On Sunday, April 10th, we will observe Health and Welfare Sunday, to reflect the church’s commitment to the ministries  of compassion, justice and wholeness for all God’s people.  In the former congregation where I served as a pastor we had a nurse on staff who took care of the elderly and sick members in our congregation.  Could this be an idea for our new church too?  Let us think about how healing and faith and are connected.

We all have heard the Biblical stories about Jesus healing the sick.  We live in an age when modern medicine performs miracles that ancient people could never imagine.  And yet, Christians still turn in prayer to God for help when faced with illness of any life threatening condition.  In our worship service on Sunday we always pray for our sick loved ones.

I read recently about research on the relationship between medicine and faith, prayer and healing, and spirituality and well-being.  Meanwhile even the medical profession admits that faith has an unexplained protective and healing effect.  Research shows that people who attend church tend to live longer, manage stress better, and lead a healthier life style.  They cope better with illness and are less likely to suffer depression..  After  surgery, they often recover faster  and need less medication.

I believe that our congregation, especially in our new church home, can become really a healing agent or healing  place.  The context of healing is faith; the content is hope, and the conduct is love.  In other  words, when we understand how Jesus treated people who were sick, we realize that   Jesus Christ is the church’s model for healing. 

A healing church is the bearer of the good news.  When Jesus  healed people, he revealed that those who were encountering him were encountering God.  But who is God?  Jesus Christ shows us that God is comforting passion and empowering love.  In Jesus, God comes to be with us in our struggles against any life threatening conditions.  In Jesus, God takes us by the hand, lifts us up, and sets up back on our feet.  In Jesus God offers up God’s own self to help us.

Because we are united with Jesus Christ, w also have the ability to practice the healing arts of love, faith and hope.  We can surround men and women who are suffering with caring, support and prayer.  We  become instrument of God’s healing and wholeness when we make Jesus’ ministry to our ministry.

Let us trust in the healing love and power of Jesus Christ.

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

 
The Building 5 Committee continues to review the latest cost estimates and details of the new structure at the corner of Polk and Bush Streets. If you have been following the saga of several area building projects, you will know that many building materials are now much more costly than just a year or two ago. For that reason, the Building 5 Committee is carefully reviewing the various cost elements of the building construction. The building has been “value engineered” and adjustments to save money in areas such as tile flooring, building framing and basement depth have been made. Our architect is also using standard sized windows and doors to keep the cost of doing “custom work” to a minimum.

To keep within our budget and ensure some reserve for the building fund, a few major changes are in progress:

• The basement of the building will be built, but will be “unfinished” as a task for future congregations to finance and pursue.
• Some interior elements will be paid for by a Special Enhancements Fund. The Building 5 Committee is asking for donations to help complete the work.

Other recent Building 5 items:

• To finalize the signage and exterior treatments of the building. 
• To refine the floor plans, especially in the chapel and office areas.
• To discuss the next steps with our representative, as he coordinates with Ron Case Architects and Herrero Construction.

  For the next few months, the architect will be preparing detailed construction drawings to be submitted for permit approvals. If all goes as expected, a “ground breaking/demolition” will occur in the summer of 2005, with the opening targeted in the  summer or fall of 2006.

ENHANCEMENT FUND DETAILS:

$100,000: for building finishing. These enhancements include wood wainscoting and flooring in the sanctuary, narthex elements such as a paneled ceiling and fountain, and bathroom tiling;

$100,000: new furniture and organ upgrades. Items include seating for a total 250 (sanctuary, chapel and fellowship hall), tables for the Fellowship Hall, terrace/patio furniture, and other sanctuary, chapel and office furniture.

If we are successful, we will try to raise another $250,000  to complete the basement rooms. Items include bathrooms, flooring, walls to media room and offices.

If you are interested in contributing a gift to the Enhancement Fund, please contact us or simply write a check! We are more than happy to talk to you about what enhancements you wish to support. We can also discuss how much of a donation would be needed to “finish out” specific areas of the building, if you are considering a large donation to entirely sponsor that area

  Please contact Ken Tipton, Rev. Wilfried or me for questions or further information.

Joe Story
Building 5 Committee

Our construction activity will provide an opportunity, but we must be ready. Everyone has a part. Please let the Steering Committee know your thoughts.

QUOTA THANKS YOU
Quota International of Alameda-Oakland appreciates the generosity of members and friends of First Congregational Church and the Mission and Social Concern committee for the purchase of nine beautiful poinsettia plants for the Advent Season. After decorating the sanctuary, they were given to our homebound members for their enjoyment at home.

Quota International, Inc. is a world-wide organization serving the needs of hearing and speech individuals as well as disadvantaged woman and children.

Nancy McManus

(Apologies to Nancy for the lateness of this item. - editor)

There is work to be done on the new site - electrical, flooring, etc., before we can move in.  Please continue to use the current address until you receive word that the move is complete.

After the move, the new mailing address will be:

Because we will be in the same zip code as now, our phone number will remain the same (415 441-8901; fax:  415 441-8904).

FILING DEADLINE:  APRIL 15th

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

• April 6th:  Bridge :Point --  1601 19th Avenue 3:30 PM
  
• April 20th:  Eden Villa -- 2440 Geary Boulevard 3 PM     (Entrance on Wood Street)
• April 21st:  Coventry Park -- 1550 Sutter St. 11 AM
  

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

17th:  THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
           Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM  Wilfried Glabach Preaching
           Work Party -- 1302 Polk Street 12:30 PM

21st:   Coventry Park Service -- 1550 Sutter Street 3 PM

24th:  FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
           Worship -- 1302 Polk Street  11 AM  Wilfried Glabach Preaching

27th:  Administrative Professionals Day   (formerly Secretaries Day)