January 20-27, 2019 
Volume, 355
This Week's Edition Vol. 355
From Dennis
Puerto Rico Bankruptcy
When Death Comes by Mary Oliver
Preparing for a New Minister
Congregational Meeting Food
NCNC Justice Revival
A Letter from Dorothy Streutker
Upcoming Events
Interim Pastor Office Hours
Need a Ride to Church?
NEW WEBSITE
This Coming Week
From Dennis

My home church, since last spring, is Pilgrim UCC in Carlsbad, CA. Because I like to sit in the front and on the side, that is where you'll see me most Sundays. That section is also the designated "fragrance-free" area. Many persons have a high sensitivity to perfumes/cleaners/dryer sheets. For that reason, the rest of us do well to be mindful and endeavor to keep our gathering places as scent-neutral as possible.
 
Consider ways by which this goal can be achieved in the sanctuary especially.
 
Council met this week with a very full agenda; it all was/is important. Here is a reminder: with few exceptions, these meetings are open to all church members. Attending such deliberative gatherings increases awareness about the work of the church AND just might identify for you some new opportunities for your volunteer time-especially in the area of finances.
 
My time among you has passed the half-way point (I heard that). As part of my responsibility, I compile reports on my observations, what I have learned from you, and things I offer as suggestions. And such reports are for everyone. My point is to elicit conversation among you into the future. My stake here is limited; yours is long-term. I thank you for the opportunity.
 
Keep in mind some opportunities ahead:
Justice Conference in Sacramento on January 26;
Nate Klug's candidating Sunday on January 27;
Mental Health Conference in Oakland on March 2.
 
Dennis
Puerto Rico Bankruptcy Judge Reviews Debt Deal  
Washington DC - Through Thursday, the judge presiding over Puerto Rico's bankruptcy process will hear testimony about a debt deal to restructure about $17 billion of the island's $72 billion debt. The Honorable Judge Laura Taylor Swain is administering the island's Title III process, a debt restructuring process created by Congress in 2016. This week Swain is hearing testimony from stakeholders of the merits of a debt deal that Puerto Rico's COFINA creditors and oversight board agreed on. Critics of the plan argue that if the debt deal is approved, it sets up Puerto Rico for failure.
 
When Death Comes
By Mary Oliver

When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps his purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox;

when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering;
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth
tending as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was a bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened
or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.
Preparing for a New Minister
 
Thanks to all who attended the lively Spectrum Sunday the 30th and again on the 6th - discussing the focus of the ministry our proposed Designated Term Minister who will be giving his Candidate Sermon January 27. There were lots of great questions and it was exciting to see the Congregation looking ahead to a new ministry.
 
A key part of the focus for the next couple of years will be deepening our commitment and finding specific practices for living out the ACC Covenant for Life Together: We, the members and friends of Arlington Community Church, are called to be stewards of creation and to build a just society based upon the inspiration of our faith.
 
 
This, you may recall, was a product of the New Beginnings process and small group discussions toward the latter months of Tony's ministry.   From this Covenant emerged the proposal to seek Creation Justice Church status from the wider church (September Congregational Meeting).      
 
Linda Young 
- for the Search Committee
Congregational Meeting Food  
If anyone interested in bringing something to share after the congregational meeting on Sunday January 27, such as a cheese platter, fruit, crackers and/or bread, veggie platter, hummus, cookies/brownies please contact Jaima Roberts to commit to any of the referenced items.
 
Jaima Roberts
(510-813-5535)
jaima1@aol.com
Jaima Roberts
NCNC Justice Revival

The Northern California Nevada Conference UCC, invites you to a Justice Revival. This event will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Pioneer Congregational Church UCC, 2700 L St., Sacramento CA 95816 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This years Keynote speaker is the Reverend Traci Blackmon. There will be praise and worship, teaching, workshops and activities for adults and youth, and a sacred space. Day care will be provided as well. General admission is $35.00.
A Letter from Dorothy Streutker

Dear Congregation,
 
After almost a month in a rehab facility, where I've been trying to learn to function on only one leg (the other being the broken one), I will be going home on January 5. Then the fun really begins: I'll have to maneuver in our rather small house, and need to use the ramp Ray built on our back porch to get in and out of the house. I need to get in and out because I will start chemotherapy on January 7. Then we'll find out what side-effects hit me.
 
As many of you know and others can imagine, Capt. Ray has been and will be my keel cutting through these troubled waters. I am grateful to God for him. I am also grateful for all of you -- for visits and cards and e-mails and prayers.
 
New year's blessings to all! 

--  Dorothy Streutker
Upcoming Events
 
Sunday January 20 @ 1:00 PM
Person of the Planet Film Series
Years of Dangerous Living , a look at climate change across the planet and how it affected various cultures.
 
Monday January 21 @ 10:00 AM
Memoir Group
Can you recall a dinner or other meal that was memorable? What was 'Sunday supper' at your house when you were growing up? Did your meals have a routine? Were there any "rules" that you still follow today? Jot down your memories and come to the January Memoir Group, 1/21, 10am in the Fireside Room.
 
Monday January 21 @ 6:30 PM
CERT Training
Every Monday January 7 - February 26. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) teaches neighbors to help themselves and help each other. Through CERT, you will receive hands-on training in Disaster First Aid, Disaster Preparedness, Basic Firefighting, Light Search and Rescue, Damage Assessment, and How to Turn Off Utilities.
 
Sunday January 27 @ 11:00 AM
Congregational Meeting
Agenda includes: change to bylaws, adoption of the 2019 budget, and a congregational vote on Nate Klug for a Designated Term Ministry.
Interim Pastor Office Hours

Our new interim Pastor, Rev. Dennis Alger, will be holding regular office hours most weekdays from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM or by appointment.

INTERIM PASTOR CONTACT INFO
 
EMAIL
alohacda@gmail.com or pastor.accucc@gmail.com
 
PHONE
Office: (510) 526-9146, Extension 2. Pastor Confidential Voicemail
Cell: (503) 312-7614
Need a Ride to Church?

Tim is no longer available for rides to church or other ACC events.  Church Members  can still 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.
Visit Our Official Website

Like us on Facebook

Find us on Yelp
Click Here to Join Our Mailing List  
Click HERE to check out the NCNC Newsletter!  
This Coming Week
  
Sun, January 20
Morning Worship
10:00 AM

POTP Film Series
1:00 PM

Mon, January 21
CERT Training
6:30 PM

Weds, January 23
Bell Choir
6:30 PM

Adult Choir
7:30 PM

Thurs, January 24
Trustees Meeting
2:00 PM

Sun, January 27
Morning Worship
10:00 AM

Congregational Meeting
11:00 AM

Upcoming Events

Mon Jan 28 @ 6:30 PM
CERT Training

Thurs Feb  7 @ 6:00 PM
First Thursday Fellowship


Contribute to our
Newsletter:

Due by Tuesday evening
 Email us at: