June 2003

KATHERINE MARKOV’S LAST DAY WILL BE JUNE 8

Katherine Markov reaches the end of her seminary internship on June 8, after which she not only leaves Old First, but leaves San Francisco Theological Seminary for a new life in the Midwest. On June 21  she will marry Brent Rieder in Ventura, California. They will live in Greenfield, Indiana, and she will continue her studies at  an Indiana seminary.

There will be a special sendoff for her at Coffee Hour on June 8.

WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP -- 7:00 - 7:40 PM    

     June 4  - Vespers Service

     June 11 - Service of Healing  and Wholeness

     June 18 - Guided Meditation

     June 25 - Taizé Service

JAZZ VESPERS - SECOND SUNDAYS - 5:00 PM

            June 8  - Mad & Eddie Duran Quartet

            July 13 - The Promenence Project

            No Jazz Vespers services in August and September

2003 SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE PARADE JUNE 29

Old First members will march again this year in the annual SF Pride Parade. The theme this year is “You’ve Gotta Give Them Hope”. The Grand Marshalls include Marga Gomez and Armistead Maupin.

Last year during the Sunday worship service we had a Commissioning of Walkers done by Rev. Sam Alexander before starting off. We will do the same this year. We had over 20 participants from Old First and hope for even more this year — maybe some of our friends from Calvary Presbyterian.  You can look at the Shared Life  for September 2002 to see a list of marchers and learn more about the experience we had at the parade last year.

Interested in participating this year?  Great!  Here’s what to say to Jeanne Kirkwood:

**YES! I want to be a part of the Old First Pride Parade entry. Keep me posted — here is my email/phone number.

**I’d like an Old First T-shirt to wear at the march (or, I have my own already).

**I’ll help make an Old First banner to carry in the parade (or, I know where the old banner is!).

Note: Because of the Parade, there will be no Church Town Hall Meeting on June 29.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

Adult Education classes, Munro Room, 9:30 am:  May 25, June 1 and 8 - Ethics and Social Policy, taught by Megan Rohrer. June 15 - summer video series begins.

From May 18 until early July, a CE survey will be available to all members and participants in our CE programs. Please complete the survey and return it; it will provide important feedback to the CE committee in planning for next year and beyond.

STRATEGIC RESPONSE TASK FORCE COMPLETES

ITS REPORT

In May 2002, Old First’s Session chartered a Strategic Response Task Force to identify the core issues resulting from paragraph G-6.0106b in the PC(USA) Book of Order and to recommend actions for our congregation to take over the next few years in response.

In August the Task Force members were elected: Chris Burt, Tracy Clagett, Bill Feister, Wilson Hardcastle, Jeanne Kirkwood, Dana Nojima and Rebecca Smith, plus the Rev. Sam Alexander as an advisory member. The group then named Jeanne Kirkwood to be their Chairperson. They began work in September and completed their report in April, 2003. Session accepted the report at their April meeting, and charged the Planning Committee to study ways to implement its recommendations.

The report begins, “In signing a Covenant of Dissent at the time when Amendment B was approved by a majority of the denomination’s presbyteries and became G-6.0106b, Old First exercised a right recognized under the PC(USA) Constitution but chose not to defy that Constitution ....... We are recommending that our church not pursue the more aggressive path of declared disobedience.

 “At the same time, we believe that the difficulties of paradox and ambiguity inherent in G-6.0106b both permit and require faithful and intellectually responsible interpretation of this addition to the Book of Order. In fact, the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly has declared that ‘it is the task of governing bodies to resolve tensions and ambiguities in such a way as to give effect to all provisions of the Constitution.’ We are therefore recommending that the strategic response of Old First Presbyterian Church to the challenge of G-6.0106b follow an interpretative course.

 The Task Force circulated a questionnaire to the congregation, conducted extensive interviews with a number of church members, consulted with  those members who have particular experience with and awareness  of the issues involved, and talked to clergy and members of More Light congregations in our immediate area.

 There will be more details on the Task Force report as plans are formulated to implement its recommendations. As a beginning, however, we list these recommendations:

 • that Session undertake to understand and interpret G-6.0106b in light of the entire Book of Order and Confessions of our denomination.

 • that Old First not join More Light Presbyterians at this time, but that Session encourage members of our congregation to join More Light Presbyterians as individuals and to support its work.

 • that Session adopt a Charge to the Nominating Committee urging it to “seek those who are full of faith and of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, of dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ, whose manner of life is a demonstration of the Christian Gospel in the church and in the world..... [and to] forbear from intrusive and unseemly inquiry.”

 • that Session adopt a Reaffirmation Statement of its intent not “to ordain or install any person who makes or proposes to make a public declaration of self-acknowledged sin together with a public refusal to repent.”

 • that Old First commit to participating annually in the San Francisco Pride Parade by organizing a group of walkers.

 • that Old First investigate engaging another Presbyterian church in dialogue on the issue of G-6.0106b, with the goal of getting to know each other and sharing differing points of view, encouraging mutual understanding.

 • that Old First renew our Covenant Statement and reaffirm our affiliation with and participation with the Covenant Network of Presbyterians.

 In summing up, the Task Force states, “Unless there arises some clear reason to think there has been a dramatic shift in sentiment among our congregation, these recommendations should be valid for several years going foward.”

 For a complete copy of the Task Force report, see Jeanne Kirkwood.

                                                          Pastor's Ponderings

 Dear Friends,

             A while ago you received a questionnaire in Shared Life that asked a number of questions concerning your feelings about gay and lesbian ordination. The task force that asked for that information has worked hard to respond to your sense of where the congregation needs to go within this denominationally contentious issue.

              Having listened to what you have to say, the group, has recommended a somewhat moderate approach — at least at this time.  They have decided not to pursue membership in the More Light organization, not to make public declarations that would invite scrutiny from the outside, but instead to re-affirm our commitment to Covenant Network and its  more pragmatic approach to the problem - again, at this time. From my point of view, this is a tactical decision arrived at by a group of people who listened to anyone who would speak with them:  a group that also carried a deep concern for the members of our congregation so directly affected by the denomination's stance on homosexual ordination —  a concern I carry as well.

             But, truth be told, this puts our congregation in a difficult position. I know that there are some within Old First who, with integrity and a genuine desire to understand the will of God, cannot agree with the "general" congregation's approach to this issue; they need to be heard and respected, for hatred is not part of their thinking. At the same time though, Old First finds itself, for tactical reasons, affirming a position that strikes the heart of some of our dearest friends. One of these friends spoke quite eloquently at a recent Session meeting, saying that our pragmatic stance forces him to live in a way that offends his integrity. But in the very same breath he told us that his love for this congregation is so profound, he finds himself able to understand and to accept the approach the Session is taking, at this time.

             Can you imagine how he felt? I'd like you to spend at least a moment doing just that ...  The question comes: How shall we respond? My answer is this: There is no adequate response, but no response at all is unthinkable. We need to do something. however symbolic  —  seemingly even futile. We need to do something. To that end we would like as many people from Old First as can break open the time, to march in the Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco on June 29th, and to march under an Old First banner.

 It is the least we can do for members of our congregation who, in our national church, are left on the outside looking in. Consider it, please. We will commission your effort at the beginning of worship on the 29th.

                                                            Grace and peace,

                                                                                    Sam

IN MEMORY

            George Jeffrey died in Santa Clara on May 5. He was a long-time member of Old First and a former deacon. A memorial service was held on June 1.

WELCOME

            to Jedediah Olson Peek, born on April 26, 2003.  He is the son of Katie Olson Peek and Robbins Peek, and the grandson of Chuck Olson.

LECTIONARY

June 1 - Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Ps. 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19

June 8 - Acts 2:1-21 or Ezek. 37:1-14;  Ps. 104:24-34, 35b; Rom.             8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

June 15 - Isa. 6:1-8; Ps. 29; Rom. 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

June 22  - 1 Sam. 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) and Ps. 9:9-20; or 1 Sam.             17:57-18:5, 10-16 and  Ps. 133: 2 Cor. 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41

June 29  - 2 Sam. 1:1-17-27; Ps. 130; 2 Cor. 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43

July 6  - 2 Sam. 5:1-5, 9-10; Ps. 48; 2 Cor. 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13

THANK YOU

            Thanks to all for showing me such thoughtfulness after my father's passing. All the cards, phone calls, memorials, and hugs have really helped me cope. This is truly an expression of Old First love, and I feel so comforted by my church family.

                                                                        • Jeanne Kirkwood

CENTRAL GARDENS MINISTRY

            The Board of Deacons is assuming responsibility for our regular fourth-Sunday worship services at Central Gardens Convalescent Hospital.

            There will be three types of services in rotation: A singalong, an agape service, and a Communion service. Training manuals have been developed for the singalong and agape services; persons interested in helping with these services should contact their deacon.

            Singalong services are scheduled for August and November; agape services for July, September and December; communion services for July and October.

WHY GO TO CHURCH

WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH GOOD STUFF ON TV?

          Reason #1 - To Learn to Talk - by Carol Carter

            I joined Old First nine years ago this month with the intent of singing in the choir and being a quiet little worker bee on the Operations Committee because I liked Chris Burt’s accent (at the time that made sense to my secular mind), and he was on the committee.  I was extremely surprised when various members of the committee were asked to lead an opening prayer.  The idea was way too big for my mind to ever grasp, not only praying out loud but doing so on behalf of others!  Worker bees shouldn’t have to do things like that, I thought! 

            During my first year I attended a meeting in the Fellowship Hall that Tim was chairing, and from out of nowhere I watched my hand go up, unbeknownst to me, and I made a comment.  I remember my comment being received and considered as valid, and I was amazed!  Pandora’s box had been officially opened!

            I think Cindy Burt was the first to ask  me to read scripture during a Sunday service.  I nearly fell over, I stuttered for a while and said yes, that I would.  I can only say that I really hated being terrified, and I have been so all my life about speaking in public.  What better way to begin to get over it than by speaking other people’s words! 

            Tim wisely said he wanted to meet me early for a rehearsal.  I remember thinking that if I spoke really quickly I could sit down sooner, and so I did.  Tim said, “Slow down, and speak up!” four times before I was intelligible and audible at all. That Sunday I started hyperventilating as soon as I woke up; I tried desperately to get some kind of illness without success.  When it came my turn I felt my first victory was not falling while going up the stairs to the lectern.  I have no clue how it went.  Afterwards, I remember Pam patting my hand that I had done well. I was still too numb to breathe!

            Sometime later, Susan Ashton asked if I would do the Prayers of the People the following Sunday.  I felt myself doing a really loud inhale and then said that I would.  By then I had two more scripture readings behind me, and my hyperventilating started only when I’d reached the church and was over as soon as I’d left the building.  This was a somewhat lame measure of improvement, but it was enough.  Now I was expected to read my own words!  By the time that Sunday arrived I was very grateful for the lectern,  as my hands were shaking too much to hold anything, let alone read from it!  All I remember is saying in the prayer, at one point, “forgive me for my shaking knees and my intense desire to run back up to the choir loft where I feel safe!”  People laughed as I had hoped, but those were absolutely true words.

            There is a simple reason why I continue to try to be better at  public speaking.  This is a family here, and you provide a monumental amount of support during difficult times, no matter what the difficulty.  It is just how you are!   I have seen it over and over, and when no one laughs at me after a new stint at public speaking around here I see it again! I eventually learned to pray out loud during Presby-terian Women meetings after Deb McGuire left.  Whether or not one does well is secondary  to the effort made and the support received from doing so.

            I have a long way to go with this public speaking thing, but by the Grace of God and the family of Old First,  I will continue trying.

OLD FIRST’S  PIED PIPER

— What Jonathan Lee said

at the May 18 Anniversary Lunch

            We are blessed with dependable volunteers who help to make our Christian Education programs tick with their unsung efforts.  On behalf of the Christian Edu-cation Committee, it is my pleasure to speak for a few moments about one such volunteer: Frank Tobin.  For the past decade or so, Frank has given his time and energy to the betterment of the children of this church community. 

            First, he was part of a leadership team, along with Ingrid Larnis, for our tutorial program for about eight years. Frank and Ingrid were the life force of that program. You will be interested to learn that one of Frank and Ingrid's students from the tutorial program is here today.  After working with her in the tutorial program, Frank and Ingrid subsequently became Leona's godfather and godmother.

            Frank has volunteered as a nursery attendant for the past four years or so.  Anyone who saw him in these two positions saw someone who really cared about children.  And the children really responded to Frank; it’s clear that he loved the kids and they loved him right back.

            We borrowed from children's literature to dub Frank "the Pied Piper" for today's event.  He didn't ask for 10,000 guilders to rid the church of rats, as that famous story goes, but the image of Frank calling a tune and leading the children seemed appropriate.  Frank held the attention of our youngest family members,  through games and stories and wit and charm taking them to imaginary places of fun times. Who could ever forget Frank's innovative use of the nursery’s rocking chair as a toddler catapult?  I don't think any of the children will forget such good times.

            When it comes to caring for children, consistency is so important.  Frank was there nearly every week, consistently engaging the children in a relationship called friendship.  So we acknowledge and honor Frank today. We have gifts from the children  and we have a small commemorative gift for Frank, which reads, “To Frank Tobin  with appreciation and thanks for your loving care of our children — Old First Presbyterian Church, 2003.”

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