On February 22nd, I will be installed as the called minister of First Congregational Church of San Francisco.  Ed Steiner once wrote me that I am the 42nd pastor in the (almost) 155 year history of this church.  Being called makes me happy and proud, but also humble and grateful.

What does it mean to be called?  My installation will take place because there has been a Call.  The congregation called me to be their pastor and teacher.  But what does a call mean?    Such a call means a couple of things:  for me it means that I will stay longer in the United States.  The call means there is a match.  There is a sense that this church and this minister can go forward together, even in times when not everybody agrees with one another.  The Call moves everyone out of what has been, into the realm of hope, vision and courage.

On February 22nd, we will celebrate the hope, the discernment, the match, the move, the courage, the faith of all of us - my friends and colleagues, representatives of churches and public life, friends and members of this congregation.

The call to ministry is a place apart.  Not above.  And not below.  But apart.  A place of solitude from which a minister can find truth, from which he is sustained when you are anxious, from which he can provide solace when you are deeply grieved, from which he can preach wisdom 

When you don't know what to do.  The Call to ministry is a place apart, where discernment can occur, and where love can be nourished.

The Call to ministry is a call to be with you, to be in right relationship with you, to stay put when it would be easier to leave, to move toward you when a minister feels like moving away, to stay with you in all the different ways we are together.  The Call to ministry is a call to be deeply embedded in this church and all it is and will be.

In my Installation Service I will promise to serve this church faithfully, preaching and teaching the word of God, administering the sacraments, and fulfilling the pastoral office, according to the faith and order of the United Church of Christ.  Installation is a sign that pastor and local church as covenantal partners, are committed to share mutually in the mission of the United Church of Christ and of the ecumenical church worldwide.

Thank you for all your love and support.  I hope to see you at the Installation Service.

Love,

          Rev. Wilfried
          Rev. Wilfried Glabach
          minister@sanfranciscoucc.org

 
The Interfaith Homeless at St. Mark's ended on Sunday, February 1st, and has now moved across the street to the Unitarian Church.  There were approximately 60 men as overnight guests for two weeks, with additional guests for meals.  St. Mark's volunteers prepared and served breakfast every morning.  Dinners were prepared and served by Congregation Emanu-el for 7 nights, Zion Lutheran for 2 nights and Mission Dolores for 5 nights. St. Mark's and First Congregational volunteers assisted each evening. 

Thank you to all who have made financial donations toward the purchase of breakfast foods and supplies.  Thank you also to those who donated toiletries, used clothing and books.  Thank you for your very generous support of the shelter.  The men have been very appreciative of all you have given them.  We also want to give a very special thanks to First Congregational Church for giving up their worship space for the shelter, and for their contribution of $500.   In addition,  their Council handed out gifts of socks, toiletries and other articles to the men one evening.  We also owe a special thanks to all our staff for the extra arrangements, janitorial services and other tasks associated with the shelter.

   Jan Vream
   St. Mark's Coordinator
   Interfaith Homeless Shelter

 
A new federal law greatly restricts the disclosure of patient information by hospitals.   As a result, the pastor and church office may not know that a member of the church has been admitted to the hospital. If you are hospitalized, and would like to notify the pastor, it is important that you or a family member inform the church office as soon as possible. Call us at 415 441-8901 or e-mail at:  office@sanfranciscoucc.org or minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

Remember, hospitals no longer can provide this information to us.  However, you may ask a doctor, nurse, chaplain or other hospital personnel to call for you.

These moves will proceed at the same time. The committee felt these steps were a necessary move to reduce the overall cost and improve the overall design. We will be interviewing interested companies in February.

REMEMBER JANET
On Sunday, January 25th, we bid “farewell” to Janet Farmer.  David Farmer and family request that memorial gifts in Janet's memory be given to Planned Parenthood or to the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California.

WELCOME BACK BRAD
We're so glad to have our Office Assistant, Brad Petersen, back  after  being hospitalized with appendicitis on Saturday, January 10th.  Thanks to Laporoscopic surgery, he was released after three days, and back in the office the following week.  The miracles of modern medicine! …

MARRIAGE EQUALITY
In response to the proposed Constitutional amendment that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman, the UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns has issued a Statement on Equality of Marriage.  It calls for marriage to be considered a civil rights issue, making marriage accessible to all committed couples.   It also calls for the repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 which legalizes discrimination by denying the civil right of marriage to same sex couples.

To read the complete statement, visit the Coalition web site at: http://www.ucccoalition.org  Instructions to add your name are given on this web site.  In order for your signature to count, you must include your name, city and state in the body of the e-mail.  You may also include the name of any organization you are  affiliated with, such as this church.

...to the Rev. Kyle Lovett on her installation as Pastor of St. John's UCC. ... 

to the Rev. Christian Jennert, who was called as Associate Pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Sunday January 25th 

… to proud grandparents, Don and Nancy McKay, on the birth of their grandson, Bryan Addison Phillips, on December 26th. Grandma Nancy says, “Weighing in at 8 lb., 1 oz., he is CUTE!!!!!  (Big sister) Mikayla was immediately disappointed that he couldn't talk.”  Parents are daughter Susy McKay and son-in-law Bruce Phillips .

REGISTER FOR ASILOMAR
 This year, the Northern California Nevada Conference Annual Meeting at Asilomar will be from Thursday, June 3rd through Sunday, June 6th.  Early registration ends on Friday, February 20th.   For further information, contact the Conference office at:  (510) 247-8990. 

COUNCIL COMMENDS
Those commended at the January Council meeting are Herb Lilly for providing gift packages for the homeless, and the Building 5 Committee for all their hard work.
 
 
 

To ensure deductibility of your church contributions, please do not file your 2003 income tax return until you have received a written acknowledgment 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 acknowledgment of your contributions from the church.

THURSDAY CIRCLE
The Thursday Circle will meet on February 5th at 11:45 AM. in the 3rd floor meeting room.

Please bring a sandwich or lunch; coffee, tea and a light dessert will be served. 

SHOWER WITH CARDS
On Sunday February 8th, we will again reach out to our members and friends who are not able to come often, with Valentine's Day cards.  We will have cards for everyone to sign to express our connectedness to all our Church Family through our "Shower of Cards". This is a wonderful way to show we remember those who cannot always be with us on Sunday. 

We hope you will join us for worship that day and sign the cards.

RAINBOW FELLOWSHIP
At their Sunday, February 8th meeting, Rainbow Fellowship will continue their project to record the effect of AIDS on First Congregational Church. If you can-not attend, but have information to share, please contact Joe Story or Ken Tipton 

Shanya Luther, a Pacific School of Religion seminarian who has lived in 
Africa, will talk about the effect of AIDS on African and Western society. 

Please join the Fellowship at 6:30 PM at the Urban Life Center for a potluck dinner followed by discussion.

Contact Rev. Wilfried for further information at the church (415) 441-8901, or by  e-mail at:  minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.
 

There is no obligation to become a member of this church, but those who wish to do so will become members on Easter Sunday, April 11th.

ADULT FORUM
Join FCC members at 10 AM on these Sunday mornings, as we host interesting speakers:

•  February 15th: Kathy Speas.  A Swedenborgian preacher, Kathy will introduce us to Swedenborgian teachings and thoughts.  She is a member of the Swedenborgian church here in San Francisco, and a recent graduate of the Swedenborgian Institute in Berkeley,

• February 22nd:  Rev. Hans-Peter Bruckhoff.  Rev. Bruckhoff is Conference Minister in Wilfried's former home church in Germany.  He will speak about developments in Protestant churches in Germany and the European Union.

WORSHIP AT EDEN VILLA
Please join us for a service at Eden Villa on Monday, February 23rd at
3 p.m.   Eden Villa  is at 2750 Geary Boulevard.  Take the Muni-38 bus; get off at Masonic or Collins.   Walk up the hill; Eden Villa is at Geary Boulevard and Collins. 

All are welcome to attend.   For further information, contact Rev. Wilfried Glabach by phone at (415) 441-8901, or by e-mail at   minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

OBSERVE LENT
In observance of Lent, Seminary Intern Matthew Davis Fox will conduct Taizé Services on Wednesday evenings from February 25th through March 31st.  Gather at 7 p.m. at 1302 Polk Street.

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

2nd:  Groundhog Day

5th:  Thursday Circle -- Urban Life Center 11:45 AM

8th:  FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY/RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY
          Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM  Rev. Ann Jefferson Preaching
          Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:10 PM
         Rainbow Fellowship --  Urban Life Center Third Floor 6:30 PM

9th:   Lower Polk Neighbors -- 4 PM

10th:  Worship Service at Eden Villa -- 2:30 PM

12th:  Lincoln's Birthday

14th:  Valentine's Day

15th:  SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
             Adult Forum -- Pastor's Office 10 AM  Rev. Kathy Speas Visiting
             Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM   Rev. Kathy Speas Preaching
             Coffee Hour -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 12:10 PM
             Inquirer's Class -- Pastor's Office 12:30 PM
             Columns Deadline

16th:  President's Day -- Office closed

18th:  Council -- Urban Life Center Fireside Room 7 PM

22nd:  Washington's Birthday

22nd:  SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY/CHURCH VOCATIONS SUNDAY
             Adult Forum -- Pastor's Office 10 AM  Rev. Hans-Peter Bruckhoff Visiting
             Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM   Rev. Wilfried Glabach Preaching
             Coffee Hour -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 12:10 PM
             INSTALLATION -   Urban Life Center Auditorium 3 PM

25th:  Lenten service - 1302 Polk Street 7 PM
             Ash Wednesday

29th:  FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
             Worship -- 1302 Polk Street  11 AM   Rev. Wilfried Glabach Preaching
             Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:10 PM
             Inquirer's Class -- 1302 Polk Street 12:30 PM