The Communicator

 

Community United Church of Christ is a progressive Christian gathering, serving God and humanity by sharing God’s Good News, embodying Christ’s loving acceptance, and working together for social and environment wholeness.

 

PASTOR’S PAGE

       

        Over the years, our attendance has always dropped right after Easter, and stayed low until mid-September.  So, how could we change that?  This is an exercise in imagination.  Does anything come to mind?

 

          We could give $5 to each newcomer, for the first three times they attend the whole worship service and stay for coffee.  As news spread we would get a number of youth and some underemployed folk, and maybe a few families with lots of kids.  Attendance would grow as word spread.  Of course we might have a new congregation every three weeks and run out of money very quickly.  I started writing this thinking it was a dumb idea.  Now I am not so sure.  It is pretty desperate and not faith based, but would it actually work?

 

          I do not think it would really build a community. It might give us a lot of company for a short period of time, but would not build a church.  Well, maybe if we became one of those “prosperity gospel” places where “God wants to make you rich.”

 

          So what else?  We are free to come up with and use or toss out any crazy idea we think up.  Our real imperative is to try to think up new things to do or old ideas to try again.

 

          There is some discussion of a one-week camp for kids including music, Bible, and even dance.  John Chen and Meg Malloy are the dreamers, but if Kalavaria would join us it might work?  What else?

 

          I keep remembering the story of a church that had only old members and was on the edge of folding up.  They decided that if they were going to fold, they were going to have a good time doing it.  They had such a good time, lots of people joined them and they stayed open.  I have no idea what they did.

 

          Got any ideas?  Send them to uccsc@uccsc.org.  Wacky or wonderful does not matter.  This could be fun!

 

          Peace and Joy to you.

 

                                                                             ~ Rolf ~

 

 

       

 

 

Deacons Fund

Under the supervision of the Deacons and our minister, we maintain a fund that is to be used for members of the church and people in the community when they have financial emergencies.  This fund is supported by the members of the congregation.  Traditionally a basket is made available in the sanctuary the first Sunday of each month to receive these funds.  Checks should be made out to “Deacon Fund of Community Church.”  The basket will be available on May 4th.  Of course, if you would like to mail in your contribution for this purpose, that would be welcome also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Meeting Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                       Environmental Wholeness

 

Golden Gate Association $200 Contribution

The Church was given $200 by the Golden Gate Association of the Northern California/Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ.  It is to be used for “anything except salaries.”  At best it is supposed to be used as seed money for some project.  I say it will go to help the “greening” of the church.  That is a loose category that includes the work Tom Kimura has already done, changing out the exit lights for more energy efficient types.  Now, does the “Green Team” have a particular project in mind that could use $200?  I will need to report on this to the Association in the Fall.

                                                                                      ~ Rolf~

(Following this writing, at the 4/19 meeting, the Executive Committee voted that it would be designated for the website.)

 

Greening With Your Clothes Dryer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neighbor News

 

PIA New Executive Director

Interim Executive Director Wesley Woo’s term of office ends

May 31, 2008.   Mary Klein, who has been an organizer with PIA for over three years, has accepted an offer from the PIA Board of Directors to become the new Executive Director effective June 1st.  It has always been a pleasant experience to work with Mary and provide them with meeting room needs.  We wish Mary well!

 

PIA Community Organizer Position Open

PIA has a job opening for a Community Organizer to fill the position vacated by Mary Klein.  See insert for details.  Pass this on to anyone you know who might be interested.

 

Kalavaria Mahany Hall Kitchen Project

Pastor Tauoa Head offered, on behalf of Kalavaria Reformed UCC-CCSA, to spruce up our Mahany Hall Kitchen as a gesture of community and a way of teaching their youths about the Samoan culture.  All materials and labor would be provided by them.  Our church leadership appreciatively agreed. 

 

On Saturday 4/12/08 Kalavaria began degreasing the kitchen walls and floors.  They determined that heavier duty degreasing was needed before painting.  The following Saturday they returned and completed the project. 

 

They have tossed out ideas for other projects for us and we look forward to entertaining them.  Thank you again, Kalavaria Ref. UCC-CCCSA!

 

Harmony Frozen Yogurt Shop

If you have been by the church within the past year, you may have noticed that our new retail neighbor on Arroyo St. is Harmony Frozen Yogurt.  Business is gradually growing.  It is nice to pass by and see people relaxing and enjoying themselves.  However, it does at times create more work for our church caretakers, particularly Tom Kimura and Rolf Hansen who find themselves picking up trash. 

 

The proprietor recently asked if we could put down bark or some plants in the unplanted area next to the shop.  This would make that area more attractive and moderate the tracking of dirt into their shop. Our Trustees and Operations will be evaluating this.

 

Women’s Fellowship

Women’s Fellowship will meet on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor.  The program will be announced at a later date.   Please bring a bag lunch and join us.  Beverages and dessert will be provided for $2.00. 

 

May Readers                                      Ushers

5/4       Celia Skipton                                     5/4       Bill & Dolores Malmborg

                                                                                    Dorothy Day

5/11    Susan Roberts                                  5/11    Tom Kimura

                                                                                    Alyce Bishop

                                                                                    Bob Dormoy

5/18    Bev Oldfield                                       5/18    John & Siv Nickerson

                                                                                    Beatrice Halaby

5/25    Robin Hansen                                    5/25    Larry, Gareth, Abigail Wang

 

Fellowship Hour Host – May – Council

Sunday School Teachers – Olga Hannel and Barbara Fischer

Office Asst. – Alyce Bishop                                                         Thank you all!          

                                                                                  

The Deacons would like to wish a Happy Birthday to members and friends who were born in May.  Lily of the Valley is the flower of the month and Emerald is the birthstone.

Faith Burgess

John Sullivan

Casey Morton

Erica Hannel

Mieke van der Schoor

Warren Struven

Jo Kimura

Tyler Pratt

 

Please contact Bev Oldfield in the Parlor on Sundays or on her voice mail at 650-340-0202 with your birthday month and day (never mind the year!) if you think your birthday isn’t on the list.