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November
2003
Wednesday
Evening Worship — 7:00 - 7:40 pm
Nov
5 - Vespers Service
Last
Sermon in the "What is Christianity?" Series
- Nov. 2
The
Rev. Sam Alexander preaches on the basics of our faith.
Nov.
2 - Vocation - How do we express our love as the images of God that
walk around on two feet? Texts:
Genesis 2:15, (Lent 1, A), Matthew 19:16-30.
Jazz
Vespers —
5:00 p.m.
Nov.
9 -- Anton Schwartz Quartet
November
15 Fall Retreat:
Articulating
a Vision of the Role of
Pastor at Old First
"If
you don't listen with a heart that's ready to be converted, you're not
listening." -
James Noel
Our
Old First family will gather together on Saturday, November 15, from 9:30
am to 2:00 pm at the church, to share our dreams about the life and
ministry of our church and examine how these dreams shape expectations of
the pastor's role and interaction with the pastor. We seek to articulate a
vision of the role of pastor that is grounded in scripture, the
Presbyterian Book of Order, and Old First's Mission Vision Statement.
Rev.
Joanne Whitt, Associate Pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church, will
facilitate this event, helping us to provide a structured and spiritual
time of discernment for our church family. We will share our feelings in a
safe environment of Christian love. All should come with an open heart and
willingness to listen and shape their views.
Both
the Planning and Personnel Committees have been instructed by Session to
use this workshop as part of the process of formulating expectations for
our Pastor and for our congregation in its relations with our Pastor.
While
the visions developed in this workshop will be used in the future by
Session and Personnel in their evaluation process, the workshop itself is
not for the purpose of evaluation. It will offer members instead a chance
to express their desires and dreams as well as to learn more about
denominational parameters regarding the role of the pastor and
congregational interaction. It is not a time for venting.
This
workshop is an important event for our church family. All Old First
members and friends of our congregation are urged to attend. The success
of this effort relies on widespread participation and a freedom for all to
express their views.
Questions
and comments may be addressed to members of the workshop planning group,
which include Roger Lindahl (Planning Committee moderator), Jeanne
Kirkwood, Tom Culp, Jeannie Choy Tate, Cindy Burt, Randy Smith, Leslie
Veen and Joanne Whitt.
Pastor's Ponderings
Dear Friends,
Two thoughts:
First, on November 15 we will be holding a workshop which I believe is
important to the life of this community. The thing is, from the
description it may not seem so. The workshop is being designed to talk
about the Pastor's role at
Old First in light of the Book of Order and the Old First Mission Vision
Report. What it is really about is how we can work together.
If it works right — and I have every reason to believe that it will —
this workshop will not be about the stresses and struggles I've had with
some in the congregation. The agenda is larger than that. Whenever there
is a new Pastor in a congregation it is important to come to a mutual
understanding of how we work together — what we expect from one another.
That mutual understanding needs some help to develop, and not because some
individuals have a hard time with me. I chuckle sometimes at the number of
approaches that we all take to the Pastor's role. We come from so many
traditions and we bring our expectations with us. I tease about i t
sometimes, but it is true: Some approach this like Quakers — they don't
seem to think that there should be a leader of the church. Others seem to
approach this like Roman Catholics — they think I'm in charge. Still
others are Congregationalists — they think I'm the hired help. It would
be useful if we could all get on the same page. In order to do that, we
will need a large number of you to participate in the workshop.
Second, it is Stewardship Season. Now, I could talk about what a privilege
it is for us to be stewards of what God has given us, but Cindy Burt has
already done a fabulous job of that. I could talk about the fear we all
have that this year will be the most difficult budget year in recent
memory, but Barry Clagett, (among others), can tell you about that. I
could tell you that stewardship is about more than money; we need to give
our time and talent as well - but . . . Mmmm, actually no one has hit that
note hard this year yet, so I guess I will say that.
But more important, I would like to suggest to you that stewardship season
is the time each year when you can make commitments to God that include
goals for spiritual growth — goals that have to do with personal times
of prayer, times in worship, time spent in education, or the reading of
scripture. So as you assess your life with God, your commitment to the
hope that our Lord brings into this world, I hope you'll think about the
whole picture, not just a piece of it.
Grace and peace,
Sam
Welcome
Ministry Benefit November 15
The Welcome Ministry annual benefit concert will be presented on
Saturday, November 15, 7:30 pm at Old First. This is an opportunity to
support our homeless ministry by enjoying a wonderful evening of jazz song
and a delectable reception.
Clairedee,
San Francisco’s versatile and vivacious jazz vocalist will lend her
silky, sassy musicality in an evening of jazz. She and the Ken French Trio
will present exquisite arrangements from a repertoire ranging from Cole
Porter and the Gershwins to Stevie Wonder and soul sensation, Maxwell.
Tickets
are $30, $60 and $125, and
are available from The Welcome Ministry Box Office, Old First Presbyterian
Church, 1751 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.
Discounted parking will
be available at the Old First Garage.
Choir
and Orchestra Concert November 21
On
Friday, Nov. 21, at 8 pm, the Old First Church Concert Choir and the New Old First
Orchestra will be joined by Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church Choir to
perform Lux Aeterna by Morton
Lauridsen.
Since
its premiere in 1997, Lux Aeterna has become perhaps the most frequently performed modern
American choral work. It examines the "universality of light" as
a symbol for many things, including "beauty, hope and
erudition." Composer Morton Lauridsen says Lux
Aeterna mixes religious and non-sacred philosophy.
Deacons
Sunday on November 23
If
you’ve never had the occasion to be in church on this special day, this
is your chance. Deacons fill all the roles in the Sunday service from
start to finish. The only major participant who is not either a currently
sitting or past Deacon will be the organist. There are even several
members of the choir who are Deacons.
At
Old First, the motto of the Deacons is “Witness, Sympathy and
Service”. This theme will be evident throughout the Sunday morning,
including a special reception during coffee hour.
Thanksgiving
Service
Old
First Church - Thurs, Nov. 27, 10 am
The
Rev. Kevin Doty, Associate Pastor, Calvary Presbyterian, preaching
Congregational
Meeting November 30
A
Congregational Meeting will be held after worship on Sunday, November 30,
to elect new classes of Elders and Deacons.
Every
Member Visitation Program Begins
Our
Session of Elders has approved an Every Member Visitation Program to help
build community and “be the church” by extending and modeling
Christian hospitality.
Teams
of four Elders and Deacons are now beginning to contact members of our
congregation to arrange visits to listen to any concerns they may have.
The agenda of the visits is simple: “Listen”.
If
you haven’t already heard from a team of visitors, you soon will.
Someone will ask to arrange a visit of two people to your home, or to one
of their homes, or to a meeting at the church or somewhere else --
whatever is most comfortable and convenient for you.
The
place isn’t important; the time of listening is what counts. This
isn’t about your pledge or your attendance, it’s about you. What you
have to say will affect the direction of the church in the future. If you
care about the health and vitality of the church, this is one way you can
influence it.
Jazz
Vespers Schedule, 2003-04
Dec
14 — John Thomas
(vocals) & Michael Smolens (multi-instumentalist)
Jan 11 —
Gerry Grosz and The January Jazz Jam
Feb 8 —
Clairdee & the Ken French Trio
Mar 14 —
Geoffrey Keezer (internationally known jazz pianist)
April
11 — Dave Rocha Quartet
May 9 —
John Callaway Quartet
June
13 — Paul Scheffert Trio
July 11 —
Don Pender Quartet
Edgewood
Giving Tree
Our
Christmas gift drive for children at the Edgewood Center will be done
through the Giving Tree again this year.
Watch for the tree to go up in the Fellowship Hall later in
November.
You
can pick an ornament and choose a gift for an Edgewood child, or just make
a donation for Betsy Chiao to use in making these children’s holiday
wishes come true.
The
children at Edgewood have known few, if any,
happy holidays in their lives. Our Christmas gifts help the
Edgewood staff teach them what life is like when somebody cares.
Lectionary
Nov. 1 All
Saints’ Day
Isa. 25:6-9; Ps.
24;
Rev. 21:1-6a; John
11:32-44
Nov. 2
Ruth 1:1-18; Ps.
146;
Heb. 9:11-14; Mark
12:28-34
Nov. 9
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17;
Ps. 127;
Heb. 9:24-28; Mark
12:38-44
Nov. 16
1 Sam. 1:4-20; 1 Sam.
2:1-10;
Heb. 10:11-14 (15-18)
19-25
Mark 13:1-8
Nov. 23
2 Sam. 23:1-7; Ps.
132:1-12 (13-18);
Rev. 1:4b-8; John
18:33-37
Nov. 30
Jer. 33:14-16; Ps.
25:1-10;
1 Thess. 3:9-13; Luke
21:25-36
Dec. 7
Mal. 3:1-4; Luke
1:68-79;
Phil. 1:3-11; Luke
3:1-6
Remembering
Hugh Swaney's Memorial Service
To
one and all,
We did ourselves proud once again with the reception after Hugh
Swaney’s memorial service on October 18. More important than that, we
did Richard proud and gave Hugh the best send-off possible.
As the Deacon in charge of these things, I just sent out an e-mail,
and you all did the rest, as you
always do each time there is a need like this.
You come through, and I end up with a monumental sense of pride in
being a part of this family.
Thanks to each of you, for good thoughts, financial support, time
spent in preparing punch, brownies, and other foods, and for the support
which created a truly excellent party for Hugh and Richard.
Peace, Carol Carter
P.S. My eternal thanks
go to Daniel Pearch, who created Old First's first ever
“leather bar”.
Dear
friends,
What a memorable event it was!
Everyone pitched in (as is the Old First way) and made everyone
feel welcome. Hugh's family
and the out-of-town guests from Palm Springs were very moved.
The hats, the leather bar, the eulogies, the music, the hugs, the
laughter and the tears. On a
personal level, it was being home again for me. I pray for you all and
give thanks for you.
Love, Richard
Schnitgen
Baptized
On
October 12 - Jonathan Edward Taylor,
son of Andrew and Susan McCormick Taylor.
In
Memory
Frieda
Maliepaard died on Sept. 29. She had requested no memorial service.
Her family plans a get-together in her honor on her birthday, Jan. 10.
The
Rev. Gene Huff died on October 16. A service celebrating the gift of
Gene's life will be held All Saint's Day, Saturday, November 1, 10:30 am,
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church. Gene worshipped at Old First several
years ago when his wife, the Rev. Joan Huff, was a Parish Associate here.
Joan’s address is 658 25th
Avenue, SF 94121.
Tutorial
Program Focuses on Test-Taking Skills
Our
Tutorial Program’s advisory board has developed a new direction for the
program this year: Building Basic Skills for Test-Taking. They feel this
is a real area of need where our tutors can make a difference. With the
ever-growing need for improving scores on standardized tests, there is a
demand for more preparation and ability in test-taking.
The
Basic Skills Program will continue to focus on helping students build
their English language skills as they learn how to read and address
typical problems included on standardized tests.
This
year Leslie Veen will be Program Director, aided by Tom Kearney. Leslie
will draw on her ten years as a teacher to provide professional
educational guidance for the program, and Tom will ensure smooth
communication within the program as well as help recruit students and
volunteers.
In
addition to Lesie and Tom, the advisory board consists of Pam Free,
Roseanne Hoo, Harriet MacLean and Phil Pollock.
Old
First’s Tutorial Program has been helping children in our neighborhood
for 38 years. If you would like to contribute an hour a week of your time
to work as a tutor, please contact Leslie at 776-5552, ext. 304.
You
Saw It Here First
“The
Church Kitchen God” appeared in the September
2002 issue of this newsletter. I wrote it as a hymn of praise to the
Congregational Care Committee and a few other dedicated helpers, the ones
who are always stuck in the kitchen cleaning up after a church event long
after everybody else has gone home, and who sure as heck don’t get any
appreciation any other way.
Beloved dishwashers of Old First, your (illustrated!) story appears
in the November, 2003 issue of the PC(USA)’s
Presbyterians Today.
Dry your hands, shed those tacky aprons, and take a bow.
•
Rosemary Bledsoe
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