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December 2006 - January 2007 |
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Congregational Community
Church of Sunnyvale
* 408-739-3285 * conglchurch@earthlink.net
1112 Bernardo Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 *
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As Christmas approaches and the Rotating Men's Shelter moves in, the meaning of guest keeps coming to mind. We say that the men are our guests. We say, “Lord Jesus, come and be our guest”. We prepare our home to receive guests or ready ourselves to be the guest in someone else's home.
Do you remember as a child getting the lecture out in the car before your parents would allow you into someone else's home? Remember the lecture had to do with how you were to behave in someone else’s home. It was a reminder of how to be a guest. It had a lot to do with manners, the most important among them being respect.
Or did you learn rules about how to be a good host? You may have learned them from your family or you may have learned them from families with whom you were a guest. You no doubt learned that a host must set out clean towels and put clean sheets on the beds. A host must also let the guest know what the schedule of the house is so that the guest may become part of the family. As a guest you eat when the family eats and you schedule your shower when it does not interfere with the families routine.
So, what does this mean in the way we live with our shelter guests? We have tried in the past to include them more in the activities of our church family. May be there is something we haven’t told them. May be there are ways we can be better hosts.
May be there are ways they can be better guests. (They are not our clients. They are our guests.)
What about us as guests on this planet? As guests, we could practice much more gratitude and respect for this beautiful home we have been allowed to share.
What does it mean to welcome Jesus as a guest in our home? Have we readied our home, our hearts, our church to welcome him. He is the ideal guest, who brings us the gift of God’s presence and leaves us with the gift of his Spirit. Are we ready to receive such a gift?
So, during this season of Christmas, I invite you to consider what it means to be a guest. Consider the prayer Ina taught us: “Come, Lord Jesus, and be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed.”
With blessings,
Pastor Gen
To learn more on HOW TO BE A GUEST, check
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-House-Guest
Kids Met With Mayor Lee
by Pastor Gen
On Wednesday, November 22, the day before Thanksgiving, about 40 children gathered with the Mayor of Sunnyvale to voice their concerns about Global Warming. Mayor Lee and the out going Mayor Swegles spoke of the importance of dealing with the issues related to Global Warming. They listened carefully to the children’s concerns and welcomed their insights. And they were very appreciative of the drawings of the children and encouraged the children to keep involved with city government.
We are making plans for International Earth Day which is March 20, 2007. Keep on the look out for more information.
Co-op America's 12-Step Plan for Climate Action
November 22, 2006
With the movie An Inconvenient Truth drawing record audiences last summer, and groups as diverse as the “Evangelical Climate Initiative” and the Pentagon sounding the alarm on the coming climate catastrophe, our country could be on the cusp of taking real action on a very real danger.
But how much action is enough to match the scale of the solution to the scale of the problem? Based on the data — such as rapidly melting polar ice caps — showing that climate change is happening faster than anyone had thought, it is increasingly clear: Baby steps won’t do it.
We need a bold action plan that can evaluate corporate, government, community, and household plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – especially carbon emissions -- to levels we can live with.
Scientists at the Princeton University’s Carbon Mitigation Initiative (CMI) have taken up this challenge, and propose stabilizing carbon emissions by dividing this huge task into smaller, doable action “wedges” of equal size—each with the capacity to reduce carbon emissions by 1 billion tons/year by 2054. CMI lists 15 possible “wedges,” out of which we need to achieve just seven to reach carbon stabilization.
Here at Co-op America, we added our own filters to this building-block approach. We screened out measures that are too dangerous, costly, and slow (like nuclear power plants, synfuels, and “clean” coal), and we beefed up those that are safe and cost-effective. (Wind energy is cost-competitive at utility scale, and has beaten natural gas in certain markets. Solar energy will be cost-competitive within five years.)
With these filters, we developed a plan that uses current technologies; is safe, clean, and cost-effective; and is big enough to meet the climate challenge—12 “wedges” when we only need seven. Each of the following could reduce carbon emissions by at least 1 billion tons per year by 2054:
Here’s our 12-step plan:
1. Increase fuel economy for the world’s 2 billion cars from an average of 30 mpg to 60 mpg.
2. Cut back on driving. Decrease car travel for 2 billion 30-mpg cars from 10,000 to 5,000 miles per year, through increased use of mass transit, telecommuting, and walking and biking.
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3. Increase energy efficiency by one-quarter in existing buildings and appliances. Move to zero-emissions plans for new buildings.
4. Decrease tropical deforestation to zero, and double the rate of new tree plantings.
5. Stop soil erosion. Apply “conservation tillage” techniques to cropland at 10 times the current usage. Encourage local, organic agriculture.
6. Increase wind power. Add 3 million 1-megawatt windmills, 75 times the current capacity.
7. Push hard for solar power. Add 3,000 gigawatt-peak solar photovoltaic, 1,000 times current capacity.
8. Increase efficiency of coal plants from an average of 32 percent efficiency to 60 percent, and shut down plants that don’t meet the standard. No net new coal plants; for new plants built, an equal number should close.
9. Replace 1,400 gigawatts of coal with natural gas, a fourfold increase in natural gas usage over current levels — a short-term step until zero-emissions renewable technologies can replace natural gas.
10. Sequester carbon dioxide at existing coal plants. Sequestration involves storing carbon dioxide underground, an unproven technology that may, nonetheless, be better than nothing.
11. Develop zero-emissions vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles powered by renewable energy.
12. Develop biomass as a short-term replacement for fossil fuel until better carbon-free technologies are developed — but only biofuels made from waste, and made without displacing farmland and rain forests.
This framework can help us think big and fast enough to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. If we are to achieve each wedge by 2054, the next 10 years must see major action. Anything less and we’re kidding ourselves.
The good news? We can do this. We have the technologies and the know-how. We can take many of these steps today, on our own. For the rest, we need to persuade our elected officials, contact our power companies and auto manufacturers, and demand action from those with decision-making power. The best news? Beating climate change opens the door to more jobs, energy security, progress against poverty, a cleaner environment, and a safer world — a better future for all of us.
—Alisa Gravitz
to learn more, go to www.coopamerica.org
Faith in Action
Letter on the
Rotating Men’s Shelter
November 24, 2006
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
It is cold weather again in Sunnyvale/Cupertino area as we’re approaching the month of December. This means that the Congregational Community Church of Sunnyvale will be once more hosting the Rotating Shelter as we have done the past nine years.
I am writing you this letter in the hopes that, besides gaining your understanding about the importance of this mission for our community, you might also help us in this specific ministry.
This Rotating Shelter program is sponsored and managed by Cupertino Community Services and the Faith in Action. Our role as a church in this program is to 1) provide shelter for the time period of December 2, 2006 through December 30, 2006; 2) purchase food for their breakfasts and lunches; 3) provide dinners on those needed days (posted on the bulletin in the Shepherd Hall); and 4) greet and welcome our guests each evening. You can help by being a shopper, who will shop twice a week, and the fund is provided by our church. Or you can help by providing a dish or a meal on the days needed. Or you can simply show up at 8 p.m. and extend your warm welcome and greetings.
As you can tell from the enclosed information, the 15 men will be on the church grounds from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. each day of their stay with us. The church facilities impacted during their stay are primarily Rooms 1 and 2. Their belongings, refrigerator, sleeping gear, etc., are stored in Room 1 and they sleep in Room 1 and 2. They shower at the Cupertino YMCA and use the handicap bathroom next to Room 1 for their toilet needs. Room 2 will be restored to its original condition each morning before the men leave.
This year Barton Wilson and I will be coordinating the program again. So, please contact me at 650-965-2338 or Barton at 408-225-1089 with any further questions you might have, or if any issues or concerns arise during the time period the men are with us.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Mei Wang
408-245-7338 (w)
650-965-2338 (h)
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Time for Prayer
Please join Pastor Gen
in prayers for our church
every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 - 9:30 am.
Come to church and
pray in the sanctuary if you can
or take a few minutes for prayer wherever you are!
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Come join
our little choir!
All abilities welcome - just drop in!
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TREASURER’S REPORT
by Mary Ruth Green
Our October income exceeded our expenses so we are now in good shape for this point in our fiscal year.
Oct. YTD
Income 26,382 111,515
Expenses 19,047 98,811
Net 7,335 12,704
We are now putting some money into savings for anticipated expenses, that is, termite tenting and other building maintenance.
As a member of the stewardship committee, I would like to thank our speakers for their thoughtful words. Also, thank you to those who prepared and served the lunch. It was very tasty.
I found Hal Urban's message challenging and encouraging and I find myself returning to the lessons in his book that we studied in October.
Rummage Sale
Fund Raiser
Early June 2007
(exact date to be determined)
Do you have things you no longer need - want to get out of your house?
How about donating them to our Church rummage sale next summer? Over the next few months be thinking about all those little and big treasures you want to part with.
More details will be available by the end of January, after the Worship and Community Board has had a chance to do the planning.
In the mean time please address any questions to Marilyn. - Thank you!
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The Women’s Fellowship
Bake Sale, November 12
A great success - everything was sold!
Thank you to all who contributed
and thank you all for your generosity!
(Total money raised was $162. $150 have been donated for ten of our new pew bibles.)
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COMMUNITY
PRE-SCHOOL NEWS
HELLO FROM COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL!
The children at Community Pre-School had their traditional Thanksgiving sharing; the children made a snack and shared it with another class. One class made carrot soup and another brought cornbread. The children sang songs, read stories and said why they are thankful.
I was privileged to attend the event of “Kids Meet the Mayor”. Our 4-year old classes learned about the effects of global warming on our Arctic animals. The children drew pictures of sad polar bears and one class had a poster of a Happy and Sad Earth. It was good to see how the Mayor of Sunnyvale was so receptive to the children’s concerns. These posters and pictures will be on display at the Sunnyvale Library. If you have a chance, please go and see the children’s artwork.
Community Pre-School does its part in helping to conserve energy and reduce waste. The school recycles paper and plastic and one of our teachers recycles the school’s cardboard. The teachers have initiated recycling cell phones and batteries. We use motion sensor lighting and keep the thermostat at 68. The teachers regularly talk about how important it is to protect our earth through being environmentally responsible.
The part time Pre-School classes will end December 15th and begin again January 2nd 2007 Our Child Care classes last day will be December 22 and begin again January 2nd 2007. There will be a children’s Christmas program on December 10th. The children who participate in Friday Chapel will be invited to participate; all families will be invited to attend. The children always look forward to seeing the manger scene in the sanctuary. I heard from one of the teachers, one child came up to the manger scene last year and put his arms around the camel.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Barbara Steinmetz
(Director of Community Pre-School)
May all our advent journeys end in Christ’s peace....
For this Advent season, the theme of the respective Sunday in Advent - Hope, Peace, Joy, Love - is shown in a huge Advent Wreath on the Chancel Wall.
Thank you, Sue and Barton!!
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SHORT AND SO TRUE
submitted by Ted Carlson
Joe Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6 am. While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG). He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA).
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA) he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA) he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY) filled it with GAS from Saudi Arabia and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his Computer (Made In Malaysia), Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL) poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE! France!!) and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA...
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Facility Manager’s Office Remodel
November - December 2006
Handyman Dimitri
doing his magic...
Ann, still working
during the remodel...
Finally - almost done!!
Please come
and check out
what it looks like -
visit Ann
in her new office!
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LET JUSTICE ROLL!
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
JUSTICE AND WITNESS MINISTRIES
WITNESS FOR JUSTICE, November 13, 2006
by Marvin Silver, Policy Advocate
submitted by Maxine Eggerth
What Would Jesus Do? This question asked by Christians today serves as a convenient tool for us to live justly and righteously in our relationship with God and humanity. I often wonder why we need to ask ourselves this question. For all of his moral and ethical teachings in the Beatitudes, the parables, and his instructions to his disciples, Jesus gave just one criterion for judging the righteousness of our lives: “Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25: 45-46) It is not religious practice, memorization of scripture, or faithful attendance to church by which our lives are judged; it is simply: “. . . as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 40)
It is whether we have tried to exemplify the biblical notion of justice (Mishpat) and righteousness (Sadiqah). It is whether we have tried to relieve the plight of the poor and those who have been stripped of their basic democratic freedoms such as the right to vote; whether we have tried to transform this war torn world into a world free from oppression and exploitation; whether we have tried to change a global economic system that devalues work and workers and striven to build a health care system for all; whether we have tried to fight for the rights of children, the disabled, and those who are genetically .1% different from us and held our political leaders accountable for how they set public policy. It is whether we have tried to strengthen the voice of the voiceless and stand in solidarity with those who are suffering.
On November 7 a different set of moral values was expressed at the polls: “A job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it.” Working with a wide range of partners, Let Justice Roll, a fast-growing nonpartisan partnership of more than 80 faith and community groups, organized and mobilized the progressive religious community, along with the working poor, to vote and do something, in six states, that Congress has failed to do, nationally, in nine years — RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE. “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an overflowing stream.” (Amos 5:24) served as the vision of the campaign to raise the minimum wage in anticipation of the day when nothing less than a living wage would be the national standard for just compensation for work.
In Arizona the minimum wage was increased from $5.15 to $6.75 an hour.
In Colorado the minimum wage was increased from $5.15 to $6.85 an hour.
In Missouri the minimum wage was increased from $5.15 to $6.50 an hour.
In Montana the minimum wage was increased from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour.
In Nevada the minimum wage was increased from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour.
In Ohio the minimum wage was increased from $5.15 to $6.85 an hour.
LET JUSTICE ROLL!
AND HERE IS A SURPRISE:
Only on counting the collection we realized we had a celebrity attending our Children’s Christmas Sunday on December 10...!
We received a $ 10 donation in the collection plate from Sponge Bob!!
A warm Thank You
and Merry Christmas to you,
Sponge Bob, from
Congregational Community Church, where all are truly welcome!
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Needed: Altar Guild
by Worship and Community Board
Every Sunday morning before Worship Service there is a number of ‘housekeeping tasks’ to be done to get our sanctuary ready for worship.
Currently it is mostly Pastor Gen, who takes care of these - so Worship and Community Board is looking for a few people to form an “Altar Guild” to relieve our Pastor.
Duties of this “Altar Guild” include:
*generally inspect the sanctuary, gathering up old papers and other debris from the pews; make certain that envelopes and pens are provided, and all Hymnals and Bibles are presentable in their racks
*be certain that worship furniture items on the chancel are properly placed and clean, the sound system is turned on and functions properly; flowers are placed on the communion table and the table is properly located with locking casters engaged. Offering plates, Altar Bible and Candle must be properly located, with the candle’s fuel container half full.
*after Service routine: turning off the sound system, checking the sanctuary for things that may have been left behind and cleaning out paper items.
If you think you could help performing these routine tasks (which should take less than thirty minutes per Sunday) please volunteer by speaking to Pastor Gen or any member of the Worship and Community Board.
 Looking Ahead
- Please mark your calendars!
Red Bow Sale
to benefit the men of the rotating shelter
Red Bows to decorate our Christmas Tree are available for sale in the Narthex before Worship Service on the Sundays in Advent.
Free Christmas Concert
by the RMP Hayes Studio
Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 2:30 PM
OUR WORSHIP SERVICES
DURING ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SEASON
December 17 - Third Sunday of Advent -”Joy”
Choir and Hymn Sing Sunday
Join us for the joy of music in Worship at 10:30 am!
December 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent - “Love”
Morning Worship at 10:30 am
December 24 - Christmas Eve
Intergenerational Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm
followed by Cookie Potluck
December 31 - New Year’s Eve
Morning Worship at 10:30 am
January 8 - Epiphany
Morning Worship at 10:30 am
The Magi brought gifts for Baby Jesus - so do we!
Please bring to church diapers, nonperishable food, and baby and kids items to benefit children through FISH. After Worship help us celebrate a Baby Shower for Baby Jesus in Shephard Hall.
And then, after twelve days of Christmas, it is time to undecorate the sanctuary...!
COME AND SEE...
Communicator Deadline
Deadline for the February 2007 Communicator is January 24, 2007. 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: Wednesdays 1:00 - 4:30 pm
Thursdays & Fridays 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
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