October 2001

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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. 

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Dear Friends:

Since the horrific events of September 11, I have felt quite vulnerable, especially when traveling across the Golden Gate Bridge on my way to work, but I also appreciate with greater acuteness the beauty of clouds touching the hills, the sun shimmering on the sea, children at play, and a world that is still primarily good.  God is very close, comforting and assuring.

This has been a weird, almost surrealistic time. It has been an extremely sad period in our history.  The shock and numbness of the terrible Tuesday have turned to national grief.  Angry responses are natural and normal except when they turn to hurtful racial and ethnic stereotyping and unthinking saber-rattling. 

My predominant feelings have been and are grief and sadness.  I grieve the violence in our world, the violence perpetrated by many nations including the US in various places of the globe, the violence now on our shores, and the reprisals being planned from a Pentagon on fire.  Action, reaction, counter-action. 

My hope and prayer are that we find alternative, peaceful and just ways of dealing with violence.  Self-searching, introspection and looking at the causes of such senseless and alienating behavior seems to be in short-supply right now.  Political expediency ought not to be the  rule.  I hope more terror doesn’t follow  the terror of this week.  More terror will beget more terror and so on, making us more vulnerable.  “When will they ever learn?” sang Bob Dylan decades ago. When I heard the song this week on my car radio it had new relevancy.

I grieve for the families of those killed in this week’s events and for the injured.  I mourn the deaths and the destruction.  I highly respect and applaud the bravery of rescue workers, the many who lost their lives in their efforts to save the lives of others, the emergency crews, and the goodness, compassion, and kindness displayed in New York, the US and the world. 

My scriptural texts for my homily the Sunday after the Tuesday were Psalm 23, comforting and assuring words during our walk “through the valley of the shadow of death,” and Luke 23:33, 39-43, the scene with Jesus on the cross and the two individuals hanging on either side of him.  The latter is a symbol of communal suffering and pain. There is derision and self-reflection and strength.  There is redemption.  In both the Psalm and Luke, there is promise of life through death.

May God bless and comfort us all through this difficult time.

                                                                                     Shalom/Salaam/Peace,

                                                                                                                    Cornel

(Scores of religious leaders from a variety of religious traditions and from across the theological spectrum have issued a statement in response to the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington, offering solace to the bereaved and pleading for restraint on the part of the U.S. government when the inevitable retaliation comes.)

DENY THEM THEIR VICTORY:

A RELIGIOUS RESPONSE TO TERRORISM

We, American religious leaders, share the broken hearts of our fellow citizens. The worst terrorist attack in history that assaulted New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, has been felt in every American community. Each life lost was of unique and sacred value in the eyes of God, and the connections Americans feel to those lives run very deep. In the face of such a cruel catastrophe, it is a time to look to God and to each other for the strength we need and the response we will make. We must dig deep to the roots of our faith for sustenance, solace, and wisdom.

First, we must find a word of consolation for the untold pain and suffering of our people. Our congregations will offer their practical and pastoral resources to bind up the wounds of the nation. We can become safe places to weep and secure places to begin rebuilding our shattered lives and communities. Our houses of worship should become public arenas for common prayer, community discussion, eventual healing, and forgiveness.

Second, we offer a word of sober restraint as our nation discerns what its response will be. We share the deep anger toward those who so callously and massively destroy innocent lives, no matter what the grievances or injustices invoked. In the name of God, we too demand that those responsible for these utterly evil acts be found and brought to justice. Those culpable must not escape accountability. But we must not, out of anger and vengeance, indiscriminately retaliate in ways that bring on even more loss of innocent life. We pray that President Bush and members of Congress will seek the wisdom of God as they decide upon the appropriate response.

Third, we face deep and profound questions of what this attack on America will do to us as a nation. The terrorists have offered us a stark view of the world they would create, where the remedy to every human grievance and injustice is a resort to the random and cowardly violence of revenge — even against the most innocent. Having taken thousands of our lives, attacked our national symbols, forced our political leaders to flee their chambers of governance, disrupted our work and families, and struck fear into the hearts of our children, the terrorists must feel victorious.

But we can deny them their victory be refusing to submit to a world created in their image. Terrorism inflicts not only death and destruction but also emotional oppression to further its aims. we must not allow this terror to drive us away from being the people God called us to be. We assert the vision of community, tolerance, compassion,  justice, and the sacredness of human life, which lies at the heart of all our religious traditions. America must be a safe place for all our citizens in all their diversity. It is especially important that our citizens who share national origins, ethnicity or religion with whoever attached us are, themselves, protected among us.

Our American illusion of invulnerability has been shattered. From now on, we will look at the world in a different way, and this attack on our life as a nation will become a test of our national character. Let us make the right choices in this crisis — to pray, act, and unite against the bitter fruits of division, hatred, and violence. Let us rededicate ourselves to global peace, human dignity, and the eradication of injustice that breeds rage and vengeance.

As we gather in our houses of worship, let us begin a process of seeking the healing and grace of God.

EVENING PRAYERS

7:30 pm, Wednesday, October 3

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY OCTOBER 7
Worship Service, 11:00 am

PEACEMAKING OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED OCTOBER 7

Since 1983 the sessions of over 4,700 Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations have signed “The Commitment to Peacemaking,” indicating that they will incorporate peacemaking into the mission and ministry of their congregations. Old First has signed this commitment too.

On Sunday, October 7, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering will be taken. This offering supports a variety of peacemaking efforts: 25% is retained by congregations; 25% is used by synods and presbyteries; 50% is allocated to General Assembly ministries.

Pat Devine and Suellen Barnett will be working on ways to implement the Commitment to Peacemaking at Old First. Beginning September 30, an educational table relating to peacemaking will be available in the Fellowship Hall after each worship service. Others who are interested in being a part of the peacemaking committee at Old First may contact Pat or Suellen for more information. The theme for Peacemaking this year is from Isaiah 32:18 - “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation.”

DEACONS’ SUNDAY OCTOBER 21

The Board of Deacons invites you to join in a revival of an Old First tradition:  Deacons' Sunday. On Oct 21, deacons will lead the worship service and deliver the meditation.  After the service, the Board will host a reception for the congregation in the Fellowship Hall, with refreshments and music, and deacons will be available to answer any questions you might have about their work.  Don't miss this joyous celebration of Christian service and hospitality.

CROP WALK OCTOBER 28

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.

REPORT FROM THE PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Since our election in July 2000, the Old First Pastor Nominating Committee has traveled a long road together.  We are now taking our first steps on the last leg, focusing on a very short list of candidates, carefully proceeding with the aid of Scott Schaefer, our advisor from the San Francisco Presbytery.  Meeting at least weekly over the past year, the PNC has penned our Church Information Form (the narrative resume of Old First), considered over 120 candidate resumes, critiqued 30 sermon tapes, talked with many references, and conducted detailed phone or  in-person interviews with seven candidates. This has made for a very busy committee. 

The Pastor Nominating Committee consists of Pam Byers, Pat Cifor, Wilson Hardcastle, Sidney Hollar, Esther Kim, Roger Lindahl, Rose Marie Springer, Bill Wunsch, and is gracefully chaired by Andy Cheng.  If you haven’t seen us on Sundays of late, it is because we have spent recent weekends interviewing candidates and sharing worship with them in neutral pulpits around the Bay Area. This time has given us a greater understanding of each pastor’s faith journey, theology, philosophy, experience, and leadership style. 

Once we have a final candidate, we will offer a call and hope that it is accepted!  After a Committee on Ministry (COM) entrance interview, we will invite the minister to preach at Old First. Immediately afterward there will be a Congregational Meeting at which — we devoutly hope! — the congregation will elect the new pastor.  Following congregational approval, the COM will then vote to approve the call and the terms of call. The pastor will then, of course, need to give notice to his or her current congregation; as you remember from Tim’s departure, this will be a matter of one to two months. There are still a number of steps to take, but we believe we are heading into the home stretch.

We have been blessed with excellent candidates; their quality is a testimony to our church’s vitality.  As we continue this process of mutual discernment, we listen for the Spirit to guide our call.  We invite your continued prayers for Old First and for the pastor whom God will bring us.

NEW DIRECTOR FOR SENIOR CENTER

We have a new Senior Center Director, Cynthia Bjorklund (Boris).  She is a retired stockbroker who has decided to put her energy into caring for our seniors.  Cynthia has been helping at Glide Memorial but wants to do more.  She has visited the Senior Center and believes that it is a marvelous  place. 

Cynthia joins the Old First staff October 1.  Please welcome her.

A MINER MIRACLE

Do you have business clothes that no longer fit you? You haven't worn in 6 months? You no longer like? No longer belong to your color chart? And you would get rid of them, but: You want them to be appreciated. You want them to be used for a good cause. You can't stand to see them in a thrift shop. They still have lots of good wear in them. You don't want the hassle of finding a consignment shop. You just haven’t got around to it.  If so, please consider the October Deacons’ Event to benefit A Miner Miracle. 

A Miner Miracle is a San Francisco-based, not-for-profit organization that provides professional clothing and image counseling to low-income men and women seeking employment. It works  to move disadvantaged people into the workplace by educating them to present themselves well and with pride. (No, “Miner” isn’t a misspelling. “Miner” is the name of the person who founded this project.)

Please bring your suits, dresses, skirts, pants, blouses, shoes, ties, belts ... anything that would make a good impression at an interview ... to the collection point at Old First starting October 21st.  The Deacons will be collecting clothes through November 11th, 2001. If possible, bring complete outfits (including shoes and accessories) already assembled and labeled with sizes. Clothing should be clean, pressed, and on hangers.

As an added bonus, if you have non-business clothing that you would like to exchange with other Old Firsters (clothes that might be a little too dressy for a job interview ) bring them for a fun "shop in each other's closet" bonus on Deacons Sunday, October 21. All clothing left in this category after the exchange will be taken to a consignment shop and sold to benefit the Deacons Fund.

Watch for more details. If you have questions, contact AnnieScott Rogers or Becca Smith.

“BLESSING THE FUTURE OF OLD FIRST”

The covenants of Presbyterian life — what are they? What do they mean to you? What are your own personal covenants?

Starting October 14, for four Sundays each sermon will be about a different covenant. "A Covenant of Personal Life",  " A Covenant of Community Life", "A Covenant of Public Life", and "A Covenant of Financial Life".  These sermons will introduce the 2002 Stewardship Campaign, titled "Blessing the Future". 

In supporting Old First with our pledge commitments, we are "Blessing the Future" of our church. We did such a phenomenal job "Funding the Future of Community Ministry". Let us keep that level of commitment as we "Bless the Future". Come hear the sermons and listen to your fellow parishioners as they share their stories.

The Stewardship letter will go out November 5. Stewardship Sunday is November 18, when not only will we be celebrating "Blessing the Future" but we will also be having a very informative panel discussion about planned giving. As you learn about the covenants of Presbyterian life, think about your own "Covenant of Financial Life". Let us "Bless the Future" together, with God’s love.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR GENERATIONS

Quick, what is one of the few things most churches over 150 years old possess?  Something that allows for sustained growth into the future? That helps ensure all the work done in the past will continue tomorrow? An endowment, that’s what. Despite our long history and financial strength over the scores of years, no one has ever created an endowment for Old First Presbyterian Church. 

An endowment is a fund established to ensure the long-term financial health of an institution. In an endowment fund, the assets are allowed to grow over time, and only the income is used. As the fund increases in value over the years, the income it produces becomes substantial, and the principal offers tremendous financial security. We are now launching a major effort to increase our assets for the endowment through a Planned Giving Program. 

In September we heard from Skip Herbert of the Presbyterian Church (USA) about the importance of an endowment.  On November 18th, directly following church services, a panel of financial professionals will host a roundtable discussion about how to help ensure the future of the church we love by thoughtful planning in our wills.  There are many innovations that allow both the giver and the receiver to benefit from the act of giving which will be discussed over a light lunch.  Be sure and mark your calendars.  

Many people have already remembered the church in their will in some way.  Another aspect of our planned giving campaign is the newly formed Legacy Circle, which will celebrate and honor those who remember the church in their will or trust documents.  The Legacy Circle will also encourage others to become members through their example.   In January the Stewardship committee will host the kick-off dinner honoring those who are the first members of the Legacy Circle.  If you have already remembered Old First in your will, please complete the form below and send it to the church office.

IMAGES IN CHRISTIAN ART

In October  Steve Taber will teach a course on “Images in Christian Art”. Images are very powerful;  their use in the Judeo-Christian religious tradition has been controversial.  This course will discuss the theological background of the use of images, illustrated by numerous slides and examples of Christian art works from various periods.

Oct 7 — The definition of images, idols and icons; discussion of  the Old Testament and historic Hebrew position regarding images, and the manner in which the early Christians developed their artistic tradition in the context of the Roman Empire.

Oct 14 — The Eastern and Western Christian artistic traditions from the reign of Constantine to the beginning of the Renaissance; how Christianity developed its own artistic tradition; the iconoclasm controversy in the Byzantine Empire; expressions of spiritual reality through icons and other artistic works.

Oct 21 — How  the Renaissance brought about a new, more human-centered, world view and the Protestant Reformation, along with the Roman Catholic Counter Reformation, and redefined the uses of images in Christian theology;  the revival of iconoclasm among some Protestant groups.

Oct 28 — The modern era, beginning in the early 19th century with the growth of romanticism and the revival of religion, coupled with the growing impact of science, industry and communication on both religion and art; 20th century art moving away from religion and images, possibly becoming an idol itself; the state of religious art in our time.

Classes will be held at 9:30 am in the Munro Room.

A SMALL GROUP AT OLD FIRST – FOR YOU?

Nurture your faith and share a rich experience of Christian love and fellowship — participate in a small group at Old First.

Our church has a long tradition of wonderfully intimate groups of supportive people gathering to offer each other challenge and encouragement and genuine fun sharing.  At least seven groups are ongoing, and some need new members. In addition, we hope to begin new groups soon for those interested in participating.

A small group, just as it sounds, is made up of five to ten members who assemble periodically for devotions, prayer, Bible study, friendship, and mutual support. The groups decide for themselves where and when to meet and how to conduct their time together. Usually, members share events from their lives – joys and challenges – and they study books or topics together. Some groups meet monthly in people’s homes, others meet more frequently.

Our Director of Christian Education, the Rev. Erwin Barron, will advise new groups and suggest study resources for groups that desire them. If you are not yet part of a small group and think that you would like to join one, please contact Erwin Barron or Tracy Clagett.

LIVING FAITHFULLY IN THE WORLD 

The 2001 Covenant Conference

Unspeakable tragedy has brought home even more sharply than usual the perennial question -— What does it mean to live "in but not of the world"?  How should Christians participate in, witness to, and help to redeem this increasingly complicated world?

You can explore these questions and strengthen your connection with others in our church at the 2001 Covenant Conference

            Christ Transforming Culture:

            Why the Church Matters in the 21st Century

              Thursday, Nov. 1 - Saturday, Nov. 3

             Pasadena Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, California

This is the fourth annual Covenant Conference sponsored by the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Since our first conference in Denver in 1998, each one has increased exponentially; we had more than 600 people with us in Pittsburgh last fall.  Many people put this first on their planning for the coming year.  Feedback routinely includes comments like, "This renews my hope for the Presbyterian Church"  "Made me stretch -- and soar"  "The best church conference ever!"

Plenary speakers this year include Peter Gomes (author of The Good Book, which many at Old First have studied in Sojourners or Small Groups), Letty Russell (wonderful feminist theologian from Yale), and Cynthia Campbell and Jack Stotts on the 50th anniversary of the publication of H. Richard Niebuhr’s seminal Christ and Culture.  Preachers include San Francisco’s own Mauricio Chacon and Rev. Jean Kim, whom some of us heard or met when she inspired SF Presbytery to a more faithful response to homelessness.

This conference in Pasadena is the most convenient yet for Old Firsters to attend.  Prior attendees (and/or volunteers) like Jeanne Kirkwood, Sarah Taber, Tracy Clagett, and of course Conference Coordinator Susan Ashton can tell you how powerful the worship, plenaries, workshops, and conversation are.

Be there or be square!  Call the CovNet office (415/351-2196) or check out our website (www.covenantnetwork.org) for conference and registration info.

                                    Thanks. Hope to see you in Pasadena!

                                                                                            Pam Byers

LECTIONARY

Oct  7 - Lam. 1:1-16;  Lam. 3:19-26 or Ps. 137; 2 Tim. 1:1-14;Luke 17:5-10

Oct  14 - Jer. 29:1, 4-7; Ps. 66:1-12; 2 Tim. 2:8-15;  Luke 17:11-19

Oct  21 - Jer. 31:27-34;  Ps. 119:97-104; 2 Tim. 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8

Oct  28 - Joel 2:23-32;  Ps. 65: 2 Tim. 4:6-8, 16-18;  Luke 18:9-14

Nov 4 - Hab. 1:1-4, 2:1-4;  Ps. 119:137-144; 2 Thess. 1:1-4, 11-12; 
Luke 19:1-10

SESSION NOTES

from the Aug. 28 meeting

Devotional - Elder Steve Taber led in a meditation focused on Chapter One of the Book of Order. His remarks reaffirmed that Christ is Head of the Church; that insofar as Christ’s will for the church is set forth in Scripture, it is to be obeyed; that civil authority is separated; that the Church membership shall exercise mutual forbearance; and that the Church recognizes interests of individuals and communities.

Stewardship - It was reported that the “Funding the Future of Community Ministries” campaign had raised about $42,000, somewhat short of the goal. Funds will be used as needed until they run out and not divided over the next three years.

Operations - The congregation was reported to be amenable to the proposed Columbarium and to proceeding with a “Chapel of the Resurrection” concept. It was emphasized that no active marketing had occurred, and that the next steps are full architectural renderings.

Planning - Session reviewed the draft of a 2001-2002 planning calendar for the church.

WE HATE TO SAY “GOOD-BYE”

             Long-time members Nell and Phil Boals have moved to Citrus Heights, California. Nell sang in the choir for many years; she was the choir’s robes mistress and volunteered at the Senior Center; Phil served faithfully as an usher.

            Dick and Betty Bobb moved to North Carolina early in September, when Dick retired.

They joined Old First during our last pastoral interim. Dick served as an elder and headed the OFPC 2000 fund-raising campaign. Betty was a deacon and, for a time, Senior Center director.

            Jerry Lebsch, who joined us recently, has moved to Las Vegas. He was a Welcome Center volunteer and our Sunday morning parking lot supervisor.

A PLACE AT THE TABLE

by Rosemary Bledsoe

All are welcome to come to the Lord’s table, but it’s a wonderful thing to have had a place here for years, to know and love and trust those on your right and your left and across from you; to have been carried here in your parents’ arms, to have grown up as part of the family, to know  the stories and the songs, to know  the stories behind the stories and the songs.

In times of national trauma, people talk about God, wonder about God, and turn to God for comfort. They enter a beautiful sanctuary, hear lovely music and impressive words, and they find these comforting. God’s house is a good place to be: better than staying home alone with the TV, better than the bar or the coffee house.

God’s people are good people to know. For one thing, we haven’t been sheltered from reality. We have shared each other’s sorrows and reached out to a suffering world. We have kept company with the dying to their last breath, opened our doors to the damaged and addicted, heard a new  tale of cruelty and injustice with every new plea for money and effort and understanding.  We know how to listen; we know how important it is to do something.

Every Sunday morning, while others sailed or brunched or played golf or slept late, we’ve been right here, side by side, confronting the Prince of Darkness Grim. We often, as a matter of course, ask for wisdom and courage for the living of these days — and sometimes we mill around in circles, helpless and witless as sheep, but always safe in the Shepherd’s care.

Our God is right here, with us, and has been all along. Our church, our congregation, has held fast for more than a hundred and fifty years, through wars and national disasters and personal tragedies.  Our previous church building at Sacramento and Van Ness was a beautiful wooden Gothic building. Twenty years after it was built, it was destroyed in an explosion; soldiers set fire to the ruins. This was in 1906, when buildings on the east side of Van Ness were blown up to create a firebreak after the earthquake, when so much of San Francisco burned, when so many died. The life of our congregation, our city, was changed forever in that disaster: changed, but not destroyed.

We’re still here. For many of us who have been here for a while, “going to church” means coming home. When the cadence of the responses, the faces of the congregation, the weight of the hymnbook in your hand are as familiar to you as your toothbrush or your car keys —  that, my friends, is real comfort.

All are welcome at the Lord’s table. There are many outside our church doors looking for peace, healing, a safe place, a sanctuary. May we help them to find the way in.