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In The Meantime... As a borderline introvert, it was a new experience for me to see my photo plastered all over town in the newsstands that carry The Montclarion. But then, answering God's call always seems to get me in unexpected places! The clergy witness on the Golden Gate Bridge against war in Iraq was a powerful faith-experience for me and for hundreds of others who participated. One of the most moving moments came when Dr. Amer Araim, a Muslim cleric from Concord, and I walked off the bridge together. He said to me, "You know, this is going to make a difference in interfaith relations in the Mid-East." With incredulity I asked, "How?" He responded, "When they hear that this many Christian ministers are trying to stop this war, they will want more interfaith conversation." "Where are you originally from?" I asked. "Iraq - the people are so frightened," was the reply This may give them a bit of hope." In our intense week of organizing, we never, ever dreamed that anyone in the Mid-East would hear about this witness. We weren't even sure if people in Washington would hear, much less pay attention. But slowly I'm learning that when we open ourselves to God's tugs in our hearts and when we actively respond, (even when we don't understand why or how), amazing things happen. In this month of gratitude, I'm so grateful that this little church is available to being used by God. I'm so grateful that the members of this community of faith try to live out Christ's call for compassion, justice and inclusion. I'm so grateful to be your pastor. In gratitude, Lois [back to top] Give God the Best "I will not offer God sacrifices that cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24 It is time for Thanksgiving! It is a season for remembering the abundance of God and the giftedness of life. On Sunday, November 24th, we will offer our pledges for the financial support of this church during the coming year. If God blesses your life through this church, please prayerfully consider increasing or beginning your pledge commitment for the coming year. As a small, but growing congregation, we depend on each participant to help us continue the ministry of Plymouth Church. Thank you. [back to top] A Word with Barbara "Out of the gates" describes my field education experience with Plymouth. Not only am I out of the gates, but I also am shifting lanes to relish the many aspects of Plymouth's enriching congregational life. Interestingly, my first impression begin in the kitchen and not in the sanctuary. On my first Sunday, I arrived early and could not find a soul. I drifted to the kitchen and discovered a beehive of activity. I felt right at home as Carol, Marylin and Dorothy prepared a cornucopia of tasty treats for the fellowship hour. I cannot full articulate how grounded I feel by beginning my Sunday morning in the kitchen with this delightful cadre of women. Wednesdays are, indeed, a highlight of my week. Eight PSR students, all of whom have church and social agency assignments in Oakland, meet together to share our experiences. Each week we congregate at a different site and often have information guest speakers on topical issues facing Oakland. Our own Bob Matthews addressed our group on faith based organizations and healthy communities! Then I spend the remainder of my day at Plymouth, beginning with Scripture Meditation. What joy to have a mid-week stopping point for quiet reflection on the meaning of the Word in my life and to share in an intimate, sometimes, transforming way. It is a wonderful springboard to then huddle with Carolyn and Lois for worship and special events planning. Finally, I end my day with a wonderful mentoring session with Lois. I am truly blessed! My first Church Council meeting was memorable because it lasted only three hours. I now appreciate how this monthly meeting is a focal point for visioning, organizing, debating and simply getting things done in a small church. I look forward to so many things-formation of a healing ministry, community building at our neighbor Satellite Senior Homes and visit to Oakland Care Center in the near future will be another sermon, another First Friday Night Out and retreat. I relish the idea of being sketched by Lorant. How grateful I am for the ongoing support of the Pastoral Intern Relations Committee headed by Elizabeth. Most importantly, I appreciate getting to know each of you better. In a short time I already value the intimacy and inspirational nature of Plymouth Church. I think of Plymouth as extended family. You can lean on others, laugh, cry and be authentic. I am reminded of Scripture in Matthew 13:32. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs
and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. Barbara Laski, Seminary Intern [back to top] Towne House Once again, we'll collect small Christmas gifts for the members of Towne House in December. So begin to clean out your drawers and closets now to help out. Towne House serves adults with psychiatric disabilities through supportive services, work training, and social activities. Some of the items they can use are: |
Soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, tooth paste, perfume, lotion, aftershave lotion, deodorant, jewelry, stuffed animals,
socks, pens, notepads, scarves, calendars, men's and women's clothing, mugs. A more complete list will be posted
in the Fireside Room. Bring unwrapped items to coffee hour or to the office by December 15th. [back to top] SEASON FOR HEALING A Morning Retreat
Before the busyness of the holiday season takes over, give yourself the gift of this time for reflection and renewal!
On Saturday, Nov. 9th, we will have another morning retreat. During these hours together, we will focus on the
healing energy available through the Divine.
As disciples in the path of Jesus, we are called to continue his ministry of healing inner and outer, individual and
corporate wounds.
Please pre-register with the office (654.5300)
Saturday, Nov. 9th 9:30-1:00 pm Fireside Room [back to top] Stories about the House In October, the Fellowship got a glimpse of Pru Pemberton's newly discovered writing talent. Here is one of the stories she shared.. The house in which I was born stood one inch off center on it's foundation. In that house on a sultry afternoon in August, 1883, my grandmother and her three children were entertaining her friend Addie and her two children. The husbands were in Elgin, a small town 20 miles northeast of Rochester, MN, helping clean up after a tornado had wrought havoc the previous week. The women watched the skies uneasily. Suddenly a wind arose and they saw a yellow and gray cloud approaching from the northwest. They gathered the playing children hastily as Mr. McCullum, who lived across the street, called, "you ladies better come over here." Addie ran with the four mobile children. My grandmother, the careful homemaker, ran into the house to close the windows before running her baby across the street. The wind was increasing and her wash tub, blown off its hook on the porch, rolled along beside her. She reached the McCullum's house and as the door closed behind her the roof on the porch she had just crossed collapsed with a crash. The stood on Mr. McCullum's cellar steps and watched the railroad bridge break up under the fury of the wind and float away. When my grandfather and Addie's husband returned they had to hop off the train and run about two blocks to the Center Street bridge and then run back down the bank in a great fear, but found their families well, albeit still frightened by their experience. Just beyond the railroad tracks the entire north section of the town had been completely destroyed and many people injured. Such a medical emergency would have been a formidable problem for most small towns. Rochester had two favorable factors. The motherhouse of the sisters of St. Francis, a teaching order, was located in Rochester. Because school was still out for summer recess, most of the nuns who taught in other small towns were at the motherhouse. Dr. William Worrall Mayo's two sons, Will and Charley, had just come home after completing their medical studies at the University of Michigan. The convent was converted to an emergency hospital center and the Drs. Mayo diagnosed and treated the wounded who were then cared for by the nuns. It was the beginning of a long term relationship. The sisters of St. Francis established St. Mary's Hospital with a Mayo Clinic doctor in attendance. Thirty-eight years after the tornado, I was born, with a local private doctor in attendance, in the house which had been budged on inch by the tornado. Three years later my brother was born in St. Mary's Hospital with a Mayo Clinic doctor in attendance. After WWII, the old house was moved about a mile away t be placed squarely on a new foundation. It gave my brother, his wife and their daughter a home plus a source of income from two small apartments created. By 1950's patients were coming from around the world to the Mayo Clinic and Mary's was the largest private hospital in the world. [back to top] 10 BASIC RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES During June, I was privileged to participate in a class at the Graduate Theological Union taught by Rev. Rod Romney. They are helpful for reflection: All spiritual traditions can learn from each other, for though the paths are many, the goal is the same. All life and all creation is sacred; we are here to protect that sacredness by helping and not hurting each other. All things are interdependent. Everything is connected, nothing stands alone. We are made for community, where our human loneliness can be assuaged. God is the Ultimate Mystery that refuses to be captured by dogma, creed or statements. Our best knowledge about God will always be partial. God interacts with the world constantly in a loving way. Suffering is a reality of the world, not a form of punishment. We can look at it and learn from it. Suffering can be transformative. Peace is possible, but "peace like war must be waged." The greatest thing we do is love. We were born to die. Death is the natural end of life, so we need to prepare for it. It is mysterious, but not final.
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IN The Meantime... by Rev. Lois Mueller