Table of contents Page

United Disciples Fellowship 2

I’ve Never Sung That…. 2

Adult Forums 2

Women’s Fellowship 3

Women of Faith 3

Missing!! 3

Easter Baskets 3

Spring Bake Sale 3

Rebuilding Together 4

Grant Application Message 4

Message from Rev. Lois 4

2015Spire Dates 4

In Our Thoughts & Prayers 4

Children’s Ministries 5

Acknowledgments….. 5

Youth Ministries 6

Porter Scholarship 6

Birthdays & Anniversaries 6

CareGivers 7

Council Highlights 7

Remembering Our Military 7

Calendar of Events 8

Rev. Tom’s Message 9

Labyrinth Journey 9

NCNC Letter 10

Volume XXXVI Number 3

First Congregational Church of San Jose, United Church of Christ

in Partnership with United Disciples Fellowship

EASTER FLOWERS An altar decorated with blooming flowers on Easter is a beautiful

way to celebrate worship on this day. You can help by providing a

flowering plant in honor or memory of a loved one. The order forms

will be in the Sunday bulletin. The deadline for ordering will be

Palm Sunday, March 29th. The cost is $15.00 a plant. You may take

your plant home with you after the 11:00 a.m. service or the Diacon-

ate Board will deliver the flowers to a shut-in.

The Spire - March - 2015

Stumbling Through Lent We will gather for a simple supper of soup and bread. We will share

a time of creative learning, as we design and create a prayer station

to be used during the following Sunday service. During Lent we will

continue construction of that week’s prayer station. We will also

have a helpful Lenten Devotional booklet that will be available. This

booklet follows the Psalms chosen for this

season as the worship scriptures, and offers

questions for contemplation as well as a

prayer appropriate for each week. We in-

vite you to enter this journey with us as we

Stumble Through Lent.

Wednesdays 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

STEWARDSHIP

It’s that time again…

Yes folks, the pledge season is here, but this year it’s new and improved! Welcome to

the Unified Pledge (1.0)! As you have heard, there will no longer be separate pledges for

Operating and Outreach. This is the first year that our pledges will be combined. As de-

termined by past percentages, a portion of the total pledge will go to the Outreach Board.

The pledge season will begin mid-March and run through early May.

Whatever you are pledging this current year (Outreach and Operating combined) is a

baseline from which we kindly ask you to consider an increase for the next fiscal year.

We hope you know how much your pledge and its fulfillment continually move gener-

ously through our church, enlivening people and programs, benefitting all of us who come

together to understand and live out the just and loving vision of

Jesus.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

In Service Together, Stewardship Committee

United Disciples Fellowship Saturday, March 7, 2015 – 6:00pm

Glory Land: Buffalo Soldiers

Book Review by Debbie Grijalva

Glory Land brings to life some important and excit-

ing history — that of the African-American "Buffalo

Soldiers" who were not only courageous campaign-

ers, but recently were rediscovered to have estab-

lished Yosemite National Park and served as the first

Park Rangers. This exciting novel by Ranger Shelton

Johnson is spellbinding. Come join us! Dessert will

be served.

When Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 6:00pm

Where Home of Jim and Debbie Grijalva

2071 Bello Ave., San Jose

(408.448.6454)

Page 2 Volume XXXVI Number 3

Upcoming Adult Forums

March 8: Jazz & Justice, Plymouth United Church

of Christ in Oakland calls itself The Jazz & Justice

Church. Why would a church give themselves that

tag line? What does jazz have to do with a faith

community beyond the music genre? And what

does jazz have to do with justice? These are some

of the questions we will explore during the Adult

Forum on Sunday, March 8th, 11:30 am, in the

Friendship Room. Rev. Lois Mueller will speak to

us about the church she pastored and their commit-

ment to jazz and justice. (You might even get to

hear some music.)

March 22: Learning From El Salvador. We will

watch a documentary produced by Bob Gliner,

Professor, San Jose State. This will be a follow-up

to Emily Cox's forum in January on El Salvador.

March 29: Rev. Tom will lead a forum on the

Cultural Aspects of the After-Life.

I’ve Never Sung That in Church

Before …

… so it must be bad! Yes, trying something different can

be a bit perilous for the leader. For every supportive com-

ment from someone who likes the change, we usually get

two unhappy ones (at first). We are using a bit of Taizé

during Lent, substituting the song “Within Our Darkest

Night” for the Organ Prayer Response.

The Taizé community is a monastic order in Bur-

gundy, France. Its roots are in the work begun by Brother

Roger to shelter war refugees and orphans of all faiths

beginning in 1940. It is made up of Catholic and Protes-

tant brothers who live simply, seeking to be witnesses to

peace and love throughout their communities. It has be-

come a place of pilgrimage for many who are seeking a

different expression of spirituality. Their worship services

are characterized by quiet, contemplative meditation,

prayer, silence and song. The music is integral to the ser-

vice. Texts for the songs are usually taken from the

Psalms or other passages of Scripture. These short verses

are set to a simple melody that can be enriched with har-

monies or the addition of other instruments.

If the music of Taizé is approached with the hope of

finding a new favorite hymn or rousing choral anthem,

disappointment will be inevitable. Singing a Taizé song is

an act of meditation and prayer, in the tradition of Lectio

Divina. As you become familiar with the tune, you open

yourself to experience the words in a deeper way. As the

choir and instruments lead you through the piece, let the

music flow through you, letting go of expectations and

anticipation of what comes next. Many find great comfort

and spirituality through this practice. I hope you find it

meaningful as well.

Blessings to you all.

Kristin Link

A Note regarding the Halle-

lujah Chorus – There is a

tradition at FCCSJ of sing-

ing this during Advent.

However, in the larger work

in which it appears, it is

sung as part of the Easter

story, celebrating Christ’s

rise from the dead instead of

His birth. We will be sing-

ing Handel’s most beloved

piece on Easter Sunday,

April 5th at the end of the

9:00 a.m. service only.

Bring your scores and join

us. We will have extras for

Page 3 Volume XXXVI Number 3

Women of Faith All women are invited to attend our Women of Faith

Groups. We meet monthly for discussion of a theme and

loving support for one another. You are welcome to join

either or both groups.

Morning Women of Faith

Meets the 4th Monday at 10:00 am each month. Our next

meeting is March 23rd. We will continue with “Wisdom

of The Grandmothers: sharing stories of our members.”

Please join us!

Evening Women of Faith

Our meeting on Wednesday, March 18, will be at the

church at 6pm in Fellowship Hall. We will be hosting the

Lenten Simple Supper, led by Rev. Lois. The supper on

Ash Wednesday was a wonderful, spiritually uplifting

event. All women are invited..

March Coffee Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 a.m.

Have you fallen or are you afraid of falling? The

speaker at the March 18 Coffee will be Ellen Cor-

man from Standford Medical Center. Her topic will

be "Balance: Risk factors and tips for reducing falls.”

Tickets are $4.00 and will be on sale Sunday March

8 and March 15 and at Circle. Please note that this

coffee is on the third Wednesday of March.

Women’s Fellowship

Circle Meeting

The next meeting of Deborah Circle will be March

4th at 10:00 a.m.in the Friendship Room. Rev.

Penny Phillips will be our speaker. Her topic will be

“My ministry with veterans

and Hospice Care”. Host-

esses are: Diane Noren,

Claire Markus, and Peggy

Wedge. Devotions will be

given by Mary Remley. As

always, all are welcome.

Spring Bake Sale Women’s Fellowship will be having their Spring Bake

Sale on Sunday, March 29 after church. We will have a

variety of baked goods, honey, and Spring crafts and jew-

elry. This bake sale supports the Women’s Retreat and

various church and community projects. If you would like

to contribute items to the bake sale, please bring them to

the Friendship room on Saturday morning, March 28 be-

tween 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; or to the bake sale tables

EASTER BASKETS

We will be filling Easter Baskets for

Star House again this year. Star

House is a residential care facility for

abused, neglected and troubled chil-

dren and youth. Look for the empty Easter Baskets in

Fellowship Hall on Sunday, March 8th or March 15th.

Please take one home and fill it

with Easter goodies, no gift cards

or money. Return the filled baskets

on Sunday, March 22nd or March

29th.

Thank you from The Community

Services Ministry Team

Missing! From the Kitchen Three 9 x 13 metal baking pans and one 11 x 18 metal

baking pan. If you have any of these pans please return

them to the church kitchen. Thank you.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

Thanks to the 13 people who spent a morning at Second

Harvest Food Bank, sorting food (like the canned and

packaged food donated by our church members) and

checking and discarding items too old or damaged to use.

We joined groups from other churches, alumni organiza-

tions, companies and individuals in helping this excellent

organization. They provide free food to thousands of peo-

ple in need from north San Mateo County to Gilroy and

from Santa Clara Valley to the Pacific Ocean. It is quite

an impressive organization. Perhaps you will consider

participating in the future.

Community Service Ministry Team

Page 4 Volume XXXVI Number 3

Message from Rev. Lois

I'm somewhere over Wisconsin on a JetBlue flight

between New York and San Francisco. I once heard that

there are two million people in the air at any one time.

We are traveling at 448 miles per hour and our altitude is

32,535 feet. Fortunately, beyond the usual concerns

about being on time, I don't have much anxiety when I

travel. However, being in a 100,000 pound machine hurl-

ing through the air gives me pause to think.

When we fly, we have to trust the flight crew, the air-

line, the mechanics and the aerospace engineers to get us

to our destination. We trust that everyone has been prop-

erly trained and will do their utmost to provide a safe

flight. We trust that aviation expertise has been multiplied

throughout the decades; each generation has learned from

the prior one and added their advances in technology to

the mix.

Deepening our trust in G-d is one of the main reasons

we observe this time of Lent. We use Lent as a time to

get a spiritual “tune-up.” We use these six weeks to be a

bit more prayerful. We take our spiritual temperature to

see where we might be invited to be more present to

Spirit. We receive the wisdom of our ancestors in faith

who gifted Lenten spiritual practices to us and then add

some of our own new twists.

For many years, one of my go-to spiritual practices

has been an online devotional from Ireland called Sacred

Space (http://www.sacredspace.ie/). Once they asked

these questions:

When the 46 days between Ash Wednesday and

Easter Sunday are over, how will I know if I have had a

‘good’ Lent? What would make it a ‘success’? If I keep

the resolution to pray faithfully every day, that would be

good. If I choose to give up something that I like as a

sacrifice and don’t slip up even once, that would be very

good. But would it necessarily be a ‘successful’ Lent?

Lent will be a success if, by the end of it, I recognize a

little more deeply that I am utterly dependent on God.

That realization can be born out of my ‘failures’ as much

as my ‘successes.’

May your Lenten journey be blessed with trust,

Rev. Lois

In Our Thoughts and Prayers Eleanor Tibbetts

Darlene Bogle and her family as they mourn for

her sister Debbie Wetherald.

Billie & Hal Cole

All those who are recipients of hospice care.

The women at Elmwood Jail.

Rebuilding Together

SAVE THE DATE!! Our next Rebuilding Together Sili-

con Valley project day is scheduled for April 25th! Bring

your hearts and your energy and volunteer for this worth-

while event. RTSV brings communities and volunteers

together to rehabilitate the homes of low income home-

owners, particularly the elderly and disabled, so that they

may live in warmth, safety, and independence. Past pro-

jects have not only brought joy and happiness to the

homeowner but have also left our volunteers with a sense

of accomplishment and feelings of gratitude in knowing

that they have helped someone who is truly in

need. Mark your calendars and watch for future an-

nouncements and emails for more information. Contact

Liz Carey at princessbasia@yahoo.com or 408-364-6186

2015 Grant Application Message

It is grant time again. Any established Board, Com-

mittee or Ministry Team of the Church may com-

plete an application for a grant from the Special Gifts

& Endowment, funded by a portion of the interest

income earned on endowment funds. Grants are

awarded for one-time projects not included in the

Church’s operating budget. Please pick up your ap-

plication in the Church office. ALL grant applica-

tions must be in the Church office by April 30, 2015.

2015 SPIRE DATES

Month Deadline Mailing

January Mon. Dec. 15 Fri. Dec. 26

February Mon. Jan. 19 Wed. Jan. 28

March Mon. Feb. 16 Wed. Feb. 25

April Mon. Mar. 16 Wed. Mar 25

May Mon. Apr. 20 Wed. Apr. 29

June Mon. May 18 Wed. May 27

July Mon. June 15 Wed. June 24

August Mon. July 20 Wed. July 29

September Mon. Aug. 17 Wed. Aug 26

October Mon. Sept. 21 Wed. Sept. 30

November Mon. Oct. 19 Wed. Oct,. 28

December Mon. Nov. 16 Wed. Nov. 25

Page 5 Volume XXXVI Number 3

Spiritual Formation for Children

(5th Grade and Younger)

Please contact Michal Stachnick, Director of Children’s

Ministries, cmdirector@firstccsj.org or call the church office if

you have any questions about our children’s program.

All Children

Heifer Project

This year, the church school will raise money to purchase “Flocks of Hope” through Heifer International.

There are several ways you can support this fundraiser:

Take home an ark bank and fill it with your spare change. Bring it back to church on Palm Sunday.

Purchase 20 chickens, 20 geese, or 20 ducks for $20/each.

Purchase a “Flock of Hope” – 20 chickens, 20 geese, and 20 ducks - for $60.

Come to our Lemonade Stand on Sunday, March 22.

Please come to our table in Fellowship Hall to learn more about Heifer’s efforts to end

hunger and poverty throughout the world.

Kids’ Night Out

Come join us for a special Kids’ Night Out on Saturday, March 21. We’ll have games

and dinner as usual and then prepare for our Heifer Project Lemonade Stand! Look for

the Evite or speak to Michal Stachnick if you would like to attend.

Godly Play

We are still in need of people to help with church school. If you would like to work with our children, please

contact Michal Stachnick.

Stories for March – The Parables of Jesus, Lent, Easter

Date 3-6 year olds 1st – 5th graders

March 1 Storyteller: Cindy Alldridge

Door Person: Norma Brynsvold

Storyteller: Michal Stachnick

Door Person: TBD

March 8 Storyteller: Maryann Coole

Door Person: Audie Campbell-Eby

Storyteller: Lorraine Casto

Door Person: TBD

March 15 Storyteller: Katie Brown

Door Person: Michal Stachick

Storyteller: Dennis Noren

Door Person: April Whalen

March 22 Heifer Project Fundraiser

Acknowledgements, Celebrations and Thank-Yous

Thanks to Liz Cox and Ellen Robinson for leading the Junior High Service Day at Sacred Heart.

Thanks to Lea Giametta and John Heberling for leading the youth at the Annual Meeting Dinner.

Thanks to Liz Cox for taking charge of cleanup after the Annual Meeting Dinner.

Thanks to Emily Cox, Zoë Campbell-Eby, and Allie Kerkhoff for presenting at the annual dinner.

Acknowledgement of Emily Cox’s excellent presentation at the Adult Forum.

Thanks to Laurel Eby, Jamie Schweizer, and Carol Hagler & Mary Rothgeb for leading Women’s

Retreat.

Page 6 Volume XXXVI Number 3 Page 6 Volume XXXVI Number 3

YOUTH MINISTRIES

The Robert W. Porter Scholarship Fund The Robert W. Porter Scholarship Fund was established in 1980 in memory of its

namesake who for many years served as this church school’s senior high teacher and

advisor to the Pilgrim Fellowship. This fund began with proceeds from the Pilgrim

Fellowship’s paper shed and donations from individuals and groups within our

church. The fund is now endowed with the interest available for scholarships.

Award(s) may be made annually at the discretion of the Special Gifts and Endow-

ment Committee using the following guidelines.

Preference will be given to high school seniors who are members of the First Con-

gregational Church of San Jose, United Church of Christ, and who are intending a ca-

reer in a helping profession.

Applications may be picked up in the church office or requested by mail from the

office and must be received in the church office by April 30, 2015.

OFFERED PROGRAMS

AXIS (Grades 6-12)

Sunday, 10:00 - 11:15 AM

Youth leave after the sermon

time. (No AXIS on the first Sun-

day of the month)

VORTEX (Grades 6-8)

Sunday, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Youth meet in the Youth Center.

Dinner is included.

FLUX (Grades 9-12)

Sunday, 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Youth meet in the Youth Center.

Dinner is included. One the 1st

Sunday FLUX ends at 8 PM for

Youth Leadership Team.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TEAM

(Grades 9-12)

1st Sunday, 8:00 - 9:00 PM

Youth meet in the Youth Center

to discuss upcoming events and

help plan elements of youth

group.

STAY UP-TO-DATE

Visit our website at

www.firstccsj.org/youth.html

Sign up to receive our e-

newsletter

Read this page in The Spire

each month

Like us on Facebook

Check out our bulletin board

in Fellowship Hall

Contact: Marlie Heberling,

youthdirector@firstccsj.org

MARCH BIRTHDAYS Miranda Jane Caton 3/2

Zoë Campbell-Eby 3/3

Joanne Domingue 3/4

Michal Stachnick 3/4

Ainsley Anderson 3/5

Tom Boyce 3/5

Kitty Nesbitt 3/6

Markus Rystrom 3/7

Bob Glaser 3/9

Betsey Woodward 3/10

Debbie Grijalva 3/15

Lynn Haydis 3/16

Bonnie Hunt 3/19

Mark Rystrom 3/19

Megan Hardesty 3/20

Rebecca Hendricks 3/20

Erin Sgarlato 3/22

Ken Durbin 3/23

Leta Shattuck 3/23

Nicole Link 3/26

Thomas Schweizer 3/26

Colin Domnauer 3/29

Page 7 Volume XXXVI Number 3

Remembering Our Military Please send updates when possible.

Army Greg Smith,

Prayers requested by Katie Brown

Carl Blöm,

Prayers requested by Billie and Hal Cole

Rob Flournoy, David Christopher and

Nicole Brookwell,

Prayers requested by Donald and Eugenia Allen -

Egbert

Isaac Swiftbird,

Prayers requested by Lorraine Casto

Marines Uriel Huizache,

Prayer request by Susan Price-Jang

Brad Flournoy,

Prayers requested by Jacqui Reed

Navy Travis Hamilton

Prayers requested by Patrick Campbell and

Laurel Eby

All Military active duty and all Veterans; May we be a welcoming congregation for all

those who have served (and their families) in the

Armed Forces

Prayers requested by Rev. Penny Phillips

MARCH ANNIVERSARIES John and Teri Heberling 3/13

Lynn and Alan Cole 3/15

Carol and Lowell Berge 3/23

Marjorie and Dana Elmore 3/29

Caregiver Support Group Our next meeting is March 21, 2015, noon -

2:00 p.m. in the Friendship Room. If you are

in the position of being a caregiver or support

person (long distance, or nearby), and would like to con-

nect with others experiencing the same kind of chal-

lenges, this is the group for you. Whether you are caring

for a parent or a spouse, sibling or neighbor, you are wel-

come to join us. We meet on the third Saturday of each

month. Each meeting we have a time of check in, and

then explore a topic related to caregiving. Bring a dish to

share for our monthly potluck.

Council Highlights Email Deliberations by-law revision – Deanne Everton

1. Council discussed whether or not to include permis-

sion for Church Council to have email deliberations

in the amendment.

2. The Moderator explained that the objection to the

amendment: If the details for conducting email de-

liberations were included in the by-laws instead of

included as a procedure, any needed change would

require an amendment.

3. The Moderator appointed Charles Weidmann, Dave

Elliott, Brian Link, and Roger Tricco to form a sub-

committee to refine this amendment

Staffing Options Ministry Team – Deanne Everton

1. The Staffing Options Ministry Team is resuming its

work.

2. The team will examine staffing & funding of staff,

and develop procedures for staffing.

3. The Moderator appointed Rev. Tom Gough, Deanne

Everton, Mark Domnauer, Marilyn Cohen, and Ken

Durbin.

BOARD/COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Church Council 1st Tues. 7:30 pm Friendship Rm.

Diaconate 2nd Mon. 6:00 pm Sr. Min. Office

Outreach 2nd Tues. 7:30 pm Friendship Room

Children’s Mnst. 2nd Tues. 7: 30 pm Youth Center

Trustees 3rd Tues. 6:30 pm Friendship Room

Fellowship 3rd Tues. 7:30 pm Room 14

Youth Ministries 2nd Sun. 11:30 am Youth Center

Stewardship As Needed

Adult Learning As Needed See Calendar of Events

Special Gifts As Needed for date and time.

Pastoral Relations As Needed

Personnel Policies As Needed

ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS.

Sun. 10:00 am FCC Worship Sanctuary

11:00 am FCC Fellowship Fellowship Hall

11:30 am Adult Forum Friendship Room

1:30 pm Bible 101 Friendship Room

Mon. 12:15 pm Dream Group Friendship Room

7:30 pm Bell Rehearsal Sanctuary

Tues. 3:30 pm Wake Up & Knit Friendship Room

Wed. 10:00 am Staff Meeting Rv. Tom’s Office

12:30 pm Spiritual Practice Rv. Tom’s Office

Thur. 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal Choir Room

Sat. 10:00 am Organ Practice Sanctuary

3rd Sat. 10:00 am Dream Group Friendship room

Page 8 Volume XXXVI Number 3

March 2015 Calendar of Events

Sunday 1 11:30 am Adult Learning Committee Meeting Friendship Room

Monday 2 11:30 am Dreamer’s Choice Lunch Friendship Room

2 7:00 pm Sanctuary Improvements Committee Mtg Rev. Tom’s Office

Tuesday 3 7:30 pm Church Council Meeting Friendship Room

Wednesday 4 10:00 am Women’s Circle Meeting Friendship Room

4 6:00 pm Simple Supper Lenten Series Friendship Room

Sunday 8 Daylight Savings Time Begins—Spring Forward!

8 11:30 am Adult Forum—Jazz & Justice Friendship Room

Tuesday 10 11:30 am Office Volunteer Luncheon Choir Room

Wednesday 11 6:00 pm Simple Supper Lenten Series Friendship Room

Saturday 14 6:00 pm Pick-a-Party—A Taste of the Mediterranean Off Site

Monday 16 Spire Articles Due Church Office

Wednesday 18 10:00 am Women’s Fellowship Coffee Fellowship Hall

18 6:00 pm Simple Supper Lenten Series Friendship Room

18 6:00 pm Evening Women of Faith— Lenten Series Friendship Room

Saturday 21 9:30 am Youth Center Beautification Youth Center

21 10:00 am Saturday Dream Group Friendship Room

21 12:00 pm CareGivers Group Friendship Room

21 6:00 pm Kids Night Out Fellowship Hall

Sunday 22 11:30 am Adult Forum—El Salvador Video Friendship Room

22 12:00 pm Pick-a-Party—Sunday Brunch Off Site

Monday 23 10:00 am Morning Women of Faith Friendship Room

Tuesday 24 9:00 am Spire Folding Church Office

Wednesday 25 9:30 am Women’s Fellowship Cabinet Friendship Meeting

25 5:30 pm Simple Supper Lenten Series Friendship Room

Saturday 28 9:00 am Women’s Fellowship Bake Sale Set Up Friendship Room

28 4:00 pm Labyrinth Walk Labyrinth

Sunday 29 11:00 am Bake Sale Fellowship Hall 29 11:30 am Adult Forum—Cultural Aspects of the Afterlife Friendship Room

Journey to the Center of a Labyrinth Join us for a group walk from 4:00 p.m. - 5:15p.m. on the 4th Saturday

of each month.

Walking with a group is a different experience from walking alone.

Participants gather to share an Opening ritual at 4:00 p.m., followed by

walking the labyrinth, and then a Closing ritual.

It’s been said that labyrinths are not a place to lose yourself, but rather

a place to find yourself, through meditation, reflection and/or prayer. A

labyrinth is universal and we are fortunate to have one in our back yard!

This month the labyrinth walk will be March 28th at 4:00 p.m.

Page 9 Volume XXXVI Number 3

Dear Friends,

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Stewardship is really the colonoscopy of spiritual topics.

Everyone dreads it, but most of us realize it is an essential part of community, if not individual, health.

It would be lovely if we never had to talk about it, if broad and substantive generosity were reflexive

and enthusiastic, but then we would miss some of the more practical and meaningful conversations

about the life of faith.

Scripture contains nearly 2300 references to money or possessions. This makes it a much more sig-

nificant topic, biblically speaking, than prayer, or faith, or nearly anything we care to name. We are

called, as an expression of faith, to be stewards first and foremost.

Oikenomous is the Greek word used most often in scripture to refer to the notion of stewardship. It

refers to someone who manages a household. This isn’t the owner of the estate, mind you, but the per-

son who has been set in trust over everything from the weekly shopping to the finances, from the man-

agement of staff to the micromanagement of every celebration. The steward was a person in a position

to do much harm or much good to the household, simply by discharging their calling in one way or

another.

As stewards, we are not the owner, but we have been entrusted with the care of incredible re-

sources. This appears to be something of an anomaly in today’s world, but it is a cornerstone of Faith.

The care of people, of gifts and talents, of time and money, of love and grace, are all a part of how we

understand our relationships in community. We didn’t invent these things, but we do get to decide the

ends to which they will be used. We are gifted and trusted, and like it or not, we are stewards.

It isn’t everything we can, or need to, do, but one of the ways in which we are invited to steward

the resources entrusted to us is in the development and maintenance of spiritual community. There can

be little doubt that you love this spiritual community, and for a great many reasons. The closing line of

the classic 1948 police procedural Naked City says; “There are eight million stories in the naked city,”

and so it is with the Church. We all have our own stories, we all have our own experiences, that make

this a vital and vibrant place for us. Life in such a community is never without ups and downs, but in

general this is a place where we can find love and grace, support and challenge. It is a place of spiritual

depth and enterprise, a place that offers things increasingly rare in the world where we’re planted.

When the Church asks for your support, whether embodied or financial, it’s because none of it can

happen without you. Whether we are able to take something wonderful and transformative out into the

wider world, or have to trim back and offer only the very most basic of spiritual services, is really up

to us. It is in our hands, the hands of the stewards.

Tom

Page 10 Volume XXXVI Number 3

Dear Partners in the Northern California Nevada Conference:

With great excitement the Conference Council is pleased to announce the nomination of Diane Lynn Weible as our next

Conference Minister. Our Search Committee worked diligently to identify the perfect candidate to lead our Conference

into the future and we wholeheartedly support their recommendation.

At the last Council meeting, we had the opportunity to spend time with Diane, learning more about her vision for our

Conference. We were impressed by her presence, particularly her experience in and passion for communication

ministries and outreach to youth and young adults. A summary bio for Diane is attached for your review.

In accordance with the bylaws of the Conference, this announcement is also posted notice of a special meeting of the

Conference for the purpose of electing and calling Diane as our next Conference Minister. This meeting will be held at

First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, United Church of Christ, on Saturday, April 11, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00

p.m.

The special meeting will be a joyful occasion, with celebratory worship and a chance to connect over a delicious lunch

and beverages in the Sacred Grounds coffeehouse in the Palo Alto church. Your contributions to Our Church's Wider

Mission allow us to provide this special celebration with no registration fee to voting members.

Please register your intended attendance at this meeting to Joy Davis in the Hayward office by e-mailing her,

joy@ncncucc.org, or calling (510) 247-8990 by April 1. All Authorized Ministers with Standing are voting members of

the Conference, as are all lay Association Moderators. Local Churches are entitled to at least two delegate voting

members based on membership, plus an additional voting member 30 years of age or younger; Joy will be able to tell

you how many delegates your church is entitled to send to vote in this historic event. Let's get 100% representation from

our local churches!

On behalf of the Conference Council, with gratitude to the excellent work of the Conference Minister Search Committee,

we look forward to greeting you on April 11 and introducing you to Diane.

Living in God's amazing grace,

Rev. Daniel Ross-Jones, Moderator

Rev. Candace Frawley, President of Conference Council

for more information about Diane. https://files.ctctcdn.com/b47e6219001/a920023e-f8cb-4c66-aada-

f48cd8a03a99.pdf

First Congregational Church of San Jose

United Church of Christ

Church Office: (408) 377-7121 Fax: (408) 377-3812 www.firstccsj.org

Rev J. Thomas Gough, Senior Minister, ext. 111, revtom@firstccsj.org

Rev. Lois Mueller, Interim Associate Minister, ext. 112, revlois@firstccsj.org

Rev. L. Arthur Domingue, Minister Emeritus

Marlie Heberling, Director of Youth Ministries, ext.114, youthdirector@firstccsj.org

Michal Stachnick, Director of Children’s Ministries, ext.113, cmdirector@firstccsj.org

Kristin Link, Director of Music, ext. 115, music@firstccsj.org

A. William Ferguson, Organist, awfe88@hotmail.com

Mindy Flatow Dickens, Joyful Noise! Director, note@mindymusic.com

Cindy Eckhardt, Church Office Manager, ext. 107, officemanager@firstccsj.org

Laurel Eby, Webmaster, webmaster@firstccsj.org

Mark Domnauer Treasurer, markdomnauer@yahoo.com

Jan Heymann, Financial Secretary financialsecretary@firstccsj.org

Kadie Eckhardt, Nursery Attendant, ext. 428, nurseryattendant@firstccsj.org

Bryan Grady, Property Manager, 408-309-5363, bryan_grady@att.net

Tracy DeCaires and Kalani DeCaires, Custodians

Mission Statement: To understand and live out Jesus' vision for a just and loving world.

1980 Hamilton Avenue

San Jose, CA 95125-5638

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS WORSHIP TIME - SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M.

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Monday - Thursday) Children’s Church School and

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Friday) Nursery Care are available.

We are an Open and Affirming Congregation!

Following the example of Jesus Christ, we affirm that we are all children of God and choose to be known as a wel-

coming, diverse and accepting place of worship. We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming church, welcom-

ing all into our community of faith in the assurance that we are all created by God, reconciled by Christ, and empow-

ered by the grace of the Holy Spirit.