Join us for Celebration worship services, in-person and online, every Sunday at 10 a.m.

November 11, 2010

Dear Friends,

What a joy it has been and continues to be to walk with you.  This past week I have had the privilege of meeting with several of you one on one and with some of you for meals.  I never take for granted the invitation to enter your lives in a different and more personal way.  The sermon I preached about welcoming others into your homes resulted in enough invitations that I figure if I preach the same sermon once a month, I’ll have it made!  Thank you for sharing yourselves with me and for including JE in some of the invitations.

One of my hopes during this Interim time is that you will feel able to trust me.  Part of what will help with that is for us to get to know each other.  When I have the chance to talk with you or have a meal with you, we begin to develop a relationship.  Relationships are essential for building trust.  Another one of my hopes is that you will feel cared for spiritually and emotionally.  You can help me a great deal with that by letting me know when you are hurting or when someone else in the congregation you know is hurting or housebound or in need of a visit.

During Advent I will be offering a group experience to help deal with loss.  I will tell you more about it in next week’s Contact.  The holidays can be a difficult time for many of us due to family situations, health issues, the struggle to remain sober, or significant losses.  We need to support one another during a time when the expectation is that we are happy and excited about celebrating Christmas and the New Year and the reality is that some are walking around with broken hearts.  Stay tuned for more info.

Every day I look forward to what God has in store as I make my way to Oakland!  Thanks for being you.

Beth.

SCHEDULE OF CHILDREN’S REHEARSALS for this year’s Christmas presentation, which will take place in celebration on Sunday, December 12, are as follows:  So that all children can be included, they will learn the songs with Kim beginning during class time and continuing until 11:15 this Sunday November 21 and continuing November 28 and December 5. There will be a final rehearsal Saturday December 11, noon – 1pm as well as a run-through at 9:15 the next day before the performance. We hope all the children will participate even if they have to miss a rehearsal. Questions – contact Kim, Talitha or Susan.

YOUTH GROUP meets 7-9 PM this Sunday in room 2.

THE WATER PROJECT continues until next week, 11/24. The youth group invites you to give up all beverages except water, and collect the money you save to send to a group building wells in Africa and India. Remember that it takes 37 gallons of water to produce one cup of coffee; consider those who could use that water; join us in the challenge!  We will collect money on 11/21 and 11/28 after the service, or send a check with Water Project in the memo.  Also a note from youth group advisor Kevin Fallehy: “I am currently working with my company to cancel our water service with Arrowhead and donate the first month’s water bill savings to the MPC Youth Group Water Project.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY

THIS IS THE LAST SUNDAY FOR VIRGINIA HADSELL’S BIRTHDAY CARDS. Don’t forget to bring a card/write a message and give the card to Minda or Jan to put in Virginia’s hands. Thanks!

Please keep the Nicholas family in your thoughts & prayers. Brant’s father, Allan Nicholas of Phoenix AZ, died unexpectedly following a surgical procedure. He was 68 years old.

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS


COMMUNITY CONNECTION. In our past election Measure BB won by over 70%!! Congratulations to the MPC community and all the people who worked so hard for this to happen.  We have some power!  You are invited to our next Community Connection Committee meeting (Wed. Dec. 8th, 7:30 PM) to discuss what our next steps should be and how to use our power effectively and wisely for the benefit of the citizens of Oakland.

Our Joining Hands Committee of the San Francisco Presbytery is sending a delegation to Bolivia at the end of February.  It will be a grass-roots visit for ten days where delegates will learn about the current issues and challenges facing the Bolivians as they struggle for social justice and access to clean water, land, and air.  Visits to Cochabamba, La Paz, Lake Titicaca, and a mining community will be included.  Estimated cost will be about $2400. Come see firsthand a country emerging from centuries of colonial rule and exploitation to self-determination.  Experience the Andes, meet the people, and see the Southern Cross!  For more information contact Jean Gregory at jeancgreg@gmail.com or (510) 635-8838.
The Joining Hands Committee is looking for two young adults (ages 18-35) to represent our Presbytery by attending the International Youth Environmental Conference in Lima, Peru in January 24-28, 2011.  Applicants should be working on an environmental project (preferably regarding water) that they would like to report on.  Familiarity with Spanish is highly recommended.  Presentations about the conference will be required upon return to the States.  The costs of this trip will be covered.  For more information contact Jean Gregory at jeancgreg@gamil.com or (510) 635-8838.

ALERT: Please do NOT leave any hazardous waste: medicines, batteries or fluorescent light bulbs, at MPC. We no longer have programs to properly dispose of them.  In Alameda County,   batteries can be left in a plastic bag on top of your recycling bin. Fluorescent bulbs and medications should be taken to a Hazardous Waste disposal site.

Deck the Halls: O come all ye faithful and help decorate the church for Christmas.  We will gather in the Family Room on the morning of Saturday, November 27, starting at 9:00 a.m.  Contact Sloan White if you have questions.

MArk your calendars: Montclair Village Holiday Stroll will be Thursday, Dec.  2, 6:00-8:30 PM.

Fruitvale Ave. Presbyterian Church is asking for our help in serving a Thanksgiving dinner to 100 hungry and homeless people on Sunday, Nov. 21st, 12:30 PM.  This is an annual project, but they can no longer do it alone.  Sooo….anybody out there who would like to assist?  There are several ways to help: bake a turkey (turkeys provided), make a side dish to feed 12-25 people, help serve, or help clean up.  This may also be an opportunity for a family to contribute together to serve the needy. Also, you are invited to come eat and share the meal!  Let Jean Gregory know if you’d like to help or if you need further information. Jeancgreg@gmail.com or 635-8838.

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GIVING TO THE WORLD

You’ll be receiving a letter about this year’s alternative giving  program, and you can check the MPC website (www.mpcfamily.org) for more information and a link to the order form and descriptions of the groups

our gifts will benefit.  Get an early start on the holidays!

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MPC Calendar:

http://www.mpcfamily.org/CalendarPrelim.htm


Blessings,

Christine Stickever- Peterson
Associate in Communications and Logistics
Montclair Presbyterian Church
5701 Thornhill Drive
Oakland, California 94611
510/339-1131

Christine@mpcfamily.org