Dear Friends, Advent Waiting.

Transcription

1 December 2017 Dear Friends, Advent Waiting. We are now in the season of Advent. It is a time of preparation and waiting. If I could give DCC a gift, I would devise an Advent calendar for the birth of a new Senior Pastor at DCC. Maybe it would be a jar, or a calendar with little boxes, or some other tactile reminder of this time of waiting. What would you create to tuck behind each one of those little boxes or squares? Maybe each day you could write a note, a dream, a wish, or a prayer for this process and for the Pastoral Search Committee and the church. Maybe you could write something that could be shared with that person when they are named pastor -- a blessing, an intention, or a gratitude. Whether it s a tangible reminder, or a silent prayer, or an intentional opening of your heart to another, I invite you to consider a daily practice of simply being with and embracing this sometimes painful and sometimes sweet time of anticipation. I don t like to wait, but I have found over my years of stressing and steaming while waiting for an appointment, standing in a line, or arriving early for a performance, that if I use that time for myself, I m much, much happier. I always have a book or a strategy for calming myself and using the unplanned waiting for something productive or relaxing. Indeed, we are still waiting, but what can we do to make that time fulfilling rather than frustrating? How do we prepare, much as the hymns and carols say, prepare the way of the Lord, prepare Him room, and where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in? Please join me in the wait. Reverend Gail

2 United Church of Christ 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd Danville, CA Danville Congregational Church is an Open and Affirming church, welcoming all of God s people of diverse race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic condition, and physical, mental and emotional ability. Telephone: (925) Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 AM 3 PM Worship Sunday at 9:30 AM Everyone is welcome! Ministers The Entire Congregation Church Staff The Rev. Gail Doering, Interim Senior Pastor The Rev. Eric Sherlock, Associate Pastor John Kendall Bailey, Music Director Mary-Marie Deauclaire, Handbell Director Janice Inman, Preschool Director Blair Hansen, Office Administrator Elizabeth Setlak-von Thury, Operations Coordinator Church Officers Kristina Kelchner, Moderator Charlie Hasselbrink and Kyra Kennedy, Vice Moderators Steve Bridgeman, Treasurer Syd and Leslie Dent, Financial Secretaries Kim Michaud, Church Clerk Commissioners Alice Donovan, Buildings and Grounds Amy Furber-Dobson, Children s Ministries Trish Moosbrugger, Faith Journeys Steve Paroli, Membership Alene Miskovetz, Outreach Heidi Bridgeman, Stewardship Judy Gestring, Youth Ministries Preschool Board Janet Apostolo, Nancy Dowell, Judy Halden, Janice Inman, Sandra Lepley, Nicole Noga, Anne Seiler Rev. Gail s Pastoral Relations Committee: Bette Felton, Karol Mead, Richard Stein, Melissa Tumaneng Rev. Eric s Pastoral Relations Committee: Laura Beaver, Chris Callison, Judy Halden, Alex Hasselbrink - from the Discovery Team presentation to Council, July 2017 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. Our Deacons 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 contact any Deacon with your requests for prayer, or to be a part of the Prayer Support Team. Prayer requests can also be ed to prayers@danvillechurch.org. Larry Berlin Dee Brook Bette Felton Carol Gerich Peggy Gierke Nancy Hill Janis Jang Mary Kay McClure Anne Seiler Diane Stein Richard Stein 2 The Good News

3 December Worship Services December 3 ~ First Sunday of Advent December 10 ~ Second Sunday of Advent December 17 ~ All Music Sunday December 24 ~ Christmas Eve 9:30 AM: Intergenerational Pageant 5:00 PM: Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship Godly Play Schedule During December, Godly Play and Holy Moly will enjoy combined classes! We will resume our two class model on January 14. December 3 All Church Family Worship December 10 Advent 1 and 2 December 17 Advent 3 and 4 December 24 Christmas Pageant during the 9:30 Worship Service December 31 All Church Family Worship December 31 ~ The Royal Diadem January Worship Services For the New Year (2018) your preachers/pastors will be taking a break from the sermon series and preach sermons based upon the weekly lectionary readings. More information to come! Circle Assignments Date Circle Assignment Backup Circle 12/03/17 BALSAM OLIVE 12/10/17 CEDAR PINE 12/17/17 CYPRESS WILLOW 12/24/17 (AM) OAK ALMOND 12/24/17 (PM) OLIVE BALSAM 12/31/17 PINE CEDAR 1/7/2018 WILLOW CYPRESS 1/14/2018 ALMOND OAK 1/21/2018 BALSAM OLIVE 1/28/2018 CEDAR PINE Youth Calendar and News December 2 9:00AM 4:00PM Holiday Pop Up Shop Youth Group Fundraiser in Kairos Hall. If you signed up to staff our refreshment booth, please arrive on time for your shift! December 3 9:30AM All Church Family Worship 6:00 8:00 PM Youth Group Join us for a fun night of holiday craft making! We will be decorating holiday table centerpieces to donate to Shelter, Inc. December 10 9:30 Worship 6:00 8:00 Youth and Family Christmas Party at the Seiler s *Youth Group will be on break from December 17 January 21 because of the Christmas holiday and school vacation. We hope to see you at either our 9:30 AM Christmas Pageant or the 5:00 PM Candlelight Worship Service on Christmas Eve! We will resume our weekly gatherings on January 21. December

4 We d love to know about your joys and concerns. If you have something to share in the next newsletter, please send it to Peggy Gierke by December 20. Prayers of Healing... Deborah Daily's friends Kelli and Terri, both battling cancer Jackie McKinley Tim Seiler, who had knee replacement surgery, Nov. 15 Richard and Diane Stein's friend, Joanne Reynolds, who recently underwent open heart surgery Prayers of Sympathy... To the Cascio family upon the death of their mother, Britta Cascio, on October 26. Britta was a faithful member for 59 years, and contributed much to the life of DCC. A service to honor her life is scheduled for January 27, Barb Peterson 18 Doug Leach 19 Randy Jang 21 Kimi DeBarger-Gestring 28 Bonnie Powers 30 Bob Britt 31 Caitlin Kawaguchi Please enter your birthday and/or anniversary on the calendar in Koinonia Hall if you would like to be celebrated on your special day! To Margie Czajkowski and her husband Tony, upon the recent death of Tony's brother in law. Prayers of Gratitude... Kim Michaud, thanksgiving for another good MRI for her brother in law Chris, who was diagnosed with brain cancer 3 years ago. Continued Prayers... Ken Boehmert Sylvia Martino Chris Sonnemann Karen Anderson 4 The Good News

5 DCC 3rd Annual Christmas Party Saturday, December 2, 6:30 9:30 PM Mark your calendars for these special DCC events, good times, and fellowship. Intergenerational Plug-In Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 24 The Children s Commission is excited to announce our Intergenerational plug in Christmas Pageant to be held on December 24 during the morning church service. The telling of the story will be very similar to years past; how- ever, this year there will be no rehearsals, there will also be no lines to remember. Our hope is that the impromptu nature of the pageant will encourage as many people as possible to take part. We know it s a busy time of year and sometimes people have chosen not to be involved because they could not make rehearsals. We will offer two after church costume fittings on December 10 and 17 for those who KNOW they want to take part, but there will also be costumes available the morning of the pageant for those who want to plug in last minute. Available roles will include angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and the Narrator. If you know that you d like to be part of the pageant, please send Amy Furber- Dobson an at amyafurber@yahoo.com and try to make a fitting on December 10 or 17. Please also feel free to arrive on December 24 and plug-in to a part then, too! What Come join your DCC friends for an evening of Fun, Frivolity, Wine, Food and Joyous Christmas Caroling! When: Saturday, December 2, 7-10 pm Where: Kairos Hall What to Bring A heavy appetizer or a dessert to share, plus your beverage of choice The Kiddies We will provide childcare. Please sign up in advance with Joyce Klassen, so we can plan accordingly. Carpool If you're not comfortable driving at night, but would like to come, let Joyce know and we can figure out transportation Info joyce.klassen@comcast.net or call December

6 Eric And Matt Celebration April 15, :00AM Youth Group Fundraiser Sunday, January 28 8:45 9:45 AM Danville Congregational Church is excited that Pastor Eric will be marrying his longtime partner Matt Wintheiser next summer. There will be a church wide celebration of their engagement at DCC on Sunday April 15 th beginning at 11am. All are invited and welcome! Please join Eric and Matt in this celebration of their life commitment to each other. Additional details will be provided as the date gets closer! If you have any questions or want to help, please contact Carol Gilliland (carol@loveablefeast.com; ). Mark your calendar for the Youth Group FUNDrive on Sunday, January 28 from 8:45 9:45 AM at the church s parking lot. By donating gently-used clothing, shoes, accessories, books, linens, and small household items (no furniture), you can help raise funds for our Youth Group and their upcoming trip to the Western Regional Youth Event in Honolulu, Hawaii June Start gathering up your donations today! Watch for more information, and feel free to Judy Gestring at ndzmoms@comcast.net with any questions. Some have asked about their wedding - Eric and Matt will be having a small gathering for friends and family at a private home next summer. 6 The Good News

7 Exciting News! The Pastoral Search Committee (PSC) was elected by the congregation in June of Members were chosen to represent the diverse nature of our congregation and we hope you feel comfortable approaching one or more of us. The PSC has made a unanimous decision to bring forth a candidate for senior pastor. The Moderator Team has accepted our proposal. The next step in the search and call process is a candidating sermon and congregational vote. These will take place during and immediately following worship on Sunday, December 17, followed by a brunch. Prior to Candidating Sunday, there will be a special 90-minute 2nd hour with the PSC, Moderator Team and Discovery Team on Sunday, December 3. Everyone is invited to attend. The candidate we found is a great preacher and wonderful minister, wise beyond years, full of love and compassion, an incredible person. And even knowing all our faults, still wants to be our pastor. I think you'll agree with the PSC when we say we believe God is calling Rev. Eric Sherlock to be our Senior Minister! The Pastoral Search Committee Allison Seiler, Barb DeBarger, Bob Hardy, David Fetherstonhaugh, Deborah Daily, Jim Felton, John Klassen, Kim Lawrence, Nancy Snyder Celebrating Rev. Gail s Ministry New beginnings are also often a time of closure. Our beloved Interim Senior Minister, Reverend Gail Doering, has been with us for nearly two years. The Moderator Team has talked with and prayed with Gail, and we have mutually agreed that it is time to begin her transition to other work. Gail will be with us through the end of January or early February, with the final date to be determined by Council. Gail has been awarded a competitive grant to travel and study in Israel, which is work that she will begin in the spring. So the time feels right, both for Gail and for DCC. A lot has happened over the past two years, some you may have agreed with, some not, but as Gail's sermon today reminded us, it's not about the outcome. It's about love. And one thing that is clear about Gail is that through all the ups and downs, with all of our imperfections, Gail has loved us. In doing so, she has helped us to better love one another, and to be God's love for each other. There will be much to say and much to celebrate about Gail's ministry. We will have a Godspeed service for Gail, tentatively scheduled for January 14. Let Kristina Kelchner or Rev. Eric know if you would like to participate in some way in this special service of gratitude and farewell for Rev. Gail. The Moderator Team December

8 Office Staff Update Meet Liz, our new Operations Coordinator! Meet Blair, our new Office Administrator! Blair Hansen has a wide range of experience from working within the Commercial Property Management industry, sales and management of a high-end Landscape Company, conducting the operations in a groundbreaking travel company for their luxury Ultimate Escapes Vacations and was an awardwinning professional musician for fifteen years. He has also written for a few documentaries, commercials, and movies. In his spare time, Blair loves watching any kind of documentary, hiking with his family, travel, and considers himself to be both an animal and human rights activist. He is excited to work with DCC and is looking forward to meeting everyone! Elizabeth Setlak-von Thury has a long history as a management professional. She worked in retail as a store manager for 20 years for a variety of upscale retailers. She is experienced in operational and people management, human resource administration, supply management and inventory tracking. She also is a former business owner. Liz is originally from Chicago, Illinois, where she worked as an inventory allocator for International Harvester (Navistar). Liz won numerous sales achievement awards with her last employer, Le Creuset. Her awards included a trip to Paris, France; Highest Percent Over Budget; Excellence in Payroll Management vs Budget and Exceeding a Million in Sales in first year of business. She was the first to receive this honor in the record of Le Creuset national sales history. She currently lives in San Ramon, and likes to garden, make jewelry, sew, decorate, dance and go for walks. She is excited to be with DCC! 8 The Good News

9 November #TGIF Christmas Bells Quattro Reaches Out to the Community Quattro, DCC s new handbell quartet, will be presenting songs of the season at the Annual Holiday Party at the Cancer Support Community holiday event in Walnut Creek on December 8. Their presentation is part of the group s effort to reach out to the community. Twenty folks gathered at the home of John and Joyce Klassen in San Ramon for a fun end-of-week gathering! Typical of all DCC events, people brought lots of very different and tasty dishes to share. People who are long standing members had a chance to meet with newer people to DCC it was so fun to see connections being made by our friends whose paths don t always cross in the life and activities of DCC. Our thanks to all who attended. The people that joined us for these past 2 TGIF events really enjoyed it, so we think we should continue it next year. Watch out for upcoming dates and locations. If anyone would like to host or has questions about what it entails (very little!) please contact Joyce. Joyce.klassen@comcast.net. Quattro was formed this year to to provide additional handbell music for Sunday morning worship as well as musical events in the area. The musicians are Mary-Marie Deauclaire, Janis Jang, Joan Tilson, and Karen Kawaguchi. Celebration Bells, DCC s larger handbell ensemble, will playfor worship on December 17 at Christmas Music Sunday, December

10 Can You Hear Me Now? Are you enjoying hearing the improved sound of our thought provoking sermons and the inspirational music of the choir and performers? Early in November an updated sound system was installed in the sanctuary to provide much better audio. A large part of improvements made to the existing system was replacing the old suspended speakers. The new speakers are designed to create a cleaner, more natural sound, and they have been repositioned for better distribution throughout the sanctuary. Funds to pay for upgrading the system were provided by memorial gifts on behalf of Gary Dowell, Bob Wilkins, and Bruce Blair. The equipment was selected by the Buildings and Grounds Commission working and negotiating extensively with One Way Media Solutions which also did the installation. If you are still having trouble hearing during our services at DCC, consider using one of the five individual headsets that are available. Just contact the sound system coordinator, usually found at the sound system technical box at the right rear of the sanctuary as you enter. Can You See Me Now? You actually might not experience improved visibility in the sanctuary but we are hoping our electric bill begins to look better. Having the 26 foot lift available after One Way Media Solutions completed installation of the new speakers, the B&G team (John Bassett, Brett Clark, and Tom Sonnemann) was able to utilize it to replace the remaining fluorescent bulbs in the sanctuary with LEDs. The project wasn t as simple as screwing in a new bulb. All the ballasts had to be retrofitted to accommodate the LEDs. Additionally, some of the sound equipment (e.g., mixing board) was replaced to provide enhanced capabilities and performance. This is part of our conservation effort to conserve energy that has been paid for out of the Green Fund. 10 The Good News

11 College Care Packages Do you remember what it was like to receive unexpected personal mail from a friend? Imagine what it was like for our college students to receive one of Danville Congregational Church s College Care Packages during Final Time. Through YOUR generous donations, snacks and Starbucks cards were posted on their merry way on October 26 th. All Deacons worked on various phases of this project. Larry Berlin, Mary Kay McClure, and Anne Seiler saw it through the final stage of the process by packaging the boxes with the cards signed by members of the congregation. Special thanks to Karen Kawaguchi and Kim Michaud for tracking down the final few elusive addresses. This is a shining example of how it really does take a village to let our college students know that we are thinking of them! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. Christmas for Others This years Christmas for Others project is now underway. Shelter, Inc. will not be providing names of the residents of Mountain View Emergency Family Shelter this year, but has instead asked us to provide gifts that their staff can distribute at Christmas to those in their care. The following items have been requested: Educational toys for infants (0-3 years) Books (all levels) Board games Manicure sets Lego sets Arts and Craft sets Baby dolls and Barbie s Family friendly DVDs Action figures Music (CDs) Bay Area sports apparel (teen sizes) Pajamas These items (multiples of each will be needed) can be delivered to the church unwrapped or wrapped. If they are wrapped make sure you write the contents on the wrapping. Also, all items should be new. You can also provide $25 Kohl s or Target gift cards, cash, or $25 Target gift cards for the residents of the Mary McGovern House. If you would like to join this Christmas project, sign-up during fellowship time. All gifts are due in the church office no later than Thursday, December 7. Contact Richard Stein if you d like additional information. December

12 Request for Endowment Contributions Support vital church activities and reduce your taxes, too. Did you know that DCC has an endowment fund? This fund plays a key role in support of church activities ranging from youth group and music needs to outreach services and capital improvements. A contribution to this fund can help ensure support for these activities in the future. And the timing could not be better. With stock indices at record levels, you may have substantial capital gains that, if held outside of a retirement account, would be subject to taxes. Allocate just a portion of these gains to the DCC Endowment Fund, and you can reduce your tax liability while helping to ensure funding for future church programs. Here are some contribution options you might consider: Charitable gift through a retirement plan (such as an IRA or 401-k). Charitable gift of stocks and securities outside of a retirement plan, to potentially reduce income, capital gains and estate taxes. Name DCC as the beneficiary of your will and/or trust You ll want to discuss these options with your tax advisor to understand the potential tax consequences and impact on your finances. For more information about the fund and the positive contribution it makes to our lives at DCC, please contact Bruce Hixon at: brucehixon@comcast.net Needed! Greeters for Our Renters The Tenant Relations Committee is in search of a few great people to greet and help our renters when they occupy our Church for events. Duties to include opening the Church prior to each event, ascertaining that all their needs are covered, and returning prior to the end to make sure the facility is in useable condition for the next tenant and securing the premises. Most events are on Saturday afternoon/evening for two to three hours. The pay is $50 per event. Candidates must be dependable. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested, please contact Rev. Gail or any member of the Tenant Relations Committee, Judy Halden, Pat McGrath, Randy Jang, or Penny Atkin. Habitat for Humanity Field Day The last Habitat for Humanity Faith Partner Field Day for 2017 is Saturday, December 16. This is a great opportunity to join other faith partners along with the future residents to help build single family homes at the Muir Ridge Site off Pacheco Blvd in Martinez. No experience is required. Habitat staff provides the tools and the training and lunch). Habitat has even set up a website h to make it easy for you to sign up. Contact Richard Stein if you d like additional information. 12 The Good News

13 Are we there yet? Seventeen fabulous women turned out for a wonderful inaugural walk on November 11! It was a lovely time of walking, talking, and making connections. For those of you not there, we walked in Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve. There were a lot of hills, but luckily the fog hid them a little so they were not always in our sight! Alene Miskovetz started us off with a lovely reading on how God is always by our side. We came upon a large herd of cows and calves at the top who definitely mooed their displeasure at our presence and blocked our path to progress and our goal of seeing the huge cross on top of the hill off Norris Canyon! All in all a very fun time :-) The next walk is scheduled for Dec 16 at 8.30am. The group agreed that monthly hikes worked well and we ll work to get those dates on the calendar for We will post the location of the walk ahead of time ( and DCC communications) and will meet at the location rather than at DCC and hope you will join us. We are going with the group name (for now!) of "Are we there yet?. It s a question often asked while hiking, but we feel it also reflects on us as we move along on the journey of life, there always being in our future, keeping us moving along. If you are not one of the 44 already on the list (what fantastic interest!!), please ask Joyce Klassen (joyce.klassen@comcast.net) to add you to it. December

14 Keep in Touch There are numerous ways you can keep in contact with other members and friends: The weekly (usually sent on Thursday) has information about what's happening in the life of the church. If you are not receiving it and would like to, please let the office know. The Sunday Bulletin contains lots of great information. The monthly newsletter is available in both electronic and print forms. Are you receiving the print copy, but would rather receive it in your (saving paper and postage)? Or are you not receiving either? Please let the office know. If you are in a circle, you should be receiving the weekly prayer requests from your caring coordinator. If you are not in a circle but would like to be, please contact Kim Michaud. Are you in our electronic directory? Is your information up to date? Not sure? Be sure to check it out! For mobile phones, go to your app store and download the Instant Church Directory app. On your computer, g0 to and click on "church member sign-in." Then follow the directions to create a login (you must use the address you have posted in the DCC directory). Please remember, our church directory and any personal contact information the church has collected about our members and friends may only be used for fostering the fellowship and ministry of the church and not for commercial use or gain. 14 The Good News

15 Sign up for UCC Daily Devotional Did you know the UCC publishes a daily online devotional that arrives in your inbox today, tomorrow, every single day?! Devotions are short, less than 300 words, and feature some of the UCC's most insightful voices. To register for the Still Speaking Daily Devotional go to: Stay Connected You can also follow the UCC on and and sign up for UCC weekly news and updates by visiting their website at And don t forget to stay connected with the Danville Congregational Church on and and receive s from DCC by signing up at December

16 December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM AA (tentative) 2 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Joyous Christmas Party 3 Balsam Circle Communion Sunday 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Quattro Rehearsal 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Celebration Bells Rehearsal 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Youth Group and Food Fundraiser :30 AM - 1:00 PM Pilgrimage Group 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Women's Spiritual Formation Group #1 10 Cedar Circle 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Commission Meetings 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Celebration Bells Rehearsal 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Youth Group and Family Christmas Party Cypress Circle Ingathering Sunday 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Celebration Bells Rehearsal 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship 24 Oak Circle (AM Service) 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship and Christmas Pageant Olive Circle (PM Service) 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 31 Pine Circle 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship 18 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM PFLAG 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Women's Spiritual Formation Group #1 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Theology on Tap :30 PM - 2:45 PM Women's Spiritual Formation Group #1 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Finance Committee 6 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Women's Spiritual Formation Group #4 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Tenant Relations Committee 13 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Women's Spiritual Formation Group #4 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dayspring Pre-K Holiday Program 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Dayspring Preschool Board 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Women's Spiritual Formation Group # :30 PM - 2:45 PM Women's Spiritual Formation Group #1 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Council Meeting 27 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Women's Spiritual Formation Group #4 7 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Spiritual Formation Group #3 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Women's Spirituality Group #5 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Rev. Eric's PRC :00 AM - 12:00 PM Diaconate Meeting 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Spiritual Formation Group #3 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Women's Spirituality Group #5 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dayspring Preschool Holiday Program 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM OWL (Our Whole Lives) :30 AM - 12:30 PM Spiritual Formation Group #3 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Women's Spirituality Group # :30 AM - 12:30 PM Spiritual Formation Group #3 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Women's Spirituality Group #