Fall at Arlington Community Church

Fall at Arlington Community Church

Fall Celebration Sunday Sun. Sept. 15, 10 am

Join us as we celebrate students, teachers, and learners of all ages, and bless our new ministry teams. Ice cream social following worship.

Coastal Clean Up, Point Isabel, Richmond Sat. Sept. 21, 9 am - 12 pm

Bring water bottle, hat, and gloves, and you’ll be provided with the rest. We’ll gather in the parking lot beforehand, so we can work together. Email leslieshanti@yahoo.com to sign up.

First Thursday Community Potluck: Islam and Christianity Thurs. Oct. 3, 6 pm

Fatih Ates, the Bay Area director of the Pacifica Institute, will speak on “A Common Word between Christians and Muslims.”

Parade, Picnic, and Animal Blessing Sun., Oct. 13, 12 pm – 3 pm

Kensington Community Council and ACC are partnering to present an event for the community. Bring your pets, dress up in a costume, and enjoy an afternoon with food and music. The parade will begin at the ACE Hardware on Arlington, followed by the Animal Blessing in the KCC upper fields.

Holiday Concert and Green Bazaar Sat., Dec. 21, 2 pm

Holiday Celtic Concert and Bazaar. Music for slowing down the season starts at 2:00 pm followed a planet-friendly green-themed bazaar with good cheer refreshments.

In addition, we offer these regular opportunities to connect:

 Serving Lunch in Richmond: The 3rd Tuesday (and the 5th Thursday) of each month, we purchase, prepare, and serve lunch to hundreds at the GRIP Souper Center.

 Interfaith Vigil against Gun Violence. First Friday of each month, 12-12:30 pm in the sanctuary. Prayer, music, and silence.

 Theology on Tap. Fourth Friday of the month, 4:45 at The Junket (next to Trader Joe’s) in El Cerrito Plaza. Check our website for specific topics. Come and share your ideas!

Click here for a PDF copy of the featured fall events!

New Small Group at ACC: Aging and Retirement

New Small Group at ACC: Aging and Retirement

We are seeking to gauge the level of interest in a new small group focused on the ups and downs of retirement, aging, or life transitions. The group would be led by ACC members Caro Grosvenor, a psychotherapist, and Rev. Barry Cammer, a pastoral counselor. The group would meet for approximately 6 sessions, beginning in September, most likely on a weekday evening. Space would be limited to 8 people -- if you are interested, please let Nate know (revnateklug@gmail.com) as soon as you can.

ACC's Food Pantry Barrel

Arlington Community Church is joining with the Contra Costa Solano County Food Bank to fill a food barrel over the next month.

 1 in 8 people in the two counties - about 180,000 individuals - turn to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano each month. St. Mary’s University did a study.

 They found 92% have a household income of less than $35,000 a year and it takes $76,500 for a family of four to make ends meet in California. 64% of households have seniors, children or both. Even more staggering, 29% rely on the Food Bank for at least half of their food.

 The study also revealed that the majority of participants eat healthier since receiving food assistance from the Food Bank and its partner agencies. 71% of respondents said they eat more balanced meals. 75% of respondents said they eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

 The need is particularly great for protein items such as canned tuna or peanut butter. ACC has had Protein Sundays for several years. Right now please bring those items and other packaged food goods (with current expiration dates) and help us fill the barrel.

 Cash contributions can also be made and the Lesher Fund is currently matching all gifts to the Food Bank.

Rev. Nate Klug's Installation June 30, 2019

Rev. Nate Klug's Installation June 30, 2019

A special weekend at Arlington Community Church. What ended with the Installation of Rev. Nate, a sanctuary full of old and new friends, a laying on of hands, and a fantastic reception in the Social Hall...began much earlier with some planning, creativity, and hard work!

Many thanks to everyone involved in creating a special weekend, one that we won't soon forget.

Summer 2019 Improvements to Our Church

Summer 2019 Improvements to Our Church

Two summer construction projects are scheduled to enhance our church building and exterior. Read more below, and keep us in prayer during this time of transition!

 Roof Replacement Project

 The twenty-three-year-old roof over the Sanctuary and Office area will be replaced, due to wind and rain damage. This project emerged as an urgent need after the winter. The replacement will commence July 8, and last approximately 6 weeks. 

 Concrete Project 

 Following the roof replacement project, our concrete project will start on August 19. The project will consist of replacing the retaining wall at the north end of the church, and the stairs from the patio down to the east end of the Kensington Nursery School walkway, as well and the patio itself and the wooden deck leading to it from the church Social Hall. This project is expected to last 4-6 weeks.

General Synod 2019

General Synod 2019

Friends,

I spent June 21 – June 25 at General Synod in Milwaukee, which was five full days of Synod experience! I think I could do the walk from the Hyatt Regency hotel room to the convention center in my sleep, and I bet Zoe could, too (well, she still scoots).

If you haven’t heard about General Synod before, it’s the bi-annual national gathering of the United Church of Christ. I’d heard lots about it from friends, but this was my first time attending.

Synod is a combination of worship and guest speakers, plenary sessions in which resolutions are voted on, workshops, and wandering through exhibit hall booths. Throughout it all is the opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones.

Speaking of, I had a brief but meaningful chat with Rev. Tony Clark, who is now Minister for the Committee on Ministry Development and Leadership, part of the “Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization” team, at the national setting of the UCC in Cleveland. Tony was busy working in the Exhibit Hall for much of the conference. He sends on his greetings and best wishes to us all!

Resolutions that spoke to my heart and educated me included: a Witness resolution against private prisons, a Witness resolution about the use of Styrofoam, and a Prudential resolution about figuring out the basic unit of life in the UCC into the 21st century (is it always, or even often, a church?). I was also inspired that we voted to become the first denomination to endorse the Green New Deal. And there was a great off-site event called Pub Theology Story Telling, based on The Moth!

Attending Synod helped me remember what is true about every single UCC church: not everyone agrees with one another, but we find a way to co-exist in love and good humor. There were many difficult moments of debate during the plenary sessions (I’m happy to share more if you’re curious!), but the overall tone was one of urgent love in this important moment.

I’m grateful to ACC for funding my Synod registration fee. And now, I’m super glad to be back home! We have lots to look forward to this weekend.

Rev. Nate

Improvements to Our Church

Improvements to Our Church

 Two summer construction projects are scheduled to enhance our church building and exterior. Read more below, and keep us in prayer during this time of transition!

 Roof Replacement Project

 The twenty-three-year-old roof over the Sanctuary and Office area will be replaced, due to wind and rain damage. This project emerged as an urgent need after the winter. The replacement will commence July 8, and last approximately 6 weeks. 

 Concrete Project

 Following the roof replacement project, our concrete project will start on August 19. The project will consist of replacing the retaining wall at the north end of the church, and the stairs from the patio down to the east end of the Kensington Nursery School walkway, as well and the patio itself and the wooden deck leading to it from the church Social Hall. This project is expected to last 4-6 weeks.

If you have specific questions about either project, please talk to Randy Laferte or David Hertzer.

Interfaith Power & Light

Interfaith Power & Light

On May 9th, Rev. Susan Hendershot, president of Interfaith Power &

Light, was our speaker for the Person of the Planet’s May meeting.

A Letter from Interfaith Power & Light:

 Every Saturday I walk from my home to the local farmers market to do my shopping for the week. While I pick out blueberries, walnuts, carrots, and spinach, I talk with the farmers who bring such abundance to me each week. They work the soil, plant the seeds, and tend the harvest—using science in order to understand the life of the plants that they produce for food.

 Science is all around us, and people of faith and conscience understand that we have benefited from scientific advancements in growing food, keeping water and air clean, and helping people live healthier lives. So why does there seem to be a disconnect when it comes to climate science?

 We clearly need both in order to bring about the change that is needed. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man [sic] knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals."

 During the month of June, I will be undertaking the first joint speaking tour with Ken Kimmell, the president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, where our theme will be "Faith, Science, and Climate Solutions". Our goal is to demonstrate that the science is clear, that the solutions to the climate crisis are at hand, and that our faith inspires and motivates us to take bold and just action.

 Our tour stops will take us to Greenville, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; and Birmingham, Alabama. To get the information and to register for these locations, visit our website.

 Please consider making a donation to advance IPL's work connecting faith, science, and climate solutions. Your gifts make programs like these possible.

 Thank you for continuing to build the faith climate action movement, and for being part of our community.

 Blessings,

 Rev. Susan Hendershot

President

Summer Sermon Series: It’s Complicated

“It’s Complicated”: A Summer Sermon Series

 Life is full of blessings that can also feel like burdens. How do we navigate situations that require all of our head and heart, and still might not have an answer?

 Join us as we have fun exploring a different “complicated” topic each Sunday morning, from family to money to tradition.

June 2. “It’s Complicated: Success.”

Text: Acts 16:16-34. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

June 9. “It’s Complicated: The Gift of Many Tongues.”

Pentecost Sunday. Text: Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

June 16. “It’s Complicated: Tradition.”

Text: Genesis 32: 22-32. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

June 23. “It’s Complicated: Identity and Unity.”

Text: Galatians 3:27-29. Rev. Dr. Melinda McLain (Mira Vista UCC) preaching.

June 30. “It’s Complicated: Having a Calling.”

Text: Isaiah 6:1-8. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

July 7. “It’s Complicated: Money and Privilege.”

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:10, Matthew 6. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

July 14. “It’s Complicated: Family.”

Text: Matthew 10, Luke 10:38-42. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

July 21. “It’s Complicated: Having a Building.”

Text: Exodus 25, 31, 40. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

July 28. “It’s Complicated: Loving our Enemies.”  

Text: Luke 6:27-36. Rev. Phil Porter preaching.

August 4. “It’s Complicated: Wholeness.”

Text: TBD. Rev. Barry Cammer preaching.

August 11. “It’s Complicated: Marriage and Divorce.”

Text: Ecclesiastes 3, Matthew 19. Rev. Nate Klug preaching

August 18. “It’s Complicated: Technology.”

Text: Genesis 6, 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

August 25. “It’s Complicated: Having a Specific Faith.”

Text: Luke 13:22-30. Rev. Nate Klug preaching.

From “Who was I, that I could hinder God?”, Rev. Nate Klug's sermon on Acts 11:1-18.

From “Who was I, that I could hinder God?”, a sermon on Acts 11:1-18.

 Listen to this week’s sermon by clicking here

And so finally Peter is inside Cornelius’ house.

And he’s talking with these Gentiles, eating their food, accepting their hospitality.

And they’re getting to know each other.

And then the Gentiles ask Peter to speak a message to them:

“Tell us about Jesus, so we may be saved.”

And Peter has come a long way already.

And still, still, when they ask him to preach the Good News to them…Peter hesitates.

I’m not cut out for this, God.

Why do you have to put me in these situations?

Why can’t you just keep me with the people I know and am comfortable with?

And we know what Peter decides to do in the end.

But I want to linger at this moment of hesitation for a minute.

And I want to ask…

Have you ever had a moment that felt like this?

Has God ever put you in the position where you are side by side with a person, or a group of people…

that makes you uncomfortable, for some reason?

And you have to choose how to respond?

I’m leading an Inquirers class after worship today.

And in preparing for that, I was reminded of three history-making moments that we claim as part of our tradition in the UCC.

The first happened way back in 1785....

When Lemuel Haynes, an African-American veteran of the American Revolution, was ordained by a Congregational church in Connecticut.

The first African-American ordained minister in this country.

The second happened in 1853…

When Antoinette Brown, a women’s rights activist and graduate of Oberlin College, was ordained in a Congregational church in New York.

The first female ordained minister in this country.

And the third happened only 45 years, in 1973.

When Bill Johnson, a graduate of Pacific School of Religion, was ordained at the UCC church in San Carlos.

The first openly gay ordained minister in this country.

And we celebrate each of these moments as part of our church’s legacy. They seem inevitable now.

But the truth is, each of these cases happened, because there were a group of human beings gathered together in a room.

Gathered, just like Peter and the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house.

And sure, maybe some of them knew the right thing to do right away.

(Of course we like to think we would be one of those people!)

But I bet a far greater number of people who voted, in each of these situations, were like Peter in our story.

Coming face to face with an other person they didn’t fully understand.

Maybe even a person they had been taught their whole lives to avoid...

Certainly a person who they had not associated with the full holiness of God.

And so, as every stereotype, and preconception, and anxiety swirled around in their heads…

they prayed.

And I bet not a few of them prayed something like Peter must have prayed.

This wasn’t my idea of serving you, God.

I’m not cut out for this.

Why can’t I just stick with the group I feel comfortable with?

And as they prayed, there is no doubt in my mind, that a voice came to some of them…

just as it came to Peter in Cornelius’ house.

Don’t you get it?

THIS is what following me is all about.

Breaking down the boundaries of our world… is what my love means.