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

The Pilgrim - April 25, 2010

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

Our guest preacher this Sunday morning will be Aziza Hasan, Government Relations Director for the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). She is an incredible young Muslim leader.

Ms. Hasan, who is just 30, will share her own faith story. She was born in Jordan to a Palestinian Muslim father and an American Christian mother. She lived in Jordan for 17 years, struggling with her own identity – was she Christian or Muslim? Is one better than the other? Her Muslim friends all said that her Christian mother was going to hell. Then the family moved to Kansas, where now Aziza, who had become Muslim, and her Muslim father were the ones folks felt would go to hell. Aziza understands from her own experience how important it is to build bridges between people of different religions.

Following the service, Ms. Hasan will lead a forum about the work of a group for which she is the co-director, NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change. The program is a joint endeavor between the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA) and brings members of both faith communities together for frank, substantive dialogue. Facilitated conversations explore issues at the personal, local, national and global levels. NewGround does not shy away from discussing tough topics such as identity, gender, pluralism and Israel/Palestine. Dialogue sessions are based on the premise that honest communication forges meaningful relationships and a solid base from which both Muslims and Jews build upon in the community they share. A successful model of genuine engagement, NewGround has been featured on Public Radio’s Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett, the United States Institute for Peace, Arabic Radio and Television, the LA Times, the Jewish Journal and InFocus.

Ms. Hasan’s work with MPAC focuses on the importance of engagement in the arena of public policy in order to get better decisions made for government as well as diverse minority communities. Co-author of “Abusing Women, Abusing Islam: Re-Examining Sharia Court Rul-ings in Contemporary Times,” she presented the paper’s findings at the United States Department of State, various conferences, to the offices of numerous elected officials, and non-profit advocacy groups. She has led workshops for international scholar forums, at conferences, university/college campuses, civic and religious groups on effective civic engagement, women’s empowerment, interfaith dialogue, community organizing, and leadership training for young leaders. Ms. Hasan has spoken to audiences across the country on women’s rights in Islam, introductions to Islam, forgiveness and peace in Islamic tradition, and conflict resolution in Muslim communities. In addition, Ms. Hasan has appeared on CNN, ABC News, LA City View 35, National Public Ra-dio, and KCRW.

Her undergraduate and graduate background is in history, social science and conflict resolution. While at Bethel College, a four-year liberal arts school in Kansas, she was active in student government, debate and forensics, and social justice organizations. During her two years as the first Muslim Student Body President at Bethel, she organized numerous teach-ins, speaking events and charity fundraising pro-jects. She is experienced in small claims court mediation, and coaching individuals and leading groups in conflict resolution. Her two years of AmeriCorps service gave her hands-on experience in community organizing and group problem-solving.

 

Music on Sunday

This Sunday the choir will sing “Come My Way” based on the English folk tune Scarborough Fair set by Richard DeLong. The poem is by George Herbert (1593-1632), and can be found in our New Century Hymnal (No. 331) set to music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. DeLong uses the favorite tune (made famous by Simon and Garfunkel) Scarborough Fair and uses the voices in unison and then three-parts. I hope you enjoy this simple anthem.

- Dr. Leland, Vail, Minister of Music

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Life-Giving Acts
Scripture Focus: Acts 9:36-43

 

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

Jerry Stinson is leading four sessions of the Adult Education Class at 8:30 on Sunday mornings in April and May. These classes will look at profiles of the Jesus of history, profiles developed by scholars who are part of the Westar Institute’s Jesus Seminar. This Sunday we will consider a profile of Jesus developed by Mahlon Smith, who teaches in the Department of Religion at Rutgers University. His profile focuses on reimagining Jesus as “Israel’s Prodigal Son.”

Printed copies of the articles will be available at the classes. If you would like to buy the excellent volume that contains fourteen profiles of Jesus by Jesus Seminar scholars, it is Profiles of Jesus, edited by Roy Hoover (remember our first Valla lecturer) and published by Polebridge Press. You can buy it for $15.60 from Amazon (remember to go to Amazon via the church website so that First Church receives a percentage of what you spend.) You can also order the book from Polebridge Press at their website: www.westarinstitute.org/Polebridge/polebridge.html.

 

 

Southern California Nevada Conference's Annual Gathering June 11-12
Register Online Now and Save

With a theme of “From One Foundation to New Creations,” the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ will meet for its Annual Gathering at First Congregational Church in Santa Ana on June 11 and 12. This year’s gathering promises great workshops, exciting worship designed and led by Phil Porter and an International Celebration Dinner on Friday night, along with the business meetings and reunions that are a part of the weekend.

The most interesting part, however, may be that the Search Committee will present the new Conference Minister candidate. We will meet the candidate at the Friday afternoon business meeting; the candidate will preach at the Saturday morning worship service. The vote on the candidate will be taken on Saturday morning.

Everyone who is a part of the UCC is welcome to attend, have voice and participate in the Annual Gathering (voting at business meetings is restricted to voting delegates). You can find more information on the Conference’s website, where you can download the brochure and register online, or print a registration form to send in. Those who register online before April 30 will receive a $10 discount; registration is open until May 31. The website for the Annual Gathering is www.scncucc.org/AnnualGathering.htm.

 

Scholarships Available: Apply Now!
By Sara Schoenfelder, Scholarship Committee Chair

Are you a graduating senior planning to attend a college, university, or trade school next year? Are you currently attending one of the institutions of higher learning mentioned above? Are you in need of financial assistance? Then read on ...

The First Church Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for scholarships funded by the Kenneth Caskey and the Harriet S. and Nancy A. Merritt Memorial Scholarship funds. These scholarships will be awarded to assist qualified students attending (or planning to attend) any college, university, technical or trade institute at any level. We encourage you to apply if you qualify!

Applications are available in the church office, from the church website members’ area under the Awards tab, or you can email me, Sara Schoenfelder, Scholarship Committee Chair, at (sara.schoenfelder@cox.net). Time is of the essence - get your application, complete it thoroughly (including two reference forms), and return it to the church office or to me by email ASAP. The deadline is April 30.

 

Don't Forget - Special Upcoming Sundays
By Jerry Stinson

SUNDAY, MAY 2 …
Our Annual Youth Sunday – exciting and creative worship led by our Junior High and Senior High Youth.
Youth_Sunday.gif

SUNDAY, MAY 16 …
Our Pride Sunday – a shorter service than usual and you will want to hear theRev. Robert Stapp and Rev. Linda Silas share the sermon time as they talk about their own respective journeys to participation in the Pride Parade.

SUNDAY, MAY 23 …
Pentecost Sunday when we will observe the Rite of Confirmation for five of our young people.

 

 

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.

 

 

Thanks, First Church!

Art Brewster is very grateful for all of the prayers and cards from this wonderful, caring congregation. His operation on March 17 that fused his ankle has been very successful. Although he has to stay off his ankle for two more months, he has found away to get around using a knee walker and a wheel chair. He is back to puttering around the house fixing things and planting a new garden. After his convalescence, he will have therapy to learn how to walk without being able to flex his ankle. Thanks so much for all of your well wishes and concern on our behalf.

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Troy Snelling and family (James Snelling's son); Stan Cook (Georgette DeBruyn's cousin); and Veva Wheaton (Linda Ramsay's aunt).

In the armed forces: 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 the 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.

 

To place an ad in this newsletter, please contact Ruth Warkentin in the church office.

 

Please reply to this email to be removed from our mailing list.

 

 

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