Merciful Moments - Westminster Presbyterian Church

May 2013
Director of
Christian Education
Nicole Trotter
You Name It
Shakespeare wrote, “A rose
by any other name would
smell as sweet.” Gertrude
Stein wrote, “A rose is a rose
is a rose...” Words matter
greatly, and yet they don’t matter at all.
Continued on page 2
Merciful Moments
Worship in May
Sundays, 8:30 and 10 am
“I shall pour out my spirit on all humanity, the young shall see visions, the old shall
dream dreams.”
Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17
May 5 - Rev. Rob McClellan
Communion Sunday
11:15 am - Teacher Luncheon
11:15 am - Parents of Teens
As I write this column, Westminster’s new Senior Pastor,
Rev. Rob McClellan, is departing his home in Philadelphia to drive across country with two cats, while his wife,
Sherri, and son, Liam, prepare to fly to San Francisco.
The movers have loaded the van and their second car is
being transported. They will be reunited with each other
and their belongings late next week in San Anselmo, and
will join us for a celebratory worship service and reception
on April 28! Watch for Rob’s first Zephyrs column in the
June issue.
May 12 - Rev. Rob McClellan
11:05 am - Chocolate Sale
Homeward Bound Benefit
At this time, we join with Christians around the world
moving through the season of Easter, the seven weeks (or
50 days) following Easter Sunday to the Celebration of
Pentecost on May 19. What an exciting time to welcome
a new pastor as we observe the birth of the church with its
visions and dreams and tongues of fire and as we celebrate
God’s irrepressible Holy Spirit in our midst!
Continued on page 2
May 19 - Rev. Rob McClellan
Pentecost Sunday
Birthday Blessings
11:15 am - Guns and Public Safety in Marin
Marin Sheriff’s Department
May 26 - Rev. Rob McClellan
11:15 am - A Coming Religious Peace
Jon Pahl, PhD
Invite friends to Westminster!
Inside This Issue
All in the Family....................................................3
Congregational Life, Education & Outreach.....4-6
Church Calendar...................................................7
Church Directory and Zephyrs Information.........8
Merciful Moments
2
Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1
As we move out of the “interim period” you will notice
some staff transitions while Rev. Rob assumes his role
has Senior Pastor and Head of Staff. We are extremely
grateful that Ted Scott, as Parish Associate, has preached
monthly, advised on transition issues (his specialty), and
led classes, small groups and retreats. He will now take a
well-deserved rest, but he is not disappearing! You will see
him in worship, in choir and in classes and groups.
My friend would think of this suffering woman with the
hope that somehow her thoughts would help. This was
her intention. I would think of this person too, only I
would send my thoughts towards God. Not a God with
a clipboard who could magically wave a wand and heal
this teenager, but a God who can comfort the mother,
her son and their loved ones as they suffered through an
impossible situation. This was my intention. My friend
and I held the same intention—hope for healing, hope
for comfort. She uses the word “thoughts,” and I use the
word “prayer,” but our intentions remain the same.
In the months ahead, Rob will be meeting with church
officers and members to learn about our faith community
and our larger community. There will be formal meetings
and information gatherings, lunches, dinners, phone
conversations and more as we share our past and also our
hopes for the future of Westminster. Your experience and
thoughts will be extremely important as Rob shares his
with us and we move forward together into a new era in
the life of the church.
Bethany Nelson continues as full-time Director of Youth
Ministry and leader of monthly contemporary music
in worship. She and I will both preach less frequently as
we welcome Rev. Rob to the Westminster pulpit at least
three Sundays each month. Nicole Trotter continues to
direct the Sunday school program and is deep in studies
at San Francisco Theological Seminary as she pursues her
Masters of Divinity degree. RuthE. Wells continues with
her music leadership bringing a variety of choir and solo
experiences.
Rob and I, as Associate Pastor, are both available for
counseling appointments or the planning of baptisms,
weddings, etc. With less leadership responsibility, I look
forward to more teaching and involvement in mission
efforts and especially the plans for our trip to the Holy
Land in October. There are five openings for the trip.
You are invited! See me if you are interested. Registration
deadline is mid-June.
So, we are traveling a new journey together. Stay flexible
and open yourself to God’s amazing Pentecost spirit this
month and this year as we consider what God is calling us
to be and do in our ministry together both locally and as
we reach out to the world. I thank you for your incredible
support during the interim period and your wonderful way of welcoming new adults and families into our
community. God’s surprises await us as we welcome Rob,
Sherri and Liam! Blessings to you!
Barbara
[email protected]
Recently my dear friend, who is an atheist, asked me to
pray for a mutual friend whose teenage son is suffering
with cancer. She didn’t feel she could “pray,” but thought
in the off-chance she might be wrong about the existence
of God, it wouldn’t hurt to cover her bases and ask me to
pray on her behalf. “Sure,” I said, “I can do that.”
A lifetime ago in movement class, my professor would repeat phrases like mantra—one of my favorites was “Honor the intention, not the result.” When I was younger, I
interpreted this as meaning, “Don’t focus on the result but
rather the process.” But, as I’ve gotten older I’ve started to
discover that honoring our intentions is all we really have
control over.
We set intentions all the time, related to work, family,
school, health and more. Some of us wake up and simply
intend to quietly make it to the coffee pot without
running into someone. Some intend to impress a boss or
client, some intend to be more productive, or reach out to
a friend or intend to wait patiently for the doctor to call.
Whatever our intention might be, the results are rarely
predictable.
And this is where my atheist friend and I part ways. My
intention, even when it is forgotten by me, is held by
God, so even when I’m lost, or think I am, I can rely on
God to honor my intention even when I can’t. I can lean
on God. My friend leans on loved ones. Same thing?
I teach children every Sunday that when they are showing
love to another person, they are sharing God’s love. “A
rose is a rose is a rose.” In case you prefer Shakespeare, go
back in this article to the paragraphs that start with “A
lifetime ago…” and replace the words “intention” and
“intend” with the words “prayer” and “pray.” Maybe you,
too, will find that all of us, you included, are filled with
prayer, even when we don’t name it.
Nicole
nicole [email protected]
All in the Family
Prayers of Healing
and Strength for:.
3
Welcome to Our New Members!
Dale Luehring, under Hospice care
and for his wife, Mary.
Lloyd Henderson, under Hospice
care and for his wife, Val.
Holly Seerley, anticipating cancer
surgery.
Prayers of
Comfort for:
Steve Anderson, whose father died
in late February.
Michael Vare, whose father died in
April.
Charles (Scotty) & June Auld
Hamp & Gwen Mauvais
Susan Curtis
Ann Nilsson-Davis
Gay Harris
David & Victoria Piontek
Adam & Elizabeth Krivatsy
Jeffrey & Michelle Tripp
Prayers of Welcome
and Celebration for:
Rev. Rob McClellan, wife Rev.
Sherri Hausser, and son Liam!
Elders and Deacons
Transitions
The following officers will begin service on May 1: Elder 2015: Elizabeth
Atkinson; Elders 2016: Patrice Drew,
Bruce Nelson, Sally Pasternack,
Sandy Smith, and Peter Wuertz;
Deacons 2016: Lisa Bartschat,
Elizabeth Krivatsy, Sandra Massen,
Gemma Petrini and Mary Roberts.
A big thank you to outgoing officers:
Elders: Jane Drobot (Church &
Society), Jennifer Finger (Finance),
Daniel Grant (Christian Education),
Peter Sayers (Worship) and John
Trotter (Outreach); Deacons: Lea
Boyd (Hot Lunch), Scott Bucey
(Special Projects), Bruce Nelson
(Worship and Nominating), Denny
Drake (Building & Grounds) and
Sally Williams (Secretary).
The Nominating Committee did
an outstanding job. Committee
members were: Elder Chair Barbara
Campbell, Elder Beverly Alexander, Deacon Bruce Nelson, at-large
members: Elizabeth Atkinson, Lisa
Bartschat, Kurt Peterson and Sandy
Smith.
Also look for new member photos
in the password-protected online
church directory at www.wpctiburon.org. (Password info on inside
front page of your print directory.)
Monika Levinson
Congregational Life and Education
Director of
Christian
Education
Nicole Trotter
Director of
Youth Ministry
Bethany Nelson
Children’s Ministries
MayYouth News
Teacher Luncheon
May 5, Preschool Building
As a “thank you” to all our volunteer
teachers, the members of the Committee on Christian Education would
like to host you at a casual luncheon.
Childcare is available. Please join us.
Join us at our May youth events! See
your youth newsletter for details.
Teacher Appreciation Sunday
June 2
Please join us in worship to honor
our teachers or to be honored for all
the gifts of time and talent you bring
to the children of Westminster.
Church Picnic at Paradise Park
June 9
Please join us after the 10 am service
for a picnic at beautiful Paradise Park.
We will supply the BBQ burgers,
chicken, hot dogs and buns. Simply
bring a side dish and drinks. There
will be games and fun for the kids.
Summer Sunday School Starts
June 16
We will transition to a summer oneroom school house for children of
all ages, with older ones taking on
the role of helper to little ones. The
lesson is for everyone, with crafts for
different levels and meaningful play.
Jelly Belly Trip
May 5, 11:30 am-3:30 pm
We’ll head to Fairfield to have lunch
(jelly bean shaped hamburgers and
pizza!) and see how Jelly Bellies are
made. All 4th-8th graders are invited.
Pizza and Games
May 19, 11:15 am-12:30 pm
All middle schoolers are welcome
to join us for our (almost) monthly
pizza and game gathering. Bring a
favorite board or card game to share
while we enjoy our pizza lunch.
High School Potluck
May 19, 6-7pm
High school youth and your families
are invited to a fun potluck dinner.
Please bring a dish to share. Those going on the summer mission trip will
stay until 7:30 pm for trip details.
Pizza Lunch
May 26, 11:15-12:15
Join us as we head to Round Table
for an informal lunch and conversation. Yes, we will be having pizza two
weeks in a row! Bring $10 for lunch.
Westminster Woods
Looking for something to do this
summer? Consider a Westminster
Woods camp. They offer camps for
all ages with ropes courses, music,
games, discussion, hikes, great food,
new friends and more. You can also
choose to be a volunteer counselor
for the younger children. For info, see
Thank you, Nicole www.westminsterwoods.org.
Bethany
[email protected]
[email protected]
Vacation Bible School
July 29-August 1, 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Participating kids will grow in faith as
they play, learn and sing. Children in
grades preK-5 will have group singing, age-divided story time, crafts,
snacks, mission projects and games
each day.
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Music Director
RuthE. Wells
Music for Worship
For those of you who have missed The
Belle Choir—whose hiatus was due
in large part to Melinda Stephenson’s
participation on the Pastor Nominating Committee—mark your calendars
to be sure you’re in worship on May
12. The Belle Choir will be singing the
introit that day.
For those of you newer to the church
than the summer of 2011, you’ll have
another reason to love the music ministry in this church.
Beyond that, the Sanctuary Choir
will be singing some old favorites this
month, as well as reviving a gem from
the 17th century.
May 12 is Ascension Day in the
liturgical calendar, so we’ll be singing
one of my favorite pieces I learned in
college choir: Ascendit Deus by Jacob
Gallus.
There will be gospel and African
flavors on May 5, and—honoring the
heritage of our organist (Alla) and sexton (Jesus)—Russian and El Salvadoran sounds on the Day of Pentecost.
Next month, the Everyday Singers
will be singing the introit on June 9.
I’d love to have more singers on the
chancel steps that day. Let me know
if you’d like to be part of those belting
out a familiar Broadway tune that day.
Soli Deo gloria
(glory to God alone),
RuthE.
[email protected]
Congregational Life and Education
New in May
MIC Prayer Breakfast
Thursday, May 2
8-10 am, Kol Shofar, Tiburon
The annual Marin Interfaith Council Prayer Breakfast is always an
outstanding event!
This year it will be held at our
neighbor, Congregation Kol Shofar.
There will be a panel of three speakers: Imam Ali Siddiqui –Islam, Rev.
Veronica Goines - Presbyterian/
Black Church Tradition, and Ms.
Simran Kaur - Sikh.
The program includes a buffet
breakfast, speakers and time for
questions and answers. Reservation
cost for this event is on a sliding
scale $25-$40, or purchase a table
for 8 at $175.
RSVP at www.marinifc.org.
Faith Café!
Sundays, May 5-26
8:30 am, Library
This lively group will be facilitated during May by Rev. Dr. David
Pittle. Rev. Lloyd Henderson and
Val will be present and involved as
much as possible and continue to be
a great spirit within this special time
of reflection and faith discussion.
Childcare is available.
Spiritual but not
Religous?
Wednesdays, May 8–29
9:30-10:30 am, Fireside
Rev. Lillian Daniel, a United
Church of Christ minister, offers
humor and seriousness in her new
book, When “Spiritual But Not
Religious” Is Not Enough: Seeing
God in Surprising Places, Even
the Church. It has been described
as “earthy, perceptive, devout,
tough-minded, angry and laughout-loud funny, all in one.”
5
The book is filled with short stories
about finding God in unexpected
places and how a life of faith can
be weird, wondrous and well worth
trying. Class time will provide
opportunities to discuss the book as
well as the personal experiences of
spirituality and religion in our lives.
Copies are available from
Barbara for $10.
“A Coming Religious
Peace” - Jon Pahl, PhD
Lost a Spouse?
Since 9/11, much attention has
been paid to “religious violence.” In
fact, however, religious people and
groups have led the way in peacebuilding over the past century.
Wednesday, May 8, 6:30 pm
The Cantina, Mill Valley
Rev. Rob Geiselmann is the rector
of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
in Belvedere. Rob’s young wife
died leaving him with two young
children and an experience that
took ten years to reflect on and to
write into his new book, A Walk
Through the Churchyard: Toward
a Spirituality of Christian Death.
We will meet with Rob at The Cantina in a small, private room at the
back. Seating is limited.
Please contact Barbara Rowe for
reservation 383-5272 x16 or [email protected].
Guns and Public
Safety in Marin
Sunday, May 19
11:15 am, Fireside Room
Come to the Fireside Room after
the 10 am service on May 19 for a
Church and Society Commission
program featuring a representative
from the Marin County Sheriff’s
office discussing guns and public
safety in Marin. We will hear about
the nature and extent of the problem, how the county is dealing with
this issue and how our congregation
might help.
Please contact Jane Drobot at
[email protected] or 389-6250
with any questions about the event
or with specific questions you may
have for the representative
Sunday, May 26
11:15 am, Fireside
A longtime colleague and friend of
Rev. Rob McClellan and his wife,
Sherri, Jon Pahl, PhD will be with
us on May 26 for Clashing Minorities, Converging Majorities: A
Coming Religious Peace.
In this fast-paced Powerpoint presentation and discussion, Jon Pahl
documents how a decided minority
of religious believers continue to
compromise with force and violence, while the vast majority is converging on actively practicing the
deepest elements of spiritual
traditions that promote more just,
peaceful societies.
Around the globe, from Mohandis Gandhi to Leymah Gbowee to
Fethullah Gulen, we can see on the
horizon a “coming religious peace.”
Jon Pahl is the Hagan Professor of
History at The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He’s
the author, most recently, of Empire
of Sacrifice: The Religious Origins
of American Violence (NYU Press).
Jon has lectured at Princeton, Oxford, and Cambridge Universities,
appeared on the BBC and ABC,
and enjoyed dialogue with diverse
religious audiences from Ankara to
Anaheim.
He lives with his wife, Lisa, in the
Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, where he enjoys gardening
and sitting in on the saxophone
with gospel choirs and blues bands.
Congregational Life and Education
Ongoing in May/June
Men’s Group
Fridays, May 3-31
6:30 am, Fireside
Join our popular men’s group for its
early morning breakfast and discussion on a wide range of topics.
Questions? Contact Phil Economon at 924-6047.
Women’s
Spiritual Discovery
Fridays, May 3-31
8:30-10 am, Library
Join the group for quiet reflection
and sharing. Newcomers welcome.
Questions? Contact Pat O’Neil at
332-4438 or [email protected].
Feed the Food Barrel
Sunday, May 5 or anytime
Outside the Library
On the first Sunday of the month,
or any other time, please fill the
barrel near the library with nonperishable food items. Those with
children will find that shopping for
the hungry is a good way to model
generosity for them. Thank you!
Parents of Teens
Sunday, May 5
11:15 am, Library
All parents of teens are invited to
join us in the library as we share and
discuss the highs and lows of raising
our teen children. Contact Lisa
Bartschat for more information at
[email protected].
At the Redwoods
Sunday, May 5
1:30 pm, The Redwoods
The Deacons offer a short worship
service for shut-ins on the first Sunday of each month at The Redwoods
in Mill Valley. Come attend this
service as a way of serving our community! Contact Mildie Whedon at
[email protected] or
492-2538 for more info.
Tiburon Thrift Shop
Mondays, May 6-27
10 am-1pm or 1-4 pm
96 Lower Ark Row, Tiburon
WPC supplies two volunteers every
Monday from 10 am–1 pm and
from 1-4 pm to the Tiburon Thrift
Shop. Pick any 3-hour time slot that
suits you, park for free and have fun
selling! Contact Mary Mossteller at
924-3096 / [email protected]
or Barbara Campbell at 883-2371
or [email protected] for info.
You Are Needed
Tuesday, May 7
7-8:30 pm, Throughout WPC
Join any of the eight volunteer
groups that meet at WPC on the
first Tuesday of each month. Each
group is led by a Session elder as
they consider the church’s programs,
ministry or operations. Come on
May 7,or if you would like further
information or to arrange introductions, contact Barbara at 3835272x16 or [email protected].
Moms of
Young Children
Tuesday, May 14
10-11:30 am, Location TBA
All moms with young children are
invited to our monthly gathering as
we share both the joys and challenges of parenting. We hope you will
join us. Contact Bethany Nelson at
383-5272 x18 or bethanyjnelson@
gmail.com to RSVP and to get
address and directions.
Empty Nesters
Wednesday, May 22
6:30 pm, Roberta Masson Home
Are you a mom whose chicks have
finally left the nest—for college,
employment or after camping
back home during their 20s? This
monthly group is for you! Meeting in homes or restaurants, the
group responds to a relevant faith/
life question over dinner. The May
6
topic will be announced. For more
info or reservation and directions,
contact Nancy George at 4351850 or [email protected].
New Member/
Inquirers Class
Sunday June 2
11:15 am–1 pm, Library
If you would like to know more
about WPC and are considering
membership, you are invited for a
light lunch and an opportunity to
meet with Revs. Rob McClellan
and Barbara Rowe, staff and church
leaders and ask questions. Those
who join will be welcomed in worship in late June. During the class
time there will be childcare with
reservation. Please RSVP for the
class at 383-5272 x16.
Spiritual Life Commission
Poetry Corner
God of winter, of bare trees
that have said goodbye
to their leaves,
help us to understand
that letting go
can bring new life.
God of bears, who leave
winter’s rest
a new season to weave,
allow us your wisdom
to release the
old and embrace the new.
God of spring flowers
born in the winter past
and bloomed at last,
remind us to move from shadow
to blossom in the light
of the dawn.
God of renewal, of new life
of new beginnings
and fresh starts,
grow something new
in our souls, in our hearts
that surprise us into surrender.
by Debbie Dybsky
May 2013
Sun
Mon
Tues
2
Wed
1
7
Thurs
2
8:00 MIC Prayer
Breakfast
9:30 Study Group
Sat
Fri
3
6:30 Men’s Group
8:30 Women’s
Group
4
12:00 Hot Lunch
7:00 Choir
5
Communion
Food Barrel
8:30 Worship
8:30 Faith Cafe
10:00 Worship
10:00 Youth Classes
11:15 Teacher Lunch
11:15 Parents of
Teens
11:30 MS Trip
1:30 Redwoods
12
8:30 Worship
8:30 Faith Cafe
10:00 Worship
10:00 Youth Classes
11:05 Chocolate Sale
6
9
8
7
10
9:30 Study Group
10:00 & 1:00
Volunteers at
Thrift Shop
12:00 Hot Lunch
7:00 Commission
Meetings
13
14
7:00 Choir
7:00 Lost a Spouse?
Cantina
15
16
6:30 Men’s Group
8:30 Women’s
Group
10:00 Moms of
Young Children
19 Pentecost Sunday 20
Birthday Sunday
26
8:30 Worship
8:30 Faith Cafe
10:00 Worship
10:00 Youth Classes
11:15 Jon Pahl PhD
A Coming
Religious Peace
11:15 Youth Pizza
Mark Your
Calendars
June 2 - Teacher
Appreciation
June 2 - New
Members
June 9 - Paradise Park
June 16 - Summer
SS Begins
21
7:00 Choir
22
23
24
9:30 Study Group
10:00 & 1:00
Volunteers at
Thrift Shop
12:00 Hot Lunch
6:30 Men’s Group
8:30 Women’s
Group
6:00 Council of
Dads
7:00 Session
27
28
6:30 Empty
Nesters
29
9:30 Study Group
10:00 & 1:00
Volunteers at
Thrift Shop
7:00 Choir
31
30
12:00 Hot Lunch
7:00 Choir
July 29-August 1
9:30 am-12:30 pm
Vacation Bible
School
18
12:00 Hot Lunch
7:00 Deacons
8:30 Worship
8:30 Faith Cafe
10:00 Worship
10:00 Youth Classes
11:15 Guns in Marin
11:15 MS Pizza
6:00 HS Potluck
17
9:30 Study Group
10:00 & 1:00
Volunteers at
Thrift Shop
11
6:30 Men’s Group
8:30 Women’s
Group
October 4-16
Travel to Israel
6:30 Men’s Group
8:30 Women’s
Group
25
Westminster Presbyterian Church
240 Tiburon Boulevard
Tiburon, CA 94920-2220
415.383.5272
Non Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Mill Valley , CA
Permit No. 32
Return Service Requested
Your
Your Westminster
Westminster Church
Church Family
Family
Staff
Rob McClellan, Senior Pastor
Barbara Rowe, Pastor
Bethany Nelson, Youth Minister
Nicole Trotter, Christian Educator
Diane Masarweh, Administrator &
Financial Secretary
Jerilynn Blackstone, Treasurer
Ann White, Accounting
RuthE. Wells, Music Director
Alla Artemova-Helton, Organist
Jesus Posada, Sexton
Mari Robinson, Zephyrs Editor
Marilyn Wuertz, Wedding Director
Elizabeth Merriman, Librarian
Office
Monday - Friday
9 am - 4 pm
383-5272, Fax: 389-9834
Session
Officers
Deacons
Class of 2014
John Dworek
Len Ganote
Kelly Guyton
Randy Huyser
Sondra Wuthnow
Class of 2014
Pat Ascher
Mary Coons
Kathy Oliver
Calvin Olson
Marilyn Wuertz
Class of 2015
Bev Alexander
Elizabeth Atkinson
Steffen Bartschat
Barbara Campbell
Chuck Quick
Class of 2015
Marlene Allen
Sam Guyton
Marcia Schatz
E. Stromberg
Mildie Whedon
Class of 2016
Patrice Drew
Bruce Nelson
Sally Pasternack
Sandy Smith
Peter Wuertz
Class of 2016
Lisa Bartschat
Elizabeth Krivatsy
Sandra Massen
Gemma Petrini
Mary Roberts
Nancy Walsh,
Clerk
zephyrs
Published monthly, except for
a combined July/August issue.
Upcoming Deadlines
June
May 15
July/August
June 12
Submissions subject to editing.
Please submit single space copy
without formatting to
[email protected]