Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: December 31, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

Along with the rest of you, I was sitting in the pews when Pastor Nate Klug gave his farewell sermon. As I remember, it was cute and clever, poignant and funny.

He did a thing with the alphabet.

I remember ‘C’ was for Covid.

                    It still is.

‘T’ was for turkeys – Arlo and Arlys.

I haven’t seen them for a while.

I miss them.

I vaguely remember Nate saying something about someone wearing a bow tie.

That just made the person different.

Not Better. Not worse. Just different.

I liked Nate’s style.

Nate had a great style about him.

He had his own je ne sais quoi that was admirable.

In the Middle of July, I was hired to be the Bridge Pastor. I wondered how I could possibly bring anything to this space that would even come close to Nate. I even confided as much to him before he left. Then I remembered what Nate said about the guy with a bow tie. I didn’t have to be like Nate. I just needed to bring me.    

As your Bridge Pastor, my job was to fill in between Pastor Nate and the next pastor, who we now know is the Rev. Dr. Celeste Fields. I think I did what I was hired to do.

When I started on July 14, Arlington Community Church was just returning to live in-person worship. My first Sunday was the first time in 16 months I got to preach before a live studio audience - as they say.

Preaching live and preaching on Zoom are two different animals. I much prefer live. There is a certain energy that is created when the community gathers in-person. That’s not to say we aren’t community on Zoom or You Tube. We are. I prefer live where the energy is.

As the Bridge pastor, I led you from just coming out of distance worship back into distance worship. That’s not my all fault. Here we are again. Hopefully not for as long this time.

But while I was here, it was great being back together.  Yes?

I brought with me a certain energy. A certain way of understanding scripture. I brought with me a particular love for the rhythm of the church calendar. Indeed, despite all its foibles, I brought with me a love for the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I brought my own style and flair. 

Every church has its own rhythm of worship. ACC is no different. When you lift up the hood on the worship service, there’s a lot of moving parts.  Thank you for giving me the space for getting used to Arlington’s particular rhythms.

I would like to thank the folks on the Faith Formation Team. It was wonderful working with you. We started a Lectio Divina discernment group.  We started up the Theology on Tap again. Except that a few days before we were to meet in person at the Junket, we had to pivot and meet on Zoom. We made it work. In addition, we resumed the Poetry Hour and the Spiritual Journey series. Thank you. You made it easy. I look forward to working with you in the future as one of you.

Also, I would like to thank Linda Young and the collective wisdom of the Church Council. No pastor can do this job without good solid lay leadership. Much thanks to Susan Yourd and Anita Baker for being my ‘altar guild’ and to Shanti and Tim for making the music happen.  I am also very appreciative to my Pastor/Parish relations team. You helped me get over a bump early on. This is a reminder that ministry needs all of us.

As Elijah and Elisha are crossing the Jordan on dry land, we are reminded of Israel crossing the Red Sea. The community of Israel is heading into new territory. Something new and glorious awaits them. A promised land – a land flowing with milk and honey.  

In much the same way Elijah passes the prophetic baton to Elisha, I too am passing the baton of ministry to Pastor Celeste.

Personally, and professionally, I have nothing on the horizon

which means, I have everything on the horizon.

You, ACC, have crossed from where we were to where we are going. Much like the final scene in “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” the horizon stretches out before you too. Your promised land awaits you. Everything is on your horizon as well.

I couldn’t have done this without each and every one of you.

This was an honor and a joy and a privilege.

                    The turkeys were an added bonus.

                                        Thank you.

Keep being fabulous,

~ Rev. Barbara Peronteau, Bridge Pastor

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: December 24, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

Usually I have a reflection for this space, but with Christmas Eve and the current situation regarding the Omicron version of Covid causing us to suspend in-person worship for the time being, there's not much space left. (You can still find ACC worship on YouTube.) I have some half-baked thoughts about my time with you as your bridge pastor. Perhaps if I could have some space in next week’s Parishscope I could share them with you when my thoughts will be fully baked.

Instead of my thoughts I think I will share some thoughts of Martin Luther regarding the Bubonic Plague that swept through Wittenberg, Germany. Originally, the plague entered Europe through Italian and French shipping ports in 1347. By 1349 the plague had reached Germany and by 1351 had spread throughout Europe. The initial outbreak had pretty much run its course by 1353. The plague would return though, in 6 - 12 year periods. The disease took three different forms in humans.

On August 2, 1527 the plague made its way to Wittenberg. Martin Luther's older son, Hans, became very ill, but survived. Luther's wife, Kathryn, was pregnant at the time with their second child, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born sickly and would soon die at the tender age of eight months.

In 1527 Martin Luther wrote a letter called, "Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague." Below is an excerpt from this letter about the plague of his time. I thought this might be instructive for us during the plague of our own time.

I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid persons and places where my presence is not needed, in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me he will surely find me, and I will have done what God has expected of me, and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but will go freely as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy, and does not tempt God. (Luther’s Works, Vol. 43, pg. 132)

With the help and mercy of God, may we all get through this time together.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a kind and gentle 2022,

~ Pr. Barbara

Temporarily Suspending In-Person Services

Tuesday night, at 7:00 pm, the Re-opening Team, along with Tim Murphy, Barry Cammer, and Pastor Barbara, met for an emergency meeting regarding the sudden surge of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus.  After the meeting we were able to reach Shanti and she agreed to help make adjustments. The decisions that were made at this meeting were later confirmed by Church Council.  

After much conversation it was decided to suspend “in-person” worship services until we see how this Omicron variant plays out. According to the medical projections hospitalizations will spike in mid- January. That means the spread of Omicron is spiking now. The decision was made to suspend “in-person” services for Friday, December 24, Sunday, December 26, and January 2 at which time the reopening team will re-evaluate this decision.

While a vast majority of us, if not all, are vaccinated and boosted, the Omicron variant can “breakthrough” our vaccinations. While the unvaccinated will get very sick, the possibility remains that those of us who are vaccinated and boosted might also become infected. Symptoms might be mild not requiring hospitalization, but it’s the “Long-Covid” symptoms we also need to be very concerned about.   

A Christmas Eve Service that was open to the public (as are all services) was problematic as we may be turning people away due to capacity limitations.

Upcoming services for Christmas Eve, December 26, and January 2 will be live-streamed on Our YouTube channel. You can tune in to those services live, or watch them anytime afterwards. We are continuing to experience inconsistent internet speeds at the church, so if you encounter buffering screens during any service, we would suggest checking back later to view the service for a seamless experience.

The spread of the Omicron virus, as you probably know by now, is happening faster than safety recommendations can be developed. We decided it’s wiser to be cautions than to be sorry. This decision will be reevaluated in two weeks. We want you safe, healthy, and well for when we can meet again.

Be safe, be well, wear your mask,

~ Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau, Bridge Pastor

~ Linda Young, Moderator

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: December 17, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

It’s that time of year when we nestle all snug in our beds, while visions of sugar-plums dance in our heads as we settle in for a long winter's nap. There is something exciting about this time of year that still remains with me from my childhood. I am reminded of the lights and colors and music of the season, and all the bling that comes with it. As the expectations, demands, and various stressors also dance in my head, I am excited about the excitement and totally otherness this time of year brings with it.

Not everything about the season is happy-flappy though. Along with the laughter comes the raised voices and the anger. The sadness and disappointments. The unmet expectations. The tragedies, loss, and grief. All the emotions across the spectrum are on heightened alert. The bling and sting both make an appearance. 

Even as the day looks like it’s 3 o’clock in the afternoon all day, and even as the Earth spins and turns and wobbles to its appointed spot at the Topic of Capricorn, creation brings us new hope and new possibilities when the Sun bounces back, like a Pacman on the edge of the screen, toward a time with more light and longer days.

It seems that just as the world reaches that place where the lights are about to go out, creation says, nope, not today. It’s ironic that just as the light is at its dimmest is also that same moment when the light begins to shine brightest. We don’t get the end we get a new beginning.

My time with you grows short. As of this writing I have eight more days as your Bridge Pastor. Soon, I will be sitting in the same pews with you. A new beginning. Soon there will be a new Pastor among you. A new beginning.

Just when things are at their dimmest the Angels of heaven cry out to us, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

We don’t get the end, we get Jesus.

A new beginning awaits!

Praise be to God!

~ Pr. Barbara

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: December 10, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

I went online looking for Christmas cards. I was looking for something plain and simple, yet elegant. In my mind’s eye I was envisioning a gold reindeer in an art deco style with a white background. The saying inside would simply say “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.”  I could write whatever additional greeting I wanted depending to whom I was sending the card.   

I went to the Macy’s website. Remember, back in the day when we would go to the department store and pick out cards. Now we can shop via the internet at home in our ‘jammies.  I went to the Macy’s site because what could be more art deco than Macy’s? Wrong. They had some pretty nice cards, but not exactly what I was looking for. I was tempted by the palm tree with Christmas lights on the beach with the sun setting behind the hills in the background. It reminded me of Monterey at sunset. Maybe. I’ll keep looking.

I remember I got some pretty nice cards at Aldi’s about eight years. ago. Actually, it’s just Aldi. Even though everyone says Aldi’s, someone in the room will be the self-appointed grammar police pointing out that, it’s just “Aldi.” There’s a family connection with Trader Joe’s.  Aldi’s is primarily a discount grocery store, but they sell other stuff too. I got my George Forman Grill for seven bucks there.  

Anyway, I bought some very nice holiday cards that year. One set of cards had three or four large highly decorated Christmas ornaments with the word “JOY” colorfully splashed across the card. It was very colorful and happy. There was another set of cards I bought but don’t remember what they were. The third set of cards was that art deco gold reindeer leaping across the white background. Very plain, simple, yet elegant.

The thing is, I wasn’t looking for cards that day. I went in for the beans and corn for 49 cents a can and a dozen eggs for under a dollar. As I was poking around, as I do in grocery stores, I found those cards. I wasn’t looking for cards at all, but there they were, too good to pass up.

It’s kind of like when I lost my marbles in the shag rug. The only way I would find them is when I stepped on them. Och! But ah ha!

I continued my online search for that perfect gold art deco leaping reindeer. Nothing. I changed my expectations. What if I found something region specific? After all, we live in one of the most exotic places on the planet. Nope. Nope, not that one either. Suddenly, that’s the one! I found it! I wasn’t expecting or looking for that one, but that’s the one! I ordered 48.

Our search and expectations for Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy, even God can be like that. When we search for God thinking we’re looking for an art deco reindeer, or have expectations of God that God is this or that, but isn’t anything like we thought, or were told, or the way we did things eight years ago, or were hoping for, that’s when we discover that God lives within us and is completely different than we thought. We find out that God is beyond our expectations and was there the whole time, like the marbles in my shag rug or holiday cards at Aldi’s. Who would have thought about a God who becomes one of us? Who would have thought of a God who suffers with us? That’s when we change our minds and hearts and lives to something new and unexpected bringing Hope, Peace, and Love. That’s when, like that art deco reindeer, we leap for Joy at the unexpected!              

~ Pastor. Barbara

New COVID Protocols at ACC

Dear Members and Friends of Arlington Community Church,

Due to the severity of the new COVID variant known as Omicron the Re-Opening Team met on the morning of Friday, December 3, 2021. Given this new threat the team is taking two guiding themes very seriously. First, we want to keep our gatherings, in particular our worship services, as safe as possible. Secondly, we want to welcome as many people to ACC as possible.

To that end the Re-Opening Team has created new guidelines effective this Sunday, December 5, 2021. Some of them will be familiar.

1. Everyone will be required to show vaccine certificates or photo of Certificate or QR code on phone to Greeter at door upon entry.

2. Unvaccinated people will not be admitted at this time.

3. The team considered allowing unvaccinated persons in who test negative. This would require a lot of training for the Greeters. The Team decided against testing as a means for admittance.

4. While we have a “list,” the team decided it isn’t as accurate as actually seeing proof of a COVID vaccine. Greeters will use the “list” as back up until more and more people become accustomed to showing proof of vaccine. Eventually, the “list” will be phased out.

5. We will continue wearing masks and practice safe distancing.

We continue to live in “unprecedented times.” We continue to “build the airplane while in mid-flight.” Remember we are a covenant people. Meaning we are in co-partnership with God and one another. Safety for all people is an act of kindness and justice.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we journey through this time together.

With Hope, Peace, Love, Joy, and Dignity for all,

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau, Bridge Pastor

Writing for the Re-Opening Team

Faith Abel

Eleanor Crump

Linda Young

Susan Russell

Nina Harmon

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: December 3, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

I’m thinking about energy. What is it and where does it come from? When I was kid, I thought the trees created the wind. I saw the trees move and so I thought the wind came from the trees. To be sure, it was a working theory. One day I shared my hypothesis (a word I would learn much latter) with my Mom. She set me straight. The wind is what causes the trees to move. Wait! What? This was a head scratcher for my 5-year-old brain. My Prometheus streak persisted.

Well, where does the wind come from?  Mom told me the wind comes from the energy created by the Sun. I was beginning to see a connection between the Sun, the wind, the trees, and me. To ask where the Sun gets its energy from was beyond my young comprehension.  I was, however, in awe of the Sun and the wind that could move trees.

There was a day, probably sometime around dusk, an ancient, ancient, ancestor of ours (might some of us possibly be related?) had a working theory. No one knows what this early human was thinking or how this feat was actually accomplished, but by the time it was dark on that particular day, and for the first time ever, there was a pretty good fire going.

One day, Benjamin Franklin, could feel a storm brewing. First, he smelled the change in the air. A short time later the wind began to blow. Then, after the dark clouds began to roll in, he could hear the thunder in the distance. Franklin had a working theory. Now was his moment. He grabbed his kite and his house key. Ah ha! Franklin found a way to uncover something that already existed. We call it electricity. It powers our everythings.   

Energy is something that can move something else. Interaction between something and something else is created. A rock sitting on the edge of a cliff for millennia suddenly falls to the valley below. Something moved it. Energy is what moves molecules which gets all heated up and then moves faster and faster until there is motion, or a spark, or wind. Maybe our ancient ancestor was on to something.

The thing is, electricity, and energy in general, remain a mystery.  This energy thought thread started when I began thinking about our individual Thanksgiving gatherings. Perhaps we were waiting at an airport, or at a gathering, for that certain someone to arrive, with our resting face. You know, that face each of us has that looks like a melting candle without the flame. Then we see a loved one, a family member, or a friend, and our face lights up. We smile, we stand up, we wave our arms. For a split second we think we might look like idiots, but we don’t care because we are all charged up. Think about how much energy that was created by the people who came for your Holiday Feast. The room was lit with energy. Yes?

Being at Church is like that. We each bring our own energy to church. The more the better (following safety guidelines, of course). There is a particular energy we bring to the event we call church.  Not only do we bring energy, but the very Spirit of God is there with us when we are there. The sermon can only be preached once because that is the preaching moment when we each bring our own energy. In that time, we call Church, there is a healing moment, a Justice moment, a Love moment, a forgiveness moment, a wow moment, a music stirs my soul moment, an embracing moment, and quite possibly a God moment in what we ALL bring to that moment we call Church.

I can’t explain it. It’s like when the trees are creating the wind. The more trees, the more energy. Each of us brings our own energy to the worship experience. The more of us the more energy there is. In that moment the Spirit we name as Holy is jumping up and down with all sorts of excitement, and with waving arms is creating more excitement and energy. Spirit is happy to see you! In that moment we know as Church we are one in the Spirit, the source of our energy all along. We are one. We are jazzed.  I am in awe embraced by mystery.

See you in Church.

Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy,

~ Pr. Barbara

Richmond Emergency Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity

Richmond Emergency Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity

I’m currently serving of the Board of the Richmond Emergency Food Pantry, and very proud of the work we are doing. The pantry is an all volunteer organization that has provided a monthly grocery allotment to low income families and individuals of West Contra Costa County since 1971. We are celebrating our 50th year! ACC has often had food drives to donate food to the Pantry.

Currently we are in need of additional volunteers to help pack and distribute food Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Schedules can be flexible according to one’s availability. Many volunteers choose to work twice a month, for instance every other Friday and some choose to work every week. Volunteers feel a true sense of community and satisfaction and enjoy each other’s company. We abide by Contra Costa County health guidelines. All volunteers are encouraged to be vaccinated and all clients and volunteers must wear masks. All contact with clients is outdoors.

If you are looking toward 2022 with a desire to help the community, but don’t want hands on participation, we are also seeking members of the Board of Directors. The Board meets once a month for 1-2 hours via Zoom and as needed for special projects or events.

To learn more about the Pantry and to discuss the possibility of volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Lovetta Vandiver (510) 235-2939 or visit our website www.refp.org. Also, I’d be happy to answer your questions about the kinds of work you might be doing.

Linda Young

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor: November 26, 2021

Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Thoughts from the Pastor…

There’s a story, with some variations, that goes something like this: A newlywed couple were settling into their daily routine. The wife was preparing a roast for dinner. She was eager to use the newest and best pots and pans and roasters they received as wedding gifts. She had bought a 12-inch roast, brought it home, opened it up, and proceeded to cut one inch off both ends and then proceeded to throw away the ends. The husband noticed this and asked why she would cut off 2 inches of perfectly good roast. The wife replied that was something she has always done. The husband was still curious. The wife thought for a moment and said it was something she remembered her mother doing. The husband asked the next logical question which was why her mother would do that. The wife was now as curious about this as her husband and was soon on the phone with her mother. The mother explained that at the time she only had a ten-inch pan and that a 12-inch roast wasn’t going to fit. She hasn’t done that for years since she got her new roasting pans. Oh.

Sometimes we do things because we think that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Perhaps we do things because we’ve always done them and haven’t really thought about it.

That’s the way is for me with that darn pesky pink candle in the Advent Wreath. Ever wonder why there’s a pink candle in the Advent Wreath? For years I never gave it any thought, until one day I did.

Remember back in the day when the colors for Advent were the same as Lent? Purple. Remember that? The Church calendar had two penitential seasons, Advent and Lent. Remember asking why? Why are there two liturgical seasons when the color is purple? Why are there two penitential seasons? Remember when Advent hymns were those unsingable mournful dirges? Lent we understand, but Advent? Shouldn’t there be more Joy involved when celebrating the upcoming Birth of Christ? Shouldn’t there be more ‘yippee’ in the season?  Remember asking those questions?  Well, someone did, and the questions were answered.

Somewhere around 1980, maybe mid ‘70s, the ecumenical Church collectively asked the same questions. There was a liturgical revival about that time. The question was raised what Advent really is about? The collective answer is that Advent is about Hope. The color of Hope is blue. And so, the color for Advent was changed from purple to blue.

So why is there still a pink candle in the Advent Wreath? Back in the day, before the collective ‘we’ began asking questions Advent ran for six weeks beginning right after November 11, St. Martin’s Day. Like Lent Advent was a penitential season. By the time the third week in Lent and the third week in Advent rolled around everyone thought it was about time to take a break. Too much soul searching can get heavy on the soul, so the Church, in its wisdom, took a break. During Lent the day was called Laetare and in Advent the day was called Gaudete. Both are Latin words that have in their roots the word meaning rejoice.

The color for the day for both Laetare and Gaudete Sunday was a pinkish rose color somewhere between red and pink which is actually quite lovely. Here’s the thing though. Advent is no longer a season of penitential self-reflection. Advent is a season of Hope. The color of the season is blue for when we Hope for Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. Do we really need a break from Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy? I would hope not.

Peace and Hope,

 ~ Pr. Barbara

ACC Welcomes Rev. Dr. Celestine Fields as Settled Pastor

ACC Welcomes Rev. Dr. Celestine Fields as Settled Pastor

The Reverend Dr. Celestine Fields was called as ACC’s next Settled Pastor on November 14. After leading worship, she received 98 percent of the vote of members in attendance at the Congregational Meeting held immediately afterward.

In brief remarks, she was gracious and thankful for the overwhelming vote of support. We celebrated with her in the Social Hall after the vote. Pastor Celeste, as she prefers to be called, will begin her duties on January 4. Her first service will be January 9. We very much look forward to an inspirational and meaningful future with her.