April, 2018 Volume 53 - Number Ironwood Avenue, P.O. Box 537 Morro Bay CA Phone: (805) Rev. Richard Kurrasch, Pastor

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1 The ROCK HE ALONE IS MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION, I SHALL NEVER BE SHAKEN PS 62:2 April, 2018 Volume 53 - Number Ironwood Avenue, P.O. Box 537 Morro Bay CA Phone: (805) Web Site morrobayfcc@gmail.com Rev. Richard Kurrasch, Pastor

2 From the Pastor s Study First Christian Church, Morro Bay April, 2018 Our cornerstone proclamation takes only three words He Is Risen! Without that, the whole church enterprise dries up and blows away. For something that critical, we might welcome a second opinion, perhaps a voice from the other side with a little more information. As it is, the voices we get can only offer commentary, the finely-honed arguments of the theologian, say. First, though, we might turn to the poetic mysticism of Teilhard de Chardin. In the Divine Milieu, he offers this observation: In itself, death is an incurable weakness of corporeal beings. It is the sum and type of all the forces that diminish us, and against which we must fight without being able to hope for a personal, direct, and immediate victory. We do fight it, of course, which is part of what gives us our nobility, that we do not go gently into that unknown night. He continues: Now the great victory of the Creator and Redeemer in the Christian vision is to have transformed what is in itself a universal power of diminishment and extinction into an essentially life-giving factor. He goes on to talk about how death is the vehicle by which we come at last to have communion with God, what he calls a fullness and unity in God. We cannot, and would not, say that death is nothing, but in that it does not, in the Christian vision, get the last word, death is certainly diminished. Death, be not proud, wrote poet John Donne. Why? Because in the Christian vision, thou shalt die. In a way, for God to be God, God cannot lose what God has created. Similarly, for God to be God, God cannot forget those whom God loves. Indeed, if God is love, then in the Christian vision, everything finds communion with God at last, for God forgets nothing, loses no one. Not exactly a visit from the other side, but clearly a good reason to rejoice on Easter and because we are a resurrection people, a good reason to rejoice generally! Rich

3 Earth Care Ministry Report April, 2018 By Ruth Ann Angus, Director, Earth Care Ministry Sunday, March 4 th saw the Earth Care Ministries presenting to the community our first film in our series. The film Racing Extinction was viewed by 22 people, with nine community members attending. Discussion after the film brought out many comments from the audience. One person suggested that films like these be offered to the grammar school children and another thought it would be great to have a revolving art exhibit featuring endangered animals displayed on certain city properties, for instance on the trash receptacles in town. The film showed how National Geographic filmmakers utilized the latest filming and computer technology to be able to show videos of a variety of animals facing extinction by mounting the projection equipment on automobiles and then driving around in cities and projecting the images onto public buildings. This was even done in New York City where an exceptional display was projected onto the side of the United Nations building. Plans are to hold another film showing in May, possibly May 22 nd, and currently we are reviewing several film selections from which we will choose the next film. Our new Earth Care Pledge was available for people to sign at our film presentation and eight people took the pledge and signed it. It reads: I promise to be kind to our planet, to do my best to turn around environmental destruction, reverse climate change, and global warming, and to stand together with my brothers and sisters of planet earth to claim our true identity as children of Mother Earth, and the Creator, at one with every human being, every creature, and the air, water, and land. On April 7 th on my new half-hour radio program entitled Peace Rocks which is airing on community supported radio The Rock at 97.3 FM and FM, the topic will be Earth Day which occurs April 22 nd. Pastor Rich Kurrasch will be my guest and we will discuss the Earth Care Ministries of our church and where we feel the environmental movement is going especially here in Morro Bay and the Central Coast. This is a new talk show that will air on the First Saturday of the month and on the fifth Saturday in months that have five Saturdays. With April 22 nd being Earth Day, we plan to participate by planting a Californian Scrub Oak in the garden area at the front of the church on that day at 12:30 P.M. We are inviting the community to attend and help with the planting. This area is being developed as a meditation garden open to the community of Morro Bay.

4 Plant a Tree for Earth Day By Ruth Ann Angus, Director, Earth Care Ministry With interest in environmental justice growing, this Earth Day on April 22 nd many people will join groups to do something positive for our planet. Joining in with the global grassroots movement to end the crucifixion of the earth is of major interest for faith-based groups. Others realize that the complex global economic problems are not solved easily or quickly but that disengaging the welfare of the plants and animals from our own welfare is wrong. So, we come together on common ground on this one day of the year to try to clean things up as best we can and to spread the word, create new life, and practice earth care. Many areas of the Central Coast are not places where trees grow abundantly. Although town neighborhoods have trees of all kinds, the native oak tree is seen on hillsides in more rural areas. A visit to the northern coast of California is refreshing as you drive through forests of redwood, pine, and fir. Trees are good for us; even essential as creators of oxygen. In the Spring issue of the Solstice Green Directory an article mentioned how trees and shrubs around people s homes contributed to better mental health. And birds certainly enjoy them! Recently local Rotary clubs have taken on the challenge to plant trees throughout the county. Researching what kind of trees would do best in any given area is necessary to keep alien species at bay. Finding that trees are not natural to an area gives the opportunity to plant native bushes and shrubs instead. This Earth Day you have an opportunity to join with the people of Earth Care Ministry of First Christian Church in Morro Bay to plant an oak tree in the garden area in front of the church. Earth Care members are looking for a few good volunteers to come out and help as they plant a California oak in an area being developed as a meditation garden that will be accessible year-round to the public. Planting will take place at 12:30 P.M. on Sunday, April 22 nd. Necessary equipment for planting will be supplied. All that is needed is your muscle! First Christian Church is located at 2050 Ironwood Avenue. For more information call Ruth Ann Angus on the Radio On the first (and fifth) Saturday of each month, Ruth Ann Angus will be on Rock Radio 97.3 FM & AM, from 1-1:30 pm. The program is also available on

5 TAKE THE PLEDGE WITH THE EARTH CARE MOVEMENT I PROMISE TO BE KIND TO OUR PLANET, TO DO MY BEST TO TURN AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION, REVERSE CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING AND TO STAND TOGETHER WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF PLANET EARTH TO CLAIM OUR TRUE IDENTITY AS CHILDREN OF MOTHER EARTH AND THE CREATOR AT ONE WITH EVERY HUMAN BEING, EVERY CREATURE, AND THE AIR, WATER AND LAND. Signature Name Address Phone I would like to attend events put on by Earth Care I would like to receive information about Earth Care Turn in at event or mail to: First Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) P.O. Box 537, Morro Bay, CA Web site: morrobayfcc@gmail.com

6 Birthdays Anniversaries Wilda Byng 3 Pat & Tom Mangione 7 Monica Schotanus 13 Jim & Norma Johnson 10 Meredith Johnson 15 Phyllis Balsano 17 Joe Salas 20 PRAYERS FOR: Richard Elliott 21 Earth Care Ministries Barbara Chin 22 Claudia Foster 27 HEALING PRAYERS FOR: Richard Woods Jean Johnson Ruth Ann Angus Jim Johnson Wilda Byng Izabel Stuart Nancy Hoyt Joan (Sister of Pat) Carol (Betty R. sister) Military of Our Church Josh Bigbee Nathan McAdams Traveler s Pat & Tom Mangione Kay Pinniger Rollie & Sue Bigbee Marilyn Dever Bereavement Family of Bill Hintz Family of Jeanne Hoyt Refugees Kay s Sunday School Class Peace in the World Growth for our Church Opportunities to Share Our Faith Victims of Gun Violence

7 Prayer Group Everyone is welcome to join us at 9:30 every Wednesday. We pray together for worldly and personal concerns. Please let us know if you have a prayer request. Membership / Baptism Class Please speak to Rev. Kurrasch if you are interested in a Membership / Baptism class. The class will be offered in May and September or at the convenience of those wish to attend. CRAFTS The CWF planning meeting on Feb.21 led the members to examine what the small might accomplish for They are planning the following: May 5 Jewelry sale Oct. 27 Craft and Jewelry Sale Bring jewelry donations as soon as possible The group is no longer able to handle second time items (rummage). Please join us Wednesdays, 10 am for Crafts, Lunch & Fellowship. Invite a friend.

8 2018 April 2 & 3 April 22 May 5 Oct. 27 Prado Meal Earth Care Service, Tree Planting & lunch CWF Jewelry Sale - 9-1pm CWF Craft & Jewelry Sale Food Donations Needed at Church Reminder Food donations are taken the first Sunday of each month for the Salvation Army SIGN-UP to Host the Fellowship Hour The church supplies cheese, crackers & cookies with coffee and juice. All you need to do is make the coffee, set out the food and clean-up. Donations are needed to pay for the Fellowship Hours. Thank you to those who have donated. Adult Sunday School Everyone is invited to attend Adult Sunday School every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 am. Starting April 8 th, our book study will be They Will Inherit the Earth by John Dear.

9 We Have Been Accepted and Received Our Certificate The purpose of the Green Chalice Program is to encourage and assist local congregations/doc Offices and Assemblies who wish to live out their faith by caring for creation. This program is designed to recognize congregations for being good stewards of God s creation. It also aims to empower congregations/assemblies with ideas and resources to enable them to walk gently on the earth. The program has two tiers. The first level is to become a Green Chalice Congregation/Assembly. The second level is to become a CERTIFIED Green Chalice Congregation or Assembly. Level One Step 1: Form a Green Team The first step simply requires someone to gather other church members who are passionate for creation who will commit to meeting regularly to examine the church s practices and to facilitate change. Step 2: Sign the Green Chalice Covenant The second step requires that your green team reads and signs the Green Chalice Covenant as a sign of your commitment. Step 3: Make three changes We have made the following changes as required: No Styrofoam, Energy efficient lighting, Recycling, Creation Care Study and Eco-friendly cleaning products. The Disciples Seminary Foundation Offers a Prayer for Peace on the

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11 April, 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Food Collection Easter Sunday Prado Meal Prep Prado Meal Serve Prayer 9:30 am Crafts 10 am Birthday Sunday Prayer 9:30 am Crafts 10 am Board Mtg. Prayer 9:30 am Crafts 10 am Earth Care Service Earth Day Choir Performance Prayer 9:30 am Crafts 10 am Elders Mtg. 2 pm Choir Rehearsal 3 pm

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