February 2005 Columns

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SAN FRANCISCO

The Columns	February 2005
*First Congregational Church of San Francisco*	Joy-Susan Karyl, Editor

Index to Sections from February Columns:

We Can All Change Something
In Memory: Ruth Helen Hoy
Let The One Who Has Two Coats...
Winter Congregational Meeting
First Congregational Happenings
Join Us in February
Celebrate February Birthdays
February Calendar of Events

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WE CAN ALL CHANGE SOMETHING

I really enjoy our Sunday morning coffee hour. It is a great opportunity for fellowship and chatting. Thank you to all our members and friends who make this such an important event for all of us. But coffee hour is not only a chat time; it is also an excellent occasion to be advocates for justice and the environment.

Did you know that coffee is the second largest US import, after oil, and that Americans consume 20 percent of all the world’s coffee, making the United States the largest coffee consumer worldwide? But few Americans realize that many small coffee farmers receive prices for their coffee that are less than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of debt and poverty. In recent years many coffee farmers received less than the cost of production for their beans.

One way to join hands with communities in the developing countries is Fair Trade.    Fair Trade shares the bounty of the coffee trade with those who grow the crop, helping them to build a better future for themselves and their communities. The Fair Trade certification mark has been developed to assure consumers that the coffee we drink was purchased under Fair Trade conditions. To become Fair Trade certified, an importer must meet stringent international criteria, including paying a minimum price of $1.26 per pound; providing much needed credit to farmers, and providing technical assistance, education and environmental stewardship. If you need more information, please check www.equalexchange.com, www.itsmorethanfairtrade.com or the UCC website, where you can also find coffee order forms. I think the fair trade coffee tastes better, and makes you feel better at the same time.

I am glad that we are now using cups and mugs for our coffee; Styrofoam® cups cause damage to the ozone layer and include toxic byproducts. Styrofoam® is not biodegradable, and most recycling centers are unable to accept Styrofoam® products.

There are many reasons why polystyrene foam is bad for the environment and human health. Toxic chemicals leach out of these products into the food that they contain and threaten human health and reproductive systems. These products are made with petroleum, a non-sustainable, heavily polluting and disappearing commodity; they are not biodegradable and take up more space in landfills than does paper. Also foam recycling is a complex chemical process and expends far more energy that is saved by recycling it. For more information, please check www.mindfully.org.

Unbleached paper products are better; they are biodegradable and their use avoids all of the above problems. But a better way is to use cups or mugs that can be washed or rinsed.

Our Sunday morning fellowship is a great way to think about environmental stewardship and justice. We can all change something ….

          Grace and peace,

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

IN MEMORY

RUTH HELEN HOY

April 2, 1920 to January 17, 2005

GOODBYE, RUTH

With sadness we have to say goodbye to our friend and member, Ruth Helen Hoy, who passed away on Monday, January 17th, in her home in Oakland.

The longest standing member of this church, she joined on October 2, 1949. Among the many activities in which she was involved, she served as Moderator - in the early 70's during a turbulent time in the church's history, - treasurer, sang in the choir and served on many committees.

A service of thanksgiving to honor her life and to say goodbye was held at Skyline Community Church in Oakland on Saturday, January 29th.

Among many survivors are her son, Paul Hoy, daughter, Carolyn Alongi, grandchildren, sisters and brothers-in-law. Donations in Ruth’s memory may be sent to:

PEO Home
CSC PO Box 1099
Alhambra, CA 91802

LET THE ONE WHO HAS TWO COATS...

On Sunday, December 26th, a massive 9.0 magnitude undersea earthquake unleashed deadly tsunamis that swept across Africa and South and East Asia, leaving a path of death, destruction and despair. Over 140,000 people were killed, over half a million injured, and many are still missing. Please continue to pray for the people around the Indian Ocean, for those who have lost loved ones and all their possessions, the injured and those rendered homeless. Let us pray for all those who are engaged in relief and rehabilitation work, and give thanks for international solidarity.

The UCC’s partners throughout the region have mounted relief efforts supported by funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Please support One Great Hour of Sharing in response to the tsunami disaster. A gift of $108 provides a Family Shelter Kit, containing a family tent, ground sheet and plastic tarp. The generous gifts of church members and friends to the OGHS are again important during this time of desperate need.

Thank you for your prayers and offerings. During the month of February we will inform you more about the work of OGHS. Next month, March 13th will be our official One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday.

WINTER CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2004

12:30 PM

Join us for our Winter Meeting, Sunday, February 27th, after worship. Per our new constitution, we will discuss the Membership Rolls, and have an update from the Building 5 Committee. There are a number of developments to report on our new church building, as well as the future office at 1323 Polk Street.

Our architect, Ron Case, of Case Architects will come with new drawings and a presentation on the latest changes in building design. We will need to decide on how we wish the name of the church to appear on the outside of the building.

There will be extra refreshments at Fellowship Hour.

RE IN TH

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL PARISH HAPPENINGS

SAY IT ISN'T SO, BILL
On Sunday, January 30th, the Rev. Bill Nye, visiting from New York, graced our pulpit, by his count, for the 11th time. And sad to say, announced that it would be his last, as does not anticipate returning to San Francisco.

We have enjoyed his preaching over the years. Two occasions, particularly, stand out. His reading of perhaps the first sermon delivered in the New World, at one of our earliest Pilgrim Sunday celebrations, and his sermon on the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, from the perspective of a New Yorker, within days of its occurrence.

We hope this announcement was premature, and that he will visit some time in the future, and grace our pulpit once again. In the meantime, we wish him all the best … Vaya con Dios to Don Ashley and his partner Steve, as they begin a new chapter in their lives. They will be moving to Phoenix, Arizona at the end of the month. Thanks to Don for all his hard work for the church in the past, and good luck to you both in your new home.

HELP PURCHASE NEW CHOIR ROBES
After a long process of research and discussion, Music Director Kelly Crandell and the Worship Committee have chosen robes of a new design and color. They will be ordered soon.

Ed Steiner, now our longest standing member, has contributed a generous donation toward their purchase, and Ulrich Holster-Helmer, our intern from Germany last summer, has donated his compensation as our accompanist, which will be applied to the cost of the robes. While the majority of the cost is covered, you are also invited to contribute toward their purchase. Just mark your check or offering envelope “New Choir Robe Fund.”

For further information, contact Kelly Crandell or Ken Tipton.

Senior Services for February:

February 2nd:    Bridge Point - 3:30 PM.
                                1601 19th Ave.

February 9th:     Coventry Park - 11 a.m.
                                     1550 Sutter St.

February 10th:   Eden Villa - 3 PM.
                                 2750 Geary Blvd.
             (Entrance on Wood Street)
             All are welcome to attend.

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

TIME TO RENEW

If you are an Active Voting Member or active Friend of the Church, or if you have made financial contributions to the church in the past year, you receive The Columns automatically.   Others need to make a donation of $12 to cover costs to continue receiving The Columns.

If you are a subscriber and have not renewed your subscription with a donation of $12, please complete the form below and return with your donation to the church.

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

            office@sanfranciscoucc.org

            Thank you.

FCC TO HOST WELCOME DINNER
On Saturday, March 12th, First Congregational Church will host the Welcome Dinner for the homeless at Old First Presbyterian Church. We need volunteers to help serve the meal, from about 4:30 - 6:30 PM.

If you can help, or for more information, contact Herb Lilly.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Read before filing taxes

To ensure deductibility of your church contributions, please do not file your 2004 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.

Contact Treasurer Nancy McManus for questions or further information.

JOIN US IN FEBRUARY

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

SENIOR SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY

February 2nd: Bridge Point -- 1601 19th Avenue, 3:30 PM
February 9th: Coventry Park -- 1550 Sutter Street 11 AM
February 10th: Eden Villa -- 2750 Geary Boulevard, 3 PM

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.

THURSDAY CIRCLE
The Thursday Circle will meet on February 3rd 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.

BUILDING 5 COMMITTEE
The Building 5 Committee will meet on Thursday, February 3rd at 7 PM in the 3rd floor Meeting Room.

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
The Steering Committee will meet at 12:30 PM on Sunday, February 13th at 1302 Polk Street. All members are welcome to attend and observe.

RAINBOW FELLOWSHIP
Rainbow will meet at 6:30 PM for a pot luck in the third floor Meeting Room on Sunday, February 13th.

Besides fellowship, this is also a working session, as they will continue packing in anticipation of the move to 1323 Polk Street.

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

LOWER POLK NEIGHBORS
Lower Polk Neighbors will meet on Monday, February 14th at 3 PM at the Cathedral Hill Hotel.

HOUSE MEETINGS CONTINUE
In January we decided to continue our house meetings, which provide a wonderful opportunity for members and friends of the church to come together and share their concerns and challenges in their lives. We realized that it is important to strengthen our relationships by telling our stories. We also use the opportunity for fellowship and prayers.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 16th at Wilfried’s home. 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.

CELEBRATE FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS!

1st: Betty R	4th: Nicholas E
6th: Bea S	10th: Kelly C
18th: Kate T

FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2nd: Groundhog Day
Senior Service at Bridge Point -- 1601 19th Avenue, 3:30 PM

3rd: Thursday Circle -- Urban Life Center 11:45 AM
Building 5 Committee -- Urban Life Center 7 PM

6th: FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY/RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY
Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM Rev. Wilfried Glabach Preaching
Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:10 PM

9th: Ash Wednesday
Senior Service at Eden Villa -- 2750 Geary Boulevard 3 PM

10th: Senior Service at Coventry Park -- 1550 Sutter Street 11 AM

12th: Lincoln's Birthday

<>13th: FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
             Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM   Allen Gardiner Preaching
             Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:10 PM
             Steering Committee -- 1302 Polk Street 12:30 PM
             Rainbow Fellowship -- Urban Life Center Third Floor 6:30 PM

<>14th: Valentine's Day
          Lower Polk Neighbors -- 3 PM Cathedral Hill Hotel

15th: Columns Deadline

16th: House Meeting - 6:30 PM Wilfried's home POTLUCK

20th: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM Rev. Toni Dunbar Preaching
Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:10

21st: President's Day - Office closed

<>22nd: Washington's Birthday

27th: THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
             Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM   Rev. Wilfried Glabach Preaching
             Coffee Hour -- 1302 Polk Street 12:10 PM
             WINTER MEETING -- 1302 Polk Street 12:30 PM

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First Congregational Church of San Francisco
A United Church of Christ Congregation
Franklin and O'Farrell Streets (in the Urban Life Center)
1031 Franklin Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

Phone: 415/441-8901
Fax: 415/441-8904
E-mail: office@sanfranciscoucc.org

Last update: February 26, 2005

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