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

The Pilgrim - May 9, 2010

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

On Mother’s Day, we will have special music from our youngest bell choir, the Charming Chimes, and from Carlos Carlos, our tenor soloist.

This is a difficult time in the life of the church. We have ended the employment of our music director. Last week, with an inurnment in our columbarium and a memorial service in the sanctuary, family and friends mourned the death of one of our members. This Sunday, after the service, another family will gather at our columbarium in Sacred Space to remember and mourn the loss of a husband, father and grandfather. So in my sermon, I want to look at “Mourning Our Losses.” I will do so by going back to the two scripture texts that Libby and I used in our mini-sermons on Easter, and I will also talk about the origins of Mother’s Day.

SERMON: Mourning Our Losses
The Rev. Jerry Stinson

READINGS: Gospel of Peter 14:1-3; Luke 24:13-24

LITURGIST: Mr. Paul DuNard

On May 16, Pride Sunday, the Rev. Robert Stapp and the Rev. Linda Silas will share the sermon time as they talk about their own respective journeys to participation in the Pride Parade.

 

Music on Sunday

This Sunday, the Sanctuary Choir will perform “The Singing Heart” by Bob Chilcott. The choir sang this beautiful song last year to celebrate all of those who mother us. The score is for double choir and will feature our soloists as well as a small ensemble of handbell ringers. You will also be treated to our tenor soloist, Carlos Carlos, who will sing an original composition, “Psalm 23.” And, as if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, the Charming Chimes will present a special rendition of “Over the River.” During this time of transition, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to our wonderful choir and the greater church family.

- Tracy Halter-Balin, Interim Music Director

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Disciples Together
Scripture Focus: Acts 16:9-15

 

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

In the current series of Adult Education classes we are looking at profiles of the Jesus of history, profiles developed by scholars who are part of the Westar Institute’s Jesus Seminar. This week our final profile will come from Stephen Patterson, a UCC biblical scholar who teaches at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. His profile is entitled “Dirt, Shame and Sin in the Expendable Company of Jesus.”

Printed copies of these 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.

 

 

Game Night This Friday, May 7
By Yvonne SaMarion

Tax time is over. It’s time to shed your depression. Come join us, for Friday Night at First Church is game night! The adult gamesters of First Church will gather in the Pownall Room on May 7 at 6:30. The cost is only $5 per person for dinner,drinks and an evening of fun, fun, fun. This month is wide open as to what game will be played – we’ll have a variety available. If you have a favorite game bring it with you. Your favorite game may win the night! Come one, come all and join in the fun. We’ll have the welcome mat out for you!

 

Arizona's New Immigration Law
By Jerry Stinson

While the Governor of Arizona was signing into law a mean-spirited immigration bill, our UCC churches in Arizona and New Mexico were gathered for their Conference Annual Meeting in Sedona, Arizona. At that meeting, they voted to send an open letter to President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary Janet Napolitano and Governor Jan Brewer. I want to share that powerful letter with you:

On April 24, 2010, the Southwest Conference of the UCC gathered at our Annual Meeting in Sedona, Arizona. Our meeting was disrupted with the announcement that Gov. Jan Brewer had signed SB1070. We immediately went into a time of prayer for the soul of Arizona and all people who reside here.

As people of faith we affirm and live by the biblical imperative, "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:33-34)

We are profoundly disturbed by the passage of the harshest anti-immigrant legislation in the country by the Arizona Legislature. It is legislation such as this that codifies racial profiling and creates an atmosphere of suspicion, hatred, and scapegoating of immigrants and U.S citizens.

We celebrate the diversity of our nation and the contribution of immigrants and call for the end of the criminalization of individuals and the destabilization of our communities.

We call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform that will provide a path for legalization for people who are contributing to our society, an adequate system for future legal economic immigration and family reunification, and policies that prevent deaths in the desert. We find it morally reprehensible that 5,500 men, women and children have lost their lives in the last 16 years trying to provide a life of dignity for their families. Policies such as SB 1070 and 287 (G) diminish the ability of local law enforcement to keep our communities safe.

We are dedicated to the following actions to demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to our immigrant brothers and sisters who are created equally in the image of God regardless of race or nationality. We are committed to:

• Encouraging members to pledge non-compliance with the unjust and racist law SB 1070
• Cancel plans to hold 2011 annual meeting in Arizona
• Direct action of prayer, study, protests, and fasting
• Mobilize our congregations to advocate for the Dream Act, a just and fair Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the abolishment of SB 1070 and 287 (G)

As people of faith and conscience rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, we hold to our UCC Statement of Affirmation of faith, in declaring, "You call us into your church...to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil."

In Solidarity and Service,
The Southwest Conference, United Church of Christ,
Rev. John Dorhauer, Conference Minister

 

Please Join Us for Girls’ Day Out at the Westin of Long Beach
By Brad Lara-Gagne

Enjoy wine and cheese, champagne and appetizers, and a silent auction, plus shop for your favorite moms! Featured vendors: Cookie Lee Jewelry, Full Moon Studios, Tastefully Simple and more!
All vendors will donate a percentage of their proceeds to the Drop-In-Center. The featured entertainer will be jazz singer Latrice McGlothin.

Saturday May 8, 12 - 4 p.m.
Westin of Long Beach (333 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802)

Admission: $10 advance donation or $20 donation at the door

For tickets and information there will be a table after church. You may also contact Brad Lara-Gagne by phone (562-607-4006) or email (bradg63@aol.com). Contact Tasha Ross at 310-491-6303 for more information on vendor or sponsor participation.

 

Global Mission Organizing Committee Travels to Newport Beach - Come Along!
By Bob Stiles

Three years ago Joyce and Dick Piper met with Bill Cole and several others from our church inviting us to join them in a mission project in Nicaragua. We now have this opportunity anew to be part of their efforts.

You are invited to come along with us to celebrate the coming home of several of our friends from St Mark's Presbyterian Church about the Nicaraguan AMOS team, the Coffee Cooperative and Urban Projects, who will report their exciting and healing work in that country.

The AMOS project is part of a larger effort of over 20 years to serve the poor in Nicaragua. The event will be at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. Dick Piper will introduce the St. Mark's people associated with AMOS and their larger organizations so that they may report their progress, tell about their challenges and tell us about their healing work. It is a marvelous story!

You may ask how does a church get involved in a country to the south? It was done says Joyce Piper initially by a service team from St. Mark's traveling to Nicaragua to observe the resources of the area and meet with people who needed assistance. It may not be so impossible that we at First Church may be involved in such a way, or maybe within another country. But this one might be just the receipe we want to use. As of this writing the AMOS project has 70 dentists on staff along with many medical doctors at the clinic that has been established.

Our ad hoc Global Mission Organizing Committee is hard at work in delving through the requirements of a Ministry Team as well as working on the requirements of the United Church of Christ's Global Mission Church program. Wish us luck! There are many discoveries and many decisions. Please pray for us! And please join our committee for ground-breaking events within our church!

The AMOS project is an amazing work, and if you want an exciting and heart lifting experience, come along with us and meet very special people who carry on Christ's mission of healing. Here is the address of St. Mark's with some phone numbers if you get lost. 2200 San Joaquin Hills Road, Newport Beach, 92660. Leave at least an hour for travel. Church's number: 949-644-1341; Dick's cell 714-552-6344; Joyce's cell 714-566-4131.

Give First Church member Bob Stiles a ring for further information: 562-923-3722.

 

Taizé at St. Luke's - May 11

Julian of Norwich Taizé: All Shall Be Well
Tuesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.

This month's readings and prayers will incorporate the visionary words of Julian of Norwich in a quiet hour of softly chanted songs and peaceful meditation. St. Luke's Episcopal Church is at the corner of Seventh and Atlantic in Long Beach.

 

Lowell Johnson Estate Sale
From Ellen Antler, President, College for Appraisers

Long-time First Church member Lowell Johnson was well known for his exceptional collection of clocks, art glass, pottery, silver services, art work, stem ware, and jewelry. He and his wife Dorothy collected these items in their travels and in their business. First Church folks who knew Lowell personally will remember these items fondly; others will surely have heard of them.

Lowell’s estate is now being liquidated, and friends of First Church are invited to a private pre-sale on Friday and Saturday May 7 and 8 from 9 am – 3 pm. Lowell’s home will be open, and we are inviting everyone to attend. You may want to just see his wonderful items one last time; we also encourage everyone to purchase any of these items before they go to the public estate sale. Along with the opportunity to miss the crowd on the public sale dates of May 14 and 15, we will be serving wine and cheese.

Friday and Saturday, May 7 and 8 from 9 am – 3 pm
Lowell Johnson’s residence, 3819 Livingston Drive, Long Beach

Photos of all of Lowell’s clocks and much of his art glass collection are available online at www.collegeforappraisers.com in the photo album section. Please contact wmiller@collegeforapraisers.com with any questions or for information about any items. More information about the presale is available on the members section of the website. Contact Ruth in the office if you are a member and do not know how to access this section of the church website.

 

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.

 

 

The Church Mouse has heard ...

... This week, Dante Wilson received the Patriot Award for exceptional performance in mathematics tests for the second trimester.

... We recently learned that Nicole Ramet Green, formerly the Children’s and Youth Ministry Director at First Church, gave birth to her second child, Clara Lyn Green, on March 22.

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Ed Reeves; Jake Adajian and family upon the death of his wife, Kenia Casarreal; Bill Cole; and Mary Lou Klar.

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.

 

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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