A Liberal Church, Welcoming of All, Passionately Committed to Social Justice

The Pilgrim - March 14, 2010

Sunday Celebration Notes from Jerry Stinson
Celebrating God’s Love Every Sunday at 10 am.

DON’T FORGET – DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS THIS SUNDAY! Put your clocks forward one hour Saturday night.

This Sunday’s service will include the baptism of Alexa Rhoads, the reception of our One Great Hour of Sharing offerings, and special music by our baritone soloist Steve Berlanga.

The Rev. Dr. Carlos Correa Bernier, Minister for Environmental Justice of the United Church of Christ and Program Coordinator of Centro Romero, a US-Mexico border ministry of Justice and Witness Ministries and the Southern California/Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ, will present an information moment about the first annual Romero lectures, which will be held at our church on April 23-24. He will also lead a forum after the service – there is a separate article about that in this issue of The Pilgrim.

Dr. Correa will be bringing with him an 18-year-old violinist, Juan Richards, who is active in the youth programs at Centro Romero. Mr. Richards will play during the offertory.

Sometimes in our modern world we find ourselves overwhelmed with discouraging news. My sermon will look at the possibility of having our lives really make a difference.

SERMON: An Empty Locker and Shay’s Home Run
The Rev. Jerry Stinson, preaching
READINGS: Jeremiah 1:4-10; John 6:1-13
LITURGIST: Ms. Ruth Keller

On March 21, the Rev. Jerry Stinson’s sermon will be entitled
“Jethro and the Priesthood of All Believers.”

 

Music on Sunday

This week we will sing “Lamentations of Jeremiah” by Z. Randall Stroope. This work is filled with intense rhythmic drive and broad phrases and a full dynamic range. The piano adds a strong percussive underpinning of the choral parts – SSATB. Last month we sang the composition by Victoria, who set this text in smoothly shaped lines with a soft dynamic range. I think you will find the difference between the two settings of this text (“O all you who pass along this way, behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow”) to be intriguing.

- Dr. Leland, Vail, Minister of Music

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Embracing Love
Scripture Focus: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

 

In Adult Education
Sundays at 8:30 am in the Klar Rooms, upstairs in Pilgrim Hall
By Cathy Clay

As I mentioned last week, at First Congregational Church we have no creeds or dogmas required for membership. When we join, we covenant to walk together with other church members on a spiritual journey. In the Adult Education class, we are hopefully furthering that journey by looking at various definitions or explanations of God/the divine and by having a conversation to explore our own notions of God. We will continue to address questions such as: Have you had a personal experience of the divine? What are experiences or times when you became more consciously aware of God, rather than accepting a socially imposed vision? What is your understanding of God? Where is God? Is God a who? If so, who is she/he/it? And how do (or would) we know the answers to these questions? I hope you will join us at 8:30 during the next two Sundays to share what is most important to you about your own spiritual journey.

The tentative schedule for the information that I will present to the class over the next two weeks is:

March 14 – Descriptions of divinities from the Hindu Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita
March 21 – The Tao and Spinoza’s God

If you have any questions or suggestions, or if you plan to attend, please let me know (chcagc@yahoo.com). I will email material to you ahead of time so you can be thinking about it before Sunday. In any case, come and help expand this spiritual journey we take together by contributing your insights, experiences and point of view. The class meets at 8:30 a.m. in the Klar classrooms. Coffee is provided, child care is available, and you are welcome to bring your breakfast and a friend!

 

 

Forum About Centro Romero This Sunday
By Jerry Stinson

The Rev. Dr. Carlos Correa Bernier, Minister for Environmental Justice of the United Church of Christ and Program Coordinator of Centro Romero, a US-Mexico border ministry of Justice and Witness Ministries and the Southern California/Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ, will lead a forum about the work of Centro Romero this Sunday after church.

Centro Romero is one of the Centers for Education and Social Transformation, a concept created at the Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ under the leadership of the Rev. Linda Jaramillo in 2005. The Daniel F. Romero Center for Border Ministries was envisioned by the Southern California-Nevada Conference Minister Rev. Dan Romero, after whom the center is named. The Romero Center is located in San Ysidro, California, less than 20 minutes from the Mexican border city of Tijuana.

The Romero Center offers:

Immersion experiences, lectures, workshops and conferences at their sites in San Ysidro and in Tijuana, México;

Support outreach activities with local communities, schools, churches, universities, and seminaries; and

Leadership development for those interested in justice work on both sides of the border

 

Interfaith Immigration Service March 21, 4 PM

Join Us in a Joyous and Inspiring

Interfaith Service and Celebration

Celebrating the Diversity of Our Communities
and Sending a Message of Hope and Solidarity
to the Immigrants Who Live Among Us

Sunday, March 21, 4-6 p.m.
In the Sanctuary

Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, and people from
other faith traditions sharing their teachings,
prayers, music, dance and food

Spanish and Khmer translation will be available
Free childcare will be provided

For more information contact: Norma Chinchilla, UUCLB chinchil@csulb.edu; Hal Steinberg, CLUE hsteinberg@cluela.org; Rev. Jerry Stinson, UCC jstinson@firstchurchlb.org or Luz Vazquez-Ramos, ICO luz@greaterlongbeachico.org
Sponsors include: The Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, the Interfaith Commmunity Organization (ICO), the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist church, First Congregational Church of Long Beach, Trinity Lutheran, the Social Concerns Committee of the South Coast Interfaith Council, Centro CHA, and Centro Shalom

 

Ride Needed to Confirmation Camp

Adreana Langston is looking for a ride to Pilgrim Pines for confirmation camp the weekend of March 19. If you’re taking your child to confirmation camp and your vehicle has room for one more, please let Adreana know: AdreanaLangston@calalum.org.

 

Report from the Women's Retreat
By Libby Tigner

Twenty-four women gathered in rain, hail and snow this past weekend at the annual Women’s Spirituality Retreat at Pilgrim Pines. Working through the theme of “Remembering Your Story: Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography,” the group read, wrote, explored, played, ate, hiked, did yoga, and relaxed together, all the while deepening their friendships with and respect for each other.

The dates for next year’s retreat will be announced in a few weeks – watch for that and mark your calendars so that you can be a part of this amazing weekend.

 

 

Let There Be Light ... and Clarence Figured a Way!
By Bob Kalayjian

Clarence Dendy, with the help of Steve Chambers, Jim Segura and Bob Kalayjian (members of the "Un-Committee"), erected a scaffolding on the balcony to replace the light bulbs. This is the beginning of a multi-week process that should brighten our days and nights in church. It will significantly reduce the expected cost of replacing the sanctuary lights. It is very important that everyone stay clear of this area to avoid injury.

 

 

Stay Connected with the Southern California Nevada Conference United Church of Christ

We are a diverse faith community gathered in over 130 congregations, stronger for God's mission together than any one congregation can be alone. As a covenant community of churches, we support one another's ministries as local churches and together we work for justice and peace at home and around the world! To learn what's happening in the Conference, to gain resources, and connect with others in the Conference, check out all the communication options below. 

Visit our Conference website here.

E-News is delivered on the 1st & 15th of each month.  Receive updates on what is taking place around the Conference. Sign up to receive e-news here.

 

Articles are submitted by members of our Conference. Be inspired about the faith journey of others in our Conference. Inspire others with your story. Visit Our Online Magazine here.

Get quick updates from our Interim Conference Minister about the happenings in the Conference and Wider Church. View Quick News online here. Sign up to receive in e-mail here.

 

 

Do you have a Facebook account?  Connect with others within the Southern California Nevada Conference:
Conference Facebook Page here
Conference Youth Facebook Page here
Conference Facebook Group here

        

Do You Tweet?  Join the SCNC UCC Twibe here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You Can also find the National UCC News here.

 

 

 

Pilgrim Deadline

The deadline for submitting items for inclusion in the newsletter is Friday at 12 noon for the email going out the following week.

 

 

In Memoriam

The Rev. Henry Rust who served as an Interim Minister at First Church died last week after a sudden illness. He was living at Pilgrim Place in Claremont. A memorial service was held last Sunday at the Claremont UCC church. You can send cards to his wife Georgia at 627 Leyden Lane, Claremont, CA 91711.

 

The Church Mouse has heard ...

... Photographys by Jim "Woody" Woods were recently published on the National Geographic Society's Dog Blog web page, and he was given credit as photographer and roving reporter. Go to the following link and scroll down to March 2, 2010 for the Bull Dog Beauty Pageant: National Geographic Society.

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Catherine Hanna and her family.

In the armed forces: Daniele Ware (Karen Miller’s granddaughter, stationed in Iraq) and Laura Anderson (Kathy Young's niece, stationed in Bahrain).

Names on the Parish Concerns list appear in two consecutive editions of the newsletter. Those in the armed forces serving in combat zones are listed until they come home. To put someone on either list, put a note on the Parish Concerns board on the Third Street landing or contact Ruth Warkentin in the church office.

 

Becoming a Member of First Church

Whether you have been attending for a few weeks, a few months or several years, we would like you to consider becoming a member of First Church. When you are ready to take that step, please call or email Rev. Jerry Stinson at 562-436-2256, ext 230 or revjstinson@verizon.net.

 

Online Calendar

Don’t miss out! Check the online church calendar at www.firstchurchlb.org/calendar.html for details about all church events. You can use the online calendar to email invitations to friends to church events and to set up emailed reminders to yourself. Just click on any event to see information about it.

 

The following information is paid advertising. To place an ad in this newsletter, please contact Ruth Warkentin in the church office.

 

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First Congregational Church - 241 Cedar Avenue - Long Beach, California 90802
562-436-2256 - Fax: 562-436-3018 - E-mail: office@firstchurchlb.org