The Chimes. January 2016 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EDEN CHURCH? Volume 20 No. 1

Transcription

1 Volume 20 No. 1 The Chimes January 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 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EDEN CHURCH? The first big question that we have taken up in our strategic planning process is the question of purpose what is the purpose of Eden Church? The Congregation contributed helpful responses at our All-Church Strategic Planning Retreat which was held on Saturday, Oct 24, The Strategic Team met in November to workshop those ideas into a concise statement. The current draft of our purpose statement reads as follows: Eden Church is a parish community that strives to follow Christ s example by: offering hospitality and sanctuary to all worshipping God who is still speaking nurturing spiritual growth and well-being for people of all ages listening and responding to the needs of our community, and amplifying the voices of our neighbors The terms parish community were carefully chosen to describe Eden members desire to minister to and with congregants and residents of our surrounding community. The term parish is a familiar one to some and foreign to others. Etymologically speaking, the term is an ecclesiastical and administrative word based on the Latin root perokia, referring to an area of land and the inhabitants who reside near a particular church. In the case of Eden UCC, the geographical area surrounding our campus is known as the Eden Area. This area encompasses Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Hayward, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo. While we do draw members from 11 zip codes, the majority of Eden s participants reside in the Eden Area. For this and other practical reasons, the Strategic Team is presenting a first-draft of our purpose statement for the congregation s consideration which utilizes the terms parish community, that defines our parish and our scope of ministry as the Eden Area. We look forward to hearing your thoughts about this concept and the entire draft purpose statement on Sunday, January 10, during our post-worship focus group session. Please see the article inside the January Chimes about this next All-Church event. ~ Pastor Arlene 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. 1 Page 2 Christmas Eve, Dec 24 & Christmas Offering Worship on Christmas Eve will begin at 7 pm. Volunteers are needed to greet visitors and returning members and to serve as ushers. To volunteer, please contact Stephanie Spencer. Attention all bakers! Please share your favorite cookie recipe and spread a little holiday cheer by donating homemade Christmas cookies for our Dec 24 Fellowship Hour. A sign-up sheet will be in the Church Office on Dec 6. Volunteers are also needed to help with the setup and cleanup of our Christmas Eve Fellowship. If interested, please contact Susie Newman, Fellowship Coordinator. Our annual Christmas offering will be received on Sunday, Dec 20, and on Christmas Eve, Dec 24. The Christmas offering supports the many important programs, services, and spiritual life of Eden Church. Look for your Christmas offering envelope by mail or pick one up in the Church Office or in your worship bulletin. For further information, contact Dianne Dorn, Chair of Stewardship. Moravian Love Feast, Dec 27 In honor of the First Sunday after Christmas Day, we will have a special service in Oliver Hall called a Moravian Love Feast. The Moravian Love Feast service is based on the tradition of the Moravian Church, one of our earliest Protestant churches, which has used Love Feasts to celebrate Christmas and other events for over 300 years. Moravian history says the first love feast in America was in 1753, upon the arrival of the first Moravian colonists in North Carolina, where they established a settlement in the Winston- Salem area. Today there are about 800,000 Moravians worldwide in 350 churches. In the US, they are most commonly found in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, their original settlement areas. Their slogan remains: In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things, love and they are known for their core values of simplicity, happiness, unintrusiveness, fellowship, and service. Just as the traditional Moravian Love Feast celebrates the birth of Christ through scripture reading and prayer, the singing of hymns, the lighting of candles, and the serving of Moravian buns and coffee, so will the Love Feast here at Eden. Please join us at 10 am in Oliver Hall to participate in this special service. Three Kings Are Coming! Tres Reyes Worship & Celebration, Jan 3 The Kings are Coming! Three Kings Day / Tres Reyes Magos will happen Jan 3 at Eden Church. Three Kings is the celebration of the Magi who come to visit Mary, Joseph, and their newborn son, Jesus. The Kings bring wonderful gifts for Jesus and his parents. The Three Kings Celebration is an opportunity for the Cherryland Leaders to give back to Eden Church in all the work we do by sharing this important religious holiday together. Everyone is invited to join in celebrating the Three Kings Celebration / Fiesta de Tres Reyes Magos, which will include a free lunch (with both kid-friendly and not-spicy options) served to all by the Cherryland Parents, and fun entertainment for the whole family. Whether you re a church member, church youth, or a community member, everyone is invited and encouraged to attend this event! All in attendance can take part in the activities, and gifts will be given to all children ages 0-12 by the Three Kings. For more information, please contact Corina Vasaure. Office Volunteers Wanted! The Church Office is in need of multiple volunteers to help with tasks such as stuffing the Sunday worship bulletins and preparing monthly letters and newsletters to be mailed to our congregation. These volunteer positions are a great fit for those who have availability on Friday mornings, but work is available at other times. If interested, please contact Church Administrator Krista Coburn at krista@edenucc.com. Take a Lookilu and See What s New! Building the Nacimiento Building the Nacimiento Nacimiento All Complete 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.

3 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 1 Page 3 Carol & Janice Beautify the Sanctuary Update on Strategic Planning: Jan 10 Focus Groups Following the all-church retreat in late October, Eden s Strategic Planning Team drafted a purpose statement and goals for our next Strategic Plan. On Jan 5, Church Council will review the purpose and goals. And on Sunday, Jan 10, it will be the congregation s turn to review and comment on the proposed purpose and goals. This review and comment will take the form of a series of focus groups after worship. All members are encouraged to sign up in advance. Then on Jan 10 everyone who can stay will be assigned to one of four focus groups. In place of our usual coffee hour in Oliver Hall, coffee and refreshments will be served in the focus group meeting rooms (Norberg, Jensen, Community, and Fireside). Sign up on the clipboard in the Church Office. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Pepper. Valentine Lunch, Feb 12 The Fellowship 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, will begin reading Ta-Nehisi Coates Between the World and Me, a touching letter by an African-American man to his teenage son. For more information, contact Daniella Prym. Elisa Decorates the Sanctuary Tree Comida para Cherryland Winter Schedule Comida para Cherryland, Eden s just-in-time food pantry, celebrated its 3rd 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 December will be Wednesdays, Jan 13 and 27. 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. Holiday Preview Dec 20 4th Sunday in Advent, Baptism & New Members, Christmas Offering & Tres Reyes Gift Collection, 10 am Gift Wrapping, 11:30 am Dec 24 Noche Buena / Christmas Eve, 7 pm Dec 27 Moravian Love Feast, 10 am Jan 3 Epiphany & Tres Reyes Fiesta, 10 am Advent Decorating NCNC Midwinter Junior High Camp, Jan Mid-Winter Camp will be Jan 16 (1 pm) to Jan 18 (11 am), 2016, at Camp Sempervirens in Boulder Creek (Santa Cruz Mountains). This camp is for youth in middle school Grades 6 to 8, plus youth leaders. Registration is available online at If you plan to register your youth, please let Pastor Pepper know in order to coordinate with other parents. Kids in the Kitchen, Jan 31 On Sunday, Jan 31, our youth (Grades 7-12) will be in charge of our post-worship Fellowship! Come to on Jan 24 to learn all about our hospitality ministry, help choose our menu, and decide 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.

4 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 1 Page 4 Christmas Cards to Natori, Japan 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 857 likes and Cherryland Computer Café now has 158 likes on Facebook!. Follow us on now has 527 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). Our Hope for Japan This year, Eden Church sent Christmas hopes and prayers to Natori Church and Aizu Radiation Center, both of which are located in the part of Japan seriously affected by the 2011 tsunami and Fukishima nuclear reactor disaster. Eden s greetings include 35 ink drawings made the children of Eden s Church School and Comida program. Before being mailed, the ink drawings served as a banner in the sanctuary and were blessed by the congregation on Dec. 13. Unity in the Community, Dec 26 In light of a recent anti-muslim incident at Lake Chabot, there will be an interfaith rally & walk for peace, acceptance, and freedom of religion on Dec 26. Local Christian, Jewish, Unitarian, and Muslim congregations will gather at the Castro Valley BART parking lot at noon and walk to Anita Street and back to demonstrate that people of different faiths can love, learn, and live together in peace. Everyone is invited to participate in this important demonstration, which will be followed by other opportunities in 2016 to learn about the faith traditions of our neighbors. For more information, contact Pastor Pepper. It s Not Too Late! Birthdays & Anniversaries January Birthdays Vivian Faingainuku 1/02 Sue Hakanson 1/02 Giovanni Nicholas-Fernandez 1/04 Karla Vega 1/05 Dianne Fletcher 1/06 Mary Graw 1/07 Stephanie Andrade 1/09 Josiah Amaya-Haro 1/11 Patricia Payne 1/15 Rebecca Kephart 1/16 Quinn Malloy 1/17 Karen Victorio 1/18 Lona Fryer 1/19 Nadiezhda Pereira 1/19 Nate Blake 1/22 Becki Wilson 1/22 Tabitha Aloo 1/22 Pat Ball 1/24 Tori Meyer 1/26 Michelle Borba 1/27 Angelarosa Alicea 1/27 Alliene Turner 1/29 January Anniversaries Vai & George Day 1/12 Alliene & Bob Turner 1/21 Jacque & Nate Blake 1/22 This year, instead of toys, the Spirit-in-Action and Compañeras/ os Ministry Program wants to give art supplies to the children who attend our Tres Reyes Worship & Celebration on Jan 3. For only $10, you can buy an art supply set including a 9 x 11 drawing pad, a Crayola color pencil set (10-12 ct), and Crayola washable marker set (10 ct) at local stores such as Kmart and Target. Or, if you prefer, gift cards and cash donations are welcome. Please bring your art supplies or donations for our Dec 20 gift collection. Gifts will be collected during worship and wrapped afterward. For information, contact Corina Vasaure.

5 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 1 Page 5 Christmas Pageant: The Marys and Josephs Save Christmas Can Xmas Be Saved? Xmas Pageant Singer The Text That Saved Xmas Mark Your Calendars Dec 20 4th Sunday in Advent, Sacrament of Baptism & Reception of New Members Dec 20 Tres Reyes Gift Collection & Wrapping Dec 24 Christmas Eve/Noche Buena Worship Dec 25 Christmas Day Jan 3 Epiphany / Tres Reyes Worship & Celebration Jan 10 Strategic Planning Focus Groups Jan NCNC Midwinter Junior High Camp (Grades 6-8) Jan 31 Kids in the Kitchen Event Feb 10 Ash Wednesday (Lent begins) Feb NCNC February Camp (Grades 9-12) Feb 12 Valentine Luncheon Feb 14 1st Sunday in Lent Feb 27 Game Night: Stewardship & Kids as Stewards Event Mar 12 Youth Spiritual Retreat at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley Mar 19 Ordination & Installation of Pepper Swanson Mar 20 Palm Sunday Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Worship & Tennebrae Service Mar 27 Easter Worship & Celebration

6 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 1 Page 6 Joys Fifteen children and youth as well as our choir performed in our Christmas Pageant on Dec 13 with 110 people in worship! The Natori Church and the Aizu Radiation Center in Japan will receive our Christmas greeting and 35 ink tree of hope drawings made by our church and Comida children. Congratulations to Lilia Gallegos-Seidel, who has passed the California Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing Exam! Muchas felicidades Lilia Gallegos-Seidel! Thank you to the Stewardship Committee and everyone who contributed to, and supported, the Holiday Bazaar. So far, we have raised approximately $2,300 for the Eden Church Operating Fund through this event. Congratulations to Dawn Coburn and Lori Winfrey, who were married in Oakland on Monday, Nov 23, Prayer Requests Two families in our congregation are in need of affordable housing. If you have a lead on a 2- or 3-bedroom house or apartment for rent, please contact Pastor Arlene. Prayers for Dan and the Apperson family. Dan was diagnosed with Melanoma this past week and will begin cancer treatments on an outpatient basis soon. 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 Dr. Beverley Ball, Pat Ball s sister, who passed away at 8 am on Thursday, Dec 3, Dr. Ball was an educator from a family with generations of educators. She taught physical education, motion, and dance, especially to younger children. For Ruth Baratta, who is living with vertigo. 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 will be held Saturday, Jan 16, 2016, beginning at 2 pm in the Eden Church Sanctuary. For Cindy Keune s brother, Arden Keune, who is in a 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 Ruth Schaap, who is in the Healthcenter at Baywood Court, recovering from a broken hip and hip surgery. 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. Christmas Thank You Notes to the Worship Team, Musicians, Deacons, Liturgists, Acolytes, and E-Team, who planned and carried out all of the Advent and Christmas programs and worship services. to the Deacons, Compañeras/os, and Trustees, who organized the campus Nacimiento and Christmas decorating and community lunch, and for all who decorated and kept the children busy. to the cast and crew of our 2015 Christmas pageant that was presented on Dec 13. to the Fellowship Committee, who provided our Happy Birthday, Jesus community lunch on Dec 13 and to our cookie bakers and fellowship hosts who made each Sunday in Advent lovely & welcoming. to the Compañeras/os and Spirit-in-Action Teams, who organized our gift in-gathering, sorting, and wrapping and to everyone who donated art supplies for our upcoming Tres Reyes Fiesta. to the Caring Circle, who organized our church Christmas card photos, signing, and delivery, and to all who took time to write a greeting and to those who signed and prepared our cards to Japan. to the Flower Committee, who shopped for and arranged the poinsettia display in the Sanctuary, and all who made visits, calls, and deliveries. to the Stewardship Committee, who developed the Christmas offering campaign, and for all who gave generously in support of this and our other offerings. to our dedicated Usher Coordinator & Crew, who coordinated ushers and greeters for all services and to all our warm and wonderful greeters and ushers who faithfully reported for duty on their assigned and impromptu occasions. to our church photographers, who captured the Christmas spirit at Eden. to our wonderful office volunteers, who stuffed our worship bulletins and mailed our newsletters. to our hard-working church staff who rise to every challenge presented by both the daily routine and extra duties associated with the Advent and Christmas season.

7 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 1 Page 7 January 2016 Duty Roster Date Jan 3 Jan 10 Jan 17 Jan 24 Jan 31 Liturgical Day Epiphany/Tres Reyes Magos First Sunday After Epiphany Second Sunday After Epiphany Third Sunday After Epiphany Fourth Sunday After Epiphany Scripture Is. 60:1-6 Ps. 72:1-7, Eph. 3:1-12 Matt. 2:1-12 Is. 43:1-7 Ps. 29 Acts 8:14-17 Lk. 3:15-22 Is. 62:1-5 Ps. 36: Cor. 12:1-11 Jn. 2:1-11 Neh. 8:1-10 Ps Cor. 12:12-31a Lk. 4:14-21 Jer. 1:4-10 Ps. 71:1-6 1 Cor. 13:1-13 Lk. 4:21-30 Preacher Arlene K. Nehring Arlene K. Nehring Nikira Hernandez Rob Parish Arlene K. Nehring Liturgist Children s Time Stephanie S. Spencer Corina Vasaure/Pepper Swanson Laura Seidel Jared Smith Bove Mary Haro Herb Graw Pepper Swanson Sara Mellas Pepper Swanson Nikira Hernandez Loving Arms Nursery Teachers Tres Reyes Worship: Children & Youth in Worship Jana Aloo & Rozetta Walth (K-6) Nikira Hernandez & Bob Turner (7-12) Corina Vasaure & Angelina Collier (K-6) Youth in Worship (7-12) Athena Malloy & Theressa Collier (K-6), Pepper Swanson & TBD (7-12) Nikira Hernandez & Jana Aloo (K-6) and Pepper Swanson & Jan Bass (7-12) (Kids in the Kitchen) Greeters TBD Russ Newman Pam Reuling Cindy Keune Cindy Keune Ushers Michael Stuber Keith Smith Jared Smith-Bove Stephanie Spencer Russ Newman Scott Swanson Theressa Collier Cindy Keune Pat Payne Michael Stuber Stephanie Spencer Scott Swanson Cindy Keune Trustee on Duty Jim Fryer Russ Newman Daniella Prym Bob Turner Jim Fryer Fellowship Hour Captains Susie Newman Shannon Whitney Jan Bass TBD Dan Apperson Nursery care is available at any time during worship for children age five and younger.

8 The Chimes Volume 20 No. 1 Page 8 January 2016 Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year 2 Holiday Eden Campus Closed Tres Reyes preparations :15a Tres Reyes Fiesta 10 4p Cherryland Computer Café 11 10a Eden Stitchers 11a Worship Team 7p Council 12 10a Seekers 12n Yoga 2p Comida Volunteer Training 13 7:30p Choir :15a Fellowship 11:30a Strategic Planning Focus Groups 17 11:15a Fellowship 11:30a ESLO 24 4p Cherryland Computer Cafe 18 MLK Holiday Eden Campus Closed 4p Hayward NAACP MLK Observance 25 10a Staff 10a Eden Stitchers 11a Worship Team 7p Trustees 19 10a Eden Stitchers 11a Worship Team 7p Strategic Planning Team 26 10a Seekers 12n Yoga 1:30p Comida para Cherryland 20 10a Seekers 12n Yoga 27 7:30p Choir 21 7:30p Choir 28 8:30a Strategic Planning Community Leaders p John Hasselkuss Memorial Service 11:15a Fellowship 31 4p Cherryland Computer Cafe 10a Eden Stitchers 11a Worship Team 7p EAF BOD 10a Seekers 12n Yoga 1:30p Comida para Cherryland 7:30p Choir :15a Fellowship & Kids in the Kitchen Cherryland Computer Cafe times are tentative