May 2001

ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON MAY 20

Sunday, May 20 - It’s Bay to Breakers Race Day, Presbyterian Heritage Sunday, and Old First’s 152nd birthday.

Where do we stand at Sesqui-Plus-Two? On familiar ground:  making history. Looking for a new permanent pastor, thinking seriously  about our service to the community, watching the budget, wondering about the next General Assembly, missing old friends, welcoming new members -- none of this is unique in our history. The more things change, the more familiar they seem.

This year our re-established Congregational Care Committee will take on the first big event of its current incarnation as it stages a festive lunch and a program of “Presbyterian Tales of the City.”

The meal  itself will be a fair representation of the congregation -- an only-in-San-Francisco assortment of ethnic dishes . To share a favorite item from your corner deli or your family cookbook, look for the signup table at coffee hour.

Tickets on sale at Coffee Hour: $5 for adults, $2 for young folks over 6, free for age 6 and under.

NEW DINNER CIRCLES NOW FORMING

New Dinner Circles are forming at Old First.  Requirements:  desire to know your fellow church members better, and a good appetite. 

The Dinner Circle has been a very popular concept over the last couple of years. Groups of eight people from the congregation agree to meet at least four times for dinner and fun over a six-month period.  Some Circles are so much fun the participants get together again for reunions from time to time. The groups may choose to dine at home or in a restaurant, depending upon what participants want to do. 

Signups for Dinner Circles will take place during Coffee Hour for several weeks during April and May. Polly Day, Shirley Buono and Dan Joraanstad are helping organize the new round of Circles.  Please look for any of these three during Coffee Hour to sign up for fun and fellowship over the next six months.

CHURCH TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON FIFTH SUNDAYS

If the month has five Sundays, there will be a Church Town Hall meeting at Old First on the fifth Sunday, right after the worship service. That’s a simple enough concept.

OK, so what is a Church Town Hall meeting? That’s pretty simple, too -- getting together to talk about what’s happening at the church.

For instance, the first Town Hall on April 29 features a report from Session’s Community Ministry Task Force, as well as two other committees who are quite active at the moment: Pastor Nominating and Congregational Care. Feel free to ask questions!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF US

On the second Sunday of each month, beginning in May, Coffee Hour will feature a birthday cake for everyone celebrating a birthday that month. Marne Krozek, Congregational Care’s “birthday girl”, urges everyone to be sure their birthday is on record with the church office and to turn out on second Sundays to see who’s getting older.

(Note: there are more second Sundays than fifth Sundays. More cake! Fewer meetings! Yay!)

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The Anniversary Lunch -- Dinner Circles -- Church Town Hall meetings -- Monthly birthday parties -- All these events are sponsored by our Congregational Care Committee, recently awakened like Sleeping Beauty from a long hibernation and now enjoying an active social life. To join the fun, see Doris Bebb, CCC moderator, or vice-moderator Libby Klitsch.  They say, “We can use more people on the committee, and also more people who can volunteer to help out occasionally with different activities. Let’s talk.”

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SAN FRANCISCO PRESBYTERY CELEBRATES NEW VISION FOR MISSION

SUNDAY, MAY 6

Our Presbytery will install new General Presbyters in a service of worship at 3 pm, Sunday, May 6, at Calvary Presbyterian Church. The service will feature a procession of church banners (including our own), massed adult and children’s choirs.

The celebration will continue with a series of consultations focusing on key elements of the Presbytery’s mission: Urban Mission, May 7; Support of First Call Pastors, May 7; and Living in Diversity, May 8.

MAY 6 IS YOUTH SUNDAY

The teenage youth of Old First Church are planning and will lead the worship service on Sunday, May 6.   They have been talking about the parts of worship and what is meaningful for them.  For the sermon, they will be doing an impromptu skit.  Come join in the creativity and energy of our youth in worship on Youth Sunday, May 6.

SESSION NOTES FROM THE MARCH 27, 2001 MEETING

Operations - A report on the proposed Columbarium project had been circulated for review; action will be taken at the April meeting.

Presbytery - The Rev. Cornel Barnett has transferred to San Francisco Presbytery. 

Ministry to Nursing Homes - Session will be responsible for the November 25 service at Central Gardens.

COMMUNITY MINISTRY TASK FORCE REPORT

Most of the March meeting of Old First’s Session of Elders was devoted to the report of the Community Ministry Task Force, which was received by Session. The Task Force spent a number of months studying the governance, staffing and funding of our Welcome Center, Senior Center and Tutorial Program. This study was proposed in our Mission Vision report. The group began its work in September of last year. Pam Free and Erwin Barron remained on the task force even after their terms as Moderator of the Mission Committee and Interim Head of Staff, respectively, had ended.

Much time and effort went into writing the Task Force Report, discussing and evaluating it. To the casual observer, very little change will be apparent; however, a firm legal and financial basis will be established for Old First’s ministry to our community. These three programs were established at different times, administered and funded in different ways. They have never been considered as a unit or governed in a consistent manner. The Mission Vision study recognized this as a source of potential problems and recommended it be corrected.

Ministry to the Homeless:  Old First will establish a spiritually-based non-profit corporation with at least one other church or faith-based organization in our neighborhood as soon as possible, no later than the end of 2002.  We will contribute a percentage of the salary of the director of this organization, provide volunteers for its programs, and provide building space and equipment for the programs as part of our contract with the new entity. The Homelessness Task Force will remain as a Session subcommittee until the non-profit corporation is organized.

Senior Activities Center:  A sub-committee of the Mission Committee will be formed to oversee and support the work of the Senior Center. A 20%-time director will continue to be employed and funded from the Doctor’s Daughters Fund, along with a four-hour-a-week nurse. Session commits itself to maintain this fund at a level sufficient to fund the payroll costs from earnings indefinitely.

Tutorial Program: Session voted to suspend Tutorial at the end of this school year and to direct the Mission Committee to recommend how the children in the program could be better served in the fall.

Recommendations for funding were referred to Stewardship and Mission, in consultation with the Finance Committee; their report will be presented at the April Session meeting.

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Community Ministry Task Force -- Pam Free, moderator; Erwin Barron, Doris Bebb, Bill Campbell, Barry Clagett, Shirley Franklin, Jean Olson,  Mary Russell, Sarah Taber.

A COMMUNITY OF FAITH THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Old First Presbyterian Church of San Francisco has historically played an active and direct role in ministering to the people of our community.  Some examples are:

1849 - First San Francisco public school formed by our first pastor,               Albert Williams

1851 - Protestant Orphanage / Edgewood Children’s Center

1963 - Old First Senior Activities Center

1965 - Old First Tutorial Program

1981 - Polk Street Town Hall / Larkin Street Youth Center

1996 - Homelessness Task Force / Welcome Center

Our 2000 Mission Vision says, “Throughout our history, Old First has been a community of faith that cares about and believes in making a difference. Our urban location is important to us; as members we have chosen to be and stay in the city. We have a curiosity and calling that opens us to others and welcomes those outside our doors to come in. Our ministry is motivated and sustained by our desire to share Christ’s love and to express ourselves through a caring presence.”

                                                • from the Community Ministry Task Force

                                                             March 27, 2001 Report to Session

BIBLES AND OUR CHILDREN

The Church will present new Good News Bibles to our 3rd and 4th graders in worship on Sunday, May 13.  They have been studying the books of the Bible and how to read the Bible, and will recite one of their favorite passages in worship.

This summer, the children will work hard at learning how to use the Bible.  To help in this process, we are planning a "Bible Sword Drill Summer."  On our retreat last month, we nostalgically played the old sword drills of many of our youth.  This summer, the children of the church will be practicing to prepare for a big Bible sword drill contest in August.  We are hoping the keep the learning and fun of the old sword drills without the painful cutthroat competition.  Families should plan now to participate in church school this summer in our "Bible Sword Drill Summer."

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Please pray for the ministry of Kathleen A. McAdams -- to be ordained Priest by The Rt. Rev. William E. Swing, Bishop of California; Grace Cathedral, San Francisco; 11am, Saturday, June 2, 200. All are invited to the service and reception following. (Clergy - red stoles)

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IN MEMORY

Ruth Perkins died recently in Oklahoma. She had been a member of Old First since 1945.

BAPTIZED

April 1 -- Colette Elise Bartschat, daughter of Steffen and Lisa Bartschat, sister of Kate and Megan

April 15 -- New members Jerry Lebsch and Seven Starr Shaw

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

received on Easter Sunday,  April 15:

Suellen Barnett came to Old First with her husband, Cornel, but says she would have come on her own, given the chance. A lifelong Presbyterian (and ordained both as an elder and a deacon), Suellen was born in Hammond, Indiana and lived in South Africa, Jacksonville, Florida, and New York before moving to California. Suellen works as a therapist with families and teens in the Napa Valley.  She and Cornel live in Novato; their son, David, and daughter, Anna, are students at UC Santa Cruz.

Elsie-Jane Donnelly was raised Presbyterian in Seattle. She came to San Francisco in 1930 and eventually joined Temple United Methodist, moving with the church from its original downtown location to Park Merced. At  the age of 92, Elsie-Jane is ready to join a church closer to home. Having grown up Presbyterian and lived at Polk and Union for 28 years, she has returned to her roots in joining Old First. Elsie-Jane is retired after many years with the phone company and lives at the Sequoias.

Jerry Lebsch was born in Salinas and spent many years in southern California. He lived in San Jose, Alhambra and Winslow, Arizona, before moving to San Francisco. Raised Baptist, Jerry first came to Old First as a volunteer at the Welcome Center and then at our monthly Saturday dinners with our homeless neighbors. Jerry continues to be a loyal volunteer at Old First and has recently begun serving as our parking lot attendant. Jerry lives near the Civic Center with his wife, Bonnie.

Seven Starr Shaw was born in Maine and raised in Maine and Norwich, Connecticut. She moved to California in 1969. She has warm memories of growing up at Community Baptist Church in Norwich; after many years of spiritual exploration outside the church, she came to Old First about a year ago with her son, Kyle Glodow, and feels at home here. Seven works for the Marin County government and lives in Corte Madera with her sons Kyle, 15, and John, 17.

GOOD FRIDAY TAKES TO THE STREETS

APRIL 13, 2001

The Fourteen Stations of the Cross was a sad, fun, and interesting walk all at the same time.  The people that we saw on the walk lead a way different life than us. It was sad seeing all those homeless people out on the street.  It really made me think how lucky I am to have all I have.  Also, it was really sad hearing the people who were walking on the walk tell the stories of their lives. It was really interesting, too, seeing all those different parts of town.  I never knew there were so many homeless people in San Francisco. It was fun walking all over town and hearing the story of Jesus.              

                                                                          • Jordan Hollarsmith

LECTIONARY

May 6       Acts 9:36-43; Ps. 23; Rev. 7:9-17; John 10:22-30

May 13     Acts 11:1-18; Ps. 148; Rev. 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

May 20     Acts 16:9-15; Ps. 67; Rev. 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

May 24     Acts 1:1-11; Ps. 47 or 93; Eph. 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53

May 27     Acts 16:16-34; Ps. 97; Rev. 21:10, 21:22-22:5;

                John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9

June 3      Acts 2:1-21 or Gen. 11:1-9; Ps. 104:24-34, 35b;

                   Rom. 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21;  John 16:12-15

MODERATOR’S CORNER: PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

by Jean Olson

Who are the members of the Personnel Committee? The membership is determined by our Bylaws: a moderator,  who must be a ruling elder,  and the moderators of the Worship, Christian Education and Operations committees. The fifth member must also be an elder, and traditionally has been one who is not currently active on Session. Since the Worship, CE and Operations committees work particularly closely with the various staff members (both ordained and non-ordained), their moderators are in the best positions to assess staff job performance.

What is the work of the Personnel Committee? In general, it is to ensure that the church has the proper staff, provide appropriate support to the staff, and ensure that staff members are performing their jobs as outlined in their job descriptions. The specific duties include:

     1) Maintaining the personnel policies of this congregation.

     2)  Reviewing the terms of employment for the various staff positions and proposing recommendations to Session.

    3) Maintaining and reviewing position descriptions for all positions. 

    4) Performing annual  reviews of all staff with setting of objectives and review of progress toward those objectives.

    5) Reviewing staff vacations and study leave.

    6) Hearing and resolving employee grievances.   

    7) Reviewing staff configurations and making recommendations to Session.

    8) Ensuring that our policies are in compliance with Presbytery requirements.

    9) Ensuring that proper personnel records are maintained.

  10) Ensuring that our employment practices are in compliance with law.

  11) Preparing, recommending and administering the Personnel budget.

What have we done for you lately? We have undertaken our confidential reviews of personnel and made various recommendations to Session. We have formed two ad hoc subcommittees in the last year. The first reviewed various staffing models and made recommendations to the Mission Vision Task Force for their report. The second subcommittee was formed to search for a new interim pastor; as a result of their work, we now have the energetic Rev. Cornel Barnett as our interim pastor. With the help of the Finance Committee, we prepared a personnel budget that provides support for our staff and fits within the constraints of the budget as a whole.

What are our plans for this year? In addition to our annual reviews and budget preparation, we intend to continue working on the staff configurations that we need in order to meet the mission and congregational care needs of this church. As a part of that process, we will review current job descriptions to determine that they are accurate and reflect our needs. A review of our Personnel Policies will also be undertaken.

What can you do for us? Let us know if you think someone is doing a good job or if you see a problem. If you have ideas about the staffing needs of the church, contact any of the members of the committee with your opinions. We will try to take them into consideration as we reach a consensus in our recommendations to the Session. Finally, keep us in your prayers as we try to make often-difficult decisions.

GOLD CIRCLE - MEMBERS OF OLD FIRST FOR 50 YEARS OR MORE

Edna De Martini, 1939; Kathryn Walvoord, 1940; Lucile Chubbuck, 1942; Emma Lee, 1945; Elizabeth Pride, 1946; Joanne Clevenger, 1947; Margaret Evans, 1947.

SILVER CIRCLE - MEMBERS FOR 25 YEARS OR MORE

Ellen Huie, 1953; Bill Wunsch, 1953; Merle Montgomery, 1955;Euphemia Felicitas, 1956; Doris Bebb, 1958; Mary Culp, 1960-72, 1983; Jacqueline Johnson, 1961;  James Wilson, 1961; Mary Lou Wilson, 1961; Philip Boals, 1961; Sara Barrios, 1962; Margaret Utterback, 1963; Josephine Yee, 1963; Jessie McFadyen, 1964; Joan St. Clair, 1964; Doris Krauss, 1964; Mary MacWilliam, 1965; Anna Selegean, 1965; Joseph Ballard, 1965; Charles Olson, 1965; Gretchen Poore, 1967; Nell Boals, 1969; Charles Burns, 1970; Charles Rambo, 1970; Marilyn Campbell, 1971; Bill Campbell, 1971.

HOMELESS MINISTRIES REPORT

by the Rev. Kathleen McAdams

"Advocating for Justice"

Providing direct services to people in need is a great part of our call as Christians. We can and should pull drowning people out of the river, but at some point we must also go upstream and find out why they’re falling in. By affecting public policy, we can help to correct some of the injustice that we witness in our world. And, once we become advocates for people, we may then empower them to become advocates for themselves.

As people of faith, we must make our voices heard in the world, lest the values of our society be generated by government or by the marketplace. Out of concern for all of God’s creation, we must be a voice for the common good, and promote values and processes for living together in justice and peace.

Love and justice stand together at the heart of biblical teaching. The Prophet Micah directs us in chapter 6: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  Jesus sums up the commandments of Christian faith in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 12: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength....You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Here are some tips for advocacy that a group from Old First might put into action, in advocating for the homeless persons, seniors, and children whom we already serve through our Community Ministries:

1) Build relationships with your elected representatives and their staffs; contact them regularly and become a credible source of information to them, the eyes and ears in their districts. Inform them about how broad issues affect your community (personal accounts). Do your homework before contacting them: watch their voting records (www.senate.gov or www.house.gov or www.thomas.gov) and find out which committees they serve. Make appointments to visit your representatives or their staff; write, call, fax or e-mail in your own words (much more effective than a petition or form letter); ask them to take a specific action. Form interfaith coalitions around specific issues. Advocate for only one or two issues per year. Write letters to the editor, and include them in your letters to representatives.

2) Thank your elected officials when they represent you well! Support the candidates who support your issues; organize fund-raisers and work on their campaigns; attend and/or sponsor candidate forums; find out where they stand on issues of importance to you.

3) Register people to vote; give 18-year olds voter registration forms for their birthdays; give college students absentee ballots; sponsor voter registration drives; give voter registration cards to people who move to the area (new members to church); vote!

HELPING KIDS GET OFF THE STREETS FOR GOOD

by Bill Campbell

What if you never had a first chance?  Each year Larkin Street Youth Center helps over 3,000 homeless young people from all across the country.  Seventy-two percent have histories of neglect.  Seventy percent can’t return home because their parents are unwilling or unable to care for them.

Old First helped launch Larkin Street in 1984 and can take great pride in the difference that Larkin Street is making, seventeen years later, in the lives of highly disadvantaged street youth.  Larkin Street’s goal is to inspire youth to move beyond the streets, or as one youth put it, to move from “the road to nowhere to a road to somewhere”. Larkin Street does this by providing for immediate safety and survival needs, while simultaneously working to engage youth in long-term psychosocial, educational and employment services.  Larkin Street offers a real pathway off the streets:  A study showed that over three-quarters of the youth who went through Larkin Street’s program left street life permanently.

During the past year Larkin Street has developed new programs to close previous gaps in service and to ensure that youth have access to the opportunities and support they need to stabilize their lives.

Moving beyond the streets begins with a safe place to sleep.  For most youth over 18, returning home is not an option.  In 2000 Larkin Street opened a new facility, Lark-Inn For Youth, which provides emergency and short-term housing for 18-23 year olds.  Lark-Inn is on Ellis Street near Van Ness Avenue.  Larkin Street’s Avenues to Independence facility in the Haight offers housing for up to 18 months to assist youth in making a successful transition to independent life.

Larkin Street is currently developing The LOFT (Larkin Opportunities For Transition). This program is scheduled to open this summer following building renovations. Located South of Market, this 12-bed transitional living program will focus on youth aged 15-17.  The LOFT will differ from traditional group homes and foster care models through its strong emphasis on career exploration, planning and assessment, along with educational services, to ensure that each youth develops the skills she or he needs to develop an eventual transition to full-time employment.

Thanks to the recent expansion of Hire Up, Larkin Street’s workforce development initiative, Larkin Street now provides educational and employment opportunities that youth need at each stage of the continuum from the streets to stable, independent lives.  This program includes immediate employment through Larkin Street’s Day Labor program, on-site Job Readiness Certification, GED and Steps To College classes.  These programs introduce youth to the culture and expectations of the workplace and to help them build the skills they need to succeed both today and in the future.  The focus is not just on finding a job, but launching a career. Larkin Street’s new “Institute for Hire Learning”  provides comprehensive training, placement and retention services for employment in fields that offer youth opportunities for personal and professional growth through industry-specific, career-path training tracks.

Research has proven the effectiveness of Larkin Street’s continuum of supportive services and emphasis on moving beyond the streets. Long-term success rates are the highest among youth whom Larkin Street has been able to offer stable housing along with medical, psychosocial and educational and employment services.  For example, since Larkin Street’s 15-bed transitional living program, Avenues to Independence, opened in 1996, over 85% of the graduates have secured and maintained permanent housing and career-track employment.

Larkin Street’s success depends upon skilled staff, volunteers, donors, and partners like Old First, whose investment in its mission helps, make new beginnings possible.  For more information contact Bill Campbell (922-5312) for a visit to Larkin Street, or go to its website at www.lsyc.org.

If you can volunteer at Larkin Street, you can make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.  Larkin Street needs people with positive energy, creativity, time to share, skills and a desire to help motivated young people move toward a brighter future.  Larkin Street is committed to matching volunteer interests and skills with the needs of youth.  Volunteer opportunities include:

• educational tutoring

• developing job and life skills

• mentoring a youth who is beginning a career

• teaming up with outreach staff to meet youth on the streets and

to encourage them to access Larkin Street’s services

• cooking with and for youth

• ending a helping hand or an ear.

Larkin Street partners with its volunteers by offering initial and ongoing training and opportunities to participate in program development and evaluation.  You can get involved by calling Victoria Hunt, Deputy Director of Programs at 673-0911, ext. 254, or by e-mailing Victoria  at mailto:victoriahunt@lsyc.org.

THE BEST DANCER

by Rosemary Bledsoe

(Going through the motions ...... or not.  Something about grace and Grace.)

When I go to the ballet, I pick out one dancer to watch. When everybody on stage is dancing the same steps, there will almost always be one person who doesn't look as if she's executing carefully-rehearsed choreography, thinking "one-two-kick-one-two-turn". She looks as if she's making it  up as she goes along, and she just happens to feel like kicking and turning this way, that way. There will be something deeply truthful and truly magical in her dancing. The obvious conclusion is that she's a better dancer than the others.

I've recently realized something, though, that changed my mind about the Best Dancer.  Stick with me a minute if you can. Hold the picture of that dancer while I work through the (inevitable) church connection.

On any given Sunday most of us in the congregation are just going through the motions: stand, sit, pray, sing, sit, stand, one-two, one-two. Which is not to say there's no point in what we're doing; we're gaining strength and skill, learning to work together, integrating the worship service into our being.

Someone, however, might be filled with Grace -- yes, that Grace: the ever-popular Amazing kind. They might read a passage of Scripture in a way that brings fresh meaning to familiar words, or offer a deeply heartfelt prayer. The pastor might lift the Communion cup as if he were just now learning its meaning. A soloist in the choir might move us to tears.  It might even be one of our own liturgical dancers who says something with her whole body that nobody could ever put into words.  One Grace-filled person can wake up a sanctuary-full of pew-warmers, kick them off cruise control and into real worship ....... and here (finally) is my point:  Grace doesn't illumine the same person every Sunday. 

It could be anybody, at any time -- not just participants in the service, but the usher helping an older person down the aisle with an air of pride, of being privileged to do that; or a four-year-old listening to the children's sermon and lighting up with understanding; or the person in the pew next to you weeping quietly, experiencing some profound grief and/or joy in the safe place, the Sanctuary.

I'd love to go to the ballet every night of the week to see if I've caught on to the way it works, to prove that Best Dancer isn't the same person every performance, that Grace is as impartial and unpredictable in the theatre as anywhere else.

The small-g grace can be acquired through training, but the Big-Gee Grace can't be learned, earned or comprehended. Wonderful things happen, though, when you make your whole self into a useful vessel for it and put yourself beside the fountain -- on stage, in the pulpit, in the kitchen, at a cash register or computer: just anywhere.

THE REV. HARRELL DAVIS INSTALLED AT LAKEWOOD

by Jeanne Kirkwood

The silver and purple banner hanging in the front of the sanctuary set the mood of the congregation. It boldly stated, “Thank you, God, for Harrell and Carol”. First Presbyterian Church of Lakewood, Colorado has survived several years of trial. They appear to have regrouped and refocused, and they are delighted to have the Rev. Harrell Davis as their full-time pastor.

Bryan Nichols of Old First was invited by Harrell and Carol to participate in the installation service held during worship on Sunday, March 25.  Bryan did a fine job starting the installation process by leading the congregation in a responsive statement which acknowledged the validity of different gifts while affirming One Spirit who gives the gifts. The statement also introduced the theme of reconciliation and service.

Reconciliation was emphasized by the Rev. Dr. Stephen Hamilton Wright of the Presbytery of Mackinac in his sermon entitled “Together for Good.” The charge to Harrell was given by a longtime friend, Elder Gloria Ridge from the Presbytery of the Redwoods. She asked Harrell to step down from the chancel area to the front pew and she spoke directly to him. Her counsel to him included engaging the congregation in ministry with him, developing both individual and corporate gifts.

The congregation hosted a lovely reception in their Fellowship Hall immediately after the service; most of the 200-plus in attendance remained to enjoy the social time, with the usual Presbyterian abundance. Many people came up to Bryan and me, enthusiastically telling us they are ready to move forward with Carol and Harrell; the Davises seemed very comfortable with their new friends.

It struck me that as much as we moan and lament the arduous nature of Presbyterian process, this was a great example of how the process can produce the best results for all.  Harrell and the congregation of Old First changed each other before parting, leaving both ready for new directions. In turn, First Presbyterian of Lakewood had been changed by its recent troubled and splintered history and was ready for the quiet and steadying hands of Harrell and Carol. As Rev. Wright said, God changes us -- but we are never finished. Change starts every new day. We need to pray for the fire of the Spirit and watch for small miracles.

NIGHT MINISTRY:  A MINISTRY TREASURE IN YOUR MIDST

by the Rev. Donald Fox

Consider the San Francisco Night Ministry as one of your tools for doing Christ’s ministry when your church is closed at night, while you, your clergy and church staff are probably asleep.

Serving Christ on your behalf – and on behalf of all churches who care about people who are in trouble and distress in the middle of the night, the Night Ministry provides a minister or priest to anybody anywhere in San Francisco from 10 P.M. to 4 A.M. every night of the year. In addition, a trained volunteer Crisis Line Counselor is on the Night Ministry’s telephone line available to callers from anywhere: San Francisco, elsewhere in the Bay Area, and sometimes far beyond (calls have come from as far away as Arizona, Virginia, and New York state).

Now in its 37th year of continuous service, the Ministry is ecumenical. Its Night Ministers and volunteer Crisis Line Counselors are Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Baptist, Roman Catholic, and Greek Orthodox. Financial support comes from congregations, individuals, several denominational bodies, a family foundation, a couple of community groups, and other individuals.

You are welcomed and encouraged to participate by becoming a volunteer telephone Crisis Line Counselor. You don’t have to be an experienced professional; the main requirement is a desire to be a compassionate, nonjudgmental listener. The next training session will begin Saturday, May 12. If interested, call the Night Ministry at (415) 986-1464, or the volunteer Coordinator, Brother Jude Hill, at (415) 861-7951.

The Night Ministry also asks for your prayers for those being ministered to nightly: those who are lonely, frightened, abused, homeless, hungry, ill, suicidal, or in other crises. Pray, too, for the Night Ministers as they make their rounds on the streets, in bars and coffee shops; as they are dispatched to meet with persons in homes, hotels, and on street corners. Pray for the Crisis Line Counselors. Ask that God grant to all of these representatives of God’s love the patience, wisdom, discernment, and grace they need as they encounter challenging problems of persons of every age, ethnicity, life-style, sexual orientation, religion, social, and economic status.

Your financial support is welcome, too. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to: San Francisco Night Ministry, 432 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.

PASTOR'S LETTER

Dear Friends:

                                    This season of Lent

                                    Why this death

                                    when all else is springing?

This letter is being written during Holy Week. I’m in an odd position, much like the brief poem above.  I’m anticipating the Passion and also writing my Easter sermon. My meditation this week is the theme of the sixth assembly of the World Council of Churches held in Vancouver, Canada, in 1983: “Jesus Christ the Life of the World.”

As in years past, I’ll let the worship services prior to Easter take me into the depths of darkness, betrayal, and death.  I always appreciate the experience. Outside of that, I’ll align myself with nature and continue my reflections on life.

                                    JESUS CHRIST the life of the world. 

It occurred to me that I would not be here if it were not for Jesus Christ.  When I affirmed Jesus as my Lord and Savior, the Lord of life and the one who makes me whole, my life took on a totally different course.  For one, it landed me at Old First.  None of us would be in here if it were not for Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ has brought us together.  How fortunate we are.

                                    Jesus Christ THE LIFE of the world.

Resurrection faith asserts that by grace we are born again into the new humanity of Jesus Christ.  We are called to new life for God and for neighbors.  As representatives of the new humanity, we walk in newness of life.  In the resurrection, death is not the final word.  Life is the primary reality for Christians.  It’s the way we look at things; it’s the way we act.  Always, life-affirming.

                                    Jesus Christ the life OF THE WORLD.

The life of Jesus Christ is personal, communal, and global.  No aspect of the world is untouched.  The whole world is in Jesus Christ’s embrace.  How we do business with global partners, how we invest, how we protect precious resources, how we relate cross-culturally and interreligiously is participation in our world.  The resurrection calls us to radical responsibility in and behalf of the world.

May God bless us as we continue our journey as resurrected people in God’s splendid, yet hurting, world.

                                                       Shalom/Agape,

                                                                                  Cornel