July 11, 2008 issue/ click: download pdf version

Our guest preachers in July are all based in Marin and leading interesting lives serving the community. Join us at worship and hear messages from their unique perspectives.

July 20: Rev. Carol Hovis

Carol is an ordained Presbyterian minister (PCUSA) and the Executive Director of the Marin Interfaith Council, since July 2004. Prior to her position with MIC, she served for six years as the Community Advocate with the San Rafael Canal Ministry in San Rafael, CA.

Carol moved to northern California from northern Virginia in January 1998. Born and raised in metropolitan Washington, DC, Carol attended college in Pennsylvania and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She returned to the DC area in 1988 to serve a Presbyterian congregation in Fairfax, VA. After nine years on staff at Providence Presbyterian Church, seven as associate pastor, she resigned in November 1997 to begin a 11 month personal sabbatical which brought her to northern California. In September 2000, Carol received the Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA.

July 27: Chris Highland

Chris Highland was an interfaith chaplain in the jail and on the streets of Marin for many years.  He was a Presbyterian minister for fourteen years before leaving his ordination for reasons of conscience.   Chris is the author of My Address is a River:  Journeys with the Homeless God (published on his website at www.naturetemple.net) and six "natural spirituality" books on Muir, Thoreau, Emerson, Whitman, Margaret Fuller and John Burroughs.  Each book includes quotations from a host of companion artists, poets and spiritual teachers from around the world, balanced by Chris' black and white photography.  Chris is an adjunct instructor at Dominican University teaching two courses this summer on "Walt Whitman: Community and the Genius of the Common Person" and "The Wild Gospel of Nature, "which will be the topic of his message on July 27. 

No Sunday Morning Class in July

“The Unexpected Word” will not meet in July while Pam is on vacation. Please plan to attend when the class resumes on Sunday, August 3.

Task Forces and Teams Need to Submit Calendar Plans for 2008-2009

The calendar for the Church year beginning September 2008 and ending July 1, 2009 is being formed now. Task Force and Team Leaders, please establish the dates on which you plan to have meetings and special events and submit to the church office by Monday, August 4. The calendar will be published in the new Church Directory, to be available in mid-September.

More Summer Reading
Jack Bartlett sends along this “feel good and inspirational summer reading” suggestion:

No one in this country is more respected for his understanding of the Christian tradition, American history, and the inner workings of government than Bill Moyers. This understanding is displayed in the recently published book, Moyers on Democracy, which is a compilation of addresses, lectures, and speeches he gave on such topics as: politics, the media, and religion, as well with others. These offerings, which reflect the author’s abiding sense of hope and love of country, are valuable reading in a presidential election year.

July Birthdays
Happy Birthday to our members and friends celebrating birthdays in July. Did we miss your special date? If so, email the church office at ccmvucc@comcast.net or phone in a message at 388-5540.

July 5 Pat Stephenson
July 11 Connie Kloh
July 29 Linda Clever
July 30 Beth Arvidson

Board Report

The board members of the classes 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 all met together to transition to a new church year. Outgoing board member Ken Harris and our Treasurer, Bob Larsen, were thanked for their service. Continuing Dora Ford and incoming Bob Harmon and Jane Kloh were welcomed and thanked for their willingness to serve on the board.

The new year’s officers were elected to lead the board and church. The unanimous agreement puts the following into office:
President: Mike Webber
Vice President: James Clever
Treasurer: Susan Blanchard
Secretary: Betsy Bikle

The regular meeting date of the board will continue to be the fourth Tuesday of the month.

The board will have a planning retreat in early or mid August. One item will be reviewing costs of securing the sanctuary to its foundation and doing any other necessary work. Several members of the board will be attending a UCC financial seminar on July 26 in Santa Rosa. Ron Buford, the architect of the God is Still Speaking national campaign, will lead the seminar.

Financially, the 2007-08 fiscal year is expected to be quite satisfactory. Look to a report in this newsletter once the year-end figures are determined. The church history was discussed in depth. Arn Mutia, our in care seminary student now has his diploma in hand with great thanks to the generosity of the donors toward his education. The Task Force for Keneth is working on the details and arrangements for bringing our Ugandan friend, Kiyija Keneth here for heart surgery. His U.S. visa was just approved. The Raconteur publishing project of the church’s Redwoods Partnership Task Force is completed.

Pam reported that she will take her vacation for most of the month of July. The Christian Life Team has arranged for some interesting preachers. Pam invited us to join a celebration of The Raconteur’s publication at The Redwoods. She also urged us to attend the city planning commission meeting regarding the plans for three apartments on the site of the defunct affordable housing project at Old Mill Street and Throckmorton.

The meeting closed with a prayer by Dora Ford.- Betsy Bikle

Event in Support of “Peace and Justice in the Philippines” Draws Crowd

Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua, of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines was the featured speaker at a special event at our Community Church on Sunday evening, June 29. "Coming Together for Peace and Justice in the Philippines" was organized by seminarian-in-care Arn Lou Mutia shortly before he left for his new home on the East Coast. Sixty people attended the event, some coming from as far as Livermore, Sacramento and Daly City, as well as from local congregations.  

Bishop Pascua spoke about rampant human rights abuses in his country and the targeting of church leaders by Philippine government militias. Since 2001, there have been over 800 “extra-judicial” killings in the Philippines. Another 200 victims have simply disappeared. According to the Bishop, over 30 clergy and lay workers of all denominations, including 15 from United Church of Christ in the Philippines, have died violently. All were targeted for promoting human rights in their country.

"The killings happen in a political climate of impunity," said Bishop Pascua.  No one is punished. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the World Council of Churches, the United Nations Human Rights Council and others, have all issued reports on human rights abuses in the Philippines. The evening, which included passionate protest songs by Filipino musicians and our own Ben Hulan, ended with a "call to action" by the Filipino organizations in attendance. They asked that all people of faith learn more about the struggle in the Philippines and offer their moral support.- Linda Xiques

Upcoming Church Events

Sunday
10:00 a.m. Worship, Guest Preacher, Dave Martin
Child care in the Nursery
11:15 a.m. Coffee and Conversation, Tamalpais Hall

Next Week
Wed. July 16 11;45 a.m. Men’s Lunch, Marin Brewing, Larkspur
Now through Tue. July 29 Pam Shortridge on Vacation

Coming
Sun. July 20 10:00 a.m. Guest Preacher, Carol Hovis
Mon. July 21 12 Noon Of Good Report Deadline
Tue. July 22 7:30 p.m. Board Meeting, Fireside Room
Sun. July 27 10:00 a.m. Guest Preacher, Chris Highland

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