MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF PIONEER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST SEPTEMBER 2017 – VOLUME 17 ISSUE 9 PIONEER POST Rev. Phil Konz Forming Faith Letter from the Pastor On Wednesday nights starting September 6th, I invite you to join me at Pioneer Church to engage in faith formation. I am quite deliberately calling it faith formation, not Bible study. I am amazed at how much ideas about faith have changed since early Christianity. For so many Christians faith has become a set of propositions that one should accept. Believing a proposition even when it defies logic is deemed to be a greater faith. But those propositions change. There will always bemysteries – things we know are true even when we cannot explain them and they seem to defy logical explanation. Nevertheless, accepting mysteries is not the same as mandating the acceptance of mysteries that are made up, which should not be a requirement. In my way of thinking, faith includes two parts: trust and vision. When we say we have faith in someone, we are saying that we trust them to be able to do something. When we talk about faith in God, it needs to be trusting that God is love. Some may also trust that God is a fierce judge, but that is not the faith in God that I have. Faith also needs to include a vision of what could be, especially concerning what human relationships could be. Historically, this vision in Christianity has changed. At one time the future vision involved casting off the oppressive yoke of the Roman Empire. At other times, it involved preserving the divine right of kings as long as those kings were good Christian kings. This vision tragically supported the ideas of absolute authority of clergy, racial (European) superiority, male dominance and absolute conformation to gender roles. None of these visions are acceptable for me. The basic question shaping my faith formation is this: If unconditional love is real, what would the world look like if we could all live into that reality? As human beings, we will not agree totally on what that looks like, norwill we be able to live into it perfectly, but clarifying the vision will help us to make a better future together. Pastor Phil` 1
Transcript
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF PIONEER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
SEPTEMBER 2017 – VOLUME 17 ISSUE 9
PIONEER POST
Rev. Phil Konz
Forming FaithLetter from the Pastor
On Wednesday nights starting September 6th, I invite you to join me at Pioneer
Church to engage in faith formation. I am quite deliberately calling it faith
formation, not Bible study.
I am amazed at how much ideas about faith have changed since early Christianity. For so manyChristians faith has become a set of propositions that one should accept. Believing a proposition evenwhen it defies logic is deemed to be a greater faith. But those propositions change.
There will always be mysteries – things we know are true even when we cannot explain them and theyseem to defy logical explanation. Nevertheless, accepting mysteries is not the same as mandating theacceptance of mysteries that are made up, which should not be a requirement.
In my way of thinking, faith includes two parts: trust and vision. When we say we have faith insomeone, we are saying that we trust them to be able to do something. When we talk about faith inGod, it needs to be trusting that God is love. Some may also trust that God is a fierce judge, but that isnot the faith in God that I have.
Faith also needs to include a vision of what could be, especially concerning what human relationshipscould be. Historically, this vision in Christianity has changed. At one time the future vision involvedcasting off the oppressive yoke of the Roman Empire. At other times, it involved preserving the divineright of kings as long as those kings were good Christian kings. This vision tragically supported theideas of absolute authority of clergy, racial (European) superiority, male dominance and absoluteconformation to gender roles. None of these visions are acceptable for me.
The basic question shaping my faith formation is this: If unconditional love is real, what would the worldlook like if we could all live into that reality? As human beings, we will not agree totally on what thatlooks like, nor will we be able to live into it perfectly, but clarifying the vision will help us to make a betterfuture together.
Pastor Phil`
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Letter from the Pastor........ 1In the Know....................... 2Performances at Pioneer.. 5Our Community….............. 6Get Involved..................... 9Be the Change..................10Feed Your Spirit............... 11Keeping You Posted.........13Who We Are.................... 14
What does it mean to be a Pioneer?Sep 9 - Performances at Pioneer – Beethoven and FriendsSep 10 - Picnic Committee meetingSep 13 - Faith Formation Studies –
What does it mean to be Congregational?Sep 13 - Choir rehearsalSep 15 - SafegroundSep 16 - Men’s BreakfastSep 17 - Council MeetingSep 17 - SCCA Concert – Jennifer Reason and FriendsSep 20 - Faith Formation Studies –
What does it mean to be UCC?Sep 24 - Annual Pioneer Church PicnicSep 26 - Book ClubSep 27 - Faith Formation Studies
THIS MONTH’S EVENTS
WHAT’S INSIDE...WHAT’S INSIDE
IN THE KNOW – NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
An Epic Storm Needs an Epic ResponseSupport the UCC’s response for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey
Reports of compassion and courage continue to rise out of Texas in
response to Hurricane Harvey. Recovery efforts are expected to
continue for years to support the communities that have been left
devastated by historic flooding.
The United Church of Christ encourages us to give generously to
support Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts at
We continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and
those who respond in the aftermath. Sign up to receive
information on how to register for long-term recovery at
http://www.ucc.org/hurricane_harvey_sign_up.
https://transactions.ucc.org/CampaignForm/UCChrist/Hurricane+Harvey+relief. You are invited to walk
with families in this holistic recovery effort through your generous contributions. Donations and clean
Commemorative and memorial personalized historic bricks will be installed to surround our World Peace Pole. Bricks can be personalized to honor your special occasions: weddings, graduations, memorials, births, special birthdays, milestones, christenings, anniversaries and reunions. Or you may dedicate bricks to your special loved ones. Every brick will remain visible for generations to come.
Thank you for contributing your special memory to our to our World Peace Garden! Brick donations are tax-deductible.
Please go to pioneerucc.org for more information. Contact Elizabeth Kordahl at [email protected] or 601-870- 8975 with any questions.
Pioneer Congregational Church is creating a Commemorative World Peace Garden. In its center is our World Peace Pole proclaiming, “May Peace Prevail On Earth.” Eight languages—Spanish, Japanese, Hebrew, Miwok, Arabic, Hindu, Russian, English and English in braille are on the four-sided World Peace Pole.
As outreach to our community, our World Peace Pole symbolizes the oneness of humanity and our common wish for a world at peace. It reminds us to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony. Today over 200,000 Peace Poles exist in over 191 countries.
Flower SponsorshipSign up to sponsor a beautiful flower arrangement at the events table in Fellowship Hall. If you have
already signed up and would like to dedicate or give flowers in honor of someone, please email the
office at [email protected] at least one week before your scheduled Sunday, so that this
information can be placed in the bulletin. Bouquets are $45 and are yours to take home following the
service.
This month’s flower sponsors:
Sep 3 Trisha Wallace in memory of my dad Ned Russell
Sep 10 Jim Jordan in honor of my daughter Jamie Jordan’s birthday
Sep 17 Claire Chase in honor of our daughter’s birthday
Sep 24 Stephen Schulman in honor of Bruce’s birthday
New Brochure Offers Community Involvementwhile telling the story of Pioneer Church UCC
Everyone is encouraged to pass out the new brochure describing our community project to your family, friends, and neighbors. Like our labyrinth, this Commemorative World Peace Garden is open to the public. Brochures are in the church office.
IN THE KNOW – NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Plans to enhance our beautiful church are beginning!
An architectural landscape plan has been prepared by Quadriga Landscaping and Planning. They have done restoration work for the Governor's Mansion State Historic Park, as well as the Stanford Mansion State Historic Park on N Street; and the California Mexican American Veterans Memorial on 10th Street across from the Capital. They have offices in Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Rosa.
Gone are the cob webs and stained window frames! Full Steam Pressure Washing has power washed the entire church and its looks stunning.
The labyrinth and the concrete surrounding it have been painted. The new paint looks fresh and offers contrast between the concrete ground and the wall. The labyrinth is inviting for everyone to use. Thanks to Michael Dunlavey for his artist recommendations. Thanks to Richardson Concrete Effects for their expertise.
Sprinkler System
Competitive bids for the sprinkler system have been received and work should
begin soon. After that, the architectural landscape plan by Quadriga Landscaping
and Planning can begin to be put into action.
The permit for the church’s monument signage is still awaiting approval by the
City of Sacramento.
Their plan for Pioneer begins with a proposed irrigation system, and we are currently asking for bids. The system and plants will be water-wise and easy to care for. The Commemorative Peace Garden will be defined by two Irish Yew. Petite Delight Fringe will be the backdrop along the Fellowship Hall wall. Dwarf blue bells, Eulalia Grass, Meililand Rose and Iceberg Rose will grace the peaceful space around the garden. The complete landscape plan is displayed weekly in Fellowship Hall after the Sunday service.
Gary Ogle is painting in the upstairs rooms and supervising the continued restoration of our water damage by DeChristina Construction. Thanks Gary!
Signage
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PERFORMANCES AT PIONEER
Mark your calendar today for these upcoming performances at Pioneer!
PERFORMANCES AT PIONEER
Sat Sept 9 at 7pm– Beethoven and Friends, Chamber Ensemble – A group of friends who enjoy performing great music together. Their ensemble name honors a favorite composer, whose music is generally featured in their performances. The group’s music not limited to a single era, country, or style, believing that good music is timeless and not confined by the lines on a map. Members of the ensemble include Linda Baron, piano and soloist; Lorraine Crozier, violin; Ed Lowry, clarinet; and JoAnn Ross, cello. Free Concert.
Sat Oct 14 at 7pm – Bill Damian and Friends, Harp – Our own Bill Damian will present a concert of Harp music sure to please! Watch for more details. Free Concert.
Sat Oct 28 at 8pm - SPOOKTACULAR Silent Film & Organ – Jim Jordan at the Pioneer Hybrid Pipe/Digital Organ, Free Concert.
Sat Nov 11 at 7pm – Jason Sia, Concert Pianist – Mr. Sia’s repertoire as a solo performer and a concerto soloist spans the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and the 20th century. Free Concert.
Sat Dec 2 at 7pm – Songs of the Season – Pioneer’s Sixth Annual Holiday Extravaganza! Tickets go on sale November 1, 2017.
OUR COMMUNITY – MEMBER SHARING & ACTIVITIES
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Mark Your Calendar for Our Annual Picnic
Have good news to share? Send it to [email protected] today and help us illuminate blessings in our community.
See you there on Sunday, September 24th! Ok to bring a friend!
Plan to attend our Annual Pioneer Church picnic behind Sutter’s Fort in the shade of the trees along 28th Street after church service ends.
Where: Across L Street, behind Sutter’s Fort in the shade.
Date: Sunday, September 24, 2017Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Games for children of all ages will be provided by Betsy Wilson. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be grilled and cold water will be provided. Bring your own chairs and blankets – there will be no picnic tables.
Bring munchies, a side dish, salad or dessert and any beverage you prefer. Or, just bring yourself!
Please sign-up on the sheet in Fellowship Hall to let us know you’re coming. See you there!
Contact Vi McNally with any questions at 896-7766.
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OUR COMMUNITY – MEMBER SHARING & ACTIVITIESOUR COMMUNITY – MEMBER SHARING & ACTIVITIES
Book ClubJoin us Tue. Sept 26th at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall for a potluck and to discuss two books. We don't require that you have read the books before coming to our meetings. You will get a good synopsis at the meeting and lots of laughs to go with it!
The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person can Create Extraordinary Change by Adam Braun (288 pgs)
The riveting New York Times bestseller about a young man who built more than 250 schools around the world—and the steps anyone can take to lead a successful and significant life.
Adam Braun was sprinting down the path to a successful Wall Street career. But while traveling he met a young boy begging on the streets of India, who after being asked what he wanted most in the world, simply answered, “A pencil.” This small request led to a staggering series of events that took Braun backpacking through dozens of countries before eventually leaving a prestigious job to found Pencils of Promise, the organization he started with just $25 that has since built more than 250 schools around the world.
The Promise of a Pencil chronicles Braun’s journey to find his calling, driven by inspiring stories and shareable insights that are tools for your own life story.
Next month will be Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig on October 17 at 7:00pm. Feel free to email Claire with any book club questions at: [email protected].
North Dakota, late summer, 1999. Landreaux Iron stalks a deer along the edge of the property bordering his own. He shoots with easy confidence—but when the buck springs away, Landreaux staggers closer, and realizes he has killed his neighbor’s five-year-old son, Dusty Ravich.
The youngest child of his friend and neighbor, Peter Ravich, Dusty was best friends with Landreaux’s five-year-old son, LaRose. The two families have always been close, sharing food, clothing, and rides into town; their children played together despite going to different schools; and Landreaux’s wife, Emmaline, is half sister to Dusty’s mother, Nola. Horrified at what he’s done, the recovered alcoholic turns to an Ojibwe tribe tradition—the sweat lodge—for guidance, and finds a way forward.
Inspiring and affecting, LaRose is a powerful exploration of loss, justice, and the reparation of the human heart.
LaRose by Louise Erdrich (400 pgs)
In this literary masterwork, bestselling author Louise Erdrich wields her breathtaking narrative magic in an emotionally haunting contemporary tale of a tragic accident, a demand for justice, and a profound act of atonement with ancient roots in Native American culture.
Thanks to Robyn T. for suggesting this book
Thanks to Georgia B.
for suggesting this book
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OUR COMMUNITY – MEMBER SHARING & ACTIVITIESOUR COMMUNITY – MEMBER SHARING & ACTIVITIES
Join Us for Breakfast See you there! Ok to bring a friend!
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for Fellowship Hour. Fellowship Hour host opportunities are filled up through October and we looking for volunteers for November, December and January!
Fellowship hour is an important part of Pioneer’s ministry. It is a way to reach out to visitors looking for a welcoming community of faith. It is a wonderful opportunity to create or strengthen friendships. Thank you so much for helping with this ministry! Sign up sheets are found in the fellowship hall on the events table for all Spiritual Life volunteer opportunities.
Next will be the Hanging of the Greens, and the Take down of the Greens! We still need chairpersons. For information, contact Vi McNally at [email protected] or 916-896-7766.
For more information, please contact Vi McNally at [email protected] or 916-896-7766.
Vi McNally
BE THE CHANGE – OUTREACH
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Help Those in NeedYou can help by donating the following:
• “A Can a Week” for River City Food Bank• Toiletries and flip-flops for WIND• Assorted monthly items for Safe Ground Pilgrimage *
In 2017, we will collect different items each month for Socks for Safe Ground. The item(s) requested will be printed in the weekly bulletin and here in the Pioneer Post. Please place your donations in the designated basket in the front of the Sanctuary.
Safe Ground Monthly ItemsSEPTEMBER – Playing cards, small notepads & pens, travel size lotionOCTOBER – Individual-sized packages of hard candies, peanuts, trail mix, granola bars & gumNOVEMBER & DECEMBER – Will be catch-up months for needed items – donations will be counted monthly in order to make sure we have 75 of each item.
Socks for Safe GroundAbout 10 years ago, Pioneer started the Christmas Project “Socks for Safe Ground.” This was part of the Safe Ground organization, now called The Pilgrimage. Homeless participants of The Pilgrimage move from church to church to spend the night, have dinner and breakfast. Pioneer hosts The Pilgrimage once a month and volunteers are welcome! (See Greg de Giere or Pastor Phil for details).
Items for the Socks for Safe Ground project are collected weekly and placed in the basket at the front of the Sanctuary. Items are counted monthly in order to help us reach our goal of 75 for each item. This year we hope to be able to give each participant two pairs of socks!
Thank you all for your contributions! We have reached our goal of collecting 150 pairs of socks, as well as the needed Kleenex! Please note the list below, as new items have been added. Your donations are much appreciated and will be added to the gift bags to be given out on December 15th to The Pilgrimage participants.
15075
6947
342521
106
628
415054
6569
150 Gender neutral adult size socks75 Small Kleenex packs
75 Travel size lotion bottles75 Hand sanitizer bottles
75 Deodorants75 Small notepads & pens
75 Playing card decks
Socks for Safe Ground ItemsHave Still Need
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Participation in the Prayer Chain is open to all. When a prayer requestis received, it is sent out by email. Those on the list are asked to prayfor the person or situation. The purpose is to be in prayer as soon aspossible. Nothing else is required.
You Are Not Alone – Join the Pioneer Prayer Chain
If you would like to participate in the Prayer Chain, or to request a prayer, contactcoordinator Betsy Wilson by email at: [email protected] or by telephone at (916) 393-1249 or the church office at (916) 443-3727.
Personal prayer time with a Pioneer Friend is also available immediately following theservice in our parlor.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12
Pioneer offers safety pins to the congregation during the worship service. If you follow social media, you may have seen that the safety pin has become a symbol of safe spaces for people who feel threatened by harassment or discrimination. We hope all who enter Pioneer know that our church is a safe place for all people.
FEED YOUR SPIRIT – INSPIRATION & GUIDANCE
Pioneer invites members to wear a safety pin as a gesture of silent reassurance that anyone experiencing fear or insecurity does not stand alone.
The pin also serves as a reminder to the person wearing it of their promise to offer support if somebody else is harassed, threatened or hurt.
Safety Pins Offered During Worship Service
FEED YOUR SPIRIT – INSPIRATION & GUIDANCE
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unrealistic on our part to expect any human being to fulfill all our expectations perfectly.
The second Bible verse that comes to mind is “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) This one reminds me that empires rise and fall, national governments come and go, but the lives of most ordinary people will go on from generation to generation. The quality of life may increase or decrease, but life will go on.
These verses help me take a deep breath and calm my mind and spirit. Then I can more rationally figure out what to do. In any relationship that can involve love or hate, trust or distrust, there needs to some rational decision making. Whether the relationship is personal, political or business, there will be a point where I decide what can be tolerated for the sake of some greater goal.
Jesus told his fellow Jews that Moses allowed divorce in the marital laws of the Torah because of hardness of heart. I understand hardness of heart to mean that someone refuses to change behavior that is destructive to the relationship. That refusal to change destructive behavior allows a break in what should be considered sacred.
This principle can be applied to other relationships. When we reach a point in the relationship with our leaders that we deem is intolerable and we realize that the common good is being destroyed, then we need to act. That is what Thomas Jefferson wrote about so eloquently in the Declaration of Independence.
In our society we have ways to address this point of intolerance. Divorces happen, clergy can be removed, and politicians and can be impeached. Just think, then act, using the processes available.
Do You Have Questions? Ask the Pastor!Every month, Pastor Phil will answer questions asked by the congregation
Pastor Phil: What comes to mind immediately is the Bible verse “Don’t put your trust in princes.” (Psalm 146:3) To me that verse reminds us that we are all human. Having wealth and power does not change that humanity which will never be perfect in the use of power or in wisdom. It is
KEEPING YOU POSTED – MESSAGES FROM THE COUNCIL
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Neighbors in Need Annual Offering, October 1, 2017From Elizabeth Kordahl and Bob McGrath, Stewardship Board Co-Chairs
The Neighbors in Need offering, which will take place on Sunday, October 1, 2017, supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Pioneer’s goal for this offering is $300.
Neighbors in Need is one of the United Church of Christ Special Mission Offerings (SMOs) that exist to allow congregations and individuals to meet people at points of critical need in their lives. Though many options exist for direct, individual support of these needs, the SMOs allow a common witness and make a collective positive impact. We believe these SMOs collectively serve to lift people closer to the abundance and wholeness to which Jesus Christ has called us to work together to bring about.
Two-thirds of the Neighbors in Need offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. Through ucc.org/justice, our national Justice and Witness Ministries office offers resources, news updates, and action alerts on a broad spectrum of justice issues. Working with members of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network (a network of thousands of UCC justice and peace advocates), Justice and Witness continues its strong policy advocacy work on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice.
Neighbors in Need also supports our American Indian neighbors in the UCC. One-third of the offering supports the UCC’s Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM). Historically, forebears of the UCC established churches and worked with Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, and Hocak in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and northern Nebraska. Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These churches and their pastors are supported by CAIM. CAIM is also an invaluable resource for more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other tribes and nations who are members of other UCC congregations in the U.S.
WHO WE ARE – ABOUT PIONEER
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There is a great diversity of beliefs held by
our members. We find that unity in Jesus
Christ and our differences add to the
richness and strength of our life together.
We are an open and affirming church that
proclaims the love of Jesus Christ, the
compassion that his love serves, and the
humanity his love seeks to embrace.
Join Us for 10AM Sunday Service - All are welcome!“No matter who, no matter what, no matter where you are on the journey of life, you’re welcome in this place.”
Please send any questions, comments, orupdates you have for the Pioneer Post [email protected]. If you aresubscribed, please remember to add thisaddress as an approved email so it doesn'tgo to your "spam" folder.
