The National United Church of Christ officers could not have scheduled a better time.  The “God is Still Speaking” campaign, initiated by our national church, released commercials designed to invite and welcome new worshippers to the 6,000 UCC congregations throughout the country.  On December 1st, NBC and CBS refused to air one of them, citing the content as “too controversial.” 

In one commercial, two bouncers are standing at the entrance of a local church, admitting only a few people, mainly white.  They send away a young African-American woman, an Hispanic man, and two men who are holding hands.  The commercial offers a short message:  “Jesus didn’t turn people away.  Neither do we.” 

The UCC  has received a lot of publicity, most of it very positive and supportive.  I gave interviews with German newspapers who asked me about the “hypocrisy” of the networks, and how they are related to the “official” political meaning in the country.

I was very pleased that the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco approved unanimously a resolution urging CBS and NBC to rescind their decisions to reject airing of the UCC advertisements promoting tolerance and acceptance.  “The UCC ad promotes equality and acceptance for all people, values which are not controversial in the United States ...  and promotes tolerance which can lead to a reduction in acts of discrimination and violence …” 

As the resolution states.

My hope is that people will continue to talk about UCC and  that they will discover here at First Congregational Church of what we really know, believe and practice:  we are a community of caring people who embrace the inclusive love of Jesus Christ, not only for our visitors, but with each other, for our neighbors and the whole world.

God is still speaking to us in the beginning of 2005.  God is still Speaking to us at First Congregational Church of San Francisco and to our neighborhood on Polk Street.

There will be some changes in 2005.  We will move our offices to Polk Street, and hope to break ground for the new church building in June.  I am looking forward to an exciting new year. 

“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.” 

Grace and peace,

Rev. Wilfried
Minister 
minister@sanfranciscoucc.org

 
HELP TSUNAMI SURVIVORS
Disaster relief is one type of aid supported by the United Church of Christ One Great Hour of Sharing campaign.  While we do have an annual OGHS drive, many want to help survivors of the recent tsunami in Southeast Asia.   To do so, you may place a check payable to One Great Hour of Sharing, earmarked “tsunami relief,” in the offering or send it to the church, and we will forward it to the Conference Office or National Headquarters. 

For further information, contact the Rev. Wilfried:  (415) 441-8901; e-mail:  minister@sanfranciscoucc.org

 
SOCKS IN THE BOX
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church will host the San Francisco Interfaith Council sponsored homeless shelter from Sunday evening, January 16th through Sunday, January 30th in the auditorium of the Urban Life Center. 

Please donate socks - new, or used but clean and in good condition - for the approximately 65 men who will sleep and eat in our former worship space.  There will be a “Box for Socks” near the Fellowship Table at 1302 Polk Street.

For more information, please contact Rev. Wilfried:  (415) 441-8901; e-mail:  minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

 
PLEASE REMEMBER... 
Collecting warm clothing in good condition for the residents of Cornell Halfway House is an ongoing project of First Congregational Church.  There is still plenty of winter ahead, and warm clothing will be needed for some time to come. 

Please bring clothing donations to 1302 Polk Street on Sundays, or to the office during the week.  However, be sure to check Brad’s office hours to be sure someone is in the office.

The Rev. Dora Ford and residents of Cornell are most grateful for your donations. 

 
FOOD FOR SAN FRANCISCO FOOD BANK
Food Banks need donations not just during the holidays, but all the time, in order to provide food for their clients, many of them AIDS patients.

Please bring non-perishable items, such as canned goods, rice, pasta, cereal, etc., for the Food Bank to 1302 Polk Street on Sundays or to the office during the week.

 Food Bank volunteers and their clients are very appreciative.

 
The end of one year and the beginning of another is a good time to look back and consider how well we have done in protecting and improving the environment.  If you have taken some definite steps to make your life more eco-friendly, now is the time to give yourself a pat on the back, and at the same time think of what can be improved.

Most everyday activities have some effect on the environment - either to improve it, damage it or leave it unchanged.  Deciding which category any action falls into is an essential first step.  The basic rule is to try to increase those actions which you know improve the environment, and to eliminate or at least reduce those actions which you know damage it.

So, when you think about New Year Resolutions, what about some that will help make our congregation, our city and our world more environmentally friendly?

Here are some suggestions:

• Switch off unused lights
• Use your own shopping bag
• Stop leaving electrical equipment on standby all night
• Drive fewer miles or organize car pools
• Volunteer support to one of the many local environmental organizations
• Recycle all you can
• Avoid plastic or foam cups; use your own cup for beverages
• Give all superfluous possessions to a charity shop or local charity
• Ask electricity supplier to provide electricity from wind or hydropower when possible.

If you have more thoughts on this, please let me know, and we can publish them when there is space.

Rev. Wilfried
Minister 
minister@sanfranciscoucc.org
 

  Nancy H. McManus

Speakers include the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, and the first openly gay Episcopal bishop; Eric Law, author of The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community; and Christine Gudorf, author of Body, Sex and Pleasure:  Reconstructing Christian Sexual Ethics.  For more information, see The Pacific or PSR’s website:  http://www.psr.edu.
 

If you are a subscriber and have not renewed your subscription with a donation of $12,  please return a your donation to the church and provide your name and address.

Please let us know if you no longer wish to receive The Columns: (415) 441-8901 or e-mail:  office@sanfranciscoucc.org

Thank you in advance.

HELLO, AGAIN...
On Sunday, January 23rd, we welcome back to our pulpit Matthew Davis Fox, our last year’s Seminary Intern, as guest preacher.  It will be great to see and hear Matthew again … and farewell …  It’s always been a pleasure to see Bob and Alexandra Dunn whenever they came up from Salinas for dance and theatre events, and came and worshipped with us.  Now, they are leaving California to make their new home in Seattle.  We will miss their occasional visits , but wish them all the best in their new chapter in their lives.  We wish them Godspeed … On vacation …  Rev. Wilfried will be out of the office from January 15th through January 23rd.  Pastor Elizabeth Ekdale of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church will be available for pastoral calls:  (415) 928-7770. 
 

To ensure deductibility of your church contributions, please do not file your 2004 income tax return until you have received a written acknowledgement of your contributions from the church.  Some of your contributions may not be tax-deductible if you file your tax return before receiving a written acknowledgement of your contributions from the church.

To claim a charitable contribution for 2004, you need to deliver or mail checks on or by December 31st; postmarks must be on or before December 31st.  Checks placed in the offering on the first Sunday in 2005 will not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction in 2004 even if the check is predated to 2004 or was actually written in 2004.  However, checks that are written, mailed and postmarked in 2004 will be deductible even if they are not received by the church until 2005.

Contact Treasurer Nancy McManus for questions or further information. 
 

Gather at 6:30 PM for pot luck, the meeting will last until approximately 8:30 PM.  If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Wilfried at minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

THURSDAY CIRCLE 
The January meeting of the Thursday Circle will be at 11:45 AM in the Urban Life Center Third Floor meeting room on January 6th.   Please bring a sandwich or lunch; coffee, tea and a light dessert will be served.

STEERING COMMITTEE
The Steering Committee will meet at 12:30 PM on Sunday, January 9th at 1300 Polk Street.  All members are welcome to attend and observe.

BAPTISM AFFIRMED
On Sunday, January 9th, our service will include Affirmation of  Baptism.  What is it?  Come to worship and find out, or contact Rev. Wilfried at minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

RAINBOW FELLOWSHIP
Rainbow Fellowship will gather on Sunday, January 9th for a movie and dinner.  Please join the Fellowship at 5:00 PM at the Castro Theater , followed by dinner at Wilfried's home.

BUILDING 5 COMMITTEE
The Building 5 Committee will meet on Thursday, January 13th at 
7 PM in the Urban Life Center Third Floor Meeting Room. 

For questions or further information, contact Committee Co-chairs Lucille Dean or Ken Tipton.

WORSHIP AT POLK STREET
We  now worship at 1302 Polk Street EVERY Sunday.   Join us at 11 AM. 

SENIOR SERVICES FOR JANUARY
January 11th:  Eden Villa -- 2750 Geary Boulevard, 3 PM
January 12th:  Bridge Point -- 1601 19th Avenue, 3:30 PM
January 13th:  Coventry Park -- 1550 Sutter Street 11 AM 

All are welcome to attend.

For further information, contact Rev. Wilfried at (415) 441-8901 or e-mail:  minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.
 
 
 

2nd:  SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
           Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM  Wilfried Glabach Preaching
           Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:15 PM
           Steering Committee -- 1300 Polk Stret 12:30 PM

5th:    House Meeting/Potluck -- Wilfried's Home 6:30 PM

6th:    Thursday Circle -- Urban Life Center Third Floor Meeting Room 11:45 AM

9th:  FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
           Worship -- 1302 Polk Street  11 AM Wilfried Glabach Preaching
           Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street  12:15 PM
           Steering Committee -- 1300 Polk Stret 12:30 PM
           Rainbow Fellowship Movie -- Castro Theater 5 PM
           Rainbow Fellowship Dinner -- Wilfried's 7 PM

10th:   Lower Polk Neighbors - 3 PM

11th:   Senior Service at Eden Villa -- 2750 Geary Boulevard 3 PM

12th:   Senior Service at Bridge Point -- 1601 19th Avenue, 3:30 PM 

13th   Senior Service at Coventry Park -- 1550 Sutter Street 11 AM 
          Building 5 Committee -- Third Floor Urban Life Center 11:45 AM 

15th:  Columns DEADLINE 

15th through 23rd:  Rev. Wilfried on vacation

16th:  SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
           Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM Andreas Pielhoop Preaching
           Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:15 PM

16th through 30th:  St. Mark's Homeless Shelter -- Urban Life Center

17th:  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (observed) -- Office closed

23rd:  THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
           Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM  Matthew Davis Fox Preaching
           Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:15 PM

25th through 27th:  Earl Lectures -- First Congregational Church, Berkeley 

30th:  FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
           Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM  Wilfried Glabach Preaching
           Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:15 PM