KP March 2015.indd - First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

Kensington Press
March 2015
From the Associate Pastor
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
First, I’d like to thank everyone who supported the youth mission fund last month
by eating pancakes at our “Fat Sunday”
Pancake Breakfast. Thank you to parents,
siblings, and a few Project Homecoming
alumnae for jumping in to help. If you
missed the syrup, do not fret! There will
be other opportunities for you to support
the youth and adults who are going on
mission trips this summer.
We eat together. We learn together. We
celebrate together. This is the slogan for
Project Homecoming (PH) in New Orleans. If you are not familiar with PH,
the short history is that the PCUSA Disaster Agency and the local presbytery
(South Louisiana) came together in the
wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. A
few years into the crisis, the needs were
still great and the presbytery created
Project Homecoming (PH) with the
focus on rebuilding and community
development in New Orleans.
First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo
An Inclusive Community
Lent 2015: Daily Resurrection
Join us for our journey of Lent, which continues this month and into April.
Sundays in Lent
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (page 10)
Sunday Evening Film Series: Popcorn Parables
6:00-9:00 or 9:30pm: Fireside Room (page 2)
Holy Week (page 2)
3/29 Palm Sunday: Children’s Palm Processional (page 4)
4/2 Maundy Thursday, 6:30pm: Soup supper and Lord’s Supper
4/3 Good Friday
Noon-3:00pm: Sanctuary open for silent prayer and meditation.
7:30pm: Tenebrae service
•
Easter & Beyond
4/5 Easter Sunday: Resurrection of the Lord
10:00am: Join in singing the Halleluia Chorus from Handel’s Messiah
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt: During coffee hour following worship.
4/12 Holy Humor Sunday: A San Anselmo Home Companion
Worship that is light-hearted, yet not light-headed. (page 2)
If you visit the PH website and click
on the tab, “Great Stories,” you’ll be
on their blog. The entry for Feb 12th is
called, “Catching Up with Tennessee,”
about a home that began as a shell and
is now almost ready for the owner to
move back in – 9 years later! You may
recognize a few faces from our congregation in the pictures (Laurie, Lisa &
Ralph). We are no strangers to the rebuilding efforts of the Gulf Coast. Our
congregation’s strong and continuing
support over the years is a powerful
Continued on Page 11
March 2015
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Kensington Press
Worship
Holy Week at First Presbyterian Church
The week before Easter, “Holy Week,” includes four special
opportunities:
Palm/Passion Sunday, features worship that begins with
a palm processional by the children in the congregation.
Sunday, March 29, 10:00am, the Sanctuary.
Maundy Thursday we’ll share a soup supper with elements of
the Seder, the Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples the night before his arrest. This was the meal during
which he invited the disciples to break the bread and share
the cup, remembering him. The Passover meal will conclude
with the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Thursday, April 2,
6:30pm, Duncan Hall.
On Good Friday, from noon to 3:00pm, traditionally the time
Jesus was on the cross, the sanctuary will be open for silent
prayer and meditation. There will be no liturgy or service—just
an open sanctuary. Friday, April 3, noon to 3:00, the Sanctuary.
On Good Friday evening, we’ll gather for a Tenebrae service.
This service includes music by the choir and a tenebrae liturgy. The word “tenebrae” literally means “darkness” or
“shadows.” The tenebrae service dates back to a 4th century
Holy Week observance in which the lights in the church are
extinguished one by one as the service proceeds. In this dramatic worship experience, the mental, spiritual and physical anguish of Jesus are proclaimed as he moved toward his
death. Friday, April 3, 7:30pm, the Sanctuary.
Holy Humor Sunday, April 12
For the sixth year, we’ll celebrate Holy Humor Sunday, the
“Easter laugh” on the Sunday following Easter. Our worship
on Holy Humor Sunday will be formatted along the lines of
a radio show similar to Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home
Companion” on public radio.
Join us for worship on April 12. We’ll enjoy special music,
hear from Guy Noir, and “The News from San Anselmo” will
explore music, both in and outside the church.
It will be, as our call to worship will put it, lighthearted but
not lightheaded. And as someone once said, “If you can’t
laugh at it, it’s probably idolatry.”
Kensington Press
Lenten Blog Posts from the Pastors
Each week during Lent, the pastors will post a blog on the
First Presbyterian Church website interpreting our Lenten
theme, “Daily Resurrection.” The blogs will explore the way
a number of writers have answered the question: “What does
it mean to live resurrection daily?” In a nutshell, daily resurrection means dying to ways that are not life-giving for ourselves, others, and creation, and rising to ways that are. The
goal of the Lenten blogs will be to offer a variety of interpretations of what that might look like in our daily lives. Go to
http://www.togetherweserve.org/category/pastors-blog/.
Popcorn Parables
Lenten Film Series on Sundays 6:00–9:00 (or 9:30)pm
In March we’ll continue our Lenten Film Series with a Sunday evening feature film selected because it deals with race,
ethnicity and/or privilege. The films start at 6:00pm and
discussion will follow until 9:00 or 9:30pm, depending on
the length of the movie. Popcorn will be provided. Children are welcome if they are old enough to see the film.
The ratings appear below; parents, use your own judgment,
and check the Common Sense Media website if you’d like a
good assessment of whether a film is appropriate for your
child. (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/).
As we reported last month, this film series ties together our
study and conversation topic of race and privilege (see the
pastor’s cover letter) and our theme for Lent. Our Lenten
theme is Daily Resurrection, which will invite us to explore
how we are called to live into Christ’s resurrection day by day
in our ordinary lives. Film is part of ordinary, everyday life
in our culture. Film can witness to resurrection to the extent
that a movie helps us stand against prejudices as opposed to
absorbing prejudices. Film can show us stories of courage,
discovery, and new life. Movies can be a “daily life” way of
glimpsing new life, and can even help transform us.
See you at the movies!
March 1
“Hidalgo” (2004; PG-13)
March 8
“A Family Thing” (1996, PG-13)
March 15
“Bend It Like Beckham” (2003, PG-13)
March 22
“The Milagro Beanfield War” (1998, R)
March 29 “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962, not rated; Common Sense Media says age 12)
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March 2015
Resources
Nurture
Church Finances
Report from the Resources Committee
Save the Date: Annual Women’s Retreat May1-2, 2015
Recapping 2014: Expenditures were kept low and came in
below budget. We did experience a shortfall of $17,000 because income from non-pledging givers was significantly
lower than budgeted. We were right on track with income
through November and the shortfall did not occur until December, too late to make any adjustments.
Our goal for 2015 was a balanced budget achieved through
the following steps:
• Projected income from pledges and gifts is 5.5% less than
last year’s budget.
• In good years we put money in the maintenance reserve;
this year we are not.
• We will keep costs low, and have cut the discretionary
budget (everything that could be cut) by 10%. Despite
these cuts, we did include a 1% increase for salaries.
• Session approved a one-time transfer of $9000 from undesignated memorial funds to fund the maintenance line
item in the operating budget.
Have you signed up yet? Don’t know if you’d fit in? You’ll never know unless you go. Here is your chance to find out what
all the hoopla is about! Partial scholarships are available, Talk
to Martha Spears or Maureen Kalbus. Satisfaction guaranteed!
First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo
21st Annual Women’s Retreat
Presence: Tending to What is Real
Led by Sheila Denton, Spiritual Director
May 1st, 4:00pm-May 2nd, 7:00pm
Ralston White Retreat Center
While we achieved our goal of a balanced budget, we had to
use our savings to do so, and we recognize this is not a sustainable practice.
In the search for a long-term solution, current elders on
the Resources Committee have formed a task force and are
gathering information from a number of sources in order to
frame the issues. This is a necessary first step before we begin
problem-solving, otherwise we might solve the wrong problem. The task force is now working on a recommendation to
Session for a process that will help our congregation 1) develop a vision for the future and 2) identify ways to support
this vision financially.
Let’s Pay the Per Capita Tax
Each year we pay a per capita allowance ($29.55 for 2015)
on behalf of each church member to support the work of
our Presbytery, Synod and PCUSA. If every member of this
church contributed the amount of their per capita fee, we
could save $9000 in expenses! Please consider paying your
share of the per capita tax, over and above your usual pledge
or contribution. Write “Per Capita” in the memo line on your
check and place in the offering plate any Sunday, or return it
to the church office.
March 2015
Օ
Laughter and Leisure, Reflecting and Sharing,
Creation and Recreation, Friendship and Worship,
Song and Silence, Movement and Stillness.
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Kensington Press
Families, Children & Youth
Middle School Youth
Children’s Worship (Sunday mornings)
Friday, March 6th 5-8pm
REST Shelter, Duncan Hall—sign up to bring a dish (or show up early to cook)
Godly Play (4yrs -2nd grade)
Youth Group (6th—8th grades)
March 8th & 22nd
5-6:30pm Fireside Room
High School Mission Trip
June 14-20, 2015
Project Homecoming, New Orleans, LA
What: Rebuild the New Orleans community, build relationships & faith, have FUN
Cost: $1,000/person* (may decrease when we purchase airfare)
We’re headed to New Orleans to work with Project Homecoming and help people
rebuild their homes from hurricanes Katrina and Rita! All high school students
(who have completed their first year of high school) are welcome to apply. We’ll
plan a few more ways to raise funds and learn more about the trip in March.
March 8 Meeting—$200 non-refundable deposit due
6:30-8pm
March 22 Meeting—$200 payment due
6:30-8pm
Stories this month:
Faces of Easter 1-6 (telling stories of Jesus’ life)
Jesus the King (NEW)
Jesus and the Twelve (NEW)
Seasons of the Spirit (3rd – 5th grade)
Topics this month:
Love for all (Gen 17:1-7)
Wonders of God (Ps 19)
Lifted Up (Ps 107)
On Our Hearts (Jer 31:31-34)
Palm/Passion (Mk 11:1-11)
Palm Sunday Processional, March 29
Meet in the Fireside Room at 9:50am. Hosanna!
Easter Sunday, April 5th
Following worship we will gather on the front lawn and then go together to
the Wade Thomas field for an Easter egg hunt!
Photos by Richard Schlobohm
All Youth
Saturday, April 25th in SF Stop Hunger Now Event
Kensington Press
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March 2015
Stewardship
Stewardship – on the Road to 100%
Our 2015 stewardship campaign has already raised $321,000:
94% of goal! Thanks to all who pledged. If you haven’t
pledged yet, help us get to 100% by filling out a pledge form
(see box in the narthex); just place it in the collection plate
during worship on Sunday or return it to the church office.
Or you can simply call and leave a message for Margaret
Melsh (415.485.0342)—she’ll be happy to hear from you.
WANTED:
Host family for 15 year-old girl from Mallorca, Spain for
school year 2015-16.
• Fluent in English
• AFS (American Field Service) approved student
• Has her own medical insurance
• May 1 deadline for acceptance into Marin County HS
Please contact Anne Towler: [email protected]
or 415.250.4962
This is What 103 Looks Like.
Happy Birthday, Dorothy Houston!
“Fat Sunday” Pancake Recipe for Success
It began in the kitchen and ended in the tummies of all who
came to support the youth mission trip. They were so organized, they made it look easy. Bravo to all the unsung heroes
of the day!
Whaaaa? A Hat Party?!
Nope. Just the Annual Valentine Tea Party! Complete with
poetry, hearts and chocolate. The hats were provided by our
favorite costumer, Suzan Plath.
March 2015
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Kensington Press
Sunday Seminars
Church & Society
The following is a brief description of a tool (see below) that was used
in the Sunday Seminar series on Race & Privilege.
Livestock & Climate Change: What if Key Actors in
Climate Change Are Cows, Pigs, & Chickens?
Sunday Seminars on March 8th and 15th, following worship, will throw some light on that question through a film
called “Cowspiracy.” Come. Be surprised and educated.
The System of Inequity
World Trust’s holistic frame shows the continual interaction between the internal (personal) and external (interpersonal, structural/institutional) manifestations of bias.
This self-perpetuating system must be interrupted at both
the internal and external levels for lasting change to occur.
The importance of continual self-work to understand and
heal one’s own internalized privilege/oppression is integral
to the ability of scholars and change makers to analyze and
dismantle systemic inequity. We offer this frame to support
personal insight and renewal as well as to build capacity to
analyze inequity in education, health care, the judicial system, and food security.
Our culture avoids identifying and analyzing the policies and
arrangements that help sustain inequity. We seek to support,
both intellectually and spiritually, those who are addressing
what the Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change
calls, “… the subtler, racialized patterns in policies and practices… that generate differences in well being.”
http://racialequitytools.org/more-info/the-system-of-inequity
Friday, March 13th
7:30 pm to 9pm
“Climate Crisis:
The Case for a Carbon Tax”
with Dr. Peter Joseph
Citizens Climate Lobby
Green Chautauqua is a series of lectures focused on what
many believe to be the crisis of our time: climate change.
Our goal is to partner with leading experts and the local
community to address ways that we can respond with hope.
Our next lecture is Friday, March 13, at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary. Dr. Peter Joseph will present “Climate Crisis: The Case
for a Carbon Tax.” Dr. Joseph is the group leader of the Marin
Chapter at Citizens Climate Lobby and an emergency physician trained to help educate the public about the devastating
impacts of global warming. He is the co-author of “The Little
Engine That Could: Carbon Fee and Dividend,” the Popular
Choice winner in the US Carbon Price category of this year’s
MIT Climate CoLab contest.
Kensington Press
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There is no longer Jew or Greek,
there is no longer slave or free,
there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in
Christ Jesus.
~Galatians 3:28
March 2015
One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering on Palm/Passion Sunday, March 29,2015
A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the
world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower
the poor and oppressed.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance “Out of chaos, hope”
Presbyterian Hunger Program “Alleviating hunger and eliminating its causes”
Self Development of People “People investing in people”
For more information, go to: http://specialofferings.pcusa.org/oghs
SHARING RESOURCES AND CHANGING LIVES
All ACROSS THE world,
12% of the world
our church works in countless communities where people lack access
to basic necessities like food, clean water, education, or sanitation.
Your gift supports programs that work to end hardships and address
alarming statistics like these.
does not have enough
access to food.3
854
GOD’S CHILDREN IN NEED
12%
million people
1.4 million
Each year
children die due to
poor sanitation.5
More people were displaced last year by natural disasters than
the entire combined population of these 6 states.1
1 in 9 people can’t read
or sign their names.4
NE IA
KS MO
OK AR
58 million
In 2012, nearly
children
weren’t enrolled in elementary school. Many
may never enter a classroom.2
11%
1
9
people don’t have
access to safe and
clean drinking water.6
YOU CAN HELP
SO THEN, WHENEVER WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, LET US WORK FOR THE GOOD OF ALL.
Galatians 6:10
Resources: 1 Yonetani, Michelle. Global Estimates 2014: People Displaced by Disasters. Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, 22 Aug. 2014. 2 http://www.uis.unesco.org/FactSheets/Documents/fs-28-out-of-school-children-en.PDF 3 The State of Food Insecurity. FAO, IFAD, WFP, 2014. 4 Cree, Anthony. Kay, Andrew. Steward, June. The Economic & Social Cost of Illiteracy: A Snapshot Of Illiteracy In A
Global Context. World Literacy Foundation, April 2012. 5 Bartram, Jamie. Bos, Robert. Gore, Fiona. Prüss-Üstün, Annette. Safer Water, Better Health: Costs, Benefits and Sustainability of Interventions to Protect and Promote Health. World Health Organization, 2008. 6 Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation: 2012 Updateå. WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, 2012.
March 2015
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Kensington Press
High Notes
The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Chamber Singers
to Perform During Worship, March 15th
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus—lauded as “one of the
world’s foremost children’s choirs” (Pasadena Star News),
and described as “hauntingly beautiful” (Los Angeles
Times), “astonishingly polished” (Performances Magazine),
“extraordinary in its abilities” (Culture Spot LA), and “one
heck of a talented group of kids” (LA Weekly) - is recognized
throughout the country for its exceptional artistic quality
and technical ability. Founded in 1986 and led by Artistic
Director Anne Tomlinson since 1996, LACC performs with
such leading organizations as LA Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Master
Chorale, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
The Chamber Singers are a select group of 16-18 high schoolaged girls who comprise LACC’s most musically accomplished
and technically sophisticated performing ensemble, capable
of learning and gracefully presenting pieces of sublime complexity. Each member has completed LACC’s six-level musicianship curriculum and engages in private vocal coaching to
support the training she receives from LACC, thus enhancing
the group’s exceptional artistry and vocal elegance.
Something to crow about!
...From the Choir
EXCITING NEWS!!!
You know the joke, right?
A tourist in New York City asks for directions: “How do you
get to Carnegie Hall?” and the local replies “Practice, Practice, Practice!”
Well, we did and we are—going to Carnegie Hall! Last summer the choir presented the Sanctus and Benedictus from
Karl Jenkin’s “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” to the congregation. Based on a recording of these movements, Daniel
Canosa received an invitation to join 14 other choirs from
around the world to sing the entire mass at Carnegie Hall in
January 2016! We will attend several rehearsals as one giant
choir and then deliver it powerfully to the audience January
18th, in front of the composer.
Of course, we will be performing the entire Mass for Peace
for you first, here at the FPCSA, on Saturday, May 9th.
Commissioned to mark the transition from one millennium
to another, the Mass for Peace reflects on the passing of ‘the
most war-torn and destructive century in human history,’
and looks forward in hope to a more peaceful future. We
are SO BLESSED to have such a talented group of singers.
But most importantly, we are humbled and appreciative of
YOUR prayers and support as we endeavor to live and share
God’s Grace through music.
SPECIAL THANKS to Patty Sempel for guest conducting
last month, flautist Virginia Thibeaux and Chris McQueen’s
“Amazing Grace,” and the rousing music of Al Flood and the
Barrel House Jazz Band on “Fat Sunday.”
Would you like to JUST SING JUST BECAUSE? Young and
old are invited to get together, informally after church on
Sunday, March 8th. Bring your guitars, fiddles, accordions,
etc., or borrow a drum. Bring the kids and their playlists.
We’ll have some fun making music together. No reservations or intonation needed; just a song in your heart.
Kensington Press
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March 2015
Marin Baroque in Concert
Marin Baroque Chamber Choir and period instrument Orchestra with renowned early brass ensemble The Whole
Noyse and Music Director Daniel Canosa will venture into
the enchanting Baroque music of Latin America and the
rhythmically exuberant music of the Old World with Birds
of Paradise: Exotic Music of the Old & New Worlds. We include
Rameau’s suite from “Les Indes Galantes;” “Le Chant des Oiseaux,” full of bird song by Clément Janequin; an ensalada,
San Sabeya Gugurumbé, with a mixture of Castilian, Catalan, Portuguese, and African vernacular by Mateo Flecha;
the plaintive Con Que La Lavare by Juan Vasquez, a popular
poem and song in 16th-century Spain and a beautiful example of a villancico; and other music from the Latin American
missions. Our orchestra features the vihuela, baroque guitar, and percussion.
We are joined by The Whole Noyse, which is celebrating its
30th year as one of the country’s leading early brass ensembles. Specializing in performing music of the Renaissance
and early Baroque, The Whole Noyse focuses on the combination of cornett, sackbut and curtal, instruments that made
up the primary professional wind group of the 16th and 17th
centuries. In keeping with the versatility expected of wind
players of the period, the ensemble also doubles on recorders and often mixes in the sounds of shawm, slide trumpet,
gittern, violin, and viola.
March 2015
Lent 2015 Daily Calendar
from Environmental Ministries and Enough for Everyone
The Lent 2015 daily calendar, “Tread Lightly for Lent,” from
the Environmental Ministries and Enough for Everyone programs of the Presbyterian Hunger Program, is now available.
This daily calendar
is a quick and easy
way to stay mindful of all God’s
creation throughout the season of
Lent. As we slow
down, reflect, take
on spiritual disciplines, and give up
distractions during the season of
Lent, what parts of God’s creation call our attention, remind
us of God, or invite us to become more deeply the people
God has created us to be? In this calendar are reflection questions, readings, facts, stories, and suggested actions to draw
you more deeply into relationship with God and all God’s creation, as you make your way through Lent.
If you would like to download this resource for free, follow this
link:
http://bit.ly/1A5BP6f
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Kensington Press
Worship
Church & Society
Worship in March 2015
Join Anti-Torture Team Meeting March 22
March 1
In April 2009, the Pew Research Center surveyed American
Adults on this topic. Of the subgroup identifying themselves
as “White mainline protestants”, only 31% thought that torture of suspected terrorists to gain important information
was never justified (or always wrong). The “religiously unaffiliated” subgroup was at 26%.
2nd Sunday in Lent
Communion
“Daily Resurrection: Losing to Find”
Mark 8:31-38
The Rev. Dr. Joanne Whitt, preaching
March 5
The Service for Healing in Community
6:30pm
Quiet prayer, candlelight and Taizé music
March 8
3rd Sunday in Lent
Communion
“Daily Resurrection: What We Don’t Know”
Psalm 19
The Rev. Dr. Joanne Whitt, preaching
March 15
4th Sunday in Lent
Communion
“Daily Resurrection: Before and After”
Ephesians 2:1-10
The Rev. Dr. Joanne Whitt, preaching
March 22
5th Sunday in Lent
Communion
“Daily Resurrection: Seeing Jesus”
John 12:20-33
The Rev. Dr. Joanne Whitt, preaching
March 29 Palm/Passion Sunday
Communion
“Daily Resurrection: Waving Palms”
Mk 11:1-11
The Rev. Diana Bell, preaching
Five years later, this last December, (about the time of the
release of the Senate Select Committee’s Intelligence Report
on the CIA’s use of torture) a similar Washington Post/ABC
News poll found that only 17% of their “White non-evangelical protestant” subgroup held the same view. However,
a larger fraction of the subgroup professing to “no religion”
held this view (32%).
In light of the shrinking poll numbers of folk like us objecting to such torture, and to the extent we seek to be guided by
the Cross we proclaim, the Church & Society Committee has
moved to reengage its witness to the denominational, political,
and theological challenges posed by the release of the Senate
Report detailing torture condoned, carried out, and justified.
The Church and Society Committee of Session has asked Parish Associate Doug Olds to facilitate a team of interested church
and community members to consider proposals for social action, partnerships, and theological study, reflection, and call on
this issue. Dick Schlobohm, Royce Truex, Ron Vestal, and John
Cowperthwaite have joined in the organizing effort. Please reflect prayerfully if you feel called to this witnessing ministry.
The Team’s first meeting will be after church on March 22, but
feel free to join in anytime. Contact Doug for more information: [email protected] 415.717.9360.
In Memoriam
Mary Jane Sargent
February 1, 1923—February 2, 2015
Lavinia “Va” Ilolahia
September 16, 1935—February 2, 2015
Judy Yarling
December 8, 1923—February 9, 2015
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in
perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
~Colossians 3:14-15
“Christ and the Apostles,” Georges Rouault (1938)
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March 2015
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witness to our belief in taking on tough challenges and sticking with people/communities for the long haul.
I helped lead a Katrina/Rita mission trip in January of 2006. We had a group of forty
from Union Theological Seminary, Columbia School of Social Work, and an independent media team. We spent most of our time listening to people, offering pastoral
presence, and asking questions. We also volunteered in the 9th Ward, organizing
supplies; we cleared debris in Biloxi, MS; and we spoke with community leaders and
a developer in New Orleans. There are moments from that trip that forever changed
me as I witnessed devastation caused by both humans and Mother Nature. Systems
failed in New Orleans on a grand scale. Recognizing that there are and could be better systems continues to drive my ministry and my interests in preparing faithful
(young) people to make this world a better place. Mission trips help us understand
parts of our world in new ways—I’m pleased that our youth will have another opportunity this year to experience other parts of our world.
This fall marks the ten-year anniversary of Katrina. According to Project Homecoming’s statistics, 1 in 5 homes in New Orleans is still blighted (abandoned). A few years
ago, New Orleans had the highest rate of blight homes in the country, but due to the
dedication and hard work of countless individuals through PH and other organizations,
this is no longer true. We at FPCSA have been part of this change. PH says over 11,000
volunteers have already given over 380,000 hours, and driven in more nails than they can
count. This June we’ll add to their numbers because there’s still a ton of work to do and it
is only by working together that New Orleans can become great, once again.
The youth trip will be a little different from the trip our adults took last fall. We will
be part of a much larger group, somewhere around eighty total, comprised of church
groups from around the country. The large group will split up during the day to
work on separate sites. At night we’ll come together again for a meal and an activity. These activities include a tour of Bayou Suvage National Wildlife Refuge (think
conservation and ecology); hearing a Katrina survivor tell her story; and an evening
with homeowners and PH community members. And, yes, we’ll have a night out on
the town in New Orleans: Café Du Monde for beignets, a tour of the cathedral, and
a walk downtown are definite possibilities.
There is a strong and intentional faith-building component to the PH trip. We will
have regular reflection time and intentional times set aside for worship. In an effort to prepare ourselves for our trip, we will be meeting regularly over the next
few months. We will learn more about Katrina and the Gulf Coast. We will discuss
mission and what it means to us to serve with and for others. We will also do some
service work together to prepare our hearts and minds for the work ahead. And,
yes, we’ll raise a bit more money. We want this trip to be an outpouring of our community and so we ask parents not to write a check, but rather for the youth to raise
support from a variety of sources. Our trip is open to all youth who’ve completed
their first year of high school. We’ll probably be a relatively small band of travellers
and will be able to get to know each other quite well over the course of the next few
months. I look forward to telling you stories, and allowing the youth to share theirs
when we return. Until then, please keep all the youth (those going to New Orleans
and those returning to Mexico), the adults who serve with them, and the people of
New Orleans and Mexico in your thoughts and prayers.
ijkyAB BAykji
March 2015
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First Presbyterian
Church
of San Anselmo
an inclusive community
72 Kensington Road
415.456.3713
website:
www.togetherweserve.org
e-mail:
[email protected]
Sunday Worship
& Sunday School
10:00am
(Nursery Care)
The Rev. Dr. Joanne Whitt
Pastor and Head of Staff
The Rev. Diana Bell
Associate Pastor for Families,
Children & Youth
The Rev. Julie Love
Parish Associate
The Rev. Doug Olds
Parish Associate
Daniel Canosa
Director of Music
J. Carolyn Johnston
Business Manager
Tom Lannert
Church Custodian
Kathleen McCalla
Office Administrator
John Parfitt
Organist
Martha Spears
Coordinator of Older Adult Ministries
Mary Wright Gillespie
Associate Pastor Emerita
Sally Johnson
Director of Music Emerita
Kensington Press
is published monthly
Virginia Thibeaux
Editor
Kathleen McCalla
Production
Frank Ferguson,
Barbara Shindelus, & Shirley New
Mailing
Kensington Press
First Presbyterian Church
72 Kensington Road
San Anselmo CA 94960
Non-Profit
Organization
U. S. Postage
Be a gardener.
PAID
Dig a ditch, toil and sweat,
Permit No. 2
and turn the earth upside down
and seek the deepness
Return Service Requested
and water the plants in time.
Continue this labor
Time-Sensitiveand
Material
make sweet floods to run
and noble and abundant fruits to spring.
Take this food and drink
and carry it to God as your true worship.
~Julian of Norwich
Kensington Press
Page 12
March 2015