FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SAN FRANCISCO
The Columns  June 2004
First Congregational Church of San Francisco
Joy-Susan Karyl, Editor
Rev. Wilfried Glabach, Minister
Index to Sections from June Columns:

Moving On
First Congregational Church Happenings
Join Us in June
June Birthdays
June Calendar of Events

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MOVING ON
 
Friends,

For the past 9 months, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as the pastoral intern with you all at First Congregational Church of San Francisco.  One part of this community that I have most enjoyed is this paper, Columns- a public forum for raising questions of theology, for announcing events, and communicating with all of us.  This month, it again falls to me to write the ‘front page.’ Past articles have talked about the church seasons, or issues of faith, or the life of the church.  This month, I want to use this time to tell you a bit about my own journey as you have been a major part of it.

As many of you know, my home church in New York City, is a federated church- it is part of both the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).  Although I have been pursuing ordination in the UCC, I always have felt drawn to both.  I have decided in the last few weeks, that though I deeply love many parts of the UCC I will better be able to live out my call to ministry in the UUA.   I am committed to the Christian faith, but as I explore my own call I am finding that I am committed to being Christian in an environment that is open to a multitude of faith traditions, which my discernment has shown me I can better live out within the UUA. 

The decision has not been easy.  I came to FCCSF with a strong love for the UCC, and my time with you all has only deepened that love, as I have been able to be part of a year in the life of a congregation that represents to me the best of the UCC. Yet I feel the UUA is where God is calling me to work with those people who are drawn to the message of Jesus that informs my life, but in a post-modern multi-faith setting, such as exists within the UUA.

While I am moving into another denomination, I am excited to be able to continue to work with you all throughout the summer in my role as pastoral intern.  Recently, I was having a conversation during coffee hour with two of you about the new advertisement that the UCC has produced, and the conversation turned to the independence each congregation has from the denomination.  I was pleased to be reminded of that independence as I separate myself from the UCC while continuing to work with FCCSF.

My time with you all is drawing to an end, but I am looking forward to the summer.  Building on the success of the Lenten services, and the many people who expressed interest in the open discussion we held during those services, during the summer I will be running a monthly evening service of worship and discussion. I'm also looking forward to preaching a number of times at our morning service, and assisting in other ways.  I am also open to new ideas, so if anyone has suggestions of projects I can take on for the church during the summer, please let me know!  You all have been an important leg of my journey to minister, one I will always treasure. I only hope I have touched some of you in the same way, and that we have, and can continue through the summer to grow in faith together.

Peace and Blessings to you all,

           Matthew
           Matthew Davis Fox

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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL PARISH HAPPENINGS
CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR RUTH
Ruth Hoy is home from the rehab center and greatly appreciates all the cards and phone calls she received while there.  She is now under hospice care, is off all medications and can eat whatever she wishes to try to gain some weight and do as much and whatever she desires. Ruth would appreciate telephone calls and cards, if you wish. 
 Ruth is the longest standing member of our church; she joined FCC in October, 1949.   Prayers, please for Ruth, Paul, Carolyn and the family during this difficult time. 

BRAD'S NEW HOURS
 Office Assistant Brad Peterson's office hours for the summer are:
 Monday and Tuesday:  9 AM to 5 PM and Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM.  Call Brad at the office if you have any questions:  (415) 441-8901, or e-mail:  office@sanfranciscoucc.org

GAY PRIDE PARADE SAFETY TRAINING
FlagAll vehicles in the Pride Parade must have monitors at each wheel.  We will have a vehicle this year.  If you can be a monitor, please attend training on Wednesday evening, June 23rd from 7 to 10 PM in the auditorium of the Urban Life Center.   For further information, contact Ken Tipton.

For more information, contact SFPride  at:  (415)  864-3733; e-mail: info@sfpride.org or http:\\www.sfpride.org
 

CONGRATULATIONS!
 The Rev. Wilfried Glabach celebrates the 20th Jubilee of his ordination.  He was ordained on June 3rd, 1984 … Office Administrator Brad Peterson's proposal for his doctoral dissertation was accepted with NO revisions … on Tuesday, June 22nd, Joy-Susan Karyl celebrates the 10th anniversary of her diagnosis of terminal cancer. 

MINISTRY TO SENIORS EXPANDS
The Rev. Wilfried Glabach has expanded his ministry to the elderly to include two new facilities, Coventry Park and Bridge Point Assisted Living. 

Schedule of services for June:
     June 2nd:    Coventry Park  - 11 AM at 1550 Sutter Street
     June 16th:    Bridge Point  - 3:30 PM at 1601 19th Avenue
     June 23rd:    Eden Villa - 1:30 PM at 2750 Geary Boulevard

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

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE
Council members should submit Annual Reports to Office Administrator Brad Peterson by Friday, June 4th.
 

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JOIN US IN JUNE
ANNUAL MEETING


  Sunday, June 16th

12:30 PM POTLUCK
1:00 PM MEETING



Urban Life Center Auditorium

We will approve the new budget and elect an interim slate of officers.  Our architect, Ron Case of  Ron Case Architects will show preliminary plans for the new church.

 Nancy McManus, 
Moderator
 moderator@sanfranciscoucc.org 

BUILDING 5 COMMITTEE MEETS
 The Building 5 Committee will meet on Thursday, June 10th.   Gather at 7 PM at the office of architect Ron Case at 1033 Polk Street at Geary.   Contact Ken Tipton for questions or further information. 

IT'S A BUSY DAY
Sunday, June 13th is very busy indeed with three events:

Come and meet Ulrich
On Sundays, June 13th and 20th, the Rev. Ulrich Holste-Helmer will speak to us about his congregation and church life in Essen, Germany.  This is a good opportunity to learn more about our intern.
 Meet from 10 -10:45 a.m. in Wilfried's office.

Council
Council will meet at 12:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room.  This is the last Council meeting before the Annual Meeting.

Rainbow Fellowship
Rainbow Fellowship will finalize plans for the Pride Parade, which will be held on Sunday, June 27th.  Meet at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.  Bring a pot luck dish to share. Contact Wilfried, Joe or Ken for further information.

EVENING WORSHIP SERVICES
Beginning Sunday, June 20th, we will hold an evening worship service at Polk Street on the third Sunday evening of June, July and August. The service will begin at 7 PM., and will be similar to the Lent services- we will have music, prayer, a reading, and a short homily by Matthew Davis Fox, followed by a period of open discussion.  We will focus on some of the ‘difficult’ passages- parts of the bible that are often ignored because they challenge us or make us uncomfortable.  I hope you will join us for community, discussion, fellowship, music, and worship.

WORSHIP AT POLK STREET
Join us for worship at 1302 Polk Street on Sunday, June 27th at 11 a.m.  Afterwards, join the Rev. Wilfried Glabach and Rainbow Fellowship to march in the Pride Parade. 

THURSDAY CIRCLE
 There will be NO Thursday Circle meeting in June.  The Circle will next meet on July 1st in the 3rd floor meeting room. 

 

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HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAYS!
June 9th: Ron D
June 15th: Kate B
June 25th:  UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

 
 
JUNE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2nd:    Service at Coventry Park -- 1550 Sutter Street 11 AM 

3rd - 6th:    Northern California Nevada Conference Annual Meeting -- Asilomar
       
4th:     Annual Reports DUE  

6th:  FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
          Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM Matthew Davis Fox Preaching

10th    Building 5 Committee--  1033 Polk 7 PM 
 
15th:  SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
          "God and the World" -- Pastor's Office 10-10:45 AM
          Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM Wilfried Glabach Preaching
          Church Council -- Urban Life Center Fireside Room 12:30 PM
          Rainbow -  Urban Life Center Third Floor  6:30 PM

14th:    Lower Polk Neighbors - 3 PM
           Flag Day
  
15th:   Columns DEADLINE 
  
16th    Service at Bridge Point --  1601 19th Avenue 3:30 PM
 

20th: THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST/ANNUAL MEETING/FATHER'S DAY
          "God and the World" -- Pastor's Office 10-10:45 AM
          Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM Wilfried Glabach  Preaching
          Annual Meeting Potluck - Urban Life Center Auditorium 12:15 PM
          Annual Meeting - Urban Life Center Auditorium 12:45 PM
          Evening Service -- 7 PM Polk Street

21st:    Summer Solstice
  
23rd    Service at Eden Villa -- 2750 Geary Boulevard 1:30 PM
          Gay Pride Safety Training -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 7 to 10 PM 
                                                            
27th: FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST/PRIDE PARADE SUNDAY
          Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM Wilfried Glabach Preaching
          United in Spirit Parade Contingent -- Near Embarcadero 11:30 AM to 3 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:  June 11, 2004
 

Visitors since May 17, 1999
      

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