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Activities |
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Preparing for Advent Quick Announcements Feb 06 Event Mar 06 Retreat An Ordination |
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Education and Service |
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Church School Middle School Adult Education Newell Visit Library News Presbyterian Women Church and World |
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… Keeping the Church Running |
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Congregational Survey Session Beat Stewardship Money and the Future New Asphalt Chair Project |
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Covenant
of Dissent
and Support  We welcome diversity and sing our differences in harmony and without fear. |
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| The StoNews |
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| December 2005 |
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Preparing the Way of the Lord
The theme for Advent this year at Stone Church comes from Isaiah 40:1-5: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”Here are a few of the ways that members of Stone Church are preparing for Advent, including several in which you are invited to participate.
Taizé offers Meditation and Music — As the days shorten to the winter solstice, light becomes even more important. And light is the focus of Advent, and of the Taizé services held during Advent. The worshipper enters a darkened sanctuary and looks to the front to a wall of candles. A service of silence, of scripture, of spoken prayer and of chanted music creates a time out from the flurry of holiday rush. The sanctuary opens for meditation and music at 6:30 pm. The services begin at 6:45 pm. and are held every Tuesday in Advent: December 6, 13 and 20.
Handel's “Messiah” — The choir has also been preparing for the Advent season. They will be singing, among other things, selections from Handel's “Messiah”. George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was born in Germany, but worked primarily in England, and is considered one of the most important masters of the baroque period (from about 1600 to 1750). “Messiah”, first performed in 1742, is considered Handel's greatest oratorio. On composing “Messiah”, Handel is said to have remarked, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me and the great God Himself.”
Christmas Eve — Since Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, there will be only one service on Saturday, Christmas Eve, at 7:30 pm. This will be a family–oriented service and will include candle–lighting and participation from the choir.
Christmas Day — On Sunday, Christmas Day, there will be a family worship service at 9:30 am. Please note that the Nursery will be closed.
Quick Announcements
Parents’ Day Out: Set aside some time for yourself on Sat., Dec. 3, from 10 am to 2 pm. Children, ages 12 and under, can be left in the capable hands of the Deacons, and parents can do some shopping, go out to lunch, take in a movie, or just enjoy some grown-up time. Contact Mike Wyllie for reservations.Stewart Tartan Pipes & Drums Christmas Concert: All are invited to the Stone Church Sanctuary on Sunday, December 4 at 3 pm to enjoy this annual holiday event. Admission is free, donations welcome. There will be a reception following the concert
Men’s Book Group: The Men’s Book Group will meet at Bill Ribble’s home on December 19, at 7:30 pm, to select books for reading early in the New Year.
Because so many events are announced in this StoNews issue, we summarize them in date sequence here:
| December 3, 2005 |
Parents’ Day Out |
(see above) |
| December 4, 2005 |
Stewart Tartan Concert |
(see above) |
| December 19, 2005 |
Men’s Book Group |
(see above) |
| February 11, 2006 |
Valentine’s Day Event |
More Information |
| March 17 – 19, 2006 |
Women’s Retreat |
More Information |
Don’t Forget Your Partner on Valentine’s Day
The Christian Education Board and the Membership & Evangelism Board are pleased to announce a day of enriching and exciting events on February 11, 2006. On Saturday morning, a Marriage Renewal Seminar with Ed Brackenbury will start off the day. Saturday evening will include Rev. Marge Palmer leading a vow renewal in the Sanctuary, followed by the return of the popular “Sweethearts in the Kitchen” dinner.Please save this 2006 date and stay tuned for further information.
Women’s Retreat
The planning committee for Stone’s annual Women’s Retreat is organizing a wonderful weekend for the women of Stone Church and their friends and family. The retreat will take place March 17–19, 2006, at the St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista. (Please note that the retreat will take place a few weeks later than previous years.)Mary Alice Collins, back by popular demand, will lead the retreat. Information on registration will be coming soon. Be on the lookout — you won’t want to miss this year! And you can start collecting items now to contribute to the White Elephant sale to benefit the retreat scholarship fund.
Butch Washington Ordination Service Photo
Last October 9th, several Stone Church members travelled to Hollister to be present for Adrian “Butch” Washington as he was ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in a service there. He has accepted a call to serve in Swan Valley, ID. The photo below was taken at the reception following the service.
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Church School Prepares for Advent
Prophets Point to JesusAs children in kindergarten through grade 5 complete their study of prophets, they see that many of the prophets pointed to Jesus as the Messiah and shaped our understanding of the kind of Messiah he would be. His name would be Emmanuel (God with us); he would be of the line of David and born in Bethlehem; his role would be as a shepherd, a suffering servant and savior; the Son of God would be a light to the world.
All church school students are preparing to share the song, “I Am the Light of the World,” in worship on December 11.
Letting Advent Do Its Work!
If the Christian calendar is based on Jesus’ life, why doesn’t it begin with his birth on Christmas? It begins instead with four weeks of Advent to offer us an opportunity to slow down and prepare in expectation for the gift of God’s son.
Church school students have been making Advent wreaths and taking home guides with the booklet, “Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?“ As their families take time weekly to light the candles, share the reflections and worship together, they will be opening their hearts and preparing for the coming of Christ — a gift of calm and purpose in the midst of a hectic season! Supplies for Advent wreaths, the “Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?” booklets and other helpful resources are available at a CE table after Worship on Sundays.
Using Good Children’s Books to Share Faith
A great resource, “Children Learn What They Read,” helps parents, grandparents and other caregivers point to God's presence as they share good children's books. Twenty–seven storybooks, many award–winners, for preschool through elementary age are included.
For each book, there is a synopsis of the story, suggestions of related spiritual themes, and reflection questions. As the adult and child share the story and talk about it, the conversation leads to God’s involvement in and a Christian perspective on life. These kinds of experiences are invaluable in the child’s development of a personal faith.
This resource is available from Miriam or on Sundays at the CE table for $5.50. What a great gift, maybe with one of the recommended storybooks!
Middle School Friday’s Kids Events in Full Swing
The Stone Church Middle School, also known as Friday’s Kids, has been enjoying a series of events especially planned for them by advisors Angela Kobel, Kate Wheatley and Rosaleen Zisch.The first event was a late summer BBQ and swim party at the home of Kate Wheatley. It was lots of fun, and seventh grader Jordan Olmstead was the chief BBQ king, trying his first solo stint at cooking hot dogs and hamburgers. He admitted that it was “a bit different than just helping his dad do the barbequing!” Everyone had a great time swimming, eating, hanging out, and getting to know each other on one of the last days of summer before school began.
In October, at a gathering at the church, the group made their own chicken fajitas. Alexandra Bowers was cookstove queen this time, along with help from new youth advisor, Angela Kobel. The group also watched the animated film, “Brother Bear,” and talked a bit about the spirit journey made by the lead character, Kenai, and how it was similar to their own Christian journeys.
On December 9 (note the change in date from December 2), the group will gather at church for dinner and a hands–on activity making Christmas decorations for some very special people at Stone Church (they’re not telling who — that would spoil the surprise!).
The Middle School group is called Friday’s Kids because they meet on Fridays, and Fridays are a TGIF day for many of us! You are welcome to visit with the group on December 9, and check out the fun they are having and the community being forged among these wonderful and energetic Friday’s Kids.
Sunday Morning Adult Study in December
Sunday morning Adult Classes are being offered this school year in two broad areas:-
(1) Bible study and church history, and
(2) Spirituality and Christian life.
There will be no Adult Classes on Christmas Day, December 25, or New Year’s Day, January 1.
Spirituality and Christian Life
November 27 to December 18 — The Way of Blessedness: Would you like to go deeper into Christian Spiritual Formation in a small group setting? The Rev. Rebecca Kuiken leads an exploration of Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. Each participant will be invited to discover Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom of God on earth and to develop and live a personal “rule of life” that helps us reside in that kingdom. The resource book, Companions in Christ: The Way of Blessedness, will be available for review and purchase.
Bible Study & Church History
December 4 — Birth Pangs of the Church: The First Years: Who’s a heretic and who has the true faith? When the church was being formed, Christians had many different views of Jesus and what it meant to follow the resurrected Christ. And they had questions about faith: what was “in,” what was “out?” Dale and Barbara Bracey will probe evidence from the New Testament and extra–biblical writings, including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, the Apostolic Fathers, and Gnostic writings. Some of these views are still challenging “orthodoxy” today!
December 11 & 18 — The Book of Genesis, Its Meaning for Today: The Book of Genesis is filled with strange, unbelievable stories: creation of the universe in six days, expulsion from Paradise for eating a forbidden fruit, a worldwide flood, and an old man who tries to sacrifice his son. Can these 3000–year-old myths have any meaning for our lives today?
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Leader: Pat Magee
J. Philip Newell, World-renowned Author on Celtic Spirituality, to be 2006 Henrietta Perdue Lecturer
J. Philip Newell, an internationally acclaimed poet and author who writes about Celtic spirituality, will be the Henrietta Perdue Lecturer the weekend of May 5 - 6, 2006. His books include Listening for the Heartbeat of God and Sounds of the Eternal. His latest book, just published in September, is Celtic Treasure.Dr. Newell will present a lecture on Friday night and two workshops on Saturday.
Lecture - Friday Evening, May 5: Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality
The Friday evening lecture will explore the major themes of the Celtic tradition as a type of spirituality for today. A cherished image in the Celtic tradition is the memory of John the Beloved leaning against Jesus at the last supper. It was said of him that he therefore heard the heartbeat of God. He became a symbol of the practice of listening for the beat of God’s presence within the whole of life.
Workshop I - Saturday Morning, May 6: Matter Matters: Listening for God within the Body of Creation
Workshop II - Saturday Morning, May 6: Love–Longings: Listening for Christ within the Human Soul
Please save these dates; additional information will be forthcoming as the dates approach.
- — Pat Magee
The Gift of Books: Fun and Challenging
As we remember the many gifts of love that Evelyn Williams gave to our library, the Bethel Presbyterian Church Deacon’s Fund in Seattle has also given us a gift in her memory. These new books were purchased with their gift:- Babar’s Mystery by Laurent de Brunhoff (J Bru)
- An Alcott Family Christmas by Alexandra Wallner (J Wal)
- God, the Devil & Harry Potter: A Christian Minister’s Defense of the Beloved Novels by John Killinger (Family 028.1 Kil)
- Choices: Making Right Decisions in a Complex World by Lewis Smedes (170.4 Sme)
- Living the Message: Daily Help for Living the God–Centered Life by Eugene Peterson (242.2 Pet)
- Seiji Ozawa: Symphony Conductor by Charnan Simon (J Biog OZAWA)
- Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (J 811 Sil)
- The Power of Place: How Our Surroundings Shape Our Thoughts, Emotions, and Actions by Winifred Gallagher (155.9 Gal)
- Jesus, Justice, and the Reign of God: A Ministry of Liberation by William Herzog (232.9 Her) and
- Jesus and Judaism by E. P. Sanders (232.9 San), both given by Pat Magee
- A Christmas Garland: Stories, Poems & Prayers for the Holiday Season, edited by Grace Hudson (808.81 Hud)
- Dream Makers, Dream Breakers: The World of Justice Thurgood Marshall by Carl T. Rowan (Biog MARSHALL)
- The Shaping of a Life: A Spiritual Landscape by Phyllis Tickle (Biog TICKLE), given by my family in memory of Evelyn
- Healing Grief: Reclaiming Life After Any Loss by James Van Praagh (Spec Needs 155.937 Van)
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— Sue Williams, Library Coordinator
News from Presbyterian Women
Here is the calendar for Presbyterian Women activities in December. Newcomers are welcome at all meetings. For additional information, call the meeting hostess; the church office has phone numbers if you don't have a current member list.-
Dec. 1, 10:30 am, Emerald Circle, Study and Holiday Lunch at Catherine Edwards’ home
Dec. 5, 1 pm, Book Group I, reading Angels & Demons by Dan Brown, at Liz Shandera’s home
Dec. 6, 9:30 am, Focus Group, at Liz Shandera’s home
Dec. 7, noon, Amethyst Circle, Study and Holiday Lunch, at Jan Keifer’s home
Dec. 11, after worship, Fair Trade Coffee Sales (Social Hall)
Dec. 12, 6:30 pm, Sapphire Circle, Study and Holiday Dinner, at Jeannette Rapp’s home
Dec. 13, 11:30 am, Lunch Bunch (Taiwan Restaurant; call Ida Raby for information)
Dec. 15, 9:30 to 11:30 am, Bible Study (Conference Room, Lincoln House)
Dec. 19, 2:30 pm, Book Group II, reading The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness by Joel ben Izzy, at Rosaleen Zisch’s home
Church and World Board Board News
The Giving Tree: Gifts for a “Friends Outside” Family
Did you find the Giving Tree in the Social Hall during November? Missed it? Not to worry – you may still have the opportunity to help with gift items, food items, or gift certificates. Call Kathie Lloyd or Sara Holtzapple.Backpacks for Refugees
Bill Palmer still has one or two unfilled backpacks for refugees arriving in San José, if you missed getting one in November. Call him; it may not be too late to participate.Report on Stone’s Generous Giving
Church & World board is happy to report that as of December 5th the special disaster response offerings totalled as follows: to Hurricane Katrina victims, exactly $10,000; to earthquake victims in Pakistan, $1,185. The Peacemaking Offering collected $2,423; twenty–five percent of this offering will be used to support the “Clean Slate” project locally, and the remainder will go to General Assembly Peacemaking programs. Church & World board is grateful for the generosity of the congregation.REJOICE EMMANUEL! — 2005 Christmas Joy Offering
As we honor Emmanuel, God With Us, this season, we will pass the light, candle by candle, at the Christmas Eve service. We can also pass on the light of love with our actions. The Christmas Joy Offering, which we Presbyterians have been collecting for almost 70 years, will equally support both Presbyterian–related racial ethnic education and the Board of Pensions. Whether helping to light the way forward for students groping toward their future or casting a grateful light back on lives spent serving the church, the Joy Offering is a way we celebrate this season and pass on the candle of love that is God With Us.
Mission Study Committee Survey Data Collection is Complete
The Mission Study Committee thanks members and friends of Stone Church who completed the Congregational Survey this month. The committee will be tabulating responses and writing a report about the values and beliefs of the Stone Church family to assist in the search for our new pastor. You are still welcome to communicate with the committee; to do so by email, click .Shown on the right, Tina Luebcke of the Mission Study Committee reviews comments from the congregation regarding the strengths and weaknesses members see in Stone Church life.
Session Beat
The Session approved two proposals from the Buildings & Grounds board at its November meeting related to Stone Church’s new facilities.In the first, the Session approved the creation of a handyman position, pending a decision of the Budget Review Committee to create a line item of about $6,500 for the 2006 fiscal year. The proposal anticipates a pay rate between $10 and $12 per hour for eight to 10 hours of work each week. If enacted, congregation members with necessary skills would be encouraged to apply.
The other action allocates $5,200 for a new sign for the church that would incorporate the Presbyterian Church USA logo and a changeable message board. The base of the sign would use stones left over from the renovation, and the money would come from the Combined Memorial Fund.
Session also authorized a chili cook–off on a date to be determined in 2006 that would be a fundraiser for the choir. It also voted that the raw data from the Mission Study Committee’s congregational survey be available to all boards.
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— Jody Meacham, Elder
Notes from Stewardship
Budget Review Committee asks for pledges by 12/1/05The Budget Review Committee is meeting on Dec. 1 and has the responsibility of preparing the annual budget recommendations to the Session. Since the largest source of revenue for the budget is annual pledges, the more we have in by the time of the BRC meeting, the better the recommendations we can provide the Session.
Pledge Envelopes
2006 pledge envelopes will be in the Social Hall after Dec. 11. Envelopes are not provided for those making a one–time contribution or those with direct withdrawal from a bank account.
End–of–Year Donations to be in by 12/31/05
Contributions to Stone Church that you wish to include on your 2005 tax return must be received by or postmarked by Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, to be compliant with IRS regulations. Donations received or postmarked after that date will be recorded in 2006.
Writing Checks
Please help us save time and handle your checks more efficiently by doing the following:
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1. Please make out all checks to Stone Church; do not make them out to particular offerings, such as Disaster Relief. If the money is for something outside of Stone, such as Disaster Relief, write that on the Memo line so we will know where the money should be sent. The bank will not deposit checks that are made payable to something other than Stone Church.
2. Be sure to write out the words of the amount, not just the numerical amount; for example, One hundred and No/100 dollars. When there is any question, the bank uses the written words and not the numbers.
3. When writing a check for your pledge or the Capital Campaign and not using a pledge envelope, please write your envelope number on the Memo line.
4. If you are paying multiple weeks’ or months’ pledges at one time, you can use just one check and one envelope. (You don’t need to include a check for each week’s or month’s pledge.)
Money and the Future
Sometime during the sixth decade of our lives (if not before), we begin to get advertisements for retirement planning. The “advisors” who send the ads want to assure that we have adequate financial resources to maintain healthy and comfortable living. Implicit is the question, “How does money affect your plans for the future?” The question, of course, is not limited to retirement planning; it also has to do with home purchases, college for children, and many more issues, both immediate and long term.How money affects our plans for the future is also an important question for our congregation. Our recent remodeling revealed several maintenance problems that developed because money was not spent several years ago. The Session and its committees are laying plans to prevent that kind of future problem. We also want to keep strong programs of ministry, such as community lectures, justice and social concerns, and new member growth.
Financial giving to Stone Church is more than contributing to a budget, and it is more than meeting current expenses during the coming year. It is an investment in a future, fulfilling the promise of a strong, vibrant, effective congregation that ministers both to its members and to the community. The future of this promise grows from the generosity of its members.
There is a story about a minister who told his congregation that he had good news and bad news about the building program. “The good news,” he said, “is that we have all the money we need. The bad news is that it is in your pockets instead of the Building Fund.” We could say much the same: “The good news is that Stone Church has a promising future.” Will we speak of disappointment that the promise remains in our pockets, or will we be generous enough to fulfill the promise?
Stone’s Renaissance Continues … New Asphalt Paving the Way for the Future
The Session has approved a repaving of the main Sanctuary driveway, the turn through driveway in front of the Simpson Wing on Lincoln, and the main Lincoln House driveway. Bay Area Asphalt will be working on December 1 and 2 to complete all of the areas. New handicapped spots will be drawn on the Sanctuary driveway and proper signs posted. The paving material will be 4 to 6 inches of asphalt; for quality, the old driveway materials will be removed or rehabilitated to provide a solid base and years of usefulness. The contractor has assured us the driveways will be ready for the December 3rd Parent’s Day Out event sponsored by Deacons. Any questions or concerns, call Art Holtz of Buildings and Grounds, or Elizabeth Sorensen in the church office.
New Chairs Ordered for Social Hall
Now that you’ve tried the new “sample chair” for the Social Hall and decided that it’s really comfortable, you will be happy to learn that 100 chairs have been ordered. The chairs were funded by a donation made specifically for that purpose. The Chair Committee (Virginia Holtz, Jan and Jerry Keifer, Fred Oliver and Joyce Summers) is hoping that they will arrive before Christmas — maybe even before the Stewart Tartan concert on December 4.Here are some facts about the chairs: they have a 10–year warranty; their dimensions are 34.5 inches high by 20 inches wide; the seat height is 17.5 inches; they have lumbar support; the fabric is 100% olefin, has been treated for soil and stain resistance and is flame resistant; the frame has a powder coating — an environmentally friendly polymer–based coating; and the feet are recommended for a cork floor.
The Chair Committee hopes that everyone will enjoy them!