June 2007 Stone Newsletter, Stone Church of Willow Glen

8/8/2019 June 2007 Stone Newsletter, Stone Church of Willow Glen

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Dear Friends,Two years and four months ago, the Sessionof Stone Church voted to call me as your stated

supply/interim pastor. I expected, after ten years of retirement, that it would be a challenge to resumefull-time ministry. What I didnt foresee was that it

would be a time of growth, fulfillment, and joy forme. That it has been such a positive experience isdue to your kindness, patience, and love, as well as

your commitment to the church and unusual leader-ship abilities. The duties of an interim pastor areto carry on the usual responsibilities of a minister,to help the congregation heal from whatever feel-ings they may have at the departure of the previousminister, and to prepare for the arrival of the nextinstalled pastor. I think you are now in a good posi-tion to move on.

My last Sunday to preach is June 10, althoughI will continue with pastoral and administrativeduties until the end of June. The reason for leav-ing the pulpit on the tenth is to give you a littlespace between my last Sunday and Ken Henrysfirst Sunday, which is July first. With his arrival,

you will begin a new and wonderful ministry, and Iknow you will greet and support him with the sameenthusiasm and affection as you did me.

There is no way I can adequately express my grati-tude for the privilege of being your pastor except tosay thank you, thank you! Although I will no longerbe your pastor, I will always be your friend. May Godbe with each of you.

Faithfully yours, Marge Palmer

The STone n ewSSTone C hurCh of w illow Glen , PreSbyTerian uSa J une 2007

THE STONE NEWS, PAGE

Much-Beloved Interim Pastor, Marge Palmer, to be Honore Were going to miss Marge

Palmer.

For a little while.She will preach the last sermon

of her tenure with us as interimpastor on Sunday, June 10, whenshe will be honored for her ser-

vice. Then she and her husbandBill, like Marge a retired Presbyte-rian pastor, will leave our congre-gation for a few months while wesettle in with our incoming pastor,Rev. Dr. Ken Henry.

Marge was named interimpastor March 1, 2005, afterRev. Art Mills left to take a posi-

tion with the Presbyterian Boardof Pensions. Her ministry to us was marked by devotion to ourcongregation, care for every member, and being a sticklerregarding the Book of Order .

Before accepting the call to beinterim pastor, she and Bill had

worshiped with us for three years,and Marge was our parish associ-ate preaching, visiting the sick,and teaching classes.

The Palmers came to StoneChurch after retiring from theirpositions in upstate New York

and moving to the El SombrosoOaks community in Los Gatos.Marge grew up in New York

State and graduated in sociology from Keuka College in KeukaPark, NY. She received a mastersdegree in religion and psychologyfrom the University of Chicagoand another masters in divinity from Union Theological Semi-nary in New York City.

(continued on page 6)

Rev. Marge Palmer bids us adieubut only so we can prepare for our new pastor ... she and Bill

will be back with us soon.


2/8

THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 2

Our new, improved Stone ChurchLibrary recently expanded into theroom next door; this space now houses the start of the adult collec-tion, books numbered 001-299: Phi-losophy, Psychology, and Religion.

Now, the adult books are no longercrowded, some YA (young adult)books have moved across the library,and childrens non-fiction has gainedsome much-needed space. We hope

youll come and see the new layout,

even though were still finishing someof the details.

On each second and fourth Sunday, well have a volunteer to help youafter church, until at least 11 am.

- Sue Williams, Library Coordinator

Stone Church offers discussion-based adult study most Sundays, 11am to noon, in the Fireside Room.

There will be no Adult Study class on June 10.

June 3: The Second Holy Land: A Pilgrimage through Turkey

Join Pat and Sally Magee as they present a slide show summary of their17-day trip through Turkey with New Testament scholars, Marcus Borg and

John Dominic Crossan (Dr. Crossanis pictured at left).

Summer: Serious Answers to HardQuestions

Beginning June 17 and extend-ing through August 12, there willbe a series of drop-in classes with thecommon theme: Serious Answers toHard Questions .

Life presents us with a lot of hardquestions. In the presentation videos,ten Christian and Jewish theologians,

world experts in their respective fields,address issues, such as the tensionbetween evangelism and tolerance,

that are obstacles to faith for many both in and outside of the church.

We will explore and discuss one issueeach Sunday.

June 17 - Evil: Why is thereevil? Where does it come from?Can it be defeated?

June 24 - How should we relateto people of other faiths?

July 1 - Tension betweenevangelism and tolerance

July 15 - Sins of the church July 22 - Forgiveness July 29 - Jesus and Christianity August 5 - Resurrection August 12 - The GnosticGospels

- Pat Magee, Christian Education

Adult Study Offers Look at Pilgrimage, Answers to Hard Questio

Fun & Games:Stories SciencePhotos Tell byVicki Cobb (YA507.8 Cob)

Silly Goose andDizzy Duck PlayHide-and-Seek bySally Grindley(1st Books Gri),

given by VivianShimmon

A Little HouseBirthday byLaura IngallsWilder (1stBooks Wil)

Speaking of Graduat-ing: Excerpts fromTimeless GraduationSpeeches, ed. by AlanRoss (808.87 Ros)

The Dream Book:Symbols for Self-Understanding by Betty Bethards(135 Bet)

Searching for aPastor the Presbyte-rian Way by DeanFoose (285 Foo),

given by the PNC

New Books for Young Folks:New Books for Adults:

Guide to Field Iden-tification of Birds of North America byChandler Robbins(Ecol 598 Rob)

Reading the Bible & the Confessions thePresbyterian Wayby Jack Rogers (238Rog), given by Chris-tian Education

Celebrating Girls: Nur-turing & Empowering Our Daughters by Vir-

ginia Rutter (Family306.8 Rut), given byRebecca Kuiken

Birds of NorthernCalifornia by DavidFix & Andy Bezener (Ecol 598 Fix)

North AmericanWildlife by ReadersDigest (Ecol 574 Rea)

New Items in Special Collections:

The following three books were givenby Catherine Amos:

Library Expands and Continues to Add Excellent Selection

Math Curseby Jon Scieszka& Lane Smith(YA Sci)

John Dominic Crossan readsinscription in Roman temple of Priene.


3/8

Miriams Column


Dear Friends,In the nearly five years that Ive

been at Stone Church, weve workedtogether to include young people asan essential part of todays churchfamily. Yes, were preparing themfor the future, but that happensbest when they experience being thechurch now.They are welcomed at Communion,have added their talents to mission

work days, help with food collec-tion, appreciate your support for theRead to Feed summer project (sign upthis June as they read to buy bees!),joined intergenerational events suchas the Seder Dinner, Advent Wreath-making, and using stones to Imaginethe Possibilities ... and so much more.

Recently our Rotation classes looked

at the story of Peter and Corneliusand learned that God welcomes allpeople into the church. In additionto making self-portraits for the muralindicating We Are One in Christ , somestudents shared stories and picturesof times when they felt welcome and apart of Stone Church. I want to sharesome of those with you ( please see thepictures and stories below).On the Day of Pentecost, May 27,students prepared a party for the birth-day of the church and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

I hope Stone Church members willcontinue to consider how to include

young people in their church life and value their contributions. Im excitedabout the future of Stone Churchand believe that as you continue toplace your Hope in God , good things

will happen here. God will be able to work through you in new and won-derful ways.

Its been determined that the church will be going in new directions andthat it is best for me to retire. June 3

will be my last Sunday, the day we alsothank the many people who have con-tributed to our Christian educationprograms in the past school year.Thank you for making me feel

welcome at Stone Church and, onbehalf of the young people, for yourinclusion of every age into this family of God.

God bless, Miriam

Editors Note: Please join us Sunday, June 3, as we honor the loving service oMiriam Kishi, our Christian Education

Associate.

Emily Springer

Last year, on

Easter Sunday, I feltwelcome, especiallywhen bagpipers cameand danced andplayed the bagpipes.I cannot remember much of it, but Ican remember I feltvery welcome in thechurch on Easter.

- Megan Ritchie

Six and a quarter years ago, I came back to North America from a year in Spain. I barely remembered anyone,and I was kind of shy. But when I came back to StoneChurch, everyone really seemed to like me and my brother.We felt really welcomed into the church again.

- Maddie McNelis

I feel happy that Ilearn about Jesus.- Heather Sailor

Yo soy feliz porqueme gusta el arbol y me

gusta las galletas. (Iam happy because Ilike the tree, and I likethe cookies.)

- Ellen Nilson

Stone Church Children share stories, pictures illustrating, When did you feel welcome and a part of Stone C


4/8

The Church & World Committeecontinues to seek for new ways toshare the love of Jesus Christ withour brothers and sisters throughoutour neighborhood and the world.

Sacred HeartCommunity Service

Ten StoneChurch members

went to SacredHeart Commu-nity Service onSaturday, May 19, from 9 am to

noon. We sorted and hung clothes,straightened shelves, and generally got the Clothes Closet ready for cli-ents who will be coming in to shopfor their family needs. At noon, weadjourned to our social hall for lunchtogether, and to recall what we hadaccomplished. Thanks to MaureenRyan, Sally Magee, Ann Pierce, BillPalmer, Hilleguus and Gabriel Faber,

Alison and Tanera van Diggelen, andBea and Fred Groppuso.

We talked about going once amonth or so and inviting someonenew to this experience to share it withus. Would you be interested?

Greening of StoneChurch

Rhonda Lakatoshas agreed to be theChurch & WorldCoordinator for

working toward theGreening of StoneChurch .

In this role, she will work with theBuilding & Grounds Committee anda Greening Checklist to help us and ourchurch be better stewards of GodsCreation.

PentecostOffering

As you read this, we will be in theprocess of makingour donation tothe churchwidePentecost Offering .

This year, asin years past, we are privileged todonate 40% of the offering receivedto a local ministry that works with

youth at risk ; this year, our beneficiary will be the Bill Wilson Center, whereformer foster care youth are givenskills and guidance on how to liveindependently.

PresbyteriansToday

We want to hearfrom you when yoursubscription to themagazine Presbyterians Today is deliv

ered to your home in a month orso. What articles did you find inter-esting and/or informative, and/orinspiring? We look forward to yourcomments.

Spring 2008 inEl Salvador

Its not too early to talk about nextSpring. (Timeflies when you arehaving fun.) For afew years, our own

Dale Bracey has been a volunteerdelegate to El Salvador supportinglocal issues and grassroots solidarity

with El Salvadorans. Dale is plan-ning to go again next spring, and inhis words, ... would be thrilled totake one or two youth from StoneChurch with me ... So, you missionminded youth of Stone, give this somethought!

- Bea Groppuso, C&W Moderator


Church & World Guides Us to Help Others and Gods Creati

Have you ever wondered: What wasit like to live in Bible times? What did kidsdo for fun back then? Why did huge crowdswant to listen to Jesus?

Find the answers to these questions and more during Vacation ChurchSchool at Galilee By-the-Sea!

Dates: 6/18 - 22; Marketplacereenactment after 6/24 worshipTime: Gathering begins at 9 am;

Village Gates close at noon. Who: Students aged 4 years - com-pleting 5th grade will be part of a Tribe; students completing 6th- 12th grades will assist, with aspecial Thursday afternoon activ-ity just for them.Registration (please by 6/10): callthe church office (269-1593); usethe form at www.stonechurch.org ;sign up after worship (6/3 & 10);or contact Janice Goertz.

The theme of this summers ChurchSchool will be Caring for Gods Creation

Rachel Buckley, along with RhondaLakatos, will be the coordinator of thesummer classes. Rachel, a high schoolgroup member and junior at NotreDame High School, has a keen interest

in the environment.Beginning June 10 and continu-ing through August 26, kindergartenthrough 5th graders will share songs,stories, games and crafts that will helpthem learn more about our world andhow even kids can take care of it.

Middle School students are welcometo serve as helpers, and preschoolersready for a group experience can join ustoo. Well be needing adult helpers each

week. Please sign up for a Sunday when you can help. - Rhonda Lakatos, CE

Summer Church SchooAlso Cares for Creation

Vacation Church School Travels Back in Time

A Galilean woman, who bore a strikingresemblance to our own Janice Goertz,recently visited the social hall to inviteeveryone to Galilee By-the-Sea!
http://www.stonechurch.org/events/VCS_Registration_2007.pdfhttp://www.stonechurch.org/events/VCS_Registration_2007.pdf


5/8

The May 8 meeting of Sessionbegan with a visit from Leland

Wong, who instituted and leads theMens Mission Team work trips.

He presented a

check for $110, atithe of proceedsfrom the CrabFeed fundraiser

for the work trips. Leland was ful-filling a promise he had made togive ten percent of the proceedstoward paying down the churchsmortgage. Session thanked Lelandand all who make both the tripsand the fundraiser possible.

Session heard from young people who have gone through the con-

firmation class and will be joiningStone Church. Present were Ken-dall Searing (with mentor BruceRaby), Matthew Schroeder (withmentor Mike Breuleux), Chris-topher Duke (with mentor BobLowry), and Alexandra Bowers(whose mentor, Laraine Pitcher,could not be present). JordanOlmstead has also gone throughthe class, but was ill and could notappear. Each confirmand read a

Statement of Faith written as part of the program. After a time of discus-sion and commendations for theirbravery in writing and presentingtheir statements, the Session voted

to accept the four into member-ship, and to authorize baptism for Jordan whenever he can completethe process for joining.

The Clerk noted that attendanceat Easter Worship was 371.

Session accepted with regret theresignation of Renate Lytle fromDeacons and of Gordon Meachamas youth Deacon.

Deborah Crim reported on find-ing solutions to the crowded seatingin the choir loft. Session discussed

her presentation, and encouragedher to continue to refine a proposalby getting needed information andresearching costs.

As a safety measure, a defibrilla-tor is to be purchased and kept onsite. Buildings & Grounds Mod-erator, Mike Donald, is working

with Parish Nurse, Mary Johnson,to upgrade first-aid kits and emer-gency response capabilities.

- Alice Thorn, Clerk of Session

Summer time and the livin is easy ... maybe not easy, but a bit easier formost of us.

Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery held its annual meeting on May 20 atSt. Andrew in Aptos. It was a most suc-cessful business meeting, installation of new co-ordinating team members, anda refreshing, spiritual Communion Ser-

vice. For those of you who didnt makeit, try to come next year. Getting to know others in the Presbytery is most rewardingat these gatherings.

Stone PW will conclude its program year on June 7 with a salad luncheonat Evelyn Radunichs home. If you arenot in a circle and would like to attend,please call or email Claudia Hamm. Thisis the time when we have our Birthday Offering, bring baby items for the PublicHealth Nurses, have elections and instal-lation of officers and, of course, eat.

Presbyterian Women are taking a vaca-tion from circle meetings, but will con-tinue to meet for Book Groups, FocusGroup, Lunch Bunch, and Prayer ShawlGroup. Our next event will be the AugustBrunch in the social hall: the theme is

Health Care for All . Watch the bulletin fornews about the introduc-tion to the 2007-2008Horizon Bible Study tobe held at San FranciscoTheological Seminary onSaturday, September 15.

Here is the PW June ScheduleFocus Group, Tuesday, June 5, 9:30

am, at Elizabeth Shanderas home.Book Group I, 1 pm, at Elizabeth

Shanderas home (book and date to beannounced).Book Group II, Monday, June 18, 2:30

pm, at Claudia Hamms home, reading A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich.

Lunch Bunch, Tuesday, June 12,11:30 am, Taiwan Restaurant in Willow Glen.

Prayer Shawl Group, Thursday, June28, 4 pm, in the Fireside Room.

- Catherine Amos, PW


Newsfrom PW

SessionBeat

The Kindergarten-Grade 2 class recently made s portraits during church school, ably led by skilleartists, Chris Luebcke and Alison van Diggelen.


6/8


Hiking! Swimming! Eveningcampfire! Sunday worship underthe redwoods!

Stone Church will once againbe camping at Mt. Cross, in thebeautiful Santa Cruz Mountains,the weekend of August 10 - 12.

Whether as singles, pairs, or fami-lies, all are welcome for a weekendof fun and fellowship among theredwoods. We will be doing ourown cooking. Cost is $25 perperson, or $90 per family, includ-ing food.

Contact Maureen Searing fordetails or look for the sign-uptable during coffee time.

Join Us at Mt. CrosThis Summer!

Vivace Family ConcertVivace Youth Chorus would like

to extend an invitationto all members of Stone Church

to be our guests onSaturday, June 2, at 4 pm,

at Stone Church.Families with or without youngchildren are welcome! Please

call our of ce(979-9997) to let us

know you are coming.

Stone Church was wonderfully represented at the annual CWS CROP Walk for the Hungry by our very enthu-siastic Middle School Fellowship and some young-at-heartadults! Lizanne Oliver and Emily Meacham will bechairing next years event and are hereby giving you a years notice to get ready to WALK! This is such a fun and

worthwhile event that there is absolutely no reason not to come out and join us!

(continued from page 1)In 1989, after a 20-year career

in administration, Marge wasordained to the office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament in HudsonRiver Presbytery, where she servedfive churches and was pulpit supply for more than 40 churches.

Marge was recently elected mod-erator of San Jose Presbytery. Billis the presbyterys refugee ministry coordinator. They are parents of three grown children and threegrandchildren.

Please plan to attend Sunday, June 10, when we will recognizeMarge during the Worship serviceand afterward at a reception.

Rev. Marge Palmerto be Honored


7/8


Three lovely Moms on Mothers Day! Alice Bailey, Barbara Roberts, and Carrie Moncrief Giorgianni (above) share a moment during coffee timein the social hall. Carrie is holding a beautiful bouquet presented to her during the Worship service by her son, David Moncrief.

Seenand

Heardin theSocialHall

duringCoffee

Time!

Everyone helped out with thecookie sale for the High School Groups missiontrip fundraisingeffort! Anne Storer, one

of the wonderful High School Group advi-sors (right),beams with eachdonation to thecontributioncooler!


8/8

The Stone Church of Willow GlenPresbyterian USA1937 Lincoln Avenue(corner of Clark & Lincoln)San Jose, CA 95125-3499

The Stone News Staff:Emily Moak Meacham, Editor Pat Magee, Fred Oliver, Lizanne Oliver,

Jody Meacham: Assistant EditorsSylvia Snyder, Chief Photographer Debra Boston, Miriam Kishi, Pat Magee,Bill Ribble, Rod Thorn: Additional PhotosCatherine Amos, Fred Gardner,Dulcie Janzen, Jan Keifer, Jerry Keifer,Sylvia Snyder: Production

Website:www.stonechurch.org

Church Of ce: Phone: 408-269-1593Fax: 408-269-8412

The Reverend Marge Palmer, Interim Pastor Miriam Kishi, Christian Education AssociateMary Jane (MJ) Nesbitt, Of ce Manager


Reminders for June 2007:

June 2 - 9 am to 3 pm

Buildings and GroundsCommittee All-Church Workday

June 3 - 9:30 and 11 amHonoring Miriam Kishi,Church School StaffRecognition & Reception

June 9 - 9 amRev. Dr. Ken Henry defends his Statementof Faith at San Jose Pres-bytery, Calvin Presbyte-rian Church, corner ofMeridian and Fruitdale

June 10 - 9:30 and 11 amHonoring Rev. MargePalmer, Interim Pastor,during Worship and at a Reception to follow

June 18-22 - 9 am to noon Vacation Church Schoolin Galilee By-the-Sea

Children in the trees -- a typical Sunday morning sight!

On a recent Sunday morning, Bob Fraser tries out Scooter,one of the High School Groups famous hammers. The groupmade delicious cookies to raise money for their upcoming mission trip to help build houses in the central valley.
http://www.stonechurch.org/http://www.stonechurch.org/

June 2007 Stone Newsletter, Stone Church of Willow Glen

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