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

The Pilgrim - August 22, 2010

Sunday Celebration Notes from Libby Tigner
Celebrating God’s Love Every Sunday at 10 am.

We are in for a treat this Sunday as “Paisleyfied,” a musical ensemble featuring Aaron Palmer (guitar and vocals), Carol Welsh (vocals), Katie Nakamura (fiddle), Robert Adolf (bass) and Dan Fowler (percussion), provide our special music. Their country-western sound will be a bit of a departure from some of the more classical fare to which we are accustomed! You won’t want to miss it!

After church, former moderator Peter Wright will lead a forum that presents materials from Long Beach ALIVE’s (Alternatives to Living in a Violent Environment) curriculum for use with fourth- and fifth-grade students in Long Beach. This is a program that has been endorsed and supported by our church and by the Board of Outreach, and which is always looking for new people to be involved. Come and see what it’s all about – you might even decide you’d like to be a presenter.

My sermons for the next two weeks will be reflections on what I’m learning from a new book by John A. Buehrens and Rebecca Ann Parker called A House for Hope. They use the metaphor of a theological house to articulate the “frames that give our dreams shape and meaning.” I hope to see you on Sunday.

SERMON: A House for Hope, Part 1
The Rev. Libby Tigner preaching
LAY LITURGIST: Ms. Joyce Cannon

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Healing Reign
Scripture Focus: :Luke 13:10-17

 

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

Join us at 8:30 a.m. this Sunday as we resume our conversations about “Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know – and Doesn’t.” We are basing our conversations in a book by the same title by Stephen Prothero. Copies are available at the local library or from online booksellers; however, it’s not necessary for you to read the book to take part in the class.

Coffee and childcare are both available – so bring your breakfast and join us in the Klar Rooms at 8:30 Sunday morning.

 

 

Forum on Child Abuse -- This Sunday at 11:30
By Peter Wright

Come see the presentation on child abuse and family violence that Long Beach ALIVE (Alternatives to Living in a Violent Environment) volunteers have been giving in the Long Beach elementary schools for the last several years. By viewing this presentation this past school year, 2610 fourth- and fifth-graders in 87 classrooms in 13 schools learned how to recognize and report child abuse.
During this one-hour presentation you will see an excellent video telling the stories of real children who have experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. I will give the presentation in the same format and context as the fourth- and fifth-grade students see it.

I think you will find it very informative and rewarding. You may even decide that you would like to become a volunteer.

 

Homecoming Luncheon on September 12
By Barbara Smith

The Church History Ministry Team invites you to lunch on Homecoming Sunday, September 12. The team’s delicious salad bar, drinks and dessert will be provided. Tickets for this event will be on sale August 29, September 5 and September 12. Individuals $8 and families $20. Luncheon will be held in the downstairs Dining Room.

 

Café Concert on September 19, 1 PM
By Aaron Palmer

This year the café concert is dedicated to the memory of Chuck Murphy and Al Barney, who were great patrons of the music programs of the church. Our concert features a larger ensemble, Divan Consort, which includes members from around the globe and is directed by pianist Fureya Unal from Istanbul, Turkey.

Our annual concert series includes a glorious reception with appetizers and baked goods. To make a reservation call or email Aaron Palmer 714-744-3960, palm135@hotmail.com. The recommended donation is $10 per seat. If you donate $100 or more to the First Congregational Church Board of Cultural Arts (BOCA), you will receive two complimentary tickets to this spectacular event!

 

Senior Minister's Vacation

Jerry Stinson will be on vacation from August 16-31. He and Kay will be entertaining their two oldest grandchildren from Idaho and then will travel to Maine for their youngest daughter Amanda’s wedding.

 

A Faith and Reason Seminar

Radically Faithful: Passionate Christianity Confronting Empire and Savage Inequality
Friday, October 8, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
All Saints Church, Pasadena
132 North Euclid Avenue, Pasadena

JOHN DOMINIC CROSSAN and JOERG RIEGER will address critical issues facing us today and ask the questions, "Is it possible to be a faithful Christian today without addressing systemic injustice? Why, in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, do we have such savage economic inequality that allows a 10+% unemployment rate and vast disparities between the wealthiest and poorest?" Together, Crossan and Rieger will challenge us to see not only how Jesus focused on economic and sociopolitical issues, but how current pressures force Americans to take a fresh look at both empire and economics.

To register online for the seminar and to find more information about the event including the schedule, hotel, venue information and publicity flyer, click here. Registration is open and space is limited. Cost per person is $50, which includes a box lunch on Saturday. This FAITHANDREASON® seminar is presented by Progressive Christians Uniting, the D.L. Dykes, Jr. Foundation, the Joe B. and Louise P. Cook Foundation, All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA, and The Progressive® Christian.

 

As the Observance of Ramadan Begins, a Call for Respect for Muslim Neighbors

New York, August 11, 2010 -- The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, its Interfaith Relations Commission and the Christian participants in the National Muslim-Christian initiative, have issued the following statement [Note from Jerry Stinson: The United Church of Christ, our denomination, is a member of the National Council of Churches]:

As our Muslim neighbors begin their observance of Ramadan with fasting, re-dedicating themselves to God and God's service, we as Christians are troubled by fellow Christians in the United States who are expressing intolerance against Muslims in words and deeds.

Christ calls us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39). It is this commandment, more than the simple bonds of our common humanity, which is the basis for our relationship with Muslims around the world.

Grounded in this commitment, we question the anti-Muslim tenor of actions and speech regarding the building of Cordoba House and mosque near the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City. We are keenly aware that many Muslims, as well as Jews, Christians, Hindus, and others, lost family members in the attacks on September 11, 2001. We recognize, as does the Muslim community around the world, that it was a group of Muslims who embraced terrorism and teachings counter to the Qur'an and Islam that carried out this action. We stand with the majority of Muslims—including American Muslims—who are working against such radical influences in their communities. They have our support for building the Cordoba House as a living monument to mark the tragedy of 9/11 through a community center dedicated to learning, compassion, and respect for all people. This effort is consistent with our country’s principle of freedom of religion, and the rights all citizens should enjoy.

We also decry the anti-Muslim actions and plans of many church leaders and members, such as those of the Dove World Outreach Center in the U.S.A. Misguided or confused about the love of neighbor by which Christ calls us to live, leaders and members of this church and others are engaged in harassment of Muslims, and in the planning of an "International Burn the Qur'an Day," to be held on September 11th. Such open acts of hatred are not a witness to Christian faith, but a grave trespass against the ninth commandment, a bearing of false witness against our neighbor. They contradict the ministry of Christ and the witness of the church in the world. 

We ask all Christians to promote respect and love of neighbor, and to speak and work against extremist ideas, working with Muslims as appropriate, in order to live out the commandment to love our neighbor, and to promote peace.

 

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 ...

Tina Datsko de Sánchez will be reading from her poetry collection, The Delirium of Simón Bolívar, on August 22 at 3 p.m. at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel (Echo Park Room) at Hollywood and Highland. Tina's book is a winner of the Phi Kappa Phi Award and contains a foreword by Edward James Olmos.

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Paul DuNard upon the death of his wife, Trudy; Robert Stapp upon the death of his mother; Marion Hinze, Mary Martin; Cynde Soto; David Blackburn; and Frances Watte (Georgette DeBruyn's sister).

Garrison Paine, grandson of Joanne Paine and Jim Deaton, is stationed in Afghanistan.

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