September 2001

SEPTEMBER 11

Click here to access a special spotlight page announcing special events and providing additional information to help Old First's community cope with this tragedy. 

TOWN HALL MEETING 
after worship, Sunday, September 30 to discuss Children and Worship and hear a report from the Pastor Nominating Committee

The Christian Education Committee is considering how children should relate to the worship life of Old First Church.  Nothing has been decided, and no changes are planned.  We are simply discussing the issues.

On Sunday, Sept. 30 we will all have a chance to discuss all the aspects of what children are like, how children ought to relate to worship, and how this church wants to be involved with the youngest members of our church family.

A panel of parents, teachers, and church members will give their perspectives and invite your input.  Members of the Christian Education Committee will listen and take ideas from the congregation.  If you care about worship or if you care about children or if you care about both, you should be there.

THE CROP WALK IS COMING!

The Crop Walk will be held October 28, 2001 at 12:30 pm. We will walk at the beautifully refurbished Crissy Field,  across the Golden Gate Bridge, or in the Presidio. Members and friends of Old First are encouraged to gain sponsors and participate in the Walk or to sponsor others. Forms will be available at Coffee Hour beginning September 23. The Walk is organized by the San Francisco Interfaith Council and Church World Service; locally it will benefit the San Francisco Food Bank. For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Emily Borland.

NEW HOMELESS MINISTRY DIRECTOR

Welcome to John Youngbird-Holt, our new Homeless Ministry director. John was born and raised in Millheim, Pennsylvania. In 1989, at the age of 37, he was called by God to become a minister in the United Methodist Church.  John attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1997.

At Wesley he met and married his Oregon Native American wife, Carol. They moved to Toledo, Oregon, where Carol was appointed pastor of Trinity UMC.  John became a candidate and Licensed Local Pastor in 2001.  They moved to Berkeley in July of this year when Carol began attending the Graduate Theological Union. John worked with homeless people during seminary, and he decided to pursue that ministry here.  John has kindly agreed to fill in as supply director of the Senior Center during the search for the new director of this Monday program. Please keep John and the Homeless Ministry and Senior Center programs in your prayers.

PASTOR'S LETTER

Greetings! 

It is amazing to think that I have been with you for six months! How time has flown.  God has been good to us because the church, from my perspective, is in a good place.  My ministry here is a happy one.  Thank you to all who have made this possible.

Nevertheless, this letter is not so much about me as it is about you and about us.  As an interim pastor, I am happy that this ship of faith has moved strongly ahead during this transitional time.  Thanks be to God!

The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) recently told me that they may present an installed pastor candidate to the congregation for its vote before Advent.  That means, at the earliest, I have three more months with you.  It could very well be longer.

Since I am here to serve you as a specialized and intentional interim minister, a short-term relationship, I rejoice with you in the possibility of you calling a new installed pastor.  I pray with you that the PNC is led to the person most suited for this church, its mission, and its future.

I am simply grateful to have served with you for this brief time and shall continue to happily do so until you call your pastor or until my one-year contract is completed, and beyond if necessary, and I am available to do so.

It may seem strange to be talking about these things but it is necessary for you to prepare yourselves for a joyful greeting for your new pastor and to begin thinking about the new ministry that lies before you.

It is important for us to be clear about the interim nature of my relationship with you.  It is something we can enjoy while it lasts and then complete with a certain amount of sadness but mostly with happiness and expectancy.

We still have some months to go and in this time I shall continue to be the best interim pastor I can be.  I look forward to our work and worship together and the times that we will be together pastorally.  God is with us to provide and guide.  Let us continue to be strong in prayer and faithful in service.

                                             Shalom,

                                                            Cornel

A footnote on my sermon on “Greed.”  I was heartened to read in a recent G8 “communiqué” from Genoa, Italy, that the gathered Heads of State and Government of eight major industrialized democracies and the representatives of the European Union, agreed to relieve the debt of twenty-three most heavily indebted poor countries to the tune of $53 billion, out of an initial stock of debt of $74 billion.  The Jubilee 2000 campaign played a huge role in promoting the wisdom of this response to poverty.  The campaign continues.

FALL 2001 ADULT EDUCATION

Sunday morning classes, 9:30 am

SECTION ONE uses the new Presbyterian Church adult curriculum “God’s Covenant People” and follows the topics being discussed in children’s classes.

Sept. 9 – 30: Narratives of the Holy Spirit (Munro Room)

Oct. 7 –  28: Who Is God? (Education office)

Nov. 5 –  26: Moses  (Munro Room)

Dec. 3 –  24: Narratives of Grace and Redemption (Education office)

SECTION TWO for “seekers” – those who want to explore the edges of Christian faith through challenging questions and modern culture (continuing the “Sojourners Class” tradition).

Sept. 9 – Sept. 30: Finding Faith on the #1 California MUNI

            Riding the #1 California bus, you are likely to hear at least four or five languages spoken and encounter people who hold deeply at least four or five different world religions.  This course will explore some of the basic tenets of Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and provide opportunities to talk with ordinary folks of those beliefs. Led by Erwin Barron (Education office).

Oct. 7 – 28: Christianity and Art

            Focuses on the uses and theological implication of images in art from Old Testament times to the 19th Century, and deals with such concepts as iconoclasm.  Accompanied by slides and some examples of art from the leader’s personal collection. Led by Steve Taber (Munro Room).

Nov. 4 – 25:  Theology in a Globalized World

            Explores how thinking about God is affected by the social location of those doing the thinking and looks at some exciting new theological thinking arising out of stories of oppression and rebirth Led by Larry Golemon (Education office).

Dec. 2 – 23: Hidden Places of Beauty

            We find beauty all around us if we just open our eyes, especially during the holiday season.  In this interactive Advent experience, we will explore the meaning of Beauty and its relation to God and share the beauty in our own lives. Led by Erwin Barron and Larry Golemon (Munro Room).

BIG NEWS FOR OLD FIRST’S CHURCH SCHOOL — BEGINNING SEPT. 9, CHURCH SCHOOL WILL HAVE A COMPLETELY NEW FORMAT!

Children will attend the first part of worship and hear scripture read in worship.

Then they will go downstairs to gather with all ages of children in the cozy new children’s corner of the social hall.  There they will take offering, share communion, learn and sing songs, and hear the Bible story told in an exciting new way by a master story-teller.

Finally, children of different ages and ability will choose some of three or four activity options.  These will include drama, discussion, crafts, play time, art and drawing, dance, and other activities, all related to the themes of the story and led by volunteer teachers.

WEEKNIGHT ADULT CLASS: “GOD VIEWS AND THE CHURCH”

THURSDAY EVENINGS, 6:00 - 7:30  PM, SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 25

We will read Jack Haberer’s interesting new book “God Views”, and discuss its implications for our lives and our church.  Haberer is a leader in the Presbyterian Coalition, which has been working to exclude gays and lesbians from ordination in the Presbyterian Church.

In this book he tries to expand our theological thinking on these issues beyond two opposite sides of debate. He argues that people have a range of understandings of God that he classifies in five different “views.”  We will each explore what is our own view of God and how that affects how we talk with others, especially with those of different God views.  

A light supper will be served each week.  Books will be available for purchase at the first class.  The class will be led by Erwin Barron and other guest leaders.

SPECIAL STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16

Immediately after worship we will celebrate the success of our “Funding the Future of Community Ministry” campaign.

We also will officially launch a Planned Giving Program for Old First Church. Stay after the celebration and join us for a light lunch to learn more about including Old First in your estate plans. The Rev. Skip Herbert from the Presbyterian Church (USA) will conduct a workshop that should last about an hour. Please RSVP for the workshop by calling Amelia Kaymen.

MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY

10:30 am every Wednesday in the Munro Room to read and discuss lectionary readings for the following Sunday

LECTIONARY

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

                  Luke 14:1, 7-14 

Sept  9 - Jer. 18:1-11;  Ps. 139:1-6, 13-18; Philem. 1-21; 

               Luke 14:25-33

Sept  16  - Jer. 4:11-12, 22-28;  Ps. 14; 1 Tim. 1:12-17;  Luke15:1-10

Sept  23 - Jer. 8:18-9:1;  Ps. 79:1-9; 1 Tim. 2:1-7;  Luke 16:1-13

Sept  30 - Jer. 32:1-3a, 6-15;  Ps. 91:1-6, 14-16; 1 Tim. 6:6-19; 

                 Luke 16:19-31

Oct  7 - Lam. 1:1-16;  Lam. 3:19-26 or Ps. 137; 2 Tim. 1:1-14; 

             Luke 17:5-10

NEW MEMBERS

Received July 17 - Chris Boyke (baptism), Maria Boyke (reaffirmation of faith), and Robert Wood (baptism)

IN MEMORY

Jean Versus died on July 17. A memorial service was held at Old First on August 25.

Mary Gill died on July 22. A memorial ser vice was held at Old First on August 20.

MARRIED

Steven Schacher and Mary Jo Ausman, July 21, 2001, at St. Thomas Aquinus Roman Catholic Church in Palo Alto, the Rev. Cornel Barnett co-celebrating

WELCOME

To Samuel David Boyke, born August 20, to Chris and Maria Boyke. 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Mother and baby are doing just fine.  Sam's big brothers are Francisco and Luis.

OLD FIRST GARAGE:  THE FIRST TWO YEARS

by Barry Clagett

Ownership Arrangement

            The garage was acquired in April, 1999 in a shared ownership arrangement with an anonymous donor who gave Old First $1 million to purchase 40% of the garage while the  donor purchased the other 60%. The plan is for the church to buy the anonymous donor’s 60% share in 2014, using a combination of the surplus income from the garage operation over the intervening 15-year period and a loan. After this loan is paid off from garage in-come, our church will own the garage outright.

            In May 1999 Old First leased the garage to Super Parking Inc, the parking concession operator. The lease provides for payment of $180,000 per year to Old First, plus a 3 to 5 percent annual escalation for inflation. With this income the church is leasing the donor’s 60% share over the 15-year period from 1999 through 2014 at a fixed rate of $120,000 per   year. Other costs include garage building maintenance, property taxes and fire and liability insurance.

Garage Operation

            Super Parking operates the garage for church and public parking. Four types of claim check validation stickers are available: Sunday worship services - free with pink sticker until 2:30 pm. Other worship services - free with yellow sticker. Committee meetings and volunteer work - free with white sticker for one hour or green sticker for four hours. Special events - $5.50 with blue sticker for four hours (rising to $6.00 over the next two years).

            Five monthly parking passes are provided for church staff, and Old First Concerts also enjoys discounted parking.  Parking arrangements can be made for weddings and non-member events at Old First, an extra attraction for groups that rent church space.

            Super Parking also operates the Bank of America parking lot next door. Cars can be parked there on Sunday until 2 pm without obtaining a claim check.  During non-banking hours when the garage is full, cars may be directed to the B of A lot by garage staff.

            Super Parking Inc. provides garage attendant staff to meet the anticipated parking requirements for worship services and special events. On Sunday mornings, there are at least two attendants at the garage. For special events or worship services when higher than average attendance is expected, more attendants are provided.

            Sometimes, on Sunday morning just before 11 am, there may a short wait if several cars arrive at the garage at the same time. A short wait may be necessary as well if many cars leave the garage within a short time period. The church works with Super Parking to achieve a balance of good service and reasonable operating costs, since we obviously want them to succeed financially.

Have you noticed the new “OLD FIRST GARAGE” sign over the entrance? Its straightforward design is elegant and easy to see!

MODERATOR'S CORNER: CONGREGATIONAL CARE COMMITTEE

by Doris Bebb

The mission of the reconstituted Congregational Care Committee is to encourage and nurture member integration into the life of the church by offering avenues by which members and friends can share their talents and love of Christ in fellowship with one another.

To carry out this mandate, the Committee undertakes to:

            a. plan, organize and carry out and encourage members’ and friends’ participation in church-related and other social events and activities.

            b. publish Shared Life and make maximum use of it and other available communication facilities and activities to share with the congregation information from Session, the Deacons, and other committees.

            c. develop and utilize effective vehicles for members to offer feedback to boards/committees, enabling those groups to be more aware of, better understand and address members’ needs and concerns.

One of the Committee’s first concerns was to define its responsibilities as they relate to the work of the Deacons and the Evangelism Committee.  This has been accomplished with  a memorandum of understanding outlining the relationships  developed by a committee consisting of Bryan Nichols (Moderator of Deacons), Kelly Cunningham (Moderator of Evangelism Committee),  and Barry Clagett and Doris Bebb (representing the CCC).

A major project, for which planning was started at the Committee’s first meeting  (and which will get  underway soon)  calls for one-on-one interviews with members who, for whatever reason, are not active participants in the life of the church community in order to determine whether the member feels comfortable with this congregation, the extent to which the church is meeting his/ her expectations and needs, and connect and integrate the member’s talents and interests into church and community activities.

The Committee believes this program may well be the most effective it has been able to devise to “encourage and nurture member integration into the life of the church.”

The Committee has also reinstituted Church Town Hall meetings, which will be held regularly on fifth Sundays and at other times as called for, designed as a forum for a discussion of difficult or controversial  issues in a setting in which minority opinions may be freely expressed and respected.

A Town Hall meeting  on April 29 focused on the report of the Community Ministries Task Force.  A special meeting  on July 17 reported on the actions taken at the General Assembly in Louisville earlier in the month.  At a regularly scheduled Town Hall on July 29, the subject was the proposed columbarium.

The CCC’s first church-related social activity  was the Annual Congregational Luncheon on February 11.  That was followed by the 152nd Anniversary Luncheon featuring “Presbyterian Tales of the City” on May 20. 

CCC members (Doris Bebb, Rosemary Bledsoe,  Shirley Buono, Barry Clagett, Tracy Clagett, Bart Crosby, Mary Culp, Polly Day, Libby Klitsch, Marne Krozek, and Sarah Taber) now  host the Sunday morning coffee hour. The Committee also assures there are sign-ups for funding for the coffee hour and Sunday flowers for the sanctuary.

Marne Krozek, the Committee's "party girl" plans and hosts the regular second Sunday birthday party for members having birthdays that month.

Rosemary Bledsoe, as a member of the Committee, continues to serve as Editor of Shared Life.   Readers have been offered the option of receiving hard copies of the newsletter  by mail or of reading it on the  website.  A special August edition was published  concentrating on events which took place at the 213th General Assembly.

There are plans for a new bulletin board at the Sacramento Street entryway to communicate with not only members and friends of OFPC but to others who make use of our facilities.

Thinking about the role of this Committee, one of members said recently:  “Members grow spiritually in a wide variety of ways, so our purpose is to focus attention on how that takes place for each person” and, it might be added, “for the congregation as a whole.”

We are grateful for the support received from Session, the staff, leaders in other church activities and members of the congregation.  We welcome feedback on what we are doing and solicit  ideas for new, creative, stimulating programs, projects and activities.  Most of all we invite everyone’s participation in the life of Old First.  It can be fun and rewarding in every way.  Let us hear from you.

"FUNDING THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY MINISTRY"

The Stewardship Committee wishes to express  its sincere gratitude to 63 contributors who have pledged $42,042 toward the “Funding the Future of Community Ministry” campaign as of mid-August. Our goal is to raise $60,000 to support the Welcome Center and the Senior Activity Center in the next 3  years.

A MEETING PLACE WITH GOD

from The Rev. Kathleen McAdams’  July 8 farewell sermon at Old First

I bring you peace and greetings from the Welcome Center. I asked several of our guests if they had any messages for the congregation of Old First Church, and the first thing they asked me to say to you is, “Thank you” for the ministry that you’re doing here..... 

The volunteers of the Homeless Ministry team are missionaries to the poor, addicted and lost people of this neighborhood. They are people helping people to feel loved by God. The Welcome Center is a community of people — some who have enough, and some who don’t, sharing together their gifts and their burdens. The Welcome Center is the not going to change the world; it’s not going to end homelessness or addiction or mental illness in San Francisco, and that’s not its goal....

It’s a place where all can come with nothing but the clothes on our backs, with no tools for ministry but the knowledge and love of God, where we can witness to God’s healing love amongst the poor, sick and lonely, and let them witness to us about trusting in the Grace and favor of God. This is when the Reign of God comes near to us here on earth. It is present in hospitality offered and in hospitality received. It is in acceptance of God's creation, of each other, and of ourselves. It is in the community we form, rich and poor together, which brings about healing and transformation. No longer are any of us lambs in the midst of wolves, but we fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messianic age, “the wolf and the lamb shall feed together.”

Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, for their mutual support, to form community, to recruit laborers for the harvest, to bring about the Reign of God here on earth. The mission of the Church is rooted in Jesus’ sending out disciples, to bear witness to the truth, and to be a living embodiment of the Gospel of peace. Disciples are to preach the Gospel, but they are also to heal. We bear witness to God both in our words and in our actions. In fact, I think that what we do, how we live the Gospel, is heard more clearly, and taken in more readily by most of the world.”

A Welcome Center guest recently told me, “A person’s religion is what they do regularly.” I think he is right, that our faith often follows our actions. So I would like to challenge each of you to be laborers in the harvest, in forming hospitable community in the Reign of God. Take a few hours off from work one Tuesday or Thursday afternoon to come to the Welcome Center and experience what your church is doing here. Come as you are; share some soup and a story. You’ll find plenty to talk about, and probably find that you have some things in common with many of our guests.

That reality can be a little threatening, to find that we have something in common with people who live on the street, to realize that we too are susceptible to such a fate. Homelessness has a multitude of causes. All of our guests had other lives before they were homeless— families, schools, jobs, dreams. Come and be a visible sign that the guests of the Welcome Center are truly guests of Old First, welcomed by the whole community of faith.