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In the Meantime We've been living together for almost two years - it's time to get married! The wedding in this case is called an "Installation" and it happens on February 10th at 4 p.m. It may sound like I'm a washing machine or refrigerator, but an installation is a sacred service of worship in which we take vows, much like wedding vows. During this service you, the people of Plymouth United Church of Christ, and I will covenant together to respect and honor each other and to minister together in Christ's name. We are called in this sacred relationship to support each other and this amazing church, but our mutual ministry isn't for Plymouth Church alone. It is to be Christ's representative in a hurting, broken world. By this time you know how incredibly privileged I feel to be here with you dear people. I'm humbled by your (and God's) gift of grace and trust. Much like a young married couple, we don't know what the next five years will bring. We don't know what struggles we will face. We don't know what new life we'll give birth to. We don't know what we'll fight about or what we'll learn about each other or when the honeymoon will be over. But if we follow the advice of the S.F. Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll, we'll grow together. Carroll wrote a few months ago that in a marriage three votes count: each partner gets a vote and then the marriage gets a vote. In our case, our covenant gets a vote. I have no doubt that the Holy One brought us together. My prayer is that the Spirit of Life and Love continues to guide us and keep us together, so that we can become more and more a luminous presence of holy compassion, creativity and justice. I would be honored by your presence on the 10th! Blessings, Lois [back to top] Bay Area Community Services Towne House CLC Dear Friends at Plymouth Church, We would like to thank you for your donation of Christmas gifts to Towne House CLC. As you know, it was caring and generous members of your congregation who were responsible for starting the Towne family home on Monte Vista in 1969. This year the program celebrated its 32nd year, and throughout these years we have benefited from your support and dedication to our mission to help adults with serious mental illness live and work in their communities and not in institutions. The Christmas gifts you donated made it possible for over 70 adults with mental illness to be able to celebrate this special time of year. It was heartwarming to see the expressions on people's faces when they received a warm jacket, sweater, or hat. For many these were their only Christmas gift. Thank you for your efforts in helping make this possible. This generosity and sharing represents the true spirit of Christmas, and continues our long association of mutual collaboration. As you know, Towne House is a house of hope and friendship and gives members the chance to have a place to belong and the opportunity to work. We invite you to come and visit the program in our new home so that we can thank you in person. With our heartfelt thanks and best wishers for the new year. Sincerely yours, Milly Alverez, Director, Towne House CLC [back to top] Time
By Loreen carrabello When I was young I remember all that mattered Was the world outside. Nature discovering the intricate marvels life that lived outside my inner turmoil Wonders my eyes beheld taking in all the colors, textures, and feelings that nature freely gave me A safe place that had no boundaries that were all mine to change to touch and explore Feelings of freedom where I could escape Life has not changed from my youth. I can change my day in the world outside My feelings rise with great excitement and the beautiful trees bend toward my face and speak Your are special and the world is yours I will never forget how it was to be young. [back to top] DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD
As we're growing in numbers and vitality, we're more able to participate in the important interfaith work going on in Oakland. If you are concerned about a particular issue and want to get involved, please see Lois. There are numerous opportunities to make a difference! Some of the present options: Issues of affordable housing and public education through the Oakland Coalition of Congregations, the environment and alternative energy through Interfaith Power and Light, fair and sustainable wages through an interfaith labor organization, homelessness through St. Mary's Center. The list goes on and on.
[back to top] February is AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
February 10th, 11 a.m.This month we will welcome Jeanette's sister, Jamie Myrick, back again for African-American History Month! Jamie became the character of Harriet Tubman last year and wove our service together with song, story and passion. You won't want to miss her appearance again Sunday, Feb. 10th, during our 11 a.m. morning worship. The Installation Service at 4 p.m. will be the more traditional service of the day. Please try to attend both! [back to top] |
Joy Crocker is traveling to Nicaragua During the Revolution in Nicaragua, 1980s, President Reagan was saying that Nicaragua was Communist (not true ) -- and a threat to all we hold dear. My Church Women United Friends said that the Sandinistas were converting Jesus' words into national policy: feed the hungry, heal the sick, care for the prisoner --and educated the illiterate. Contrasting PR: "NICARAGUA IS GOOD GOOD GOOD." "NICARAGUA IS BAD BAD BAD." So in 1984 I went -- supposedly for a one-week visit -- to see for myself where the truth lay-- and stayed for ten years. I never found "The Truth". You tend to get very different stories from The Rich and The Poor. In times of revolutionary change (a struggle of the common people against the rich), the rich tend to leave. Nicaragua had lost it's only concert pianist, so when I went to visit the National Conservatory, it was not strange that the director, Pablo Buitrago, nabbed me almost the minute I walked in the door. "You must stay here and be the Chairman of the Piano Department, teach the teachers, teach the advanced and intermediate students... I tell people that I was #1 pianist in Nicaragua, -- no great boast, since there were no others! A month later I started playing for the First Baptist Church Choir (the only real choir in Nicaragua ), as they too had just lost their pianist and were desperate, what with Messiah Christmas performances coming up. I continued at First Baptist during my ten years in Nicaragua, and it was they who sponsored our famous Crash Course. We announced to all Managua: "Come to a One-Week Crash Course in music. We promise that in these 8 daysyou'll be able to play ten songs (piano, flute guitar)-- and have a bird's eye view of music history the basics of reading notes." People came by the hundreds, including a lot of adults deprived of opportunities for study during the Dictatorship era. A 70-year-old wept the first day of classes, "I never ever dreamed that I would even touch a piano." This grew into the Baptist Conservatory, now the largest conservatory in Nicaragua. My students are still carrying on as administration and faculty. About 10 of them are teach some 150 students. My three weeks with them will be a working vacation: giving master classes, a concert and days packed with shared private lessons. First Baptist is specially looking forward to my two weeks there -- to do some hard-accompaniment anthems. Since I left in 1995 they have had three fine young pianists -- who have gone off to U.S. Costa Rica and Mexico for college studies. The choir is currently relying mostly on accompaniment tapes. It is with high emotion that I head to Nicaragua to be with my students and friends, my "musical sons and daughters." Even some of my "grandchildren" are playing up a storm -- and teaching. My most important role there will be to applaud their efforts -- to see how music is enriching the lives of teachers, students, listeners -- in this severely oppressed country. Joy [back to top] FOOD BANK NEWS Thank you to all who have been donating food to our Food Bank barrels. They are located in the Narthex and the Fireside Room. Any non-perishable items are accepted and greatly appreciated. I am organizing a group interested in volunteering, once a month, at the Food Bank's Saturday food sort. Our first date is February 23rd, from 1-4 pm. The Food Bank is located at the Oakland Army Base and we can car pool from Plymouth. If you are interested in coming along, please see me or call 658-0670. Show you care by supporting those in need! [back to top] What's Up at Plymouth Intergenerational Bible Study
Our twice-a-month bible study is going strong! Laughter is frequent during our exploration of the bible together. Through readers' theater, comparing translations, videos, and discussion, we learn the stories of the Jewish and Christian faiths. We also reflect on the intersection of our own stories and the biblical drama. New participants are always welcomed, but please check in for place and day. We meet from 7-8:30 p.m. Our next gatherings will begin at:Wednesday, January 23rd - at Helen Grant's home Thursday, February 7th - at Jean Lindborg's home Thursday, February 21st - at Lola Duncan's home [back to top] MINISTRY TO NURSING HOMES
Our Church Council voted to join the San Francisco Bay Area Ministry to Nursing Homes and to "adopt" one nearby nursing home. Lois has visited several with the Executive Director of MNH, and we'll soon begin a relationship with one near Summit Medical Center where many of the residents are poor and receive no visitors. Our obligation is simple - to have several people in our community commit to one-on-one visits a couple hours a month. The rest of us will help by providing worship opportunities, music experiences, anything that will bring a sense of God's presence to people who frequently feel forgotten by everyone/[back to top] SOUPER BOWL OF CARING On Super Bowl Sunday, February 3rd, we'll again participate in the "Souper Bowl of Caring," a national effort in assisting the hungry on the "high holy day" of football. Please bring canned goods for our food barrel to worship that day. Our communion love offering will benefit the Alameda County Food Bank. [back to top] |
in the meantime by Lois Mueller