Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Jean Reynolds’ Lay Leader Report for 2015
I am here to share the Lay Leaders Report: It truly is my love letter to you. It covers highlights of the church year from November 2014 to December 5, 2015. The truth is, we do not have enough time to hear all of the stories of the people, events, work, love, community spirit, music and worship that were meaningful to me. The Annual Conference is in more of a bean-counter role: as administrators, they measure how many members, how much money for missions, and how many new disciples. To me, it is about the ways we serve together, and the way our lives are transformed by working together, so I emphasize the people involved.
Connection
Richmond First United Methodist Church supported causes sponsored by the General Church and our Annual Conference.
-
We paid 100% of our Apportionments and Conference Askings
-
We observed all six United Methodist Special Sundays: Student Day, Native American Sunday, Peace with Justice, One Great Hour of Sharing, World Communion Day, and Human Relations Day.
-
We recommitted to support Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal, with funds and prayers.
-
We celebrated Good Friday with other UM’s in our local circuit.
-
Members of nearby UM congregations came to a sing-along Jazz concert led by Pastor Dan and Eileen Johnson.
-
We committed financial support for José Ramos’ new ministry for Spanish speakers in our area.
-
Our UMW unit sent school kits in beautiful bags handmade by Linda Woody-Wood to be distributed by UMCOR.
-
Pastor Dan Damon led a music-filled worship at the Patterson Federated Church in March.
-
Our United Methodist Women hosted “Call to Prayer” soup supper and program to mark the beginning of lent in February. Open Door UMC women led the program, and Easter Hill UMC women were our guests.
People
Five new members joined in September. They brought us a wealth of cultural richness with first languages of Russian, Korean, English and Taiwanese. We celebrate Rachel Herrin, Lara Choe, Steve Chen, Annie Ao, and Yulia Solovieva.
George Peter Tingley, composed and arranged several anthems for the choir. George sings bass in the choir, is an assistant director, and often writes or arranges a new piece to sing or hear. He and Pastor Dan provide critique and encouragement for each other. Our worship is enriched through their talent and the ripples of their creativity reach beyond our music laboratory.
We honored community sweethearts Kathe Kiehn and Heinz Lankford.
Retired Judge David Calfee, died in February. He supported our church long after moving from Richmond, and cherished his roots here.
At Lauren McLeod’s memorial in May, a colleague who never had any church connection exclaimed several times, “Oh, now I see! Church is about community!”
Eli Botchan’s memorial was in October. Eli was our sound engineer for a few events. As a long-term friend of Heather Damon, we felt he was family.
Linda Pereira died in October. Generations of children will long remember how she led the Easter egg hunt: Everyone had an opportunity to find eggs or to help hide them. She willingly scaled a ladder to decorate the lofty heights of the sanctuary as her wife, Pat Dornan, directed safely from below.
Projects
-
Elena Breen gave our labyrinth a makeover.
-
Emmett Zediker reclaimed his stately reed organ in October after we borrowed it for seventeen-years. Emmett retired to a spacious new home with high ceilings.
-
Susan Peters from the CA-NV Annual Conference Endowment Board supported our efforts to start an endowment. We elected a committee and await their recommended guidelines for an endowment to help sustain the future of our ministry of hope, music and action in this community.
-
Church Trustees oversaw numerous repairs and renovations.
-
Replaced the parsonage water heater before it quit.
-
Chris Davis, assisted by Bill Thompson and Jonathan Swett, remodeled the parsonage electrical system.
-
Chris grounded the parsonage electrical. He began work to ground the church. We should all start feeling more grounded.
-
LED spotlights were installed in the sanctuary.
-
Motion sensor lights were repaired on the parsonage back stairs.
-
Jonathan Swett and Hermán Alvarez replaced rotten flooring at the threshold of the study door.
-
A bedroom window was repaired in the parsonage.
We appreciate the dedication of our Trustees, and our increasingly sound infrastructure!
Collaboration
The Bake Sale in December, 2014, at the Point Richmond Community Center sold out an hour early. Plates of two-dozen cookies had no duplicate varieties! Pat Dornan wrapped baked treats in ribbon and cellophane with a festive flair. The United Methodist Women sold handmade items on the side: jewelry, paper sculptures, knitted and crocheted hats and scarves. Mid Dornan, Fran Smith, Barbara Haley, Doreen Leighton, Rachel Herrin, Betty Graham and others worked that day. Bakers loaded the tables with a delightful abundance.
Junktique, our annual yard sale, brings us together to recycle/ repurpose items in our community. We work together to provide low-cost goods to buyers and the profit helps fund our ministry. Forty volunteers worked the day of the sale, so you know it is a cause people believe in. Betty Graham, Bill Thompson, Jonathan Swett, and Fran Smith did a lion’s share of the before-sale work, and their insight, planning, and networking paid off. Julio Osegueda, David Tung, David Allred, and Heinz Lankford worked on the days before and during the sale. Barbara Haley, Mid Dornan, Debbie Benko and Linda Andrew-Marshall cashiered. Manuel Navidad, Jonathan Mason, and Michael Weeks, cadets from the Fairfield Public Safety Academy, marketed toys, children’s furniture and baskets. Yulia Solovieva, Terri Fewins-Pittman, Deby McFadyen. Kristi Johnson and Jenn Foster sold items upstairs. Alice Thompson, Sarah Pollutro, Diane Frary, Nick Pollutro, Gill Stanfield, and Sean Mefford sold books, electronics, and more from the basement. Karen Bianchini, Juanita Hoffman, Valerie Kleinfeld, and Stephanie Pearson sold kitchenware and linens on the sidewalk. Will Larson, Ryan Cline, David Allred, Sean Mefford, Jessy Mefford, Julio Osegueda, Matt Foster, Danny Matheson and Ryan Austin (two of Liam Thompson’s friends) sold furniture. In the kitchen, Doreen Leighton made minestrone. Vivian Sobarzo, Mim Drake, Rachel Herrin, and Jean Reynolds chopped. Russ Johnson crafted the chili. Mid Dornan, Pat Pearson, Jennifer Metz Foster, Doreen Leighton, Fran Smith, Diane Frary, and Jean Reynolds donated pies. Helen Wysham sliced them. Steve Shank and Scott McLean washed dishes. A steady stream of hungry shoppers literally relished David Valentine’s hot dogs of various size and content and shared laughter over the grill. Pastor Dan proclaimed it was the “Happiest Sale In History,” and volunteer-organizer Fran Smith and basement boss Betty Graham finally relaxed.
On Memorial Day we opened for the Masquers’ Community Yard Sale. Norm Reynolds had the griddle piping hot. Rachel Herrin, Barbara Haley, Matthew Foster, Scott McLean, David Reynolds, Julia Caadium and Jean Reynolds served “World’s Fair” pancakes made with real buttermilk. Debbie Benko, Alice Thompson, Russ Johnson, Kristi Johnson, Betty Graham, Jonathan Swett, Bill Thompson, Diane Frary, Fran Smith, Manuel Navidad, and Gill Stanfield helped shoppers hungry for bargains. Yulia Solovieva and Doreen Leighton were “Team Ladybug:” they sold succulents. Over pancakes, one customer crowed to acquire a rare golf club worth at least $100 for just four dollars in the basement: we were grateful for all the shoppers, donors, and volunteers who value the church’s presence in the community and support us so many ways.
UMW hosted Korean Tea on October 10. Lara Choe guided menu selection. Lara’s friends prepared and donated most of the food. Before the first seating, drummers from the Oakland Korean United Methodist Church entertained. Lara brought traditional Korean women’s dresses for some of the servers to wear, and sewed colorful aprons to protect them. Eileen Johnson wore her traditional Korean wedding gown. Eileen’s mother, Sun, wore her own beautiful traditional dress too. Most of the fare was savory rather than sweet, and all who came enjoyed sharing a style of tea that differed from previous ones.
At Vacation Bible School we learned ways to practice forgiveness. Children invited their friends to come. Bethany Reynolds led the program on the first day and added verve to the daily stories, art, games, and songs; Rachel Herrin helped plan the curriculum and brought oh-so-many hands-on activities. We caught Yulia Solovieva’s contagious passion for collage. Karen Bianchini witnessed boat-floating tests. We relied on Bill Thompson to listen, be fully present, and support us all as only he can. Pastor Dan jazzed up our daily singing. Nick Hayter and Norm Reynolds cooked a tasty lunch for forty on Friday (and cleaned up afterward!) Snack angels Jane Carnall, Mia Sassi, Shirley Butt and Jennifer Metz Foster provided our treats.
The Thanksgiving Feast connects volunteers, businesses, donors, and thankful members of the community for a delicious, warm, friendly sit-down meal. People stay longer to chat with people they only have just met over dinner. We served about 200 meals: more than 150 on site and 50 taken home to share. We are grateful for our business and non-profit partners: Santa Fe Market, Starbucks Coffee, Little Louie’s, Spot Liquors, Point Richmond Realty, Kaleidoscope, Awe Flowers, Hotel Mac, Feagley Realty, Saffron Strand and Beauty by Nature. Over fifty volunteers came together to decorate, prepare, serve, and clean up. We are thankful for organizing by Paul Garnett, Tinna Manansala, Fran Smith, and Kristi Johnson and for all of the small details they considered to make the meal such a blessing for all involved.
September we came together for the Jean Eakle Memorial Art Auction. Debbie Benko and Diane Frary masterminded it. Thanks to Matt Foster, we joined the 21st century by adding PayPal as a payment option at the Art Auction and we can now accept donations via PayPal on our website.
Worship
Easter worship started at 8:00 a.m. in the labyrinth garden but was rained inside. Breakfast at 9:00 was warm and satisfying. Following Sunday school, the Joyful Noise Choir sang “Ain’t No Grave” at the 11:00 service. Bill and Debbie Benko and Manuel Navidad hid eggs in the damp grass.
On Mothers Day, each mother got a chrysanthemum. We heard Diana Stork on harp. Diana performed with the Triskela Celtic Harp Trio and directed the Youth Harp Ensemble at a concert in the sanctuary later in May.
May 17 was “Tingley Day!” to celebrate the music and talent of George Peter Tingley. George played a dozen of his compositions on piano accompanied by Jennifer Metz Foster, cello; Molly Smith, flute; Wendy Reid, violin; and Raphael Gold, viola. George dedicated the music in memory of his mother Frances who passed away one year before.
Community
Communications
-
Barbara Haley emails a weekly update of news, action, activities, and a transcript of the Sunday sermon. She manages the church website listing current events and sermon transcripts. People use the PayPal button to make donations online.
-
Linda Andrew Marshall invites her wide circle of friends via email.
-
New people attended church events advertised on “Next Door” website.
-
Mid Dornan and Jean Reynolds share church history and news through the Point Richmond History Association newsletter, “This Point in Time.”
-
We use two sandwich board signs downtown to promote our activities.
Pat Dornan collected gift items and money from the congregation in 2014 to help make a merry Christmas for a needy family. Pat collected warm coats to donate to the GRIP coat give-away.
Tammara Plankers directed a Christmas Pageant in December 2014. Twelve children were angel singers: Alice Cropsey, Aubrey Herrera, Cecilia Butt, Ethan Cheng, Harlan Butt, Mia Sassi, Owen Cheng, Sadie Cosby, Skyler Rouse, Tyrah Weems, Zaynah Weems, and Zoe Thorp. Mia Thorp sang with the Joyful Noise Choir and shepherds. Masquers Theater actors played major roles and the Masquers loaned costumes.
Pastor Dan Damon delivered the invocation in the Richmond City Council Chambers when newly elected mayor Tom Butt and council members Jael Myrick, Jovanka Beckles, Eduardo Martinez, and Gayle McLaughlin were sworn into office in January.
Bill Thompson and the Sunday school children collected donations for Heifer International in February. The children chose animals worth $480 to send to families in need. Bill and Alice Thompson offer Sunday school and love to children at 10:00 AM every week. An adult class led by Pastor Dan meets even in the summer.
Doreen Leighton organized volunteers to prepare dinner at the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program Family Shelter, and they donated food for another dinner. We support GRIP as a member congregation and we vote at the Annual Meeting. We hope GRIP staff can schedule us to provide more meals.
In August, the United Methodist Women elected new officers at Mid Dornan’s Russian River cabin: President Doreen Leighton, Secretary Kristi Johnson, and Treasurer Barbara Haley. Our UMW supports mission projects and local community agencies like the Early Childhood Mental Health Program.
In November, people brought warm socks to worship. Helen Wysham delivered them to the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond.
Pastor Dan volunteers at Richmond non-profit Saffron Strand, Inc. Saffron Strand’s clients gain skills and confidence to launch them from joblessness to employment. Saffron Strand hosted a fund-raiser at the church.
We saw “The World Goes ’Round” at a Masquers’/Hotel Mac Dinner Theater. Besides being a fundraiser for the church, dinner theater a touch point for people we seldom see at other church events; it strengthens our connection to the local theater and supports restaurant personnel in the community.
We provide a meeting space and occasional rehearsal space for the Masquers, a weekly meeting site for Alcoholics Anonymous, and a meeting place for Women’s Westside Improvement Club.
Music
-
Christmas Eve Jazz: In 2014, the Dan Damon Quartet featured Dan Damon, piano; Kurt Ribak, bass; Bryan Bowman, drums; and Lincoln Adler, sax. Soloists included vocalists Dave Tattershall, Bethany Reynolds, Sheilani Alix, Gill Stanfield, Heather Damon, and Sara Pollutro. Heather Damon read a picture book: The Friendly Beasts. George Peter Tingley played his arrangement of Joy to the World as the congregational sang. Pastor Dan read from Luke. The Angel Choir sang the first verse to Silent Night.
-
Pamella and Bobby Hall added music to worship in February when they visited from Kissimmee (heavy on the kiss), Florida.
-
Fathers’ Day Jazz spotlighted Dan Damon, piano; Kurt Ribak, bass; Lincoln Adler, sax; Rob Hart, drums; and Sheilani Alix, vocals. Bethany Reynolds, Gill Stanfield, and Eileen Johnson soloed with the band, too.
-
This year Pastor Dan and Eileen Johnson reprised the jazz program for us they presented initially at the Hymn Society meeting in New Orleans: “Down By the Riverside.”
-
Dennis Johnson performed a classical piano recital attended by sixty people. He collected more than $1100 for “Spirit in Action” grants.
Violinist Mia Sassi and cellist Jennifer Metz Foster accompanied hymns on several “second Sundays.” Mia came to our church through Vacation Bible School, attends Sunday school and shares her gifts as a musician.
The Choir rehearses weekly and sings an anthem Sunday. During the summer, Linda Andrew-Marshall, Jennifer Metz-Foster, Alice Thompson, Gill Stanfield, George Peter Tingley, Linda Woody-Wood, Heather Damon and Pastor Dan enriched our worship with their musical gifts.
We host Point Richmond Jazz concerts monthly; Point Richmond Acoustic has made its home in our sanctuary.
Justice
-
Fran Smith shared stories from “Gather At the River” conference in San Antonio. Fran’s openness to share her experiences makes us more aware of human rights issues based on human sexuality.
-
Jean Reynolds attended the International Peoples Tribunal in Washington DC and shared stories in worship. Filipino witnesses testified to the abuses they suffer due to violent military and police actions and government-promoted economic injustice in the Philippines.
-
Members of our congregation supplied pre-cooked pasta for the “Movin’ for the Movement” Basketball Tournament and report back for the CA-NV Annual Conference Philippine Solidarity Task Force. Jean and Norm Reynolds made the spaghetti sauce, and planned the meal.
-
We continue to get updates on the status of people living in Camp Liberty in Iraq, and pray for their safety and quick relocation.
Joys and Concerns
Susan Wickesser, Doris Swope’s niece, has been cancer free for two years and living life to the fullest. She has just sent a message that new tumors have been found on her lungs. She has started chemotherapy. Please remember her in prayer for healing.
Our dear church friend, Pat King, is sending thanks for the warm wishes and prayers for her recovery. She will be having further surgery February 1st.
Kathe Kiehn is asking for healing prayers for her daughter, Karen Gagnier. Karen has survived breast cancer once and is now facing treatment for a new aggressive cancer in her other breast. Karen is currently undergoing a 5-6 week course of chemo and once that is completed she’ll have a second round with different drugs. She is trying to live her life as normally as possible and your prayers are welcome.
Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.
Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for two young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington and Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.
News
Pastor Dan will be away February 22-29 teaching music in Toronto.
Change of Address: Judy Buhlis, a member here for many years, has moved to an assisted living home, which she is enjoying. New address: 2850 Estates Ave., # 321, Pinole, CA 94564. Phone: 510 758 0555.Email is the same: famma@comcast.net.
Konevets Quartet, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 7:30 PM
Tickets will go on sale shortly for the Konevets Quartet who will be performing Tues, Feb. 16, 7:30 PM at the El Sobrante United Methodist Church
670 Appian Way, El Sobrante CA
(510) 223-0790
(510) 223-0790
Tickets are $15 each.
The Konevets Quartet was founded in 1992 by four young musicians from the St. Petersburg Conservatoire who were singing in the choir of the Konevets Monastery on the island of Konevets in Lake Ladoga. The members of the ensemble studied at the St. Petersburg Glinka Choir College. Trained in the tradition of Russian song, the Konevets Quartet is not just a group of individual soloists, but is in essence a chamber choir dedicated to creating a perfect harmonious ensemble sound.
We have a projected budget for 2016 of $114,344.20. This is an increase of about $3000 from last year’s budget. About 77% of our income is from the Sunday collections and 22% from fundraising.
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Update: Katherine will be here to speak with us on June 5, 6-9 pm.
The Blockade by Nepali dissidents near the Indian border is causing severe shortage of supplies, mainly fuel and medicines in Nepal. Many businesses have been shut down and hospitals will soon be running out of fuel to run their generators which means that surgeries and life saving incubators for babies will not be operational. The violence at the border has increased. Katherine is safe but electricity is dicey and life is harder. She is having to bathe in cold water and the team she is with are sharply curtailing driving. Hundreds of cars without fuel clog the streets of Katmandu. Winter is causing a crisis as is the loss of fuel for heating. Negotiations between the government and the dissidents is bogged down.
Generosity
Parsonage and Church Sewer Line: The parsonage sewer line, which is a shared line with the church sewer line, is leaking and needs replacement. It’s a long line that connects to the main sewer below the Catholic Church. Estimated cost is $7,100. We are also asking our congregation for donations to help fund this project. City of Richmond has a grant program for installing sewer laterals. We are in the process of applying for the grant. Grants may be given for $3000. Kim Butt is applying for us. Our thanks to Kim and Bill Thompson for the work they have done on this project.
We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program. The California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation has a planned giving website for your information. The site is: plannedgiving@canvumf.gift legacy.com. See what your options for giving are.
Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.
Events
Today, Saturday, February 6, 11 am: Memorial Service for Bob Cheyne, First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond; Reception to follow Paulding & Co., 1410 “D” 62nd Street, Emeryville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond, CA 94801.
Ash Wednesday Service, February 10: Open Door United Methodist Church at 7:30 pm. 6226 Arlington Blvd., Richmond.
Thursday, February 11, 7 pm, Ad Board Meeting in Friendship Hall. All interested parties are welcome.
Friday, February 12, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Acoustic presents Rita Hoskins. Rita has been described as a captivating performer. Her country-folk has been lauded for story and sense of place. A descendant of Cornish miners who sang in the mines, Rita grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice. Advance tickets $15 (point acoustic.org) $20 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. More info: pointacoustic.org.
Tuesday, February 16, 6 pm: Prayer and Self Denial Dinner. United Methodist Women from Open Door UMC, Easter Hill UMC and Richmond First United Methodist Church meet at the beginning of Lent. This year it is our turn to present the program. If you are interested in attending and reading at the gathering, please let Doreen Leighton know at 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com. Hosted by Easter Hill UMC, 3911 Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Plenty of parking in the back.
Saturday, February 20, Sweetheart Dinner. Russ and Kristi Johnson are our sweethearts for this year. Come and honor them for their years of dedicated service and love of our church and church community. Pt. San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 Cutting Blvd., Richmond, 6-9 pm. Tickets $50; make checks payable to Richmond First United Methodist Church and send to Fran Smith, 2149 Beaujolais Ct., Fairfield, CA 94533. Questions? contact Fran: junosmith @aol.com.
Sunday, February 21, 6 pm, San Francisco Munich Trio.
Friday, February 26, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Jazz presents “Five Play” and the PRJazz String Quartet. first United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. Tickets in advance $18 (prjazz.org) at door $25.
Veteran Bay Area jazz Quintet, Five Play with guitarist Tony Corman, pianist Laura Klein, Dave Tidal on reeds, Alan Hall drums and Paul Smith bass, will be joined by the newly formed PR Jazz String Quartet with Anthony Blea and Kit Eakle on violins, Emily Onderdonk, viola, and Lewis Patzner, ‘cello, in an evening of original music by members of the 2 groups, including Tony Corman, Kit Eakle, Laura Klein, and Emily Onderdonk.
Saturday, March 5, 9:30 am-4 pm, Journey Farthest Out Spring Retreat is being held at our church. This is a great way to strengthen our spiritual connections through meditation, singing, speaker, rhythms, creative expression & sharing. Free event. Contact Jean Reynolds if you would like to attend: 510 734-3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com. Light breakfast provided, bring a lunch. See attachment.
Good Friday Services, 7:30 pm, March 25: Pinole United Methodist Church, 2000 San Pablo Ave., Pinole.
