The Chimes. February 2016 YOU RE (NOT JUST) WELCOME! Volume 20 No. 2

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1 Volume 20 No. 2 The Chimes February 2016 Eden UCC has been an Open and Affirming Church since We believe that all people are children of God; that persons of all ages, races, and sexual orientations are part of our increasingly diverse culture; and we welcome all persons into the full life and ministry of this church. Tel: Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m. Church Office Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday: Closed Visit our church website: Like us on Facebook: Eden United Church of Christ Follow us on YOU RE (NOT JUST) WELCOME! Not too long ago, a Lutheran church in Colorado announced that they had decided to quit being a welcoming church. Their pastor wrote a long blog post, saying that despite the amazing amount of time and energy they had put into becoming a welcoming church by redoing their worship, training ushers and greeters, putting their friendliest people to work in hospitality, they were no longer going to consider themselves welcoming. Why? They realized they had been misplacing their emphasis and needed a new focus. Their biggest insight was that welcoming was, at best, a passive approach. Being welcoming meant they waited for visitors and guests to drop by their church and, then (and only then) they were as kind and encouraging as possible. Being welcoming meant hoping that the folks who dropped in would come back again. And, most of the time, being welcoming meant being a little disappointed and a little self-defensive when it turned out they weren t someone s cup of religious tea. Their solution? They made a commitment to being an inviting church. As their pastor wrote, Inviting is different. That means we leave the comfort of our congregational home-court advantage. The main activity doesn t happen in our worship space when people drop in, but in the neighborhood when we go out. It isn t so much welcoming them into our place, but going out into their place and meeting them there. Underneath their decision to forego the welcoming moniker in favor of embracing the invitational spirit was another important shift. They gave up thinking of other people as potential members and donors to be secured and started thinking of them as, well, the very people God was calling them to join. In other words, the new spirit required a complete flip in their evangelism: it wasn t about getting the world into God s church but about getting the church into God s world. In her new book, Grounded: Finding God in the World, Diana Butler Bass says that the real problem confronting declining mainline churches is that more and more people find God in the world around them, rather than believe in a God found only in heaven or in a church building. To connect with modern spirituality, Bass says, people in churches need to take their warm and welcoming spirit out into their neighborhoods and communities. With Lent, our annual 40-day pilgrimage with Jesus from Nazareth to Jerusalem approaching in February, I find myself thinking: If God and Jesus are in the world, that s where I want to be too. ~ Pastor Pepper Welcome to Eden! Eden is a diverse and growing church. At Eden, people of all ages and backgrounds join together to grow spiritually, do good in the world, and develop healing and nurturing relationships. At our church, you will not be told what to believe. We feel that the way we treat one another is more important than holding uniform beliefs. And, while the Bible is important to our faith, it is not the last word. We believe that God is Still Speaking through science, nature, personal experience, other faith traditions and more. On Sunday mornings, our church services and kids programs are open, friendly and innovative. Every week at Eden, you ll find all kinds of activities retreats, yoga classes, service projects, music programs, labyrinth walks, study groups to nurture mind, body, and spirit. At Eden, we are on a journey together to understand and live God s truth for our lives. Come and join us on the journey. Check out our website. Give us a call. Come by and see us. We look forward to welcoming you!

2 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 2 Page 2 Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Calendar 2016 Holiday Cheer with the Barattas Xmas Eve Excitement Team Xmas Shows Their Colors Xmas Eve with the Newmans Chimes is a monthly publication of Eden United Church of Christ. Proposed submissions should be sent to krista@ edenucc.com, or mailed or delivered to the church by the third Sunday of each month. We reserve the right to edit all materials submitted. Publisher: The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring, Senior Minister. Chimes Staff: Tatiana Siegenthaler, Executive Assistant; Pepper Swanson, Program & Communication Director; Sara Mellas, Music Director; Corina Vasaure, Compañeras & ESLO Coordinator; Nikira Hernandez, MIT; and Krista Coburn, Administrative & Facilities Coordinator. Feb 10 Ash Wednesday Service, Pioneer Chapel, 7 pm Seekers Discussion of Lenten Book, 10 am Feb 14 First Sunday in Lent, Sanctuary, 10 am Feb 17 Seekers Discussion of Lenten Book, 10 am Feb 21 Second Sunday in Lent, Sanctuary, 10 am Lenten All-Church Book Read: Soup Potluck and Book Discussion, 6 pm Feb 24 Seekers Discussion of Lenten Book, 10 am Feb 28 Third Sunday in Lent, Sanctuary, 10 am Feb 28 Lenten All-Church Book Read, 2nd Session: Soup Potluck and Book Discussion, 6 pm Mar 2 Seekers Discussion of Lenten Book, 10 am Mar 6 Fourth Sunday in Lent, including the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Sanctuary, 10 am Lenten All-Church Book Read, 3rd Session: Soup Potluck and Book Discussion, 6 pm Mar 9 Seekers Discussion of Lenten Book, 10 am Mar 12 Youth Spiritual Retreat at Pacific School of Religion (Berkeley) Mar 13 Fifth Sunday in Lent, Sanctuary, 10 am Lenten All-Church Book Read, 4th Session: Soup Potluck and Book Discussion, 6 pm Mar 16 Seekers Discussion of Lenten Book, 10 am Mar 20 Palm Sunday; Sacrament of Baptism & Reception of New Members, 10 am Lenten All-Church Book Read, Conclusion: Soup Potluck and Author Talk, 6 pm Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Worship & Tenebrae Service, 7 pm Mar 25 Good Friday Labyrinth Walk, Courtyard, TBD Mar 27 Easter Worship, including the Sacrament of Holy Communion, 10 am Easter Egg Hunt, 11:15 am

3 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 2 Page 3 Three Kings Give Gifts Children Singing at Tres Reyes Service Congregation + Community Enjoy Pozole Tres Reyes Art Contest Winners The Rev. Sandhya Jha Rubi and Diana at Strategic Planning Meeting Strategic Planning Update Over 40 Eden Church members participated in the Jan 10 Strategic Planning Team (SPT) Focus Groups. Members of the SPT presented the Draft Purpose and Goals prepared from input received at the All-Church Strategic Planning Retreat in late October. Focus Group members commented on what they did and didn t like about the Draft and what they thought was missing. On Friday, Jan 15, Cherryland community leaders also reviewed the draft and provided input. On Feb 2, a joint Council & Trustees meeting is planned to consider the financial resources to support implementation of the new Strategic Plan. The meeting begins at 7 pm in the Norberg Room and all church members are welcome. In the next phase of the SPT s work, the Draft Purpose & Goals will be revised on Feb 14 at 11:30 am in the Norberg Room and shared with Council on Mar 1. Later in March, the SPT will begin drafting specific strategies to implement the new plan s goals. Another round of Focus Groups to review the draft Strategies will be on Sunday, Apr 17, following worship. Please save the dates and plan to participate in this important review process! For more information, contact Pastor Pepper. Lenten All-Church Book Read Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, is a time for reflection, confession, and prayer; a time to explore where we have been and what and where God is calling us now. In the year 2015, America s attention has been drawn again and again to issues and events related to race, racism, and racial equality. As people of faith, we are challenged to see, to understand and to respond. To aid us, the Northern California and Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ has recommended several books on race and race relations and is encouraging church members, especially those attending this year s Annual Gathering, to read at least one of the books. Eden Church is taking up the challenge and has selected one of the books for a Lenten All-Church Book Read. The book, Pre-Post Racial America: Spiritual Stories From the Front Lines, is written by the Rev. Sandhya Rani Jha, who is director of the Oakland peace center, an anti-racism/anti-oppression trainer, and a director of interfaith programs for East Bay Housing Organization. The book looks at issues of race, racial justice, and racism from multiple perspectives and from Rev. Jha s personal perspective on the complexities we face today in countering racism. The book is available in paperback or Kindle version on Amazon. Ten copies are also available to borrow from the Church Office. Two book discussion groups and an author talk are planned for Lent. Seekers will discuss the book on Wednesdays at 10 am in the Community Room on Feb 10, 17, & 24 and Mar 2, 9, & 16. A second group, hosted by Bob & Alliene Turner, will meet on four consecutive Sundays in Lent in the Fireside Room for a soup potluck and book discussion. This group will meet at 6 pm on Feb 21 & 28, Mar 6, 13, & 20 in Oliver Hall. In keeping with our Lenten spiritual practices, the potluck will be limited to soup and bread. If you can contribute soup, please bring it hot in your own crockpot. For additional information about the soup potluck, please contact Bob & Alliene Turner. And, on Sunday, Mar 20 at 6 pm in Oliver Hall, Rev. Jha will give an author talk and answer questions about the book. This author talk is open to everyone and will be the final Lenten Soup Potluck of the series.

4 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 2 Page 4 Spirit in Action Event Together, Let s Derail Hunger, Mar 6 The new Eden Area Interfaith Council is inviting people of all faiths to participate in an afternoon of service at the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Volunteers, including teens, can sort food and meet their Jewish, Muslim, and neighbors of other faiths from 1 to 4 pm in Oakland. Advanced registration required. For further information and to register, go to or contact Bob or Alliene Turner. Reminders The Sunday Bulletin is now online! To use your phone or tablet as an e-bulletin, go to and look for the Sunday Bulletin button on the upper left side of the home page. Copies of Eden s Sunday sermons are available in the Church office or online (in PDF and MP3 versions) at sermons Eden Church and Eden Area Foundation bylaws, policies, agendas, minutes, reports, rosters, and schedules are posted on the church website at: com/leadership. Like us on Facebook Eden United Church of Christ now has 865 likes and Cherryland Computer Café now has 159 likes on Facebook!. Follow us on now has 534 followers! Yoga at Eden is held every Wednesday at 12 noon in the Fireside Room. The Labyrinth is open Mon-Sat, 9 am 5 pm, and Sunday mornings. Safe Congregation locations where children and youth may be after worship: Oliver Hall, Courtyard, and the Tot Lot (with adult supervision). Your Muslim Neighbor Panel The Eden Area Interfaith Council is sponsoring an educational event on Saturday, Jan 30 at 1 pm at the Castro Valley Library to provide a varied and broad understanding of Islam and American- Muslim experience. Six speakers will weave their personal narratives to address common misconceptions, ISIS, compatibility with American values, and how Islam provides inner meaning to their lives. Kids in the Kitchen, Jan 31 On Sunday, Jan 31, our youth (Grades 7-12) will be in charge of our post-worship! Come to on Jan 24 to learn all about our hospitality ministry, help choose our menu, and decide what activities we will offer Jan 31. For more information, contact Pastor Pepper. NCNC February Camp, Feb Calling all high school students (Grades 9-12), mark your calendar now for the NCNC Mid-Winter Camp. Additional information and online registration will be available at ncncucc.org. Valentine s Luncheon, Feb 12 The Committee invites you and your friends to the annual Valentine s Luncheon on Friday, Feb 12, at noon, in Oliver Hall. Come and enjoy a lunch and video reprise of last September s 150th Gala. Tickets are $10 and are available for purchase in January from Anne Duey, Susie Newman, and in the Church Office. The last day to buy tickets is Sunday, Feb 7. Proceeds from the lunch benefit the Eden Church operating budget. Seekers The Seekers, a weekly book discussion group, is currently reading Ta-Nehisi Coates Between the World and Me, a touching letter by an African-American man to his teenage son. In February, Seekers will participate in the Lenten All-Church Book Read by reading Pre-Post Racial America: Spiritual Stories From the Front Lines by the Rev. Sandhya Rani Jha. For more information, contact Daniella Prym. Birthdays & Anniversaries February Birthdays Joanne Vorheis 02/06 Amelie Alicea 02/09 Diana Rodriguez-Espinel 02/15 Jerry Crans 02/20 Nora Crans 02/21 Mike King 02/21 Ruth Jenkins 02/23 Damien Allen 02/24 Jose Nicholas-Fernandez 02/25 Linda Sheppard 02/27 Miriam Hutchinson 02/28 February Anniversaries Claudia & Cristine Lopez 02/07 Comida para Cherryland Winter Schedule Comida para Cherryland, Eden s just-in-time food pantry, celebrated its third anniversary last April. Together we now serve over 200 families per month, 90% of whom live in Cherryland. The Comida operates on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 1:30 4:30 pm or until the food is gone. Our Comida days in February will be Wednesday, Feb 10 & 24. To volunteer at the Comida, see Corina Vasaure. Please remember, the direct costs of the Comida are solely supported by donations from members and friends (not the church s annual budget). A contribution of $4.50 buys one bag for a family of 4-7 and includes one bag of beans, a can of peanut butter, a can of tuna, a can of tomato product, oatmeal, fresh fruit and vegetables, and a bag of chicken legs. Contributions may be made using pew envelopes or by mailing contributions to the church. Please make checks payable to Eden United Church of Christ and note Comida on the envelope or check. To discuss a financial contribution to the Comida, see Michael Stuber.

5 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 2 Page 5 UCC Lenten Devotional Available A new Lenten devotional is available from the UCC s Stillspeaking Writers Group. Heart Soul Mind Strength: 2016 Lent Devotional is a fresh collection of unique Lenten devotions includes a scripture verse and prayer for each day of Lent. It can be used in individual or group settings. The title, Heart Soul Mind Strength, comes from Jesus answer to the question: Which commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Mark 12:29-30). To order a copy for only $3.30, sign up in the Church Office or contact Pastor Pepper by Feb 1. New Directory Coming Soon! Be sure to pick up your copy of the new 2016 Church Directory when it is published in February. Copies of the directory will be available for pick up in the Church Office with Church Administrator Krista Coburn and on Sunday s during Hour in Oliver Hall. One copy per family, please. Ordination & Installation of Pepper Swanson Eden Church is delighted to announce the Ordination & Installation of our Associate Minister Pepper Swanson on Saturday, Mar 19 at 3 pm in Pioneer Chapel. The Ordination will be followed by an early dinner in Oliver Hall. Volunteers are needed to assist with dinner, including preparation of side dishes. To volunteer, please see Jana Aloo, Vice- Moderator. The Rev Al Miles NCNC Church Day to Focus on Domestic Violence The next NCNC Church Day is scheduled for Saturday, Mar 5, at Danville Congregational UCC. The Rev. Al Miles who will lead attendees in a day of increasing awareness and prevention of domestic violence. Through case stories, video snippets and interactive group discussion, participants will explore spiritual abuse tactics and consider best practices for providing spiritual care to victims-survivors and offenders of domestic violence. This workshop will be offered morning and afternoon, with lunch included. Child care will be provided upon request. The day will begin at 8:30 am with registration and refreshments, followed by opening worship. The program will end by 4 pm. All are invited, clergy and lay people, NCNC congregations as well as interested persons from churches of other denominations. Register online at ncncucc.org or contact Joy Davis. Mark Your Calendars Jan 30 Eden Area Interfaith Council: Your Muslim Neighbor Panel Jan 31 Kids in the Kitchen Event Feb 2 Council/Trustees Meeting on Financial Resources Feb 10 Ash Wednesday Service (Pioneer Chapel) (Lent begins) Feb NCNC February Camp (Grades 9-12) Feb 12 Valentine s Luncheon Feb 14 First Sunday in Lent Feb 14 Strategic Planning Meeting Feb 20 Installation of the Rev. Diane Weible, NCNC UCC Conference Minister (FCC Berkeley) Feb 21 Lenten All-Church Book Read & Soup Potluck Begins Feb NCNC UCC Feb Camp Mar 5 NCNC Church Day, Danville UCC Mar 6 Taste & See Event Mar 6 Together, Let s Derail Hunger (Spirit in Action/Eden Area Interfaith Event) Mar 12 Youth Spiritual Retreat at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley Mar 18 Congregation Shir Ami 50th Anniversary Mar 19 Ordination & Installation of Pepper Swanson Mar 20 Palm Sunday; Sacrament of Baptism & Reception of New Members Mar 20 Lenten All-Church Book Read & Soup Potluck: Author Talk Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Worship & Tenebrae Service Mar 25 Good Friday Labyrinth Walk, Courtyard Mar 27 Easter Worship, Holy Communion, & Easter Egg Hunt Apr 30 Tiburcio Vasquez 45th Anniversary Celebration (Mills College) May 15 Pentecost/Stewardship Sunday Jun 13 Clergy Appreciation Dinner (Santa Clara Hilton) For Lenten events, see page 2

6 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 2 Page 6 Joys Congratulations to Jan Bass, who received her Master s Certificate in Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques from the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) last month. She will receive her Masters pin in Charleston, SC in July at the annual CGOA conference. Thank you to everyone who contributed coats for unaccompanied youth in our community. Together with Congregation Shir Ami, we collected 33 gently used winter coats, which are being distributed to youth in need by La Familia Counseling Services of Hayward. Thank you to our Compañeras for planning and preparing the Tres Reyes fiesta, held Sunday, Jan 3, at Eden Church, and thank you to all who contributed gifts of time, talent, and treasure to make this event a big success. Congratulations to Mary and Herb Graw on the birth of their third grandchild, Nathaniel Solomon Graw, who was born on Monday, Dec 15. Nathaniel s parents are Richard and Lesley Graw, and his big sister is Olivia Graw. Eden Church is pleased to have welcomed Valarie and Ryan Smith into the membership of our congregation on Sunday, Dec 20, Prayer Requests Two families in our congregation are in need of affordable housing. If you have a lead on a two or a three bedroom house or apartment for rent, please contact Pastor Arlene. For Dan and the Apperson family. Dan was diagnosed with melanoma and began cancer treatments on an outpatient basis. The cancer was found in his lungs and brain. The Appersons appreciate everyone s care and concern. Thank you for the cards that have been sent and for calling ahead to coordinate visits. For Ruth Baratta, who is living with vertigo. For the family, friends, and parishioners of Bishop Luis G. Candys, who died on New Year s Day 2016, and whose funeral services were held at Eden Church on Saturday, Jan 9, Bishop Candys was the founding pastor of our sister church, Refuge Center Baptist Church, which currently meets for worship in Pioneer Chapel on Sunday afternoons. Bishop was Pastor Carolyn Candies uncle. Pastor Carolyn is the current pastor of Refuge Center. (Yes, their last names are spelled differently) For family unity. For Ruth Baratta s friend, Lorraine Flynn, who is living with leukemia. For the family and friends of John Hasselkuss, especially his wife, Suzie. John died on Sunday, Nov 22. A celebration of John s life was held Saturday, Jan 16, at Eden Church. Thank you to everyone who helped with the reception. For the family and friends of Frank Jenkins, who died on Sunday, Jan 10, at the Danville Home for Seniors, where he had been receiving hospice care. Cards and notes may be sent to his wife, Ruth, at the Jenkins family home in San Ramon. For Cindy Keune s brother, Arden Keune, who is in rehab hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, recovering from a traumatic brain injury incurred in a motorcycle accident this past summer. For Lupe Mejia, one of Ruth Baratta s caregivers, who is experiencing some health challenges. For members and friends who are living with mental health challenges. For family and friends who are entering hospice or battling cancer. For Ruth Schaap, who is in the Healthcenter at Baywood Court, recovering from a broken hip and hip surgery. For Chrisie Smith, Pastor Arlene s niece, who is recovering from skull fractures and a severe concussion. And for Carl Alexander, Erma Andrade, Mary Bernstein, Juanita Chavez, Vera Dickie, Ann Dodd, Regina Fischer, Clyde Howell, Wesley Moniz, Jan Richards, Ruth Schaap, June Staley, Jack Wagle, the Wiebe-Freed family, and Terry Wilkerson.

7 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 2 Page 7 February 2016 Duty Roster Date Feb 7 Feb 10 Feb 14 Feb 21 Feb 28 Liturgical Day Transfiguration Sunday Ash Wednesday First Sunday in Lent Second Sunday in Lent Third Sunday in Lent Scripture Ex. 34:29-35 Ps Cor. 3:12-4:2 Lk. 9:28-36, (37-43a) Joel 2:1-2, or Is. 58:1-12 Ps. 51: Cor. 5:20b-6:10 Matt. 6:1-6, Deut. 26:1-11 Ps. 91: 1-2, 9-16 Rom. 10:8b-13 Lk.4:1-13 Gen. 15:1-18 Ps. 21 Phil. 3:17-4:1 Lk. 13:31-35 or Lk.9:28-43a Is. 55:1-9 Ps. 63:1-8 1 Cor. 10:1-13 Lk. 13:1-9 Preacher Arlene K. Nehring Nikira Hernandez Arlene K. Nehring Pepper Swanson Arlene K. Nehring Liturgist Nikira Hernandez Arlene K. Nehring Pepper Swanson Arlene K. Nehring Mary Haro Michael Stuber Children s Time Pepper Swanson NA Sara Mellas Corina Vasaure Pepper Swanson Loving Arms Nursery Angélica León García & Karen Ortiz NA Angélica León García & Karen Ortiz Angélica León García & Karen Ortiz Angélica León García & Karen Ortiz Teachers Pepper Swanson & Theressa Collier (K-6) NA Jana Aloo & Rozetta Walth (K-6) Dianne Dorn & Keith Smith (7-12 th ) Athena Malloy & Corina Vasaure (K-6), Nikira Hernandez & Bob Turner (7-12th) Jan Bass & Pepper Swanson (K-12) Greeters TBD Dianne Dorn Pam Reuling Stephanie S. Spencer Cindy Keune Ushers Michael Stuber Keith Smith Jared Smith-Bove Dianne Dorn Stephanie Spencer TBD Stephanie Spencer Russ Newman Scott Swanson Theressa Collier Cindy Keune Pat Payne Trustee on Duty Daniella Prym Jim Fryer Daniella Prym Bob Turner Russ Newman Bob Turner Jim Fryer Hour Captains Susie Newman NA Shannon Whitney Jan Bass TBD Nursery care is available at any time during worship for children age five and younger.

8 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 2 Page 8 February 2016 Calendar 31 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday p Cherryland Computer Café 8 10a Eden Stitchers 11a Worship Team 7p Council/ Trustees Meeting on Financial Resources 9 10a Seekers 12n Yoga 10 7:30p Choir 11 5:30p Road Trip to Haas 7p Cal Bears :30a Strategic Planning 21 4p Cherryland Computer Café 15 President s Day Holiday Eden Campus Closed 22 10a Staff Meeting 10a Eden Stitchers 11a Worship Team 7p Trustees 16 10a Eden Stitchers 11a Worship Team 23 10a Seekers 12n Yoga 1:30p Comida para Cherryland 7p Ash Wednesday Service 17 10a Seekers 12n Yoga 24 7:30p Choir 18 7:30p Choir 25 12n Valentine s Luncheon p Lenten All- Church Book & Soup Potluck 28 6p Lenten All- Church Book & Soup Potluck 4p Cherryland Computer Cafe 29 4p Cherryland Computer Cafe 10a Eden Stitchers 11a Worship Team 10a Seekers 12n Yoga 1:30p Comida para Cherryland 7:30p Choir Cherryland Computer Cafe times are tentative