The Stone News, October 2006

You don't have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

Please update your flash player.

Please login or register to make a comment!

The Stewardship Board invites everyone to Consecration Sunday, on October 22. This special day will begin with an inspiring Wor- ship service, featuring the Rev- erend Ben Daniel from Foothill Presbyterian Church, and will end with a celebratory luncheon in the Social Hall. This event is part of a new pro- gram from the Stewardship Board, the New Consecration Sunday Stew- ardship Program , which is designed to help us understand the biblical and spiritual principles of gener- ous giving.

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a bib- lical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church 9s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes. New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive.

Instead of treat- ing people like members of a social club who should pay dues, people are treated like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give ... more. less.

unself- ishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encour- ages proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, cWhat percentage of my income is God calling me to give? d During the Worship service, the Rev. Daniel will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspira- tion. We will then have the oppor- tunity to make a confidential financial act of commitment to our church 9s missionary, benevo- lent, and educational ministries in our community and in the world. As we leave the sanctuary, we will make an offering of our pledge cards. Since the Stewardship Board will make no follow-up visits to ask for pledge cards, the board strong- ly encourages everyone to come to New Consecration Sunday . Other October Events include: Peacemaking Sunday page 5 Oct. 1 Free Showing of cAn page 5 Inconvenient Truth d Oct. 8 Stone Golf Tournament page 8 Oct. 14 Bibles Presented to page 2 Fourth Graders Oct. 15 Lecture: Understand- page 5 ing the Muslim Psyche Oct. 20 John Dominic Crossan page 8 Oct. 27-29 Stone 9s Rally Day: a Huge Success! Consecration Sunday: A Chance to Act as Disciples T HE S TONE N EWS S TONE C HURCH OF W ILLOW G LEN , P RESBYTERIAN USA O CTOBER 2006 THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 1 Stone Church 9s Christian Educa- tion program is offering an inten- tional, expanded Faith Stepping Stone support for families, in addition to offering Sunday morning and evening experiences for various age groups. Faith Stepping Stones are opportu- nities for God to shape lives as young people take steps in their Journey of Faith and parents reflect on their role as Faith Nurturers. The first Faith Stepping Stone is Baptism, welcoming a child into the family of God. To enrich this step, we 9re adding the gift of a booklet for parents explaining baptism and the role they are agreeing to fulfill. The second Faith Stepping Stone is new: Preschool students are given The Beginners Bible: Timeless Children 9s Sto- ries , so parents can read stories from class at home. Bibles were given to the Balao, James, Luebcke, McElroy, McNelis, Romanow and Sailor fami- lies, on September 17. During Lent, families of first and second graders are invited to Com- munion and Worship Training as the third Faith Stepping Stone. Fourth graders are awarded NRSV Bibles, and they and their parents are invited to a Get Acquainted with Your Bible brunch. This fourth Faith Step- ping Stone occurs October 15 for this year 9s students. The next Faith Stepping Stone has long been a part of our church 9s sup- port as those in Grade 7 and older are invited to participate in Confirmation classes. With the help of mentors, stu- dents share their statements of faith and choose whether to become mem- bers of the church. The last Faith Stepping Stone occurs when the high school group honors graduating seniors with a spe- cial dinner. To record these important events, certificates will be given for each of these steps in the Faith Journey. A Faith Scrapbooking class will be held November 12, to share ways to keep a record of all of these important Faith Stepping Stones (see the Adult Ed article below for more detail). - God bless, Miriam Kishi, Christian Education Associate Miriam 9s Column: Re ecting on Faith Stepping Stones THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 2 Adult Education has wonderful opportunities for learning this fall. Oct. 1 3 15: What do You Mean: cResurrection d? On October 1, the class will turn to the Apostle Paul 9s witness about how Jesus 9s resurrection caused the Easter faith of early Christians, as well as inspired the explosive growth of the church. We will compare his cortho- dox d understanding to the extra 3bibli- cal writings of 2nd century Gnostics who were later labeled cheretics. d On October 8 and 15, the class will react to recent writings of John Domi- nic Crossan, N. T. Wright, Marcus Borg, John Knox, and Reginald Fuller. Encountering these different views, which range from natural to supernatural explanations, the class will reflect on which align with our personal faith. Dale and Barbara Bracey will lead this exciting class. October 1 3 15: Artists 9 Views of Stewardship An artist is not a special person; every person is a special artist. In this class, led by David McCreath, a variety of artistic media 4 music, poetry, paintings, etc. 4 will be consid- ered as a way of exploring the spiritual disciplines of stewardship. Members of the class will be encouraged to contrib- ute examples for discussion. October 29: Discussion with John Dominic Crossan Here is a fantastic opportunity to meet and talk with the world-renowned historical Jesus scholar, John Dominic Crossan, following his sermon in the Sunday morning worship service. November 5 3 Dec. 24: Book Study: cThe Last Week d by Borg, Crossan Marcus Borg & John Dominic Cros- san 9s newest book, The Last Week: A Day-by-Day Account of Jesus 9s Final Week in Jerusalem , uses the Gospel of Mark as a guide. Informed, challenged, and inspired, we 9ll not only meet the historical Jesus, but also a new Jesus who engages us & invites us to follow him. This 8-week study is led by Pat Magee; books will be available for $14 each. November 12: Faith Scrapbooking Would you like to make a creative record of your faith journey? This class will inspire you with new and thought- ful ways to create a unique and per- sonal Faith Scrapbook . You will learn how to highlight family traditions and individual accomplish- ments that interpret God 9s involve- ment in your and your family 9s life. You will also learn how to include Faith Stepping Stones certificates (see Miriam 9s Column , above, for more detail). Our special leader for this event is Judy Martin, Collage and Quilt Artist and Scrapbooking Teacher. She will provide samples and supplies. There is a $5 materials fee. - Pat Magee Adult Study Looks at Resurrection, Art, Faith Scrapbooking THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 3 Interesting, thought-provoking books for all ages continue to con- verge on our library. Here are books for younger folks: Puss in Boots & Other Fairytales by Stephanie Laslett (J Las), given by Vivian Shimmon Save the Earth: An Action Hand- book for Kids by Betty Miles (J 333.95 Mil), given by Betsy Wil- liams Wu Sung 9s Life Story by Shi Naian (YA Nai) The Trespassers by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (YA Sny) Here are additions for adults: Living the Truth in a World of Illu- sions by William Sloan Coffin (252 Cof) Is Science Necessary? Essays on Sci- ence & Scientists by Max Perutz (500 Per) A Special Assignment: A Subud Trilogy by Varindra Vittachi, given by Leonard Lewis The Gospel of Judas by Rodolphe Kasser et al. (229.8 Kas), given by the Helms A History of the Jews by Paul Johnson (933 Joh), given by the Magees Strangers in Their Own Land: Young Jews in Germany & Aus- tria Today by Peter Sichrovsky (940.5 Sic) Modern Gymnastics by Peter Ayk- royd (796.4 Ayk) These titles have been added to our Special Collections: Green Paradise Lost by Elizabeth Dodson Gray (Ecol 113 Gra) and The Good Society by Robert Bellah et al. (Soc Iss 330.9 Bel), both from Rebecca Kuiken Coping with Your Grown Children by Edwin Klingelhofer (Fam 306 Kli) Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand (Bio Seabis- cuit), given by Rosaleen Zisch Joshua: A Parable for Today by Joseph Girzone (Fic Gir), given by Alice Thorn Visit the book cart at Coffee Hour or come to the Church Library. We have a new map that should help you locate what you want. - Sue Williams, Library Coordinator Church Library Adds 8The Gospel of Judas 9 and More You probably have already noticed her directing the choir. You remem- ber her husband from when he was Stone Church 9s choir director. Now meet Nancy Wait Kromm, who has accepted our position of Director of Music Ministry. She suc- ceeds Lucik Aprahamian, who served our congregation for three years before leaving for the University of Arizona to pursue her doctorate. Nancy is a performing soprano and an associate professor at Santa Clara University, where she is a member of the voice and opera theater faculty of the department of music. She is the second Kromm to direct our choir. Her husband, Leroy, was our musical leader from 1996-2003. She has been a musician since she was 8 years old when she began study- ing violin. She joined the California Youth Symphony as a 10-year-old and toured internationally with the group until she was 12. She holds her bachelor 9s and master 9s degrees in music from the University of Illi- nois, and she was granted a teaching fellowship at Stanford in pursuit of a doctoral degree. At Santa Clara she teaches classes as well as directs opera productions. As a soloist she has performed nation- ally and internationally. She has been heard on National Public Radio and cGood Morning America, d and she recorded a Grammy Award-winning disk of Nielsen 9s cThird Symphony d with the San Francisco Symphony. Last summer Nancy was featured soloist with the Mission Chamber Orchestra in Milan, Rome, Florence and Venice, and has been featured soloist with the Monterey and Pen- insula Symphonies the past two sea- sons. - Jody Meacham, P&A Nancy Wait Kromm Named Music Director The Presbyterian Women of Stone Church had a most enjoyable brunch in August. One hundred eighty-two items (new men 9s socks and under- wear) were given by attendees for Sacred Heart Community Service. For many years, Stone 9s PW have collected Campbell 9s Soup labels to aid Menaul School in Albuquer- que, NM. The latest drive resulted in purchasing a bus. Menaul School was started in 1896 as a Presbyterian mission boarding school for Span- ish-speaking boys. Today, Menaul is a co-ed, day-only, college preparatory school for students in grades 6-12. As a sign of Menaul 9s success, more than 95% of its students have gone on to post-secondary education. PW extends their gratitude to Judy Dilts, who has been the liaison for this effort; Judy is now passing the responsibility to Marilyn Gardner. If you would like to help, please bring labels from the following prod- ucts to the PW box in the church office: Campbell 9s condensed soup, Chunky Soups, Soup at Hand, Select Soups (bowls), Soup to Go (tub), Goldfish Crackers, the code numbers from the outer case of Campbell 9s Tomato Juice, Chef 9s Kettle Soups, V-8, and V-8 Splash. PW in the Presbytery will hold its Fall Gathering, Walking Together ... Caminhada at Los Gatos Presbyterian Church on October 15, from 2 to 4 pm. Shirley Patton, who represented the Synod of the Pacific on the Global Exchange to Brazil in October 2005, will be guest speaker and will share her experiences from that trip and how our policies impact both Brazil and the USA. And if you are curious to know what Caminhada means, come to the gathering to find out! Here is PW 9s October schedule: Amethyst Circle will meet Octo- ber 4 at noon in the library. Emerald Circle will meet Octo- ber 5 at 9:30 am (place TBA). Sapphire Circle will meet October 9 at 7:30 pm at Sara Holtzapple 9s. Lunch Bunch will meet October 10 at 11:30 am at Taiwan. Call Ida Raby for reservations. Coordinating Team will meet October 12 at 9:30 am in the Fireside Room. Book Group I will meet October 16 at 1 pm at Liz Shandera 9s, to discuss History Lesson for Girls , by Aurelie Sheehan. Book Group II will meet Octo- ber 16 at 2:30 pm at Claudia Hamm 9s (book TBA). Bible study with Marge will meet October 26 at 9:30 am in the church library. Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet October 26 at 4:30 pm in the Fireside Room . - Catherine Amos Session Beat At its regular meeting on Sept. 12, the Session met with and welcomed into membership Emily Chatfield, who was raised in a Presbyterian Church in West Virginia. Moderator Marge Palmer reported on the recent General Assembly adoption of the report on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church. The GA Task Force went through a four- year process leading up to the report, and many had hoped it would quiet the struggle between factions in the denomination. Unfortunately, its adoption has been controversial, and the struggle continues. Church & World Board told Ses- sion about a group called California Interfaith Power & Light, which brings churches together to work for responsible use of the environment. CIPL asks churches to educate con- gregations on issues of global warm- ing, and to take practical actions to conserve energy, such as energy audits and improvements to buildings. The Session voted to affiliate with CIPL. Fred Oliver reminded the Session that our remodeling project has already led to energy conservation improvements. Mel Goertz men- tioned that reusable coffee mugs are replacing disposable cups. Bea Groppuso reminded Session that the Peacemaking Offering will be taken Oct. 1 (see article, next page). Rosaleen Zisch reported that Christian Education has revamped the Middle School program. On Communion Sundays, the kids will participate in a music program, led by choir members, to learn about hymns and other aspects of church music. Middle schoolers will have two evening meetings a month. The Session will hold a retreat on Oct. 7. Budget & Finance reported that finances are in good shape, with con- tinuing care. Planning for the 2007 budget is underway (and will be report- ed in December 9s The Stone News ). - Alice Thorn, Clerk of Session THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 4 News from PW The High School Group recently had a wonder!ul time camping at Sunset Beach, including time to just kick back in the sand! THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 5 Free Showing of cAn Inconvenient Truth d Stone Church is sponsoring a free showing of the acclaimed film, An Inconvenient Truth , at 7 pm, on Sunday, Oct. 8. With wit and hope, this film brings home the persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue; rather, it is the biggest moral chal- lenge facing our global civilization. cIt 9s a mind-boggling disaster epic that draws its special power from the fact that we are both the villains and victims of the story, d says William Arnold of the Seattle Post Intelligencer . Attendees will receive a packet of materials that includes ways to reduce your family 9s carbon footprint on the environment. If you can 9t make the Oct. 8 date, Willow Glen United Methodist Church, 1420 Newport (at Minne- sota), will also sponsor a free showing on Friday, Oct. 6, at 7 pm, and you are welcome to attend. Childcare will be available at both showings, if you make reservations by contacting Stone Church or by call- ing Willow Glen UMC at 294-9796, ext. 30. Global Warming featured at first C&W Eco-Faithfulness Table The second Sunday of each month, the C&W Board will have an infor- mational table set up during Coffee Hour to look at environmental prob- lems and discuss what, as people of faith, our response could be. There will be materials to take home and activities for kids and youth. On Oct. 8, we will feature the issue of Global Warming. If you would like to participate in developing the materials and displays for future months, contact Rhonda Lakatos, or leave a message in the C&W moderator 9s box in the church office. Solar Power 2006 Conference & Expo, San Jose Convention Center Wondering about solar power for your home (or Stone Church)? Solar Power 2006, a conference for solar businesses and entrepreneurs, is sponsoring a special evening Tues- day, Oct. 17, from 5 - 8 pm, for home owners and small business people to view the 130 exhibits in the Conven- tion Center Exhibit Hall. There will be three free seminars: Solar 101: Solar Technology Basics, Payback On Solar: Is It Worth It? and How To Find a Quali- fied Solar Installer . If you are interested, meet at the Alma Light Rail Station at 4:30 pm. To save the $10 fee, get a free pass at C&W 9s Eco-Faithfulness table on Oct. 8, or print one at: http://www.solarelectricpower.org/docs/ TuesdayCoupon.pd! Understanding the Muslim Psyche The Church & World Board invites you to spend an evening with Interna- tional Peacemaker, Rev. Dr. Maqsood Kamil, on Friday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 pm in the Social Hall. Dr. Kamil is an ordained pastor in the Presbyte- rian Church of Pakistan and received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Louisville Theological Seminary in Kentucky. After serving two churches in Pakistan, he became a Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Gujranwala Theological Seminary. His topic will be Understanding the Muslin Psyche . Discussion will follow. Rev Kamil is one of 13 Interna- tional Peacemakers brought to the US by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. The Peacemaking Commit- tee of the Presbytery of San Jose and the Peacemaking Offering enables his presence in the South Bay. Peacemaking Sunday When terrorism or war haunts us from every continent, how can we best respond to the cacophony of conflict around the world and in our own towns and families? The annual Peacemaking Offering is one way to affirm that we can begin where we are. On Sunday, Oct. 1, we add our gifts to initiate special projects and provide teaching materials that point to Christ 9s non-violent way of living. The Peacemaking Offering is shared, with 3/4 going to the Presbyterian Church worldwide and our own pres- bytery. The remaining 1/4 goes to a group selected by C&W Board: the humanitarian work of the Presbyte- rian Reformed Church in Cuba. We believe that peacemaking efforts need to work across barriers of entrenched hostilities. The Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba responds to strug- gling Cuban Christians. -- Rhonda Lakatos, Dale Bracey, Bea Groppuso, C&W Board Events and Opportunities from the Church & World Board If you 9re a newer member and have been waiting to get your hands on some of the attractive Stone Church T- shirts and sweatshirts worn by long-time members, we finally have more on hand. Ellen Springer of the M&E Board has now stocked up on T--shirts, at $15 each, and sweatshirts, at $20 each. New cwomen 9s cut d shirts, also priced at $15 each, have been added to the line. All shirts come in both white or natural colors, all with the original, distinctive artwork provided by Lyn Johnson, our church artist. Ellen is taking orders for kids 9 shirts and any special sizes, so just let her know your needs. Coming later will be other items, such as grocery totes and hats. This clothing opens con- versations everywhere it is worn - in the coffee shop or the grocery. It 9s a great way to have people find out about Stone Church and the community we represent. So wear your Stone Wear and clet your light shine d! - Fred Oliver, M&E 8Stone Wear 9 Now Available! Seminar on Loss Offered by POAMN The POAMN (Presbyterian Older Ministry Net- work) of the Presbytery of San Jose is presenting a seminar, cLoss is a Four-Letter Word, d on Satur- day, November 4, from 8:50 am to 1:30 pm. The speaker is Betty Auchard, author of Dancing in my Nightgown . It will be held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Payne Ave., San Jose. The cost is $15 per person (pre-registered) or $20 at the door. Lunch is included. Please contact Judy Lococo (408-279-0661) for reservations. - Claudia Hamm The Chancel Choir recently had a day-long retreat at Sanborn Park Hostel. In addition to new choir director, Nancy Wait Kromm (see article, page 3), they were led by world- !amous composer, Henry Mollicone (immediate le!t), whose cantata, cA Christmas Celebration, d they will per!orm later this year. The choir also enjoyed a visit !rom a group o! young musicians, including Jenny Kromm (!ar le!t), who tried to teach them some rhythm! THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 6 High School Camping Trip 2006 The Men 9s Mission Team, in their new logo shirts, have just completed a productive mission trip to Zephyr Point Presbyterian Con!erence Center. Emily Chatfield became Stone Church 9s newest member on Sunday, September. 17. Reared in West Virginia, Emily now lives in Willow Glen and works as Creative Group Man- ager for Hyperion in Santa Clara, where she guides a team in creat- ing marketing, sales and events communications. She holds a B.A. in American Literature and an M.F.A. in Poetry and 20th Cen- tury American Literature. She has written poetry, fiction, essays, letters and first-person vignettes for National Public Radio. Emily 9s free time is limited, but she spends most of it cmaking things. d She likes to knit, crochet, quilt, cook, spin, dye and weave, design and make dolls, read, and garden, and she generally enjoys all things organic, environmentally friendly and fiber-arts related. Emily is certified by UC as both a Master Gardener and Master Composter and over the last ten years she 9s taught many people how worms can eat their garbage. Currently, if very slowly!, Emily is working on a Master Knitter cer- tification with the Knitting Guild of America. We hope she will become part of the Prayer Shawl ministry at Stone. Be sure to ask Emily about the most important person on her planet. Welcome, Emily. We 9re delight- ed you 9re here. - Jan Keifer Welcome New Member, Emily Chat eld THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 7 Dr. John Dominic Crossan, gener- ally acknowledged to be the premier historical Jesus scholar in the world, will be the Henrietta Perdue Lecturer Oct. 27 - 28. Dr. Crossan will also be guest preacher Sunday morning, Oct. 29. The theme of his talks is The Historical Jesus Then and Now: The Challenge of the Kingdom of God . The Friday lecture (7:30 pm) is The Roman World of the Jewish Jesus . The Saturday talks are The Life of Jesus (9 am), The Death of Jesus (11 am), and The Resurrection of Jesus (1:30 pm). Cost is $20 for the Friday lecture, $20 for the Saturday talks, or $30 for the full series. Tickets are on sale Sunday mornings during Coffee Hour or can be purchased in the Church Office. Premier Jesus Scholar, John Dominic Crossan, to Speak at Stone It 9s that time of year again - Stone Church 9s Annual Golf Tournament at The Villages Golf and Country Club. We use the scramble format: each member of the foursome hits a shot, then everyone hits from the best of those shots. Tee times begin at 1 pm. The cost is $70 for those over 19 and $60 for those 19 and under. This covers green fees, golf carts, the prize fund and snacks. We will also have dinner in the clubhouse afterward, and you are welcome to invite your family and friends to join us for dinner. There are prizes for all skill levels. Additional prizes are always welcome; if you have something to donate, please contact Mike Wyllie. Sign up Sunday mornings at Coffee Hour, or contact Mike Donald, Ed Tablak, Mike Wyllie or Maureen Ryan. Annual Stone Church Golf Tournament at The Villages On their annual camping trip to Sunset Beach, the High School Group spent many cproductive d hours in the sand and were serenaded at their evening campf re by the Derkster! THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 8

less