On Sunday, July 4th, this nation will celebrate its 228th birthday.  There will be celebrations everywhere, barbecues, parades, and the day will end with tremendous displays of fireworks.  I have enjoyed all these Fourths of July since I've lived in this country.

Our national day of celebration, the birthday of our nation, is called "Independence Day."  We celebrate the nation's freedom from the yolk of Great Britain, and we understand freedom of the individual as basic and essential to our democratic foundation.

Independence Day is a great annual holiday, not only for the activities of this day, but surrounding this day for many is deep gratitude for living in a democratic nation.  We know that this country is not perfect, yet we also know that this country is a nation built on the ideals of human liberty, justice and the common good.

I come from a country where patriotism is seen with mixed feelings because patriotism was misused.  But I think that healthy patriotism is an important dimension of citizenship; it is an important vocation in the world.  In our citizenship we have the responsibility to defend human rights and work for freedom, justice, peace and environmental well-being.  We recognize the vital role of law to protect life, liberty and the welfare of all men and women.

Somewhere I read the comment, "… that patriotism is allowing others to love their nation as much as we love ours."  If this is true, perhaps now is the time to have a global interdependence day, including all countries and not just a national independence day.

For me, it is also important to think about the difference between patriotism and Christian faith.  Our faith is centered on Jesus Christ, the "sole Head" of our church, as the Constitution of the United Church of Christ says.  We are part of a church that teaches and tries to embody the teachings of Jesus Christ.  But we must not equate patriotism with our Christian faith.  In fact, in our witness to Jesus Christ there will be times when our brings us in conflict with decisions of the government.  Often churches have opposed decisions of our leaders.

So let us celebrate our national birthday.  Healthy patriotism is a good thing, but let us not forget that it is only God who redeems, sanctifies and brings  all creation to fulfillment in God's reign.

The following prayer may well capture this day:

"God of all nations, guide your people by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom.  Keep all nations under your care.  May we a nation be at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations on the earth.  Help us elect trustworthy leaders and contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare.  Give that our nation may give glory to your name through Jesus Christ.   Amen."

   Grace and peace,
 

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

 
We are in the process of rewriting our Constitution and by-laws for simplification by acknowledging our current membership base and the differences in the world in which we function as compared to the past.  The New Constitution Committee - Lucille Dean, the Rev. Wilfried Glabach, Moderator Nancy McManus, David Farmer and Herb Lilly - has been meeting on a bi-weekly basis and desires to have the first draft presented to the Council in August.  We then plan to send it to the Congregation for their 
input and a meeting of the members will be called in the fall. 

As soon as the new Constitution and by-laws are ratified by the membership, we plan to have the newly elected officers take office in the following month.  Please be aware there will be many changes that should be more compatible with our current lifestyle. 

Nancy McManus
   Moderator 
 

 
At the Spring Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 4th, the congregation voted to allow the current Council members to continue serving in their respective positions until the new Constitution is in place.  All but one of the members agreed to continue. Since we have been unable to fill the position of  Secretary since the death of  Janet Farmer last December,  a different volunteer will substitute each month until a new one is elected.

The Church Council which will stand until the new Constitution takes effect is:

• Moderator:     Nancy McManus
• Vice-Moderator:    Joy-Susan Karyl
• Treasurer:     Joe Story
• Secretary:     Volunteer of the month
• Registrar:     Ed Steiner
• Finance Chair:    Bob Huber 
• Personnel Chair:    David Farmer 
• Property Chair:    Lucille Dean
• Worship Chair:    Ken Tipton
• Membership Chair:    Merton Crane
• Mission and Social Concerns Chair:     Ron Domin
• Education Chair:     vacant 
• Member-at-Large:    Marilyn Carlson 

Thanks to outgoing Membership Chair Kate Twisselman for a great job organizing so many church functions.   Merton Crane was elected to take over those responsibilities.

Thanks also to all those who have agreed to continue serving, especially to Moderator Nancy McManus.

 

A faith–filled weekend by the ocean is an event I look forward to each year.  This meeting was as wonderful as ever.  We experienced inspiring sermons from our UCC President, John Thomas; former Channel 5 newsman and UCC pastor, Art Cribbs and our own Conference Minister, Mary Susan Gast.  We also heard the Transcendence Choir, which sang at the last General Synod.  Our own Rev. Wilfried and visiting Intern Ulrich Holste-Helmer performed and led us in singing German songs at the Talent/No Talent Show.

We were blessed with the beauty of God's diverse family and the many different groups who participated in all aspects of the meeting.  We truly have a great faith family here in Northern California/Nevada, and I encourage others to consider experiencing Asilomar next year.

   Ken Tipton, 
    Delegate

 
For me, it was my third meeting at Asilomar.  It is a wonderful experience to meet other pastors and congregations from other UCC churches here in our conference.  I am always impressed by the diversity of our denomination, by the different worship styles, the different topics in our workshops and the way we discuss church business.  Our Annual Meeting is a wonderful opportunity to come together as the wider church family.

Rev. Wilfried Glabach,
Pastor

The Rev. Wilfried Glabach will participate in the AIDS Walk.  Contact him if you would like to walk with him, or sponsor walkers if  you cannot walk yourself. 

I will be handling AIDS Walk donations, and will make announcements before each service.  Please submit your donations by Sunday, July 11th, a week before the event.

Please give generously in the spirit of our church's commitment to helping those in need.

    Ron Domin
    Chair, Mission and Social Concerns

To volunteer or for more information, call (415) 392-WALK.
 

NO POLK STREET FAIR
We have been advised by Stephen Cornell of the Polk District Merchants Association that there will be NO Polk Street fair this year.
However, there is usually a Pumpkin Festival at the end of October on Polk near Union Street.  We will explore participating in that event instead.

WILFRIED GOES TO SUMMER SCHOOL
The Rev. Wilfried Glabach is taking summer classes at San Francisco Theological Seminary until Friday, July 16th, which will enable him to complete his required courses for his Doctorate of Ministry degree.  This allows him to begin his doctoral thesis much sooner.

He will be at class Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, and will be in the office afternoons on those days and  all day Wednesday, unless on pastoral calls or conducting services at nursing homes.

Contact Wilfried for an appointment if you need to see him: (415) 441-8901 pr e-mail:  minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

CAN YOU HOST?
The student choir of the Ruhr-University in Bochum, Germany will be in San Francisco from August 27th to September 1st for  a concert performance.  The choir is looking for people who might be interested in providing housing for one of the singers for five nights.  The sleeping accommodations need not be fancy, but should be comfortable.
 Please contact Wilfried if you can be a host/hostess or for more for more information:  (415) 441-8901 or e-mail:   minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

You are invited to give your input, participate in discussion and ask questions.  Your input at this time is very important because we are nearing the final design phase.  We hope to also have a pre construction estimate of costs.

Please put this date on your calendar now.

             Nancy McManus,
              Moderator

"GOD AND THE WORLD"
 Wilfried invites you to “God and the World” faith chats in his office on Sundays July 4th and 11th from 10 to 10:45 AM in his office.  Contact Wilfried for more information.

BUIlDING 5 COMMITTEE
The Building 5 Committee has set a date for a meeting on Thursday, July 8th at 7 PM at St. Mark's, in case there is a need to meet before the Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, July 11th.  Contact Ken Tipton or Lucille Dean for confirmation.

WILFRIED HOSTS RAINBOW
Rainbow Fellowship will meet at the home of the Rev. Wilfried Glabach on Sunday, July 11th. Gather at 6:30 PM for a pot luck meal.  Contact Wilfried for the theme of the evening and directions to his home at (415) 441-8901 or e-mail:  minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

Contact Matthew or Wilfried for further information.

WE'RE 155!
Thursday, July 29th is the 155th anniversary of our church.  We will mark this occasion on Sunday, July 25th  with a birthday celebration.  Come and join the celebration and wish FCC  a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

SENIOR SERVICES FOR JULY
     July 20th:    Coventry Park:  1550 Sutter St. at 3:00 PM 
     July 21st:    Bridge Point: 1601 19th Ave. at 3:30 PM
     July 28th:    Eden Villa:  2750 Geary Boulevard at 1:30 PM             .

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

WORSHIP AT POLK STREET
Join us for worship at 1302 Polk Street on Sunday, July 25th at 11 AM. 
 

4th:  FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST/INDEPENDENCE DAY
         "God and the World" -- Pastor's Office 10-10:45 AM
         Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM 
              Wilfried Glabach Preaching

5th:   Independence Day Holiday -- Office Closed
      
8th:  Building 5 Committee Meeting -- 7 PM St. Mark's
  
11th:  SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
          Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM 
            Wilfried Glabach Preaching
          Special Congregational Meeting on Building Design -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 12:30  PM
          Tentative Council Meeting -- Urban Life Center Auditorium (following Special Meeting)
          Rainbow Fellowship -- Wilfried G Home  6:30 PM

12th:   Lower Polk Neighbors -- 3 PM

15th:   Columns DEADLINE 

18th: SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
          Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM 
              Matthew Davis Fox Preaching
          AIDS Walk San Francisco 2004
          Evening Service -- 1302 Polk Street 7 PM

20th:   Service at Coventry Park:  1550 Sutter St. at 3:00 PM 

21st:   Service at Bridge Point: 1601 19th Ave. at 3:30 PM

25th: EIGHTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST
          Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM 
              Wilfried Glabach Preaching
          Church Birthday Reception

28th   Service at Eden Villa:  2750 Geary Boulevard at 1:30 PM