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In the Meantime... Do you know who our neighbors are? I recently received some interesting demographic information about the 94611 zip code area residents based on the 2000 census. Our neighbors tend to be adult singles or couples – 57% compared to 14% nationally. As we know and celebrate, there is a high degree of racial/ethnic diversity in our neighborhood. Boomers aged 40 to 59 account for 34% of the population, compared to 27% nationally. Our neighbors live in non-traditional family patterns – only 39% are married compared to the 55% national average – and they are extremely well educated. 55% of the studied households are not involved in any religious organization compared to 35% nationally and residents tend to be more non-traditional in their spiritual outlook or have no religious preference at all. They also are more likely to prefer a somewhat contemporary worship style. Community problems such as social injustice, affordable housing, finding companionship, racial/ethnic prejudice, and finding life direction are of more concern than in the national average. Have your eyes glazed over with these statistics yet? Mine didn’t because I find it fascinating to learn about who we are in relationship with here in this corner of God’s world. Of course, this is only part of the story because on the other side of Oakland Ave. is another zip code, but I imagine that these trends hold true there, too. We can receive this as “half empty” or “half full” information. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can re-create a large, traditional congregation in this environment. And I find it disappointing to know that many of our neighbors consider churches irrelevant to their lives. But a “half full” lens is available, too. Our neighbors care about issues that affect this community. An inclusive, diverse church like ours with eclectic music and ritual will tend to meet our neighbors’ needs more than a traditional Protestant church. Ultimately, we are not called by God to become a large institution that meets each and every need. We are called by God to be leaven. To be salt. To be light. To be faithful. To be compassionate. Through God’s grace, that is what we are trying to be. That is how we are trying to live together as a beloved community. Blessings, [back to top] John & Lois Drachenberg Reporting We had planned to depart Oakland on Monday, April 29, the Cord Moving company had completed their packing and loading of the van, but we found so many last-minute tasks that had to be done before we left so we did not get away until Tuesday, after 6:30 PM on April 30th. . . After being here a week, both of us said “it feels like home”… the home that we grew up in, in the late 20s and the 30s with being out in the country and we are able to burn our waste and trash just like we did when we were youngsters! We also notice that our arthritis and our allergies give us much less trouble here! And for John to be fully retired and not have to face a job everyday, her feel both younger and more energetic! At Ages 77 and 76, IT ALL ADDS UP TO GREATER INSPIRATION FOR BOTH OF US!!... We are enjoying our slower-paced living here. We’ve spent most of our time unpacking and getting our furniture, furnishing, books and curios settled while at the same time “discovering” our beautiful new home! We sign-off now by letting you know that we are very happy in our new surroundings next door to our daughter Claudia and all her animals! May God continue to Bless You in Each and Every Way!! Our new address is 138-B Grey Oak Drive, Bastrop, TX 78602 Phone 512-321-3493 Love John & Lois>br> [back to top] An Overnight Experience for Our Young Girls Rites of Passage, Celebrating Young Womanhood. Attending our young woman overnight fun time was Kristen & Shannon Chase & friends. Supervising the evening was Jeanette Morris, Yvonne Dawes, Jamie Myrick and Twinkie, Jeanette’s daughter-in –law. The evening planned was 7:00 PM Welcome-Opening Prayer (Scripture) in the Fireside Room. |
[An Overnight Experience for Our Young Girls -- cont.] Introduction— share a little bit about ourselves. What you would like to get out of this time. Games, Dance, Music & Food. Jaime—Story Presentations. 9:00 PM Rites of Passage Yvonne—Candle Lighting Ceremony. Reflecting on your God-Given beauty, talent & inherent power. Jeanette—A Time of sharing—Challenges that every young woman faces. Skin, Dress, Hormones, Drugs, Peer Pressure, Boys, Our Monthly Cycles, Education, Community Volunteering, Confidence, Esteem, Career Choices, Forgiveness to Break the Cycles and anything that should come to your heart that you feel you need to share. 11:00 PM Snack time! Do you feel like staying up all night until the wee small hours of the morning to chat? OK that’s fine. Us old fold are gong to sleep. Goodnight. Saturday Morning 8:00 AM Breakfast 9:00 AM A beautiful way to close our weekend together, let’s take a nice stroll down to the rose garden. 10:00 A.M Rites of Passage Sleepover is Dismissed. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and God Bless! [back to top] 20th Annual Plymouth A's Game Tailgate Party!
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME! A’s game with Detroit Tigers & pre-game Tailgate Party beginning at 10:45 a.m. See enclosed flyer for more details.
We need your reservation by
Tuesday, July 16th![back to top] Surprise! Congratulations Our choir director, Greg Jones and Lilibeth Santiago were married on Wednesday, June 12th, in our sanctuary! The wedding guests primarily included family members, but Jeannette Morris served as “Best Madam” and sang two solos! In attendance was also a one-eyed cat that was determined to participate. We wish Greg and Beth an abundant, joyous life together! [back to top] Oakland Care Center Ministry 3030 Webster St. Come & join our next worship services on: Saturday, July 27th & Saturday, August 24th One-on-one visits at your convenience. See Lois for details. Thanks to Marlo Green, sax, and Patricia Oku, piano, for playing solos and enhancing our singing in June! [back to top] Fremont Congregational Church Fremont Congregational Church is having a Gay Men’s Chorus performance on Saturday, July 27, 2002 at the Jackson theater in the Smith Center for the Performing Arts at Ohlone College will feature a musical tribute to Freddie Mercury and the British rock band, Queen. With favorites such as “We Are the Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”, the chorus will transport you to the glam-rock era. If you have any questions please contact the Fremont Congregational Church at 510-793-3970. We are reserving the first tickets (which means the best seating) for our fellow churches until the end of May and will open ticket sales to the public in June. We can mail tickets direct or hold them at will call. This is a benefit for Fremont Mission: AIDS. The proceeds will be used to purchase a house in San Jose where all people with AIDS can congregate for meetings and discussion groups. This will be a benefit for the whole community. Thank You, Stewardship and Outreach Committee [back to top] Healing, Hope & Wholeness Coming this Fall>br> Wednesday Evening Workshop Seriesbr> Look for details in our September newsletter Led by James Cook, MFT, & Rev. Lois Mueller [back to top] |
In the Meantime... Rev. Lois Mueller