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In the Meantime...... The great theologian, Gracie Allen, once said,“Never place a period where God placed a comma.” This thoughtful phrase doesn’t sound like Gracie’s ditzy performing persona! It is being used in a new media effort by our denomination to give a clearer identity to the United Church of Christ and is translated into: “God is still speaking.” In my blessed role as your pastor, I constantly experience how God still speaks through and to this community. Our guest preachers and speakers frequently tell me how moved and inspired they are by the spirit and warmth of our services. In the privacy of my office, I hear profound stories of the struggles and joys of individuals trying to discern and follow God’s call. During our weekly scripture meditation hour, we invariably hear the voice of God speaking anew through the thoughtful reflection of participants. God spoke in April through our acts of service in the Rose Garden and at the Oakland Care Center, as we worked together to embody our faith. There is no doubt in my mind that God is still speaking here at Plymouth Church. The hard part comes when different people in a community hear different truths. These words are included in the “God is still speaking” website: One of the UCC’s distinguishing characteristics is its penchant to believe that ... God is still speaking, ... even when it puts us out there alone. History has shown that, most often, we’re only alone for a while. Besides, we receive so many gifts from our ecumenical partners, being “early” seems to be one of ours. [www.stillspeaking.com.] When we as people of faith are challenged by new words and ideas, it’s important to remember that they may be divinely inspired. In fact, surprise has been a sign in my life to pay attention – it may be God speaking. Let’s listen attentively together! Blessings, Lois [back to top] Mama by Edwina Gateley I did not know how fiercely a child could squeeze and loose my heart. I did not know how deeply his sudden, momentary absence could chill my guts. And I did not truly know the passion of God’s love for me until a child slipped into my life and called me “mama.” Happy Mother's Day! [back to top] What’s Happening Glorious Easter Season: Mundy Thursday Service at Plymouth, Good Friday at Lakeshore Baptist Church, Easter Sunrise Service at Skyline, as well as 11:00 a.m. Easter Service at Plymouth, Rev. Lois was an integral part of each occasion. Thanks to her and Mark Spiegel for making the altar area look especially spiritual. Thanks to all who participated in the Easter Service. We had many guests as well as friends. The children enjoyed the Easter Egg Hunt arranged by Loreen Carrabello (thanks to all who dyed eggs). The music was magnificent! Thanks to all who involved in the service, the Fellowship Hour, and the donation of the Lilies. Thanks to Asia Patterson for arranging to pick up the lilies. Sign-Ups: We all enjoy those participating in the service. We also enjoy the Fellowship Hour. You may have noticed on 4/14 that helpful David Sturdevant, Chris Lundin, and George Falck had signed up to contribute to the menu and help Marylin Tracy that morning. Thanks, fellows. I’d like to encourage others of you to pre-sign up to bring some food or give a monetary donation towards the goodies. We all enjoy eating and we all enjoy socializing and Marylin, Dorothy and I would really appreciate more timely assistance with the clean-up portion. We come early to help out with the preparation and are there afterwards so no one would be expected to do it all alone. Special thanks to Lucie D’Angelo, Asia, Greg, Khoa Hua for their helpfulness on so many occasions. Vacations/Visitors: Greg Jones recently enjoyed a visit with his parents. John and Lois Drachenberg were Plymouth visitors on 3.24. John retired as Minister of Visitation from First Congregational Church of Oakland. (Our Rev. Lois gave the benediction at his retirement party on 4.14) and they will soon be moving to Texas to be near family. Best wishes, John and Lois. Congratulations: To Jean Lindborg, who became a great-grandmother recently. Thanks: To Asia and Reginald Branch, Jr., for all the work they do around Plymouth. The benches honoring the memory of Tom Disher have now been permanently placed. Outreach: To Valerie Rivera and Kristen and Shannon Chase. Those who wish to do so may sign-up for a Wednesday or Sunday date to provide a meal for them during this time of concern. You may sign up on the schedule on the bulletin board or phone me at (510) 839-5512. They are so appreciative of Plymouth’s caring and compassion. Nursing Home Ministry had its initial orientation meeting on 4/10 and an official blessing on 4/14. Monthly Activities: First Friday Night Out, Intergenerational Bible Study, Scripture Meditation, and the Fellowship Luncheon, as well as the celebration of Birthday Sunday on 4/21, continued. Prayers: For First Congregational Church at this time of transition; for great Niece of Marylin Tracy, Jeanney, on adopting a child from Cambodia and reconciling with her mother, Pat; for Jerome Turner, brother-in-law of Jeanette Morris, during his problem with blood clots; for Donald Wescoat, friend of David Sturdevant, who had surgery to repair damage from a recent hate crime beating; for our homebound; Lola Duncan, Jaime Farris, Helen Grant, and Mable Lem; for peace in the world; for Welda Murphy who sponsored assistance for Afghan children ( the children at Alvarado Middle School raised $395) “There’s Hope!” for peace with justice in the world; form Carolyn Collins for her welcoming at Plymouth and prayers for here sister Barbara; for the gift of music at Plymouth. [back to top] |
Family Preservation Assistance Each week, Alameda County uses our premises to lead a support group for parents and grandparents trying to preserve or reunify their families. Lois spoke with the social workers in charge to see if they needed our assistance in a more direct way. They suggested a variety of possibilities that we can consider as individuals or a community: • Become a child advocate – After training, volunteers follow a child through the foster care and court systems, getting to know them and advocating for the child’s best interests. • Take mothers shopping to prepare for their children’s arrival following foster care placement. • Provide Albertson’s gift certificates. • Organize a “closet” here at Plymouth with used children’s clothing, toys, and household items available to families trying to set up housekeeping for reunification. • Establish an after-school tutoring program. I was also informed of some disturbing facts: • Alameda County is projecting a $29 million deficit this coming fiscal year. • Families who have had children in the foster care system are required to provide restitution to the County, even if it means getting minimal wages garnished! • Some welfare recipients now face the five-year lifetime maximum and are receiving drastically reduced support. • Children in foster care often have no consistent adult in their lives. The placement and the social worker may change, leaving no consistent alt presence. We are already undertaking a great deal here at Plymouth. However given the need, some among us may be moved to become involved with these children and their families. [back to top] A Safe Place 
Thank you for your interest in A Safe Place. You also expressed an interest in how you might assist us. We are in desperate need of volunteers to assist in current projects.• Organizing donations for clients. • Fundraising “Super Sale” (This is a sale we are currently organizing to raise money for the shelter) (federal surplus items and others) Grants Committee: We need volunteers to work with our Grants committee. The purpose is to identify individuals and /or Organizations (i.e. foundations, corporations, businesses, individuals) who may support the work we do. Day-to-day volunteers are also needed. Volunteers are essential to our agency. Most of these activities are coordinated through the Executive Director. Please call if you can help. 510-986-8600 Ex. 315. [back to top] Companion and Light Care Giver Wanted for Elderly Woman We are looking for an older woman, who would be interested in exchanging light care giving duties and cooking dinner for my mother and herself in exchange for room and board and a small stipend. We think two hours of help a day would be fair exchange for room and board in North Berkeley home, near shops and buses and the north Berkeley branch library. My mother is 93, in good health, but with considerable loss of vision due to macular degeneration; she also has some hearing loss, but that is corrected with hearing aids. She is a quiet person, who loves her home and her garden, and she has a small dog that is a companion for her as well. She is a retired school teacher and principal, and enjoys educational TV, the news, and musical programming on television, but does not like having the TV on all day. She loves to garden, and might have extra chores she would like done, such as helping cleaning u the garden, or walking the dog; we would be willing to pay extra if her companion/helper put in extra time doing various tasks around the home that were agreed upon. She is able to get her own breakfast and lunch, but would like someone else to cook dinner. She is a light eater and prefers fresh vegetables and fruits and lean meats in her diet. She does have a sweet tooth, however, and loves deserts. If you are interested in talking more about this position, please call me so that we may talk further. I am her daughter, and can be reached at (510) 644-8200, extension 38 from 8 am until 4 pm. Evenings I can be reached at (510) 601-0423; my name is Suzanne McMillan. [back to top] Intergenerational Bible Study Thursdays, 7-8:30 May 9th – Jean Lindborg’s, 3065 Monterey Blvd., 531-2797 May 23rd – Fireside Room. (This will be our last meeting of the school year). [back to top] Upcoming Events at Plymouth First Friday Night Out
Our first visit to the Oakland Care Center was an inspiring success. Although we went to minister, the residents we met, in turn, ministered to us. We sang together, prayed together, listened to Patricia’s musical gifts and began to get to know our new friends. We will return on May 25th at 3 p.m. as a group, but individuals are welcomed to begin one-on-one visits before that.May 3rd & June 7th 7:30-9:30 p.m. Come and have a relaxing evening with cards, games, music and food! Invite your friends, too! The Church Council has voted to continue these evenings through this summer. Nursing Home Ministry Oakland Care Center 3030 Webster St., Oakland 94609, 451-3856 Worship in May 10 a.m. – Choir practices at JCS 11 a.m. – Worship Service May 5th – Cinco De Mayo Observance with a heritage dance by Yvonne and words from Venustiano Olguin, who worked with Caesar Chavez. Communion Sunday. May 12th – Mother’s Day and Festival of the Christian Home May 19th – Pentecost and Birthday Sunday [back to top] |
In the Meantime...... Rev. Lois Mueller