Stumped by a Stump by Linda Young

Stumped by a Stump        

       - by Linda Young at the conclusion of the Church’s restroom upgrade project Oct. 2023

Curiosity can take us down strange and revealing paths. During demolition of the “old” 1960 restrooms at Arlington Community Church in Kensington, CA., I watched with curiosity as the skeletal structure of this area of the church was revealed. Old wires and cable pipes were found in odd places, such as a fat pipe running up through the exterior wall just as you step into the new “hallway” to restrooms. When investigating, we found the pipe went through the ceiling and out the wall to the balcony. It was capped there, but opening it, we found wires with no purpose. Something probably left over from the 1947 entry. But my curiosity was most aroused by something revealed under the floor of the women’s restroom.  When the floor was opened to find routs for new pipes, I noticed something perfectly round on the ground under the floor joists.  It looked like an elephant footprint, but a worker went down and helped check it out.  It was wood!  It was a round piece of wood almost a foot across, that had been surrounded by the “rat barrier”, a coating of cement on the ground.  It must have been a tree stump! 

With a little help from Javier, the church Caretaker, we collected some samples of the wood.  Curious to find out what kind of tree had stood there, I reached out to an old friend in the Biology Department at UC Berkeley, Randy Shekman. He said yes, he could help. He knew someone who might be able to identify the species. So, a few months ago I delivered a little box of dark bits and chunks of wood with photos of the stump to Randy.  Several weeks later I received a text forwarded from Lew Feldman, director of the Berkeley Botanical Garden: “I’ve had a look at the anatomy of the cell types making up the mystery wood you previously sent.  I can say for sure that it is a gymnosperm, not a flowering plant. Further, the wood anatomy suggests we are looking at wood from a member of the pine (Pinus) family.  Beyond that, I am not skilled enough to offer any additional insights.” 

Thrilled, but a little disappointed to not have more detail, I accepted the answer and sent a thank you note.  But apparently his curiosity persisted.  The very next day Randy forwarded a 2nd text: “I did some more reading yesterday after I first wrote you.  It seems it is also possible that this could be a Coast Redwood.”  

Apparently, his curiosity spread to colleagues, because weeks later, Julie Stokstad, who has been a long-time volunteer at the Botanical Gardens, sent me the attached article by Lew Feldman in the Garden’s newsletter. “Given that this stump persisted for such a long time, and the fact that redwoods are well-known to resist decay and deterioration, we concluded that the stump was most likely that of a redwood.”   Now, we not only know that ACC’s building inhabits Ohlone land, but that at least one Coast Redwood stood here as well. It is well documented that vast forest of redwoods once stood in this area. So, when you relax in our new restrooms, think with curiosity to yourself: “You could be sitting under a coast redwood tree. How would that feel?”

Sensible Gun Laws Action

Here is an opportunity, presented by Everytown for Gun Safety, to encourage adoption of sensible gun laws:

A background check could have saved our daughter's life. 

On January 8, 2010, armed intruders burst into our daughter Darien Richardson's home in Portland, Maine, shooting several times into her bedroom.

Her world—and ours—was turned upside down in an instant.

Darien endured great physical and emotional pain working to recover, spending three days in the ICU, 18 days in critical care, and she even had future surgeries scheduled. But tragically, on February 28, 2010, she died from complications of her gunshot wounds, and her life was cut short at age 25.

Darien's homicide has never been solved, in part due to dangerous loopholes in the current background check system that allow unlicensed sellers to sell guns online and at gun shows without running background checks.

But the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently proposed a measure that would help close these loopholes.

Tell ATF to help prevent more senseless tragedies by closing these deadly gaps in our background check system.

The handgun used to shoot Darien was recovered a month later at the scene of another murder. And further investigation led law enforcement to a man who originally bought the gun at retail but sold it at a gun show soon after to someone he didn't know. 

No background check, no records kept—because that's not required by law when unlicensed gun sellers are the ones selling guns.

Darien's death was preventable, and no one should have to endure the pain she did or the pain we now live with. This is why we honor her by advocating for better gun laws, like closing these dangerous loopholes. Join us: In just two clicks, submit your comment and demand background checks.

It's too late for us. We can't have Darien back, but it's not too late to prevent future tragedies.

Thank you for taking action,

Judi & Wayne Richardson, Everytown Survivor Network

Do We Still Need Churches? By Rev. Jen Chapman

Do We Still Need Churches?
By Rev. Jen Chapman

Do we still need churches? This is a question many are asking and a question I have wrestled with myself. I recently accepted a call to be the new pastor of Arlington Community Church in Kensington, so clearly I believe the answer is yes! But it’s not just a blanket yes. What I have found in ACC is a church that is making significant contributions to equity and justice in the larger community, meeting important needs for the people in the congregation, and that has great potential for the future. And that is why I am here! 

Many who grew up in a Christian tradition have left it behind because it no longer aligned with their values. I was raised in an evangelical denomination in churches full of people who loved me well and that shaped me in many positive ways. But my values, along with my understanding of God and humanity, are much different now. ACC is part of the United Church of Christ, a denomination that has given me a lot of hope for the future of the church with attention to issues of justice, full affirmation of the LGBTQI+ community, and intentional diversity in all areas of leadership. This summer the UCC elected Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the denomination as General Minister and President. The election of a Black woman to lead a denomination, or even to lead a congregation, should not be radical or exceptional, but it is. This is the kind of Church I believe is greatly needed, and is one of many reasons I am so grateful to now be a minister in the United Church of Christ. 

When I spend time talking with people both inside and outside of the church, there are mixed feelings about religion, but many have deep longings for community, spiritual nurture, and to be engaged in caring for others and for our world in a meaningful way. These are needs that the church can meet, especially as we leave behind beliefs and practices that have caused harm, and open ourselves to new ways the Spirit is moving. 

I am passionate about abundant life, for myself, for my community, and for all. I long to see the church continue to become more inclusive, her gatherings and offerings a ‘thin place’ where people connect more deeply to the divine and then go out into the world challenged and empowered to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. I believe my calling at this point in my life and ministry is to help the church find new life, not just survival, but abundance. 

If you visit Arlington Community Church, or watch a service on YouTube, you might just see another small, aging congregation. But this church is so much more! ACC is a spiritual center that welcomes people of all ages, races, mental and physical abilities, gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientations. These folks are both open-minded and full of wisdom. They love to learn. They value science, the arts, and insights from all spiritual paths including those of other world religions. Committed to being a community where all can explore and deepen their connection with God, they support and care for one another well, and joyfully serve the community, engaging in actions of compassion, justice, racial equity, and care for the planet. 

I believe so deeply in this little church that my family and I moved from Southern California to El Cerrito this July so that I could become their new pastor! My son, Michael, will be a sophomore at El Cerrito High School this year. And my husband, John, is a huge San Francisco 49er’s fan who hosts the 49ers Rush Podcast. If you see me around town, you’ll likely see me with my sweet sidekick, Lucy, our french bulldog. We are enjoying the bay area and looking forward to exploring it more, especially the hiking trails! And I also look forward to meeting many of you and your pets at the annual KCC Community Picnic this fall for the Blessing of the Animals! 

I could not be more excited to see how ACC will continue to thrive, and to participate in the work of this church in our community and beyond. Together, we’re listening closely to God, and seeking to live a life of faith in the Christian tradition, in community, for the sake of the world. If that sounds like something you might want to be part of, come join us!

The Passing of Larry Kornfeld

Larry Kornfeld 
May 21, 1930-August 14, 2023

We are sorry to learn of the passing of Larry Kornfeld, a beloved member of Arlington Community Church.  Larry and his wife Margaret, who passed away earlier this year, brought so much intelligence and spirit and caring into our congregation.  They are deeply missed.

Larry’s memorial service will be held at Judson Memorial Church in New York.

Larry’s obituary was written by a close family friend, Steve Scott-Bottoms, while Larry was alive and able to comment.  As you might expect, Larry’s story is long and full of interesting detail.

---

All, here is the stunning obituary that our dear friend (dad’s biographer) Steve Scott-Bottoms wrote with dad’s full knowledge/approval. I’m so grateful to him, and so happy dad was able to embody his history at the end.

Yesterday, August 14, 2023, the pioneering American theater director and educator, Lawrence Kornfeld, passed away peacefully in Northern California. He was 93 years old, and was predeceased earlier this year by his beloved wife of 57 years, Dr. Margaret Zipse Kornfeld. One of the single most influential figures in the development of New York’s downtown, off-off-Broadway theatre movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Kornfeld belongs–in the words of producer Albert Poland–“on the Mount Rushmore of the American avant-garde.” He had the rare ability to combine radical artistic experimentation with an enormous sense of joy and fun. Among his many accomplishments, Kornfeld was our foremost theatrical interpreter of the reputedly unstageable plays of Gertrude Stein.

Born in Brooklyn, on 21 May 1930, Kornfeld was educated in his home borough, at Erasmus High School, Adelphi College and Brooklyn College. Yet in the early 1950s, military service took him far from home. Stationed in postwar Europe, he was among the MPs assigned to clean up the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau–where he was obliged to sleep on-site in the German officers’ barracks. This was a profoundly traumatizing experience for a young Jewish man, and proved formative for his subsequent life. On his return to the United States, Kornfeld sought emergency psychotherapy with the Gestalt pioneer Laura Perls. She encouraged him to find expression and healing through the arts, and introduced him to Judith Malina and Julian Beck—the co-founders of the avant-garde Living Theatre. 

Apprenticing himself to this self-proclaimed poets’ theatre, Kornfeld swiftly became immersed in the bohemian art world of Greenwich Village, rubbing shoulders with a veritable who’s who of radical painters, musicians and writers. He learned much from Beck and Malina, and from close associates such as the poet-philosopher Paul Goodman, but he also gave much back. It was Kornfeld who, as the Living’s literary manager, recommended Jack Gelber’s play The Connection for production. This metatheatrical drama about heroin addicts, which featured live jazz improvisation, proved to be the controversial, breakout success of 1959.

In 1961, Kornfeld struck out on his own, becoming the resident director at Judson Poets’ Theatre–a new, off-off-Broadway initiative at Judson Memorial Church, in Washington Square. He scored an immediate critical hit with the theatre’s opening production–the world premiere of Joel Oppenheimer’s The Great American Desert (1961)--which Kornfeld staged in the intimate confines of the church’s choir loft. Shortly afterward, the church dispensed with its fixed pews, enabling the theatre to mount productions in the main sanctuary, and Kornfeld made full use of the expansive space now available to him as a director. His production of Gertrude Stein’s What Happened (first staged in 1963, and repeatedly revived) famously included a sequence in which a grand piano was pushed across the full width of the sanctuary by singing performers, while still being played by Al Carmines—the church’s associate pastor.

“Larry was like a sculptor who would see things and mould the piece around things that you’d never seen before,” remembered playwright Maria Irene Fornes. Kornfeld’s precisely choreographed approach to staging was inspired in part by his love of modern dance, particularly the work of choreographers such as George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham. Tellingly, the cast of What Happened featured associates of Cunningham’s including Yvonne Rainer, Lucinda Childs, and Valda Setterfield, all then members of the paradigm-shifting Judson Dance Theatre.

Kornfeld was a boldly visual director, and his productions frequently included eclectic musical scores by his key collaborator, Al Carmines. Yet Kornfeld never developed a signature theatrical “style” of his own, in the manner of peers such as Tom O’Horgan and Robert Wilson. Rather, he sought to extrapolate staging solutions for each new production from within their source texts. At Judson, he directed the first-ever productions by notable playwrights including Rosalyn Drexler (Home Movies, 1964), Rochelle Owens (The String Game, 1965) and Maria Irene Fornes (Promenade, 1965 – for which the Promenade Theater is named), using his strong sense of dramaturgy to help structure and develop new scripts. He and Carmines also continued to explore the work of Gertrude Stein, and achieved an unlikely commercial success in 1967 with In Circles–their musical version of her A Play in Circles a Circular Play. That show’s deceptively breezy style only sharpened the poignancy of darker lines such as “I can never forget the slaughter.” In 1974, the emotional complexity that Kornfeld excavated from Stein’s Listen to Me prompted Village Voice critic Michael Feingold to describe the director as being “so attuned to the text that at times he appears to be breathing with Stein.” This production, Feingold asserted, was “the best thing I have ever seen anywhere.”

Among Kornfeld’s many career awards were three Obies for Distinguished Direction—for What Happened, Listen to Me, and Leon Katz’s Dracula: Sabbat (1971). The last, a retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in the form of a black mass, made chillingly atmospheric use of Judson’s church organ, and featured a semi-naked ensemble cast wreathed in darkness. This unnerving production was remounted, later the same year, as the inaugural offering by Theater for the New City—a venture that Kornfeld had co-founded with three other Judson alumni (Theo Barnes, George Bartenieff, and Crystal Field). Artistic differences prompted his departure the following year, but in subsequent years he continued to collaborate widely with avant-garde peers. In 1987, for example, Kornfeld stepped in to direct Charles Ludlam’s Medea, for the Ridiculous Theatrical Company, following the actor-playwright’s untimely, AIDS-related death. Kornfeld’s last production at Judson Poets’ Theatre, in 1979, was a collaboration with legendary downtown actor Jeff Weiss, who took the title role in yet another Stein play, Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights. Among the other cast members was the director’s eleven-year-old daughter, Sarah.

Over a decades-long career, Kornfeld worked both on and off-Broadway, and in regional theatres across the United States. Yet in 1980, he also began a second career as an educator, when he accepted a visiting position as director and lecturer at SUNY’s Purchase College, a noted conservatoire. He then served briefly as professor of directing at the Yale School of Drama (1982-83), before returning to Purchase in 1983 as the Dean of Theatre Arts and Film. The many young actors that Kornfeld mentored at Purchase, over the years, included Edie Falco, Hal Hartley, Kirk Acevedo and Stanley Tucci. He continued teaching and directing at Purchase until his retirement in 2005.

The following year, he and Margaret moved to the San Francisco bay area. Despite being a life-long New Yorker, Kornfeld had experienced a serious reoccurrence of his post-traumatic stress in the aftermath of 9/11, and was persuaded that a move away from the city might benefit his health. He spent his remaining years among California redwoods, surrounded by his family. Kornfeld is survived by his daughter Sarah, grandson Luca, and his eleven godchildren.

Author:
Stephen Scott-Bottoms
Professor of Theatre and Performance
University of Manchester, UK

Council Notes from 5/10/2023 Meeting

Julie opened with a prayer for focus and guidance. Both Julie and Barry reported how much they enjoy working together as our Interim Pastors.

Joe Pratt, Financial Secretary reported that pledges are falling behind, and it was decided to address the congregation regarding this. (see Moderator’s Stewardship Moment printed in this issue).  Elena recommended that people use online banking rather than ‘Tithely’ as it is easier to use and less costly to the church.

Randy Laferte, Treas. Reported that expenditures exceeded receipts by more than $5,500, and pledge money received was light requiring a transfer of $2,000 from prepaid pledges.  Utility costs have amounted to $10,000 so far and the amount budgeted for the year is $11,000.  Several budget lines appear to have been set too low, and the budget will be re-visited in our June meeting, as suggested at the beginning of the year.

Restroom Upgrade progress: Good news is that the demolition was completed.  It was discovered that a wall which needs to be moved is partially bearing the office roof.  A specialized supporting beam will be installed to replace the load-bearing wall.  This will require special instructions written by architect for reinforcement of that area, causing us to dip into our contingency fund for change orders.

Montessori schools report: Growing Light Montessori School reported they are under-enrolled and wish to give up 2 very large rooms.  We will be looking into options for others renting that space.  Income loss of $5,000 a month after their paid lease ending August 30 will result if unrented.

Deck/Roofing Needs:  Flat roof over restroom and balcony is old and must be repaired. $15,000 cost will come from endowment.

Randy’s replacement as Treasurer:  Dudley and Faith are working on this.

Long kneeling benches for communion:  Use is questionable, item tabled until August.

Candidating weekend: May 20 and 21, 2023.  Meet and Greet will be held Saturday, May 20 from 3:00-5:00.   May 21st will be the Cong. Meeting and the vote after worship at 11:00am.

Julie is working with Jen to plan the worship service.  Linda will publish instructions for on-line voting.

Call Agreement:   The Call Agreement was reviewed, a few changes made, and relocation expense not to exceed $5,000 was added to the wording in that section.  The Call Agreement was approved with a unanimous vote by Council.

Review of Bylaws:  Tom suggested we begin a review of the bylaws, find missing pieces, revisit returning Boards to Council, and should clarify how the Personnel Committee and Pastoral Parish Relations Committee are appointed and define their rolls.

Building/Housing Fund Increase:  Council approved an increase in the Building/Housing Fund disbursement from $9,000 to $15,000 and asks Endowment Board to approve the same to begin during the 2023 budget.

NCNCUCC Annual Gathering: Pastor Barry will attend in person.  Dudley, as Vice Moderator will attend and pay his own way, Faith will attend online as Moderator.  Both Barry and Faith will be reimbursed for their registration.

Congregational Retreat: Prior to Jen coming on board, we will have a congregational retreat led by Barry and Julie with the assistance of Faith Formation.  Date to be worked out.

June meeting of Council date will be changed from June 14 to June 21, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

Faith Abel, Moderator

Council Notes from April 12, 2023 Meeting

Minister’s Report: Pastor Julie reported that the Maundy Thursday service was well attended, and that the Easter service was full of joy, smiling faces of 60-70 people. 

Pastor Barry reported he is continuing to do visitations and that he had preached at McGee Baptist church in Berkeley in addition to participation at the Bay Assoc. service in Orinda on Good Friday.   Barry and Julie are now considering “What do we do now, Jesus?”

Financial Secretary’s Report:  Joe Pratt reported that pledges are coming in as expected, and The Black Wealth Builders Fund offering during Lent was nearly $7,000, plus Orinda UCC Church also took an Easter offering for BWBF.  A Neighbors in Need grant totaling $7,500 was also received and will be applied to the BWBF.

Treasurer’s Report:  Randy Laferte reported that expenditures exceeded receipts for the month by $8,141, however receipts exceeded expenditures for the year by $4,984.  Expenditures were normal other than catching up with pastor’s salaries and higher than usual PG&E bills.

Randy is opening a 2nd checking account that will be at Mechanics Bank due to problems we’ve had lately with our checking account at Citibank.

1st Quarter Board Reports:  Eleanor Crump has acted on behalf of Dudley Thompson to gather the information from the boards about their activities during the first quarter of the year.

Old Business:  

Restroom Upgrade is waiting for completion of permits, and the starting date is still hoped to be May 1.  Before that construction begins, we are required to do some work on our sewer lateral, which will require shut off of all water and no bathroom use.  This work will be performed over two weekends April 22-23 and April 29-30.  (Weekend work was necessary because we cannot shut off the water while the schools are in session.)  Portable toilets with sinks will be available for the duration of all the construction.  Decisions on colors for materials in the restrooms have been made;  this will avoid delays later in the project.

Interim/Designated Term Minister Search Committee:  Sara Laferte reported that as of today, the committee has received 8 profiles, and 6 of those candidates have been excused.  The 2 remaining are strong candidates, and the committee feels that one of these 2 will be our designated term minister.  There is work that needs to be addressed on salary and housing for the minister:

A)   The committee has asked and encourages Council to ask Endowment to increase the yearly $9000 housing allowance.  There has not been an increase in that amount since the parsonage was sold.

B)    There is a need to consider an equity sharing system to help a pastor to buy a house and arrange for possible return of funds to the church when/if the house is sold.

Motion made and passed: “A committee be formed to review the Building Fund for the possibility of increasing the allowance from Endowment, and to explore options for housing support for a called minister.” 

A sub-committee of Dudley and Ruth will contact David Hertzer, Chair of Endowment, to address the housing issue.

Pastors Julie and Barry have graciously agreed to stay on as Interim Ministers until someone is found.

Resolution re: Black Wealth Builders Congregation: Barry has sent the resolution to Ginny Straus of the Bay Assn. and The Bay Assn. has agreed to co-sponsor the resolution.  Celeste, from the Conference has submitted the resolution to Raegan Baker, Moderator of the Conference, so it is on its way to the Annual Gathering June 15-17 to be held at First Congregational Church, Palo Alto.

Deck/Roofing needs: Bob Stokstad is the lead on the project of repairing the deck and putting a cover on it.  This will be coordinated with the completed work on the restroom as to when it will be possible to identify what is going on between the ceiling and above it. Bob is in the process of getting bids. 

Sewer line project. Completion of this project at a cost $26,000 will hopefully go smoothly so restroom upgrade work can begin.

Randy Laferte’s replacement: As no one has volunteered from the congregation to replace Randy as Treasurer, Dudley will be looking into other options.

New Business:

 Mc Gee Avenue Baptist Church-Sister Church partnership? This is the church near where Pastor Barry lives.  There is some interest for a possible sister church partnership, but it was suggested we should wait until a new pastor is in place.  We will then need to decide if we are interested in this possibility, before figuring out what a partnership might mean.

School question: Montessori school owner Rachel LaField wrote that the school is experiencing a continued decrease in enrollment and she wants to have a discussion about their use of rooms.  Randy and Nina will follow up with this discussion.

Faith Abel, ACC Moderator

Updated Black Wealth Builders Resolution

RESOLUTION TITLE

A call to action: Calling local churches to become a Black Wealth Builders congregation, and take action to repair the racial inequity in home buying that exists as a result of slavery, White supremacy, personal and institutional racism, and White privilege.

Submitted February 27, 2023 by Rev. Barry Cammer on behalf of Arlington Community Church, UCC, Kensington, CA  94707.

SUMMARY

This resolution asks the Annual Gathering of the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ to encourage local churches within the Conference to live out a faith-based belief in racial justice and to take intentional steps to put those beliefs into action by becoming a Black Wealth Builders congregation.  The Conference will encourage congregations to take specific actions to repair the damage done by centuries of White supremacist policies that have prevented our Black sisters and brothers from building generational wealth through the purchase of a home.

It is based on a project launched by Arlington Community Church United Church of Christ in 2021 called the Black Wealth Builders Fund which provides zero-interest loans to first-time Black homebuyers for down payment assistance.

WHAT IS A BLACK WEALTH BUILDERS CONGREGATION?

 A Black Wealth Builders Congregation is a local NCNCUCC church congregation that:

 ·       Undertakes an intentional congregation-wide study to understand the history of racism in the United States, and our individual and corporate relationship to institutional racism.

·       Affirms by a congregational vote the intention to take specific action to address racism as it relates to the generational wealth gap between Black and White members of our society.

·       Creates an ongoing program in the life of the congregation, the goal of which is to assist Black families and individuals in the acquisition of a home, thereby increasing Black generational wealth.

·       Some options for action are:

o   Supporting the Black Wealth Builders Fund led by Arlington Community Church

o   Create your own Black Wealth Builders Fund in your geographical area

o   Support an organization that specifically assists Black families and individuals in the acquisition of a home

BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL, HISTORICAL, AND ETHICAL GROUNDING

Biblical

For both the Old Testament and New Testament communities, justice, fairness, restitution and reparation were a part of their deep-seated faith and serve as a model and motivation for the Northern California Nevada Conference UCC.  We are extraordinarily blessed with Hispanic, Asian, and Black congregations in our conference family, and honor their particular journeys, however, we acknowledge and confess that Eurocentrism has often been our only model of living out our Christian faith, and those of us who are European in background have a responsibility to a) do our own learning, and b) make our own restitution.  So we explore reparations.

 Leviticus 5:14-19

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “When any of you commit a trespass and sin unintentionally against any of the holy things of the Lord, you shall bring, as your guilt offering to the Lord, a ram without blemish from the flock, convertible into silver by the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.  And you shall make restitution for the holy thing in which you were remiss…

Although the means of addressing one’s guilt is outside the boundaries of our practice as a society, what remains is that when we do something that hurts someone else, that act must be atoned.  Only then are things made right.  Second, it is clear by this scripture that the acts may be known to us or unknown.  Nonetheless, the wrong has been committed and must be addressed.

Luke 19:8-10

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

Zacchaeus is ready to repent of his wrongdoing and make restitution.   An example of restorative justice. For Jesus, this restoration becomes Zacchaeus’ salvation.  Jesus is supporting the model of restorative justice, of repairing the damage that we do, knowingly or unknowingly. Like Zacchaeus, the White community has defrauded and continues to defraud the Black community.  How shall we make this right?  How shall we repair the damage?

Theological

The ministry of Jesus shows that the values of justice, fairness, repair and forgiveness are central.  In demonstration of these values Jesus was constantly inviting people on the margins to come to the center, to be treated fairly, to take their place as beloved of God. 

Jesus calls each of us to behave in ways that he modeled.  Jesus calls us to reach out to those on the margins, however they got there, and invite them in to  full membership in the Body of Christ.  This call is felt even stronger when we are able to acknowledge that many of those on the margin are there because of behaviors, laws, politics, economics, racism, xenophobia, etc. that have put them there, often to our benefit.  What must we do to make things right?  For them.  For us.

This resolution seeks to specifically address the fourth covenant, approved at the NCNC Annual Gathering on 10/24/2020,as follows:

“O God, as people of faith, we covenant with you, with one another, and our churches to:

‘work to erase the sins of racism and injustice where they exist in our churches and communities’ and join in the collective ministry of co-creating God’s new realm of love and justice on earth.

 Historical

After the Civil War, General William T. Sherman’s Special Order No. 15 was to give to emancipated former slaves 40 acres and a mule.  President Lincoln was assassinated the day after he signed that proclamation and President Andrew Johnson rescinded the order.

Racism that manifests itself in the prevention of accumulating inherited and generational wealth is still being practiced in 2023.  There is a current struggle on the part of Black farmers to receive the assistance from the Inflation Reduction Act/USDA that was designed as reparations.

History is clear.  Our country allowed our White European landowners to enslave Black African members of God’s family, and too many of our countrymen and women find themselves unable to acknowledge the very message of Jesus: that every single human being on this planet is a beloved child of God and deserving of justice and, when deserved, restitution.

Ethical

When we, as faithful Christians, church bodies and conferences choose to address the historical wealth and opportunity gaps that our Black brothers and sisters have, in the past, and currently endure, we are engaging in atonement and reparations.

Racism isn’t confined to personal acts, rather, racism’s strength and longevity comes from its systemic presence in our country at all levels of society, including government, corporations, religious institutions, local businesses, etc.  We pay reparations because, in part, we are a full member of a society that has marginalized entire groups of people based on their skin color, religion, education, etc.

The NCNC Annual Gathering voted on 10/24/2020 to approve a resolution, “Standing in Solidarity: Antiracism and Racial Justice Formation in Local Churches”.  This resolution asks local churches to engage in study and learning regarding racism and racial justice.  The resolution being presented here is an example of a “next step”.  What is often asked by individuals and churches is, “We appreciate the learning and new awareness as part of our spiritual formation, AND, what’s next?”  This resolution seeks to provide a clear path for people and groups within the NCNC Conference to take the next step and take action.

MOTION

WHEREAS in the UCC we understand racism to be a sin and are called to repair the damage that years of slavery and racism have caused and continue to cause; and

WHEREAS we as faithful Christians and followers of Jesus seek to emulate the ministry of Jesus by inviting those on the margins into the fair and just “center” of our common society; and

WHEREAS we have come to understand that many of us of European ancestry have benefited from racism in ways known and unknown; and

WHEREAS we, as a UCC Conference seek to encourage local churches to take specific actions to further the repair the damage of racism; and

WHEREAS a result of slavery and racism is to deny Black individuals and families the opportunity to accumulate “generational wealth”; and

WHEREAS generational wealth is most often accomplished through homeownership; and

WHEREAS a major product of racism is the denial or discouragement of Black individuals and families from purchasing a home;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ invite all congregations and ministries within our Conference to take specific action to become a Black Wealth Builders Congregation in a manner suitable for each specific congregation in their respective locations within the Conference.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ charges the Justice and Witness Ministries, in collaboration with the Associations and Conference ministers to work with local churches in bringing this resolution to fruition.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Justice and Witness Ministries, et.al. will be sensitive to the geographical location, congregational size, financial abilities of the members and racial makeup of each church as it encourages the churches to take specific action.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Justice and Witness Ministries, et.al., will have intentional conversations with churches of color and receive feedback from them as to their desire to participate in taking action as noted in the resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Justice and Witness Ministries, et.al., as a part of its work with churches, will develop a strategy of working with multi-racial congregations.

CONTACT PERSONS

Rev. Barry Cammer, Member, Arlington Community Church, UCC, Kensington, CA

barry@healthypathcounseling.org

 Susan Russell, Member, Arlington Community Church, UCC, Kensington, CA

sleighrussell@gmail.com

Pastoral Piece: March 18, 2023

Friday morning, early, Barry and I met with a small sub-group from Church Council asked to come up with a compensation package for us.  We both agreed to become half-time employees of the Church.  That means we committed to Arlington Community Church to be co-interim pastors for the indeterminate future until a new pastor is in place.  It was a very good meeting all around and we are grateful for the generous compensation.  Most things won’t change very much from what’s been going on. 

One change, however, is that we commit to each being in the Pastor’s office at church one afternoon a week.  We hope that you will drop by for a chat or a cup of tea on Wednesday or Friday afternoons.  It is very important to us to be available to the members and friends of the Church.  We continue to be reachable at our personal emails and phone numbers.  Check with Jacob in the Church office or in the Church Directory if you need to find these numbers.  We will continue to both lead worship and both do pastoral care and with Church leaders, continue to do the work of the Church.

It is very clear to me that the Spirit of God has been present and blessing us these last months.  Neither Barry nor I would have wanted to do what we are doing or even been able to do it by ourselves.  As it is now, we support each other and complement each other.  We feel supported by the congregation, by the Church leadership, each other and the Holy Spirit.  We are both so grateful to have enough strength and energy to happily do the work needed.  My friends, this is what a call looks like.

It is also very important to each of us to be easily available and in touch with each of you in worship, by email or phone or in person.  I am learning how to find the on-line gratitudes and prayer requests on my Phone during worship and hope our on-line worshippers will continue to send in requests.  Hopefully, we’ll be responsive to your concerns.  Everyone matters!

I know God’s spirit is supporting us all in this interim time.  We are already busy making preparations for Holy Week and Easter.  This year, there will be a Soup and Bread potluck on Maundy Thursday before the Tenebrae service.  It is clear we all so enjoy being together.  I hope everyone will make an effort to come to share this simple meal and then worship together in my favorite service of the whole year.

We feel and appreciate your prayers for us and please know we are praying for all of you.  May God continue to bless us all in this interim time. 

Pastor Julie

Announcing A New Music Director for ACC!

The Music Director Search Committee is delighted to announce that we have an agreement with Jeffrey Frederic Paul to become our new Music Director beginning the week of April 10th, 2023.  He’ll direct music for worship on April 16th the Sunday after Easter. Ruth Robinson will be preaching, and Julie Stokstad is leading worship. Please join us after church on the 16th for coffee, cake and an opportunity to meet Jeffrey. 

In our first contact, he wrote this message:

Jeffrey Frederic Paul

I have twenty-three years of experience working in a church setting. I also am delighted to share I have previously worked with Rev. Ken Barnes when he served as an Interim Pastor for the First Congregational Church of San Rafael (UCC) where I served as Music Director for twelve years. With my assistance, we launched a concert series which helped raise money for various charity organizations and helped expand our footprint in the community. I was able to draw from many musical contacts I have made over my lengthy career as a professional musician. It was a joy to host concerts with solo piano, chamber music, a cappella choirs, jazz trios, and a mariachi band.

Jeffrey Frederic Paul hails from the San Francisco Bay Area where he is known for his talents as a Musical Director, Pianist, Educator, Tenor, and Real Estate Professional. He has served various churches for the past twenty-four years as musical director, pianist, and/or organist. Jeffrey also directed the Emeritus Chorus at the College of Marin. He is the staff accompanist and vocal coach at the College of Marin in Kentfield and also enjoys performing frequently with ensembles such as Marin Oratorio, Marin Symphony Chorus, and the Consort Chorale. Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Highlights include performances at Davies Symphony Hall, the Oakland Museum, Marin Civic Center, Julia Morgan Theater, Marin Theater Company, and the Marin Community Playhouse where he has directed both adults and children. 

The Music Director Search Committee (Linda Young, Joe Pratt, Ruth Robinson, Dudley Thompson, Susan Russell, and Faith Abel) is excited to welcome a director with this broad musical background to ACC. 

Pastoral Piece: About Healing by Rev. Barry Cammer

I feel the need to tell you that last Sunday’s healing service was very powerful and moving for both Julie and me.  We feel so privileged that you would open your hearts to us and to Spirit, and show us your tender, perhaps hurt places.  In my sermon I mentioned that I had changed my bedtime practice of noting gratitude to instead taking a few minutes in which I noted the myriad ways in which I might have lived my day differently or more lovingly.  The important part is at the end when I release all my shortcomings so that I could just breath, and start again.

I’ve put that practice on temporary hiatus.  When I went to bed on Sunday night, I saw, again,  the faces of each one of the congregation who came back for healing prayer or a blessing.  Then I added those who didn’t feel the need, or didn’t feel ready for those prayers.  Then I imagined all of the people connected to Arlington Community Church, every child, every adult, everyone.  And you became my prayer.

Every night, for the past five nights my bedtime prayers have been about and for you.  For your lives, for your individual journeys, for those of you who are in physical or emotional or mental, or spiritual pain.  I hold your hurt and broken places in my heart.  For the many of you who have suffered the loss of a loved one recently, or who carry a deep care for someone who is very ill.  Thank you for letting me hold these things with you. Thank you for letting Julie and I serve as your pastors for a time.  Thank you for letting us use our gifts and for overlooking our limitations.  Even now, we still hold your stories.

Now it’s YOUR turn.  I was reminded on Tuesday morning that pastors need prayer, too.  Whenever I left a spiritual direction session with Dr. Dody Donnelly, she would always remind me to prayer for HER.  Both Julie and I are very human, and we have our own personal journeys, yearnings, hopes, pain, and brokenness.  We ask that you pray for us.  We may not share everything with you, but we seek your prayers and ask you to hold us in your hearts for just a moment, once in a while.  You’ve thanked us for serving you.  Thank you for letting us do our best to let God’s love shine on us all.  Namaste.