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

The Pilgrim - June 13, 2010

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

This Sunday we have the opportunity tohonor seven people who have recently graduated from high school, college and graduate school. Our Scholarship Committee will also present this year’s scholarship awards. There will be special music by Beloved Bells.

My sermon will look at the importance of not missing opportunities to experience reverence, to reach out and touch someone else who needs that touch, and to play a part in the healing of a broken world.

SERMON: Incognito in the Metro Station
The Rev. Jerry Stinson
READING: Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
LITURGIST: Ms. Shelby Johnson

On June 20, our guest preacher will be the Rev. Canon Gwynne Guibord, a consultant to the national Episcopal Church on Interfaith Relations and the co-chair of the Christian Muslim Consultative Group.

 

Music on Sunday

This Sunday the choir will sing “In This Very Room” by Ron and Carol Harris. While it’s been performed quite a few times over the years, the simple message of having plenty of love, joy and hope for all of us is always reassuring. I first conducted this song with the Sanctuary Choir as a student conductor for a church service in 1985! I’m hoping my hands shake a little bit less than they did back then! We will be accompanied by Eddie Nazarro on piano. Dr. Marc Dickey will be out of town this weekend, so Eddie will be providing all the service music. You will also be treated to the Beloved Bells during the service as they play “Rock-a My Soul.”

And if you don’t have other plans, please join us at 1 pm for our Annual Young People’s Concert in the Sanctuary followed by an Ice Cream Social. It’s a very special day of music at First Church – hope to see you there!

- Tracy Halter-Balin, Interim Director of Music

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Choose Justice
Scripture Focus: I Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a

 

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

Richard Grauman will continue with his series on "Women of the Gospels in Art." This week: the women of Luke. As always, child care and coffee are provided. Feel free to bring your breakfast - and a friend!

 

 

Young People's Concert
This Sunday, 1 p.m.
Followed by the Ice Cream Social

 

 

First Church Visits the East Village
By Cathy Chambers

The Boards of Cultural Arts and Parish Life are getting together to organize a series of casual cultural outings, and our first effort will be this Saturday, June 12. Join Cathy Chambers and Doug Emslie for the Second Saturday East Village Art Walk; we plan to meet at 6 p.m. at the downtown Super Mex (732 E. First - the corner of Alamitos and First) and after supper stroll down to Linden and First for the street festival and open galleries.

For more information email Cathy Chambers (cathcham@otis.edu or 562-212-2405) or check the Art Walk website: www.artwalklb.com.

 

Israel's Attack on Gaza Flotilla
By Jerry Stinson

Having made three extensive trips to Israel and Occupied Palestine, I have seen firsthand the brutality of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). I have talked with people detained and tortured (both Palestinian and Israeli). I have seen homes destroyed and pictures of family members killed by IDF raids in refugee camps. I have had shock grenades thrown at our bus and have been threatened by soldiers aiming guns at me for standing too near the infamous wall in Bil’in. I have seen children traumatized by nightly raids by IDF soldiers into a village where they beat and detain young Palestinians.

But in spite of my low expectations for civil behavior by the Israeli military, I was nonetheless shocked by the brutality of the attack on a boat carrying humanitarian supplies to an oppressed people in Gaza, a people barely surviving in what is nothing more than a country turned into an Israeli prison camp. Israel’s blockade of Gaza is not only illegal in terms of international law, it is absolutely immoral.

The Israeli government clearly believes it can do whatever it wishes in the name of its own security and that it can get away with brutality because the United States government won’t stand up and hold Israel accountable for its behavior, nor will our government pull the plug on the military aid that makes the brutality possible. The Israeli government knows that it doesn’t make any difference whether those in the White House or those holding the majority of seats in Congress are Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals – they all look away from the oppression of Palestinians and keep writing the checks to pay for the weapons.

Most of the major Jewish organizations in the United States have been silent in the face of this massacre or have been busy trying to justify the unjustifiable. Whenever a Muslim terrorist strikes anywhere in the world, American Christians immediately say, “Where is the condemnation of terrorism by American Muslims?” And that condemnation always comes from all the major American Muslim organizations. Those groups not only condemn terrorism but are working to prevent it. So why is it that we don’t call for the major Jewish groups to speak out against Israel’s state terrorism? Is it because Christians feel so guilty about the Holocaust that we are afraid of being called anti-Semitic?

It takes real courage in today’s political climate for American Jews to swim against the stream of blind support of Israel. Below are two statements issued in response to Israel’s attack of the Free Gaza Aid Flotilla that reflect that courage.

The first comes from the Jewish Voice for Peace, a diverse and democratic community of American activists inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, and human rights. They said:

Jewish Voice for Peace condemns Israel's attack and killing of members of the Freedom Flotilla aiming to bring much needed aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. The flotilla passengers included retired US diplomats Amb. Edward Peck and Col. Ann Wright, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire, and former UN Assistant Secretary General Denis Halliday, as well as humanitarian aid and human rights workers, several Members of Parliament from Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Turkey, Malaysia, and Palestinian Members of the Knesset.

Before the flotilla was attacked, Yigal Palmor, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, said, "If we let them throw egg at us, we appear stupid with egg on our face. If we try to prevent them by force, we appear as brutes."

Israel has more than egg on its face. Israel has blood on its hands.

And then this statement appeared, signed by thirty brave rabbis, including my good friend, Haim Beliak:

In the wake of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla tragedy, we once again feel the need to raise our voices as rabbis in the Jewish community.

According to press reports, we now know that at least 9 people have been killed and many more have been injured when Israeli Navy Seals boarded a boat that held 600 people in the middle of the night – conducting a military operation against civilian activists in the midst of international waters.

We also know that the essential aim of the Freedom Flotilla was to carry humanitarian aid to those who have been severely suffering under the effects of Israel’s crushing blockade of Gaza. We call upon our community not to turn away in denial or blame those of good will and good purpose who risked their lives to relieve the beleaguered people of the Gaza strip.

We lift up our voices and call upon Israel to conduct an independent, transparent, and credible investigation of this incident. We also call upon the government of Israel to open the gates of compassion and allow these ships to dock so that they may deliver humanitarian aid to the 1.5 million citizens of Gaza. In so doing, we note the overall context of oppression in which this incident has occurred and call upon the government of Israel to turn away from the policies of occupation, siege and indifference to international law.

Our silence now is an act of betrayal to the values we purport to live by.

The human rights violations inflicted upon the Palestinian people are absolutely immoral, and it is time that we speak out. For me, my faith calls me to condemn human rights violations no matter what is the religion of the offending people. The blockade of Gaza must be lifted and the occupation of Palestine must be ended. It’s just that simple!

Jerry

 

June 19
Is Approaching

Look for the DAYS Table in the Courtyard after the Service This Sunday

It’s Time to Celebrate
Summer in the City

Downtown Associated Youth Services (DAYS) is pleased to announce its 40th year providing a free summer day camp to children and youth in Long Beach. DAYS cordially invites you to our annual Summer in the City event on Saturday evening, June 19.

To honor the mission of DAYS, this year we are paying tribute to Progressive Dinner Party. Since their first dinner in November 2004, members Cari Marshall, Donna Hilbert, Tere Sievers, Lenore Brown, and Eric de Valpine have raised more than $112,000 for non-profits in Long Beach serving women, children and youth.

DAYS believes that all children and youth ought to have access to programs that create relationships, inspire, awaken imaginations and provide enriching opportunities in a safe space.
With deep appreciation, this year’s Summer in the City honors Progressive Dinner Party for their selfless work to make a positive difference in our community.

Join us Saturday, June 19, 6 to 9 p.m.
Patterson Hall
Hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m., dinner follows at 6:45

To purchase a ticket for $35, visit www.urbancommunityoutreach.org or RSVP to Nancy Valencia (navalencia@verizon.net or 562-234-2851) to reserve your space and in lieu of purchasing a ticket, bring a unique item with a retail value of $50 or more to donate to the silent auction.

Look for a DAYS table in the courtyard after worship and purchase an opportunity drawing ticket for an Apple IPad. Tickets are available for $10 for one or $20 for five.

 

Search Committee
By Jerry Stinson

The Executive Committee of the Church Council has selected a seven-member Search Committee to look for a new Director of Music. The Search Committee will hold its first meeting this week. The members of the committee are Marc Dickey, Tracy Halter-Balin, Robert Stapp, Pam Chapin, Michele Wilson, Michael Earl and Jerry Stinson.

 

Save the Date!
Saturday, August 21 - Tour of the Pacific Islands Luau

Join us on the shores of Long Beach to experience a tour of the Pacific Islands Samoan Style. Experience a Polynesian luau with authentic food, dazzling dance performances representing each of the Pacific islands and musical performances Pacific island style. This will also be your opportunity to experience the Samoan money dances. You won’t want to miss this.

This event is sponsored by the Southern California Nevada Conference for the United Church of Christ and coordinated by the Samoan Ministries Table. This is a chance for UCC congregations and friends to come together and enjoy the ocean breezes of Long Beach alongside the historic ship the Queen Mary. Take advantage of the reduced room rate and stay abouard for the night.

Date: Saturday, August 21
Time: 12 - 6 p.m.
Place: The Queen Mary Event Park, located at the north end of the Queen Mary - 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802
Ticket price: $50 per person for general seating or you may purchase a VIP table of 10 for $750.
Event parking: A discounted rate of $8 per vehicle
Hotel stay discount: Rooms are available for Friday night stay (August 20), $125 per room.

You can purchase your tickets on line with Visa or MasterCard by visiting the scncucc.org website, or mail your check toThe Southern California Nevada Conference United Church of Christ, 2401 N Lake Ave., Altadena, CA 91001.

If you have any questions or would like more details on this event, please contact the event coordinator, Mary Flynn at 562-432-2887 or MFlynnLB@earthlink.net.

This event is a fundraiser to support the ministries of the Southern California Nevada Conference United Church of Christ.

 

Third World Gifts
From Jerry Stinson

Third World Gifts and Handarts cordially invites you to its 35th Anniversary Celebration with luncheon and silent auction on Sunday, June 13 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Garden Grove United Methodist Church. Featured speakers will be Father Greg Boyle, S.J., Founder/Director of Homeboy/Homegirl Industries of East Los Angeles and best-selling author, as well as the Rev. Bob Mooney, Senior Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda and Board Member of Hope for Women/Hope for Kids in Uganda. The speakers’ projects are among the many missions supported, year-round, through the nonprofit fair trade shop plus outreach efforts to many congregations that are provided by Third World Gifts and Handarts.

A donation of $25 per person is requested to attend if your reservation is paid by June 10 and $30 per person if received thereafter. Please send your reservations/donation (payable to Third World Gifts and Handarts) to their shop at 152 N. Glassell, Suite B, Orange, CA 92866. You may call them at 714-288-1434. If you are unable to attend, please send a donation in any amount, which would be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and acknowledged by letter. Thank you!

 

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.

 

Passing

First Church member Agnes Herbst died last week. Arrangements for her memorial are still pending, but are likely to be at the church on the morning of Saturday, June 19.

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Eddie Nazarro upon the death of his father; Bob Cole (Eddie Nazarro's friend); the family and friends of Karly Kojimoto (Cathy Chambers' friend); Rick Mangold (Peter Wright's friend); and Iris Wells.

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