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

The Pilgrim - May 16, 2010

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

This Sunday a large contingent of First Church members will participate in the annual Long Beach Pride Parade. Thus our morning service will be briefer than usual. We will hold it at the regular time, 10 a.m., but we are hoping to finish in about 45 minutes. There will be a choral anthem but no solos or special music. The announcements will be abbreviated and there will not be a children’s time in the service – the children will go directly to their classes at 10 a.m.

During the sermon time, the Rev. Robert Stapp and the Rev. Linda Silas will each talk about their journeys into participation in the Pride Parade.

Feel free to wear your walking clothes to church. The service will again include the commissioning of all Pride Parade walkers as representatives of our church.

Plan not only to be with us for the service, but to walk in the parade as well! I guarantee that you won’t regret it. But if you cannot walk, it would be great if you could offer to drive some of our walkers down Broadway to get them close to where the parade will start.

Next week, when we celebrate the ritual of confirmation, during the sermon time Jerry Stinson and Libby Tigner will both speak to our five new young members: “Being Confirmed: Beginning of a Journey.

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Breaking Chains
Scripture Focus: Acts 16:16-34

 

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

New Adult Class on Religious Literacy Begins This Sunday
By Libby Tigner

“The United States is a deeply religious nation, yet many Americans – even the most devout – are shockingly ignorant about religion. Can you:

• Name the four gospels?
• Name a sacred text of Hinduism?
• Name the holy book of Islam?
• Name the Ten Commandments?
• Name the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?

If you can’t, you’re not alone.”

Those words are on the jacket of Boston University Professor of Religion Stephen Prothero’s book, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know – and Doesn’t (HarperSanFrancisco, 2007). I’ll be using Prothero’s book as a text for our next Sunday morning adult class, beginning this week, May 16.

On nine Sundays spread over the next few months, I’ll share my learning about the civic and secular reasons that religious literacy is important, help provide us with some social and historical context about religion in America, and hopefully help us to fill in some of our blanks about our religious understanding and diversity.

You may want to read Prothero’s book. I will have five paperback copies of it available for $10 each this Sunday. If you’d like one, let me know, and I’ll hold it for you. I can order more if needed. It will not be necessary to read the book to enjoy the class.

This week’s session will be an introduction and overview for the class. Next Sunday, May 23, will be a brief history of religion in America. I hope you can join us!

 

 

Reiki Healing Circle on May 22
By Tina Datsko

In this time of challenge in the life of our church, consider this your invitation to spend a peaceful afternoon sharing loving intentions. On Saturday, May 22 there will be a Reiki healing circle in Sacred Space from 1 to 4 p.m. Reiki, which means “spiritually directed universal life force energy,” is a spiritual practice of asking for and receiving energy to heal ourselves and others. During the Reiki circle, there will be time for introducing ourselves, sending Reiki to loved ones, and giving and receiving Reiki. If you are planning to come or have questions, please contact Tina Datsko at 562-421-2826 or tmdatsko@verizon.net.

 

Property Use Task Force
By Pamela Chapin, Treasurer

The Stewardship and Finance board is creating a task force to evaluate the long-term usage of the church’s property on the corner of Broadway and Cedar. Currently the property is leased to a restaurant; however, the restaurant is behind on rent. The board is interested in looking at all alternative uses for the property. If you are interested in serving on this task force, please contact Michael Gardner, co-chair of the board, at mgarches@yahoo.com.

 

Exciting New Adult Learning Opportunities on Sunday Mornings
By Libby Tigner

Throughout the rest of the year, there is going to be a rich variety of classes offered on Sunday mornings that will help you to nurture your spiritual self and stretch your theological imagination. While a few details are still being determined, I can tell you that on Sundays at 8:30 a.m., you are going to want to join us in the Klar Rooms to join in the conversations on fascinating topics.

Here are some of the classes that will be offered between now and early 2011:

“Women in the Four Gospels as Depicted in Art”- a four-session class with lecture and PowerPoint led by Richard Grauman.

“Religious Literacy” - a nine-session class led by Libby Tigner.

“Memories of Muhammad” – a five-session class led by Jerry Stinson.

“gods to God to Gaia” – a four-session class led by Jerry Stinson.

“The Heart of Christianity” (working through Marcus Borg’s book of the same title) – a twelve-session class led by Bob Kalayjian, Libby Tigner and others.

With the exception of one class, these topics will be covered over consecutive weeks, and they will be announced soon. To accommodate our schedules, the class “Religious Literacy” will hopscotch a bit on the calendar, but you’ll know in plenty of time to get all of the classes into your date book.

As always, there will be coffee waiting for you, and you are more than welcome to bring your breakfast. And a friend! Please join us for learning, conversation and community building on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. You’ll be glad you did!

 

It's Time for Summer in the City
By Nancy Valencia

Downtown Associated Youth Services is celebrating its 40th year of Summer Day Camp. Since 1970, the DAYS Committee and First Congregational Church have provided a free six-week summer camp for the children and youth in Long Beach. Mark your calendar and please plan to join us for our annual fundraising event.

Saturday, June 19, 6 p.m.
Patterson Hall
Tickets are $35

 

Calling All Graduates!
By Libby Tigner

We want to honor YOU! If you are graduating this spring or summer (or already graduated since last summer) from high school, college, graduate school or a vocational program, we want to celebrate with you. Please notify Wally Hoeger by Friday, May 28 if you are or you know of a church member who is a graduate. We will determine which Sunday in June the most of our graduates will be in attendance and honor you all together.

 

Global Mission Organizing Committee Invites Guest Speaker for May 18 Meeting at 6:30
By Bob Stiles

Stephen Patten, chairperson of the Board of Mission and Social Action at Claremont United Church of Christ, will speak informally about his church’s experience in forming their Global Mission Church at Claremont at the Global Mission Organizing Committee (GMOC) meeting in Klar 3 on May 18 at 6:30 pm at First Church. Stephen also chairs the Missionary Relations sub-committee. He is MMI trained (Ministry and Mission Interpreters) as well as on the Conference’s Global Mission Committee. Stephen is a high school teacher for juniors and seniors at Claremont, teaching religion, philosophy and US history.

The GMOC committee began last month as an effort to explore the options of forming a Global Mission Church (GMC) at First Church. Global Missions has as its purpose to connect equally with friends and partners in the Majority World and to provide strength and energy to their critical needs of hunger, illness and poverty.

If you are one of those people who can’t let go of that “burning desire” in your heart to think and act in global missions, then consider joining our GMOC committee! You won’t be disappointed and yes, you are needed for crucial work with others in the global world. The churches have an international responsibility, so come along and share and work with us!

 

The Central Association of the
Southern California Nevada Conference
of the United Church of Christ
along with the Los Altos United Church of Christ
joyfully invites you to the
Service of Installation
of
The Rev. Dr. Paul Lance
as called pastor to
Los Altos United Church of Christ
on
Sunday, June 13, 3 p.m.

Los Altos United Church of Christ
5550 Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
562-596-6718
All clergy please arrive at 2:30 to prepare for processional (red stoles).
A reception will follow the service of installation.

 

Muslim Responses to Terrorist Action in New York
By Jerry Stinson

After Faisal Shahzad sought to attack New York City's Times Square, two of the major Muslim organizations in the US issued statements praising law enforcement and condemning what Mr. Shahzad did. I want to share their responses with you.

And I share these responses confessing that in March, when federal authorities arrested nine members of the Hutaree militia, a fringe Christian group in Michigan for planning to kill law-enforcement officers as part of a plan to “levy war” on the United States, neither I nor many other Christian leaders condemned their action in the name of Christianity. We expect Muslims to condemn terrorism done in the name of Islam, but we don’t have the same expectations for people of other faiths, including our own.

Here’s the statement about the New York incident by the Council for American-Islamic Relations, a group of which I am a proud member:

"On behalf of the American Muslim community, we condemn the attack in Times Square and thank all those who reported their suspicions, disarmed the bomb or are participating in the current investigation. We welcome the arrest of a suspect and hope that anyone involved in the attack will be apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

"American Muslims repudiate all acts of terrorism and will continue to work with local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to keep our nation safe and secure. We ask anyone who has information about this attack to contact local police and the FBI. Any person who is afraid to contact the authorities directly should contact CAIR. We will then assist these individuals in contacting relevant authorities.

"In no way, shape or form does this attack represent American Muslims or what they stand for as a faith community. We must also, as a civil rights group, remind everyone that we are a nation of laws and that in our system of justice, every suspect is innocent until proven guilty.

Then there was this statement from the Muslim Public Affairs Council, of which I am also a member. You might remember that two MPAC staff members have preached at First Church – Edina Lekovic in 2008 and Aziza Hasan just a few weeks ago.

Late last night, federal law enforcement authorities announced they captured the alleged perpetrator, Faisal Shahzad, seeking to attack New York City's Times Square with a car bomb Saturday night. The Muslim Public Affairs Council commends law enforcement and vigilant citizens for helping to prevent the plot and apprehend the suspect.

"The Muslim American community condemns this appalling attempted attack on our country," said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati. "While we await the results of the investigation and formal charges against the suspect, we urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any potential criminal activity."

The Muslim Public Affairs Council also released a fascinating article about two Muslims involved with the New York city event. I doubt you have read this story in the major American news sources:

A TALE OF TWO MUSLIMS IN TIMES SQUARE

It's a tale of two Muslim immigrants in America. One is a 30-year-old Pakistani man who became a citizen last year and recently hit a major downturn in his life, the other is a middle-aged Senegalese man who sells pictures of the iconic New York skyline in Times Square. Saturday night, their paths crossed unexpectedly. And there a new chapter in post-9/11 life was sparked.

We've heard a great deal already about the events that led up to the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, who has confessed to the plot. And we’ve heard a lot from the two street merchants who alerted police to the smoking car.

But what about the story of Alioune Niass, the Senegalese street vendor, who first spotted the smoking car and asked the vendor at the next table, Lance Orton, to call 911? It's almost nowhere to be found. Two Muslim men on the opposite sides of morality - one trying to take lives, another trying to save lives.

Here's a brief excerpt from Alioune Niass' interview on Democracy Now! yesterday:
REPORTER: I asked Alioune Niass what his reaction was when he found out the suspect in the attempted bombing is a Muslim-American born in Pakistan.

ALIOUNE NIASS: That not religion, because Islam religion is not terrorist. Because if I know this guy is Muslim, if I know that, I’m going to catch him before he run away.

REPORTER: How do you think Muslims are generally perceived in New York by police, by law enforcement, when it comes to investigations into terrorism cases?

ALIOUNE NIASS: If one person is bad, they going to say everybody for this religion. That is, I think, wrong.

REPORTER: Alioune's not awaiting for a call from the president, but as one of the first people to notice and speak out about the smoke rising from the SUV, he does want some recognition that a Muslim immigrant from Senegal might also be counted among the eyes and ears of New York City.

Niass deserves to be a full and equal part of this story. He is the face of a sincere, dedicated and responsible Muslim in America, and is horrified that the perpetrator is a fellow Muslim.

The balance in real life must be mirrored in media coverage and from the lips of public officials. Yes, there is a real threat of violence from unstable and volatile extremists. First, the Christmas Day underwear bomber. Now, the Times Square car bomber. Between them were Joseph Stack, the Hutaree Militia and the Neo-Nazi bio-chemical terror plot in North Carolina.

If anything is to be learned and remembered at this delicate time, there are two lessons to take away.

First is that Alioune Niass' heroic act is not atypical of American Muslims. Prior to this incident, there have been at least six major terror plots against the United States that were prevented due to the assistance of Muslims. Second, as the above examples show, no one faith or political ideology has a monopoly over terrorism. This is why profiling based on ethnicity, race or religion will never work in ensuring our safety. These are two of the primary findings in MPAC’s recent counterterrorism paper “Building Bridges to Strengthen America: Forging an Effective Counterterrorism Enterprise between Muslim Americans and Law Enforcement”.

This week, we have witnessed a rapid spiral in public discourse around national security. While most of the country looks at Arizona's new law as draconian and un-American, few people have raised an eyebrow by Sen. Lieberman's proposal to rescind the citizenship of any individual suspected of terrorism. And CNN headliner Anderson Cooper smirking when Bill Maher makes a crude and offensive joke about Islam on primetime television.

In times like these, we have to pull together as a nation and rely most on our Constitutional principles and the rule of law. We owe suspects their due process rights, we owe the public a balanced representation of two Muslim men on opposite sides of the same situation, and we must rise above our worst instincts to cast suspicion on an innocent minority population. Our country must embrace Muslims, particularly in moments like these.

For Muslim Americans, we're stuck shaking our heads in disgust and disbelief at moments like these. We must continue our work to promote healthy communities, strong identities, and work for change. We can't understand this kind of outburst of violence, but we're committed to rejecting extremism and working for better days ahead.

 

New Conference Minister Announced
By Libby Tigner

The Board of Directors of the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ announced their candidate for the position of Conference Minister on Monday. After a nearly two-year search process, the Rev. Felix Villanueva has been tapped to be the pastoral and administrative leader of our conference, the most diverse in the UCC.

Currently serving as Senior Minister at the United Church of Christ in La Mesa, California, Felix was born in Puerto Rico and ordained in 1982. He served for 21 years as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. Felix will be introduced at the June 11 & 12 Annual Gathering of the Southern California Nevada Conference in Santa Ana. You can find registration information, including a full brochure, at the Conference's website: scncucc.org.

 

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 ...

... a baby shower is being planned for Jennifer, Brian and baby Steven Mota on Saturday afternoon, June 12. Details to follow ... stay tuned.

... Bob Phibbs' newest book from Wiley & Sons, The Retail Doctor's Guide to Growing Your Business, is now available in stores.

... Annie Gholson (BA in Music with Vocal Performance Focus) is having her Junior Recital on May 15 at 1 p.m., Rm. C100, Music Dept, CSULB. You are invited!

... Fran Holand is looking for a reasonably priced studio, apartment or room in someone's house by the end of May. If you can help, please call her at 562-431-8328.

... "Daddy's Dyin', Who's Got the Will?" is currently running on the Mainstage at the Long Beach Playhouse, directed by our own Martha Duncan. It plays through June 5. Check out lbplayhouse.org for more information and tickets.

... Jim Lumen's photography is now on exhibit at the One-Dollar Bookstore (248 Pine Ave in downtown Long Beach). Come see Long Beach and the world as they have never been seen before!

... Perry & Ron Cuttriss-Ellwood are excited to have their two new puppies!

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Bob Cole (Eddie Nazarro's friend); Margaret Jones' stepfather; Jeff Stamps (Margaret Jones' stepbrother); and Ed Reeves.

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