august 2008 stone newsletter, stone church of willow glen

8/8/2019 August 2008 Stone Newsletter, Stone Church of Willow Glen

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It was a privilege to serve as a Com-missioner to General Assembly lastmonth, and I was so proud of ourpresbytery and the royal welcomegiven all Commissioners and many

others who came to San Jose for thisimportant gathering of the PCUSA!One of the most contentious issues

we had to deal with (and which Gen-eral Assemblies have debated for many

years) was the question of G-6.0106bin the Book of Order, which requireschurch officers Elders, Deacons andMinisters of the Word and Sacrament to live in fidelity within the cove-nant of marriage between a man and a

woman or chastity in singleness. Thisprevents most gays and lesbians in our

denomination from being ordained.We, of the 218th General Assem-

bly, voted 380 to 325 to deleteG-6.0106b from the Book of Orderand to replace it with a newG.-6.0106b, which would read Those

who are called to ordained service inthe church, by their assent to the con-stitutional questions for ordinationand installation, pledge themselvesto live lives obedient to Jesus Christ

the Head of the Church, strivingto follow where he leads throughthe witness of Scriptures, and tounderstand the Scriptures throughthe instruction of the Confessions.In so doing, they declare their fidel-ity to the standards of the Church.Each governing body charged with examination for ordinationand/or installation establishes thecandidates sincere efforts to adhereto these standards.

This, however, is not a done deal. It

must go to the 173 presbyteriesa vote and needs a simple majoto take effect. Voting will take pbetween now and GA 2010.

Editors Note: This years GenAssembly also abolished a group of interpretations of church law, ca

Authoritative Interpretations, by the Geral Assembly Permanent Judicial Cmission, which had enforced the ban

ordination of homosexuals. This acdoes not require further ratification.

Since 1998, the Stone Church Seshas affirmed that all members of StChurch, regardless of race, ethnic b

ground or sexual orientation, are elifor ordination and installation to choffice and has instructed the nominacommittee to disregard the provisions o6.0106b. The Covenant of Dissent Support on the Stone Church websitevides more about Stones position. (Thato Pat Magee for this elucidation.)

The STone newSSTone ChurChof willow Glen, PreSbyTerian uSa auGuST 2008

THE STONE NEWS, PAG

STone ChurChwaS well-rePreSenTedaT ZePhyr exPerienCe 2008!

Standing (left to right): (unidentified), Pat Magee, Andrew Edwards, Fred Groppuso, (unidentified), Catherine Edwards,Sally Magee, Bea Groppuso, Bob Fraser, June Tablak, Michael Donald, Maureen Ryan, Alice Thorn, (unidentified), Debo

rah Crim, Walter Hudson. Kneeling: Charlotte Dickson, Rod Thorn. (The Keifers & Springers werent available for photo.)

General Assembly OpensDoor to Ordinationof Gays and Lesbians

by The Reverend Marge Palmer

Stone Church Parish Associate


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THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 2

The Stone Church Library wel-comes your visit even though ourcrew is taking a vacation on August5. Come by after church or any timethe office is open.

Also, do you have any interestinglarge-print books to donate? Wehave started a special section, andwe know some readers are lookingfor these. Thanks!

- Sue Williams, Library Coordinator

New books for younger members: Arthurs Reading

Race by Marc Brown(1st Bks Bro)

Respecting OurDiffer -

ences: AG u i d e

to Getting Along in aChanging World by LynnDuvall (YA 177 Duv),

given byR o sa l e e nZisch

Earthsearch: A KidsGeography Museum in aBook by John Cassidy (YA363.7 Cas)

Here is a look at all of the excitingAdult Study classes to be offered onSunday mornings (11:15 - 12:15),from August through December2008.

August 3: Practicing Resurrection(drop-in class)

August 10: Reclaiming the World,(drop-in class)August 17: No class, All-Church

PicnicAugust 24: Introduction to Ste-

phen MinistryAugust 31: No class, Labor Day

weekendSept. 7 - Oct 12: The Corinthian

Correspondence, with Dale andBarbara Bracey

Oct. 19: Stewardship, with Rev.Dr. Ken Henry, on Stewardship

Consecration SundayOct 26 - Nov 23: Paul an

the Roman Empire as seen John Dominic Crossan, with PMagee.

(This series is a follow-up to tHenrietta Perdue Lectures by DCrossan on Oct. 24 and 25.)

Nov. 30: No class, Thanksgiviweekend

Dec. 7 21: Paul and the RomEmpire as seen by John DominCrossan (continued)

Dec. 28: No class, New Yeaweekend

Please join us in the FiresiRoom for an hour of inspiratio

and edification.

- Pat Magee, Adult Educati

Adult Study Provides Glimpse of

Upcoming Classes to Inspire and Edif

Church Library Requests Donations of Large-Print BooksNew to our special sections:

So the Woman Went Way: A Personal JourneyLynne Bundesen(Biog BUNDE-

SEN)A Way out ofNo Way: The

Spiritual Memoirs of AndrewYoung (Biog YOUNG)

Meditationsfrom the Road by M. Scott P(Lg. Print Pec)

Why aD a u g h t e r Need s aMom: 100

Reasons by Gregory Lang

(Women 306.8 Lan), givenby Sheri Cunningham in hoof Hazel James

Virtues and Vices: Stoof the Moral Life by AndGreeley, JacobNeusner & MaryGreeley Durkin

(Soc. Iss. 241.3 Gre)Matters of Life and Death:

The Right to Kill, Die, Liveand Love by John Cobb (Soc.Iss. 248.4 Cob)

Additions to our adult side:Theology for Liberal Pres-

byterians and Other Endan-gered Species byDouglas Ottati

(230 Ott)This HebrewLord: A Bish-

ops Search for the AuthenticJesus by John S. Spong (232

Spo), given byBetty Moran

The Homiletical Plot: TheSermon as Narrative Art Formby Eugene Lowry(251 Low), givenby Ken Henry

Composing a Life by Mary

Catherine Bateson (302.5Bat), givenby RebeccaKuiken

Fooling with Words: ACelebration of Poets andTheir Craftby Bill Moyers

(808.1 Moy)Round the World with

Famous Authors (910.4Pan)

Dr. John Dominic Crossan, eminent NewTestament scholar, returns to Stone Churchthe weekend of Octo-ber 24 and 25 as Hen-rietta Perdue Lecturer

on the subject, Pauland the Justice of Equal-ity: Jesus Apostle againstRomes Empire.

Many theories existabout who Paul was,what he believed, and what role he playedin the origins of Christianity. Using archae-ological and textual evidence and takingadvantage of recent major discoveries, Dr.Crossan discovers the real Paul as a dedicatedsuccessor of Jesus, carrying on Jesus missionof inaugurating the Kingdom of God onearth against the reign of Rome.

The cost will be $20 for the Friday night lecture,$30 for the Saturday three-lecture series, or $35 for both programs. - Pat Magee

Dr. John Dominic Crossan

Returns to Lecture at Stone


3/8

Summer of Sharinggot off to a goodstart as the Hatch-Franklin familybegan with a lesson of how Gods

fruit ends up on our morning toast.The Church School was treated to ajam-making session using fruit fromour own Stone Church plum tree.

Sundays to come will include car-tooning, a lesson on recycling, join-ing Gods rhythm band, and muchmore.

There are still opportunities toshare your passions in upcomingSundays. Contact me at the churchoffice (408-269-1593).

Summer of Sharingoff to a Sweet Start!

by Mary Jo Blazek,

Childrens Ministry Coordinator

Are you looking to reach neheights of fun this summerThen youll want to head tStone Church for a canopy oadventures atR a i n f o r e s t

Adventure! At Rainfor-est Adventure,

youll hearstories about

Jesus, make cool crafts, learcatchy tunes, play super gameeat great rainforest snacks anmake lots of new friends. Eacday offers a new Bible story texplore through loads of fuactivities.

This exciting Vacation Churc

School is for everyone betweethe ages of 4 and 11. The fubegins August 4 and continuethrough August 8. Sessions rufrom 9 am until noon each dayThe fee is $30 per child or $5per family. You can register in thSocial Hall after Worship.

See you at Rainforest Adventure!

For questions, please contact KaWheatley.

RainforestAdventureat Vacation

Church School

We have now been on the road forsix days in the glorious lands of Irelandand Scotland. We have had a beauti-ful trip and have sung in St. Patricks

Cathedral, Glasgow Cathedral, andalong the way.Ireland was a delight, with many

memories to hold. Last evening we sangour concert to a jubilant audience atSt. Margarets Parish in Glasgow. Theyenthusiastically responded to every songwe performed, welcomed us with over-whelming generosity of spirit and with awonderful reception with a home-bakedarray of enough shortbread, tarts, cook-ies, pastries and kettles of tea to feed anarmy. We were surrounded by loving

and warm souls from this beautifulplace and had an unforgettable experi-

ence. The staff presented me with anenormous bouquet of Scottish flowers,including heather, roses, protea, andgreenery, which was a complete andmoving surprise to receive.

Today we have journeyed through theLoch Lomond scenery, experienced theTrossachs National Park, and now weare bound for the mystical island ofIona tomorrow morning, which nur-tured the beginnings of Christianity

in the British Isles centuries ago. Aspart of our journey, we will sing in theAbbey at Iona, where Rebecca Kuikendid her sabbatical. While on the island,

which we will reach by traveling ontwo ferries and a long bus ride, we willdistribute the bouquet from Glasgowamongst our group and lay them on thesacred gravesites at Iona as homage toour beginnings and our endings.We feel your support in spirit as we

make our choral pilgrimage; thank youfor caring about us. We will share more

with you, including pictures, in nextmonths Stone News.

A Report from theRoad: Stone ChurchChoir on Tour

by Nancy Wait Kromm,

Director of Music Ministry

Mary Williams, with Leroy andNancy Wait Kromm at General

Assembly. Mary Williams is agospel recording artist whosang for one of the GA services,with Leroy on the keyboard.

THE STONE NEWS, PAG


4/8

Greetings from the new, form-ing Stone Church Stone WorksCommittee! All of us are veryexcited to begin our work on the

committee. Emails have beencirculating at dizzying speeds tobegin meeting, to be informed ofthe events and projects currentlyactive, and to think of new wayswe can serve God, our churchand our community.

One of our first projects is cen-tered on August 10, which hasbeen designated as Homelessness/Affordable Housing Sunday by thePCUSA. On that day, congrega-tions are encouraged to think

about, pray about, and worshipin a way that will make us moresensitive to the crisis in home-lessness in our communities.We will be displaying posters,

encouraging dialog about thiscrisis and presenting some waysthat we can support efforts toend homelessness in our com-munities as individuals, and asa community of faith.

In our own Santa Clara

County, we have approximately7,000 unhoused people. Of thoseunhoused,30% are

ch i ld ren .Currently inSanta ClaraC o u n t y ,there is alifetime of waiting for a Section8 voucher.

On a national level:Each year in the UnitedStates, 3.5 million peoplelive in shelters or on thestreets. Over one million ofthese are children.

A person working full-timeat minimum wage lives fivethousand dollars below thepoverty level for a family ofthree.

In our response to this infor-mation, let us pray with Amos:

But let justice roll down like watersand righteousness like an ever-flow-ing stream. (Amos 5:24)

- Elder Charlotte Pizzo,Stone Works

THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 4

This year, the Session voted to make HealthMinistry a standing committee and addedtwo Elder positions to head up this committee. Commendations go to Mary Johnson, Stones Parish Nurse, for heading up

the committee this past year. Mary, with thehelp of committee member volunteers, laidthe foundation for making Health Ministrya reality and helped define the direction and

vision for the committee. Thank you to Maryand committee members for your dedicationand hard work.

Moderator for the committee is CarrieGiorgianni, and Vice-Moderator is Elderelect, Alice Bailey, with Dr. Mario Giorgiannserving as medical advisor to the committeeAlthough Health Ministry includes healthcare providers (physical therapists, nurses

speech therapists, and mental health professionals), we are looking for additional committee members from the congregation (especially parents with young children). Pleasecontact Carrie or Alice if you have interest inserving on Health Ministry or want to knowmore about the committees activities.

Currently, we are planning to hold a HealthFair this fall that will cover a variety of healthrelated issues pertinent to all congregationmembers. We will keep you posted on thiupcoming exciting event.

Health Ministry meets the first Tuesday othe month at 7:30 pm, at the church.- Carrie Giorgianni,

Health Ministry Moderator

The Session did not meet in July, so there is no Session Beat, butthe committee assignments for the new church year (July 2008 toJune 2009) have been determined, as follows:

The Stephen Ministry program was recentlreinstated by the Session of Stone ChurchStephen Ministry is a lay caregiving ministrfor those who would like a trained, carin

listener committed to confidentiality.The leaders are currently in the planninstages for training new ministers and havincurrent Stephen Ministers begin serving thneeds of the congregation this fall.You are invited to a presentation by the Ste

phen Ministry leaders during the Adult Studtime (11:15 am - 12:15 pm) on Sunday, Augus24, in the Fireside Room. An overview of thprogram will be given, and questions will banswered. Another meeting will be held at later date for those interested in becominStephen Ministers. - Joan Peckham

Stone Works Begins Their Caring

Works with Focus on Homelessness

Health Ministry Now

Standing Committee

Session Announces New Committee

Assignments for Church Year 2008-9

Stephen Ministry to

Give Presentation

Budget & Finance

Elder Mel Goertz (moderator)Elder Bruce RabyBuildings & GroundsElder Judi Kaiser (moderator)Elder Rick JamesElder-elect Kendall SearingChristian EducationElder Jonathan Miller (mod.)Elder Catherine AmosHealth MinistriesElder Carrie Giorgianni (mod.)Elder-elect Alice BaileyMembership & Evangelism

Elder Emily Meacham (mod.)Elder Cathy Marshall

Nominating

Elder Suzanne Wolf (mod.)Elder Gail ChaidPersonnel & AdministrationElder Bob Lowry (moderator)Elder Ed TablakStewardshipElder Derk Johnson (mod.)Elder Michele ChandlerStone WorksMaureen Ryan (moderator)Elder Charlotte PizzoWorshipElder Donald Foster (mod.)Elder Ruth McCreath


5/8

Get out the hammock, make abig pitcher of lemonade (or icedtea), grab a good book and take

it easy duringthe dog days ofsummer. Afterall, our petsshow us the

way in finding

cool spots andresting.

Th e P W August Brunchon August 23is the big eventfor Presbyterian

Women this month. (Please see theseparate article, below.)An overview of this years Bible

Study (The Gospel of Luke GoodNews for the Poor) will be held onSeptember 13, at San FranciscoTheological Seminary, led by DaleLindsey Morgan, author of thestudy. Registration forms are avail-able in the PW box in the office.With gas prices what they are, notto mention parking, we need to car-pool. Call Janice Goertz or ClaudiaHamm for information.

Our coffee sales continue, but weneed to be aware that price increases

will take place beginning in August.Chocolate is still available up to thestock on hand.

This month we are targeting cou-pons from Chex Mix cereal andPepperidge Farms cookies. Cou-pons will be presented to selectedschools at the Brunch.

Let us rejoice! Bible Study with

the Rev. Marge resumes this month.It will be, as usual, insightful andmeaningful. If you are going to SanFrancisco Theological Seminary, itwill give you a head start for thatpresentation.

PW Schedule for August:Note that there are no circle meetings

this month.PW August Brunch, August 23,

9:30 am, Social Hall.Focus Group, August 20, 9:30

am, Liz Shanderas homeBook Group I (call Carolyn Clen-

denning for next meeting)Book Group II meets in Septem-

ber reading The Grapes of Wrath byJohn Steinbeck

Prayer Shawl Group, August 28,4:30 pm, Fireside Room

Bible Study, August 28, 9:30 am,Church Library

- Catherine Amos

THE STONE NEWS, PAGE

News

from PW

The PW August Brunch will beheld Saturday, August 23, at 9:30am. Guest speaker will be StonesParish Nurse, Mary Johnson, RN,BSN, PHN, MBA HCM.

Mary has been Branch Direc-tor of Gentiva Health Services, inSan Jose, for over five years. Herresponsibilities include the general

management of the agency, includ-ing clinical, operations, and sup-port functions; accountability forfinancial operational performanceand overall business development;and management of agency person-nel to achieve complete delivery ofpatient care services in conjunction

with agency and company goals andbudgetary objectives.At the brunch, Mary will speak

about Healthy Choices and will bring

a vial of life for each attendee. Thisis a chance to plan your heathcarefuture, let your family and emergen-cy providers know your desires, andexamine your drug use. Bring yourfamily and friends so they can alsobenefit from Marys knowledge.

Please bring requested scarceitems to share with clients of Sacred

Heart Community Service: dispos-able baby diapers (size 5 or larger),infant formula, toothpaste andtoothbrushes. If you prefer, you maymake a donations toward bulk pur-chase of diapers and formula.

Sign up in the Social Hall onAugust 3, 10 or 17 (at the ChurchPicnic). Or you can also contactHazel James. Childcare reservationsmust be made by August 10. A $5donation is requested.

Family pictures for the new PictoriaDirectory will be taken August 22 and23 and September 5 and 6. (Please notethat the dates given in the July Stone Newswere incorrect.)

Signups for the photo shoots will havebegun on Sunday, July 27, continuingthrough August 10, in the Social Hall.

This year, for the first time, you havethe option to sign up online for your

familys photo shoot. Go to wwwsignup.olanmills.com and type in StoneChurchs telephone number. In additionto the standard information required toregister for a photo shoot time, you wilbe asked to provide an email address

An immediate confirmation of youappointment will be provided, plus threedays prior to your appointment, you willreceive an email reminder.

Family photos should be available intime to use as Christmas gifts. Pleasenote there is no obligation to purchase

any photos. All families, whether or notthey have pictures taken, will receive adirectory. The more families who havetheir picture taken, the more color pagesof church activities we will have in thedirectory.

If you run into any problems signingup online, have any questions regardingthe directory, or are interested in servingon the ad hoc Pictorial Directory committee, contact Pat Magee.

New Pictorial Directory

PW August Brunch Features StonesParish Nurse Mary Johnson as Speaker

A child makes jam duringChurch School on a recent

Sunday(see related story, page 3
http://www.signup.olanmills.com/http://www.signup.olanmills.com/http://www.signup.olanmills.com/http://www.signup.olanmills.com/


6/8


7/8

THE STONE NEWS, PAGE

Harp Recital

You are cordially invited tothe harp recital of

Mary Kate Kane

at 2 PM, Saturday, August 30,in the Sanctuary of

Stone Church.

Mary Kate, a student ofKaren Thielen, will present

a varied repertoire. AReception Follows.

With the skies at

Zephyr being rather

clouded by smoke

from many forest res,

Rod Thorn tried a little

different approach to

photography this year.

The collage above

combines a spectacular

sunset with the Friday

morning communion

table setting.

Beautiful

People

in a

Beautiful

Place ...Zephyr

Experience

2008

Many thanks to Jan Keifer (top left), Jim Waite (middle

eft), and Rod Thorn (all others) for these lovely pictures.


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august 2008 stone newsletter, stone church of willow glen

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