February 2003

CONGREGATIONAL LUNCHEON FEB. 16

Tickets are now on sale for Old First’s Congregational Luncheon and Annual Meeting, which will be held in the Fellow-ship Hall after worship on Sunday, February 16.

At this meeting we will consider what the new church year has in store for us, including the details of a reduced budget.

The program will feature glimpses of the Un-Sunday Church: the many programs and services which do not happen on Sunday morning. If you think you know how many things happen at times other than the familiar Sunday classes and services ..... you might have missed a few.

Before Feb. 9, tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5-12; on Feb. 9 the cost goes up to $7 for adults, $4 for ages 5-12. Tickets are numbered; seating is limited. Please don’t wait until the last minute.

PLANNING LENTEN WORSHIP

A small group of Old Firsters met on January 11 to work on liturgical planning for Lent. We reviewed lectionary texts and discussed the passages. Through creative and lively discussion a theme of "covenant" began to emerge.

This process of planning different services and times within the liturgical seasons at Old First is open to anyone with an interest in learning more about worship planning. There are many ways to lend a hand, even if you couldn't make the planning meeting.

If you are interested in helping with putting together the Lenten study guides, please contact Cindy Burt or Jean Olson. If you are interested in helping with Lent and Easter artwork please contact Alison Armstrong

Watch for an article by Fritz Zuhl about celebrating Lent in the March Shared Life. More information about Lenten Soup and Study will be in the Sunday bulletin.

A Liturgical Planning Meeting for Holy Week and Easter will be held after  Sunday worship on February 16th at the church. Please contact Alison  Armstrong if you will be able to make this meeting (alison.armstrong@sun.com or 415/716-8451).

WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP -- 7:00 - 7:30 pm

    Feb 5 - Evening Prayers

    Feb 12 - Service of Healing and Wholeness

    Feb 19 - Guided Meditation

    Feb 26 - Taizé Service

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Feb 2 — “Who is God?”

            A plunge (a dip) into understanding a little of our own theology.

Feb 9 -  Apr 6 — “Is God with Us?”

            An in-depth look at God’s presence in our lives. Lays the groundwork for writing a spiritual autobiography.

Sundays, 9:30 am , in the Munro Room.

ALL-CHURCH RETREAT MARCH 14-16

Our traditional well-rounded weekend of out-of-town activities designed to refresh minds, bodies and spirits will be held March 14-16 at Westminster Woods in West Sonoma County.

The Rev. Larry Golemon will lead us through topical and far reaching questions centering around “Modernity and World Religions: Friend or Foe?”  We will explore how various religions around the world have negotiated the rise of “modernity” in the West. 

As Christians we have negotiated our own treaties of co-existence with various aspects of modern culture. But other faiths of the world — including Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism — have often reacted to modernity as a Western import threatening to their own civilizations. 

(Topics for lively exploration, discussion and Christian sharing will include: Critical Reason and the Mystique of the “Self”’; Science, Technology and the Concentration of Capital; Global Culture and the Consumer Society; Can Religions Contribute to a “Post-modern” World?

We’ll have plenty of time for socializing with fellow Old Firsters, and a chance to be mentally, physically and spiritually recharged.  All ages are welcome and youth activities will be provided.  Familiar comfortable accommodations and meals are included.

Further details, study recommendations and registration for the Retreat will be announced in worship, be available in the Sunday Bulletin and in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings.

POLLY DAY’S RECITAL MARCH 22

Polly Day will present a piano recital of American music on Saturday, March 22, at 3 pm. Among the composers whose works will be heard are Reinagle, Macdowell, Copland, Joplin, Brubeck and Kern.

A reception will immediately follow the recital; all are cordially invited to attend. As in past years, the recital is given as a benefit for Old First Concerts. Any donation you care to make will be gratefully received.

SAVE THE DATES

Friday, March 28. Old First Choir Concert at 8 pm, with noted organist Charles Rus.

Sunday, March 30. Town Hall Meeting, after the worship service. Report from the Strategic Response Task Force (see article and survey sheet on insert in this issue.)
 

RECORD CROWD AT JANUARY JAZZ VESPERS

The Marcus Shelby Orchestra drew a congregation of 178 to the Jan. 12 Jazz Vespers service — the largest crowd at a regularly scheduled JV service ever!  In spite of the NFL playoffs and the rain, it was actually larger than the Sunday morning service!

There were about fifty people lined up waiting when the doors opened, Ed Klitsch says, “It reminded me of Old Pine in Philadelphia. We were blessed with a very responsive crowd. They applauded for solos and responded to the service positively. The music and Sam were a great combo. It was magic! Bright Moments!”

DEACONS NAME 2003 OFFICERS

The Board of Deacons officers for the new year are: Jeanne Kirkwood, moderator; Shirley Buono, vice-moderator; and Becca Smith, treasurer.

MOVE TO CALL A SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

(from the Presbyterian News Service)

On January 14 in Louisville, Alex Metherell, an elder and surgeon from southern California, delivered a petition to Fahed Abu-Akel, moderator of the General Assembly, that he says has the number of signatures necessary to force the first special General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in history. Metherell claimed to have 57 signatures — of 26 ministers and 31 elders from 46 presbyteries and all 16 synods.

Denomination officials said the special meeting of the 214th Assembly could not be convened much earlier than mid-May. The 215th Assembly is scheduled to convene in Denver on May 24. It is estimated that a special session might cost $400,000 to $500,000, depending on the timing and where it was held.

Metherell’s petition mentions three purposes for the special meeting: 

1. “Continue oversight of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission decision in Londonderry Vs. Presbytery of Northern New England in order to effect compliance with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA).”

2. “Respond to the growing defiance of, delinquency, and enforcement of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) by officers, agencies and governing bodies with respect to G-6.0106b (the commonly called “fidelity and chastity” provision of the Book of Order ) and the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission decision on holy unions (Benton vs. Hudson River Presbytery.)”

3. “Exercise all necessary powers authorized to the General Assembly under the Constitution to propose and adopt directives of officers, agencies, and governing bodies in order to deal with all matters relating to the issues detailed in items # 1 and 2 above.”

Pastor's Ponderings

ELECTRONIC MEDIA: BOON OR MENACE?

No doubt about it - e-mail is a wonderful thing; it is also a menace. We at Old First are trying to figure out how best to use "electronic media" without letting it become a menace. We have, for instance, developed a website so that a great deal of information about our congregation is available online. (Including my sermons, by the way.) We have also instituted an Old First Yahoo Discussion Group to facilitate group discussion of sermons, issues and so forth.

What we have not done is send out newsletters and announcements via e-mail. There are two reasons for that. First, not everyone can receive communications this way, and we do not want to leave anyone out. Second, we don't want to be intrusive.

On the other hand, many of us are starting to wonder if we shouldn't be using electronic media more effectively and, in doing so, be better stewards of our resources. We spend upwards of $6,000 a year publishing or sending out communications (not including the Sunday bulletin). We could save the lion's share of that money if those who are online would receive communications online from Old First. You will be hearing more about this.

For the last few years, Erwin has been building up an on line discussion group on Yahoo. Those of you who are on it know  that it goes through cycles — quiet for a little while and then a flurry of discussion. I have been enjoying it immensely and am hoping that it will continue to grow. To that end, let me tell you a little about how it works and encourage you to log on.

Think of a Yahoo discussion group as a file cabinet that receives and holds messages. If you are a member of the group (this is a free service), you have access to the file cabinet. You can put messages in yourself and you can read what others have put in. So if I send out a message that expresses my opinion on say, the sensitivity of the Polar Bear to cold weather, then you could read that message and send one back to the group that explains why I am completely incorrect about that.

It won't surprise you to find out that on the Old First Discussion Group, we don't talk about Polar Bears much. We tend to talk about more prosaic issues like war and peace, atonement, the presence of the flag in worship, the authority of scripture and so on. From time to time a prayer request will go out. The quality of the group is enhanced by a variety of perspectives and experiences. Yours would be welcomed.

How?  Sign up for the group by going to www.oldfirst.org . (If you don't see the "Subscribe to Old First" button on our home page, click over to the Education page; it's always there.) Enter your e-mail address where it says, "Subscribe to Old First." Click the purple Yahoo button. You will receive an e-mail from Yahoo which tells you how  to proceed. In the process you will need to sign up for a yahoo e-mail address. (Also a free service.) Finally, you can choose whether you would like to receive messages from the group as e-mail to your regular e-mail address, or by signing on to the group home page. If you have any questions about how  to do this, send a note to Steffen Bartschat, steffen@oldfirst.org. He'll be glad to help. I hope to hear from you online!

In other news at our Church: William Bowles has just become the new Old First Concerts Director. We're looking forward to working with Bill and hope that he'll write you a greeting to introduce himself in the next Shared Life.

Grace and Peace, Sam

INTERFAITH SHELTER MEALS

Thanks to the efforts of the following people, Old First was able to provide dinner (some great food that the shelter guests really appreciated!) for 70+ homeless men at the San Francisco Interfaith Council shelter during the week of December 8-13:  Pat Amdur, Alison Armstrong, Margie Baygell, Nina and Erin Berg, Emily Borland, Carol Carter, Betsy and Ted Chiao, Buddy Tate Choy, Emmy Clausing, Mary Culp, Gail, Nina and Colin deLong, Greg and Pam Free, Mary Lou Geppinger, Sidney Hollar, Jordan, Logan and Camryn Hollarsmith, Connie Johnson, Dan Joraanstad, Jeanne Kirkwood, Ariel and Nina Kreitzman, Britt LaGatta, Patti Leonhardt, Roger Lindahl, Katherine Markov, Bryan Nichols, Dana Nojima, Jean Olson, Rita Rightmire, AnnieScott Rogers, Mary Russell, Christopher Saliba, Sarah Taber, Rick Wiebe, Lori Yamauchi, Heidi and Fritz Zuhl.

                                 • Lori Yamauchi, for the Mission Committee

EDGEWOOD CENTER CHRISTMAS GIFTS

This December, as in several recent years, the members and friends of Old First made the single largest donation to the Christmas toy drive of Edgewood Center for Children and Families.

In sending her thanks to our church, Yvonne De Andreis, Community Relations Coordinator, said, “Several of you braved one of the wettest storms of the season to make sure you delivered the toys on time — and you even returned the next day to be sure we had everything on our Wish List!”

On behalf of our Mission Committee, Betsy Chiao and Pam Free wish to thank everyone who donated money or gifts. And in turn, the church owes  Betsy and Pam many, many thanks for their tireless efforts for the children at Edgewood.

Dear Friends,

Old First is a wonderful church with which to rejoice, and it’s an especially good church in which to mourn. I was vividly reminded of that last month.

You surrounded and supported me so well after the death of my father —  with calls and flowers and many cards and letters and a beautiful poinsettia tree from my two small groups.  And, most of all, with the prayers and hugs and concern that I and my family felt so strongly.

The Bible promises us the continual presence of God1s "hesed," or steadfast love.  You showed this loving kindness and made it very real to our family and to me, and I thank you.

I wonder yet again, How do people get through life, let alone death, without a good church family?  Mercifully, I did not have to — thanks to you.

Pam Byers

WELCOME to Eva Gray Bender, daughter of Jan Hammock and Art Bender, born December 14, 2002; 7 lb, 4 oz.

IN MEMORY

Sallee Vogt, wife of former Old First interim pastor Bob Vogt, died on January 1. A memorial service was held in Willetts.

Celia Mindt, Old First member and mother of Betsy Chiao, died on January 2.  A memorial service was held in Lodi.

A LETTER FROM ERWIN

Wow!  Thank you!  Thank you!  What a fabulous send-off you gave me on my last Sunday at Old First!  I left full of tears and joy at being part of such a wonderful community of faith and care.

Thanks to Rosemary, Glen and the Congregational Care Committee for a delicious spread of food and good cheer. Thanks to Sidney and the CE committee for organizing the program. Thanks to Sam for his appreciation of my gifts and unending friendship and support.  Thanks to Jordan, Erin, Jean, Mary, Larry, Sidney and even Oliver for their overly kind words about me.

And a spectacular thank you to all of those who donated what was a totally unexpected extravagant amount of money as a departing gift.  Money is always an issue with a struggling graduate student, and you helped me overcome those anxieties through your excessive generosity. Thank you!!

I go on to do my research in other Presbyterian churches now, but I will never find a group of quirky people who do Christ’s work in quite the same way as all of you in Old First Presbyterian Church.  I will miss you tremendously and count on continuing to hear great things about you in years to come. 

                        Shalom, my friends!   Erwin Barron

Here are a couple of the many tributes to Erwin given at his goodbye party:

FROM SIDNEY HOLLAR:

Erwin, I want to thank you for so many gifts: your humor and wit, your spirituality, your interim leadership, and your ability to work within so many roles here at Old First.

You are the only person I know who gets bored with the status quo and instead of complaining, you make it better — as one example, the Not Yet Christmas pageant.  Beth Hart-Andersen keeps telling me how the people at Westminster still miss you. Your response to that is, “Why can’t they move on?”

Now I understand. I know you have a hard time with compliments, but you really are a unique person — truly wonderful, unusual, and a once-in-a-lifetime individual. I am honored to work with you.

I thank you so much for teaching my children and the children of the church a love of the Bible, the church and each other. You have no idea how unusual this gift is in San Francisco. Over the years, all of Jordan and Logan’s friends have visited and wanted this church to be their church.

FROM JORDAN HOLLARSMITH:

Erwin, you have been a great teacher and helped me a lot in understanding many confusing parts of the Bible. Confirmation class was a blast, and we all learned so much from it. You are very funny and fun. Like when we were having our sex ed class and you let us have a midnight walk on Polk Street. You have been a great teacher, and we have all learned so much from you. Thank you for teaching us all these years; we will miss you very much.

LECTIONARY

Feb. 2 -- Deut. 18:15-20; Ps. 111; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

Feb. 9  -- Isa. 40:21-31; Ps. 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Cor. 8:1-13;

               Mark 1:29-39

Feb. 16  -- 2 Kings 5:1-14; Ps. 30; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45

Feb. 23 -- Isa. 43:18-25; Ps. 41; 2 Cor. 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12

Mar. 2 -- 2 Kings 2:1-12; Ps. 50:1-6; 2 Cor. 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

THE WISDOM OF AGE

by Judith Dancer, Senior Center Director

After having several weeks off from the Senior Center, I was missing the seniors greatly.  Yes, I got much of my paperwork, statistics and records updated but felt the loss of connection to the seniors on that weekly basis.  I was going through “senior withdrawal”  It made me ponder my connection to seniors and what it is about them that I appreciate so much.

One idea that came floating to the top was “wisdom”.  These people have lots of it, but aren’t necessarily seen for their wisdom in our culture now.  We have forgotten to revere our elders and place them in high standing.  When I listen, I learn — and usually laugh, too!

Jerry Ortiz y Pino addressed wisdom in his article in the Santa Fe Reporter: “Wisdom is the ability to make sound choices, good decisions. The best decision. Wisdom is intelligence shaped by experience. Information softened by understanding. And it is in very short supply these days. Wisdom is not something a person is born with. Intelligence is. Cleverness is. The ability to appear dynamic is. But Wisdom isn't. It only comes from living, from making mistakes — or from listening to others who have made mistakes and learn from them.”

Granted, every elder has not always made the best decision in every case, but who has?  I especially like the idea that wisdom “comes from living, from making mistakes.”  I hope, through all my mistakes and mishaps, that I learn something from it all.  I definitely love to listen to the elders tell me of their lives, their joys and sorrows.  Just being an ear to them creates a bond and teaches me about connection, friendship and the power of the human spirit.  I am truly amazed what people have survived and lived to tell the tale.  It could be a lost love, moving out of depression, fighting in World War II, surviving cancer — twice, living in the internment camps, and the list goes on.  Their joys include living a long life, dancing 6 days a week, having a family, being a youth at Cameron House, and onward.

Thank God for those who live to be old, for what they have to share with us, and the wisdom that they hold.  I am grateful and glad the Senior Center is back into the swing of things.

For a schedule of activities, please see Oliver Spencer at church on Sunday or call Judith at (415) 776-5552 x316.  Volunteers always welcome.  Of particular need is someone to teach computer skills or help in the kitchen.  We meet on Mondays. 

December 2002,  November 2002, October 2002, September 2002, July/August 2002, June 2002, May 2002, April 2002, March 2002, February 2002, January 2002

December 2001, Nov 2001, October 2001,  September 2001, July/August 2001, June 2001,  May 2001,  April 2001, March 2001, 
February 2001, January 2001 

December 2000, November 2000,October 2000, September 2000, July/August 2000, May/June 2000,April 2000, March 2000, February 2000