TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 | |
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Capital Fundraising Campaign Continues
Commitment Sunday is October 1
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Anonymous Donor to Match $250k
Piedmont Community Church has been pledged a substantial anonymous gift, restricted to capital improvements.
A portion of this gift, $250,000, will be used in a dollar-for-dollar match of all donations made in support of the NextGen Ministry.
With this match, the ministry will have $500,000 to renovate the Christian Education Building.
Members of our Board of Trustees have already personally committed $70,000 to help this campaign reach a $250,000 goal.
Expected building renovations include deferred maintenance, installation of new windows using safety glass, roof repairs and upgrading of other safety equipment.
On Sunday, October 1, the congregation will be asked to make a one-time financial commitment in support of our NextGen Ministry.
Alternatively, donors can click the button below to donate online, or use Venmo on their mobile device. If using Venmo, please indicate ‘NextGen’ in the notes field.
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Starting on October 1, Don Ashburn will teach a 5-week class on 'How to Read the Bible.'The class will meet each Sunday following worship in the Kettlewell Room for one hour, starting at 11:15 am. Anyone is invited to attend this class, whether you’ve been studying the Bible for years or are just curious about what this ancient book has to do with your life today.
Topics to be discussed include: What is the Bible?; How did it come to be?; How should we study it?; and What relevance does it have for us today? To guide the discussion, class participants will use a short book called “Your Bible: The Study Begins.”
To order a copy, please contact Don Ashburn no later than September 20. The book is FREE. For more info, or to order a workbook, contact Don@PiedmontChurch.org
| Life Groups Return September 28 | |
Life Groups are small groups that gather weekly on Thursday evenings from September 28 through November 2.
We start with dinner at 6:15pm in Guild Hall. Then, we get together in groups meeting in various rooms at the church at 7pm for sharing, support and study. Any adult is invited to be part of a group, whether you’ve attended in the past or not.
You can sign up to be part of a Life Group in the Courtyard after Sunday worship beginning on September 10, or contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org
To sign up, visit
https://piedmont.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/55/responses/new
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As part of the California Coastal Cleanup on September 23, we will participate in a beach cleanup at Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda from 9am - 12pm. Bring water, sunscreen and maybe a lunch to enjoy on the beach afterwards. We will provide gloves, clean up tools and trash bags.
The event will be open to all who are interested, but will be particularly family friendly.
To sign up, click here: https://piedmontcommunitychurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1899287
You can also signup after worship. Contact Mike Bandrowski at mike.bandrowski@gmail.com
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Don't Bring A Second Tunic
and other wisdom from the Camino
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A Visual Chat with
Suzie Skugstad
On Thursday, September 21, Suzie Skugstad will speak about her spiritual trek across Northern Spain on The Camino de Santiago.
The event starts at 7pm in the C.E. Building Chapel.
The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is an ancient spiritual pilgrimage in Northern Spain that each year attracts thousands of people from all over the world. Church member Suzie Skugstad recently walked the Camino (500 miles over 35 days) with her brother and sister and together they experienced a time to unplug, reset and open up to God’s many gifts on this ancient pilgrimage. Come and listen to Suzie as she shares about this life-transforming spiritual journey.
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High school students (9th-12th grades), are you longing for something more? Look no further than our High School Retreat. This 2-night, 3-day event October 7-9 at Alliance Redwoods is specially designed for you and it’s packed with experiences you won’t want to miss.
From worship, games and a time to connect with friends, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. Cost is $345 per person. Contact Kerry@PiedmontChurch.org
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October 1 is Jazz Sunday. Our wonderful choir will be joined by Mitch Polzak, 2-time Grammy Award winning Mads Tolling, Stephen Main and other musicians as we lead worship in a jazz mood. | |
September 17 Worship Media | From Last Sunday - Steve Schibsted preaches the second sermon in his Ten Commandments series. Church member Suzanne Latham leads us in worship. We recognize our volunteers, give a Moment for Mission to our partner CityTeam and our choir performs - directed by Stephen Main. | |
Coming Up This Sunday - Don Ashburn preaches the third in a series on the Ten Commandments. | |
Little Free Spirit Library | |
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Have you ever read a book that broadened your thinking on a topic, helped change your mind entirely, or even transformed your life and faith? Then that same book spent the next several years collecting dust on your shelf?
Well, now’s a great time to share your spiritually enriching books with our faith community and find yourself a new good read in our Little Free Spirit Library. Come browse our table before and after worship service.
No book donation is required. Contact Suzie Skugstad at suzie@hsdesigneb.com
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If you would like to donate flowers to enhance the Chancel for Sunday worship, please consider making a monetary donation for flowers or a donation of blooms from your garden. There are church members who are experienced in arranging the flowers that you graciously provide. These flowers would be available after worship for you to take with you or to be donated to someone unable to attend worship in person.
Each Sunday, there is a Flower Notebook in the Courtyard where you can enter the pertinent information for your flower donation. Or, contact Dottie Hutch at Dottie@PiedmontChurch.org
Thank you in advance for adding to the beauty of the Chancel and thereby making a more meaningful worship experience for the congregation.
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Cultural Captivity: A Pathway To Freedom | |
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This Fall, Piedmont Community Church is pleased to team up with an online learning community called ReWire to offer an in-depth course in spiritual formation.
Starting on Tuesday, October 17, the online class will meet from 5 to 6:30 pm for 10 weeks. Participants will come from all over the country and beyond, to learn how to authentically follow Jesus in a loving, serving community within a cultural context that promotes consumerism, conflict and isolation.
Each week will consist of one group class session, along with daily rhythms of prayer, learning, and action, according to ReWire’s “Inward, Outward, Together” discipleship process. Both Steve Schibsted and Don Ashburn have participated in ReWire classes in the past, and are friends of this class’ facilitator, JD Ward. Don Ashburn will be participating in (not leading) the class as well.
There is no cost to joining for participants, though there is a deadline to sign up by September 25. To do so, contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org
| Online Bible Study Mondays | |
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Whether or not you’ve ever studied the Bible before, you’re invited to a weekly online study led by Don Ashburn.
Each Monday from 10 - 11am, a group of 8-12 people will get together to study scripture in light of their own lives. The focus continues to be on the Gospel of John. After a summer break, the group is picking up with Chapter 17.
Contact Don at Don@PiedmontChurch.org.
Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83767472723
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On Saturday, October 14, Rev. Shannon Coon will lead a workshop on spiritual practices. It’s important not to teach spiritual practices as the end goal, or just things we can “do,” to make us “more Christian.” Rather, since God’s grace is available to us in a myriad of ways, certain practices can position us to receive God’s grace. The workshop will start at 10 am and end at noon and will take place in the Chapel in Christian Education Building. Rev. Coon is Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA. She served for many years with Steve Schibsted at Bidwell Presbyterian in Chico.
The workshop will start at 10 am and end at noon and will take place in the Chapel in C.E. Building. Contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org
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On October 27 and 28, Kim Watson will offer an introductory course on the spiritual dynamics of Enneagram personality type for those who were not able to attend the course she led last spring.
To sign up, or for more information, please contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org
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Memorial Services Planned | |
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Tom Lister - Saturday, September 23, 2pm
Ray Plock - Friday, October 6, 11am.
Receptions following both in Guild Hall
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Hygiene Items For CityTeam
Last Sunday for Donating
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At our Annual Meeting last June, the congregation voted to establish a Board of Mission at Piedmont Church. This was in recognition of the importance that mission — serving, giving, and reaching out to those beyond our congregation — plays in our life together.
We are interested in representation from all groups in our congregation including high schoolers, new members, and especially parents of young children.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board, or if you’d like more information, please get in touch with either the Board’s Chair, Mike Bandrowski at mike.bandrowski@gmail.com, or Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org
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By Ann Lin, Church President
There is excitement in the air in the CE Building and NextGen program. This is reflected by a large anonymous donation, of which $250,000 will be used as a matching gift toward our ongoing NextGen capital improvements fundraising campaign.
Two years ago, we surveyed our congregation to learn what was important to us and how we wanted to grow. Last year ,we published the results in our Mission Study Report to provide clarity of our vision and direction. It was clear our top goal was to reimagine and revitalize our child, youth and family ministries. We are now delivering on that as shown by the growing participation of 40+ children and students every Sunday since the NextGen kickoff just five weeks ago. We see families returning with their children after a multiple year hiatus and there is a refreshing pattern of families and children inviting their friends to NextGen.
Here is the President’s report for the Board of Trustees meeting held September 11, 2023.
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We are looking for individuals to work in our nursery on Sunday mornings. This is an hourly paid position. The nursery is open on Sundays from 9:45am to end of worship services (11-11:15am).
Children in the nursery are between the ages of 4 months and 4 years. For a complete job description and more information, contact Leslie Quantz Leslie@PiedmontChurch.org
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For your convenience, we now accept Venmo mobile for making donations using your phone. We are @PiedmontChurch | |
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Parenting with Positive Discipline
Begins September 26
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Piedmont Church warmly invites you to this 7-week series to spend time learning positive discipline with like-minded parents. Together, we’ll turn your parenting challenges into social and life skills for success – or at least take leaps and bounds in that direction!
Facilitator Lisa Fuller, MSW, CPCC, is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Positive Discipline Trainer, Daring Way™ and Wild Writing™
Classes are held Tuesdays beginning September 26 through November 7, 7-8:30pm in the Christian Education Building (C.E.) Chapel.
Cost is $50 per person, registration required.
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'Breathe' Wednesdays, 1:30pm | |
Just Breathe now meets in the middle of the day. Join with others who seek the refreshment of meditation and the opportunity to enhance their spiritual growth through the concept of sangha or sitting in silence within a group.
We encourage and support each other as we release tension while staying in the moment. We will have guest leaders from our congregation along with the guidance of Steve Main and Sara Hirsch. Sit tall, take a breath and find your path.
Contact Sara Hirsch at sara1.hirsch1@gmail.com
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Theater Group Fall Schedule | |
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We have some dates for Fall events and would love to add your ideas as well. We are a very casual Shared Interest Group: someone makes plans for an event and others may decide to join - sometimes with dinner out ahead of the event. Here’s what we have so far:
September 21 - Berkeley Rep - POTUS
November 4 - Diablo Ballet - Nutcracker Suite
November 17 - Altarena Playhouse - Christmas at Pemberton
November 29 - Berkeley Rep - Bulrusher
December 13 - Berkeley Rep - Harry Clarke
Please send your ideas for other fall events to Linda McClain at lindamcclain@me.com and Judy Wright at rbwright1@mac.com. And let us know if you’d like to be added to our Theater Group notifications. Looking forward to some fun Fall outings!
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Brewmaster Wayne Marzolf (center) is joined by fellow beerologists last Friday making two types of beer that will be consumed at our Oktoberfest event October 21. | |
Oktoberfest, Piedmont Church Style | |
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Our Oktoberfest event will be held in the Courtyard or Guild Hall beginning at 5pm Saturday, October 21. Brats, potato salad, red cabbage, sauerkraut and, of course, our homemade beer. Sign up after worship beginning October 1.
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Seniors Gathering Opportunity | |
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Seniors Seeking Conversation and Coffee meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month in Guild Parlor, 9:30-11am.
Contact Ann Chandler at (510) 444-0280
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If you've ever wondered who plays pickleball each Sunday or why they play the game, this short film by Michael Barber sheds light on a sport that brings people together in a whole new way. | |
'MESSENGER' & BULLETIN DEADLINE | | |
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The Messenger
Piedmont Church’s online newsletter, The Messenger, is the primary source of communication. The Messenger is published digitally and distributed via email weekly.
Deadline for articles to appear in The Messenger is 12 noon each Tuesday. Articles submitted after deadline will be considered for the following week.
Michael Barber edits copy and designs the layout of each Messenger with careful consideration of article placement. Placement is determined based on relevance to the congregation and the wider community.
Sunday Bulletin
Sunday bulletin and worship announcements are decided by Michael based on Tuesday discussions with Staff and lay leadership.
Print deadline for Sunday Bulletin is Tuesday, 12pm.
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How To Watch Church On Your TV
It’s easy to watch church videos on your big screen television. If you have a SmartTV, ROKU, AppleTV or Amazon Fire TV, simply:
1 - Go to the YouTube app on your SmartTV (or attached device)
2 - Search ‘piedmont community church.’
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Please consider making an online offering by clicking below, or give while watching Sunday services on our website. | |
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