Fall Celebration Sunday

Fall Celebration Sunday

 Dear Friends,

 You're especially invited to join us for our Fall Celebration Sunday, this coming Sunday, September 15. 

 We’ll have special music from the Choir (returning for the first time since the spring), as well as the Ensemble Band.

 Since we're at the beginning of another school year, we'll take a moment to bless Students and Teachers of all kinds, from elementary-school kids to retired professors.

 And we’ll celebrate our Ministry Teams/Boards, which do so much behind the scenes at ACC, and also hear about two exciting groups that have formed over the summer: a new Faith Formation team, and a new Outreach and Hospitality team.

 Oh, and there will be ICE CREAM afterwards during Social Hour.

 See you in church!

— Rev. Nate Klug

2020 Campaign Update and Thank You

2020 Campaign Update and Thank You

The Capital Campaign is GROWING, thanks to those who stepped up in answer to the renewed 2020 appeal mailed in June. Several people in the congregation offered new pledges to the campaign, increased their pledges, or paid pledges early.

Elena Caruthers, our Financial Secretary, has reported we have received 4 new pledges, and 2 increases since June 2019. We now have $157,425.00 in total pledges to the 2020 Campaign.

Importantly, the 2020 Campaign can continue to help pay the costs of our recent large projects. It is not too late to donate, if it is still on you list of things to do.

The roof work has totally been paid for:

· $19,297 came from the Capital Campaign (not an anticipated Capital project),

· $120,000 came from the Endowment and Building funds, and

· The balance came from Surplus funds.

· The cost of the entire project came to $162,771.45 – under the $165,000 expected.

Money is still left in the Capital Campaign fund and will be used, along with endowment and surplus funds to pay for the patio and drainage work currently in progress. This project was on the original 2020 Capital Improvements plan.

It has been a very busy summer. Both the roof and the patio projects have taken priority in the sequence of 2020 projects for safety reasons. The Church Council is grateful for the excellent negotiating, planning, and supervision of these projects done by David Hertzer.

The ACC Council also extends a grateful Thank You to all those who have donated to the 2020 Capital Campaign. The proposal to recognize donors is not forgotten. Once the patio is finished, we will be exploring an appropriate way to do this, such as a wall of names, including all names without disclosing the amounts donated to the campaign. If you have thoughts on this, please share with members of the Council.

New capital improvement proposals include the expansion/reorganization of bathroom space in the narthex. Finding funds for that is a matter for future discussion. Who knows, the Capital Campaign fund may be able to kick off that project.

With gratitude for your generosity,

Linda Young, Vice Moderator

Coffee Hour: Providing Hospitality

Coffee Hour: Providing Hospitality

 Do you ever find yourself noticing a great deal on cookies or fruit at the grocery store? You are always welcome to help provide snacks for our Coffee/Social Hour following Sunday worship.

If you do know that you’ll be bringing something, just email Jaima Roberts at jaima1@aol.com, so she knows not to dig in to our stockpile of extra snacks. Thanks for providing hospitality (and thanks to Jaima for making sure we always have something to share!).

Experience the Psalms in a New Translation

Experience the Psalms in a New Translation

Brought to you by the Faith Formation Team

What does it mean to say, “God is still speaking”? One thing it probably means is that God’s Word in Scripture should never sound old-fashioned to our ears. Our Protestant forebears took pride in translating the Bible into their living vernacular, and we have the same responsibility to bring God’s Word into the contemporary in our worship.

 To that end, for the next four Sundays, we’ll be experimenting with a new English translation of the Hebrew Bible, published in 2018 by the renowned Hebrew scholar and Cal professor Robert Alter. Each week in worship, we’ll experience a favorite Psalm in Alter’s translation.

 Our experiment will culminate in a second-hour discussion on September 22, led by Jonathan Sheehan, director of the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion, where we compare some of Alter’s choices with our favorite translations from the past.

 Alter’s Hebrew Bible has been widely celebrated, critiqued, and discussed by scholars! But as far as we know, we are one of the only congregations actually experimenting with using this new translation in a worship setting.

Fall at Arlington Community Church

Fall at Arlington Community Church

Fall Celebration Sunday Sun. Sept. 15, 10 am

Join us as we celebrate students, teachers, and learners of all ages, and bless our new ministry teams. Ice cream social following worship.

Coastal Clean Up, Point Isabel, Richmond Sat. Sept. 21, 9 am - 12 pm

Bring water bottle, hat, and gloves, and you’ll be provided with the rest. We’ll gather in the parking lot beforehand, so we can work together. Email leslieshanti@yahoo.com to sign up.

First Thursday Community Potluck: Islam and Christianity Thurs. Oct. 3, 6 pm

Fatih Ates, the Bay Area director of the Pacifica Institute, will speak on “A Common Word between Christians and Muslims.”

Parade, Picnic, and Animal Blessing Sun., Oct. 13, 12 pm – 3 pm

Kensington Community Council and ACC are partnering to present an event for the community. Bring your pets, dress up in a costume, and enjoy an afternoon with food and music. The parade will begin at the ACE Hardware on Arlington, followed by the Animal Blessing in the KCC upper fields.

Holiday Concert and Green Bazaar Sat., Dec. 21, 2 pm

Holiday Celtic Concert and Bazaar. Music for slowing down the season starts at 2:00 pm followed a planet-friendly green-themed bazaar with good cheer refreshments.

In addition, we offer these regular opportunities to connect:

 Serving Lunch in Richmond: The 3rd Tuesday (and the 5th Thursday) of each month, we purchase, prepare, and serve lunch to hundreds at the GRIP Souper Center.

 Interfaith Vigil against Gun Violence. First Friday of each month, 12-12:30 pm in the sanctuary. Prayer, music, and silence.

 Theology on Tap. Fourth Friday of the month, 4:45 at The Junket (next to Trader Joe’s) in El Cerrito Plaza. Check our website for specific topics. Come and share your ideas!

Click here for a PDF copy of the featured fall events!

New Small Group at ACC: Aging and Retirement

New Small Group at ACC: Aging and Retirement

We are seeking to gauge the level of interest in a new small group focused on the ups and downs of retirement, aging, or life transitions. The group would be led by ACC members Caro Grosvenor, a psychotherapist, and Rev. Barry Cammer, a pastoral counselor. The group would meet for approximately 6 sessions, beginning in September, most likely on a weekday evening. Space would be limited to 8 people -- if you are interested, please let Nate know (revnateklug@gmail.com) as soon as you can.

ACC's Food Pantry Barrel

Arlington Community Church is joining with the Contra Costa Solano County Food Bank to fill a food barrel over the next month.

 1 in 8 people in the two counties - about 180,000 individuals - turn to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano each month. St. Mary’s University did a study.

 They found 92% have a household income of less than $35,000 a year and it takes $76,500 for a family of four to make ends meet in California. 64% of households have seniors, children or both. Even more staggering, 29% rely on the Food Bank for at least half of their food.

 The study also revealed that the majority of participants eat healthier since receiving food assistance from the Food Bank and its partner agencies. 71% of respondents said they eat more balanced meals. 75% of respondents said they eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

 The need is particularly great for protein items such as canned tuna or peanut butter. ACC has had Protein Sundays for several years. Right now please bring those items and other packaged food goods (with current expiration dates) and help us fill the barrel.

 Cash contributions can also be made and the Lesher Fund is currently matching all gifts to the Food Bank.

Rev. Nate Klug's Installation June 30, 2019

Rev. Nate Klug's Installation June 30, 2019

A special weekend at Arlington Community Church. What ended with the Installation of Rev. Nate, a sanctuary full of old and new friends, a laying on of hands, and a fantastic reception in the Social Hall...began much earlier with some planning, creativity, and hard work!

Many thanks to everyone involved in creating a special weekend, one that we won't soon forget.

Summer 2019 Improvements to Our Church

Summer 2019 Improvements to Our Church

Two summer construction projects are scheduled to enhance our church building and exterior. Read more below, and keep us in prayer during this time of transition!

 Roof Replacement Project

 The twenty-three-year-old roof over the Sanctuary and Office area will be replaced, due to wind and rain damage. This project emerged as an urgent need after the winter. The replacement will commence July 8, and last approximately 6 weeks. 

 Concrete Project 

 Following the roof replacement project, our concrete project will start on August 19. The project will consist of replacing the retaining wall at the north end of the church, and the stairs from the patio down to the east end of the Kensington Nursery School walkway, as well and the patio itself and the wooden deck leading to it from the church Social Hall. This project is expected to last 4-6 weeks.

General Synod 2019

General Synod 2019

Friends,

I spent June 21 – June 25 at General Synod in Milwaukee, which was five full days of Synod experience! I think I could do the walk from the Hyatt Regency hotel room to the convention center in my sleep, and I bet Zoe could, too (well, she still scoots).

If you haven’t heard about General Synod before, it’s the bi-annual national gathering of the United Church of Christ. I’d heard lots about it from friends, but this was my first time attending.

Synod is a combination of worship and guest speakers, plenary sessions in which resolutions are voted on, workshops, and wandering through exhibit hall booths. Throughout it all is the opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones.

Speaking of, I had a brief but meaningful chat with Rev. Tony Clark, who is now Minister for the Committee on Ministry Development and Leadership, part of the “Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization” team, at the national setting of the UCC in Cleveland. Tony was busy working in the Exhibit Hall for much of the conference. He sends on his greetings and best wishes to us all!

Resolutions that spoke to my heart and educated me included: a Witness resolution against private prisons, a Witness resolution about the use of Styrofoam, and a Prudential resolution about figuring out the basic unit of life in the UCC into the 21st century (is it always, or even often, a church?). I was also inspired that we voted to become the first denomination to endorse the Green New Deal. And there was a great off-site event called Pub Theology Story Telling, based on The Moth!

Attending Synod helped me remember what is true about every single UCC church: not everyone agrees with one another, but we find a way to co-exist in love and good humor. There were many difficult moments of debate during the plenary sessions (I’m happy to share more if you’re curious!), but the overall tone was one of urgent love in this important moment.

I’m grateful to ACC for funding my Synod registration fee. And now, I’m super glad to be back home! We have lots to look forward to this weekend.

Rev. Nate