As I prepare this final newsletter article my mind wanders over the time we spent together as pastor and parish.

How would one summarize our collective ministry to-gether?

What do we take away from knowing each other?

What are our parting thoughts and wishes for each other?

While I do not have answers to all of these ques-tions, I know that I can say truthfully that I leave with a sense of deep gratitude for my time as your minister. I have come to know and experience so many of you as gracious, caring and sincere disciples of Christ.

I am grateful for a staff and colleagues who shaped and reshaped their own lives to accommodate my ideas and let me learn, in turn, from theirs.

I am grateful for the time I could have to fall in love with California, a place that constantly reminds me of my beloved Africa.

I am grateful to that Source of eternal love who held us all together in these times.

I am also grateful that I feel assured that it is time for me to move on and for you to continue your path of faith in this Place.

The process of growth, for both me as a person of faith and you as a congregation, will continue to call us forward into an uncertain future of which we will share one thing in common: change.

Only through change can new growth come. I am aware that change has taken place here at DCC and within myself. We are not the same people we were two years ago. My prayer is that we shall have the courage to embrace that forward momentum and with it, the discomfort and disruption of change.

Saul Alinsky, a person who is revered for his dedica-tion to the cause of the marginalized, said the fol-lowing about change:

Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive friction of conflict.

My parting words to you come from another quote, this time from Claude Thomas Bissell.

Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.

This, I believe, is the life Jesus calls us to live as his disciples and as members of God’s Kingdom.

This being said, “…may the peace of God, which sur-passes all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

In Christ’s love,

August 2015

2 The Good News

Church Staff

The Rev. Dr. Anton DeWet, Senior Minis-ter

The Rev. Laura C. Engelken, Temporary Children and Youth Minister Julie Herndon, Music Director Lynda Manstrom, Office Manager Jennifer Uhlich, Office Assistant Jessika Suter, Nursery Attendant Janice Inman, Preschool Director

Church Officers Bob Hardy, Moderator Bill Armstrong and Kristina Kelchner, Vice Moderators Betty McCabe, Treasurer Gary Dowell, Financial Secretary Tim Booher, Church Clerk

Commissioners

Dee Brook and Brett Clark, Buildings and Grounds Laura Beaver, Children’s Ministries Kyra Kennedy and Joyce Klassen, Church Family Betsy Hosick and Cheryl Pierson, Faith Journeys Larry Berlin, Membership Marianne Clark, Outreach Larry Berlin and Trish Moosbrugger, Stewardship Diane Hardy and Polly Smith, Worship Deborah Daily, Youth Ministries

Preschool Board Janet Apostolo, Nancy Dowell, Dave Halseth, Krista Hixon, Janice Inman, Anne Seiler

Pastor Anton’s Pastoral Relations Committee: Mary Deauclaire, Julie Gren-ley, Glenyse Henschel, Krista Hixon, Tim Seiler, Karl Weisgraber

www.danvillechurch.org

www.dayspringpreschool.org

Danville Congregational Church is an Open and Affirming church, welcoming all of God’s people – of diverse race, gender, sexual orientation, family sta-tus, economic condition, and physical, mental and emotional ability.

Telephone: (925) 837-6944

Summer Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 AM – 1 PM

Worship Sunday at 9:30 AM

Everyone is welcome!

Second Hour Schedule

August 2 Communion Sunday – No Second Hour August 9 Commission Meetings August 16 Dr. David Vasquez-Levy & Potluck August 23 Religions for Peace Presentation August 30 No Second Hour

Godly Play Schedule

August 2 Family Worship (No GP) August 9 Family Worship (No GP) – Vacation Bible Camp Sunday August 16 Knowing Jesus in a New Way Part VI August 23 Knowing Jesus in a New Way

Part VII August 30 Work Day – No Story

Please remember that the Deacons are available to pray with you or take your prayer request at any time. We can pray individually (privately) or pass your request to the whole Diaconate or the church-wide Prayer Support Team. Please feel free to con-tact any Deacon with your requests for prayer, or to be a part of the Prayer Support Team. Prayer requests can also be e-mailed to prayer-team@danvillechurch.org.

Bette Felton Judy Leach Peggy Gierke Donna Lenhardt Joanne Haney Mary Kay McClure Nancy Hill Kim Michaud Karen Kawaguchi Judi Weisgraber Nan Karns Bob Wilkens

Our Vision

At Danville Congregational Church we welcome you to a progressive spiritual community that is open and affirming, celebrates differences, and encourages alternate views. We explore the Bible with curiosity and enthusiasm, taking it seriously but not literally. Taking Christ’s call passionately to love our neighbor, we extend our faith into action for the betterment of all. Wherever you are on life’s journey, we offer you a place of peace and hope.

August 2015 3

August is one of those summer transitional months in the DCC calendar year. Not only will there be Ministerial changes as the new Council members are getting ori-ented, it is also a prime time for vacations and travel. Yet, the work of the church keeps on going in all its amazing ways.

The council had their first meeting recently and we spent time reviewing our leadership charges and how they relate to specific activities of volunteers and their relation to each other. One of our main courses of fo-cus is to be improving the interactions and support for and between Commissions, Deacons, Ministry staff and Committees working for the good of the congregation.

What is wonderful, and at the same time a challenge, is being able to communicate clearly and positively amongst all the many leadership volunteers this year. I will do my best in that regard and I thank you in ad-vance for your service to the church with the hope that what we do together is acceptable and mighty in the care and service of our community.

For this month, let us bid our Ministers, Rev. Laura and Rev. Anton, all the best in their future endeavors, with deep thanks for their sincere dedication to Ministry at DCC. In addition, let us welcome our new associate minister, Rev. Eric, to our church family with faith and heartfelt support for a new adventure. Blessings in peace,

Thanks & Farewell!

As most of you know, August 9 will be my last Sunday as your Temporary Children and Youth Minister at DCC. What an amazing gift this year has been as I have got-ten the opportunity to worship and serve alongside so many wonderful people in this community. From clean-ing out Godly Play storage closets, co-creating interac-tive Christmas Eve and Good Friday services with our youth, holding space for challenging conversations to marching in San Francisco Pride, I am grateful for these many experiences of joy, challenge, laughter, commu-nity and growth. Thank you for letting me be part of your continued “becoming” as a community of faith and for being part of mine in my ministerial journey.

Blessings,

Thank You

I would be in remiss if I did not acknowledge the hard work of our staff and of my colleague, Laura Engelken.

Lynda and Jennifer, and Kim when you were also part of the team, my deepest gratitude for your dedication, humor and positive attitudes that made it a joy to work with you. You served the church well and you certainly supported my ministry here in ways that fills me with gratitude. May your lives be blessed with joy!

Kristin, whom we still mourn in our different ways, Julie who brought us new joy, and Mary, with her love for the handbell ministry, you faithfully lifted our worship experience with that language of the spirit—music. May God’s love continue to inspire you.

To Laura, you were a colleague one could really just pray for. Your gifts far exceeded the position you had. You became a colleague and a friend. I pray that there might be other congregations who could benefit from your gifts on the journey that awaits you.

To all the volunteers and the members who contributed, encouraged and prayed for our mutual ministry here at DCC, peace and blessings in abundance.

4 The Good News

We’d love to hear about your joys and concerns. If you have something you would like to share in the next newsletter, please send it to Kim Michaud by August 17.

Prayers of Healing and Concern...

Karen Haley Allen, who underwent cataract surgery on July 30

Barbara Evans, who was hospitalized for a few days in July

Cathy Ann Hatter’s mom, Cathy, who is recover-ing from breast cancer surgery and will soon begin radiation

Caryl Krotz, recently diagnosed with breast cancer

Michiyo Laing Lydia Mulkey and Ivy Ellis Howard Spinner Our youth and their leaders, who are at camp

this summer Our church leaders as they work through the

process for upcoming transitions

Prayers of Sympathy…

Harold Rucker, on the deaths of his brother Glen and longtime friend (47 years) Roger

Prayers of Joy and Congratulations…

Allison Seiler, who finished and sent in her Cadet/Girl Scout Silver Project

Diane and Richard Stein, celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary

Prayers of Thanksgiving…

For the birth of Mateo James Mañas on July 17, to Roberta McReynolds’ niece Christine and hus-band Antonio

For the DCC Prayer Team

For all who volunteered and visited the DCC table at Castro Valley Pride

For the ruling on marriage equality

Godspeed…

Rev. Anton and Henza DeWet Rev. Laura Engelken

Continued Prayers…

Bruce Blair Miriam Boorman Steve and Phebe Carniglia Cid Daugherty Peggy Gierke Nancy Hill Millie Palmer Connie Wadsworth

Thank you for your many prayers and cards; I ap-preciate your continued outreach as I navigate a new kind of grief regarding my cousin Tanya. I am deeply touched and continue to wrap myself in the beautiful prayer shawl which brings additional com-fort to my being. Be grateful for today, be quick to forgive, set aside differences, and love LARGE; it’s all we truly have together. — Melissa and Glenyse

Barbara Pankonin wrote to the office to thank us for helping her include flowers for Kristin as part of the July 19 service. She added this update about Kristin’s daughters: “The girls are doing very well—Adrienne is 19 and will be returning to Willamette University in August. Julia will celebrate her 16th birthday this month and is looking forward to driving; she is a jun-ior at Orinda Academy.”

August 2015 5

DCC Welcomes Jessika Suter

We’re pleased to welcome and introduce you to our new Nursery Attendant, Jessika Suter. While inter-viewing with Rev. Laura, Children’s Ministries mem-ber Anne Seiler, and long-time Nursery Attendant Carrie Gaytan, Jessika impressed us with her warm hospitality and enthusiasm. These qualities were echoed by Jessika’s references who described her as hard-working, responsible, gracious and a pleasure to work with.

Jessika is no stranger to DCC and many of you may have seen her on campus from time to time; she even worked in our office for a week when her mom—our office manager, Lynda Manstrom—was stranded by a snowstorm in Chicago! Jessika and her husband Christopher were married by Rev. Laura Barnes in our sanctuary just two years ago. With a background in family babysitting as well as a profes-sional daycare setting, Jessika brings a cheerful and capable presence to our nursery. Welcome, Jessika!

Did you know? If your Circle is scheduled for Sun-day Tasks and you are having a hard time filling all of the spots, check out the List of Freelance Volun-teers on the DCC website. Click on Member Re-sources (password: noah), then click on Circles and scroll down. There are many people who are more than happy to help out in a pinch. If you'd like to add your name to this list please let Kim Michaud know.

7 – Zane Smalley, Connie Wadsworth 17 – Bruce Hixon 27 – Gail Morgan Please enter your birthday and/or anniversary on the calendar in Koinonia Hall if you would like to

be celebrated on your special day!

From the Worship Commission

We had our first meeting on Sunday. This is the first year that both Diane and I have been on Worship so we look forward to learning the charge of this com-mission. We are always looking for new participants. If you would like to attend a commission meeting, please do and bring your suggestions.

We discussed the location of the baptism font and everyone agreed that it will be a permanent fixture in the sanctuary.

We would like all Sunday verbal announcements to be limited to two. It will be on a first come, first served basis. Should you need to make a verbal an-nouncement, please let either of us know by the Fri-day prior to Sunday service. We will pass the an-nouncement on to the minister. There may be some Sundays where we have additional church an-nouncements; however, we would like to try having just two for the next few months. This only refers to the verbal announcements; the Bulletin will continue to publish the other church announcements.

The next few months will be busy and we will need everyone’s cooperation and patience.

Blessings,

Polly Smith and Diane Hardy

6 The Good News

DCC Welcomes Dr. David Vasquez-Levy

Sunday, August 16

On August 16 DCC welcomes guest preacher The Rev. Dr. David Vasquez-Levy, President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley.

PSR is a progressive, interdenominational Christian seminary committed to preparing spiritually and the-ologically rooted leaders for social transformation. Dr. Vasquez-Levy is a committed pastor, a nationally recognized immigration leader, and a sought after speaker, and he leads at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change.

Please join us for worship at 9:30, when Dr. Vasquez-Levy will preach, and for our Second Hour when there will be a Q&A on the theme of how congrega-tions can partner with the schools that train their ministers—in this case, PSR.

Potluck Lunch on August 16!

August 16 is an important day for DCC! In addition to hosting Dr. Vasquez-Levy, it will be Rev. Eric’s first Sunday with us. To welcome him to DCC there will be a potluck light lunch after the Second Hour Q&A. Signups for potluck contributions will begin on Au-gust 2.

Second Hour Video Presentation, August 23

Religions for Peace, a major interfaith organization associated with the United Nations, has prepared a wonderful short video showing how the Pope’s encyclical on the environment is inspiring people in the world religions to join his call. Join us during Second Hour for this marvelous presentation.

Save the Date: Sunday, September 6

The Church Family Commission is delighted to an-nounce that we are planning an all-church family pic-nic/BBQ following worship service on Sunday, Sep-tember 6. Kids will be back in school, the choir will be back in full voice, and we will be getting back into the swing of church life! We are wondering if there is a DCC family that has a pool, easy parking, and general yard space for about 100 or more, and would like to host the picnic? If so, please contact Joyce Klassen. Otherwise, we will plan to host it on our DCC campus!

Save the Date! Circle Sunday, September 27

Plan on a fun Second Hour of socializing with your circle, a little fun competition among circles ... and more!

–Circle Committee

August 2015 7

Faith Journeys Recommended Read for August: Our Kids: The American

Dream in Crisis by Robert D. Putnam

A groundbreaking examination of the growing inequality gap from the bestselling author of Bowling Alone: why fewer Americans today have the opportunity for upward mobility.

It’s the American dream: get a good education, work hard, buy a house, and achieve prosperity and success. This is the America we believe in—a nation of opportunity, constrained only by ability and effort. But during the last twenty-five years we have seen a disturbing “opportunity gap” emerge. Americans have always believed in equality of opportunity, the idea that all kids, regardless of their family background, should have a decent chance to improve their lot in life. Now, this central tenet of the American dream seems no longer true or at the least, much less true than it was.

Robert Putnam—about whom The Economist said, “his scholarship is wide-ranging, his intelligence luminous, his tone modest, his prose unpretentious and frequently funny”—offers a personal but also authoritative look at this new American crisis. Putnam begins with his high school class of 1959 in Port Clinton, Ohio. By and large the vast majority of those students—“our kids”—went on to lives better than those of their parents. But their children and grandchildren have had harder lives amid diminishing prospects. Putnam tells the tale of lessening opportunity through poignant life stories of rich and poor kids from cities and suburbs across the country, drawing on a formidable body of research done especially for this book.

Our Kids is a rare combination of individual testimony and rigorous evidence. Putnam provides a disturbing account of the American dream that should initiate a deep examination of the future of our country.

Handbells for Barbara

Eleven members of the DCC Handbell Ensemble celebrated Barbara Evan’s 97th birthday by presenting a concert on July 5, at her home at Montecito Senior Living in Concord. The concert was well attended by fellow residents, Barbara’s daughter Connie, and several DCC members.

We thank Barbara, our “Bell Angel,” for her generous support of DCC’s handbell ministry through the Evans Memorial Handbell Fund, established in 2012 in memory of her husband Ed. The fund is used to refurbish and maintain the instruments, purchase music and supplies, and participate in educational events.

VBC 2015: LET’S GO!

Thanks to all of our DCC members and friends who volunteered to help host this year's Vacation Bible Camp! The first week of August we are welcoming over 30 children, ages 3 to 10 years, to explore how God's unstoppable love inspires us to move, act, care, follow, and share that great love with the world. Please pray for the safety, community build-ing, and spiritual growth of all the children, youth, and adults involved as we gather together each morning August 3–7. And then join us for worship on Sunday, August 9, to hear more about our explora-tions from the week!

2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2

Almond Circle

Communion Sunday

9:30 AM Family Worship

11:00 AM VBC Volunteer

Orientation

3 4

5

1:30 PM Women’s

Spiritual Formation Group

#4

6

10:30 AM Spiritual

Formation Group #3

7

8

9

Balsam Circle

9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play

11:00 AM Commission Meetings

10

11

12

1:30 PM Women’s

Spiritual Formation Group

#4

7:00 PM Finance

Committee

13

9:00 AM Diaconate

Meeting

10:30 AM Spiritual

Formation Group #3

14

15

16

Cedar Circle

Ingathering

9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play

11:00 AM Second Hour with Rev.

Dr. David Vasquez-Levy

12:00 PM Potluck in Kairos Hall

17

7:00 PM PFLAG

18

7:00 PM Council Meeting

19

1:30 PM Women’s

Spiritual Formation Group

#4

20

10:30 AM Spiritual

Formation Group #3

21

22

23

Cypress Circle

9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play

11:00 AM Religions for Peace

Video Presentation

24

9:00 AM Circles

Committee

25

26

10:00 AM Prayer Shawl

Ministry

1:30 PM Women’s

Spiritual Formation Group

#4

27

10:30 AM Spiritual

Formation Group #3

28

29

9:00 AM Council Retreat

30

Oak Circle

9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play

31

Calendar Note: Regular office hours will resume on September 1.

Vacation Bible Camp!