Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Here are Fran Smith’s notes for last Sunday.
Peter Story – opening worship
Gather at the River Conference
San Antonio, Texas August 2015
Peter Story opened his remarks by saying he hoped we would be moved tonight to continue the struggle so that righteousness and justice become seamless and invisible.
He said he wondered why the organizers of this event would invite someone at great cost, from a small country in Africa, about twice the size of Texas. (Laughter) to come all the way to speak to you.
He wondered if it was because the struggle of South Africans against the agony of apartheid, the degradations of thousands of people fleeing Syria, the longing of the Palestinians for their rightful home land, the cruelty of coyotes bringing migrants to the borders of the United States are all the same. This conference is about the fight for righteousness and justice
He stated that we are all persons of sacred worth. The struggles of the LGBT peoples are one and the same: whether it will be the power of pride and prejudice and exclusion, to have the last word, will fear and violence take away the right to joy and love. Or will compassion rule.
This conference is about the fight for righteousness and justice. Or will love and compassion rule. You have many stories to tell. This is a place of hope. When I look at you I see the future of the Methodist church
Will God look elsewhere for love and compassion.
If we choose the way of Jesus, it will not be easy. We will need hope. He made a plea for hope.
Many people have asked him if during the apartheid struggles were there any signs of hope. Yes, he said, he would take people to his small church where there were people of many colors all worshipping together in defiance of the laws of the land. As long as he could see people continuing to struggle for the separation of power and exclusiveness, he had hope.
He told the audience that as he looked out at them he could see the future of the United Methodist Church.
He sees a future of the UMC where none are excluded. He said he feels deeply that he would be with this group.
Our first allegiance is to the sovereign God and to the lamb. The bible tells us so. The Spirit brings us together. The Spirit breaks down barriers and overcomes our fears.
Today the Book of Discipline, the tall steepled churches, the bishops and the judicial council are blocking the way.
We must fling open the gates of our hearts and refuse to shut out the love and compassion.
We can break the banks of our fears so that the river of justice that we never knew existed will flow freely. We are the promise of the future that is before us.
But…and there are many buts…the River of life is always preceded by conflicts: by tribes, by different peoples, by languages.
During Apartheid many people died in South Africa. Today Apartheid is gone, but there is still struggle.
Some more still need to die. It is not God’s will but struggles will come.
Justice is not only hard to achieve, but it hard to sustain.
The River does not flow by accident. It comes because others struggle.
In Africa a loving couple in a pastor’s church wanted to be married. It was a same sex marriage. The pastor realized that the two people loved each other and she officiated at their wedding. There was pain for her. She served a 90 day suspension without pay.
Some of you have been a witness to God’s love for others. You have experienced pain…and will so again. You may ask if your witness was worth it.
You are not asked to be a judge of the witness of others …..you are asked to simply be a witness. That’s all you are required to do.
The President of the World Church Council came to South Africa. When he was asked how long the struggle for justice would continue he said it takes many strokes of the ax to fell a broad oak. You never know which struggle will be the stroke that fells the tree. Each one of you who makes a stand for justice is another stroke.
We the church must apologize for the hurts we have caused. At one time the church recognized it has been racist. I predict t that the church will someday seek forgiveness for those we have hurt.
The struggle against apartheid across Africa took many years. The struggle was prolonged because so many were silent. Small groups of black and white pastors rose to speak out because people were dying because so many were silent. When asked to speak, they whispered.
People in South Africa could be put in prison for speaking out. But what or who can a pastor be afraid of in America for speaking out. A Bishop? Could a Bishop water board him?
Many of us have pledged our lives to the church that we thought was for justice. Now we have come to realize that the church we loved has become an oppressor. How can we be silent? Right now the world needs us.
The spirit still has lessons to teach…we have lessons to learn. Now is one of the times we must hold out our hands and invite Jesus to become our life.
Holding out our hands for the blood and the wine is the most subversive act one can perform.
As we take the sacraments we pledge that the actions of Jesus will become our actions…..the sacrifice to become ours.
We must make the river of justice flow away our fears and become a life giving source.
We must become the church God wants us to be.
Here is a link to the video: Speed through the first part until you come to Peter’s story.
Joys and Concerns
Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery and anticipates further surgery later in the fall. Pat was at the concert Sunday night. She looks good and feels pretty good. She would love to come to church services but has some difficulty getting on top of some abdominal pain in the mornings.
Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.
Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for three young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington, Carolyn Thomas a Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.
Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support. Update: Hospice services continue. Pat says that Linda is not able to get out of bed and is sleeping most of the time. Lorraine, Linda’s mother, is home with attendant care and volunteers are bringing her over to see Linda to supplement Pat’s help. Pat is very grateful for the assistance.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy.
News
Pay/Pal is almost here! The Administrative Board has been thinking about modernizing our payment system especially for use at Junktique and the Art Auction. Matthew Foster did a trial run at the Art Auction and the system seems to be working. We are now getting a PayPal button for our website to make giving when you are away easier. Our donations always go down in the summer months when people are away on vacation. Our expenses remain the same. Keep it in mind. We will let you know when it has been added.
Pinole UMC is celebrating 125 Years of Blessedness with events throughout October. October 3 Walkathon; October 10 Concert; October 18 Worship Homecoming; October 30 Trunk or Treat. See attached flyer. 2000 San Pablo Ave., Pinole. Support our sister church if you can.
News from Camp Liberty in Iraq: Since July 13th the Iraqi government has stopped supplies from entering Camp Liberty. They have prevented supplies of food, fuel and septic tank trucks from entering the compound. The lack of fuel means that the generators can not function so there is no electricity, no sewage system, no air conditioners with the temperature reaching 120 degrees. The United States Committee for Camp Ashraf is asking our Secretary of State, John Kerry, to intervene as well as the United Nations. Please remember these people in your prayers and that actions are taken to reverse this situation. One man has died due to refusal to allow his treatment for cancer.
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery.
New Public Address System: Donations are coming in to support our new system. Donations are $45 for a whole piano key which you can color and sign and donations of any amount are welcome. Karen Merkle, who died early in June left a Memorial Donation of $500 to our church. The Memorial Committee has donated the money to our new sound system. Karen would be pleased since music was such a large part of her life. See the display of piano keys and further information at the desk in the back in Friendship Hall. We have met our goal! Pat Dornan has generously donated $1500 for our sound system. Our gratitude and sincere thanks to Pat for her donation.
Generosity
We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program.
Remember, if you have no will or trust, state laws will determine who will inherit your property at your death. State laws do not include your church or any other charity as a beneficiary.
Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.
Events
Today, Saturday, October 10: You are invited to a Korean Tea. There are two seatings: 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. We will have three people in authentic Korean dress. Come and enjoy yourselves and learn more about Korean culture and tradition and feast on authentic Korean foods. This should be a fun event for all ages. Bring your friends and children. $20 adults, $10 children. For reservations contact Doreen Leighton at 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@icloud.com. This is a fundraiser for the United Methodist Women to continue their good works in the church and community. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina Street, Point Richmond.
Sunday, October 11, Special Sunday, World Communion Sunday. On World Communion Sunday your giving helps to provide scholarships for national and international graduate students whom God has gifted to learn and to serve.
Sunday, October 11, 6 pm: The Hymn Society Presents,An evening of Singing with Jim & Jean Strathdee.
Internationally honored song writers, worship leaders and concert artists, their music offers hope and encouragement with songs of love, justice, and healing and for all the Earth. Free will offering, reception to follow. El Sobrante United Methodist Church, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.
