Christmas Celebration Events - storage.cloversites.comstorage.cloversites.com/danvillecongregationalchurch/documents/... · Food for the Soul for Advent continues! On Thursday evenings

Food for the Soul for Advent continues!

On Thursday evenings in Decem-ber, we will gather as a church family to share a meal and a time of reflection.

From 6 to 6:30 we will share a meal. From 6:30 to 7:30 we will divide up into groups. Interested children will participate in prepar-ing for the Christmas musical Sunday (December 16).

The topic for adults is based on the book “The Jour-ney: Walking the Road to Bethlehem” by Adam Hamilton. He writes:

“It is one of Western civilization’s best-known stories. For two thousand years it has been told and retold, preached and sung about. And yet, its very familiarity may keep us from fully grasping its riches. Join us as we explore the story of the birth of Jesus with fresh eyes and ears. We’ll draw upon insights gained from historians, archaeologists, biblical scholars, theologi-ans and from walking in the places the story oc-curred, all in an effort to discover the real meaning of Christmas.”

A short video is part of each class, which will be led by Transition Minister, Rev. Roberta McReynolds. Books are $12 and allow you to make a much more in depth study of the Journey of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.

Assignments for “The Journey”

On November 29, we read chapters 1 & 3 “The Journey,” and discussed Mary.

For December 6, please read chapter 2. We’ll discuss Joseph.

For December 13, please read chapter 4. We’ll discuss the journey to Bethlehem.

For December 20, please read chapter 5. We’ll discuss the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Celebration Events

WINTERDANCE Celtic Christmas Celebration Saturday, December 1 at 6PM Join Molly's Revenge Trio with award winning Irish Rosemary Turco step dancers for an evening of music, song and dance associated with the season. Tickets are $18 in the church office or online.

Christmas Music Sunday Sunday, December 16 at 9:30AM Our chancel choir, handbell choir and Joyful Noise chil-dren’s choir will perform a variety of classic holiday fa-vorites and future favorites!

Christmas Eve 5PM Join the DCC Youth in a family friendly celebration of Jesus birth. A warm and comfortable alternative service will let kids be kids at Christmas. We’ll sing carols and tell stories of Christmas. Cows will moo and babies will cry. Wise people will kneel, shepherds will celebrate and angels will sing. How can you miss that fun? Please join us December 24 at 5PM.

Christmas Eve 10PM The Christmas Eve 10 PM service will culminate the Advent theme of “An Ancient Story” by celebrating “The Birth.” The service, led by Transition Minister Roberta McReynolds, will include traditional carol singing and candle lighting. It will be held in the sanctuary. Plan to attend and bring family and friends for this annual cele-bration of the birth of Christ!

December 2012

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Church Staff

The Rev. Roberta H. McReynolds, Transition 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 and Randy Jang, Worship Don Lee, Youth Ministries

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

www.danvillechurch.org

www.dayspringpreschool.org

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 physi-cal, mental and emotional ability.

Telephone: (925) 837-6944 Summer Office Hours:

Tuesday - Friday 9AM – 3PM

Worship Sunday at 9:30AM Everyone is welcome!

Prayers of Healing...

Ken Boehmert Tim Booher’s sister, Rebecca Phebe and Steve Carniglia Gail Clark’s mother, Muriel Lynda Clark, former Minister-in-Training at DCC Barbara Evans Charles Hartman Nancy Hill Maddie O’Neal Kristin Pankonin Millie Palmer Priscilla Spinner’s brother, Paul Rogeti Karl Weisgraber

Continued Prayers… 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 indi-vidually (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

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Dear Friends,

This month I’d like to comment on the role of a min-ister who has left a parish, either for another call, for retirement, or for other employment. The United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry states very simply in its Code of Ethics for Ordained Ministers “I will not, upon my termination and departure from a ministry position, interfere with nor intrude upon the ministry of my successor.”

No examples are given of what constitutes interfer-ing or intruding. It is assumed that ministers will have learned through the years what boundaries should be drawn and what activities refrained from. Unfortunately that is not always the case. And often the requests of former parishioners tug at their emotions.

The most important point, I believe, is that ministers are to give up all pastoral duties related to their previous congregations. This would include meet-ing with parishioners for counseling or advice, dis-cussing the business and activities of the church, and officiating at services of worship including me-morial services, baptisms and weddings for the people of the previous congregation. Ministers are to move on emotionally and physically, and assist members in connecting with the next pastor.

This transfer is not always welcome or easy, espe-cially if the relationship between pastor and people has been particularly warm. In times of transition, people often ask me about “the rules.” But it is not so much a matter of rules as it is of ethics. Minis-ters are encouraged not to attend church in their previous parish, and not to nurture a continuing pastor/member relationship. They are to pass their ministerial duties to the new pastor.

Probably the most difficult part of the equation is officiating at special events such as weddings and memorials. It is the privilege and responsibility of the new pastor to offer pastoral services, do coun-seling, and officiate at such services. If a parishion-er has a close relationship with a previous pastor, it is probably because that pastor worked with them closely in some pastoral task: counseling, officiating at a family memorial, etc. Those are exactly the tasks that should be left to the new minister so that he/she can develop those close relationships with the member.

Some relationships will evolve from a pastoral rela-tionship into a personal friendship. One suggestion is that if a parishioner desires to include a former pastor in a memorial service or wedding, they may invite him/her as a guest, allowing the current min-ister to officiate, as is appropriate. A former minister may also be invited to assist in such a service by the current minister.

As you may know from other aspects of your life, most ethical codes, rules and laws are created only after there has been a breach of behavior in some way. Such is the case for this ethical guideline as well. Unfortunately, some former pastors have been guilty of meddling, talking behind the scenes, criti-cizing changes, and failing to give up their pastoral duties after they have departed from a church. Most ministers understand what is appropriate, but not all. Most will be friendly and helpful to the new min-ister. Most will absent themselves from the church for at least a year, allowing members to move on emotionally. After a suitable amount of time has passed and the new minister has been established, the former pastor may consult with the new minister about the possibility of returning on a regular basis.

On a personal note, let me say that Alan and Laura, to my knowledge, have been completely appropri-ate in the recognition of these guidelines. Nothing in my comments should be seen as referring to ei-ther of them.

Please read these thoughts as one more educa-tional moment from your Transition Minister.

Blessings,

Rev. Roberta McReynolds Transition Minister

December 4 – Rex Morgan December 21 – Kimi DeBarger-Gestring

December 31 – Caitlin Kawaguchi

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

be celebrated on your special day!

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Welcome to the Season of Advent – Year C December 2, 2012 is the first of four Sundays of the season we call ADVENT, which leads up to CHRIST-

MAS. The Advent season dates from the 4th century

AD when it was a time of preparation for baptism in the churches of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Baptisms usually took place on EPIPHANY, January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas. In the Western church tradition, Advent became a four-week period of thoughtful preparation for the 25

th day of December,

the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth – the Christ Child.

CHRISTMAS as a festival of the church first came into being in the fourth century AD, around the year 336. The choice of December 25

th was not based on a be-

lief that Jesus was born on that day. Rather, both Christmas and Epiphany were times to coincide with Pagan rituals that celebrated the sun around the time of the winter solstice, which is December 21 in the northern hemisphere. So, celebrating Christmas was originally a way for Christians to say to the rest of the world that Christ is the true light of the world, not Pa-gan rituals celebrating the sun. The tradition of gift-giving came about many years later.

Advent thus heralds the beginning of a NEW CHURCH

YEAR, a time of preparation for celebrating the coming of Christ into the world. The LECTIONARY, a three- year of recommended scripture readings, begins on the first Sunday of Advent (Year A), and ends on the last Sunday of Pentecost (Year C). The last Sunday of the liturgical year is called Reign of Christ Sunday. So, this year’s Advent celebration begins YEAR C of the three-year cycle, thus continuing the centuries-old rhythm of themes. Welcome to the season of Advent!

Outreach Commission

Christmas for Others/Adopt-a-Family Our annual Christmas gift donations will be provided to Shel-ter, Inc. and CCIH. There are many ways you

can participate... By providing gift(s), donations, Target gift cards or all three! The gifts will be due to DCC on Sunday, December 9. Please see the Outreach table during Time of Fellowship for sign-ups for additional information.

Our Christmas offering will be collected on De-cember 16. This offering will benefit Habitat for Humanity and the UCC Christmas Fund. Please make sure you make a

note on your check and/or your pew envelop that the donation is for the Christmas Offering.

Two Cans Make a Difference! We are continuing to gather canned and non-perishable items on Ingathering Sunday, the third Sunday of each month (December 16), for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. We also in-vite the congregation to bring donations every Sunday from now until Christmas.

As the holidays approach, and family meals take on greater significance and importance, your continued generosity is needed and appreciated!

Habitat for Humanity - During 2013 there will be opportunities for the Congregation to participate in some of the construction tasks as-sociated with building the units out in Walnut Creek. Ground breaking has taken place on the land where the buildings will be constructed. Coffee, donuts, water, sodas, and lunch can be brought to the crews to keep them happily working during the day. Two work days have been identified for DCC to participate, specifically January 19 (Satur-day) and February 16 (Saturday). More information will be available at the Outreach table.

Thank you to the congrega-tion for making the following activities so successful dur-ing October and November;

Hike for Shelter - was a very successful (and fun as well) activity that included 160 hikers and raised $74,000. Thanks to the Congregation for your sup-port and contributions.

CROP Walk - results are 140 walkers represented from 18 churches raised $23,000! It was a fun event and thanks for all the Congregation for their donations and participation.

Thanksgiving Dinners for Shelter, Inc. were very successful (as well as delicious), thanks to DCC. We fed approximately 30 adults and children during Thanksgiving week. Thank you all for your participa-tion during the busy, holiday season.

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Celtic Christmas Celebration Saturday, December 1 at 6PM

Join Molly's Revenge Trio with award winning Irish Rosemary Turco step dancers for an evening of mu-sic, song and dance associated with the festive sea-son. The performance will include Christmas songs both old and new from many lands, all played with a Celtic twist. You'll have an opportunity to join in and sing some of your favorite carols, and our dancing guests will surely set your toes tapping. Tickets are $18 in the church office or online, or $20 at the door.

Molly's Revenge has toured extensively in the USA and in Australia, China and Scotland. The classic combination of bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, and song, with guitar, bodhran, and mandola accompaniment, guarantees an enjoyable experience for all fans of Scottish and Irish music. Their arrangements of tradi-tional jigs and reels bring these dance tunes up to date with a driving, hard-edged accent that always leaves audiences shouting for more.

Special guest Kevin Carr is re-nowned in the U.S. and Canada as a dance fiddler, a pennywhistler, and bagpiper par excellence. He is best known for his work with the cult contradance and concert band The Hillbillies From Mars, though in re-cent years he has been spending considerable time in Spain master-ing Galician bagpipes. He also

teaches extensively at music camps and workshops across the country, and is a renowned storyteller.

Stewardship

The commission thanks all who have contributed to the annual stewardship campaign and who continue to make their commitments in such a timely fashion. This really helps us to stay on track with our expenses. I'll reiterate, our Financial Secretary,

Gary's reminder that we are closing in on the end of the 2012 tax year, so get your contributions to Stewardship before the end of the year, so they can be counted on your end of year tax statement!

We hope you have received the lovely new 'High Five' brochure, enquiring into which areas of church life you would like to commit. The commissions who do the work of the church are always eager to get new folks to join their commissions, so it's NEVER TOO LATE to fill in a form and send it in. The Stewardship Commission will be compiling all the information and giving it to the appropriate commis-sioner or committee leader. Thank you in advance for stepping up to participate!

In gratitude

Joyce Klassen Stewardship Commission Co-Chair

Stewardship Commitment update from Financial Secretary, Gary Dowell

Commitments Giving Units 2011-12: 123 Budget 2011-12: 370,000 Giving Units 2012-13: 109 Budget 2012-13: 355,000

Commitments made 2011-12: 355,408 Commitments made 2012-13: 325,837

Total received for commitments June through October 2011-12: 172,190 June through October 2012-13: 137,301

Faith Journeys

Second Hour Schedule in December

December 2 Applications of Biology in Public Safe-ty and Human Health with Manohar Furtado

December 9 Commission Meetings December 16 Christmas Music Sunday December 23 No Second Hour program December 30 No Second Hour program

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The Advent Men’s Breakfast meets Wednesdays at 7AM at Father Nature’s in Danville through December 19. We meet for food, fellowship, and discussion of the scripture

readings planned for the worship service the following Sunday. We try to finish by 8AM. All men are wel-come.

Youth Ministries

Youth

Events

December 2 Communion Sunday First Sunday in Advent 9:30AM Worship & Communion 6-8 PM Pizza and Games night Bring $10 to cover costs – all youth

are welcome!

December 9 Second Sunday in Advent 9:30AM Worship 6-8PM Dinner and Fellowship for all youth,

Service project (?) Make cards for our college youth?

December 16 Third Sunday in Advent Christmas Music Sunday 9:30AM Worship 6-8PM Dinner, games and Christmas Eve

prep

December 23 Fourth Sunday in Advent 9:30AM Worship 6-8PM Dinner, games and final prep for

Christmas Eve!

December 24 Christmas Eve 5PM Christmas Eve Service led by DCC

Youth. Arrive at 4PM to prepare and to get ready to welcome everyone!

December 24 - January 4 Christmas Break for SRVUSD

December 30 WINTER BREAK – enjoy! and No fellowship these nights… January 6 Epiphany rocks (just ask any wise man… or woman!)

Time to register for Mid Winter Camp (January 19-21 Middle School) and Feb Camp (February 16-18 Sr Highers) at ncncucc.org!

Children’s Ministries

December Godly Play Schedule

December 2 Advent I & II December 9 Advent III & IV December 16 Christmas Music Program

Family Worship December 23 The Mystery of Christmas December 30 The Holy Family

We welcome Lydia Mulkey as our new Interim Children’s and Youth Leader. Lydia brings a wealth of experience in children’s programs, Godly play, and working with youth work. DCC can have confi-dence that our excellent programs will continue with her assistance. Lydia comments: “The more people I meet, the more I am excited to a part of DCC. I am really excited about meeting the children and building relationships.”

Lydia is a student at Pacific School of Religion working on a Master of Divinity degree. Lydia and her partner Ivy are thrilled to be in the bay area and to be starting this new chapter in their life. Lydia is fresh from working as the manager of school pro-grams with the Los Angeles Philharmonic where she brought music instruction and social resources to students from preschool to twelfth grade in un-derserved communities. She studied music educa-tion in her graduate work at the University of Southern California and holds a Bachelor of Music in Church Music from Belmont University in Nash-ville, TN. Lydia has been a Godly Play storyteller for the last three years and is passionate about what Godly Play can mean for families. She is also trained in Our Whole Lives and has worked with youth in several churches to create safe, fun, and creative spaces where youth can contribute to the life of the church. Lydia looks forward to working with the families of DCC

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It’s not too late to join Joyful Noise as we prepare our Pageant "It's Time." We are looking for anyone and everyone to join in the fun! The pageant takes us through the excit-ing world of auditions, directors and preparing for the role of a lifetime: the role of God's Child. The script combines current popular music with humor and creativity. Don't miss out on this opportunity to share your talents!

Rehearsal Dates/Times

Sundays during Second Hour (11AM-12PM) December 2, 9

Thursday Food for the Soul Rehearsals (6:30-7:30PM) December 6, 13

Dress Rehearsal Saturday December 15 (1-3PM)

Christmas Music Sunday Pageant Performance Sunday December 16, arrive at 8:45am for 9:30 service

November was a short month, with Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving Holidays. Still, we made the most of our time together! “I Am Giving” was No-vember's character trait, which was evidenced by the children donating canned goods to the Food Bank barrel and making wonderful dishes for the Friendship Feast we shared with our families the day before Thanksgiving. This year, we had two seatings for our Friendship Feast! The children made placemats and prepared yummy fruit salad, cornbread muffins, mashed potatoes, apple crum-ble, and a Friendship Cake, among other things. We also continued through the alphabet by learning about the letters Ee, Ff and Gg. Curriculum includ-ed the lifecycle of grasshoppers and frogs, feather painting, foil sculptures, the food pyramid, floating and sinking experiments, water absorption, farm animals and crops, measuring and sequencing, gem sorting and brooch making, and emotion masks, books and games! Finally, one classroom created its very own Golf Center and painted golf balls. (Sorry, it is not a public course!) We also practiced staying safe last month, with fire and earthquake drills. The children have learned how important it is to stay calm and quiet, to listen carefully to their teachers, and then follow direc-tions. They did a wonderful job walking in single file to the safe spot away from the building during the fire drill, and waiting for the “All Clear” signal to quietly walk back. For the earthquake drill, they all know how to be “Bunnies in a burrow! Love hug your neck!” We welcomed Miss Brittany, a support teacher, to the Dayspring staff last month. We now have elev-en incredible teachers on staff! During this season of gratitude, we are especially thankful for their tal-ent, dedication, and devotion to the Dayspring chil-dren and families. Please don't forget to “Like” Dayspring's Facebook page! To read more details of exciting things happening at Dayspring, please follow this link to the Dayspring Homepage, 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 6:00 PM WINTERDANCE Celtic Christmas Celebration

2 Advent 1 Communion Sunday 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play 11:00 AM Joyful Noise 11:00 AM Second Hour 6:00 PM Youth Fellowship

3 7:00 PM Pastoral Search Committee

4 1:15 PM Spiritual Formation Group #1

5 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast

6 1:00 PM Spiritual Formation Group #3 6:00 PM Food for the Soul 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

7 8

9 Advent 2 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play 11:00 AM Commission Meet-ings 11:00 AM Joyful Noise 6:00 PM Youth Fellowship

10 7:00 PM Pastoral Search Committee

11 1:15 PM Spiritual Formation Group #1

12 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 7:00 PM Finance Committee

13 8:30 AM Diaconate Meeting 1:00 PM Spiritual Formation Group #3 6:00 PM Food for the Soul 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

14 15 11:00 AM Christmas Music Rehearsal

16 Advent 3 Ingathering 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play (Christmas Music Sun-day, Christmas Offering) 6:00 PM Youth Fellowship

17 7:00 PM Pastoral Search Committee 7:00 PM PFLAG

18 1:15 PM Spiritual Formation Group #1 7:00 PM Council Meeting

19 Newsletter Deadline 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 10:30 AM Spiritual Formation Group #2

20 1:00 PM Spiritual Formation Group #3 6:00 PM Food for the Soul 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

21 22

23 Advent 4 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play 6:00 PM Youth Fellowship

24 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Family Worship 10:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

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26 27 1:00 PM Spiritual Formation Group #3 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

28 29

30 9:30 AM Worship and Godly Play

31 7:00 PM Pastoral Search Committee

Calendar Notes: The church office will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; Lynda Manstrom will be on vacation December 11-18