This Week at Epworth - May 28, 2020
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Beloved Epworth Community,
These things I know to be true:
- On multiple occasions in Ferguson, Missouri in the years between 2014-2017 police incited violence by shooting tear gas, smoke, creating loud bangs that mimicked shots during peaceful protest. On some of these occasions, I saw and experienced this with my own eyes, and some of which I learned through my organization’s staff deployed to Ferguson to organize for change. Then the starting of violence was blamed on protesters.
- Despite concerted and persistent organizing and action, police killings in this period have not had a significant downward trend, and African American persons are disproportionately impacted in this tragic loss of life.
- George Floyd and so many others should not have died. Particularly for those on the front lines of this battle who have made many sacrifices and suffered greatly to bring change, the words “I can’t breathe” recall the words of Eric Garner in 2014. These words trigger a wave of frustration, anger and despair that we as a society have made so little progress.
- The manifestations of the original sin of racism are very much with us, warping, distorting and diminishing our humanity.
- We know there are measures that can be taken to abate these killings including de-escalation training, the banning of chokeholds and strangleholds, and the requirement to report all use of force, but these measures have been painfully slow to be implemented.
Last night during our virtual communion service, we engaged in lament. We read words from the Book of Lamentations and said aloud the names of souls we have lost to this scourge of police shootings of persons of color. And we remembered that Jesus too was unjustly arrested, unjustly killed. In the gift of holy communion, we are reminded that Jesus remains with us through the power of the Holy Spirit in the bread and wine. In this way, the Body of Christ continues to heal itself. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
It is that same Spirit that we celebrate this Pentecost Sunday. The Book of Acts tells us that the disciples and early Christians were in disarray after the crucifixion, wondering what their advocating and organizing meant, hoping it wasn’t all for naught. And the Holy Spirit came to them like a rush of wind, breathing into them new power, imparting the ability to understand beyond foreign tongues, and giving them a new spirit of love and peace. It is this same Holy Spirit that we are so desperately in need of now.
We have the special honor of hearing the message this Sunday from our District Superintendent Staci Current. DS Staci is a powerful preacher and I know her message “Power of Purpose” will bless you. Don’t forget to stay for the virtual coffee hour after the service to say thanks and farewell to our wonderful pastoral interns, Akesa Fakava and Jacob Wilbur. What a spirit of love and faith we have been blessed with by these two all year!
In the midst of these challenging and tumultuous times, I entreat you not to lose heart, and thank you for encouraging me also. Let’s keep working to bring about a new reality, a new heaven and a new earth. God never gives up, and we can’t either.
With love,
Pastor Kristin
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SHELTER-IN-PLACE COMMUNITY CONCERTS
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Re-watch the concert from Sunday, May 24th
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Caroline Lee, viola - J.S. Bach, Partita #2 BWV 1004 (selections)
Gwendolyn Mok, piano - Chopin, Nocturne in c# minor
Joseph Edelberg, violin and Stacey Pelinka, flute - Astor Piazzolla, Tangos
Vitamin Em, ensemble - Selections from their epic and eclectic repertory
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ONLINE WORSHIP - SUNDAY, MAY 31
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10 a.m. Worship - Pentecost
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Guest Preacher: Rev. Staci Current, Bay District Superintendent
Message: "Power for the Purpose!"
Scripture: Acts 2:1-21
Contributors: Rev. Kristin Stoneking, Rev. Brian Adkins, Rick Beeman, Abdou Chebira, Akesa Fakava, Rafael Ferreira, Kim Hraca, Susan Jardin, Orion Lacey, Eda Naranjo, Sally Nasman, Jacob Wilbur
Special Music: Rev. Jerry Asheim, Michele Arreola-Burl, Albert Sammons, Jr., Kairos Youth Choir
Video producer: Tai Jokela
Podcast producer: Ethan Lindsey
Livestream producer: Merrie Bunt
Had trouble with Facebook or the website?
Or mail your check to Epworth United Methodist Church
1953 Hopkins St., Berkeley, CA 94707
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Virtual Coffee Hour
Following online worship, please join us on zoom to bid farewell to our pastoral interns, Jacob and Akesa.
To participate, click here:
Or to join by phone:
Please call (301) 715-8592. When prompted, enter the meeting ID: 924 4898 3021
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Do Good | Do No Harm
Stay in Love with God
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The Padlet is not homework! It's just a place where we can continue to connect and share the love of God with Epworth children, letting them know that they are all in our hearts and we miss them. I hope that these Padlets bring them some joy, and give you a little break at the same time. We know how challenging life is right now for families of young children.
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This week on padlet:
- The story of Pentecost
- Becky Wheat reads "The House Cat"
- What things are red?
To sign up, contact Susan Jardin (susanejardin@gmail.com)
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Virtual Gatherings - New & Coming Soon
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Thursday Book Group to examine "Half Truths" by Adam Hamilton
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True or false?
"Everything happens for a reason."
"God helps those who help themselves."
"God won’t give you more than you can handle."
"God said it, I believe it, that settles it."
"Love the sinner, hate the sin."
Join the Thursday Book Group in searching for the
whole
truth
by comparing these common Christian clichés to the wisdom of the scriptures.
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Epworth Book Group -
Thursdays at 10 AM
Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/294262966
Or call in, by dialing +1 669 900 9128
When prompted, enter the meeting id:
294 262 966
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Reconciling Committee Meeting
Monday, June 1 at 7:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting -
https://zoom.us/j/99123202817
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Good Reads Book Group:
"
A River of Stars" by Vanessa Hua
Wednesday, June 3 at 11 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/419259989
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Monday Evening Prayer Group (New)
Mondays at 7:30-8 PM
Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87989903025
Dial: +1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 879 8990 3025
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PSPRC Meeting
First Tuesdays at 6 PM
Please contact Diane Downs for Zoom Meeting link
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Stephen Ministry Total Group Meeting
First Wednesdays at 7 PM
Please contact Willa Seldon for Zoom Meeting link
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Beyond Lent Small Group with Ron Parker
Wednesdays at 10 AM
Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/867532797
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Wednesday Evening Communion
Wednesdays at 7:30-8 PM
Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83427095029
Dial +1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 834 2709 5029
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Epworth Book Group
Thursdays at 10 AM
Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/294262966
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Do Good Team Meeting
Thursdays at 3 PM
Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/496772119
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Choir Chit Chat
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting -
https://zoom.us/j/714707426
Or call: 1-669-900-9128; Meeting ID: 714 707 426
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Bhakti Yoga with Joanna Manqueros
Fridays at 5 PM - 6:15 PM
Please bring the following items to class on Friday:
a strap, two blocks (or large books), eye covering, blanket
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Stay in Love With God Team Meeting
Fridays at 10:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/746117878
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Meal Train for The Oaks & The Acorn: Navarre, Maggie, Issac
Support for the Oaks family while they get their new Acorn all set up!
Read more
www.mealtrain.com
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You might have heard that the Oaks family are new parents of a baby boy- Isaac! Connie Adachi, Caroline Lee and their other friend Malcolm set up this meal train if folks would like to help them out by bringing meals for them during these precious and sleepless time. Since Navarre is continuing to work (and they don't own a car) home cooked delivered meals will be doubly helpful! You can follow the meal train link below to get instructions and sign up. Feel free to contact me of Connie if you have questions.
Caroline 510-725-5329
Connie
510-915-2722
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Asian Americans | PBS
Asian Americans is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward...
Read more
www.pbs.org
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In this time of COVID, Asian Americans are facing a lot of racial hatred. There have been 1700 incidents so far, 58% of which are in California and New York.
As a way to counter this, I thought a documentary on the history of Asian Americans in the USA may help. I am forwarding the information from KQED. This program can be accessed by all until the end of May 2020.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Amelia Chua
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