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July/August 2004
Jeffrey
Cheifetz Named New Interim Pastor The
Rev. Jeffrey Cheifetz has been named Interim Pastor of Old First. His
contract begins July 1, 2004. He has just completed a three-and-a
-half-year interim at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Japantown.
Jeff
was presented to the congregation at the May 30 Church Town Hall meeting
and received some parting words of wisdom from Jim Emerson and Leslie Veen.
Note
from your friendly local transitional pastor Hello
— The
Spirit has brought us together for a time of mutual growth and learning,
and I am excited about working with you as your interim (or, as we are
wont to say, transitional) pastor beginning July 1. Dr Emerson has been
very helpful to me, and I know he has been a blessing to you as well. For
those of you who were not able to attend the May 30 post-worship
conversation with Jim, Leslie, and myself, let me briefly introduce
myself. I
grew up in Berkeley, and became a Christian while at UC. I met Diana there, and we married
while I was attending San Francisco Theological Seminary. Soon after our
daughter Laura was born, we left for our first parish in eastern Oregon. Our son David was born while we were there. Our
next stop on the journey was Other
things about me: I like to read, especially science fiction and fantasy (Tolkien,
C.S. Lewis, etc), history and historical fiction, children’s books, and
yes, some theology, as well as materials on interim ministry. Long walks
are therapeutic, as are improvisational movement, journaling, time with
extended family, and some traveling. Computers and the internet
alternately frustrate and fascinate me, while sunrises, sunsets, and
mountains and the coastline, ground me in the eternal love of God
expressed through nature; and good restaurants and movies are a lot of
fun. We
will get to know one another better as time goes on. Again, I look forward
to walking with you through the next stage of your life as a congregation.
The continuing journey toward wholeness and a new future awaits us, and I
rejoice in that. Peace
be with you and yours, Jeffrey
Cheifetz Interim/Transitional
Pastor June
6 Goodbye to the Emersons Old
First bid an affectionate goodbye to the Rev. Jim Emerson and his wife
Migs on Sunday, June 6. It was
Jim’s last Sunday with us as Temporary Supply Pastor and the 55th
anniversary of his ordination. Coffee
Hour featured special cakes and a few speeches. In the worship service,
they were presented a gift of a “Fishers of Men” platter from the
church, and the choir sang a Gaelic blessing on their journey.
They are now enjoying some rest and relaxation at their home in Colorado. The
Congregational Conversation announced for June 5 has been postponed.
Watch for the announcement of a new date, and watch your mailbox
for the latest draft of the Mission Vision report. Evening
Prayers Wednesday,
July 7 -- 7:00 - 7:40 pm Wednesday,
August 4 -- 7:00 - 7:40 pm AIDS
Walk July 18 Sunday,
July 18, is AIDS Walk San Francisco. Join
Presbyterians Fighting AIDS (Team 1057) for California 's largest AIDS fundraiser. The ten kilometer (6.2 miles) walk begins and
ends in Sharon Meadow in Contact
Bryan Nichols for more information, or drop by the AIDS Walk registration
table at coffee hour. Golf
Tournament July 24 The
First Annual Old First Golf Tournament was so much fun, there actually
will be a Second. It’s
Saturday, July 24,at the Lincoln Park Golf Course, starting at 11 am.
Cost is $48 per person, including cart. There is only room for 16
players, so please sign up as soon as possible.
Look for the signup table at Coffee Hour.
For more information, contact Jonathan Lee or Don Pender. A
Few Words about $$$$$ •
The Welcome Ministry will be closed during July and August, to
conserve funds and to give the volunteers a break. •
We have only 8 Coffee Hour sponsors signed up for the last 26
Sundays of the year. Does that mean no coffee and doughnuts for 18 of
those Sundays? It means something will have to change. •
Every year our church’s pledge income drops during the summer.
That’s something we expect and plan for, but this year we don’t
have the resources to deal with much of a drop.
Please think of Old First before you go on vacation, and send in
your pledge for the time you will be away. Jazz
Vespers -- 5
pm, Sunday, July 11 -- Don Pender Quartet Jazz
Vespers will cool it in August and September. Back in October. Adult
Classes in July and August In
July, Steve Johnson and Jonathan Lee will teach a class on Parables.
In August, Steve Johnson will teach a series on Rebuilding the
Spirit. Classes are held at 9:30 am, Sundays, in the Munro Room.
Church
Mark
Your Calendar
Here
are a couple of dates to save before your fall social schedule fills up: Church
Picnic - Saturday, September 11, noon - 3 pm, Julius Kahn Playground. Down-home
Evening of chili, hot dogs and folk songs at the church, Saturday, October
16, 6:30 pm Fair
Trade Coffee Project: Java
Justice by
Pat Devine, Peace and Justice Committee The
Peace and Justice Committee would like to thank members of the
congregation for the enthusiastic
support for the Fair Trade Coffee Project that was launched
the first Sunday in June. The
"trial" sales of the Fair
Trade Coffee products exceeded our expectations!
Some of you gave feedback regarding
your likes, preferences and varying needs.
Thank you for sharing with us!
As a
result of what you have conveyed to us, the following additional products
will be available at the July 4, 2004 sale:
1) Whole Bean Coffee;
2) Green Tea; 3) An English
Breakfast Tea; 4) A Cocoa Mix; 4) Tanzanian Jubilee Drip Grind.
We will welcome your ideas as to what we should order next time
from Global Exchange. For your
convenience, we will have a booklet describing all the products available
at the table for you to browse through. When
you purchase Fair Trade products, you
are part of a growing number of people in church communities across the
country who have decided to make their faith count in the consumer choices
they make. The
chart below delineates how the conventional coffee trade compares with the
Fair Trade distribution system.
It shows how Global Exchange is doing away with the gouging middle
men called "Coyotes" who exploit farmers living in isolated
rural areas. There
are other benefits derived from supporting the Fair Trade Coffee Project
as well. For example, the
satisfaction of knowing one made an ethical consumer choice that will
benefit others and at the same time enjoy a quality product at a
reasonable price (lower than Starbucks and Peet's!). Lastly,
one will be helping the Peace and Justice Committee build its fund for
sending middle school children to a summer Peace Camp where they will
learn the skills of nonviolence and peacemaking.
It's a "win-win" situation all the way around!
So, let us at Old First "Sip for Justice," "Drink
Java for the Lord," and "Do Justice One Cup at a Time."
Look
for the Fair Trade Market at Coffee Hour First Sunday of every month. Lectionary July
4 - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kings 5:1-14; Ps. 30; Gal.
6:(1-6) 7-16: Luke 10:1-11,
16-20 July
11 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Amos 7:1-17; Ps. 82; Col.
1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37 July
18 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Amos 8:1-12; Ps. 52; Col.
1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 July
25 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Hos. 1:2-10; Ps. 85; Col.
2:6-15 (16-19); Luke 11:1-13 Aug
1 - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Hos. 11:1-11; Ps. 107:1-9, 43;
Col. 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21
Aug
8 - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isa 1:1, 10-20; Ps. 50:1-8,
22-23; Heb. 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke
12:32-40 Aug
15 - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isa. 5:1-7; Ps. 80:1-2, 8-19;
Heb. 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56 Aug
22 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jer. 1:4-10; Ps. 71:1-6; Heb.
12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17
Aug
29 - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jer. 2:4-13; Ps. 81:1, 10-16;
Heb. 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1,
7-14 Sept
5 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jer. 18:1-11; Ps. 139:1-6,
13-18; Philem. 1-21; Luke 14:25-33 My
Tribute to our Small Group Expanded
from a presentation by Mary Russell at the 155th Anniversary luncheon, May
23, 2004 I’ve
been part of my small group for more than fifteen years, but this group
has been meeting at Marilyn and Bill Campbell’s for many more years than
that — since their son Scott was born, and he’s now graduated from
college. Their hospitality
contributes so much to our gatherings — coffee and tea, cookies and
candies each time, great birthday cakes, and a lovely Christmas dinner
each year! We’ve
frequently used the weekly Lectionary as our study aid, but have also
enjoyed many fine books from theologians who lived in sometimes desperate
times, such as Dietrich Bonhoefer. Among
my favorites have been various Kerygma studies; one of the most impressive
is on Handel’s Messiah, which provides written commentary to accompany
the glorious music. We enjoyed
the series Listening for God, with its anthologies by many varied writers,
accompanied by a video. We
still sometimes refer back to a complex book called The Four Witnesses.
I’ve been most grateful for the opportunity to study the Bible more in
these years than in all my years before.
A
small group also represents a place of comfort, support, and sharing. Our
group has been a “Fount of Many Blessings” in other ways. During my
time, we’ve celebrated the births of daughters, sons, nieces, nephews
and grandchildren — of Bill and Tina Wayt, Mark and Cynthia Newton, Lori
Yamauchi and Jim Fagler, Andy and Yvonne Cheng, Nancy Day, and my own
family. We’ve rejoiced in
news of family weddings, mourned losses of beloved parents and siblings,
been privileged to nurture Mark Newton through his seminary years, loved
one another through job losses and changes, reveled in oceans of beautiful
photographs of happy events and vacations. One
of our greatest joys was to have had the friendship and wisdom of Joan
Dills St. Clair, a founder of this group.
I will always treasure the years I shared of her beauty, humor,
insights, understanding and deep caring.
A
Presbyterian Tale of the City from Old First's 155th Anniversary
Celebration May 23 The
Doctors’ Daughters excerpts from a talk by Mary Lou Wilson The
Doctors’ Daughters were founded by Dr. Robert Mackenzie, our pastor, in
the 1890’s as a non-profit organization to aid the poor and needy —
especially the elderly. It
included church members and non-members. You didn’t have to be the
daughter of a doctor, just willing to serve. The records we have are seven
volumes of scattered minutes and annual reports dated 1915 to 1927.
I researched volume I, 1915-16-17.
The
first minutes included this entry: “Mrs.
Pollock called on Mrs. Hoagg, who is in need, and complaining about an
abusive husband. We can do
nothing for her as long as she keeps that worthless man around the
house!” Balance on hand, May
1915 — $7,047.12. The
Doctors’ Daughters were no pushovers:
“Money was given to Mrs. Garrison; she passed away before she
could use it. Her two
stepdaughters used the money to pay their rent for the following months.
Doctors’ Daughters sent them a letter declaring that we have no
intention of supporting you and we want the money returned to us
promptly.” To
earn funds, they sponsored a Tea Dance at the Palace Hotel in connection
with the Exposition being held in the city; tickets for 97 tables were
sold and netted $3,790.00. In early September they were asked to supply
the entertainment for the grand opening of the Winter Park Ice Rink, later
called Winterland. When they
were postponed to a week after the Grand Opening, they refused the offer,
feeling they were being unfairly treated! 1915
Annual Report: 52 cases were handled through the year, three of whom
passed away. Mrs. Hamilton was
dropped, as at 75 she became a bride again! In 1917 they came to the aid
of the Red Cross; received wool for knitting garments by both DD members
and their clients. Selective Service Draft asked them to help register men
for service, and they did. I
followed the story of one client, a Mrs. Burnham, a widow. Her severely
burned right arm had to be removed after three months treatment.
“Her son is worthless, but she has a grandson of 18 years who
works at the Emporium, earns $26 a month.
He is willing to help with the payments for her new arm.”
Mrs. Burnham learned to embroider with her left hand and became
quite proficient. She moved to
In
1967, the members of DD dissolved the organization, offering Old
First $29,243.45 with the understanding that the money, plus any income
received in the future, be used exclusively to aid the elderly poor and
needy. Our Women’s Guild had
the use of the funds until the Guild folded.
Today the
A
Presbyterian Tale of the City from Old First's 155th Anniversary
Celebration May 23 Calvary
Connections by Joe Beyer, Calvary Presbyterian Church historian Greetings
from Calvary Presbyterian, your much younger sister church.
Throughout the year 2004, we are celebrating our 150th anniversary,
so our two churches share a lot of To
begin with, Our
two churches have a wonderful tradition of joint Thanksgiving services.
The earliest record of this that I could find is November 24, 1949,
when the joint service was held at what was then still called First
Presbyterian Church. There
are lots of musical connections between us.
In 1948 Some
of you may remember when Tom Nolan was your bass soloist.
At the same time, his wife, Marilee Nolan, was On a
personal note, many years ago I occasionally sang with your choir when
Mark Smith was director. In the late 1970’s and early 80’s, your
pastor, Roger Hull, and I used to play tennis two and three times a week,
meeting early in the morning, often before the sun was up or the fog had
lifted. Two years ago, I had the honor of participating in the service for
ordination for your graduate seminarian, Deborah McGuire.
Currently
at On
behalf of the members and pastors of
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