Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: December 17, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

It’s that time of year when we nestle all snug in our beds, while visions of sugar-plums dance in our heads as we settle in for a long winter's nap. There is something exciting about this time of year that still remains with me from my childhood. I am reminded of the lights and colors and music of the season, and all the bling that comes with it. As the expectations, demands, and various stressors also dance in my head, I am excited about the excitement and totally otherness this time of year brings with it.

Not everything about the season is happy-flappy though. Along with the laughter comes the raised voices and the anger. The sadness and disappointments. The unmet expectations. The tragedies, loss, and grief. All the emotions across the spectrum are on heightened alert. The bling and sting both make an appearance. 

Even as the day looks like it’s 3 o’clock in the afternoon all day, and even as the Earth spins and turns and wobbles to its appointed spot at the Topic of Capricorn, creation brings us new hope and new possibilities when the Sun bounces back, like a Pacman on the edge of the screen, toward a time with more light and longer days.

It seems that just as the world reaches that place where the lights are about to go out, creation says, nope, not today. It’s ironic that just as the light is at its dimmest is also that same moment when the light begins to shine brightest. We don’t get the end we get a new beginning.

My time with you grows short. As of this writing I have eight more days as your Bridge Pastor. Soon, I will be sitting in the same pews with you. A new beginning. Soon there will be a new Pastor among you. A new beginning.

Just when things are at their dimmest the Angels of heaven cry out to us, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

We don’t get the end, we get Jesus.

A new beginning awaits!

Praise be to God!

~ Pr. Barbara

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: December 10, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

I went online looking for Christmas cards. I was looking for something plain and simple, yet elegant. In my mind’s eye I was envisioning a gold reindeer in an art deco style with a white background. The saying inside would simply say “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.”  I could write whatever additional greeting I wanted depending to whom I was sending the card.   

I went to the Macy’s website. Remember, back in the day when we would go to the department store and pick out cards. Now we can shop via the internet at home in our ‘jammies.  I went to the Macy’s site because what could be more art deco than Macy’s? Wrong. They had some pretty nice cards, but not exactly what I was looking for. I was tempted by the palm tree with Christmas lights on the beach with the sun setting behind the hills in the background. It reminded me of Monterey at sunset. Maybe. I’ll keep looking.

I remember I got some pretty nice cards at Aldi’s about eight years. ago. Actually, it’s just Aldi. Even though everyone says Aldi’s, someone in the room will be the self-appointed grammar police pointing out that, it’s just “Aldi.” There’s a family connection with Trader Joe’s.  Aldi’s is primarily a discount grocery store, but they sell other stuff too. I got my George Forman Grill for seven bucks there.  

Anyway, I bought some very nice holiday cards that year. One set of cards had three or four large highly decorated Christmas ornaments with the word “JOY” colorfully splashed across the card. It was very colorful and happy. There was another set of cards I bought but don’t remember what they were. The third set of cards was that art deco gold reindeer leaping across the white background. Very plain, simple, yet elegant.

The thing is, I wasn’t looking for cards that day. I went in for the beans and corn for 49 cents a can and a dozen eggs for under a dollar. As I was poking around, as I do in grocery stores, I found those cards. I wasn’t looking for cards at all, but there they were, too good to pass up.

It’s kind of like when I lost my marbles in the shag rug. The only way I would find them is when I stepped on them. Och! But ah ha!

I continued my online search for that perfect gold art deco leaping reindeer. Nothing. I changed my expectations. What if I found something region specific? After all, we live in one of the most exotic places on the planet. Nope. Nope, not that one either. Suddenly, that’s the one! I found it! I wasn’t expecting or looking for that one, but that’s the one! I ordered 48.

Our search and expectations for Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy, even God can be like that. When we search for God thinking we’re looking for an art deco reindeer, or have expectations of God that God is this or that, but isn’t anything like we thought, or were told, or the way we did things eight years ago, or were hoping for, that’s when we discover that God lives within us and is completely different than we thought. We find out that God is beyond our expectations and was there the whole time, like the marbles in my shag rug or holiday cards at Aldi’s. Who would have thought about a God who becomes one of us? Who would have thought of a God who suffers with us? That’s when we change our minds and hearts and lives to something new and unexpected bringing Hope, Peace, and Love. That’s when, like that art deco reindeer, we leap for Joy at the unexpected!              

~ Pastor. Barbara

New COVID Protocols at ACC

Dear Members and Friends of Arlington Community Church,

Due to the severity of the new COVID variant known as Omicron the Re-Opening Team met on the morning of Friday, December 3, 2021. Given this new threat the team is taking two guiding themes very seriously. First, we want to keep our gatherings, in particular our worship services, as safe as possible. Secondly, we want to welcome as many people to ACC as possible.

To that end the Re-Opening Team has created new guidelines effective this Sunday, December 5, 2021. Some of them will be familiar.

1. Everyone will be required to show vaccine certificates or photo of Certificate or QR code on phone to Greeter at door upon entry.

2. Unvaccinated people will not be admitted at this time.

3. The team considered allowing unvaccinated persons in who test negative. This would require a lot of training for the Greeters. The Team decided against testing as a means for admittance.

4. While we have a “list,” the team decided it isn’t as accurate as actually seeing proof of a COVID vaccine. Greeters will use the “list” as back up until more and more people become accustomed to showing proof of vaccine. Eventually, the “list” will be phased out.

5. We will continue wearing masks and practice safe distancing.

We continue to live in “unprecedented times.” We continue to “build the airplane while in mid-flight.” Remember we are a covenant people. Meaning we are in co-partnership with God and one another. Safety for all people is an act of kindness and justice.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we journey through this time together.

With Hope, Peace, Love, Joy, and Dignity for all,

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau, Bridge Pastor

Writing for the Re-Opening Team

Faith Abel

Eleanor Crump

Linda Young

Susan Russell

Nina Harmon

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: December 3, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

I’m thinking about energy. What is it and where does it come from? When I was kid, I thought the trees created the wind. I saw the trees move and so I thought the wind came from the trees. To be sure, it was a working theory. One day I shared my hypothesis (a word I would learn much latter) with my Mom. She set me straight. The wind is what causes the trees to move. Wait! What? This was a head scratcher for my 5-year-old brain. My Prometheus streak persisted.

Well, where does the wind come from?  Mom told me the wind comes from the energy created by the Sun. I was beginning to see a connection between the Sun, the wind, the trees, and me. To ask where the Sun gets its energy from was beyond my young comprehension.  I was, however, in awe of the Sun and the wind that could move trees.

There was a day, probably sometime around dusk, an ancient, ancient, ancestor of ours (might some of us possibly be related?) had a working theory. No one knows what this early human was thinking or how this feat was actually accomplished, but by the time it was dark on that particular day, and for the first time ever, there was a pretty good fire going.

One day, Benjamin Franklin, could feel a storm brewing. First, he smelled the change in the air. A short time later the wind began to blow. Then, after the dark clouds began to roll in, he could hear the thunder in the distance. Franklin had a working theory. Now was his moment. He grabbed his kite and his house key. Ah ha! Franklin found a way to uncover something that already existed. We call it electricity. It powers our everythings.   

Energy is something that can move something else. Interaction between something and something else is created. A rock sitting on the edge of a cliff for millennia suddenly falls to the valley below. Something moved it. Energy is what moves molecules which gets all heated up and then moves faster and faster until there is motion, or a spark, or wind. Maybe our ancient ancestor was on to something.

The thing is, electricity, and energy in general, remain a mystery.  This energy thought thread started when I began thinking about our individual Thanksgiving gatherings. Perhaps we were waiting at an airport, or at a gathering, for that certain someone to arrive, with our resting face. You know, that face each of us has that looks like a melting candle without the flame. Then we see a loved one, a family member, or a friend, and our face lights up. We smile, we stand up, we wave our arms. For a split second we think we might look like idiots, but we don’t care because we are all charged up. Think about how much energy that was created by the people who came for your Holiday Feast. The room was lit with energy. Yes?

Being at Church is like that. We each bring our own energy to church. The more the better (following safety guidelines, of course). There is a particular energy we bring to the event we call church.  Not only do we bring energy, but the very Spirit of God is there with us when we are there. The sermon can only be preached once because that is the preaching moment when we each bring our own energy. In that time, we call Church, there is a healing moment, a Justice moment, a Love moment, a forgiveness moment, a wow moment, a music stirs my soul moment, an embracing moment, and quite possibly a God moment in what we ALL bring to that moment we call Church.

I can’t explain it. It’s like when the trees are creating the wind. The more trees, the more energy. Each of us brings our own energy to the worship experience. The more of us the more energy there is. In that moment the Spirit we name as Holy is jumping up and down with all sorts of excitement, and with waving arms is creating more excitement and energy. Spirit is happy to see you! In that moment we know as Church we are one in the Spirit, the source of our energy all along. We are one. We are jazzed.  I am in awe embraced by mystery.

See you in Church.

Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy,

~ Pr. Barbara

Richmond Emergency Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity

Richmond Emergency Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity

I’m currently serving of the Board of the Richmond Emergency Food Pantry, and very proud of the work we are doing. The pantry is an all volunteer organization that has provided a monthly grocery allotment to low income families and individuals of West Contra Costa County since 1971. We are celebrating our 50th year! ACC has often had food drives to donate food to the Pantry.

Currently we are in need of additional volunteers to help pack and distribute food Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Schedules can be flexible according to one’s availability. Many volunteers choose to work twice a month, for instance every other Friday and some choose to work every week. Volunteers feel a true sense of community and satisfaction and enjoy each other’s company. We abide by Contra Costa County health guidelines. All volunteers are encouraged to be vaccinated and all clients and volunteers must wear masks. All contact with clients is outdoors.

If you are looking toward 2022 with a desire to help the community, but don’t want hands on participation, we are also seeking members of the Board of Directors. The Board meets once a month for 1-2 hours via Zoom and as needed for special projects or events.

To learn more about the Pantry and to discuss the possibility of volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Lovetta Vandiver (510) 235-2939 or visit our website www.refp.org. Also, I’d be happy to answer your questions about the kinds of work you might be doing.

Linda Young

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: November 26, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

There’s a story, with some variations, that goes something like this: A newlywed couple were settling into their daily routine. The wife was preparing a roast for dinner. She was eager to use the newest and best pots and pans and roasters they received as wedding gifts. She had bought a 12-inch roast, brought it home, opened it up, and proceeded to cut one inch off both ends and then proceeded to throw away the ends. The husband noticed this and asked why she would cut off 2 inches of perfectly good roast. The wife replied that was something she has always done. The husband was still curious. The wife thought for a moment and said it was something she remembered her mother doing. The husband asked the next logical question which was why her mother would do that. The wife was now as curious about this as her husband and was soon on the phone with her mother. The mother explained that at the time she only had a ten-inch pan and that a 12-inch roast wasn’t going to fit. She hasn’t done that for years since she got her new roasting pans. Oh.

Sometimes we do things because we think that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Perhaps we do things because we’ve always done them and haven’t really thought about it.

That’s the way is for me with that darn pesky pink candle in the Advent Wreath. Ever wonder why there’s a pink candle in the Advent Wreath? For years I never gave it any thought, until one day I did.

Remember back in the day when the colors for Advent were the same as Lent? Purple. Remember that? The Church calendar had two penitential seasons, Advent and Lent. Remember asking why? Why are there two liturgical seasons when the color is purple? Why are there two penitential seasons? Remember when Advent hymns were those unsingable mournful dirges? Lent we understand, but Advent? Shouldn’t there be more Joy involved when celebrating the upcoming Birth of Christ? Shouldn’t there be more ‘yippee’ in the season?  Remember asking those questions?  Well, someone did, and the questions were answered.

Somewhere around 1980, maybe mid ‘70s, the ecumenical Church collectively asked the same questions. There was a liturgical revival about that time. The question was raised what Advent really is about? The collective answer is that Advent is about Hope. The color of Hope is blue. And so, the color for Advent was changed from purple to blue.

So why is there still a pink candle in the Advent Wreath? Back in the day, before the collective ‘we’ began asking questions Advent ran for six weeks beginning right after November 11, St. Martin’s Day. Like Lent Advent was a penitential season. By the time the third week in Lent and the third week in Advent rolled around everyone thought it was about time to take a break. Too much soul searching can get heavy on the soul, so the Church, in its wisdom, took a break. During Lent the day was called Laetare and in Advent the day was called Gaudete. Both are Latin words that have in their roots the word meaning rejoice.

The color for the day for both Laetare and Gaudete Sunday was a pinkish rose color somewhere between red and pink which is actually quite lovely. Here’s the thing though. Advent is no longer a season of penitential self-reflection. Advent is a season of Hope. The color of the season is blue for when we Hope for Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. Do we really need a break from Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy? I would hope not.

Peace and Hope,

 ~ Pr. Barbara

ACC Welcomes Rev. Dr. Celestine Fields as Settled Pastor

ACC Welcomes Rev. Dr. Celestine Fields as Settled Pastor

The Reverend Dr. Celestine Fields was called as ACC’s next Settled Pastor on November 14. After leading worship, she received 98 percent of the vote of members in attendance at the Congregational Meeting held immediately afterward.

In brief remarks, she was gracious and thankful for the overwhelming vote of support. We celebrated with her in the Social Hall after the vote. Pastor Celeste, as she prefers to be called, will begin her duties on January 4. Her first service will be January 9. We very much look forward to an inspirational and meaningful future with her.

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: November 19, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

Saturday, November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Together, along with another woman, I’ve been asked to share my thoughts about what it means to be Resilient at a TDOR event at the East County Shared Ministry in Pittsburg. The event begins at 7:00 pm. You are invited.

As I think about what I am going to say about resilience, the first thought is that everyone could hear some good news about bouncing back from hardships. So, I thought I’d share my thoughts with you.

Lesson number one about resilience is to make a list of all your goals. Write them down. In your mind’s eye who is it that you are and who is it you want to be?  I’m sure your vision is to be the most wonderful, authentic, brave, courageous, lovely, beautiful, handsome, awesome, fabulous, beloved, blessed, sacred, talented, skilled, intelligent, self-aware, and caring person you can be. Who wouldn’t, right? Ask yourself what is it you need to do to be the person you want to be? A new job? More education? Move? Health care? A roof over your head? Hair, makeup, wardrobe? Write down all your goals. The purpose of having goals is that when life goes all kerflooey and we find ourselves bouncing off the road somewhere that list of goals becomes a roadmap helping us to find our way back.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.”

Lesson number two is - there is loss. I wish someone had told me this. There will be loss. Gone is the job, the relationships, the friends and family, the house, maybe the car, the dog, and the goldfish. Gone is the income, the health insurance, and your social support network. The pillars that once held up our existence may vanish. Loss becomes very real. This is when that roadmap of goals comes in handy. You’ll be able to find your way back.

Lesson number three: Ironically, in spite of all that I have lost, I have never been happier. You get to be you! Be your authentic self because being who you are is the thrill of a lifetime.

Lesson number four was easy for me. It is difficult for a lot of people though, no matter what they might be going through. Know the difference between God’s love and what other people tell you about how God hates you, or is punishing you, or how God is doing this, that, and the other thing. It’s not true, It’s not God. God loves you. Whatever is happening is a consequence of multiple events and choices, yours and others, all coming to roost all at the same time. God is the one getting you through all this. Feel the empowerment. Don’t let anyone squash your dreams. They are your dreams. Don’t let anyone take them away from you by talking trash.

Lesson number five: There will be those days when you find yourself in what feels like a box canyon and you can’t seem to find your way out. It’s deep, dark, and depressing. Oddly, depression might be the only connection to any sort of feeling at all. It’s like when your tooth hurts and you push against it. The more pain, the better. Life has become thick, heavy, and overwhelming. A sobering thought comes to mind as you find yourself peering over the edge of the dark abyss. What if I weren’t here? Would anyone notice? Would anyone care? What if I took all these pills? In that moment think about how much life needs you as much as you need life. Lesson number five? This too shall pass. This life, this world, needs you. It needs your energy, your love, and your light.  Just ride it out. There are times life absolutely sucks. It hurts. It seems way too heavy to bear. I know, but it doesn’t last. The thing is, there are 30,000 more tomorrows just waiting for you. Keep your eyes on your goals.

Lesson number six. You will discover an inner strength you never knew you had. This one is huge. Personally, I never saw it coming. Each of us has an inner strength waiting to be discovered. Own it.  Along the way, people would comment about my courage. “You’re courageous,” people would say. “You’re brave,” said others. Frankly, it didn’t seem like it at the time. It simply felt like I was putting one foot in front of the other just trying to be me. People will notice your courageous bravery much sooner than you will. Along the way, that inner strength you never knew you had will become obvious to you too. Own your courage.

Lesson number seven: The number one person whose approval you need is yours. This life is your journey, and you are your own best friend. It’s great when other people love you and support you. Celebrate and give thanks for that love and support. Truth be told, you’ll need that too. But when that doesn’t happen, and push comes to shove, remember the number one person you need in your corner is you.  

This moment, every moment, is a learning moment. There are strengths, gifts, skills, and talents each of us has that can only be forged and discovered in times of difficulty. Allow each moment to be that resilient moment as you become your wonderful, authentic, brave, courageous, lovely, beautiful, handsome, awesome, fabulous, beloved, blessed, sacred, talented, skilled, intelligent, self-aware, caring, and resilient self.

Again, Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To be yourself in a world that is continually trying to make you something else, is the greatest accomplishment.”

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 ~ Pastor Barbara

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: November 5, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

November is turning out to be quite the busy month. Put your running shoes on because there is a lot to keep up with.

This Sunday, November 7 is All Saints Sunday. This is the day we celebrate those who have gone on before us by remembering and honoring those who have entered life eternal in 2020 and 2021.  It is also the first Sunday of the month when we celebrate Holy Communion.

November 11 resumes our Spiritual Journey series with yours truly sharing her story. The one thing I can say is it’s not a straight line. I hope you’ll join me.

On November 14, our pastoral candidate, The Rev. Dr. Celestine (Celeste) Fields will be here for her call sermon. After which you will vote on whether to call her as your new pastor. There is a whole list of activities from November 12 – 14 surrounding your prospective pastor. Please see elsewhere in the Parishscope for details of events. I will be at Sycamore, UCC filling in for Pastor Fields.

Because of the flurry of activity happening all at the same time, Poetry Hour is cancelled for November. We’ll see you in December. Because, as we all know, there’s nothing going on in December. Ha!

Lectio Divina is scheduled for Friday, November 19 at 4 pm. See the blurb for that elsewhere in this week’s Parishcope.

The following week brings another weekend of head spinning activities. I volunteered to be on a planning committee for Transgender Day of Remembrance. TDOR is when the trans community and our allies remember those who have been murdered for simply being transgender. Trans Women of Color bear the brunt of most of the violence. The violence is typically very brutal raging with sheer hatred. I have been selected as one of the speakers to talk about Resilience in the face of suicidal ideologies.  All that is scheduled for Saturday, November 20 to be held at East County Shared Ministry in Pittsburg, CA. You are welcome to come.

Sunday, November 21 is a celebration of Thanksgiving, The Reign of Christ, TDOR, and when we begin our North Richmond Christmas Fund Drive. Joining us that day will be Mrs. Annie King of the Family/Senior Center Board along with Linda Woodards, the Coordinator at the Center. Ms. King will speak at our Moment of Mission that day.

 November 28 is the beginning of the Season of Hope, we know as Advent. It is also the beginning of the Christian New Year.

 Happy Thanksgiving!

See you in Church.

 ~ Pastor Barbara

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: October 29, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

For the devotion before and after last month’s council meeting, I used the imagery of being in a boat and feeling the presence of God as the waves gently lap against the boat and feeling the warmth of the sun. Together we would decide which shore would be our destination and then we would all row in the same direction.  At the end of the meeting someone pointed out something I wouldn’t have known, but at one time one of your previous interim pastors also used similar imagery about boats and how we all might want to be in the same boat rowing in the same direction.

Since then, I’ve been thinking about another image, not only about ACC, but about other churches, specifically and in general.  We are all in the same boat after all. I was toying with this idea whether I should or shouldn’t use this other image. Would it even be relevant for me as the Bridge Pastor to even talk about? Perhaps it would be something for the new pastor to talk about. Then I read Rev. Daniel Ross-Jones’ meditation in this week’s NCNC News, Let’s Talk: About You, Me & We.  Daniel’s thoughts pushed me over the edge. So, here it goes.

As a young pastor serving a church in the Western Slopes of Colorado, way back in the very late 1980s, I was on the Rocky Mountain Conference Youth Committee. Our task was to envision what the large conference-wide youth events of summer and winter would be and how all that would happen. It was like coming up with a theme party every six months and then figuring out who’s doing what and when.

As I remember, there were four adults and about ten youth from around the conference on the youth committee. The youth were integral to the whole process. There are different models and paradigms we could have used on how to structure the committee. We could have been top down where there was one adult in charge, the other adults doing what was always done, and telling the youth what to do. We didn’t do that. 

Instead, we took a model from Group Magazine. While their theology leans toward the conservative side, their group process was almost infallible. Picture a wagon wheel. The hub was our mission. The wheel needs the hub. The hub is what keeps the wheel, and the committee, together. Our hub was coming up with a theme for the next event and then implementing it. The spokes were the people. While the spokes could be interchangeable, each spoke – each person - was necessary for the wheel to remain balanced. Notice the process is not hierarchical, but equal.  The rim, of course, appeared when we all pitched in and followed through with what we said we would do. That way everything would roll along nicely.

In this odd time of Covid and not Covid, this liminal space on the threshold of in-between now and what’s next, it will take all of us to determine and figure out our mission. What it is we are about. What’s next for us? What is our hub that keeps us together and focused? What shore are we rowing to? And then to be there for each other and others. That’s ministry and mission. 

See you in church.

Peace and keep on rolling.

 ~ Pastor Barbara