Shared Life [Archive]
June 2007 – Shared Life of Old First
Pastor Nominating Committee
Presents the Rev. Maggi Henderson on June 3
Our Pastor Nominating Committee has concluded its search and has chosen the Rev. Margret (Maggi) Lewis Henderson as its nominee to be the next pastor of Old First: She will preach here on Sunday, June 3, After worship a congregational meeting will be held for Old First members to consider and vote on the call of the Rev. Henderson as pastor of Old First Church. If the congregation votes to call the Rev. Henderson and the Presbytery of San Francisco concurs, she will assume her duties in early fall.
In recommending the Rev. Henderson, the PNC cited her “significant contributions to the Presbyterian Church (USA) .... her great energy and a variety of talents. We feel that she is the one God has called to be the next pastor of Old First. Maggi is well qualified to help us continue our progress toward our Mission Vision goals. We expect that with her leadership and care we will renew our parish life and experience new growth and vitality in our ministry.
Maggi is originally from Oakland; she grew up attending Piedmont Community Church in the East Bay. When she went to college at the University at Oregon she attended Central Presbyterian Church. She says, “It was rather an unexpected path when God led this West Coast woman to seminary at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.”
She spent her first 15 years of ministry as an associate pastor at churches in Texas and North Carolina. “Those churches taught me to learn from my mistakes, to listen well, to realize that it isn't all about me, to recognize the power of humor and a good story, to celebrate and rely on God's grace, and to recognize the power and necessity of prayer in my own life and those of my church people.”
She was Dean of Students at Columbia Theological Seminary for two years before returning to parish ministry in her current position as Interim Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection in Conyers, Georgia.
The Rev. Maggi Henderson's Spiritual Autobiography
My call to ministry has been a series of gentle nudges rather than a burning bush. My family did not go to church, but there must have been some echoes of faith in my parents' history as they dropped me off at Sunday school at Piedmont Community Church in the East Bay. It was a place I wanted to be, and as soon as my parents allowed, I walked to church on my own and paced my progress by the chiming of the church bells. There I felt included, loved, and valued. Through the confirmation process and the leadership of an exceptional youth minister, I claimed the faith for my own. I remember we had an intern from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and I found myself exploring the idea of being a pastor but soon laid it aside.
I went to college at the University at Oregon, and I naturally wanted to be a part of a church but had no idea which church to join. I worshipped with literally every denomination in town and finally found myself at home at Central Presbyterian Church. I was drawn to the worship and church life where lay people had a crucial role and where scripture was preached in such a way that my knowledge increased along with my longing to know more. It was a community where faith moved into action, and the life of faith was not simply about being served but how could we serve others. I was invited to be a middle school advisor and to assist in worship. The church graciously invited me to serve as an elder. The congregation provided the opportunity to explore church leadership and gave life once again to that set aside dream of ministry. I enjoyed (and still do) going to presbytery meetings and serving on committees. I began to see the riches of being a connectional church.
It was rather an unexpected path when God led this West Coast woman to seminary at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. This was soon after reunion of the denomination, and at times I felt like an exchange student in the South, but I also gained a sense of the variety and richness of the PC (USA). I truly began to grasp what it meant to be Reformed, and as I studied Presbyterian theology and history, I began to understand more fully why my heart called this tradition home. I gained a sense of intellectual curiosity and a respect and love for scripture. Some 20 years later, I still get a thrill preparing for a sermon or class when I encounter a new idea or concept and discover how the scriptures speak potently in 2007. For the first 15 years of ministry, I was called as an associate pastor. Those churches in Texas and North Carolina taught me to learn from my mistakes, to listen well, to realize that it isn't all about me, to recognize the power of humor and a good story, to celebrate and rely on God's grace, and to recognize the power and necessity of prayer in my own life and those of my church people.
I had the privilege to be the Dean of Students at Columbia Theological Seminary (CTS) for two years. My time at CTS gave me the opportunity to discern my gifts and to clarify my call. I was impressed by the quality and dedication of the faculty, staff, and students and was excited to see these future ministers and leaders of the church. In the midst of the vitalness of the seminary campus, I realized how much I missed the parish, especially preaching, pastoral care, and daily involvement with a congregation; so I began looking for a full-time position in parish ministry. I accepted the call to be the Interim Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection in Conyers, GA. I am thriving at this church where both the joys and challenges of living the gospel of Jesus Christ are shared in community. I have had the opportunity to fall in love once again with pastoral ministry and am thankful for the privilege, joy, and challenge of being a pastor as together we seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ.
From your Friendly Local Transitional Pastor
I love JRR Tolkien’s Hobbit and his Lord of the Rings trilogy. Such a sweeping adventure in an engaging imaginary world! Several poem-songs are memorable, and speak of adventure, and of the spiritual journey. One, spoken by Bilbo as he leaves his home for another adventure, is this:
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
(JRR Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, Book One, page 35, in The Lord of the Rings, One-Volume Edition: Houghton Mifflin Company)
Old First is about to enter a new chapter of its 158 year-old history as we finish this liturgical season of Easter resurrection and move into the Holy Spirit fire of Pentecost. We expect that on June 3 the congregation will vote to call its next pastor to lead this passionate and skilled community of faith. Between that call and her anticipated arrival in late summer/early fall, Old First’s life will continue with skill and a quickened step. Excitement about Maggi’s arrival will be leavened with faithful attention to the here and now, for there is much ministry to be done both inside and outside the walls of this building between now and then.
Pentecost is about the coming of the Holy Spirit to create, energize, and guide the community of faith along the Way of Christ. Liturgically speaking, the passion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus lies in the past, leaving us wondering just where we are going, suspending us in joy without the power to do much about it. The coming of the Spirit upon the gathered praying community in Acts 2 is the spark that lit the glowing embers of hope and joy into a blazing fire of joyful and committed ministry.
The pathway from darkness to resurrection to spiritual energy covers a lot of ground. There is the struggle to emerge from the sadness of loss, and the confusion of purpose, into the light of acceptance, deeper faith, and renewed vision for the future. Change happens, whether we like it or not, and we always lag behind what seems to be necessary. Change is part and parcel of life itself, and will never cease to challenge our energy, intelligence, creativity, and love, no matter our age, ability, situation in life, or the identity of the pastor. We are called to a new quality of life based in our faith in Jesus Christ, and that new life is slowly being created in us through our everyday choice to love God with our whole being and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
The Pentecost fire still burns within the global church, and within this particular congregation. That light includes the arrival of Old First’s next pastor, but is not limited by that arrival, and is not personified only by that person. That fire, that Jesus-empowered energy, is fueled in part by our excitement and anticipation, but unless owned by each one and lived out in ministry by each one, will be all show and no substance.
Though this summer will include vacations, it cannot be a time of slackness and inattention. It must be a time of prayer, of making decisions, of generosity of spirit and of the giving of gifts, and of preparation for this fall. Your next pastor will come with willingness and anticipation. She will come expecting to join you in the midst of your ongoing work and worship, excited about sharing her gifts with you, and yours with her. Will you be ready to receive her, not just with words, but with shared ministry?
Therefore, for each one, the question becomes, “How am I called to be in ministry at this time as a part of this faith community?”
Remember, that without you - your faith, skills, willingness to learn, time, money, prayers, your invitations to others to come with you to worship, and so on - Old First is lacking an essential part of its life, of its soul. As the song goes, “I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together….”
Join with one another along the Road, with eager feet, looking to God and to one another; and holy fire will come, and joy will be yours.
Peace to you and yours,
Jeffrey Cheifetz
Transitional Pastor
Meet Maggi Henderson at Adult Ed on June 3
Maggi will lead a short Bible lesson/ discussion in the Munro Room on Sunday, June 3, starting at 9:15 am.
There will be time for discussion of the lesson, as well as general questions. The class will end at 10:15 so Maggi can get ready for the worship service.
Caution: wearing a name tag will be mandatory.
Morphing and Summertime
Morphing — a common term used today to explain change. So, too, does it apply to Old First in a variety of ways.
The worship schedule designated May 13, 2007 as “Youth Sunday,” and it morphed into Family Sunday, which was fitting for Mother's Day. We are family, nuclear and configured, who come together to worship God in joy and participation. Together we worshiped, hearing the voices of children, youth and adults raised in praise, song and preaching the Word.
Church school will morph to a 10:30 a.m. start time by fall. We will use this summertime to create murals, and transform the nursery into the children's room. Join us in the transformation and special projects and crafts during the summer.
The Thoughtful Christian is a web- based curriculum developed by the PC(USA) for use by adult education and small groups for short and long term studies. We will be trying them out during the summer on Sunday morning. So, stay tuned for the topics of conversation that will be published in the weekly announcements.
Blessings to you all for a joyous summer of relaxation, travel and fellowship.
Nancy Holve, CND/DCE
Jazz Vespers – First Sundays, 5:00 pm
June 3 – Don Pender Quartet
Guest Choir on June 17
The Southwest Children’s Chorus, 30 members, ages 9-13, will join us for worship on June 17 and provide music for the service.
Organizing a Columbarium Commission
At the May meeting, our Session of Elders approved a charter for a new Commission to manage and maintain the Old First Columbarium.
Everyone who purchases a niche or plaque will become a member of the Columbarium Society, which will elect five of its members to become members of the Commission, along with an elder selected by Session.
Among the organizational tasks which await the new commission is the need to develop a framework to decide the eligibility of several groups of individuals to have their ashes placed in the Columbarium. There are a number of possible ways to extend eligibility beyond Old First members and former members, pastors and former pastors, staff members and former staff members.
Join the Old First Team (and other Bay Area
Presbyterian Churches) in the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade
Start Time: 11:15 AM. (approximately), Sunday, June 24
** A leisurely stroll in the MIDDLE of Market Street (about 45 minutes to one hour.)
** Throwing kisses and passing out Hershey's kisses to the Parade watchers lined up on both sides of Market Street.
** Passing out light-hearted flyers with religious messages, especially created for us by the Rev. Erwin Barron.
** All members and friends of OFC are invited to join.
** We will give you details of assembly and start place and time. Also, you can also join the Parade on Market Street as our Team marches by.
Lectionary
June 3 - Trinity Sunday
Prov. 8:1-4, 22-31; Ps. 8: Rom. 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
June 10 - 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a; Ps. 5:1-8;
Gal. 2:15-21; Luke 7:36-8:3
June 17 - 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a; Ps. 42 and 43; Gal. 3:23-29;
Luke 8:26-39
June 24 -12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Ps. 77:1-2, 11-20; Gal. 5:1, 13-25;
Luke 9:51-62
July 1 - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kings 5:1-14; Ps. 30; Gal. 6:(1-6) 7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
AIDSWalk on July 15
This year’s 10-kilometer AIDSWalk San Francisco will take place on Sunday, July 15, in Golden Gate Park.
Old Firsters will again join a team of other Presbyterians to enjoy each other’s company and share in a fine picnic lunch after the walk. Sponsor forms for walkers will be available at the church during Coffee Hour.
If you aren’t able to be a walker, you can sponsor someone on Team #1057, Pres-byterians Fighting AIDS. For more information and to register to support any of Team #1057’s members, visit www.aidswalk.net.
The fight against AIDS isn’t over, despite the perception that AIDS is being “managed”, there is still a great need for research funding.
Envision Generosity: a Lifetime Giving Plan
A message from the Stewardship Committee
Have you given much thought to becoming a philanthropist? You may say that you don't have enough money to give away, let alone to become a sizable giver who tries to make a difference in your lifetime and after your death. But if you, like most middle income people, have disposable income, the possibility of more to come with investments that are doing well, you can be a sizable charitable giver.
During the next two decades, well over ten trillion dollars of individual wealth will pass to the next generation. How much of that will find its way to charitable causes?
Developing a spirit of generosity is part of the spiritual journey for all people of faith. Maintaining a lifestyle that is comfortable but not extravagant frees up funds for worthwhile causes and projects. But that rarely happens unless it's planned. So our task is to create a lifetime plan for giving generously in response to our own blessings and abundance.
Begin by practicing percentage giving. Allocate a percentage of your total income each year to give to your faith community, Old First, and other charities. Try to increase that amount by one percent a year until you have reached at least the traditional tithe of ten percent of your gross income. By setting values-driven goals for our money, most of us could comfortably give that and more --- moving beyond self-imposed limitations to radical generosity.
Giving is a spiritual discipline that needs to be practiced consistently in order
to become an integral part of our faith.
Planned giving, or giving through accumulated assets rather than current income, is growing tremendously year by year. More and more people are responding to the charitable impulse and learning about sophisticated techniques that provide tax advantages and lifetime income benefits. During this year, the Stewardship committee will help us learn about these options. The important thing is to plan consciously for giving generously as part of your financial decision-making.
In God's grace, this will lead us to graceful living and recognition of our faith, our values, and our money in these changing times.
June 2007, April 2007, March 2007, February 2007, January 2007
December 2006, October 2006, June 2006, March 2006, February 2006, January 2006
November 2005, October 2005, September 2005, July/August 2005, June 2005, May 2005, April 2005, March 2005, February 2005, January 2005,
December 2004, November 2004, October 2004, September 2004, July/August 2004, June 2004, May 2004, April 2004, March 2004, February 2004, January 2004,
December 2003, November 2003, October 2003, September 2003, July/August 2003, June 2003, May 2003, April 2003, March 2003, February 2003, January 2003
December 2002, November 2002, October 2002, September 2002, July/August 2002, June 2002, May 2002, April 2002, March 2002, February 2002, January 2002
December 2001, Nov 2001, October 2001, September 2001, July/August 2001, June 2001, May 2001, April 2001, March 2001,
February 2001, January 2001
December 2000, November 2000,October 2000, September 2000, July/August 2000, May/June 2000,April 2000, March 2000, February 2000
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