July/August 2001

NEWS FLASH!  Click here for a special edition newsletter on the Presbyterian Church's 213th General Assembly in Louisville.

STREET BEAT - Helping people turn the corner

COOL SUMMER JAZZ ON SATURDAY NIGHTS

7:00 - 9:00 pm

The Homelessness Task Force, an interfaith collaboration of churches and ministries, invites you to come hear some great jazz and lend a helping hand in the process. The Street Beat jazz series features some of the Bay Areas top jazz artists who are lending their talents to support The Welcome Center, a local drop-in program that provides hospitality, food and referrals to our homeless neighbors.

Dig jazz. Help people. It's the cool thing to do.

July 7  - Don Pender Quartet

July 21 - The Snake Trio

August 4 - Clairdee with The Ken French Trio

August 25 - Gerry Grosz Quartet

Ticket price, $10 per person, per concert.

$5.50 parking at 1725 Sacramento, Old First Garage

213TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES

MOVE TO DELETE AMENDMENT B

By a vote of 317-208, the 213th General Assembly voted to send a proposed constitutional amendment to the presbyteries that – if ratified by a majority of them in the coming year – would delete G-6.0106b (the commonly called “fidelity and chastity" provision) from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order.

G-6.0106b – approved by the 1996 General Assembly and ratified 97-74 by the presbyteries — states: "Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament." This paragraph has been used to keep non-celibate gay and lesbian people from ordination.

The sweeping action, taken after two hours of prayerful and civil debate, would also add a sentence to G-6.0106a – the other section of the Book of Order outlining standards for ordination – stating that church officers’ "suitability to hold office is determined by the governing body where the examination for ordination or installation takes place, guided by scriptural and constitutional standards, under the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ."

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“The moderator asked the question and said, ‘Vote now...’   First the youth and other advisory delegates voted. The voting clock ticked off the seconds. There was a major sigh when the results went up on the screen. The advisory delegates were almost evenly divided, with a very slight majority in favor of the committee recommendation. Then the commissioners voted. The clock started ticking; I quite literally stopped breathing.  This massive hall full of people was deadly silent as we awaited the results on the huge video screens. Then the numbers popped up:  60% of the commissioners had approved the recommendation!  I joined lots of others in making a gulping sound of surprise and disbelief.  I didn't want to applaud, because I didn't want to hurt those who had opposed it so strongly.  I jumped up and hugged Bill Moss,  who was sitting beside me, and then the Assembly erupted in applause.”                                                  • The Rev. Erwin Barron

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"The action proposed by this General Assembly offers to the church the long-sought middle ground. This action, if approved by the presbyteries, would neither require nor prohibit the ordination of gay and lesbian Presbyterians. Instead, it would return the church to our historic Presbyterian principles of mutual forbearance and freedom of conscience on non-essential matters. "     

                        • Covenant Network of Presbyterians statement

(“What Happened in Louisville”, a  special August edition of "Shared Life", will feature excerpts from the Powerpoint presentation seen by many delegates in Louisville, other actions taken at this Assembly and relevant information about what happens now. )

TOWN HALL MEETING SUNDAY, JULY 29 AFTER THE WORSHIP SERVICE

The columbarium plan will be presented.

Old First members will be asked to provide their comments and suggestions.

THE PROPOSED COLUMBARIUM CHAPEL

In response to interest expressed by several members in recent years, Old First’s Renovation Subcommittee has proposed the development of a columbarium chapel:  a space where the cremated remains of deceased members could be interred and where deceased members could be remembered. The columbarium would be located in space at the southwest corner of the building now occupied by an underutilized stairway.  This location would be readily accessible to the congregation, but sufficiently out of the way that it would not be noticed by those who do not seek it out.

The columbarium would be developed as a very attractive small chapel, containing, initially, approximately 100 niches for deposit of cremated remains and 100 memorial plaques to memorialize those who are interred elsewhere. Shown is a floor plan showing the columbarium chapel layout and a very preliminary sketch of the proposed space. The actual design is subject to further refinement.

The columbarium would be available only to members of Old First, their immediate families, and others with a special connection to Old First, such as clergy and former clergy and former members.  Niches and memorial plaques would be sold at rates comparable to those charged by other similar institutions, with reduced rates for persons unable to afford those rates. An endowment would be set up to care for the columbarium in perpetuity.

The columbarium can be developed only if it has general support of the congregation and if a sufficient number of niches and memorial plaques can be sold.

THE TRADITION OF CHRISTIAN INTERMENT

The Christian church has traditionally been the spiritual home of its members. The congregation is the body of Christ, with which we are united for eternity – for through his resurrection, Christ has defeated death.

It is for this reason that since the earliest days of Christianity, people have wanted their remains interred in or adjacent to the church.  This interment serves as a reminder that death does not sever our ties to the universal church.

Although throughout the ages burial in a church or a churchyard has been practiced, it is impractical in a dense urban area, where churches occupy small city lots.  However, because a large number of people are currently opting for cremation, interment of ashes in the church in a facility called a “columbarium” is an option that many churches are currently offering their members. 

Churches in the San Francisco Bay Area which offer a columbarium for their members include Burlingame and Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian churches, Grace Cathedral, and St. Francis Lutheran Church.

THINKING ABOUT CHILDREN AND WORSHIP

by Erwin Barron

Christian Education Committee has been looking at some of the issues involved in our Sunday morning schedule at Old First.  As it is now, our children participate in part of the worship service with the entire congregation and then leave to attend church school for the majority of the service.  This is working well and we don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the good program we have going now.

However, it does cause some problems so we are discussing a possible change in schedule.  If we make a change, children and adults would both have educational activities at a time separate from worship.  Older children (probably 7 and up) would attend all of the worship service, and younger children would have a special program for them during most of the service.

Here are some of the possible benefits and drawbacks of making such a change:

Benefits:  Families with children would have more than 2 hours each Sunday to experience church • Children would have the same teacher in church school every week. • The entire church family would gather together for worship as the central act of the church. • Children would grow accustomed to attending worship as a central part of their lives. • Children would learn the hymns, prayers, and creeds hearing them recited in the congregation. • Adult education attendance would probably increase. • Children will learn proper behavior in worship

Drawbacks: Families with children would be forced to spend more than 2 hours in church each Sunday. • Families would be forced to arise and  leave home at an earlier hour. • Children would be disruptive in worship. • Children might be bored in worship. • Parents might be unable to worship because of misbehaving children. • Attendance in children’s church school might decrease. • Some children do not want to attend worship.

The September 30 Town Hall Meeting will focus on these questions of Children in Worship.

“FUNDING THE FUTURE” CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

"Funding the Future of Community Minis-try at OFC" is off to a good start. We have raised $10,000 so far toward a goal of $65,000.

Keep in mind the words of Mother Teresa. "We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’” Please think about a significant contribution.

There are other events planned to support Community Ministries, but this major fundraising effort is the foundation. Come visit the Senior Center and the Welcome Center when you have the time. Let’s do this together.

SESSION NOTES

from the May 22, 2001 regular meeting

Finance Committee - Session voted to allocate the gift of $55,000 made by the Rev. Chuck Lewis so that $52,000 be placed in the Old First Endowment Fund and $3,000 be used by the Computer Center.

Operations Committee - Session approved the purchase of a replacement computer for the church office and for an uninterruptible power supply for the telephone system.

Pastor Nominating Committee - The PNC has begun telephone interviews with selected candidates.

Worship Committee - Deacons Sunday is being planned for October 21, and one special 11 am  Jazz worship service is being considered.

USHERS RECRUITMENT

Old First is now recruiting new ushers to greet, seat and assist members and visitors as they are coming to and leaving the worship service.

Would you be interested in serving one Sunday a month, or even once every other month? Ushering involves arriving at church by 10:30 am on Sunday, distributing pew pads, placing hymn numbers, welcoming worshippers and offering bulletins and parking stickers, tidying the pews after the service. It is wonderful, fun work!

For more information, contact Usher co-captains, Heather Losee and Linda Reyder.

EVENING   PRAYERS         

7:30 pm   

Wednesday, July 4 & Wednesday, August 1

LECTIONARY

July 1 - 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Ps. 77:1-2, 11-20; Gal. 5:1, 13-25;

                        Luke 9:51-62

July 8 - 2 Kings 5:1-14;  Ps. 30; Gal. 6:(1-6) 7-16: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

July 15 -  Amos 7:1-17;  Ps. 82; Col. 1:1-14;  Luke 10:25-37

July 22 -  Amos 8:1-12;  Ps. 52; Col. 1:15-28;  Luke 10:38-42

July 29  - Hos. 1:2-10;  Ps. 85; Col. 2:6-15 (16-19);  Luke 11:1-13

Aug 5  -  Hos. 11:1-11;  Ps. 107:1-9, 43; Col. 3:1-11;  Luke 12:13-21  

Aug 12  -  Isa 1:1, 10-20;  Ps. 50:1-8, 22-23; Heb. 11:1-3, 8-16; 

                        Luke 12:32-40

Aug 19 -  Isa. 5:1-71;  Ps. 80:1-2, 8-19;  Heb. 11:29-12:2; 

                        Luke 12:49-56

Aug 26 - Jer. 1:4-10;  Ps. 71:1-6;  Heb. 12:18-29;  Luke 13:10-17   

Sept  2  - Jer. 2:4-13;  Ps. 81:1, 10-16; Heb. 13:1-8, 15-16; 

                        Luke 1:1, 7-14 

WHAT MAKES THE WORLD WORK?

by Rosemary Bledsoe

What holds the world together, what keeps it going?

What a dumb question. Everybody knows it's business, politics, technology ..... anything and everything you see covered in the Wall Street Journal, broadcast on CNN, reported in Time Magazine.  It's money and power and commerce, information and strategy and tactics, study and effort and calculation.

Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe it's prayer.

Hello? Still with me? Come on, hang in there, and think about it  — just for a bit of mental exercise.

All over the planet, the praying never stops. In the very moment you read this, prayers rise from cathedrals, ships at sea, hospital rooms, monasteries, crime scenes, football practice, factories, powwows, mosques, coal mines, wedding chapels, family dining tables, long-haul trucks, cardboard shanties, the Wailing Wall, hidden shrines, prisons, palaces, mega-churches, shopping malls

......... in candles lighted by tias and abuelas, prayer wheels and flags, petitions, prostrations, rosaries, liturgical formulas, chants, affirmations, consecrations, blessings, graces, benedictions, last rites, the Lord's Prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep"

....... in every language, in music and dancing, in silence, in begging and in listening, in familiar formulas recited by bored congregants, in the blazing joy of the newly enlightened, in the life-work of cloistered nuns.

While teenage gangsters strut and preen and threaten, their mothers are down on their knees, crying. While a corporate board gathers around a polished table, a janitor puts down his broom and faces Mecca.  While rockets rise in apocalyptic splendor, bearing a few brave souls in a space shuttle, a priest in a country church adds their names to a petition for his parishioners.

Whatever god is addressed  and for whatever reason, the attitude of prayer is constant: There is need, there is power, there is the asking of power to fill the need. The connection was made thousands of years ago; it goes on and on, all the time.

Think about that: what it might mean for your life and mine and every life on the planet to be sustained by the prayer of someone, somewhere ..... the intimate conversation of a saint, a child's generous "Bless Mommy and Daddy and Grandma and the new puppies and the ice-cream man", an unfocused and incoherent  "Oh please, oh please".

Are you thinking yet? Any questions?

Like: if that's the case, why is the world in such a mess? I could answer: maybe because people pray for different things.

Like: how could there be enough people praying to make it work? My answer: from what I have learned of prayer, I think it would not take so very many to keep the world going — a number considerably smaller than an army, fewer persons than a faculty or legislature, not many more than a football team. Maybe somebody like the Pope or the Dalai Lama could do it all by himself.

Like: can you prove it?  I'd answer: no, I can't prove it works that  way, and you can't prove it doesn't.

MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIAN CONFERENCE

MAY 23-27, 2001, AUSTIN, TEXAS

by Jeanne Kirkwood

Presbyterians from many parts of the United States gathered in Austin for the More Light Presbyterian Conference hosted by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Participants included Old Firsters Bill Moss, Co-Moderator of More Light Presbyterians; Pam Byers, Executive Director of Covenant Network of Presbyterians; and Jeanne Kirkwood, Presbyterian ordinaire.

We were treated to a fine example of Texas hospitality by the host church that was warm and welcoming. St. Andrew's members were in a mood to celebrate. Not only had they organized an excellent meeting but the Texas legislature had just passed a "hate crimes" bill. St. Andrew's pastor, Dr. Jim Rigby had been a tireless advocate of this resolution and had been present as Governor Perry signed the bill.

The theme of the conference, "Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Hands" reflected the inclusive nature of the gathering. The conference featured plenary sessions and workshops that ranged from spirituality, Taize services and meditation to Presbytery & General Assembly polity, social justice and "how-to's" for forming More Light Congregations. There were powerful worship services, prayers, singing and opportunities to meet new friends and renew past associations.

It was also a time to commission the second national field organizer, Katie Morrison. She joins Michael Adee in reaching out to Presbyterians on a nationwide basis for the full inclusion of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons in the life and ministry of the Presbyterian Church. Katie is a graduate of the San Francisco Theology Seminary. She will begin her field work in September. Her remarks at the Friday evening service included a reference (II Kings 4:1-7) to Elisha's response to the woman who was lamenting her destitution upon becoming a widow. He asked her what she had in the house and upon hearing her reply of "nothing, but a little bit of oil" advised her to gather all the vessels she could - even borrowing from her neighbors. When she and her sons had all the containers possible Elisha told her to go into her house, shut the door and start pouring the "little bit of oil" into the jars. Of course the oil flowed and flowed until all the jars were filled. She had enough oil to sell, pay her debts and care for her family from then on. It was a wonderful story of abundance but also a reminder that we need to take the first steps in order to start the flow. It was also an encouraging and courageous charge to those who are so often rejected and marginalized in every day life and sadly even in our own church.

At the Saturday night banquet, our master of ceremonies asked each table to reflect on and share what we were doing in 1974. This was the year that David Spindt held up a sign at General Assembly asking, "Is anyone else Gay?". That was not only an interesting conversation starter, but also an opportunity to listen to each other's stories. It struck me that an important method of reconciliation is going to be listening. We can form clever strategies and calculate next moves but until we sit down to and really listen to each other, we will be reduced to unsatisfactory and short term compromises.

General Assembly is in session as I write this, and we will all know the results of the various resolutions that have been presented at the 2001 meeting by the time this issue is printed. I pray that this year's GA includes careful listening rather than the divisive need to have the last word.

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(Candidate Under Care -- Old First’s Candidates Under Care studying for the ministry receive the help and encouragement of the church.  At present, this assistance is given by a committee comprised of Pam Byers, Mary Culp  and Esther Kim.)

JEANNE CHOY TATE - GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION

THE EVOLVING OR REVOLVING CANDIDATE: A SPOUSE'S PERSPECTIVE;

THE PRESBYTERIAN PROCESS OF THE CALL, ILLUSION OR TRUTH

by Buddy Tate Choy

My spouse, Jeannie Choy Tate, the love of my life, had been asked to write an autobiographical article about her call into ministry to share with the faith community of Old First.  I volunteered to write the article for her, and for these reasons:

1) I am the spouse; the spousal point-of-view needs to be heard, especially by God; 2) My spouse has been deeply hurt by our Presbyterian Church in her candidacy process, and she could not be objective in stating her case; 3) I have supported her spiritually (and emotionally and financially), so God needs to hear from me; 4) I am taking this opportunity to let God hear my musings on "the call", especially in light of the fact that I once recruited candidates for our local seminary; 5) I am trying to hone my skills as a writer, so what better way than to tell God what I am thinking; 6) I hope to bring a small amount of levity to this writing, because if I took it all seriously, I would have left the church a long time ago; 7) And, most importantly, I want to be known more than just as the spouse of the candidate.

Some personal history to begin:  Jeannie and I have been married for twenty-six (26) years; during that period of time, she has been a candidate under the care of the Presbytery of San Francisco for twenty-three (23) years.  I am afraid to ask the Presbytery if she is their oldest living candidate for fear they will respond in the affirmative and they may try to oust her from her unique position.  Jeannie and I should have included the Presbytery's Preparation for Ministry Committee in our wedding worship service. Our service lasted one hour and forty minutes (some of our friends thought they were in a Roman Catholic Church and not the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown), so why not one more group to speak and our service could have gone to two hours!

Regarding my spouse's academic credentials, lest anyone think she has been a student merely to be a student until the Second Coming:  Jeannie has earned Bachelor and Master Degrees in education, special education, and human values (equivalent to a divinity degree).  At the present time, she is a candidate for the Ph.D. degree from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.  Someday, God willing and hopefully before I get in line to enter the pearly gates of heaven, I will be called Dr. Tate's husband (I like that title!).  Most of you also know that our son, Jamie MacLeod Tate Choy, has finished his first year of studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.  And in God's inimical way, the race has begun to see whether the son will get his degree first or will the mother get hers?  Anyone care to place a wager?

To give you a glimpse into the Presbyterian method of "the call" and the disappointments my spouse has suffered through the church:  Some of you may know that for fifteen (15) years, Jeannie was the Founder-Director of the Yook Yau Ji Ga Daycare Center, located in the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown.  It was her vision of a children's center that was curriculum-centered, diversity- and class-conscious, in a Christian environment that taught values as a basis for living harmoniously in community with each other. 

So, why, if the center was Christian-based, located in a Christian church, did not Jeannie get ordained to that ministry? What's a "call' from God meant to be?  Here is where God made us Presbyterians.  In a previous vocational life of mine, I used to tell prospective seminarians, when counseling them about God's calling, that one has to listen carefully to one’s  own heart in order to hear what God may be saying.  Well, perhaps my counsel to prospective students was flawed. In order for a candidate to become ordained it is necessary to function as a minister of the word and sacrament, i.e. preaching, baptism and communion, particularly in a parish setting.

While the answer to why Jeannie's vocational choice was not considered a "call" is multifaceted and decided on a Presbytery-by-Presbytery basis, Jeannie would want to point out that basically Presbyterians do not think children need ministers, primarily because they have yet to reach the age of reason and are not really up for preaching. Youth ministers, in contrast, are much more likely to be ordained than children's workers (they are also more likely to be men) and youth, somewhat ironically, are perceived as being more rational than children.

Jeannie's heart was broken when Yook Yau Ji Ga Daycare Center closed its doors after fifteen years, never again to be a service to children and families in the Chinese community.  The church had a hand in this too but Jeannie won't let me go into that. Of course, some theologians may say that 'suffering' and the 'breaking of your heart' is necessary if one is to achieve salvation.  After grieving the death of the daycare center, Jeannie decided to pursue academic studies that would eventually lead to a doctorate degree.  Her studies have centered on children, their faith, their imagination, their relationship to God.   

What has remained steady-on-course is Jeannie's calling into ministry, especially in relationship with God's young children.  Jeannie's tenure, to date, at the Graduate Theological Union is another book to be written at a later date.  She, as all of you know, has the gifts to be in community with God's children and she has the never-ending intellect that will always search and discover new and newer ways of expressing one's faith, whether through imagination or in more solid works.  The question remaining is whether or not there is an ordination in the offing (if you look up the dictionary meaning of “offing”, you will catch my drift).  Will the final epitaph read “Dr. Jeannie Choy Tate” or “The Reverend Dr. Jeannie Choy Tate”? 

Pray for her as she continues her struggle.  Pray for us, for the husband is as much a part of the struggle.

PASTOR'S LETTER

Dear Friends:

“In our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”

This biblical quote from Acts 2:11 was read during the Day of Pentecost worship service.  The first 12 verses of the chapter were read in five different languages.  God’s deeds of power were still being heard in different languages.

After the service, I stood at the door greeting the people.  A young visitor to the city introduced himself and said how exciting it was for him to hear the Word of God in his own language.  He was an Afrikaner from South Africa. 

I had read from Die Blye Boodskap (The Good News), the Bible in his mother tongue.  He didn’t expect to walk into a church in San Francisco and hear God’s word in his own language.  He was so excited.  So was I.  The scripture lesson had been confirmed in a marvelous way.

Thinking of different languages, I wanted to affirm this go-around the three musical languages present in this church that make this the special place it is: ecclesiastical, classical (for the most part) and jazz.

We are blessed to have a gifted and impassioned musician and choir director in Ken Matthews and a dedicated and spirited choir.  Their music, week after week, is a true blessing to the church.  We also applaud them for their participation in the Old First Church Choir and Orchestra concerts.  The ecclesiastical music is the heart of the music here at Old First.

Then there is the magnificent line-up of musical talent on stage in the Old First Concerts.  A dedicated board and staff make this happen.  President of the board is Chris Burt, a tireless and gracious worker.  The staff deserves mention: Pauline Tajchman and Colin Thurlow.  Pauline has replaced Henry Halpern, who has moved to Los Angeles.  Henry made a great contribution in his three years here.

The final musical presence in this threesome is Jazz Vespers, which takes place the second Sunday of each month with a break in the summer.  Ed Klitsch is the energetic and committed coordinator of the program.  The service combines jazz and spirituality.

Old First is very fortunate to have such a rich variety of classy music.  May God continue to bless our music, the gifted persons who pull it all together, and this church that makes it all possible.

                         Shalom,

                              Cornel.

FOOTNOTE:  There’s more jazz this summer.  Four concerts will be held to support the homeless ministry at Old First.  Try to attend.  As the brochure says, “It’s the cool thing to do.”