Resurrection Season! at First/0705 NAF.pdf · feminine face of God. Sabbath is a time of heart-opening, of thanksgiving, of spiritual renewal. Sabbath is central to the spiritual

Resurrection Season!Resurrection Season!Resurrection Season!Resurrection Season! For info about the scriptures for each week, check out textweek.com

Welcome to our Sunday Celebration! Sundays, 10:30 am

Kids LIFE begins each Sunday following the praise time in Worship.

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May 6

A New Paradigm Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-6 Pastor Ama Zenya preaching

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May 13 Mother’s Day

The Power of the River Revelation 21:10,22-22:5

Pastor Lynice Pinkard preaching

Followed after lunch by ‘Ama Mama Blessing Circle’ at 1:30 p.m. in the Angel Room

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May 20

Unexpected Ministry Acts 16:16-34

Rev. Charley Lerrigo preaching

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May 27

Pentecost Pastor Lynice Pinkard preaching

Vol 3, No 5 May 2007

A Letter from Pastor Ama 2

Welcome to Global Generosity Marcia Lovelace

3-4

First Congo Happenin’s 5-9

Birthdays & Anniversaries 9

Health Corner Rebecca Faith, RN NP

10

From Domination to Generosity Dr Webb Mealy

11

Calendar of Events & Ministry Teams List

Pull Out

Inside this issue:

About News at First

Rev Ama Zenya, Editor

Dawn Raymond, Layout & Design, Editorial Assistance

We welcome your input & feedback!

Contact Dawn Raymond, [email protected] or 510.444.8511 x16 with your comments or for submission information.

News at First Page 2

A Letter from Pastor Ama

“Now the green blade rises from the buried grain; Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain; Love lives again, that with the dead has been: Love is come again like wheat that rises green.”

- from a carol written by JMC Crum, 1928

Spring is here! And as the green earth is growing, preparing to flower, I too, with the discipline of trust, prepare to open like a flower. This year is my seventh year in ministry at First Congo. I will be taking a time of

Sabbath – a three-month sabbatical that is part of the covenant for clergy who serve over five years in a congregation of the United Church of Christ. And, as most of you know, I’ll be having a baby! With the combination of sabbatical, vacation and maternity leave, I will be gone from May 15 until November 1 of 2007. I am deeply grateful and blessed for this time of refreshment and new birth.

Sabbath is a time of joy and celebration, a time to enjoy God (Isaiah 58:13-14.) The word Sabbath come from the Latin sabbatum and the Hebrew sabbat, meaning ‘to cease and rest.’ Mystical Judaism recognizes Shabbat as a time to encounter the Shekhina – the One we call the Holy Spirit, the feminine face of God. Sabbath is a time of heart-opening, of thanksgiving, of spiritual renewal.

Sabbath is central to the spiritual life. Wayne Mueller, in his book, Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in Our Busy Lives, calls us to recognize the vital necessity of Sabbath time. He writes:

“All life requires a rhythm of rest. There is a rhythm in our waking activity and the body’s need for sleep. There is a rhythm in the way day dissolves into night, and night into morning….In our bodies, the heart perceptibly rests after each life-giving beat…

We have lost this essential rhythm. Our culture invariably supposes that action and accomplishment are better than rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way. We miss the compass points that would show us where to go, we bypass the nourishment that would give us succor. We miss the quiet that would give us wisdom. We miss the joy and love born of effortless delight.”

I have been especially challenged in this area, and my years of ministry have included hard lessons on slowing down, letting go, resting. The first six months of my pregnancy contributed, as fatigue and illness slowed me down. Now, finally, I feel myself moving toward a pace of restfulness, as I prepare for the sabbatical and the baby’s birth.

One Jewish renewal congregation, Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, MA, puts the joy of entering Sabbath so beautifully:

“We bring to Shabbat the enthusiasm of a lover yearning to reunite with his or her beloved…the excitement of a child yearning for the embrace of a parent, of a long lost child returning home to the legacy of his or her ancestors…the unquenchable thirst…to re-connect with the Source of Life, to desist from paths of exploitation and destruction of the planet, socially, ecologically, and politically.”

During the time that I am gone, Pastor Lynice will be taking on an extra quarter time. That still means we’ll have only half the pastoral staff time that we have when we are both here to cover the needs of the church. I encourage you to recognize that she too needs her weekly Sabbath time, and bring to this season a spirit of joyful collaboration and forgiving rest.

Please join my husband Javier and I for a time of blessing and sending on May 13 after lunch!

May all the Sabbath blessings also be yours!

Page 3 Vol 3, No 5 May 2007

Marcia Lovelace is an Earth and justice activist, a pagan deacon at First Congo, and co-chair of our local Network of Spiritual Progressives group. The following piece was her Word of Welcome for the Global Generosity Sunday Service on April 15.

Welcome to the beginning.

Today we bring together the words of Teilhard de Chardin, scientist, mystic and heretic who said:

Someday, after mastering the wind, the rains, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then for a second time in the history of the world, humanity will have discovered fire.

and the words of the prophet, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

All life is interrelated. All of us are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.

And we’re doing this on April 15, 2007--Income Tax Day and Yom H’ Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)--an unlikely combination and an unlikely source of hope. Why?

Let’s begin with tax day. Many of us would face this day feeling very differently about writing that check if we knew that more than 50 cents of every one of our dollars wasn’t going to pay for wars past and present. If our money were going for education, health care, environmental reform and repair, to rebuild infrastructure and put people to work in the process, we’d pay our taxes, if not with unbridled joy, at least with a lot less angst.

And Yom H’ Shoah? The slogan that has epitomized the response to the Holocaust has been, “Never Again”. But, as Rabbi Michael Lerner has written, there have been 2 very different interpretations of those words.

One said, "We will never let this happen to us again. We will acquire a state (Israel), an army, and we will dominate anyone who doesn't like us so that they will never be in a position to dominate us and do to us what was done to us for the past two thousand years of Christians

entering our communities, raping, stealing, burning, and murdering us." I can understand how an oppressed people gets to the point of thinking that

way, but unfortunately that became a slippery slope toward justifying oppressive behavior toward Palestinians and a culture of suspicion of others inside the Jewish

community not unlike the culture of fear and suspicion that dominated the U.S. after 9/11.

The second interpretation was quite different. Hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world became deeply involved in social change movements seeking to challenge racism, sexism, homophobia, economic inequalities, and to champion peace, social justice, civil liberties and human rights. "Never Again" for these Jews meant that no one on the planet should ever have to face again what Jews faced during the Holocaust. No wonder, then, that these Jews became a major element in protesting segregation, apartheid, the war in Vietnam, the attempted genocide in Bosnia and

Welcome to Global Generosity Marcia Lovelace

Con’t on page 4

Kosovo by Serbia, and now the destruction of Darfur. Instead of hearing "Never Again" in narrow nationalist terms (Never Again to us), these Jews heard it to mean "Never Again to Anyone."

Today is about choosing that second interpretation. It’s about a conversion. Changing direction. It’s about recognizing that our national security cannot come from domination, exploitation, violence. We are simply creating enemies faster than we can kill them.

Today we choose the words of Isaiah 32:17:

And the work of generosity shall be peace; and the effect of generosity will be quietness and security forever.

We acknowledge the truth in the old bumper sticker, “If you want peace, work for justice”. As long as we, the wealthiest nation in the world continue to build that wealth on the backs of the most vulnerable here and across the globe with no care for the planet that supports all the life we know, we can never be secure. Walls and weapons and giving away the Bill of Rights will not make us safe.

But there is another way. We’ve done it before, and it worked. At the end of WWII, we chose to fight the Cold War in Western Europe with the Marshall Plan, an enormous investment in rebuilding the economies and infrastructures of nations destroyed by war. What we’re proposing today is a Global Marshall plan. We’re calling on our nation to lead the G8, the wealthiest countries of the world to contribute 1.5-5% of their GDP a year for 20 years to end global poverty and repair the earth. This money would not, as “foreign aid” had been in the past, be given to corrupt governments who will protect our interests at

the expense of their own peoples’, but be given to NGO’s with proven track records. It’s not to be given out of hubris and cultural arrogance, but in a spirit of mutuality and a recognition that we have much to learn from the rest of the world. Finally, it is not about heading out to save the world while ignoring the poverty and injustice right here. The US is part of the globe and the Global Marshall Plan includes ending poverty, lack of opportunity and inadequate health care here.

Today we begin. It’s a proposal in process. We need as many people of good will, of faith, of common sense as we can gather. All of us who know in the wisdom of our hearts that “Looking out for # 1” is a lie because we are all One are needed. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Let’s discover fire all over again. And spread Easter beyond last Sunday’s celebration. Love is more powerful than death. Let’s harness Love’s power for Creator and creation, for our grandchildren’s grandchildren and this beautiful, fragile blue-green oasis in space.

Welcome to the adventure.


Welcome to Global Generosity, cont. from page 3

COMMUNITY POTLUCK LUNCH Sunday May 6, following Worship First Sunday of every month. Bring your favorite dish to share!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES – SPRING MEETING SCHEDULE Sunday May 6 & May 20, 1:15 – 3:15 pm Visitors are always welcome. Agenda is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office. Note: No June Meeting!

MINISTRY COUNCIL MEETING Sunday May 20th, 1:15-2:45pm The Ministry Council has been set up by our congregation to: 1. Assess the needs and opportunities in the congregation and

surrounding community in light of our values, mission, and goals. 2. Cultivate leadership to engage the gifts of our members and

friends to meet the needs and opportunities identified. 3. Oversee our ministry programs, keep abreast of the

congregational calendar, and support the accountability of members to follow through on agreed-upon programs.

For more info, contact Council Chair Laurel Sterling, 510.552.7542

DINNER WITH OUR NEW MEMBERS-TO-BE Saturday May 5, 5:30 pm All are invited to come and feast with those who’ll be joining the church. Please bring your favorite dish to share! RSVP to Pastor Ama, 510.444.8511x11

TRAVELING Saturday May 19, 2-6pm @ Tilden Park In celebration of their 3rd Anniversary, Robin and Grant Kinney will be your “Potluck Picnic Party in the Park.” We’ll have the charcoal ready for you to bring your favorite grill or picnic food to share. To reduce paper and plastic waste, please bring your own place setting. You are also invited to bring lawn games (does anyone have croquet or badminton?) and musical instruments. Exact location in Tilden has not been determined yet, for more information please contact Robin or Grant 510.847.9030.

RECOVERY ANONYMOUS Sundays, 1-2:30pm in the Covenant Room This ministry is for everyone who wants to become more fully alive! An all inclusive 12 step recovery meeting for people who wish to share and explore recovery, deepen serenity and grow spiritually in solidarity and fellowship. Wherever you are on life’s path, you are welcome to come and check it out. You need not identify as an addict to participate. For more information contact Pam Curtis-Horton 510-932-1964, [email protected]

DEACON’S SERVICE On Duty in May: John “Moses” Jackson & Rebecca Faith The Deacons are available after service on Sundays to provide prayer support and to assist people in need.

ELDER MINISTRY Home visits, singing, birthday and holiday card making and so much more are just some of the ways we are going to involve the elders of our community in the new year. Be a part of a new and growing ministry and get back as much as you are giving; be a part of Elder Ministry today! If you would be willing to offer your time or talents to the Elder Ministry, please contact Meghan Bean-Smith, [email protected], 510.648.4475

YOUTH/CHILDREN’S MINISTRY ADULT LEADERS WELCOMED! Work with teens or with our younger kids in creative, faith-building time. For more info, contact Allison Kenney, 415.378.0731, [email protected]

Congregational Life Coming together

with openness & respect

First Congo Happenin’s All events are at First Congo unless otherwise noted.

FCCO MINISTRY LEADERS & EVENT PLANNERS

Don’t forget: to book rooms for groups and events, you must contact Arts First Oakland at (510) 444-8511x15. They book all the space usage here at First Congo, and it’s a busy campus, so please don’t publicize an event until you have confirmed the space availability with AFO!


BLESSING CIRCLE FOR

PASTOR AMA

Mother’s Day, Sunday May 13, 1:30 in the Angel Room after fellowship.

All are welcome – it’s co-ed!

See the back cover for details!

CREATING A LOVING PARTNERSHIP: AN EVENING FOR SINGLES Saturday May 5, 7pm For over 35 years, The Human Awareness Institute (HAI) has helped thousands of people create more honesty, intimacy and love in their lives. We've created a warm and easy way for singles of all ages to gather, have fun, make friends and get to know each other. Our professional facilitator will lead a variety of fun exercises to help singles of all ages mingle and connect. For more information: http://www.hai.org/singles_events.html Questions? Email [email protected] or call 510-217-4242.

YOGA OF SOUND WITH CAIT MCWHIR Tuesday May 15, 7-9:15pm Based upon a 3000 year old system from India which uses the voice to connect with the Divine. Accompanied by instruments, the Yoga of Sound is a fun and transformative way to explore the power of the voice through chant. No experience necessary! $12- $14 donation. For info: [email protected] or 510.531.9252

THE SONGBIRD SESSIONS Monday May 7, 7-9pm

This Arts First Oakland sponsored evening is hosted by Andrej Hostynek and happens the 1st Monday of every month. Join the group as they explore the magic of both directed and improvisational singing, toning, sounding,

and rhythm. Taking inspiration from Bobby McFerrin's Circlesong format, you are invited to co-create a tapestry of sound. Bring an open mind and together we will open hearts and

voices. Donations accepted to cover costs.

RHYTHM STUDIO/BODY MUSIC W/ KEITH TERRY Wednesday May 9, 7-8:30pm Percussive gathering held the 2nd Wednesday of every month, using the oldest instrument on the planet—the human body. A useful tool for musicians & movers of all kinds. Please wear comfortable clothing & sneakers or jazz shoes. No experience necessary. $10, no-one turned away due to lack of funds. For more info about Keith Terry, visit www.crosspulse.com. More info: Eve, 510.444.8511x15, [email protected]

SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE! Your help is needed to maintain this community of service. Sign up for Sunday Hospitality (set-up, clean-up, cook, bring food) with Robin Kinney 510.847.9030; or to welcome our guests and friends with Amelie Hansen 510.759.2918, or to give a reading with Charley Lerrigo [email protected]

CHURCH DIRECTORY—IT’S HERE! A new directory is available for members and friends of First Congo, pick one up at the church or let us know if you’d like copy sent to you. To update or add

your contact information contact Dawn Raymond, [email protected] or 510.444.8511 x16

FIRST CONGO 2006 ANNUAL REPORT It’s done and available for all who want a copy. Pick it up at the office, at service on Sundays, or contact Dawn to have a copy sent to you, 510.444.8511x16, [email protected]

FIRST CONGO WEBSITE www.firstoakland.org We’re working hard to make our website a contribution to the community, both internally and at large. Keep watch for changes, submit pieces for the "Personal Stories" part, give us some new ideas or feedback. See the UCC website, www.stillspeaking.com/about/stories.htm for inspiration Submissions and/or suggestions can be sent to Jon “Moses” Jackson at [email protected]

FOOD FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY Thanks to everyone who signed up to host Sunday Fellowship for the last several months. See the calendar pull-out for the May schedule of cooks. We need help with fellowship coverage for the next couple of months—just doing it once is a big help. To sign up to cook in the future or for more information, contact Frank Walters, 510.483.6122, [email protected] We can always use extra hands to help out in the kitchen. Just show up at 9am on Sundays.

SOUND HEALING FLOWER BLESSING CEREMONY W/ TITO LA ROSA Monday April 30th, 12:00 pm – PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED!

Tito La Rosa, beloved sound healer, musician and national treasure of Peru returns to the United States to offer these exquisitely beautiful and passionate sound healing ceremonies involving native music and showers of flower petals offered to individuals in an intimate group gathering. $88-$120—advanced registration required. Contact; Gabriella, 415.572.1909 or [email protected]

Happenin’s, Con’t All events are at First Congo unless otherwise noted.


Community Events On First Congo Campus

Arts Positive Sharing our gifts & ourselves


RHYTHM OF SPRING OAKLAND YOUTH CHORUS CONCERT Saturday May 12, 7pm On Mother’s Day weekend, OYC will present its Spring Choral Concert, “Rhythm of Spring”, featuring special guests SoVoSó. Come feel the rhythm! Tickets $20, Student/Senior $10, Group $15, Child $5. For more information call 510.287.9700 or visit www.oaklandyouthchorus.org

PROJECT WRITERS UNITE! Monday May 21, 7-10pm

This Arts First Oakland sponsored evening happens the 3rd Monday of every month. Writers in all disciplines are invited to join this ongoing group—share your work and get feedback in a supportive environment. Donations accepted to cover costs. For info: James Brown Jr, 510.568.6968. For a

glimpse of the group's activities check out www.angelfire.com/ultra/projectwritersunite.

CIRCLE-SINGING W/ SUNSHINE BECKER Wednesday May 16, 7-9pm A style of singing with lots of room for beginners and experienced singers alike—it's a great chance to stretch your vocal wings with a gifted & generous leader, to create a group sound that inspires & refreshes. Donations greatly appreciated. Check out www.artsfirstoakland.org or contact Eve, 510.444.8511x15, [email protected]

COMMUNITY ART SALON Monday May 28, 6-9pm— YES! I know it’s Memorial Day, I’ll be here... This Arts First Oakland sponsored event is held the 4th Monday of every month. Share creative space & community. You can bring any kind of project of your own to work on/play with. We have plenty of collage materials. Light refreshments. Dawn, 510.625.1209, [email protected]

WHAT’S GOIN’ ON Young Artist’s Summer Workshop 2006 Two sessions, June 18-22 or June 25-29; Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm “What’s Goin’ On” is more than simply summer camp—our one to two-week program teaches young students (ages 6-15 years) artistic skills while infusing life’s lessons of peace, community and self expression. Aftercare available! More info: www.KellyTakundaOrphan.com. To reserve space call Kim, 510.444.8511x17. Look for information at the

church, or contact Kelly or Kim to find out how you can become a part of the WGO Young Artist Community Support and

Volunteer Program, or to find out about how you can help them with their wish list.

T.A.L.E. OF FIRST CONGO (TEEN ART & LEADERSHIP ENSEMBLE) Thursdays, 6-8:00pm NOTE: No gathering May 31st! Youth ages 11-18 are invited to participate as artists and leaders in this service ensemble. We share our gifts and rehearse for our role in Sunday worship celebrations. The interests/ talents of the group will lead the way for us to become leaders in our church community. Allison Kenney, 415.378.0731, [email protected]

JOHN SEELEY GALLERY ART EXHIBIT Thru 6/21, Bloom: Botanical Images, photos by Venėe Call-Ferrer Venėe does many of the fabulous altars we see every year at Singing for Your Life. Gallery is open for viewing whenever you’re at the church! All art is available for purchase. For questions about the exhibit call 510.444.8511 x15.

FIRST CONGO MUSIC MINISTRY IN THE SUMMERTIME The choir is off for the July & August summer season, and we'd love for you to share some of your music. If you would like to contribute to the Sunday morning service with a gift of music (or dance, poetry or spoken word), please contact Kelly Takunda Orphan at 510.444-8511x17 or

[email protected]

ARTS FIRST OAKLAND VOLUNTEER OPS Arts First Oakland (AFO), our own in-house arts collaborative, has a number of ways you can support the creative work at First Congo! Please call the office if you would like to help out—Eve Lindi, 510/444.8511x15, [email protected]

AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL PARENTI Thursday May 3, 7pm Award-winning political analyst and author MICHAEL PARENTI will speak on "Political Perception & Deception: How to Think About Empire" in a benefit for the Middle East Children's Alliance. Tickets $15, available at many local bookstores, online thru Brown Paper Tickets or call 1-800-838-3006. Wheelchair accessible and ASL interpreted. For more info: 510.548.0542 or email [email protected] or visit www.mecaforpeace.org


Peace & Justice-Making Living our values & building

a just society

MOTHER’S MORNING/MOURNING Saturday, May 12, 9am at 20th & Harrison at Lake Merritt

Gather in solidarity with Oakland mothers and families who have lost loved ones to violence. We’ll chant, set our intention, and process in silence to the beat of a drum to City Center on 12th St. for a time of community healing,

including music, testimony of mothers, and an interfaith communion ritual. If you are moved to volunteer to help on the day of the

event or to contribute towards costs of staging the event, contact Gina, [email protected]

“NO! THE RAPE DOCUMENTARY” Film Screening, Thursday May 3, 6pm "If the Black community in the Americas and in the world would save itself, it must complete the work this film begins." Alice Walker

Black feminist filmmaker Aishah Simmons screens her ground-breaking work. Winner of both a juried award and an audience choice award at the 2006 San Diego Women Film Festival, this feature length documentary explores the international reality of rape and sexual violence through the first person testimonies, scholarship, spirituality, and activism of African Americans. Screening followed by discussion. $5—$15, no one turned away for lack of funds. This event is a fundraiser for San Francisco Women Against Rape. For more information contact Frolayne Carlos, 415.861.2024 or [email protected]

NETWORK OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESSIVES Bring our spirit-led values to bear on the needs of our souls, our communities, and our world. To find out more about our local group contact Dennis Fagaly or Marcia Lovelace, 510.465.7192

HOLY COUNSEL OF WOMEN VISION CIRCLE Sunday May 6, 6:30pm Join Rev Shiloh Sophia McCloud and Pastor Ama Zenya for an evening of powerful conversation and chocolate cake communion!

With so much talk of manifestation and attraction principles in the popular media, where do we stand as women of faith? How do we surrender our will to the will of God, and yet still stay focused on our unique life ministry? Each of us has a call to answer, let's create space for that CALL to come through!


FREEDOM TRAIN FOR NEW MEMBERS Saturday May 5 & May 12, 1:30–5:30 pm followed by Potluck Dinners If you’d like to join First Congo as an active, voting member of the community, join Pastor Ama and other First Congo folks for a two-day ride through our faith journeys, church history, membership agreements and exploration of our gifts. All are welcome! To sign up, please call Pastor Ama, 510.444.8511x11 or [email protected].

UCC ANNUAL MEETING May 17-20 at Asilomar Conference Center Great speakers, workshops and Northern California United Church of Christ Conference business – all by the beach in Monterrey. Keynote from Rev. Kenneth Samuel. Cost for room and board reduced for early sign-up. To sign up, speak to Pastor Lynice, [email protected]

KIDS LIFE MINISTRY MEETING Sunday, June 3rd, 3:30-4:30 (w/ celebration & dinner to follow) Calling all Kids LIFE Ministry Leaders to a time of evaluation, appreciation and celebration! This meeting will give us an opportunity to debrief our Spring Kids LIFE Program and discuss possibilities for the Fall.

FIRST CONGO FAMILY DINNER & VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION Sunday, June 3rd, 4:30-6:00

This celebration is an opportunity for our young children, teens, parents and all of the FCCO community to join Allison & Lynn in our home for a fabulous celebration dinner! T.A.L.E will share out an original performance honoring our connectedness, Kids LIFE Ministry Leaders will be celebrated for their amazing

efforts this Spring and all of us will enjoy good food and each other! Please RSVP to Allison, 415.378.0731 or [email protected] by Wednesday, May 30th.

UCC COALITION FOR LGBT CONCERNS 2007 National Gathering, God's Gift: Our Wholeness June 19-21 in Hartford, Conn Our own Lynice Pinkard is the keynote speaker for this year’s national gathering - the Coalition’s 35 Anniversary Year. Register today to be part of: Transformation �� Contribution �� Wholeness

Connection �� Fun! Imagine Spirit-filled worship, laughter, speaking heart-to-heart with a new-found kindred soul, and pleasantly finding yourself extravagantly welcomed into a new-and-yet so-close-knit community! Imagine arriving in East Hartford, Connecticut alongside more than 150 other Christian lgbtstsglqqi people. Imagine being part of a Gathering that has helped inform and transform the United Church of Christ from The Coalition’s very first meeting in 1972 to the 2005 Synod vote supporting marriage equality for all people to 2007 and beyond! Visit www.ucccoalition.org/programs/ng.html for more details and registration information.


Spirit-Led Opening to healing & growing

in power & love



UCC 26TH

GENERAL SYNOD & 50

TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Friday June 22 thru Tuesday June 26th in Hartford, Connecticut At this anniversary Synod we will both look forward to who we are as the United Church of Christ and explore who God is calling us to be and to become in the next 50 years. Come prepared to worship, to study, to fellowship, to celebrate and to Let It Shine!! Registration fees range

from $50 for Saturday only to $150 for all 5 days. There are special deals on

housing that end May 7. Register online by visiting ucc.org, clicking on General Synod registration and following the instructions. There are many more details regarding schedule, youth program, housing, meals, etc. at www.ucc.org/synod. If you have any registration questions, contact Denise Shimell, [email protected], 216-736-2133.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER Sundays 1-2:15pm in the Choir Room This contemplative time incorporates simple movement, prayer, check-in time and a brief teaching or reflection. Everyone is welcome. No experience necessary. For more info contact Grant Kinney, 510.292.6758, [email protected]

LIFE GROUP LEADERS MEETING June 5, 6:30-8:30pm Note: LIFE Groups may not meet individually that week.

KIDS LIFE Sundays 11-12pm, during worship, for kids ages 3-10 A creative, faith-building and friend-making time for kids! Kids LIFE happens every Sunday following the Praise Time in worship, and continues thru the end of the worship celebration. For more info contact Allison Kenney, 415.378.0731, [email protected] MAY 6 Dennis, Veronica—"Thomas Asks Questions" MAY 13 MOTHER'S DAY—Harvey Rabbit for a special

Mother's Day celebration MAY 20 Kira, Lynn—"Peter Learns" MAY 27 Amelie, Inge—"Peter Learns" JUNE 3 Allison, Dennis—"Birthday of the Church"

WORSHIP INPUT & PARTICIPATION WELCOME! The First Congo worship team is open to lay input and participation in the worship services for Sundays. If you are interested, contact Kelly Takunda Orphan, 510.444.8511x17 or [email protected] or Pastor Lynice, [email protected] or 510.444.8511x12.

LOVING INTO NEW COMMUNITY (LINC) TEAM If you’d like to be part of strategizing for growing our community with love, plan to be there! Speak to LINC Coordinator Grant Kinney, 510.292.6758, [email protected]

LIFE (LIVING IN FAITH EVERYDAY) GROUPS LIFE Groups are a way to cultivate spiritual friendship and to grow in faith. LIFE Groups meet weekly for sharing, prayer and conversational scripture study. If you are interested please contact

May Birthdays 4—Marcia Lovelace 6—Ruth Bosworth 17—Diego Volpato 21—Trente Morant 22—Jean-Pierre de Oliveira 28—Dallas Glenn

May Anniversaries 1—Robin & Grant Kinney

Please let us know when your birthday or anniversary is so that we can send blessings. Contact Dawn, 510.444.8511 x16, [email protected]

First Congo Seeks Event Staff

Job Description: Event Staff will use building maintenance skills to maintain safety and effective functioning of the facility during rented events. They will work with and report

to the Operations Manager, Assistant Maintenance

Manager, and/or Event Manager. The job involves Hosting & Hospitality skills as well as Security and Janitorial tasks.

If you are interested or would like a more detailed job description please contact Operations Manager Anthony Maples, 510.444.8511 x20, or [email protected]


Health Corner Rebecca Faith, RN NP

Stories of Jesus’ miraculous healing powers abound in the bible and healing is a central activity of his ministry. These stories are delightful to hear because as we hear them we also feel them with our bodies though the physical memory of disease. Recall the hemorrhaging woman. We cheer her on as she struggles to reach Jesus and we rejoice when she is healed because we know the suffering and pain of disease, and how great we feel when we have recovered. Remember a recent illness, remember the emotions and sensations you experienced, and then remember how good you felt the day you began to heal. Think how joyful this woman must be now that she is not anemic and weakened. This must be what it feels like to be with Christ: new, recovered, hopeful, invigorated, relaxed. Our cells, muscles, nerves and senses vibrate with recognition. After all the knowledge-how to heal-is stored in our tissues. Our minds however, fixed as they are in medical science and realism, rebel against these stories. How are they possible? They are so unlike anything we experience. Good people pray at bedsides in ICU’s, hospices and upstairs bedrooms everywhere, and all the time, and their loved ones get sicker and sicker. Our minds argue these stories must be fairy tales or spiritual metaphors not actual historical fact.

Let’s examine our thinking closely. The medical model equates healing and health with the removal and then absence of disease. Perhaps the bleeding woman had uterine fibroids or endometrial cancer and Jesus has removed this disease from her. Disease causes pain, discomfort and leads to death. Also since we treat the ill badly physical disease results in social disease as we isolate, and reject the sick. Seeing Jesus through the lens that health equals the absence of disease, and that healers remove disease, Jesus is a great humanitarian, alleviating suffering and pain and restoring social justice and bodily integrity. This line of thinking is

satisfying. It is probably true that because of Jesus’ love for humanity he did desire our comfort and peace and found satisfaction in removing disease. And many, in a desire to follow Christ, have

become doctors, scientist and researchers, working to eliminate disease.

But this line of thinking is limited. Return to the story of the bleeding woman. At first she feels relief and energy. Her rights as a social individual are restored. Perhaps she marries, has children or works. But the miracle of her healing doesn’t immunize her against disease. The bleeding woman inevitably acquires another disease. Perhaps she develops osteoporoses, breaks a hip, loses her ability to work, and becomes immobile. All those that Jesus’ healed are not living with us today so we know they died. Disease precedes all death. In Christ we are not immunized against disease. As hard as we try to live in Christ we still get sick. We still die. What then is the point of Jesus’ effort? Is he temporarily staving of the forces of entropy and disorganization in the universe? Is he giving us a taste of a paradise to come? Is he performing tricks so that we will believe he is the son of God? Most importantly what does it mean when we get sick; that we lack a Christ to remove our disease? What can we expect when we pray for healing? Since the kind of miraculous healing described in the Bible rarely seems to occur is Christ not near at hand? Next month look for a discussion of another philosophy of health and healing that can deepen our understanding of Christ’s healing ministry and reconcile our rebelling minds with our accepting hearts and bodies.

Dr Webb Mealy is a biblical scholar and devoted contributor to our theological exploration and understanding here at First Congo. The following are excerpts from materials and resources used in the preparation of his sermon on April 15, 2007.


From Domination to Generosity Dr Webb Mealy

"The percentage of Americans living in severe poverty has reached a 32 year high, millions of working Americans are falling closer to the poverty line, and the gulf between the nation's 'haves' and 'have-nots' continues to widen.

McClatchy newspapers' analysis of 2005 census figures, the latest available, found that nearly 16 million Americans are living in deep or severe poverty.

A family of four with an annual income of less than $9,903 - half the federal poverty line - was considered severely poor in 2005. So were individuals who made less than $5,080 a years. ...The number of severely poor Americans grew by 26% from 2000 to 2005.

California leads the nation with the highest number of people in extreme poverty." Tony Pugh, McClatchy Newspapers, Washington.

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If you do not wish to receive this Newsletter please let us know at 510.444.8511x16

To the Beloved:

AMA MAMA BLESSING CIRCLE

Mother’s Day, Sunday May 13, 1:30 in the Angel Room after fellowship.

All are welcome – it’s co-ed!

We invite everyone to join us after lunch in the Angel Room for cupcakes, coffee, and celebration! Let us Bless this Beloved Family for the Birthing Journey. There will be an abundance basket for gift certificates and cash offerings for Ama, Javier & Family!

Hosted by Shiloh, Jody, Trish & First Congo Friends. Questions? Contact Shiloh, 415-306-4927.

Let’s Celebrate!

First Congregational Church of Oakland 2501 Harrison St. @ 27th Oakland, CA. 94612 Phone: 510.444.8511

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 HAPPY

MAY DAY!

LIFE Groups

2

3 6pm TALE 7pm Voices of Praise rehearsal 7pm “NO!” Film Screening 7pm Middle East Children’s Alliance benefit w/ Michael Parenti

4

5 New Members Class 5:30 Potluck w/ New Members-to-be 7pm Creating a Loving Partnership Singles Evening

6 10:30a Worship, Communion Sunday 12p Lunch—Potluck 1-2:30 Rec. Anon. 1-2:15 Prayer 1:15-3:15 Board Meeting 6:30 Holy Counsel of Women

7 7-9 Songbird Session

8 LIFE Groups

9 7pm Rhythm Studio/ Body Music w/ Keith Terry

10 6pm TALE 7pm No VOP Choir Rehearsal

11

12 9am Mother’s Morning/Mourning New Members Class 7pm OYC Spring Concert

13 10:30a Worship 12p Lunch—Craig & Jenn Breismeister 1-2:30 Rec. Anon. 1-2:15 Prayer 1:15 Pastor Ama’s Blessings Gathering

14

15 7pm Yoga of Sound LIFE Groups

16 7-9 Circle Singing w/ Sunshine Becker

17 6pm TALE 7pm Voices of Praise rehearsal

18 June News at First Deadline

19 2-6 Traveling Potluck @ Tilden Park

20 10:30a Worship 12p Lunch—Avaren Ipsen & Gus 1-2:30 Rec. Anon. 1-2:15 Prayer 1:15-2:45pm Ministry Council 1:15-3:15 Board Meeting

21 7-10 Project Writer’s Unite

22 LIFE Groups

23

24 6pm TALE 7pm Voices of Praise rehearsal

25

26

27 10:30a Worship 12p Lunch—We need a cook!!! 1-2:30 Rec. Anon. 1:15-2:45 Ministry Council Meeting

28 HAPPY

MEMORIAL DAY!

6-9 Community Art Salon (for real!)

29 LIFE Groups

30 31 No TALE gathering 7pm Voices of Praise rehearsal

May 2007

See Congregational Happenin’s for Event Details May Deacon’s on Duty—Jon “Moses” Jackson & Rebecca Faith

UCC Annual Meeting @ Asilomar, 17-20

WORSHIP—Loving God with all we are

Worship Team Pastor Lynice, 510.444.8511 x12 Music Ministry Leaders Kelly Takunda Orphan, 510.444.8511 x17 Readers Coordinator Rev. Charley Lerrigo, 510.531.5539

FELLOWSHIP & DISCIPLESHIP—Building authentic relationships and growing in God’s Love Children & Youth Ministry—Sunday children’s time and special events for youth, kids & families Allison Kenney, 415.378.0731 Community Care—for members & friends Pastor Lynice, 510.444.8511 x12 Computer/ Internet Tech Team— Paul Vollmer, 510.357.1505 Nasim Uddin, 510.759.1175 Contempletive Prayer Group— Grant Kinney, 510.292.6758 Decorations Coordinator— for fellowship & special events Nan Lim, 510.635.6744 Elder Care— Megan Bean-Smith, 510.648.4475 Health & Wellness— Rebecca Faith, Parish Nurse, 510.444.8511x14 Hospitality Team (Food!)—Shopping, cooking, set up, clean up for fellowship meal Robin Kinney, 510.847.9030 Frank Waters, 510.483.6122 Living in Faith Everyday (LIFE) Groups— Pastor Ama, 510.444.8511x11 New Members Class— Pastor Ama, 510.444.8511x11

STEWARDSHIP—caring for what God has given

Board of Trustees— Pat Bruce-Lerrigo, 510.531.5539 Campus Care Anthony Maples, 510.444.8511 x20 Generous Giving Team Pastor Lynice, 510.433.0906 Ministry Council Laurel Sterling, 510.552.7542

MISSION—Living our values in the public sphere

Arts First Oakland—An interfaith collaborative of artists and art-lovers at First Congregational Church of Oakland. Eve Lindi, 510.444.8511x15 Network of Spiritual Progressives—Brings our spirit-led values to bear on the needs of our souls, our communities, and our world. Marcia Lovelace, 510.465.7192 Open & Affirming Ministry—Increasing awareness & supporting the needs & issues of the LGBT community Erica Britton, 510.331.4849

EVANGELISM—Sharing the message of God’s love.

LINC Team—”Loving Into New Community” Grant Kinney, 510.292.6758

Web Servant Jon “Moses” Jackson, 510.757.3839 Welcome Coordinator— Greeting & follow up with visitors Amelie Hansen, 510.759.2918

Blessings to you...Blessings to you...Blessings to you...Blessings to you...

Ministry Teams at FCCO Here’s who to contact to get involved, or find out more about what’s going on...

Resurrection Season! at First/0705 NAF.pdf · feminine face of God. Sabbath is a time of heart-opening, of thanksgiving, of spiritual renewal. Sabbath is central to the spiritual

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