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by Pastor Gen Heywood
Are you looking at your neighbor differently now that great waves of fear are spreading about the swine flu? One Sunday each fall, we are reminded of the possibility of a flu pandemic and we have talked about how we will respond. Now, we have the opportunity to put these practices in place. We seek to approach this situation with knowledge that allows us to respond to the needs of our communities and our homes.
About worship: we will practice these steps.
1. If you are feeling sick, stay home. Do call or email us so that we can have you on the prayer list.
2. When you come to worship, we will bow to one another and wish "The peace of Christ be with you." We will refrain from our usual hugs and handshakes.
3. We will continue to have hand wipes passed out before worship and before communion.
4. We have a wonderfully large sanctuary. We will have the pews marked at 6 foot intervals, the distance that is considered safe.
5. We will continue to support each other with information and knowledge in place of fear.
About home: some of you have the Santa Clara County Flu Pamphlet that we have had available in the fall. If you can get on the internet you will find it at www.scvmed.org/SCC/docs/Public%20Health%20Department%20(DEP)/attachments/PHPandemicEng.pdf
Among the very helpful information is the following:
Your Pandemic Flu Emergency Kit
As many as 1 in 4 people could get sick during a pandemic, with many of them seriously ill.
Services and supplies we count on everyday may not be available. Every individual and family could be on their own, without care, for quite a while. This makes being prepared even more important. Because everyday life may be different during a pandemic flu and services could be disrupted, make sure you have these items in your emergency preparedness kit.
• Two weeks worth of food for you and your family. This should be food that does not need refrigeration. Foods like canned meats and fish, beans, soups, fruits, and dry goods like flour, salt, and sugar, are good choices.
• Water stored in sealed, unbreakable containers. If water service is disrupted, plan on one gallon for each person for each day, for up to two weeks.
• Two weeks worth of prescription medicines.
• Two weeks worth of ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for each person in the house for fever and pain. A two-week supply of cough medicine.
• Rehydration Solution, for example Pedialyte for kids, Gatorade for adults and teens. Please see the box below for instructions to make a rehydration solution for adults and teens. For children, especially infants and toddlers, a store-bought solution is strongly recommended.
• Cell phone and charger.
• Supply of face masks and plastic gloves. These will help protect you, especially if you are taking care of family members who are sick with the disease.
• Disinfectants and chlorine bleach.
You can get more information on putting together a complete Emergency Preparedness Plan and Kit from the American Red Cross. Call 408.577.1000 or visit their web site at www.redcross.org.
Also from the pamphlet:
Rehydration Solution for Adults & Teens
• 4 cups of clean water
• 2 Tablespoons of sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt. Mix all the ingredients until the sugar disappears. You can drink the solution at room temperature. Please note: Do not boil the solution because that will reduce the solution’s helpfulness.
Please, look carefully at the food, water, and medicines you need. If you can be prepared you can better help those who are unprepared and who are driven by fear. Be prayerful. Be careful. Let us use our fear to move us to knowledge and knowledge to move us to responsible actions and may those actions ever be tempered with compassion toward ourselves and others.
With blessings, Pastor Gen
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Join Pastor Gen in prayer for our church
Tuesday mornings from 9:00-9:30 am.
Take a few minutes for prayer wherever you are
to seek special guidance for our church.
Continuing the Journey
from Violence to Wholeness
Our March
PACE E BENE WORKSHOP
exploring nonviolent living was postponed to
Saturday, May 9
in our Chapel
from 9 AM - 5 PM.
Please, contact the office to sign up.
(408)739-3285 or conglchurch@earthlink.net
“To resort to power one need not be violent, and to speak to conscience one need not be meek. The most effective action both resorts to power and engages conscience.” Barbara Deming (1917-1984)
Blessings, Pastor Gen
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Please help
in these tough economic times!
Especially Needed by the Clients
of our FISH Food and Clothes Closet:
Canned Fruits,
Canned Vegetables,
Peanut Butter 17 oz.,
Jam 10 oz.,
Cereal,
Tuna,
Macaroni & Cheese,
Spaghetti 1 lb. packages,
Tomato paste or sauce,
Rice,
Jell-O,
Milkman powdered milk (1 qt packages)
Top Ramen - any flavor,
Pinto beans,
Bars of soap,
Toilet paper.
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Needed:
Sunday School Teachers and Assistants
If you think you could possibly help, please speak with Pastor Gen!
Update on Community Pre-School
By Our Clerk, Ingo Bork
A Special Membership Meeting was held on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 2:00 PM.
The meeting was called to focus on our preschool as ministry and mission of the Church by answering the following questions:
1. Does the preschool mission and ministry unite our members?
2. Does the preschool mission and ministry build up the membership in numbers and in spirit?
3. Does the operation of the preschool mission and ministry represent good stewardship of all our resources? (the buildings, the grounds, as well as the members' energy, talents, and time)
The following motion was brought forward and carried (21 yes votes, 10 votes against, 1 abstention):
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Motion:
We, the Congregation of the Congregational Community Church of Sunnyvale move that the Community Pre-School is no longer a mission and ministry of our Church.
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Following the Special Membership meeting, on April 22 a letter was sent to all Pre-school parents and staff (see below) and two meetings were held:
with the Pre-School staff on Monday, April 27 and
with the Pre-School parents on Tuesday, April 28.
Please continue to keep in prayers everyone involved in this most difficult time of transition.
April 22, 2009 Letter
Dear Community Preschool Parents,
Teachers, and Staff,
We are writing to provide you with an important update regarding the Community Preschool. As many of you are already aware, on April 19, 2009, the Congregational Community Church of Sunnyvale held a meeting of its members. The subject under discussion was whether the Community Preschool remained a mission and ministry of the Church. This was an issue that the Church and its members took seriously recognizing the history of the Preschool and the role it plays in our community. After discussing this subject, the Church members determined that the Community Preschool was no longer part of the Church's mission and ministry.
As a result of this decision, the Church Council is exploring several options regarding the Preschool's future. Currently, the Church Council's preference is to locate a qualified buyer for the Preschool so that, while the Church will no longer be connected to it or involved in its operations, the Preschool will continue to provide an excellent option for our community members to consider for their preschool needs. It is our sincere hope that we can locate a qualified buyer that will allow the Preschool to continue its operations into the future.
We understand that this is difficult news to receive and we do want to express our gratitude to the Preschool's staff for their dedication and hard work over the years. We also want to thank the parents and students of the Preschool for their commitment to the Preschool. As we move through this process, we will keep you updated so that you can make informed decisions regarding your future.
With appreciation,
Church Council
of Congregational Community Church
Wednesday Night Study
Join us for reflections on the book “The Shack”
Wednesday nights, April 29 - June 10, 2009
Facilitator : Lee Lederer
Place: The Meeting Room near the offices
Time: 6:30 PM
All welcome
Sessions Design
6:30: Gathering
6:35: Opening prayer lead by a member of the group
6:40: Reflecting on the Chapters assigned to the week
7:30: Closing prayer
Schedule
April 29: Foreword through Chapter 5
May 6: Chapters 6-8
May 13: Chapters 9-11
May 20: Chapters 12-14
May 27: Chapters 15-17
June 3: Chapter 18 and After Words
June 10: Putting it all together, preparing the worship service and message for Sunday June 14
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Come join our little choir!
All abilities welcome - just drop in!
Choir practice is on Sunday mornings
at 9:30 a.m. before Worship
and on Wednesday nights from 7:45 PM
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News from our Women’s Fellowship - News from our Women’s Fellowship - News from our Women’s Fellowship - News from our Women’s Fellowship - News
SPRING TEA PARTY
Our Women’s Fellowship
will be presenting a
Spring Tea Party
SUNDAY, May 3 2009,
following Church Service.
Spring hats and gloves are optional!
As this is a fundraiser, a $12 donation per adult is requested. Half of the proceeds shall go, as last year, to people recovering from Katrina: the Rain or Shine New Orleans 7th Ward Community Garden.
But as the need is so great locally as well in these hard economic times, Women’s Fellowship has decided to donate the other half of the proceeds to Sunnyvale Community Services.
 Rain or Shine
New Orleans 7th Ward community Garden
News from our Women’s Fellowship - News from our Women’s Fellowship - News from our Women’s Fellowship - News from our Women’s Fellowship - News
Announcement
of Board Positions for 2009/2010
by our Moderator Mei Wang
This is the time of the year when the Nominating Task Team or Moderator call for people with talents and gifts to serve either as Church Officers or as Board members. Although, according to our bylaws, Board members should be members of this church, those who have been worshiping and participating actively in church life, but are not members yet, could be considered.
This has been true in the past. Most recently, Mary Ruth Green stepped forward as our treasurer. We needed her talents and she offered her time. We are so grateful. She became a member after serving without a vote.
If you have any questions regarding the purpose and functions of the three Boards, please talk to any of the current Board Chairs:
Worship and Community Board - Marilyn;
Finance and Personnel Board - Markus;
or Preschool Board - Darryl.
Questions about Church Officers can be directed to
Pastor Gen;
the Moderator - Mei;
the Treasurer - Bonnie;
or the Clerk - Ingo.
Again, I am calling people with talents and gifts to serve our Church as Church Officers or as Board members.
For Mother’s Day
Submitted by Mei Wang
Answers given by 2nd grade school children
to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3 . Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without m medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
 WITNESSFORJUSTICE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
JUSTICE AND WITNESS MINISTRIES
“Witness for Justice” is a regular publication by the Justice and Witness Ministries of the national setting of our UCC.
(To be found at www.ucc.org/justice/advocacy_
resources/witness-for-justice/pdfs)
This particular issue was brought to our attention by Maxine Eggerth.
WITNESS FOR JUSTICE #421
April 27, 2009
HOPE IN SPRING
Mari Castellanos
Minister for Policy Advocate
for Domestic Issues
It’s almost impossible not to feel optimistic on a crisp, sunny, spring day. Even in Washington, D.C., where I work, there is a renewed sense of hope this spring, despite all the economic woes, the dreadful unemployment numbers and the lingering conflicts in the Middle East. I believe there is something in the
air besides pollen.
I dare to be hopeful this spring. I dare to believe that the economic crisis that has uncovered the ugliness of greed for all to see will inspire women and men to reassess their priorities. Jesus said that “Where your treasure is, there will your heart also be.” For far too long the conglomerates that own the American media have led too many of us to believe that owning certain things, or using certain products, can make us more beautiful, successful, desirable, and happy. We have invested our “treasures” – which include time and attention as well as money – in the pursuit of happiness by way of what we can acquire. We have little to show for it besides our credit card bills.
I’m grateful that the President of the United States takes time away from the Oval Office everyday to have dinner with his family. I think that if he can make it a priority, many of us can too. But there are those who have to work two jobs to put food on the
table. And there are far too many without jobs. I
pray for the day when everyone will have a job earning decent enough wages to support their families with, so that spouses can be with each other and parents can spend time with their children at the end of the day. Family is not something we legislate; it is something we cultivate, like flowers in spring.
I’m filled with hope that we can work together to rebuild our society which is pretty shaken by the legacy of greed. I hope that adults will once again
teach children that greed is a bad word and a sin. Greed puts ambition and the desire for wealth far above love and kindness, family and community. Greed has left the economy in shambles and millions of Americans unemployed.
Yes, I’m feeling hopeful this spring. The tulips seem brighter and the forsythias showier. The songs of the birds in the morning are louder than a church choir on Easter Sunday.
I can hardly wait for the Monarch butterflies to
return.
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OUR INTERGENERATIONAL
DRUMMING CHOIR
 
Drumming and Children's Choir rehearse each Sunday at 10:10 AM with Worship at 10:30 AM - and we welcome all to join us at 10:10 AM.
COMMUNITY
PRE-SCHOOL NEWS
HELLO FROM
COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL!
Friday, April 24th was our Week of the Young Child parade. The children paraded around the school property with noise makers, head bands and streamers. The children displayed various posters outside their classrooms. I want to thank Ina Bork, Darryl Alford and Mitzi Buscho for joining our celebration. After the parade, Lucille Story gave Mitzi and Ina a tour of our school.
The classrooms celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd. One class went to the Environmental Studies Program offered in Sunnyvale. Other classes made a trip to our recycling bins and put plastic bottles and paper in the bins. One of our teachers has started a program to recycle old cell phones and ink cartridges. We are all doing our part for our planet.
Next week we will have a teacher workshop on gardening and how to involve children more with nature and caring more for the world around them. We have planted tomatoes in the front grounds planter and we have a variety of flowers and vegetables being planted.
Thank you,
Barbara Steinmetz
(Director, Community PreSchool)
Pictures from the Parade in Celebration
of the Week of the Young Child
April 24
 
April 2009
by our Treasurer Bonnie Harvey
Electricity and Gas cost the church $ 6,725 in March, and $12,322.36 or 77% budget year to date. The extremely large March bill is because PG&E does an annual bill for solar power customers. In rainy months we pay PG&E, in sunny months they pay us. Annual billing is a very fair way to handle this. This payment reduced the church’s savings in PG&E costs. In the February Communicator I stated our 10 month savings, comparing pre-solar to post-solar, was $9,493.60. That is true, but our 11 month savings comparing pre-solar to post-solar, is $4,966.11.
The church purchased a new telephone system, using money earned before this year and designated to that purpose by the Council. The new system, researched and recommended by Ina, has a better answering and message-taking capability, and allows staff to transfer calls.
The Church Council dissolved the Preschool Scholarship Fund of $18,096, to ease the cash flow in the Preschool area. This cash flow problem was caused largely by the legal bills.
Contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing made in Sunday services, $324.55, were sent to the Conference Office. The church also sent ? of the annual budgeted Conference support , $2,500, to the Conference Office. Contributions to FISH to match groceries donated totaled $100, though not everyone brought in receipts. Responding to a special appeal from Sunnyvale Community Services, Women’s Fellowship (from their savings) donated $313 and Worship and Community (from the church outreach budget) designated $500.
Our March Year to Date net income is $28,662.31.
 Looking Ahead
- Please Mark Your Calendars!
SPRING TEA PARTY
by our Women’s Fellowship
Sunday, May 3, from 1:00 PM
Saturday, May 9, 2009
from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
2nd Workshop
(make-up for canceled workshop on March 7)
with PACE e BENE
on Non-Violent Communication
UCC NCNC
Annual Gathering at Asilomar
May 28-31, 2009
(Designated delegates from our church
are for this year: Pastor Gen, Mei and Ina)
ANNUAL MEETING
OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Sunday, June 7, 2009
after Worship
Please, save the date!
And please prayerfully consider if you would like to serve on one of our boards.
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Communicator Deadline
Deadline for the Summer (June/July/August) 2009 edition of our Communicator is Friday, May 22, 2009.
We accept submissions of texts, photos & graphics at our office, 1112 S. Bernardo Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 or via e-mail (conglchurch@earthlink.net).
Office Hours: Tuesdays - Fridays 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Gabriel’s Trumpet
10:30 a.m. for Sunday Worship Service and Sunday School
Children’s Sunday School begins after “Children’s Time” with the Pastor
11:30 a.m. – Fellowship (approximate time)
Chapel for Preschoolers Wednesday mornings 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Come join us!
Worship & Fellowship
Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
(nursery & childcare provided)
Book Study Series “The Shack” Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m.
Sunday, May 3, 10:30 AM
Worship with Associate Conference Minister Deborah Streeter
followed by
Women’s Fellowship’s Spring Tea Party
Saturday, May 9, 9 AM to 5 PM
Workshop with Pace & Bene
Monday, May 11, 6:30 PM
Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 12, 4 PM
Finance & Personnel Board Meeting
Saturday, May 16, 11 AM to 2 PM
Pre-School Picnic
Sunday, May 17, 12:30 PM
Worship & Community Board Meeting
(to be confirmed)
Monday, May 18
6:30 Pre-School Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 20,
from 11 AM
Women’s Fellowship Luncheon at Holder’s - carpool from church
from 1 PM
Staff Meeting
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