday, July 12
                  7:30 p.m.

 
SHPC Singers- All Welcome
Friday, July 14 
                 NOON

Bible Study
Sunday, July 16
                 9:30 a.m.
                 10:30 a.m.

Storytelling continues - Centsability 
Coffee and Fellowship - All Welcome
Wednesday, July 19
                  6:30 p.m.
                  7:30 p.m. 

Session meets at the church
SHPC Singers- All Welcome
Friday, July 21 
                 NOON

Bible Study

Bible Study Friday, July 7th at NOON
Book of Esther
 
Please Remember in Your Prayers

Our graduates, congratulations and blessings!
Katie Brendler, may God's loving presence and comfort abide with her and her family as they mourn the loss of Katie's dear Father;
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;
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;
Victims of gun violence, and their loved ones, and those who lose all hope and resort to violence, may God heal them;
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, for the Spirit to continue to guide us and fill us with energy for mission!

Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
     
Coming Soon!
 Summer Mini Camp for Youth of All Ages
Art, Mosaic-making, games, and cooking from the Justice Garden

 Join Charles Wei for more summer mini-camp fun! If you are interested please check all dates your child would be available. Make sure you put your child's name and age in the  doodle poll . If you have multiple children please enter for each child. This is open to all ages. 

If you have any questions, please contact Janel Stewart at [email protected] 
Congratulations to all the Graduates!

We'd love to share more photos - just 
Sydney & Ryan 
DHS- 2017

send to the office!

Owen Hamilton
DHS- 2017

(L) Carter Stewart - DHS 2017


Lucas Russell
MPMS- 2017

Vicky Sarkisian - Northeastern University 2017
Save the Date for Let's Talk Church Finance- Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.

The final Let's Talk Church Finance discussion is scheduled for Sunday, August 27th after the worship service. The Session has now studied our church's finances in depth, and will be sending a report of the study to the congregation with findings to share. Meanwhile, a helpful resource was presented at the June 1 educational discussion meeting and is available here:

Dennis Latta
Clerk of Session 

-Note From The Office-
If you would like to be reimbursed for an authorized expense, please come upstairs to the church office and fill out a blue Reimbursement Request form and put it in Jen Boynton's (our bookkeeper's) folder on the corner of the upstairs office desk nearest the door. You can find the forms hanging on the left side of the wall immediately after you have entered the office in a black reimbursement folder. Thank you for your cooperation!
New interactive resource explores root causes of immigration  
Genesis of Exodus focuses on Central America travails

 W hy would a family leave home in Central America and embark on a harrowing 2,500-mile journey with the uncertain outcome of finding asylum in the United States?   The Genesis of Exodus , a new interactive online resource, seeks answers to this question. It offers a wealth of background and tools to help Presbyterians and others understand and respond to immigration issues.
Please welcome our new interim office administrator and communications associate, Kara New, who is our newsletter editor while Katie Brendler is away.  Kara is a rising senior at Dominican University, majoring in communications and media, and she is currently interning for the Warriors AND the SF Giants!  You can reach her at the office email,
     
 
coin-stack-chessboard.jpg
  
Sunday Offering Counters Needed

Members needed to count the offering and deposit the funds in the bank each week.  You'll be teamed up with a veteran!  Contact Doug or the office if you are interested in this important way of serving the church.


     Wil has moved!
Wil would like you to know that he has moved to Alma Via in Terra Linda.  YES, he still plans to come to church! At Alma Via, he'll have 3 meals a day, and so now he'll be inviting US to eat with him!  Please call the church office to get his new cell phone number.

And thank him for his Food Barrel ministry! 

On Wednesday, Wil turned in 58 pounds to the Marin Food Bank!
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
 
Free Parent Support Group
The Muir Woods Adolescent and Family Services provides two free services for parents. 

"Navigating Parenting of a Teen Suffering from Substance Use Issues"

2nd Saturday of every month from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm 

Giving parents the opportunity to share experiences and give insight from pears. 


"The Sky Is The Limit, Boundaries are the Base"
4th Saturday of every month from 11:00 am- 12:30 pm
A multi-parent process group focused on psycho-education, family support and healthy relationships with their child.

For more information go to their website www.MuirWoodTeen.com 
 
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
Kara New,  Editor
E-mail us at [email protected] or call us at 415-453-8221