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Notes from the Pastor
Loving Humankind
"Reverence for creation comes fairly easily for most people.
Reverence for other people presents more of a challenge,
especially if those people’s lives happen to impinge upon
your own…. I have an easier time loving humankind than I
do loving particular human beings."
- Barbara Brown Taylor Source: An Altar in the World
Beloved,
I have found great solace in the conversations about
justice and inclusion that have taken place among us
since the election results rocked our collective world.
I am completely convinced that we are the people we
have been waiting for. We have the skills, the passion
and the faith to engage the unique mission of the
progressive church at this moment in time. I, for one, feel
darn lucky to have a community like this one to walk
arm-in arm with into the coming years.
“All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
- Julian of Norwich (ca. 1342–ca. 1416)
I believe the liturgical season will lend itself well to our
supporting each other as we sojourn through the Advent
texts. We will reflect on the idea of mountain top
moments and how they fortify our spirits to travel back
into the deep valleys of life.
Advent week one: Hope (Nov.27),
Week two: Peace (Dec. 2) with Eve Decker http://evedecker.com/,
Week three: Love with Rev. Tim Boeve preaching (Dec. 11),
Week four: Joy with the Bell Choir (Dec. 18),
Contemplative Labyrinth walk on the Solstice (Dec. 21),
A candlelit service of music and reflection on Christmas eve followed by a joyful gathering on Christmas morning at our regular time.
Volume 35 Issue 12 December 2016 Curran Reichert, Minister
The Grapevine
Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Sonoma
United Church of Christ
- Above all the season of Advent and Christmas provide
us with an invitation to deepen our relationships with
each other and with God. All the virtues of this season;
hope, peace, love, joy are or are not made manifest
through us in the relationships we keep.
“When you even skim the edges of relationship, you
submit to mystery and lose control. Marriage would
be so much easier if there wasn’t another person
involved, but then it would be meaningless too.
Relationships are entwined, enriched, elusive,
messy, enabling, enrapturing, maddening,
exhilarating, frustrating, exposing, and too beautiful
for words. There are moments when we think we
might finally have a whisper of control over our
world and then- whoosh!- in comes someone who
knocks it completely sideways.”
- Mike Morrell’s introduction to Richard Rohrs’s
new book The Divine Dance.
The coming of Emanuel was indeed one of those
“whoosh” moments in history. I hope together we can
capture what is useful in being knocked completely
sideways. May this season serve as a reset button for
our faith, for our relationships and for our lives.
In peace and with patience,
Rev. Curran Reichert
COMMITTEE NEWS
Education Committee
Book Study Facilitated by Curran
Wednesdays - January 11, 18, and 25
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Community Room
Books will be available for purchase at the first class
Save the Date
"Touchstones" Women's Retreat will be held in San
Rafael March 3-5, 2017. Registration will begin after the
first of year.
- Kathleen Gray
Earth Care Committee
∙ The monthly nature walks hosted by the Earth Care
Committee are being scheduled for December, for
2017, and through June. Each monthly walk is on the
second Monday, from 9 a.m. - noon, and rated easy to
moderate. If you have not yet registered your name on
the ECC Monthly Nature Walk list for hike
notifications and wish to do so, contact John
Donnelly, [email protected].
∙ At the Committee's December 13 meeting we will
explore with Curran ways to further broaden and
deepen whole-church commitments to our Earth Care
Covenant, and throughout our FCC programs and
events. Your suggestions are most welcome!
- John Donnelly
Sanctuary Renovation Committee
Regular Renovation Report
In the months to come, The Grapevine will feature this
Regular Renovation Report from the Sanctuary
Renovation Committee and Bill Hutchinson, Church
Treasurer and Liaison to the Renovation Committee
from Council and Property and Finance. The
renovation committee has been busy ever since the
congregation approved the design concept. Here is a
list of things that we have been working on:
We chose local architect, Adrian Martinez, to
produce the drawings that will allow us to proceed
with city approvals and permits. Adrian has
designed numerous renovations to historical
structures in Sonoma, and is well-known for both
his commercial and residential work here.
Committee members Joan Howarth and Mary
Evelyn Arnold have both worked with Adrian on
prior projects.
We hired a local historian, Alice Duffee, who will
produce a report for the city on the prior changes to
the building. Even though the building was moved
and the bell tower removed back in 1950, our church
may yet qualify for official historical status, on the
basis of how long we’ve occupied 252 W. Spain St.!
We have selected Stan Warne as our contractor.
Stan has served as master contractor for ten church
projects to date and was recommended to us by Len
Tillem. Committee member Nancy Ladd has worked
with Stan on several projects.
With plans in hand, we will be able to get firm bids
from the contractor, the lighting specialist, and the
electrician, so by the time of our next Regular
Renovation Report we should be able to relay to you
the financial status of the project.
We have met with an ADA compliance specialist
who will represent us when we present the plans to
the building department for the permit.
The new organ has been ordered!
Respectfully (and busily!), Mary Evelyn Arnold and
Bill Hutchinson
Seven Sacred Pauses: Living
Mindfully Through the
Hours of the Day
“The mystical possibilities of every moment are revealed to us in our intentional pauses.” - Macrina Wiederkehr, author
“Here is the way to bring guidance for the journey home to your own heart.”
- Paula D’Arcy
Social Action Team
The Alternative Gift Fair will again be in the Community
Room after services on Dec. 4. Make a donation to a
worthy cause instead of giving a gift! Seeds of Learning,
Sonoma Overnight Shelter, Teen Services Sonoma, Nuestra
Voz, and F.I.S.H. will all be there.
The UCC Christmas Fund collection, held on December
18, provides direct financial assistance to retired and active
United Church of Christ authorized ministers and lay
employees, and their surviving spouses, including pension
and health premium supplementation, emergency
assistance, and Christmas thank-you checks.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, we will have a collection
for the Pastoral Discretionary Fund. This allows our
pastor to financially help others such as giving a food
certificate to someone who is hungry, helping to pay for
clothing or shelter in an emergency, etc.
Our Stop Hunger Now project was a huge success! On
Saturday, November 12, eighteen enthusiastic volunteers
partnered with Sonoma Methodist church members to
package 10,000 dehydrated meals in about 2 1/2 hours.
- Janice Mattison
West Spain Thrift Shop
The shop will close mid-December so volunteers can
empty, clean, reorganize, and restock. Be sure to stop by
for our amazing yearly sales beginning December 8.
Thursday, Dec. 8, 50% off all clothing and linens Saturday, Dec. 10, 50% off everything in the store Thursday, Dec. 15, 75% off everything in the store
Saturday, Dec. 17, Fill a Bag for $2 The shop closes at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17
The shop will reopen Thursday, Jan 12, 2017
We are looking for volunteers to help pack the remaining
merchandise on Dec. 19, 20, and 22, and possibly drivers
to take the packed items to other organizations. If you
can help, please contact Patricia Serota (707-815-2759,
Start the new year off by sorting through your things and
donating unwanted high quality, usable items of all kinds.
After we close on Dec. 17, new donations will be accepted
starting Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.
- Patricia Serota
Worship Services and Celebrations December 4 - Peace
Holy Communion, Alternative Gift Fair
December 11 - Joy
UCC Christmas Fund offering
December 18 - Love
December 21
This magical night includes candlelight and an
indoor multi-colored labyrinth. This is a
wonderful opportunity to be in community and
spend some time in quiet reflection.
December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
7 p.m., Sanctuary
This carol-based, candlelit service is the perfect
way to celebrate the season. An offering for the
Pastoral Discretionary Fund will be taken.
December 25
Christmas Day Service, 10:30 a.m., Sanctuary
We will gather for an informal Christmas
morning service to celebrate the joy of Christmas
Day. This is a family-friendly service.
A Christmas Invitation There will be no Coffee Hour after worship service on
Christmas Day, but those who want to continue the
fellowship are invited to Patricia Henley's place for
an informal potluck and perhaps to play some games.
Please let Patricia (707-227-8203,
[email protected]) know if you plan to attend, so
she can get a rough head count, but if you decide to
attend at the last minute, that's fine.
#_______ of plants at $10.00 each. Total enclosed: ________________ check_____ cash______
In honor or memory of (no need to indicate which) and please write clearly:
1)_______________________________________ 2) _______________________________________
2)_______________________________________ 4) _______________________________________
Given by:_________________________________ Phone:___________________________________
Help decorate our Sanctuary with Christmas poinsettias!
• A donation of $10.00 will pay for one plant. Payment should accompany your form.
• Make checks payable to FCC and write poinsettia on the memo line.
• A list of those donating poinsettias will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
ALL are invited and encouraged to participate with
me in a discussion of sacred symbols. Several people
expressed interest in discussing the cross in particular,
and this will be the opportunity to do just that.
Additionally, we will consider what other symbols might
represent the collective faith of our congregation and
shared space with Shir Shalom. These gatherings will
provide us with a chance to explore the power of
symbols and why they touch us so deeply.
We will gather on the first Wednesday of the month
from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. We will meet on
December 7, January 4, and February 1, then see where
the Spirit leads us from there. If you cannot gather at
that time, we will find a Sunday after services that work
for you because we don’t want anyone to be excluded
from this exploration.
Start taking pictures of things that inspire you, tear
them out of magazines, bring books with pictures, or
draw them yourself. Let yourself dream big, even if it
looks like the wrong size or not quite what belongs in
our Sanctuary. Bring all your ideas along: crosses with
grapevines, trees in the circle of life, peace symbols that
speak to you, etc.
Let’s brainstorm and have some fun delving into sacred
imagery.
See you then, Curran
Welcome our new pianist
Stephanie Ozer
Stephanie performs in
jazz festivals, concert venues,
intimate clubs, house
concerts, corporate events
and weddings — in
ensembles of jazz, folk, klezmer, and Brazilian jazz.
Stephanie's CD, "O Começo: New Beginnings in
Brazilian Jazz", was recorded in Rio de Janeiro with
Grammy winning vocalist Leny Andrade with whom
she has subsequently toured.
Nominated twice as Best Jazz Musician in the North
Bay, Stephanie holds a classical Piano Performance
Degree from the University Of Michigan School of
Music.
Stephanie performs in the Bay Area and nationwide in
genre bending music in collaboration with top flight
musicians. Her most recent group, As Três Meninas,
performs Brazilian Jazz, Samba, Bossa Nova and
Choro-inspired compositions with these bandleaders who came together to craft their unique sound.
Stephanie teaches many styles of piano, technique and
improvisation, and coaches vocalists in accompanying
themselves and performance techniques from her
home studio in Sonoma Valley and at Jazz Camp West.
Welcome, Stephanie!
Sacred Symbols Conversation
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 4:00 pm CR Bell Quintet 5:15 pm CR Bell Choir 7:00 pm CR Church Council
2 8:00 am CR Meditation
3
4 9:00 am CR Practicing Presence 10:30 am Worship, Communion and F.I.S.H Sunday After worship, CR Alternative Gift Fair after Worship
5
6 11:00 am S Stone Soup
7 10:00 am S Sacred Symbols 12:30 pm Caring Friends CR 7:00 pm S Choir
8 4:00 pm CR Bell Quintet 5:30 pm CR Bell Choir 7:00 pm CR Worship Comm.
9 8:00 am CR Meditation
10
11 10:30 am Worship Tim Boeve preaching UCC Christmas Fund Offering
12 7:00 pm CR Seekers
13 11:00 am S Stone Soup 12:00 pm CR Women’s Fellowship 2:00 pm CR - ECC
14 9:30 am CR Social Action Team 12:30 pm CR Caring Friends 7:00 pm S Choir
15 10:00 am CR Property and Finance 4:00 pm CR Bell Quintet 5:30 pm S Bell Choir
16 8:00 am CR Meditation
17
18 9:00 am CR Practicing Presence 10:30 am Worship
19
20 11:00 am S Stone Soup 7:00 pm S Solstice Sing
21 7:00 pm S Choir 6:30 pm BH Winter Solstice
22 4:00 pm CR Bell Quintet 5:30 pm S Bell Choir
23 8:00 am CR Meditation
24 7:00 pm S Christmas Eve Svc.
25
10:30 am Worship Merry Christmas!
26 7:00 pm CR Seekers
27 11:00 am S Stone Soup
28 7:00 pm S Choir
29 4:00 pm CR Bell Quintet 5:30 pm CR Bell Choir
30 8:00 am CR Meditation
31
DECEMBER
First Congregational Church of Sonoma 252 West Spain St., Sonoma, CA 95476 707- 996-1328 · [email protected] · www.sonomaucc.org Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Worship Service and Sunday School - 10:30 a.m., Sunday
We are an Open and Affirming Earth Care Church
Music Director: Terry Lezama-Jensen
Pianist: Stephanie Ozer
Sunday School Teacher: Emily Webber
Childcare Provider: Sarah Kenton
Office & Event Manager: Angela Ljung
Facilities Manager: John Shinnick
Pastor Emeritus: David McCracken
West Spain Thrift Shop Closes December 17. Reopens Jan 12, 2017 Store Hours: Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Donation drop-off hours: Regular store hours, and Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Liturgist Deacon Ushers Flowers Coffee Hour Dec 4 Taras Lumiere Tim Boeve Lori Barron Elizabeth Griego
and Joan Howarth and Bev Pearson Dec 11 Jeffrey Sallot Elizabeth Palmer David McFarland Kit Conforti Earth Care and Mary Evelyn Arnold Dec 18 Janice Mattison - Janet Engelbrecht Jan Edwards Church Council and Mary Beth Halsey Dec 25 Katie Morrison - Kathy Jewell Veda Lewis Hospitality
2 – Jessica Guest
5 – Brian Smucker
6 – John Donnelly
6 – Janet Engelbrecht
6 – Lynn Ross
6 – Jackie Steuer
8 – Kathleen Carter
9 – Veronica Love
9 – Susan Harris
12 – Tyler Dickie
17 – Toni States
17 – Roger Brandt
Happy December
Birthday!
The Grapevine is proofread by Janet Volkman
Thank You FCC Sonoma
Dear Fellow Leaders,
Thank you for inviting me to speak with you last
week. I so appreciate your community mindedness
and willingness to support some of our most
marginalized families.
Thank you!
Maite Iturri, principal, El Verano School
Maite spoke at the November Women's Fellowship meeting
FCC Sonoma,
God's blessing on your community for your
generosity committed to a covenantal with our
conference and the wider church.
Thank you!
NCNC Conference
