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July/August 2002 EVENING PRAYERS - 7:30 pm Wednesday, July 3 and Wednesday, August 7 SAN FRANCISCO AIDS WALK - Sunday, July 21 Sign up at Coffee Hour to walk or sponsor a walker TOWN HALL MEETING RESCHEDULED from June 30 to July 28 after worship service. We’ll hear a report on the 214th General Assembly MEGAN ROHRER NAMED DIRECTOR OF WELCOME MINISTRY The Welcome Ministry Board has named Megan Rohrer to succeed John Young bird-Hot as Welcome Ministry Director. She began work early in June. Megan has a BA in Religion from Augusta College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and is now an MA student in Ethics and Social Theory at the Graduate Theological Union. Before moving to the Bay Area, she was a counselor at the Children’s Home Society in Sioux Falls, working with battered, abused, neglected and at-risk children. Board members are impressed with her spiritually grounded poise and calm, reassuring demeanor, not to mention her black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Megan also is a musician; she sings and plays the harp, guitar and piano. Megan's email address is megan@oldfirst.org NEW SEMINARY INTERN, KATHERINE MARCO Katherine Marco, a third year M. Div student at San Francisco Theological Seminary, will join the Old First staff as an intern on August 15, 2002 and will be with us until mid-June of next year. She assume Erwin Barron’s Christian Education duties when he leaves at the end of this year. Her detailed job description is still being worked out, but it will essentially involve spending half her time on Christian Education, 30% on worship planning and leadership, and 20% in Community Ministries. Katherine brings over 20 years of experience in secular education for all ages (mostly music education). She has worked as a church musician in several congregations. She is originally from Riverside, California, and holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in music. UPDATING THE PEW BIBLES We plan to purchase 300 New Revised Standard Version pew Bibles. As of mid-June, we have raised about 25% of the funds needed. To donate one or more Bibles — for $12.00 each — in honor of and/or in memory of friends and loved ones, use one of the forms supplied in the Sunday bulletin. NEWS FROM THE PEACEMAKING COMMITTEE Two Peacemaking Conferences sponsored by the Peacemaking Program of the Presbyterian Church will be held this summer: July 6 - 10, 2002 at Chapman University, Orange, California, and July 23-27, 2002 in Montreat, North Carolina. The theme of both conferences will be "The Lion, the Lamb, and a Little Child: Building Peace in a Violent World." The conferences will be intergenerational and will explore the lives of children and peace-building in these violent times. Issues to be covered are such topics as gun violence, child laborers, and child soldiers. Attendees will have an opportunity to seek ways of transforming our world so that all children may live their lives in peace. The list of keynote leaders and workshops is very impressive. It would be great if we could have some representatives from Old First at one of the conferences! Think about attending! Moreover, think about not only attending but coming back and helping our Old First Peace-making Committee get off the ground! The Peacemaking Committee is looking for new members to help further develop its mission here at Old First, as well as someone who could take over the leadership function of the committee and take it to its next level. It will be possible for the leadership role to be shared. For more information contact: Pat Devine-Cummings NEW PHOTO DIRECTORIES The new church directories will be distributed through the Board of Deacons. You will be hearing from your Deacon about when and how you can get your copy. The Congregational Care Committee will soon announce details about how to order reprints of your photographs. THERE ARE NO JAZZ VESPERS SERVICES IN JULY OR AUGUST. Jazz Vespers returns to its usual second Sunday spot on September 8. AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE by Dan Joraanstad Through our gifts to God we change things in this world. Nowhere is this better seen than in the miracle of the Old First Garage. Do you remember? For years, members of the church tuned in to the local real estate market, hoping to hear of the possibility for additional parking. “We have no parking! How can we grow? You have to search the streets for a spot.” For years! Then, suddenly, the current garage (at the time an auto repair shop) became available for purchase. The cost of property was a high mountain of debt for the church to climb, but we would strive, we would take the risk. But just as suddenly an angel appeared in our midst and provided the means to acquire the garage, and in 10 years to become its own — a gift of pure good will. What’s been the result? We arrive of a Sunday morning feeling good about being in God’s house again -- without having just circled the blocks for twenty minute -- in search of God, not parking. Visitors too have easy access to weddings, concerts, and events of all types like the recent Presbytery meeting. Before, our lack of parking limited our activities like a line in the sand. What a powerful act of stewardship! Few of us are capable of making such gifts, but all of us can pool our money together and have a powerful effect. Witness our transformation from helping a few individuals living on our sidewalks, to launching a new non-profit, the Welcome Ministry. Gifts of both kinds come together here — those of time and energy, as well as financial gifts. Without our combined efforts with time and financial gifts where would the Welcome Ministry be? Think of our past history going recently to the founding of the Larkin Street Youth Center in 1980's, and in the earlier part of the 20th Century The Edgewood Children's Center, founded as The Protestant Orphanage, and even back to the founding days of the University of California. The people of Old First, with gifts of talent and money have done powerful things. We will continue to do great things, but only with your dedicated and transformational gifts of time and money. Later this fall you will hear once again of the Annual Stewardship Campaign. Give generously. But remember, giving isn't a singular event; its a way of living to the greater glory of God our creator, the Giver of all. Live life by thanking God for the very gift of life. Live with an attitude of gratitude. A postscript: note that the Legacy Circle is holding its First Annual dinner in July, and if you or anyone you know has remembered the church in their will, or has pledged ongoing support above and beyond regular giving, please call or email the OFPC office. Our goal is to honor and celebrate those in our midst who have made a commitment to build the endowment for the church, ensuring our good works for generations to come. Old First Presbyterian Church CHARTER FOR THE STRATEGIC RESPONSE TASK FORCE approved by Session May 28, 2002 Purpose: To identify the core issues resulting from and recommend actions for Old First to take over the next few years in response to paragraph G-6.0106b of our Book of Order. Members: The Task Force will be made up of eight members: the pastor, two from the Session, two from the Deacons and three from the congregation. Seven members will be nominated by the Nominating- Committee and elected by the Session, which may elect others. Efforts will be made to select a Task Force that, collectively, is reflective of the diverse opinions in Old First. The Pastor will convene the first meeting. The Task Force will choose their leader from among its members. Sponsor: The Task Force reports to and is accountable to Session. Meetings and Time Requirements: The Task Force is expected to meet at least monthly until the recommendations are completed. Between meetings, Task Force members are expected to do a significant amount of work individually or in small groups. Target Date: The target date for completing the report is the Session meeting on March 25, 2003. Products: The Task Force is expected to produce a written report that summarizes their findings and recommendations. This report should include a careful study of all the current and potential future factors that may influence the core issues, together with an examination of whether Old First should become a More Light church. Also, this report should explain why the recommended actions are appropriate and should analyze the potential impact on and risks to Old First of the recommended actions. After acceptance by the Session, copies of the report will be made available to the congregation. Boundary Conditions: The Task Force will work under the following expectations and constraints: 1. The Task Force will be responsible for all communication with the congregation about its work. 2. The Task Force will solicit input from the congregation and, if appropriate, conduct a congregational meeting (e.g. an all-day retreat) for reviewing and refining possible recommendations. 3. The Task Force will coordinate any church-wide activities with the Church calendar. 4. The Task Force will solicit input from those, both inside and outside the congregation who have concerns, ideas or special knowledge of important aspects of the core issues. 5. The Task Force will report at least twice to the Session at appropriate intermediate points (defined by the Task Force) to seek feedback and confirm that is work is meeting the expectations of Session. 6. In all of its work, the Task Force will respect the opinions of all people in the congregation, including those who may disagree with the recommendations. Decision Making: The Task Force has authority to act on its own (without approval of Session) on all studies and activities related to preparing their report. These activities may involve the whole congregation. The Task Force does not have authority to implement any of its recommendations. Funding and Resources: The Task Force is authorized to spend up to $500, if needed, to support its work. The Task Force may call on the Church Staff occasionally to provide needed support. _______ Prepared by the pre-Task Force group of Session: George Becker, Betsy Chiao, Tom Culp, Glen Potter and John Sebastian THANK YOU, JAMES UREN The Deacons’ “Thank You” for June went to James Uren, honoring him for his faithful volunteer work for the Senior Center. SUMMER CHURCH SCHOOL FOR ADULTS Again this summer we will bring in interesting experts from around the country by means of video study series, beginning with six weeks on the “History of Christianity”, illustrated with historic art and narrated by Dr. Timothy George. Watch for announcements of other series titles. Classes are held 9:30-10:30 am in the Munro Room. LECTIONARY July 7 - Gen. 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Ps. 45:10-17 or S. of Sol. 2:8- 13; Rom. 7:15-25a; Matt. 11:16-19, 25-30 July 14 - Gen. 25:19-34; Ps. 119:105-112; Rom. 8:1-11; Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23 July 21 - Gen. 28:10-19a; Ps. 139:1-12, 23-24; Rom. 8:12-25; Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 July 28 - Gen. 29:15-28; Ps. 105:1-11, 45b or Ps. 128; Rom. 8:26-39; Matt. 13:31-33, 44-52 Aug 4 - Gen. 32:22-31; Ps. 17:1-7, 15; Rom. 9:1-5; Matt. 14:13-21 Aug 11 - Gen. 37:1-4, 12-28; Ps. 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Rom. 10:5-15; Matt. 14:22-33 Aug 18 - Gen. 45:1-15; Ps. 133; Rom. 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matt. 15: (10-20) 21-28 Aug 25 - Exod. 1:8--2:10; Ps. 124; Rom. 12:1-8; Matt. 16:13-20 Sept 1 - Exod.3:1-15; Ps. 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Rom. 12:9-21; Matt. 16:21-28
Our church nursery is looking for good used or new toys, books, puzzles, dolls, blankets, coloring books and dress-up clothes. If you have any of these around your home that you won’t be using, please contact Maria Boyke or Barbara Sutter.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS A confirmation class of 6 young people was received on June 9. (Jordan Hollarsmith was ill that day and will be received later.) Before the worship service, our newest members met with the Elders, who had been presented with their Faith Statements. The quotes are from each person’s Statement. Joining by Baptism ARIEL KRIETZMAN has been active in the church for about three years with her mother Connie Johnson and sister Nina. They live in San Francisco, and Ariel is graduating this week from James Lick Middle school. She won an award for sculpture this year. She will begin the 9th grade at the School of the Arts in the fall. She enjoys art, reading, travel, cats, and hanging out with friends. “I believe in a higher power. I’m almost positive of that. From there it gets less clear.... I know nothing for sure, but I have my beliefs. I suppose that is all any of us have, our own beliefs. In time, I think I may be less confused and my beliefs may change.”
“I believe that God helps us. God is good. God helps me in school. I pray to God. God loves me........ The Bible is a book about Jesus and God. I like talking about the Bible in Sunday School.” Joining by Affirmation of Faith ERIN BERG was baptized when her family joined Old First Church about six years ago. Nina and Michael Berg are her parents, and Patrick is her younger brother, and they live in San Francisco. Erin plays basketball, softball and other sports and is finishing the sixth grade at James Lick Middle School. “The Holy Spirit is the part of the Trinity that is always going through us and is with us...... the part that is with us 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. I believe that is the part that we can feel its presence and it gives us hope.” FRANCISCO BOYKE was baptized in his native Nicaragua. He lives now in San Francisco with his parents Maria and Chris and younger brothers Luis and Samuel. They have been active in the church for two years. Francisco is finishing the sixth grade at James Lick School where he was just selected for the Latino Honor Roll. He enjoys video and computer games and drawing. “I believe that the church of Christ is all the people that follow Christ, but God also loves the people who don’t. Church isn’t a place, but it is the people of God....... I do so believe much more in God than I used to before I met Erwin in the confirmation class.” STEVEN LAGATTA was baptized at an Episcopal Church in Belvedere and has been active at Old First since his mother began singing in the choir four years ago. His mother Britt LaGatta is a section leader in the choir and recently joined the church. His older brother Rob was confirmed two years ago. He lives with his mother, father, and brother in Corte Madera and is finishing the sixth grade at Hall Middle School. He likes to read, play video games, and plays a mean trombone. “I like being in Old First Church a lot for various reasons..... I like the people there because they are nice to me ...... Faith plays a big part in my life, because without it I would always be sad, because I would never believe in anything and always think that everything would fail.” SPENCER POLLOCK was baptized on Palm Sunday at Old First Church and grew up here. His mother Sally Spencer and father Phil Pollock are active in the church. He lives with his mother and younger sister Chloe in San Francisco. He is finishing the eighth grade at Stuart Hall School for Boys. He enjoys basketball and has been an active tutor in our tutorial program. “I believe God is powerful and strong because he was able to create the universe and all that lives. He is also able to see all that is and was. God is also infinite because He covers the entire universe and beyond.” |
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December 2001, Nov 2001, October 2001, September 2001, July/August 2001, June 2001, May 2001, April 2001,
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