Banner: All Creatures of our God and King

Banner: All Creatures of our God and King

A Little Church History

By Linda Young

If you’ve ever wondered about the banner currently hanging behind the communion table at the front of the church, here is the story. It was designed and built as a congregational collaboration in 2014.  Pastor Tony suggested the congregation choose a favorite hymn, discuss its meaning, and design a new wall hanging that expressed our vision of the hymn.  During the summer of 2014, several “candidate hymns” (ones that might lend themselves to an artistic representation) were sung in church and considered. Late that summer the vote selected All Creatures of our God and King by William Henry Draper, based on a poem by St Francis of Assisi. 

In the Fall, Elena Caruthers and I had started collecting fabric scraps from people in the congregation. Some people brought in scraps from garments and some fabrics they loved but had not used.  Once we had materials, and the hymn was selected, we gathered to design the banner.  After a little discussion of the hymn, we each, privately set to work to sketch something visual that embodied the hymn.  No one signed their design.  The anonymous designed were turned in, shuffled and hung on the wall. Each was assigned a letter.   Then we voted on the design we each liked the best.  The overall design receiving the most votes was done by Pastor Tony.  Added to that was Darrell’s tree of life, and Alia’s singers, plus several people’s creatures.  It was a true collaboration. 

During the construction process. The background fabric hung in the social hall while we gathered for workshops.  We had a couple of sessions of drawing patterns, cutting fabric, and pinning creatures to the banner.  These were some of the people who participated.  A few have passed away. Eloise Schmidt, Jim and Linda Young, Martha Colburn, Elena Caruthers, Alia Morrison, Tony Clark and Darrell Roland.  Many more contributed materials.

Several memorable moments stick with me. Martha Colburn brought in a scrap from one of her mother’s favorite dresses. You’ll see a cluster of Autumn leaves near the singers on the banner. The rest of the fabric was made into a pillow for Martha to take home.  One day Eloise Schmidt suggested the collection of creatures must include a serpent. She happily cut out a serpent that nearly stretched the width of the banner. A few significant looks were exchanged, and gentle suggestions made. In the spirit of Congregationalism, the work was all inclusive. A modification to help it fit met with her approval and it was added. Children drew around cookie cutters to make horses, someone designed a whale, and gradually it took shape. There were interesting problems to solve such as how to represent clouds and wind.  I recall Elena spending considerable time on the Sun, and the whole banner spent several days draped over my sewing machine on the dining room table, while Jim patiently skirted around it.  The new banner made its first appearance in worship in November of 2014.

If you participated in this project and I forgot, my huge apologies!  And please let me know.  With respect and appreciation, 

Linda Young

Passing of the Corporate Transparency Act

Passing of the Corporate Transparency Act

Friends,

Together, we did it.

Thanks to your thousands of calls, petitions, postcards and messages - The House of Representatives passed the Corporate Transparency Act by a vote of 249-173, last night.

Our efforts together, also won support from the White House and the US Treasury.

Now - to win, we must move the Senate to pass the Corporate Transparency Act or one of several similar pieces of Jubilee legislation.

Please send an email to your Senators now.

Email your Senators and ask them to cosponsor legislation that reveals the true owners of "anonymous" shell companies. Tell your Senators that this legislation is vital to stop human traffickers, defend vulnerable communities and protect development aid and debt relief.

A decade ago, Jubilee USA found out that debt relief and development aid was stolen by dictators and corrupt officials by using shell companies. As we began our campaign, we saw that human traffickers, arms dealers and criminals who ran Medicare scams - all used "anonymous" shell companies to do their deeds in secret.

Thanks to our partnership and your continued efforts, our Jubilee USA legislation can now become law.

Please take a moment and e-mail the Senate so we can cross the finish line.

Gratefully,

Eric LeCompte

Executive Director

Jubilee Weekend is Coming Up

Jubilee Weekend is Coming Up

Oct. 19, 2019

We are proud to be a Jubilee Congregation. Our banner hangs in the Social Hall … But what does that mean?  It means that we have chosen to join with people of many faiths who share concern for those who are most vulnerable. Together we support work on systemic causes of hunger – particularly poverty that is the result of debt or unjust financial practices.  Jubilee staff based in Washington DC are tirelessly serving as the voice of people of faith who wish to create fair economic practices.

Some examples include areas where the Jubilee USA has recently had significant influence:

·        Congress introducing legislation to combat financial secrecy and anonymous shell corporations, where money is hidden to avoid taxes and to hid criminal activity. This type of secrecy facilitates the theft of debt relief aid, human trafficking and contributes to the loss of more than a trillion dollars of revenue in the developing world. We hope to get this bipartisan legislation signed into law in the next year.

·        Moving the White House on eliminating harmful provisions in trade agreements that favor predatory debt collecting hedge funds and abusive corporations. Our continued support will mean Jubilee can push or access to medicines for vulnerable populations.

·        NAFTA: Through Jubilee’s Interfaith Statement on Trade and Access to Medicines  https://www.jubileeusa.org/nafta_and_international_public_health_an_interfaith_call_for_access_to_medicines

·        President Trump to sign a Disaster Bill for Puerto Rico, States, and Territories. Eric LeCompte of Jubilee worked across the aisle to advocate for this bill. 

We at ACC have long been involved in helping serve food, provide shelter, and support families at Christmas, and we also are contributing to the solving some of the root causes of poverty through our support of the Jubilee USA Network.   Our Board of Missions and Social Justice has budgeted $400 a year donation to the work of Jubilee. If you wish to make an individual donation OR learn more about the work, check out the new website for news, prayers, and action ideas   https://www.jubileeusa.org/

Linda Young – for the Board of Missions and Social Justice

Blessing of the Animals 2019

Many thanks to all the creatures (many dogs, many humans, and two middle-aged tortoises) who participated in our Animal Blessing on Sunday afternoon in Kensington Park! It was good to be the church in the community and celebrate God's Creation in the spirit of St. Francis.

World Communion Sunday & Neighbors in Need Special Offering

World Communion Sunday &

Neighbors in Need Special Offering

This Sunday we will be celebrating World Communion Sunday, a day when we recognize all the different practices and cultures that make up the Body of Christ throughout the world.

As part of our celebration, we will take up an offering for Neighbors in Need. NIN is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. This year, special consideration will be given to projects focusing on serving our immigrant neighbors and communities. 

KCC/ACC Parade, Picnic, and Blessing of the Animals

KCC/ACC Parade, Picnic, and Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 13th, 12:00-3:00 pm.

 The BIG DAY is almost here…Bring your pets, kids, and grandkids!

11:30 am. Parade assembles at Arlington & Amherst Aves (ACE parking lot).

12 pm. Parade starts with this year’s Grand Marshal, Rev. Nate. People and their pets are invited to join the parade in costume!

1:00. Blessing of the Animals, on the Kensington Park Big Lawn.

LIVE MUSIC with Fred Korematsu Middle School Jazz Band.

Hotdog and sausage lunches for sale.

1:30. Richmond Police Force K9 Unit demonstration.

2:00. Coloring Contest sponsored by Mechanics Bank.

We are still looking for helpers to set-up, staff, and take down our ACC table during the afternoon. Please contact Linda Young (zmom@comcast.net) if you can help out.

Fall Celebration Sunday

Fall Celebration Sunday

 Dear Friends,

 You're especially invited to join us for our Fall Celebration Sunday, this coming Sunday, September 15. 

 We’ll have special music from the Choir (returning for the first time since the spring), as well as the Ensemble Band.

 Since we're at the beginning of another school year, we'll take a moment to bless Students and Teachers of all kinds, from elementary-school kids to retired professors.

 And we’ll celebrate our Ministry Teams/Boards, which do so much behind the scenes at ACC, and also hear about two exciting groups that have formed over the summer: a new Faith Formation team, and a new Outreach and Hospitality team.

 Oh, and there will be ICE CREAM afterwards during Social Hour.

 See you in church!

— Rev. Nate Klug

2020 Campaign Update and Thank You

2020 Campaign Update and Thank You

The Capital Campaign is GROWING, thanks to those who stepped up in answer to the renewed 2020 appeal mailed in June. Several people in the congregation offered new pledges to the campaign, increased their pledges, or paid pledges early.

Elena Caruthers, our Financial Secretary, has reported we have received 4 new pledges, and 2 increases since June 2019. We now have $157,425.00 in total pledges to the 2020 Campaign.

Importantly, the 2020 Campaign can continue to help pay the costs of our recent large projects. It is not too late to donate, if it is still on you list of things to do.

The roof work has totally been paid for:

· $19,297 came from the Capital Campaign (not an anticipated Capital project),

· $120,000 came from the Endowment and Building funds, and

· The balance came from Surplus funds.

· The cost of the entire project came to $162,771.45 – under the $165,000 expected.

Money is still left in the Capital Campaign fund and will be used, along with endowment and surplus funds to pay for the patio and drainage work currently in progress. This project was on the original 2020 Capital Improvements plan.

It has been a very busy summer. Both the roof and the patio projects have taken priority in the sequence of 2020 projects for safety reasons. The Church Council is grateful for the excellent negotiating, planning, and supervision of these projects done by David Hertzer.

The ACC Council also extends a grateful Thank You to all those who have donated to the 2020 Capital Campaign. The proposal to recognize donors is not forgotten. Once the patio is finished, we will be exploring an appropriate way to do this, such as a wall of names, including all names without disclosing the amounts donated to the campaign. If you have thoughts on this, please share with members of the Council.

New capital improvement proposals include the expansion/reorganization of bathroom space in the narthex. Finding funds for that is a matter for future discussion. Who knows, the Capital Campaign fund may be able to kick off that project.

With gratitude for your generosity,

Linda Young, Vice Moderator

Coffee Hour: Providing Hospitality

Coffee Hour: Providing Hospitality

 Do you ever find yourself noticing a great deal on cookies or fruit at the grocery store? You are always welcome to help provide snacks for our Coffee/Social Hour following Sunday worship.

If you do know that you’ll be bringing something, just email Jaima Roberts at jaima1@aol.com, so she knows not to dig in to our stockpile of extra snacks. Thanks for providing hospitality (and thanks to Jaima for making sure we always have something to share!).

Experience the Psalms in a New Translation

Experience the Psalms in a New Translation

Brought to you by the Faith Formation Team

What does it mean to say, “God is still speaking”? One thing it probably means is that God’s Word in Scripture should never sound old-fashioned to our ears. Our Protestant forebears took pride in translating the Bible into their living vernacular, and we have the same responsibility to bring God’s Word into the contemporary in our worship.

 To that end, for the next four Sundays, we’ll be experimenting with a new English translation of the Hebrew Bible, published in 2018 by the renowned Hebrew scholar and Cal professor Robert Alter. Each week in worship, we’ll experience a favorite Psalm in Alter’s translation.

 Our experiment will culminate in a second-hour discussion on September 22, led by Jonathan Sheehan, director of the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion, where we compare some of Alter’s choices with our favorite translations from the past.

 Alter’s Hebrew Bible has been widely celebrated, critiqued, and discussed by scholars! But as far as we know, we are one of the only congregations actually experimenting with using this new translation in a worship setting.