Pastor's Message for October

Dear Friends,

The focus of the Presbyterian Women's Horizons Bible Study this year has to do with the seasons, not the seasons of nature, but the seasons of the church or the Liturgical Calendar. This is not a subject that most people spend a lot of time thinking about (except pastors and Worship Committees!), but it forms the basis for our worship throughout the year.

The Christian Church has, for centuries, observed the following days and seasons:

Advent, a season for anticipating the birth of Christ;

Christmas, a celebration of the birth of Christ;

Epiphany, a day to remember God's manifestation to all people, symbolized by the arrival of the Magi at the manger of the baby Jesus;

Lent, a season of spiritual discipline and preparation for the death and resurrection of Christ. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday;

Holy Week, a time of remembering the suffering and death of Christ;

Easter, the day celebrating the resurrection of Jesus;

The Day of Pentecost, the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit to The Church.

Just as each season of nature has its own marker or characteristic, so each season or special day of the church has its own marker, that is, each season is designated by a different color. I'm sure you have noticed that the paraments (scarves and stoles) on the pulpit, lectern and communion table, as well as the stoles of the pastors and choir, change from time to time, from season to season.

The color white is used Christmas Day through Epiphany (Jan. 6) and Easter Day until Pentecost. Purple is used for Advent and Lent and Holy Week. Red is the color for Pentecost and sometimes for Palm Sunday and for Ordinations. Green is for Ordinary Time, that is, the time when there is no specific season or day, the longest period being from Pentecost until Advent.

God was gracious to us in creating the seasons and the Church gave us the gift of the Liturgical Calendar, both of them lending us structure and certainty in our often chaotic and insecure lives. Thanks be to God!

- Faithfully yours,

Marge

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Mission Study Committee Report

The Mission Study Committee has begun work on the various ways it will gather information from the congregation, as well as the survey topics, in its role in the pastoral search process.

Individual members, boards, committees and other congregational groups have been asked to submit questions and topics to be surveyed. Paper copies may be deposited in the blue Mission Study Committee box in Lincoln House. Alternatively, you may e-mail these items to the Study Committee by clicking .

JavaScript must be enabled to display this email address.

                  - Jody Meacham

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Learning Peacemaking

Sometimes it seems that we are slow to learn how to make peace. When complex threats confront both our nation and our cities, it is likely that we will respond to violence with violence and unleash more resentment and fanaticism. There's got to be a better way. Partly, it will involve learning new responses to tension, and partly it is willingness to commit to what Jesus taught.

Each year on the first Sunday of October, we collect a special Peacemaking Offering. Three-fourths of the offering goes to the national Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, which launches interfaith listening projects bringing Muslims, Jews, and Christians together. The national program also conducts seminars for youth and adults, funds the Presbyterian United Nations Office, and publishes resources that demonstrate new ways to peace. Church and World Board designates the remaining one-fourth of the offering; this year the beneficiary is Clean Slate, a San Jose tattoo removal program that helps young adults put gang life behind them.

Please bring your Peacemaking Offering contribution on October 2 as part of World Communion Sunday.

                  - Dale Bracey, Church and World Board

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Screening of "The Gold Rush" Benefits Community Inns

Are you ready for some good old-fashioned fun? Come to a rare screening of the classic silent movie, The Gold Rush, starring Charlie Chaplin, complete with rousing and lively organ accompaniment and delicious refreshments.

St. Francis Episcopal Church is hosting this Silent Movie Night to benefit InnVision's Community Inns (the Rotating Faith-based Shelter program in which Stone has also participated for many years).

The event will be held Saturday, October 8, at 7 pm, at St. Francis, which is located at the corner of Newport and Pine. Tickets are $5 for children under 12, and $10 for children from 12 to 100.

Contact Sheri Cunningham for tickets.

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Stone Church Golf Tournament Date Announced

It's getting to be that time of the year again - time for Stone Church's Annual Golf Tournament. The date for this year's tournament at The Villages Golf and Country Club is Saturday, October 8, at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to play: the cost is $70 for those over 19 and $60 for those 19 and under. This covers green fee, cart, prize fund, and snacks. We use the scramble format and give out lots of prizes for all levels of golfers. We're looking for prizes, so if you have something appropriate, call Maureen Ryan. Sign-ups will begin in early September. If you haven't already, mark that date! Got questions? Call Mike Donald or Ed Tablak.

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Walter and June Keener Wink to Lecture at First Pres Palo Alto

Walter Wink and June Keener Wink will lecture on Jesus and the Spiral of Nonviolence during the Robert McAfee Brown Annual Lectureship at the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, the weekend of November 4 - 6.

The Winks are both on the faculty of Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City. Because the lectureship is funded by a bequest, there is no charge. For more details, click here to visit the First Pres. Church webpage.

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Changes to Christmas Services, and a New Tree Decorating Event

There will be only one Christmas Eve service this year - a family service on Saturday, December 24, at 7:30 pm. On Christmas Day, which occurs on a Sunday this year, there will be one service at 9:30 am.

The Worship Committee invites everyone to help put up the church's Christmas tree and hang the liturgical arts for Advent on November 22, from 6 to 9 pm. This intergenerational event will also include refreshments.

Please let Gail Chaid, Worship Moderator, know you are coming so enough materials and food will be on hand.

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New Books in the Church Library, from Nursery Rhymes to Life Abundant

Here are the latest additions to the Stone Church library, located in the Lincoln House Conference Room.   

Our younger members will find these new books:

• Gregory Griggs & Other Nursery Rhyme People by Arnold Lobel (1st Books 398 Lob)
• Amazing Spiders (J 595.4 Par) and Amazing Mammals (J 599 Par), both by Alexandra Parsons and given by Betsy Williams
• Pageant by Kathryn Lasky (YA Las)

• Golf  & the Spirit: Lessons for the Journey by M. Scott Peck (158 Pec), given by Gail Chaid [We also have this book on audio tape.]
• Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels (229 Pag)
• Jesus As a Figure in History: How Modern Historians View the Man from Galilee by Mark Allan Powell (232.9 Pow), given by Pat Magee
• God Has Never Failed Me, But He's Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times by Stan Toler (813 Tol), given by Sylvia Snyder
• Early Christian Painting by Pierre du Bourguet (700 Bou)
• The Traveler: An American Odyssey in the Himalayas by Eric Hansen (954.9 Han)

• The Violence Formula: Why People Lend Sympathy & Support to Terrorism by Terrell E. Arnold (Soc.Iss. 322.4 Arn)
• Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations by Michael Walzer (Soc.Iss. 355 Wal)
• A Time to Weep, A Time to Sing: Faith Journeys of Women Scholars of Religion by Mary Jo Meadow and Carole Rayburn (Women 248 Mea)
• Older Is Better: Common-Sense Steps to a Long Life, Health, & Happiness by Elizabeth Vierck (Spec.Needs 646.7 Vie)
• Eco-Economy: Building an Economy for the Earth by Lester R. Brown (Ecol. 333.7 Bro) and
• Life Abundant: Rethinking Theology & Economy for a Planet in Peril by Sallie Mcfague (Ecol. 261.8 McF), both given by Pat Magee

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Men's Book Club Fall Meetings

The Stone Church Men's Book Club book selections, meeting dates and places are::

• 1776, by David McCullough, on September 19, at Art Holtz' home
• Redneck Nation, by Michael Graham, on October 17, at David McCreath's home
• The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom, on November 21, at Rod Thorn's home

All men are invited to join these discussions and enjoy the fellowship of sharing and refreshments.

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Women's Retreat Scheduled for Spring

Spring will be here soon!  So please mark your calendar and plan to attend the Women's Retreat on March 17-19, at the St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista.  Our own Mary Alice Collins will be our leader, and she has some inspired ideas for an interesting and fun adventure. In fact, if you would like to serve on the committee, please contact Deborah Crim or Jan Keifer. We have a very enthusiastic committee, but we would enjoy including a few more women.

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Session Beat

At its regular meeting on September 13, the Session:

Heard a report from Tina Luebcke, co-moderator of the Mission Study Committee, on progress to date;

Heard from Marge Palmer that the offering for Hurricane Katrina relief had reached $7,085 to date;

Revised the Guidelines for Faith Sharing to give Moderators of Boards and Committees responsibility for working with "sharers" on content and on meeting deadlines;

Heard that Karen Hagan Webster, who grew up in Stone Church, will be ordained here on October 2; and heard that Butch Washington, who was an intern at Stone Church, has received a call to Swan Valley, Idaho, and will be ordained at First Presbyterian Church, Hollister, on October 9.

Gave responsibility for oversight of the StoNews and the Web site to the Membership and Evangelism Board, rather than to Personnel and Administration;

Arranged to have Board and Committee charters, and the Stone Church Bylaws, updated;

Gave permission for money to be taken from the Royce Hubin Memorial Fund to purchase a used piano for the Live Oak Adult Day Care Center. Deacons have a regular music ministry at the Center but have a great need for a playable piano. The Hubin Fund was designated for music ministry in nursing homes;

Heard that Stone's participation in InnVision's Community Inns (rotating faith-based shelter) has volunteers in place for the month of October;

Heard that there will be a meeting of the Budget Review Committee in October to begin work on the church budget for 2006 and to review finances to date.

                  - Alice Thorn, Clerk of Session

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Deacon's Doings

When we focus on our own problems, our own despair, our own sources of lack and want, we rarely find resolution. There are always those things, just out of our reach, that make our lives a little, or a lot, unfinished and incomplete.

Something that helps to "finish and complete" our lives is helping others, especially members of our own church family. When someone in our church is sick or bereaved, we need to take meals to them. When someone in our church needs a ride to the doctor and can't drive, we need to drive them. When someone in our church needs help with anything within our abilities, we need to help them.

The Deacons' Ripples program has addressed needs of all sorts during its almost decade-long existence. But we Deacons cannot fill all the requests ourselves - we always need volunteers to help, especially with meals and transportation on weekdays.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others ... Christ Jesus ... emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. (Philippians 2:4-7a)

Please contact Gretchen Keagle or Claire Ribble (Ripples coordinators) to let them know how you can help this most worthwhile endeavor.

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"Helping Hands, Giving Hearts" is 2006 Stewardship Theme

Helping Hands, Giving Hearts is the theme for the annual Stone Church stewardship campaign. The 2006 kickoff will be Sunday, October 9. The Rev. David McCreath, Honorably Retired, of the Stewardship Board, will present the Sunday morning message, and a representative from the Worship Board will provide the Moment for Stewardship.

Please join us, after the Sunday morning service, for coffee, punch, and cake in the Social Hall.

Like any family, your church has responsibilities. Your financial contributions from your annual pledge help pay for:

• expenses incurred in having a sanctuary conducive to a meaningful worship environment
• teaching materials in Christian education
• salaries and benefits for pastors and staff
• building and grounds maintenance and repair
• office expenses
• basic utilities such as heating, lighting, and water
• general insurance
• contributions to Presbyterian General Mission
• local mission giving and support.

                  - Dean Helms, Moderator, Stewardship Board

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Adult Education Runs Gamut from Bible Study to Spiritual Formation

Sunday morning adult study classes are being offered this school year in two broad areas: (1) Bible study and church history, and (2) spirituality and Christian life. In addition, special classes will be offered to assist parents in being Christian educators. All classes run from 11 am to noon with nursery care available during the hour.

Spirituality and Christian Life

October 16 - December 11 - The Way of Blessedness
Would you like to go deeper into Christian Spiritual Formation in a small group setting? The Rev. Rebecca Kuiken will lead a nine-week exploration of Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. Each participant will be invited to discover Jesus' vision of the Kingdom of God on earth and to develop and live a personal "rule of life" that helps us reside in that kingdom. The resource book, Companions in Christ: The Way of Blessedness, will be available for review and purchase.

Bible Study and Church History

October 16 & 23, December 11 & 18 - The Book of Genesis: Its Meaning for Today
The Book of Genesis is filled with strange, unbelievable stories: creation of the universe in six days, expulsion from paradise for eating a forbidden fruit, a worldwide flood, and an old man who tries to sacrifice his son. Can these 3000-year-old myths have any meaning for our lives today? Pat Magee will lead this fascinating Bible study.

October 30 - December 4 - Birth Pangs of the Church: The First Years
When the church was being formed, Christians faced huge decisions about what would become our evolving faith. Dale and Barbara Bracey will probe evidence from the New Testament and extra-Biblical writings, including the Apostolic Fathers, the Gospel of Thomas, and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, about hot-button issues such as: (1) Did you have to become a Jew first to become a Christian?, (2) Whose moral standards?, and (3) What was the true nature of Jesus?.

                  - Pat Magee, Adult Education Coordinator

And just a reminder: nursery care is always available during the adult study hour.

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Christian Education Notes

Parenting When the World is Scary

In the parent's class in September, participants heard that an important role parents need to play in their children's spiritual development is as prophet for their children. Parents need to help them see God's hand in their lives and the world. What does that mean when events like the memorable 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina happen, and the world seems scary to children and even adults?

I believe that these events give us a special opportunity to point out God's faithfulness.

I've been bothered lately by cartoons that question God's goodness and "intelligent design," apparently because the cartoonist thinks a benevolent creator would not let bad things happen to the creation. The God I know allows us to care for that creation and grieves when any of those creations, particularly people, are harmed. But, most importantly, God is faithful in fulfilling the promise of being with us. Parents can share the stories they hear of people helping each other, of people enduring in spite of hardships, and of people finding the strength they need.

God's promise to be faithful goes all the way back to the covenant made with Abraham, which was renewed generation after generation. God's faithfulness took special form with the gift of God's son and an enduring form with the gift of the Holy Spirit. God is still with us, in good times and bad, and God is still asking for the same response asked of Abraham and the nation that grew from his descendents; we need to be faithful to God.

I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to teach your children about the special covenant that is extended to us. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to do something together to help people in need. I feel sure that the Health Kits assembled in Vacation Church School went to Katrina survivors. How about making a Personal Health Kit together and bringing it to church? That's learning to put faith into action. It is also something children will remember and has proven to have a positive effect on their own spiritual development.

God bless,
Miriam Kishi

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News from the Church and World Board

Recycling
Our resident dumpster diver (aka Fred Groppuso) has offered to expand his mission. If you don't know already, Fred collects soda cans and water bottles (with CRV deposit) from around our Stone Church buildings and takes them to a recycling center. He then donates the profits to the children's Heifer International Project. There's now a recycle can in the Social Hall by the back door. Bring in your bottles and cans, and Fred will take them to a recycle center. You'll be helping out a very worthy cause.
 
Community Inns (Rotating Faith-based Shelter)
Thank you to all who have been a part of preparing for the coming of the men who will be housed at Stone Church from September 24 to October 28, as part of Community Inns, InnVision's rotating faith-based shelter. Thanks for the furniture you have donated; for the place mats designed by the children in the church school, for your hospitality in welcoming the men as hosts at their dinner hour; for the calls you're making to pull this all together; to the men of Building and Grounds for their muscle in moving things around for us; and to all who have in one way or another been supportive of this worthwhile outreach of Church and World.

Health Kits
Health kits are used in disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to provide minimal necessities to people who have been cut off from their usual support systems. These items should be included when assembling such a kit. Each kit costs approximately $12.00.

• 1 bath towel
• 1 hand towel
• 1 wash cloth
• 1 comb
• 1 toothbrush
• Plastic toothbrush container
• 1 tube toothpaste (4-7 oz.)
• 2 bars soap (bath size)
• Plastic soap container
• 1 container non-aerosol deodorant
• 1 container liquid hand sanitizer

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News from Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women begins their new program year with a renewal of small group meetings. Circles are groups that use the Horizons study as the basis of learning and discussion. The study is produced nationally and is the best-selling curriculum piece in the PC (USA). Each year a woman (scholar, pastor) is chosen to write the study. It is then "test driven" by volunteer small groups across the country. Only after testing and revision is the study published. This year's study looks at the Liturgical Year, why we celebrate church seasons as we do, and how this sense of God's time (kairos) can be understood in the midst of our overloaded lives measured by clock time (chronos).

Other PW groups include the Focus Group, which was begun in order to focus on issues vital to women and children; the Lunch Bunch, which meets over a meal for friendship; the Book Groups, which discuss a different book each month with members choosing what to read; and the monthly Bible Study with Marge Palmer, which gives in-depth understanding of that month's Horizons study.

Calendar

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