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NEWSLETTER
May 11, 2016
FIRST CHURCH
Redwood City, UCC
In this Issue:
of
Calendar
3 Mission Statement
2
Connections
9 Opportunities
6
God of Many Voices 8 Prayer Requests
Humor
16 Weekly Message
15
4
Open & Affirming
Congregation
Page 2
Faith, in Redwood City
Living our Faith
Loving our Community
Since 1862
CALENDAR
Page 3
Monday
May 16
10:30am
Chair Dancing
Wednesday
May 18
11:00am
Prayer Circle
Sunday
May 22
5:00pm
Community Sunday
Monday
May 23
10:30am
Chair Dancing
Monday
May 30
Wednesday
June 1
11:00am
Prayer Circle
Monday
June 6
10:30am
Chair Dancing
Monday
June 6
6:00pm
Race & Theology Book
Discussion
Tuesday
June 7
12:30pm
Good Hope Luncheon
Tuesday
June 7
5:15pm
Hillcrest Ministry Team
Sunday
June 12
5:00pm
Community Sunday
Monday
June 13
10:30am
Chair Dancing
Monday
June 13
6:00m
Wednesday
June 15
11:00am
Church Council
All Welcome
Prayer Circle
MEMORIAL DAY
Office Closed
NO Chair Dancing
Thursday thru Sunday, June 16-19 Annual Gathering
Monday
June 20
10:30am
Chair Dancing
Sunday
June 26
5:00pm
Community Sunday
All meetings, gatherings & events take place at
1155 Broadway Suite 130, Redwood City, 94063,
unless otherwise noted.
Page 4
WEEKLY MESSAGE
STRENGTHEN the CHURCH
On Pentecost Sunday,
June 15, we celebrate
the birth of the church.
We know this story as
recorded in the Book of
Acts: “When the day of
Pentecost had come,
they were all together in
one place. And suddenly
from heaven there came
a sound like the rush of a
violent wind, and it filled
the entire house where
they were sitting.
Divided tongues, as of
fire, appeared among
them, and a tongue
rested on each of them.
All of them were filled
with the Holy Spirit…”
Acts 2:1-4
Peter quotes the prophet
Joel to the startled
crowd: “In the last days
it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my
Spirit upon all flesh, and
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young
men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”
Acts 2:17
Each day, visions and dreams are created in the hearts of many
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WEEKLY MESSAGE
in the United Church of Christ. Through the Strengthen the
Church offering, they can become a reality. As God calls our
congregations to be “church” in new ways, your gift will plant
new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches, and
develop spiritual life in our youth and young adults. Because of
this offering, many more will hear the good news that “God is
still speaking.”
What vision does God have for our church? What does God
dream for the many people who are still seeking and yearning for
a little love, a little hope, and a reassuring word; people who
have not heard the Pentecost message of the unconditional love
of our still speaking God?
Each year, we receive a special offering called Strengthen the
Church, an offering that invests in the vision of the United
Church of Christ. As God calls our congregations to be “church”
in new ways, your gift will plant new churches, awaken new ideas
in existing churches, and develop spiritual life in our youth and
young adults. Because of this offering, many more will hear the
good news that “God is still speaking,”
We will receive this offering during the month of June – in honor
of the birthday of the church and Pentecost Sunday. We invite
you to celebrate by giving to Strengthen the Church.
today
vibrant church tomorrow.
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OPPORTUNITY
WHAT IS STEP UP AND POWER DOWN?
Step Up and Power Down is a new community initiative started by
the cities of San Carlos, Redwood City and PG&E.
We work together to help the Earth by reducing energy waste at
home, which saves money and greenhouse gases.
Using less energy helps our environment and helps the city meet
our climate action goals.
Step Up and Power Down is a way that PG&E helps to support California’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below
1990 levels by 2030.
We focus on making the simple
choices that reduce our energy
waste at home.
When we all make small
changes, they add up to a big
impact. Our homes will be
comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient, and our community more sustainable.
Workshops and Gatherings
Wed, May 17, 6:00
Steps to Control and Stop Energy Waste
Habitat for Humanity, Rolison Road Clubhouse, 3470 Rolison Road, RWC
Sunday, June 12, at the end of Worship
Here at First Church
OPPORTUNITY
Page 7
To Support MEALS on WHEELS
<Daily delivery service of hot, nutritious meals to home-bound seniors>
FIGHT HUNGER ~ SUPPORT SENIORS
Tuesday ʘ May 17
Participating Restaurants donate 10% of their proceeds…
Just a few nearby dining choices are:
Amici’s—Redwood Shores
Celia’s—Redwood City
Donato’s Enoteca—Downtown RWC
Max’s—Redwood City
Mistral—Redwood Shores
Sundance—Palo Alto
Villa Lucia’s—Woodside Road
Vivace Ristorante—Belmont
More options at www.penvol.org/dineout
Page 8
GOD OF MANY VOICES
THE SPIRIT CAME
The Spirit came
and your Church was born,
in wind and fire
and words of power.
The Spirit came
blowing fear aside,
and in its place
weak hearts were stronger.
The Spirit came
as your word foretold,
with dreams and signs,
visions and wonders.
The Spirit came
and is here today,
to feed the hearts
of a world that hungers.
Read more at: http://www.faithandworship.com
CONNECTIONS
Page 9
A BLESSED EVENING!
What a beautiful Mother’s Day celebration last Sunday. We also
celebrated the life of Mary Juett with her son, Richard, as well as
three of her faithful caregivers. Rev. Charlotte Asher led worship
for us. And she brought her wife, Maryellen Grayson, so we had
the pleasure of visiting with both of them during dinner.
Page 10
CONNECTIONS
Jennifer Sturken May 17
CONNECTIONS
Page 11
REMEMBERING KIM
Dear Family and Friends of Kim,
These are the words I would have shared it if I had been able to
speak at Kim’s service. I am so sorry to not be able to attend
the celebration of her life. There will be so much to celebrate!
♥♥♥
A Remembrance of Kim
Kimberly Smith-Nilsson was my colleague and friend. She
sought me out when she first was called to pastor the Redwood
City UCC and I immediately knew I had found a gentle friend, as
wise pastor, a woman of integrity and spirit with whom to share
something of our journeys and experiences together.
It was less than a year ago when she asked if our church would
be interested in partnering with her congregation in visiting the
boys at Hillcrest Juvenile Detention Center. I knew our church
would say Yes! I had been hoping to strengthen our
commitment to that community. It was perfect timing! We
were able to begin our ministry with the Redwood City UCC
almost immediately. And, with Kim’s guidance, we trained
several more volunteers. We are now a regular group of six
with at least two more volunteers ready to step in next fall.
Kim’s guidance and wisdom brought us together. We expected
to be able to learn from her and work with her for several years
to come. It was a huge shock to learn that her health was
Page 12
CONNECTIONS
suddenly in crisis and then that it was so very serious. Still, we
expected her back with us in the work we had begun together,
soon.
Why did she leave us so soon? I do not dare to try to answer
that question. But I know she blessed us abundantly in the
time we had together. There are no words for our sorrow or to
even try to expiate the grief we are feeling. She will be deeply
missed. Her legacy of love and gentle wisdom will live on in all
who knew and loved her. I feel deeply grateful to have been
one of those who knew her, if not well, then heartfully. She
touched our lives with God’s grace. We are so blessed.
May you know God’s peace that passes all understanding in this
time of grieving. May you be so strengthened in your support
of one another that you will remember her gifts and feel called
to live out your own gifts ever more fully.
With love always,
Kristi
Rev/ Kristi Denham and Kim’s friends from
The Congregational Church of Belmont, UCC
Redwood City
Hillcrest Team
May 2015
CONNECTIONS
Page 13
And from Kim’s sister-in-law Karen Nilsson Brandt
Reflections on Kim’s Resolve
Four simple words comprised Kim’s 2015 New Year’s Resolution:
“I want to thrive.”
To thrive is: to flourish.
To thrive is:
To grab a cup of coffee and leisurely read the New York Times as
the sun warms your bare shoulders while you are seated on the
patio surrounded by birdsong.
To lend a listening ear to grieving parishioners while instilling
hope for a happier tomorrow.
To visit places held sacred in northern New Mexico and eat
chicken enchiladas at The Shed in Santa Fe.
To rejoice as the voices of your children soar with love while
singing for your mother at church and during the party to
celebrate Joann’s 80th birthday.
To take a road trip with Alan, your husband, your soulmate and
life partner, to celebrate 35 years of glorious togetherness while
taking in the beauty of California's wine country and enjoying
incredible theater at the Ashland, Oregon, Shakespeare festival.
To treasure family gatherings at the Half Moon Bay cottage,
where the fog could be so thick that only the crashing waves
bore witness to the vast ocean beyond.
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CONNECTIONS
To share a lifetime of memories with your sister and to cherish
each and every moment with one another.
To welcome friends and family from far and wide to engage in a
variety of topics and reminisce about spirited debates, favorite
books and respected columnists.
To trust your colleagues to plan the memorial service that you
envision to carry forward you commitment to interfaith worship.
To savor every moment.
To begin with “hello” and end with, “’til we meet again, as this is
not goodbye.”
To create a meditative state in which peace, comfort, and loving
care can be gratefully accepted.
To peacefully exhale into eternity.
In loving memory of Kim, strive to “thrive”.
Amen
Page 15
CONNECTIONS
We Remember Robert (Bob) Uhlenberg
who passed away yesterday in
Meridian, Idaho.
No services are planned.
Connie Cameron
Bill Van Cleve
Emily
Dee Van Cleve
Pam Scurry
Gary Dawson
Little Jack
Pat Moore
Rhonda Lyman
Annette Howitt
June Bury
Wanda Davisson
Randall Mullins
Marcie De Berry
Betty Moran
Tere Aicardi
Christine McDermott
Phyllis Happ
Paul Michel
Don Reed
Kim’s Family
Silicon Valley Progressive Faith Community
Natalia Morrow
First
Church
THE IMPORTANCE of HIGHER
EDUCATION…
“F in Exams”
By
Richard Benson
of Redwood City, UCC
1155 Broadway
Suite 130
Redwood City, 94063
650-369-0344
www.FirstChurchRWC.org
Executive Director
Kathie Fosgett
[email protected]
Church Council
Carol Chivers
Catherine Lyman
Bill Van Cleve
Patti Bury
Larry Fosgett
Howard Macway
Advisory Committee
Millie Cole
Annette Howitt
Peggy Smullin
Use the word congenial in a
sentence:
When you leave the gravy out too
long, it congenials.
The first thing Queen Elizabeth
II did upon ascending the throne
was to…
Sit down.
Write a sentence containing a
double negative.
Mike is ugly and he smells.
Name two plays by Shakespeare.
Romeo and Juliet.
On what grounds was Aaron
Burr tried for treason?
New York.
Write about the importance of
animals in Of Mice and Men.
The mice were very important—
without them you’d only have the
men.
Use the word doldrums in a
sentence.
I cannot play doldrums.