Council Notes from April 12, 2023 Meeting

Minister’s Report: Pastor Julie reported that the Maundy Thursday service was well attended, and that the Easter service was full of joy, smiling faces of 60-70 people. 

Pastor Barry reported he is continuing to do visitations and that he had preached at McGee Baptist church in Berkeley in addition to participation at the Bay Assoc. service in Orinda on Good Friday.   Barry and Julie are now considering “What do we do now, Jesus?”

Financial Secretary’s Report:  Joe Pratt reported that pledges are coming in as expected, and The Black Wealth Builders Fund offering during Lent was nearly $7,000, plus Orinda UCC Church also took an Easter offering for BWBF.  A Neighbors in Need grant totaling $7,500 was also received and will be applied to the BWBF.

Treasurer’s Report:  Randy Laferte reported that expenditures exceeded receipts for the month by $8,141, however receipts exceeded expenditures for the year by $4,984.  Expenditures were normal other than catching up with pastor’s salaries and higher than usual PG&E bills.

Randy is opening a 2nd checking account that will be at Mechanics Bank due to problems we’ve had lately with our checking account at Citibank.

1st Quarter Board Reports:  Eleanor Crump has acted on behalf of Dudley Thompson to gather the information from the boards about their activities during the first quarter of the year.

Old Business:  

Restroom Upgrade is waiting for completion of permits, and the starting date is still hoped to be May 1.  Before that construction begins, we are required to do some work on our sewer lateral, which will require shut off of all water and no bathroom use.  This work will be performed over two weekends April 22-23 and April 29-30.  (Weekend work was necessary because we cannot shut off the water while the schools are in session.)  Portable toilets with sinks will be available for the duration of all the construction.  Decisions on colors for materials in the restrooms have been made;  this will avoid delays later in the project.

Interim/Designated Term Minister Search Committee:  Sara Laferte reported that as of today, the committee has received 8 profiles, and 6 of those candidates have been excused.  The 2 remaining are strong candidates, and the committee feels that one of these 2 will be our designated term minister.  There is work that needs to be addressed on salary and housing for the minister:

A)   The committee has asked and encourages Council to ask Endowment to increase the yearly $9000 housing allowance.  There has not been an increase in that amount since the parsonage was sold.

B)    There is a need to consider an equity sharing system to help a pastor to buy a house and arrange for possible return of funds to the church when/if the house is sold.

Motion made and passed: “A committee be formed to review the Building Fund for the possibility of increasing the allowance from Endowment, and to explore options for housing support for a called minister.” 

A sub-committee of Dudley and Ruth will contact David Hertzer, Chair of Endowment, to address the housing issue.

Pastors Julie and Barry have graciously agreed to stay on as Interim Ministers until someone is found.

Resolution re: Black Wealth Builders Congregation: Barry has sent the resolution to Ginny Straus of the Bay Assn. and The Bay Assn. has agreed to co-sponsor the resolution.  Celeste, from the Conference has submitted the resolution to Raegan Baker, Moderator of the Conference, so it is on its way to the Annual Gathering June 15-17 to be held at First Congregational Church, Palo Alto.

Deck/Roofing needs: Bob Stokstad is the lead on the project of repairing the deck and putting a cover on it.  This will be coordinated with the completed work on the restroom as to when it will be possible to identify what is going on between the ceiling and above it. Bob is in the process of getting bids. 

Sewer line project. Completion of this project at a cost $26,000 will hopefully go smoothly so restroom upgrade work can begin.

Randy Laferte’s replacement: As no one has volunteered from the congregation to replace Randy as Treasurer, Dudley will be looking into other options.

New Business:

 Mc Gee Avenue Baptist Church-Sister Church partnership? This is the church near where Pastor Barry lives.  There is some interest for a possible sister church partnership, but it was suggested we should wait until a new pastor is in place.  We will then need to decide if we are interested in this possibility, before figuring out what a partnership might mean.

School question: Montessori school owner Rachel LaField wrote that the school is experiencing a continued decrease in enrollment and she wants to have a discussion about their use of rooms.  Randy and Nina will follow up with this discussion.

Faith Abel, ACC Moderator

Updated Black Wealth Builders Resolution

RESOLUTION TITLE

A call to action: Calling local churches to become a Black Wealth Builders congregation, and take action to repair the racial inequity in home buying that exists as a result of slavery, White supremacy, personal and institutional racism, and White privilege.

Submitted February 27, 2023 by Rev. Barry Cammer on behalf of Arlington Community Church, UCC, Kensington, CA  94707.

SUMMARY

This resolution asks the Annual Gathering of the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ to encourage local churches within the Conference to live out a faith-based belief in racial justice and to take intentional steps to put those beliefs into action by becoming a Black Wealth Builders congregation.  The Conference will encourage congregations to take specific actions to repair the damage done by centuries of White supremacist policies that have prevented our Black sisters and brothers from building generational wealth through the purchase of a home.

It is based on a project launched by Arlington Community Church United Church of Christ in 2021 called the Black Wealth Builders Fund which provides zero-interest loans to first-time Black homebuyers for down payment assistance.

WHAT IS A BLACK WEALTH BUILDERS CONGREGATION?

 A Black Wealth Builders Congregation is a local NCNCUCC church congregation that:

 ·       Undertakes an intentional congregation-wide study to understand the history of racism in the United States, and our individual and corporate relationship to institutional racism.

·       Affirms by a congregational vote the intention to take specific action to address racism as it relates to the generational wealth gap between Black and White members of our society.

·       Creates an ongoing program in the life of the congregation, the goal of which is to assist Black families and individuals in the acquisition of a home, thereby increasing Black generational wealth.

·       Some options for action are:

o   Supporting the Black Wealth Builders Fund led by Arlington Community Church

o   Create your own Black Wealth Builders Fund in your geographical area

o   Support an organization that specifically assists Black families and individuals in the acquisition of a home

BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL, HISTORICAL, AND ETHICAL GROUNDING

Biblical

For both the Old Testament and New Testament communities, justice, fairness, restitution and reparation were a part of their deep-seated faith and serve as a model and motivation for the Northern California Nevada Conference UCC.  We are extraordinarily blessed with Hispanic, Asian, and Black congregations in our conference family, and honor their particular journeys, however, we acknowledge and confess that Eurocentrism has often been our only model of living out our Christian faith, and those of us who are European in background have a responsibility to a) do our own learning, and b) make our own restitution.  So we explore reparations.

 Leviticus 5:14-19

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “When any of you commit a trespass and sin unintentionally against any of the holy things of the Lord, you shall bring, as your guilt offering to the Lord, a ram without blemish from the flock, convertible into silver by the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.  And you shall make restitution for the holy thing in which you were remiss…

Although the means of addressing one’s guilt is outside the boundaries of our practice as a society, what remains is that when we do something that hurts someone else, that act must be atoned.  Only then are things made right.  Second, it is clear by this scripture that the acts may be known to us or unknown.  Nonetheless, the wrong has been committed and must be addressed.

Luke 19:8-10

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

Zacchaeus is ready to repent of his wrongdoing and make restitution.   An example of restorative justice. For Jesus, this restoration becomes Zacchaeus’ salvation.  Jesus is supporting the model of restorative justice, of repairing the damage that we do, knowingly or unknowingly. Like Zacchaeus, the White community has defrauded and continues to defraud the Black community.  How shall we make this right?  How shall we repair the damage?

Theological

The ministry of Jesus shows that the values of justice, fairness, repair and forgiveness are central.  In demonstration of these values Jesus was constantly inviting people on the margins to come to the center, to be treated fairly, to take their place as beloved of God. 

Jesus calls each of us to behave in ways that he modeled.  Jesus calls us to reach out to those on the margins, however they got there, and invite them in to  full membership in the Body of Christ.  This call is felt even stronger when we are able to acknowledge that many of those on the margin are there because of behaviors, laws, politics, economics, racism, xenophobia, etc. that have put them there, often to our benefit.  What must we do to make things right?  For them.  For us.

This resolution seeks to specifically address the fourth covenant, approved at the NCNC Annual Gathering on 10/24/2020,as follows:

“O God, as people of faith, we covenant with you, with one another, and our churches to:

‘work to erase the sins of racism and injustice where they exist in our churches and communities’ and join in the collective ministry of co-creating God’s new realm of love and justice on earth.

 Historical

After the Civil War, General William T. Sherman’s Special Order No. 15 was to give to emancipated former slaves 40 acres and a mule.  President Lincoln was assassinated the day after he signed that proclamation and President Andrew Johnson rescinded the order.

Racism that manifests itself in the prevention of accumulating inherited and generational wealth is still being practiced in 2023.  There is a current struggle on the part of Black farmers to receive the assistance from the Inflation Reduction Act/USDA that was designed as reparations.

History is clear.  Our country allowed our White European landowners to enslave Black African members of God’s family, and too many of our countrymen and women find themselves unable to acknowledge the very message of Jesus: that every single human being on this planet is a beloved child of God and deserving of justice and, when deserved, restitution.

Ethical

When we, as faithful Christians, church bodies and conferences choose to address the historical wealth and opportunity gaps that our Black brothers and sisters have, in the past, and currently endure, we are engaging in atonement and reparations.

Racism isn’t confined to personal acts, rather, racism’s strength and longevity comes from its systemic presence in our country at all levels of society, including government, corporations, religious institutions, local businesses, etc.  We pay reparations because, in part, we are a full member of a society that has marginalized entire groups of people based on their skin color, religion, education, etc.

The NCNC Annual Gathering voted on 10/24/2020 to approve a resolution, “Standing in Solidarity: Antiracism and Racial Justice Formation in Local Churches”.  This resolution asks local churches to engage in study and learning regarding racism and racial justice.  The resolution being presented here is an example of a “next step”.  What is often asked by individuals and churches is, “We appreciate the learning and new awareness as part of our spiritual formation, AND, what’s next?”  This resolution seeks to provide a clear path for people and groups within the NCNC Conference to take the next step and take action.

MOTION

WHEREAS in the UCC we understand racism to be a sin and are called to repair the damage that years of slavery and racism have caused and continue to cause; and

WHEREAS we as faithful Christians and followers of Jesus seek to emulate the ministry of Jesus by inviting those on the margins into the fair and just “center” of our common society; and

WHEREAS we have come to understand that many of us of European ancestry have benefited from racism in ways known and unknown; and

WHEREAS we, as a UCC Conference seek to encourage local churches to take specific actions to further the repair the damage of racism; and

WHEREAS a result of slavery and racism is to deny Black individuals and families the opportunity to accumulate “generational wealth”; and

WHEREAS generational wealth is most often accomplished through homeownership; and

WHEREAS a major product of racism is the denial or discouragement of Black individuals and families from purchasing a home;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ invite all congregations and ministries within our Conference to take specific action to become a Black Wealth Builders Congregation in a manner suitable for each specific congregation in their respective locations within the Conference.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ charges the Justice and Witness Ministries, in collaboration with the Associations and Conference ministers to work with local churches in bringing this resolution to fruition.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Justice and Witness Ministries, et.al. will be sensitive to the geographical location, congregational size, financial abilities of the members and racial makeup of each church as it encourages the churches to take specific action.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Justice and Witness Ministries, et.al., will have intentional conversations with churches of color and receive feedback from them as to their desire to participate in taking action as noted in the resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Justice and Witness Ministries, et.al., as a part of its work with churches, will develop a strategy of working with multi-racial congregations.

CONTACT PERSONS

Rev. Barry Cammer, Member, Arlington Community Church, UCC, Kensington, CA

barry@healthypathcounseling.org

 Susan Russell, Member, Arlington Community Church, UCC, Kensington, CA

sleighrussell@gmail.com

Pastoral Piece: March 18, 2023

Friday morning, early, Barry and I met with a small sub-group from Church Council asked to come up with a compensation package for us.  We both agreed to become half-time employees of the Church.  That means we committed to Arlington Community Church to be co-interim pastors for the indeterminate future until a new pastor is in place.  It was a very good meeting all around and we are grateful for the generous compensation.  Most things won’t change very much from what’s been going on. 

One change, however, is that we commit to each being in the Pastor’s office at church one afternoon a week.  We hope that you will drop by for a chat or a cup of tea on Wednesday or Friday afternoons.  It is very important to us to be available to the members and friends of the Church.  We continue to be reachable at our personal emails and phone numbers.  Check with Jacob in the Church office or in the Church Directory if you need to find these numbers.  We will continue to both lead worship and both do pastoral care and with Church leaders, continue to do the work of the Church.

It is very clear to me that the Spirit of God has been present and blessing us these last months.  Neither Barry nor I would have wanted to do what we are doing or even been able to do it by ourselves.  As it is now, we support each other and complement each other.  We feel supported by the congregation, by the Church leadership, each other and the Holy Spirit.  We are both so grateful to have enough strength and energy to happily do the work needed.  My friends, this is what a call looks like.

It is also very important to each of us to be easily available and in touch with each of you in worship, by email or phone or in person.  I am learning how to find the on-line gratitudes and prayer requests on my Phone during worship and hope our on-line worshippers will continue to send in requests.  Hopefully, we’ll be responsive to your concerns.  Everyone matters!

I know God’s spirit is supporting us all in this interim time.  We are already busy making preparations for Holy Week and Easter.  This year, there will be a Soup and Bread potluck on Maundy Thursday before the Tenebrae service.  It is clear we all so enjoy being together.  I hope everyone will make an effort to come to share this simple meal and then worship together in my favorite service of the whole year.

We feel and appreciate your prayers for us and please know we are praying for all of you.  May God continue to bless us all in this interim time. 

Pastor Julie

Announcing A New Music Director for ACC!

The Music Director Search Committee is delighted to announce that we have an agreement with Jeffrey Frederic Paul to become our new Music Director beginning the week of April 10th, 2023.  He’ll direct music for worship on April 16th the Sunday after Easter. Ruth Robinson will be preaching, and Julie Stokstad is leading worship. Please join us after church on the 16th for coffee, cake and an opportunity to meet Jeffrey. 

In our first contact, he wrote this message:

Jeffrey Frederic Paul

I have twenty-three years of experience working in a church setting. I also am delighted to share I have previously worked with Rev. Ken Barnes when he served as an Interim Pastor for the First Congregational Church of San Rafael (UCC) where I served as Music Director for twelve years. With my assistance, we launched a concert series which helped raise money for various charity organizations and helped expand our footprint in the community. I was able to draw from many musical contacts I have made over my lengthy career as a professional musician. It was a joy to host concerts with solo piano, chamber music, a cappella choirs, jazz trios, and a mariachi band.

Jeffrey Frederic Paul hails from the San Francisco Bay Area where he is known for his talents as a Musical Director, Pianist, Educator, Tenor, and Real Estate Professional. He has served various churches for the past twenty-four years as musical director, pianist, and/or organist. Jeffrey also directed the Emeritus Chorus at the College of Marin. He is the staff accompanist and vocal coach at the College of Marin in Kentfield and also enjoys performing frequently with ensembles such as Marin Oratorio, Marin Symphony Chorus, and the Consort Chorale. Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Highlights include performances at Davies Symphony Hall, the Oakland Museum, Marin Civic Center, Julia Morgan Theater, Marin Theater Company, and the Marin Community Playhouse where he has directed both adults and children. 

The Music Director Search Committee (Linda Young, Joe Pratt, Ruth Robinson, Dudley Thompson, Susan Russell, and Faith Abel) is excited to welcome a director with this broad musical background to ACC. 

Pastoral Piece: About Healing by Rev. Barry Cammer

I feel the need to tell you that last Sunday’s healing service was very powerful and moving for both Julie and me.  We feel so privileged that you would open your hearts to us and to Spirit, and show us your tender, perhaps hurt places.  In my sermon I mentioned that I had changed my bedtime practice of noting gratitude to instead taking a few minutes in which I noted the myriad ways in which I might have lived my day differently or more lovingly.  The important part is at the end when I release all my shortcomings so that I could just breath, and start again.

I’ve put that practice on temporary hiatus.  When I went to bed on Sunday night, I saw, again,  the faces of each one of the congregation who came back for healing prayer or a blessing.  Then I added those who didn’t feel the need, or didn’t feel ready for those prayers.  Then I imagined all of the people connected to Arlington Community Church, every child, every adult, everyone.  And you became my prayer.

Every night, for the past five nights my bedtime prayers have been about and for you.  For your lives, for your individual journeys, for those of you who are in physical or emotional or mental, or spiritual pain.  I hold your hurt and broken places in my heart.  For the many of you who have suffered the loss of a loved one recently, or who carry a deep care for someone who is very ill.  Thank you for letting me hold these things with you. Thank you for letting Julie and I serve as your pastors for a time.  Thank you for letting us use our gifts and for overlooking our limitations.  Even now, we still hold your stories.

Now it’s YOUR turn.  I was reminded on Tuesday morning that pastors need prayer, too.  Whenever I left a spiritual direction session with Dr. Dody Donnelly, she would always remind me to prayer for HER.  Both Julie and I are very human, and we have our own personal journeys, yearnings, hopes, pain, and brokenness.  We ask that you pray for us.  We may not share everything with you, but we seek your prayers and ask you to hold us in your hearts for just a moment, once in a while.  You’ve thanked us for serving you.  Thank you for letting us do our best to let God’s love shine on us all.  Namaste.

Notes from Council Meeting March 8, 2023

Notes from Council Meeting March 8, 2023

Pastors Julie and Barry reported that services have gone smoothly and that our church is functioning well after the departure of Pastor Celeste.

Secretary, Linda Young reported that Pastor Celeste requested, and the transfer has been done of her membership to Community Congregational church of Benicia.

Joe Pratt, Financial Sect. reported pledges coming in, as are donations for the BWB Fund, ($1,500 in one week).

Treasurer Randy Laferte reported that receipts in Feb. exceeded expenditures due to pledge money, room rentals, and pastor’s salary deferred until adjustment in March. Designated Funds grew by $4,300 and we received a $5000 donation from our Montessori schools to help fund the replacement flooring in their preschool damaged by early Jan. rains. Total cost of flooring was $11,000.

Restroom Upgrade:  Permitting process with the County has reached a new stage and our Architect, Chris Gilman feels we’ll be getting approved permits before May 1st when we want to break ground.  In preparation, closet clean-out has begun and color team will select a couple of palates and have the Congregation indicate preference

Music Director Search:  Three candidates have interviewed, and two have auditioned with the third candidate auditioning March 12th.  Feedback from the musicians will be shared with the search team who will meet March 16th to discuss candidates and decide and announce our New Music director soon.

Interim Search Committee is working together well. Six profiles have come in and three interviews have been done.  Adding Designated Term as a category of the minister search and increasing the posting to full time have brought in interested candidates as it allows the minister to stay after the term if both congregation and the minister agree.

Housing options:  The search committee recommends Council ask for a raise from the Board of Endowment regarding Housing Funds as housing is a major issue of concern for candidates coming to the area.  Options will be discussed.

Airfare and Hotel will be needed for a candidate and spouse at least once and possibly twice.  Motion was passed to move $5000 for necessary expenses from the surplus to the search committee Fund to be returned to surplus if any left over.

Resolution re: Black Wealth Builder’s Cong.:  Last month Council voted for the concept of the request to encourage the conference to set up a mechanism whereby churches of the conference can consider becoming a BWB Church.  The Resolution draft has now been completed and sent to the Business Comm. and the Bay Assoc.  Council unanimously approved the motion to encourage the Conference to develop and implement a mechanism whereby churches can study and decide whether to become Black Wealth Builders Congregation.

The notice of a Congregational Meeting on March 26, after the service, has been sent to the Congregation.  The meeting is for the purpose of a congregational vote on the motion approved by council.

Deck/roofing needs:  Bob Stokstad is getting contractors to look at the deck/roof over restrooms for repair.  One bid thus far.

Randy’s replacement as treasurer.  Dudley, Randy, and Faith met to review Randy’s listed tasks, and discussed options.  The first action will be a notice to be placed in the Parischscope seeking an interested person in being Treasurer who Randy could work with before the end of the year when Randy will leave the position after 16 years!!

Pastoral Responsibilities:  Discussion was held to hear from Barry and Julie regarding their work doing “fill in” of an interim minister.  Between the two of them, they have put in the work of a full-time minister with pastoral visits, planning and leading worship, and much more.  Council expressed deep gratitude for their effectiveness.  Barry and Julie were asked to leave the meeting and Council agreed to pay them and to make it retroactive to Feb. 1

Motion passed to retroactively compensate Barry and Julie at a rate comparable to that which we compensated our full-time minister.  Payment will be split between them, and details worked out by Personnel (Ruth and Dudley), Faith, Barry, and Julie.

Ensemble:  Discussion about having the Ensemble play during the Easter season, and their usual third Sunday of the month.  It was decided they would shift the normal performance of third Sunday to perform on Palm Sunday.

Faith Abel, Moderator

Pastoral Piece: February 24, 2023

As we start Lent 2023, I’d like to share a few thoughts about the Black Wealth Builders Fund.  I am aware that my co-founder, Susan Russell will also have an article in the ParishScope, and I’m hoping that hearing about it twice will catalyze a deeper reflection.  Susan and I have been working diligently on this project, Susan with some very generous organizations and I with churches.  Over the last two years I have experienced what many others have experienced; Donation Fatigue.  My mailbox is jammed with solicitations for a great many good causes, and a few charlatan ones, as well.  I made a personal decision that I would use the bulk of my personal giving to two organizations; ACC and the Black Wealth Builders Fund.  I support five other organizations, but that’s it.  But here we are, Susan and I are asking you as a congregation to again use the Lenten offerings to resupply the Black Wealth Builders Fund.  We are asking that you consider providing additional funds for this important work.  Here are two considerations that I offer you.

1.     This is reparations work, and the work of reparations will take generations to complete.  Not only has there been only a slight dent in the need to heal the wounds of slavery and racism, but many of the practices that have kept our Black brothers and sisters unable to afford the purchase of a home still persist today.  Just this week I read an article that said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has significantly underfunded Black farmers.  The death of Tyre Nichols reminds us that we still live in a country where abuse of power toward Black people is rampant.

2.     We need to move away from a sense of giving out of our generosity towards a sharing of some of what white privilege has afforded so many of us.  Yes, it’s tax deductible, but I don’t consider my monthly donation to the Black Wealth Builders Fund a gift, but rather a repayment. My hope is that the members of ACC will prayerfully consider making support of the Black Wealth Builders Fund a permanent project; part of who we are, not just what we do.

As some of you know, ACC has entertained the idea of becoming a sister church with McGee Avenue Baptist Church.  The pandemic, as well as pastoral changes has slowed this process down, but I’d love to see us move forward with this idea.  If it’s one thing I’ve learned from being a pastor, a counselor, and a affordable housing executive working with the U.S. government ---- It’s ALL about relationships. 

Blessings, Barry.

Looking for an Interim Pastor

Our congregation is small, but the energy is good, and we enjoy being together.  We are called to build a just society based upon the inspiration of our faith and to be stewards of creation.  In that spirit, we are an Open and Affirming Church, a Jubilee Congregation, and a Creation Justice Church.   We are looking for an interim or designated-term pastor who will engage with us to set a course for the future, help us deepen our spiritual lives, and be a resource for the community.  The pastor will plan, preach and lead worship each week; provide spiritual guidance for members; reach out to homebound members; attend monthly Council meetings; and help the congregation update the church profile and determine priorities in their search for a settled pastor. The pastor will help us maintain a sense of continuity, stability and community during this time of transition.  

To learn more and get in touch with Our Search Committee please Contact Our Office.

Farewell from Pastor Celeste

My beautiful friends,

Our final worship together has arrived so quickly. I have spent the week looking at my service with you from the view of last things and what we have accomplished together.

I spent my last Checking In/Reaching Out on Tuesday. My last Wednesday preparing the Wednesday update and my last Friday working with Jacob in the office on the bulletin. My last pastoral care visit. This Sunday will be my last Sunday worshiping with you. The grief for you and I will continue as the reality of my not being at ACC becomes real by my absence.

This week I went back into the YouTube worship videos and watched the worship service from January 2nd, the Sunday before my first Sunday leading worship. I listened again to Revs. Barry and Julie's message to me of an extravagant welcome and your hopes. I watched it with tears in my eyes, especially when Rev. Julie said, "We love you already." And it has been mutual. In that, your hopes became mine. Some of the stated hopes, we were able to accomplish together and some you will see happen this year.

Rev. Julie said you hoped for ACC to be a vibrant community, standing at the door, and giving people an extravagant welcome. You hoped we would restart the chapel meditation. Your desire was to be the presence of God in this place. You hoped for an all-day retreat. Let’s live the questions program. You hoped to explore the beginnings of the universe and talk about science. Aid in dying, renovating the sanctuary, restarting the carillon, as a message to our community. Please keep up the carillon. The sisters at the monastery love it!

Rev. Barry asked the question, what is ours to do? He said, "In a perfect world we would accomplish all those hopes." Remember, these are your hopes. All it takes is what Barry said, "...what is ours (ACC) to do? To have a courageous faith that is inside and shows up outside. Yes!

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Your faith is built upon the invisible. Remember, God's presence, even when it doesn't feel like it or even when you doubt, is surrounding you and assuring you, I am with you, and you have everything you need. It has always been there and always will be. Be courageous!

We will need courage to separate cleanly. On Sunday, I will be released from serving as your pastor. I honor and follow the ethics set by the denomination that holds my credentials and in my relationship with God. I know, it's difficult to not have any contact with your former pastor and vice versa, especially when our faith is connected by an ethos of relationship. But this way of being allows you and your next pastor(s) to build a strong relationship without me in the way. 

There is this idea that we can have contact after one year. It's really longer. It is one year plus, out of respect for my colleagues. It is complicated with my serving as associate conference minister. The details of this relationship will be determined by the conference minister in collaboration with your pastor(s). I will not seek you out in any form, including social media.

Please know this, although you are out of my presence, you are still in my heart and in my prayers.

God bless you. God keep you. God loves you.

Many blessings,

Pastor Celeste 

Search for Director of Music

We are searching for a Director of Music for an average of 10-15 hour per week.

The Director of Music is a contracted position where the director will be responsible for providing leadership, vision, and planning of the music for worship. They will be responsible for conducting the ACC vocal and bell choir.  In addition, they will lead us in an innovative, artistic, spiritually relevant, heart-moving music and worship experience for those worshipping in person, and online. The director will promote the spiritual life of the congregation and its members through music ministry and coordinate the planning and implementation of a comprehensive music ministry for the congregation and community.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in music (Master’s preferred);

Minimum five years’ experience preferred in church-related setting.

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We are located in the hills of Kensington between Berkeley and El Cerrito Hills. If you would like more information, please contact our committee chair at (510) 685-4394.