Dear friends,

After 40 years in the ministry, and the last 11 years as your pastor, it is hard for me to believe that this is my final “Letter from the Pastor” for the monthly newsletter. We have been through a lot together since the spring of 2001, when the DCC Search Committee convinced me to set aside my plans to become a seminary professor and consider a call to Danville instead.

Little did I (or anyone else) realize how dramatic my re-entry into pastoral ministry would be. I had preached exactly one sermon as your new pastor when two planes crashed into the Twin Towers on 9/11, and the safe and secure world we knew disappeared forever.

My first newsletter article, in early September 2001, was filled with hope, joy, and nervous excitement about the journey that pastor and congregation were embarking on together. My next article, for the October newsletter, was very different. As I re-read it now, it is clear that I was still in shock, and we were all in shock and grief, over what had occurred.

In that article, I told the story of the mystical, mysterious visitor that we had at our Sunday worship service just after 9/11. While I was preaching that morning, a majestic stag appeared at the windows along the north side of the sanctuary, just to the left of the pulpit. He lingered there, his noble head and antlers erect, and some said that he appeared to be listening. Many described this magnificent deer as a consoling presence and a manifestation of something spiritual and inexplicable. All I know for sure is that we felt God’s presence deeply in those trying days.

Through the years, the Spirit of God has been fully present at DCC, sometimes in surprising ways. The church has grown and has extended its outreach and presence in this community. We have boldly taken on tough challenges and big projects. Again and again, we have ventured into the unknown, trusting in God’s goodness and guidance. We have touched many lives and expanded the ministry and mission of this wonderful church.

Through it all, I have been inspired again and again by your faith, your compassion, and your generous hearts.

I give thanks to God for the amazing privilege of being your pastor.

One of my parting duties is to say very clearly to you that, after this month, I will no longer be your pastor in any sense. This means that, in the future, I will not be doing any weddings or memorial services, nor will I be available for pastoral advice and counseling.

Since we expect to be in Danville regularly to see our children and grandchildren, we may occasionally attend worship services at some point in the future. But this would not happen for a least a couple of years, after a new senior pastor is fully established.

I am excited about the future of this extraordinary faith community. Your potential for expanded ministry is unlimited, and I have no doubt that great things in God’s name lie just ahead for Danville Congregational Church.

Joy and peace,

June 2012

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Church Staff

The Rev. Dr. Alan D. Kelchner, Senior Minister

The Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes Coney, Associate Minister

Kristin Pankonin, Music Director Angela Borba, Children’s Music Director Lynda Manstrom, Office Manager Kim Michaud, Office Assistant Carrie Gaytan, Nursery Attendant Janice Inman, Preschool Director

Church Officers Betty McCabe, Moderator Syd Dent, Vice Moderator Steve Enochian, Treasurer Gary Dowell, Financial Secretary Karol Mead, Church Clerk

Commissioners

Don Lenhardt, Buildings & Grounds Donna Lenhardt and Anne Seiler,

Children’s Ministries Bob and Diane Hardy, Church Family Bette Felton, Faith Journeys Richard Stein, Membership Joy Grant, Outreach Joyce Klassen and Pat McGrath,

Stewardship Becks Salentes, Worship Don Lee, Youth Ministries

Preschool Board Tim Booher, Penny Davis, Charlie Hasselbrink, Kyra Kennedy, Judy Leach, and Trish Moosbrooger

If you have a comment or question concerning our pastoral leadership, and are uncomfortable discussing this directly with them, we encourage you to contact the following people:

Pastor Laura’s Pastoral Relations Committee: Bill Armstrong, Larry Berlin,

Susan Bray, Randy Jang, Anne Moulds, and Jennifer Zaretzka.

Visit our websites www.danvillechurch.org

www.dayspringpreschool.org

Prayers of Healing...

Bonnie Benedict, broken elbow Ken Boehmert Tim Booher’s mother and sister Aram Boyd Lisa Bretschneider’s husband, Rudy Phebe and Steve Carniglia Barbara Carillo’s sister-in-law, Marilyn Carillo Brett and Gail Clark’s sister-in-law, Donna Clark Nancy Hill Donna and Doug Howell’s grandson, Miles Gail and Rex Morgan’s siblings, Marcia and Bob Kristin Pankonin Adrienne and Julia Pankonin-Dahl’s cousin, Amanda Secrist Millie Palmer Diane Stein’s sister-in-law, Ginna DeFreitas Oscar Uribe’s father Karl Weisgraber

Sympathy to… The family of charter member Betty Forsyth, on her recent death

Congratulations…

To Britta Cascio, who will celebrate her 90th birthday on June 11

Congratulations to our Graduates…

Lauren Erickson - going to Chico State University Greg Leach - going to Arizona State University Zach Matulovich - going to University of Nevada at Reno Elizabeth Schmahl - going to University of Portland Nicole Wolkenmuth - going to Cal Poly Ned Kovach - BS, University of California at Santa Cruz Rachel Bauman - MDiv, Pacific School of Religion Bruce Lohmann – MDiv, American Baptist Seminary of the West

Continued Prayers… Steve Halden Margaret Van Vactor

Please remember that the Deacons are available to pray with you or take your prayer request at any time. We can pray individually (privately) or pass your request to the whole Diaconate or the church-wide Prayer Support Team. Please feel free to contact any Deacon with your requests for prayer, or to be a part of the Prayer Support Team.

Larry Berlin 351-8150 Kathie Hixon 804-6948 Dee Brook 846-0789 Randy Jang 837-4218 Peggy Gierke 968-1234 Joyce Klassen 855-0714 Carol Gilliland 519-1263 Betty Leecing 735-2580 Judy Halden 735-8832 Diane Stein 829-5182 Nancy Hill 743-0516 Bob Wilkens 837-1233

Danville Congregational Church is an Open and Affirming church, welcoming all of God’s children – of diverse race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic condition, and physical, mental and

emotional ability.

Telephone: (925) 837-6944 Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9AM – 3PM

Worship Sunday at 9:30AM – Everyone is welcome!

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Shalom ( ) My Friend Alan, it has been an incredible journey – all 3,590 days of it! I have been truly blessed by your mentoring, your guidance and by your gracious example of how to walk this path of ministry for almost ten years. Thank you.

In April 2002 at Pacific School of Religion, I sat across from you at the NCNC Bay Association Spring Meeting and you shared your excitement about being recently called to serve at Danville Congregational Church. You invited me to apply for the position of Director of Religious Education and I did. I was called to serve DCC and almost immediately, the youth program was added to my portfolio. Thank you.

Your trust in me always inspired me to be a better pastor, teacher and colleague. You listened well and you also taught me to listen. Your patience, your gentle criticisms and suggestions all helped shape me as a pastor. Your flexibility also encouraged me to go with the flow and to be more fluid in my planning and visioning for our educational ministries at DCC. Largely because of your encouragement and leadership, I was called and ordained by this congregation in November 2003. Thank you.

Shalom, , can mean both hello and goodbye, simultaneously. It means peace, it means “be well” and it means “be complete and whole.” That would be my wish for you, dear colleague, as you move into this next phase of your life. May you be full of peace. May you be well. May you feel complete and whole as you look over these many years of ministry to us here at DCC and to all the lives you have touched through your preaching, teaching and pastoral care. Thank you.

Danville Congregational Church is a great church, an incredible place to be a member and to be active in the ministry of sharing the gospel message of God’s inclusive love. DCC has been challenged, stretched and has grown because of your vision and your wise counsel. You have empowered us to continue to grow spiritually together and to invite others to join us. Thank you.

We are so very grateful. I am personally going to miss your daily presence very much in the days and years to come. There simply are not enough words to express my appreciation. Shalom, ,

my friend, shalom... until we meet again.

Blessings be upon you,

June 5 – Katie Beaver

June 11 – Britta Cascio (90!) June 14 – Casey Lee

June 19 – Tim Booher

June 19 – Janis & Randy Jang June 20 – Alan Wadsworth

June 26 – Barbara Evans

Please enter your birthday and/or anniversary on the calendar in Koinonia Hall if you would like to

be celebrated on your special day!

Alan Kelchner’s retirement party is being held on June 24 at 5PM in Karios Hall, the cost is $30 per person, advance payment is required.

Everyone should have received their invitation in the mail by now. Carol Gilliland of A Loveable Feast will be catering the event and the food will be outstanding. Sign up during Time of Fellowship after worship, or you can drop your check in the collection plate or church office, with Retirement Party in the memo section. For those who cannot make the evening party, we are providing an opportunity for you to say good bye to Susan and Alan at an ice cream social after church on June 24. Save the date to make one of these events to wish the Kelchners God Speed.

Polly Smith-Telfer, Connie Wadsworth, Anne Moulds, and Dave Hill Congratulations! Sarah Hartman has been selected as this year’s outstanding Master of Arts student in Psychology at Cal State Stanislaus. She also won first place for her quantitative research in the student research competition. Sarah has been admitted to the PhD program in psychology at UC Davis for next fall. Quite an accomplishment for a young mom! Congratulations also to supportive husband Oscar and son Joel.

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The church office will operate on an abbreviated schedule through the summer, from June 12 through August 31:

Tuesday – Friday 9AM – 1PM

Additionally, the office will be closed on Tuesday, June 26 for a staff retreat. Update from Pastoral Transition Team The Transition Team has been meeting weekly to ensure the best possible Pastoral Transition upon Alan’s retirement on June 24. Our focus includes identifying needs of the Congregation and planning for Worship, Pastoral Care, Programming, and Staff supervision.

Currently, the Transition Team is working with Pastor Laura to plan Worship and Pastoral duties for July through September. The Team has asked Pastor Laura to shift around some of her duties. The Team and Pastor Laura will be asking lay leaders from within the Congregation to fill in key roles. We are also considering how to best use a Transition Pastor (not a traditional Interim Pastor).

The Team will be communicating many more details about the Summer Worship plans in the coming weeks via all-church email, as well as in the weekly Bulletin. We’d love to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to contact any member of the Team with your questions, concerns or ideas.

James Orris, Betty McCabe, Trish Moosbrugger, Connie Wadsworth Summer Preaching Schedule July 1 Pastor Laura preaching and a

celebration of communion July 8 The Rev Dr Skip Holliday preaching July 15 Pastor Laura and Kristin will lead us in

our annual Hymn Sing service July 22 The Rev Faye Orton Snyder, pastor for

over 30 years at First Christian Church in Lafayette, adjunct homiletics

professor at Pacific School of Religion July 29 The Rev Laura Engelken, Director of

Spiritual and Religious Life at Mills College (and married to Rachel Bauman)

August 5 Pastor Laura preaching and a celebration of communion

August 12 Camp Sunday - Pastor Laura, Angela Borba and the children/youth from VBC

Faith Journeys

On June 3 during the Second Hour, Alan Kelchner will be having a conversation with the congregation which could be classified as an "exit interview.” This is one more time to dialogue with Alan.

June 10 is the DCC Annual Meeting; there is nothing further scheduled for the Second Hour in June.

In July, Dayspring Preschool will use Second Hour July 15 to highlight its scholarship program.

Starting July 22, Dave Hill will lead a Second Hour book discussion using Marcus Borg's book Speaking Christian. Borg takes Christian words in common use (such as Grace, Faith, God) and indicates how progressive Christians may better understand them. Copies of the book will be available for purchase in the church office in June and during the second hour starting June 24.

Members of the Faith Journeys Commission have been working in the DCC library, organizing books, deciding on which books fit our mission, which books are outdated, and which books are surplus.

Those which we feel are not needed will be available during the Fellowship Hour gratis to those attending worship June 10. There will be an opportunity to make a contribution toward the purchase of new books for the Library if you wish. In any case, please visit the Library anytime you are at the church, take a look at what is available, and if you choose borrow one or more books, be sure to use the cards provided to check them out.

Membership

Get Your DCC Photo Directory Updated DCC Photo Directories will be available at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 10. Pick one up for your family to help you put names and faces together! A suggested donation of $5 for each directory will offset the cost of printing. You can also request an electronic copy (free!) from the church office, office@danvillechurch.org.

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Outreach Commission

Project Homeless Connect 8 will be held on Tuesday, June 14, at Willow Pass Center, 2748 East Olivera Road, Concord. The one-day event offers such services as wheelchair repair, educational classes, domestic counseling, employment services and placement, legal assistance and

referrals, etc. Volunteers will join with non-profit organizations and homeless services and housing providers. Volunteer forms and more information are available online at http://cchealth.org/services/ homeless/. Information fliers and volunteer applications will also be available at the Outreach table during Time of Fellowship after worship.

This summer, over 40 congregations will be helping out with construction and non-construction activities

associated with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat has been very busy refurbishing foreclosures and providing handicap upgrades. Soon, a major project will commence in Walnut Creek. Groundbreaking is estimated to take place before the end of the year for a development of 10 new homes. They will be "green" with solar and energy saving attributes. There is an effort to raise $20K by June 15 so the project can commence. So, dust off your hammer and pack up your tool belt and join HFH in the months to come. There will be lots of things to do for our volunteers. More details will be available shortly. Doug Leich and Joy Grant will be our liaisons with Habitat for Humanity.

June 17, and the third Sunday of each month, is our Ingathering Sunday. This

monthly canned food drive supports the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Remember, two cans make a difference! So far (since we have been tracking), we have collected and donated 9,000 pounds of food! Thank you for your generosity!

Tuesday, July 10, DCC will host the Interfaith Blood Drive, sponsored by ISRV (Interfaith Leaders of the San Ramon Valley) and the Red Cross. Mark your calendar to come by and donate!

Back-to-School Backpack Drive Our annual drive to collect backpacks filled with school supplies for homeless and formerly homeless children, to get them off to a good start in school next fall, will start with signups in July, with the finished backpacks due in mid-August. As in past years, we

expect to have lists of preschool to high school students from SHELTER, Inc. and from Contra Costa Interfaith Housing. Look for details and signups in July. For information or to sign up early, contact Doug Leich or Joy Grant.

Sunday, October 7 is the annual CROP Hunger Walk for World Church Services. It will be held again in Walnut Creek. Watch our weekly

bulletins and monthly newsletter for more details.

Thanks to Bill Williams for his leadership as he completes his second year as Outreach Co-Commissioner. We look forward to his burst of energy and "hallelujahs!" as we continue our Outreach endeavors for 2012-2013

Worship

Special events are happening every Sunday morning in June. You won’t want to miss a Sunday! Here’s the schedule:

June 3 – Communion by intinction. This is the last time Alan will preside at communion, and he is also preaching that day.

June 10 – Annual Meeting Sunday. Baptism of Hazel Furber-Dobson, daughter of and Jim and Amy Furber-Dobson, sister of Zac. We will also welcome three new members – Ken and Deborah Daily and Scott Roberts. The handbells will play, and Alan will preach. Delicious luncheon, followed by our church annual meeting in Kairos Hall.

June 17 – Baptism of Joshua and Keira Wong, children of Keenan Wong and Alicia Poon. We will do a blessing service for Bob Hardy, who has completed his training and will be ordained this fall as an Interfaith Chaplain. Laura will preach.

June 24 - This is Alan’s last Sunday. Baptism of Hannah and Finn Fetherstonhaugh, children of David Fetherstonhaugh and Kristina Kelchner. The handbells will play, and Alan will preach. There will be a yummy Ice Cream Social after worship.

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Spring is here. Our trees are loaded with peaches and plums. We still have oranges from winter, and our berry crop is just coming in. I

am sure there are others out there who are looking forward to the fresh produce as much as we are. The Green Team is going to sponsor a “DCC Fruit and Vegetable Trading Post”. Those of us with surplus can bring our bounty in. And those who want home grown vegetables can get some easily. We will encourage trading or a donation to the Contra Costa Food Bank for the vegetables. We have three gardens signed up. Contact Syd Dent or another member of the green team let us know you’re bring food. It will be a great opportunity to share food and garden tips.

For those of you who are gardening this summer, it may soon be time to fertilize. What are some earth healthy ways to fertilize our gardens? Fertilizer consists of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Artificial fertilizer is produced from natural gas; artificial phosphorus is strip mined and will run out soon; and potassium comes from mining. Natural fertilizers help preserve the environment and release nutrients in a slower fashion providing longer lasting benefits. Manure is a great source of nitrogen and chicken manure can also be a good source of phosphorus. Bone meal is a good source phosphorus. Fireplace ash is a great source of potassium. Coffee grinds provide a great source of nitrogen and great for encouraging worms. As with all fertilizer, use just what you need and where you need it. Fertilizer run off is believed to be a common cause of algae blooms in our waterways. For more ideas and information try going to this site. http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/158/1/ Natural-fertilizer.html.

See you at the stand in June.

Syd

Children’s Ministries

Godly Play schedule for June

June 3 The Synagogue and the Upper Room June 10 Paul's Discovery June 17 The Story of Ruth June 24 The Story of Samuel

Youth Events

June 3 Last Youth Fellowship – come say goodbye to our Seniors!

9:30AM Worship & Communion 6-8PM Dinner & Fellowship, Honor our

Seniors; Get ready for CAMP all youth are invited to come!

SRVUSD last day of school is Thursday, June 14! Congrats to all our Seniors!!!

June 10 Annual Meeting Sunday 9:30AM Worship 11AM DCC Annual Meeting – Church

will be honoring our graduating Seniors!

Mission trip to Chicago and the UCC National Youth Event July 7-11, 2012 (Grades 8-12) Held at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana

http://www.ucc.org/youth/nye/

Sign up to be a Jr Counselor at DCC Vacation Bible Camp, August 6-10.

Register or download forms at www.danvillechurch.org.

July-August 2012 Camp Caz for everyone! Be sure to sign up at www.ncncucc.org ! July 15 – 21 Junior High July 22 – 28 Senior High July 29 – August 2 Kids Camp July 29 – August 4 Junior Camp July 29 – August 4 Counselor-In-Training Camp (must apply)

August 6-10 Vacation Bible Camp Let’s celebrate!

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August 6-10, 2012 9AM to noon

Monday through Friday

Camp Sunday on August 12!

Fun, games, music, laughter, snacks,

Bible dramas and more!

Each child will receive their very own

Operation Overboard T-Shirt

and other goodies.

All children ages 3 through 5th grade are

invited, older children share the daily

bible story through drama and lead

games, youth (grades 6-12) can be

Jr Counselors – fun for everyone!

Register online or download registration

forms from our website,

www.danvillechurch.org

The Dayspring school year is quickly coming to a close, with the monthly theme “Are We There Yet?” and the Character Trait “I am Respectful.” The children are learning the remainder of the alphabet (“Tt” through

“Zz”) and are making wonderful foods and crafts, such as edible umbrellas and erupting volcanoes! We enjoyed Cinco de Mayo fun and a Teddy Bear picnic, too. May was a busy enrollment month for Dayspring's two Summer Sessions and the 2012-2013 school year. Nearly forty new families have enrolled so far, and more than sixty of our current families will continue with summer and/or fall enrollment. We continue to receive referrals from both currently enrolled and prospective families, and tours continue at a brisk pace. One touring mother said her childless co-worker told her to come to Dayspring because she had heard so many wonderful stories about us!

The highlight of May was Teacher Appreciation Week. The entire Dayspring community was buzzing with excitement! The Parent Partnership Team planned daily surprises for all Dayspring families to share with the staff. We were showered with cards, drawings, flowers, and goodies. Parents provided a delicious breakfast one day, and the Dayspring Board and Friends of Dayspring treated us to a wonderful lunch on another day! To experience so much love and appreciation from this amazing community was overwhelming. The comments in the cards from both parents and children (either written by themselves or dictated to a parent) brought tears to our eyes; here are some of our favorites. Thank you for “...always saying hi and being so nice to me.” “...doing such a great job and taking care of our school. You are the best!” “...all you do- our kids love you!” “...making Dayspring such a fun, safe, special place.” “...always lending a helping hand.” “...a wonderful selfless bright year and the lives you are changing.” “...helping me grow.” “Teachers like you are angels on Earth.” “He LOVES coming to school!” “I was scared at first, but now I have friends!” And last but not least: “Thank you for all your loving care, for your patience, and for giving me courage.” Amen!

To read more details of exciting things happening at Dayspring, please follow this link to the Dayspring Preschool home page, www.dayspringpreschool.org. Click on the “Newsletters” tab for our monthly Newsletters!

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2012

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3

Communion Sunday 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play 11:00 AM Second Hour 12:00 PM Eve Circle Luncheon 6:00 PM Handbell Practice 6:00 PM Youth Group

4 7:00 PM Pastoral

Search Committee

5 6 7

Dayspring Event 10:00 AM Spiritual

Formation #4 7:30 PM Choir

Rehearsal

8 9

10 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play 11:00 AM DCC Annual Meeting

and Luncheon 6:00 PM Handbell Practice

11 7:00 PM Pastoral

Search Committee

12 13 7:00 PM Finance

Committee

14 8:30 AM Diaconate 10:00 AM Spiritual

Formation #4 7:30 PM Choir

Rehearsal

15 16

17 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play 6:00 PM Handbell Practice

18 7:00 PM Pastoral

Search Committee 7:00 PM PFLAG

19 7:00 PM Council

Meeting

20 10:30 AM Spiritual

Formation Group #2

21 6:00 PM Choir Part @

Kelchner’s

22 23 10:00 AM NCNC

Camp Rally 12:00 PM NYE Kick

Off

24 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play 11:00 AM Ice Cream Social 5:00 PM Pastor Alan’s Retirement

Dinner

25 7:00 PM Pastoral

Search Committee

26

27 7:00 PM Prayer

Service

28 29 30

Calendar Notes: Summer Office Hours 9AM – 1PM, beginning June 12; Lynda Manstrom is on vacation June 12-19; Office closed on June 26 for staff retreat