Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Michelle McGoon’s message from Sunday.
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As it turns out, no one at First UMC is particularly excited for the current political primaries, and more specifically of Sanders and Trump. Most of us agreed that either they would take us down a path of even more contention with Congress or would likely not do anything groundbreaking. Right now, these candidates only seem to be full of sound bite zingers that have invaded my paid-for cable TV. I have heard anecdotal reports from friends that if Sanders does not win, they will vote for Trump or vice versa. I often ask myself why such a large portion of the US feels this way.
I can only surmise that people feel their needs haven’t been addressed, that they haven’t been listened to. This seems to be the basis of a lot of interreligious discord. While in Houston for the last four years, I took up a Masters in Ethical Leadership at Claremont Lincoln University (CLU) with the specific goals of learning more about ethical theories, deepening my knowledge of when and how best to apply ethics, and how to break the interreligious conversation that seems to be broken.
While studying there (online), we learned about Z-patterns.1 Z-patterns are those conversations; you know, the ones we have with our spouses, our teenagers, our parents, that coworker. It begins with someone saying something that hits a button, which only causes us to parrot a response back, which makes them say something we’ve heard a thousand times, etc. The “shape” of the dialogue is this back-and-forth Z-pattern. We may be spending a lot of energy saying something, but realistically the conversation and its productive outcome have long been left in the dust.
I think about this in the religious context, and so in my dialogues on religion with some of my coworker friends, I’ve tried to abandon this. I’ve learned from my Algerian friend that Muslims love and respect God so much that they have come up with over 100 different names for him! From my Israeli Jewish friend, I’ve learned that she’s so fearful to step in a church because historically Jews were sent plagues and exiled whenever bowing down to idols of any kind. From my time studying Buddhism in Thailand (2007), I learned that things will surely die and wither if not given the opportunity for growth and change, that it is unhealthy to allow things to become stale. These paint a more holistic picture of the people I’m in community with, must learn how to respect, and yet still work with to accomplish progress. It’s far better place to start than at the assumptions and zingers level; no staleness here!
Reflecting on religions at CLU taught me that most religions have a few things in common: the Golden Rule as well as the belief to maximize the good we do and minimize the harm. (This includes John Wesley’s rules for Methodists!2) In thinking back to the Luke text, Jesus warns that unless we repent we are at risk to die in a gruesome way. And, as I recently learned, repenting doesn’t mean saying you’re sorry or feeling bad but rather changing your ways. Consider that heaven is a place on earth that we work to build together. If we don’t work towards love and building such a heaven, we are likely to fall into this ugly Z-pattern without progress being made. It seems like it’s already been happening in the political realm.
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“We have two ears and one mouth so that we might listen twice as much as we speak.” Epictetus, a Greek philosopher, AD 55-135
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Consider also the Platinum Rule: Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.
Consider “Michelle’s Rule”: Forgive yourself as you would forgive others.
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References:
1 “Parts Work: An Illustrated Guide…,” by Holmes and Holmes (2007). ISBN 0979889715
2 “General Rules of the Methodist Church.” http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/general-rules-of-the-methodist-church
Joys and Concerns
David Tung is still in Taiwan. His mother had broken her hip and they have made the decision to not have surgery because of other medical problems. David is visiting her every day at the nursing home. Keep them in your prayers. He will be home in a couple of weeks.
Betty Graham’s mother died quietly and at peace Wednesday evening, Feb. 17. Betty and family members were at her side. She had been declining in health over the past couple of years and Betty was there for her in loving support. There will be a memorial service later. If you would like to send cards to Betty: 1496 Palm Ave., Richmond, Ca 94805.
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, Update: Pat had her surgery and is doing well. She thanks everyone for their help with lifting and shopping.
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 still receiving chemo, then radiation. 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
Barbara Haley visited the new Family Justice Center in Richmond which provides services for abused women. The center has social workers, police and attorneys all present to assist the victims. The center often has to send mothers with children to a safe home or shelter and they like to give them a soft, cuddly toy to take with them. Missions would like to be able to take some new stuffed toys with the tag still on them, to donate to the center. If you would like to donate a stuffed toy, we will be collecting them on Easter Sunday.
Our friends at Saffron Strand wish to prepare and donate a lunch for our church family once a month in gratitude for the work Pastor Dan has been doing with them. They will be doing this the second Sunday of the month, beginning March 13.
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
Sunday, February 14 thru Sunday, March 13: Annual Heifer International collection of your pennies in memory of Helen Valentine. Hope you have been saving your change for this. Of course we take bills and checks as well. Heifer International provides animals, bees, trees and more to help those in need to start a business to improve their quality of life. Please donate generously.
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.
Sunday, March 6, Special Sunday Offering for One Great Hour of Sharing. The donations made on this special Sunday provide the money for the administrative work for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) so that all your contributions designated for specific programs can go to those programs 100%.
Thursday, March 10, 7 pm: Administrative Board Meeting in Friendship Hall. All interested persons are welcome.
Friday, March 11, 7:30 pm Point Richmond Acoustic presents John Reischman and The Jaybirds with Special guest Megan McLaughlin. This a top-flight bluegrass band. John Reischman has been described as one of the world’s undisputed masters of the mandolin. John, mandolin; Jim Nunally, guitar; Trisha Gagnon, bass; Nick Hornbuckle, banjo and Greg Spatz, fiddle. Megan McLaughlin, singer songwriter awarded by West Coast Songwriters best song in January 2016. Tickets $15 and more info at pointacoustic.org, $20 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Saturday, March 12, United Methodist Women’s Retreat. 8:30 am-3:45 pm the Napa Methodist Church. Open to all women. Retreat leader Rev. Holly Hillman, “Courage to Grow”. Please see brochure. Napa Methodist Church, 625 Randolph, Napa. Cost $18, includes continental breakfast and lunch.
Saturday,March 19, 7 pm, Vicki Zabarte and Dan Damon will present a concert of jazz standards. Vicki has sung in many community theater productions. Dan Damon is the pianist for the evening concert. Suggested donation $10. Proceeds to benefit Saffron Strand and their work with the homeless in our area. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Good Friday Services, 7:30 pm, March 25: Pinole United Methodist Church, 2000 San Pablo Ave., Pinole.
