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In The Meantime...
You really know how to throw a party! "Our" Installation was an inspirational, exceptional, joyous event! Thank you all so much for making the day so memorable. I've heard continuing compliments from people from other churches, secular friends, and friends of other faiths. Thanks to all who assisted in worship: readers (Howard, Jean, Lucie, Reggie, Kristen, Shannon), greeters (Kate & ?), ushers, signer (Loreen), dancer (Yvonne), covenant makers (Bill, Asia, Chris). Thanks to all who prepared food, donated toward the reception, arranged, served and cleaned-up. Marylin Tracy practically lived here for days to get ready! Music - What can I say? As usual, Mark, Jeanette, Greg, David, and the other musicians helped us soar through their talents. Our "huge" and enthusiastic choir was as much fun to watch, as it was to listen to. Thanks, David, for composing the special song for the occasion! Mrs. Myong Kim worked her beautiful magic with the sanctuary flowers . Oakland Korean Presbyterian Church and Ellen Nott donated the elaborate sanctuary bouquets. Fireside Room flowers were donated by Kate Diepenbrock. My stole is simply exquisite - one of the most beautiful green stoles I've ever seen! Mary Busby, a friend and owner of the store Sagrada where it was purchased, said my stole reminds her of the watery colors in our stain glass windows. And, as always, it took many hands "behind the scenes" to assist: Loreen and Mark Spiegel (of course), Carol Dabney, Patricia Oku, George Falck and others all helped prepare for the day. Let's continue to celebrate together. Let's live together as joyful people of God, who not only know how to have a good time, but who know how to share good times and good news with others. Plymouth Church is an amazing place with amazing people. It may be Lent, but it already feels like Easter to me! With gratitude and love, Lois [back to top] God's Wings
God's Wings," an article in National Geographic several years ago, provided a penetrating picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under, the cover of her wings would live. "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4) Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you, and then be different because of it. [back to top] What's Happening
February 10, 2001: A most glorious day in the life of Plymouth Church-the installation of Rev. Lois Mueller as our permanent pastor!!! The morning service featured an inspirational performance by Jamie Myrick as Sojourer Truth, followed by a Fellowship hour hosted by Jeanette Morris, her sister Shelly, Yvonne Dawes and Greg Jones. The installation service began at 4:00 pm with the Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gadst, Conference minister of the Northern California Nevada Conference-UCC delivering the message. A host of members, friends and clergy contributed to the jubilation. Lois was presented with a beautiful stole. A grand reception coordinated by Marylin Tracy culminated the proceedings. Thanks to all the many artists, readers, musicians who participated so enthusiastically. All who attended seemed glad they experienced such a lovely event. Thanks to all who donated yummies/money to put on this spread and help clean up afterward: Elizabeth Hasychak, Asia Patterson, Lucie D'Angelo, Dorothy & Stephen Lage, Marylin, Lois, Yofe Johnson, Loreen Carrabello, Howard Chase, Jean Lindborg, Kate Diepenbrock, George Falck, Khoa Hua, David Sturdevant, Ko Blix, Mark Spiegel, Dorothy Finger and Carol. The floral arrangements were given by Ellen Nott and Kate. The Plymouth family and Friends are a "together group". Thanks to ALL! Congratulations: to Stephen Hamilton, former Plymouth minister, on his call to be the full-time pastor of the Squaw Valley Chapel; Best Wishers to him and Karen. To Lorie and Mark on being grandparents again. To Reggie in the Martin Luther King, Jr., Oratorical Festival at Fruitvale Elementary School; he will be going on the next level of competition. To Marylin's great nephew, Ethan Gray, on winning the Geographical Bee for Douglas County; he now will compete at the state level in Reno. Prayers: For our homebound: Lola (who has returned home following a hospital stay), Jaime Farris, Helen Grant, and Mable Lem; For Lorie's sister who has a work-related injury; for Maria (Bill & Carol's daughter-in-law and wife of Reid) on her recent angioplasty; for Lois' sister-in-law, Kathy Roberts, who is recovering from brain surgery; for Peace; for the people of Afghanistan; for Welda; for Alexandria Childs, Christmas Eve banner creator, on her Ecclesiastical Council for ordination; for hunger, for justice, and equitable food distribution; for Valerie after her most recent surgery. Outreach: to the Alameda County Food Bank, with Lucie's invitation to bring food to put in the barrels in the church and volunteers once a month at the Food Bank's Saturday food sort. To Valerie, Kristen, and Shannon: you may sign-up with Carol to help them with dinners on Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday as soon as they are ready to accept them again. Bereavements/Condolences: to the family of Carl Hamilton; to May, Marylin's sister-in-law on the passing of her pastor, Walter Rice; to the Richter family on the passing of De (wife of our former pastor Bob and mother of Carole and Becky) who was a wondrous songstress in Plymouth's choir; to the Flecher family on the passing of their mother, Margaret. |
Fellowship Luncheon on 2/6: Annie Soo was guest speaker on Chinese
New Year, the year of the Horse; giving an interesting, educational view
with appropriate stage props, following an ordered Chinese lunch for Yang
Chow on Grand Avenue. Present: Anne Boldt, Dorothy Finger, Dorothy Lage,
Helen Grant, Mung, Jean Lindborg, Loreen, Lois, Patricia Oku, Marylin, Lois
& John Drachenberg, and Carol. Vacations/Trips: Welda to Santa Fe; Reggie and Asia took Lucie to Hawaii to celebrate her 50th Birthday; I understand Reggie really had a fun time on the surfboard. First Friday Night Out on 2/1: (March 8th will be our next get together) Enjoying the evening: Yvonne, Anne, Marcella, Marylin, Lucie, Patricia, Calt, host Asia, and Carol. [back to top] MARY HELENE WAGNER is an Oakland artist who has lived in California since 1967. Born and raised in the New York City area, her earliest influences came from exhibits shown at all the Metropolitan Area art museums available to her. She studied and received her degree in Fine Arts at New Jersey State Teachers College in Newark. Her graduate studies took place at Rutgers University and the University of California in Berkeley, among others. Retired now from teaching, she devotes her energies to composing assemblage sculptures. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the Bay Area and is found in private collections in the New York and San Francisco regions. ARTIST’S STATEMENT The media discipline of Assemblage has kept me intrigued for quite a few years. I enjoy collecting elements that might contribute to an assembly. The search to find materials takes me out each week to collect objects considered defunct or abandoned. Each item that I come across must contain art elements that will contribute to a visual statement in assemblage. In my gathering, sorting and assembling, the objects are born anew, clearly dictating the form and subject I will attend. I must then plan the systems of joining in completing the work as an assembled unit. I find that as I gather these items, ideas come to me like a moment’s conversation with a guiding spirit, leaving me with a cloudless view of the work’s steps of progression leading to finality. The initial idea remains clear and exciting throughout. A Christian in theology I often use themes depicting Biblical teachings. I am inclusive in the valuing of the human condition, the Earth and it’s needed protection and the mysteries of the universe. ______________________________________ WORKS OF ART IN THE PLYMOUTH CHURCH SANCTUARY
Forbidden Fruit, 1994, Ye Seek Jesus, 1996, Diademata, 1997, Follow Me, 2001 Mary Helene’s assemblage art will be in our sanctuary through Easter. Brochures are available in the narthex to more about these beautiful works. [back to top] Be Not Afraid I go before you always…
Saturday, April 13, 2002 -9:30-3:00 pm Niles Congregational Church-Fremont Mark your calendars NOW for a very special one day retreat: This year's spring retreat will focus on the topic of FEAR -both in light of current events and within the realm of our personal lives and relationships. The retreat will be held at Niles Congregational Church, centrally located in Fremont: We are blessed with an abundance of gift4ed women who will help guide the retreat. Worship services will be led by the REVEREND SALLY SMITH and the REVEREND LIZ NASH. The REVEREND KIBBIE RUTH will lead a special workshop. A host of other talented women will facilitate workshops about: the psychological aspects of fear, Biblical insights, resources, and stories for handling fear, and the use of music, meditation, and prayer to overcome fear. Cost for the retreat is $ 25.00 per person. Breakfast snacks and lunch will be served. Please complete the attached registration form and return by MARCH 30, 2002 The registration form is available at Plymouth Office 510-654-5300 [back to top] The Genesis of a Nursing Home Ministry
When I was asked, 14 years ago, to become involved in a ministry to nursing homes in San Francisco, my reply was a very quick "No, thank you. I don't have much in common with older people and I can't imagine being in one of those places. They are without hope." The individual who offered me this opportunity (and I do see it now as an opportunity), wasn't put off by my instinctive refusal. As a friend, he knew I was accustomed to praying before making an important decision and so he gently suggested I pray about this one. My initial reaction was one of irritation. I thought to myself "Didn't you hear me? I don't want to do this!" But, because he was a friend, I agreed to reconsider my reply. In my experience, as I enter into a listening mode with God and attempt to extract as much of my own predilections and desires as possible, the Spirit moves me in ways that are frequently contrary to my expectations. In this case I began to entertain some positive thoughts about this ministry. I could clearly see the need and knew that my visits would benefit the people living in these homes (more than 60% of nursing home residents never have a visitor), and I began to get a glimpse of what such a ministry might do for me. Somewhat to my surprise and a bit tentatively, a couple of weeks later I said to my friend, "Okay, I'll try it." Since then, nursing home ministry has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. One of the keys to this enjoyment is remembering, to the best of my ability, to enter these places only when I am willing to acknowledge the presence of the Spirit with me. Scripture reminds us that the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience and humility. When I have been willing to see with God's eyes and hear with God's ears, the Spirit has shown me these qualities, in myself as well as in the people I visit, in abundance. The spiritual gifts of the elderly, and particularly those who have nothing in this world - "the least of these" - are countless. This path isn't for everyone. God draws us to Spirit in many different ways. But if you're looking for opportunities for spiritual growth and satisfaction in service to your brothers and sisters, you should consider nursing home ministry. And before you decide, may I suggest that you pray about it? [back to top] |
In The Meantime Lois Mueller