Black Wealth Builders Fund Receives First Applications!
Black Wealth Builders Fund Receives First Applications!
Just in time for Easter, our Black Wealth Builders Fund is moving into its next phase: making our first loans. According to the Richmond Community Foundation, where the fund is housed, two applications have been received via Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, one of our partner agencies. That means that soon we will be helping our initial group of Black neighbors into their first home.
Launched last year during Lent, the fund today stands at around $216,000, thanks to generous donations from all over the Bay Area and beyond (beginning with ACC). The goal of the fund is to help repair a small portion of the financial damage of racism and white supremist housing policies. The fund helps Black homebuyers by providing loans for down payments or closing costs. No interest is charged on the loans and they are not required to be paid back until the property is refinanced or sold.
As we learn more about our first loan applicants, we’ll share the details. And this is just the beginning of our journey—the more people we help, the more donations we can attract. It is our hope that other UCC churches around the country will launch funds like ours.
We are gladly still accepting donations to this important cause. You can donate directly by sending a check to the Richmond Community Foundation, 3260 Blume Dr., Suite 110, Richmond, CA 94806. Indicate Black Wealth Builders Fund in the memo line. Or you can donate online: https://www.giveffect.com/campaigns/17536-black-wealth-builder-s-fund
More information on the fund and its importance can be found on ACC’s website:
REVISED COVID PROTOCOLS: April 10, 2022
· Effective April 10, in keeping with federal, state and local regulatory agency mandates, masks and social distancing will be STRONGLY RECOMMENDED, but no longer required, indoors at ACC, including in the Sanctuary and the Social Hall.
· Each person is encouraged to make the decisions they feel are right for them and to respect and support the decisions of others.
· The requirement to present proof of vaccination or negative COVID test will remain in place but be re-evaluated at the end of April.
Notes from the Moderator: March 18, 2022
Notes from the Moderator: March 18, 2022
All articles for the Parishscope should now be sent to Pastor Celeste initially, with a cc to Jacob at the church office if you wish. Pastor Celeste will edit what is included in the Parishscope and send on to Jacob for publication.
The in-person worship experience is a real blessing after months of virtual services. Watching the service again on YouTube the next day or later in the week is an experience I’d strongly recommend. Pastor Celeste’s sermons include more than I heard the first time. Possibly it’s like “warmed up lasagna,” which many conclude is better the second day. Try it, you may just end up liking it.
Continued Prayers are encouraged for our Pastor, ACC, the Members, Council, and the community around us, as well as the people of Ukraine and Russia.
Faith Abel, Moderator
Consideration of a Possible Upgrade of the Narthex Restrooms
Consideration of a Possible Upgrade of the Narthex Restrooms
Back in 2019, soon after the roof replacement, Council revisited the list of proposed projects listed during our Vision 2020 Campaign that began in 2013. During that process, lists were developed and roughly prioritized, knowing that circumstances might change, requiring us to change direction from time to time. Those lists have “evolved” for several reasons, feasibility, changing needs, and changed circumstances (such as the roof replacement due to leaks that could not be ignored). After the roof replacement, we returned to the list and picked up the sidewalk project, addressing safety needs. Next on the list is upgrading restrooms in the Narthex. Council’s goal has been to upgrade with a fully accessible ADA restroom and increase the number of fixtures to eliminate inconvenience of long waits when a large group meets in the church. We are now at the “investigation stage” (which was delayed due to Covid).
This stage has included looking at sketches for possible configuration of our space; the sketches were provided at no charge by a retired architect and friend of the church. Council narrowed them down, and I agreed to begin a more serious investigation. I’ve consulted with 5 architects and a couple of contractors, consulted with the Contra Costa County lead plan checker, and shared information with the Restroom Upgrade Committee: myself, Eleanor Crump, and David Hertzer. We have requested proposal from architects, and the Committee will review proposals. Our objective is to select an architect who will provide us with “schematic” drawings based on requirements of the County for use of space, and number of fixtures - all governed by Code. We have waited to share possible plans with the congregation until we have some concrete information about what is actually feasible and the possible costs. That information will be vital to deciding whether we will proceed with such a project. Once we have that information in hand, we’ll arrange for Spectrum-type presentations to the congregation.
To finance this project, we have funds remaining in the Vision 2020 fund, and available funds in the Endowment have been accumulating for several years.
Please let me know if you have questions. Linda Young
Simplified Covid Prevention Protocols for In-Person Worship: REVISED MARCH 7, 2022
Simplified Covid Prevention Protocols for In-Person Worship
Revised March 7, 2022
In effect through at least April 3rd
Vaccination cards or negative Covid test results checked at the door.
Masks are required inside except when actually eating or drinking.
Masks are optional outdoors.
1. Effective March 6, 2022: Vaccinations and boosters required for all who are eligible: Please be prepared to show vaccination/booster certificate at the door or, if you have already been cleared, ask the Greeter to check (✔) your name on the “Fully Vaccinated List”.
2. Effective March 13, 2022: Unvaccinated church members welcome upon presentation of a negative test: Please be prepared to show a time-stamped photo of a negative Covid test result, the test having been taken within 24 hours. The Greeters will record names of those presenting Covid test results in lieu of vaccination certificates.
3. Wear a face covering: Masks will continue to be required indoors. Please wear an N95, KN95, or KF94. If these are not available, a surgical mask with tight ear straps that completely covers mouth and nose is acceptable; cloth masks are no longer acceptable.
4. Stay home when you’re sick: Please stay home if you are experiencing any signs of illness and get tested before coming to ACC. Please plan to stay home for one week if you test positive.
5. If you test positive: If you test positive within a week after attending in-person worship, please contact Pastor Celeste as soon as possible for contact tracing and other considerations.
6. Stay home after traveling by plane: Please stay home for one week after travelling and get tested before coming to ACC.
7. Stay up to date: Please watch the ParishScope, Wednesday Update, and ACC website for the latest updates. We anticipate frequent changes in this protocol as the public health situation and the concerns of our congregation evolve.
8. Questions? Concerns? Please contact Pastor Celeste Fields, Moderator Faith Abel, or Re-Opening Chair Eleanor Crump
Church Service Protocols
1. Greeters check and document vaccination/booster certifications for vaccinated people and negative Covid test verifications for unvaccinated members.
2. Returning church members no longer need to show their vaccination certificates every Sunday; the Greeter can check them off on the “Fully Vaccinated List.” The Greeter will also record names of those not yet on the list as well as those showing Covid test results in lieu of vaccination certificates.
3. Worship Host records seating (cell-phone photo).
4. Maintain social distancing: six-foot minimum distance (except members of same household).
5. Wear masks the entire time, even while singing. Exception: Speakers and singers at a distance while they are speaking or singing.
6. Communion: Touch-free with tongs and cups in trays.
7. Passing the Peace: Stay in place.
8. Offering: Baskets at entry.
9. Doors open to enhance ventilation insofar as weather and street noise allow.
10. No lingering and chatting indoors before/after worship--quick in and out—welcome to greet and chat outdoors.
11. No indoor Social Hour for the time being. Welcome to Social Hour on the patio.
Exciting News About Improvements to Our Live-Stream Services!
We are so happy to be able to safely resume IN-PERSON worship on Sunday, March 6!
If you've been watching from home for the last year, you've probably encountered those pesky loading screens that slow down worship.
After much time, effort, and countless technicians, ACC has finally upgraded it's internet service to fiber! Which means, NO MORE LOADING SCREENS FOR YOU AT HOME!
Welcome Back--Carefully Re-Opening! February 19, 2022 UPDATE
Covid Prevention Protocols
Revised February 19
Welcome Back as we Re-Open Carefully!
We are so happy to be able to safety resume IN-PERSON worship on Sunday, March 6!
Pastor Celeste and the Re-Opening Committee suggest we continue to abide by the Covid Prevention Protocols summarized below for the time being until we feel comfortable easing them, maybe as soon as a few weeks from now if case rates continue to decline.
New, simplified Covid prevention protocols for returning in person:
· Vaccinations required and boosters will be required for all who are eligible: Please be prepared to show vaccination/booster certificate at the door.
· Wear a face covering: Masks will continue to be required indoors. Please wear an N95, KN95, or KF94 if possible, otherwise a surgical mask with tight ear straps that completely covers mouth and nose. Cloth masks are no longer acceptable.
· Stay home when you’re sick: Please stay home if you are experiencing any signs of illness and get tested before coming to ACC. Please plan to stay home for 10 days if you test positive.
· If you test positive: If you test positive within a week after attending in-person worship, please contact Pastor Celeste as soon as possible for contact tracing and other considerations.
· Stay home after travelling by plane: Please stay home for 10 days after travelling and get tested before coming to ACC.
· Stay up to date: Please watch the ParishScope, Wednesday Update, and ACC website for the latest updates.
· Questions? Concerns? Please contact Pastor Celeste Fields, Moderator Faith Abel, or re-opening Chair Eleanor Crump
Church Service Protocols
1. Greeters check vaccination/booster certifications.
2. Worship Host records seating (cell-phone photo).
3. Maintain social distancing: six-foot minimum distance (except members of same household).
4. Wear masks the entire time, even while singing. Exception: Speakers and singers at a distance while they are speaking or singing.
5. Communion: Touch-free with tongs and cups in trays.
6. Passing the Peace: Stay in place.
7. Offering: Baskets at entry .
8. Doors open to enhance ventilation insofar as weather and street noise allow.
9. No lingering and chatting indoors before/after worship--quick in and out—welcome to greet and chat outdoors.
10. No indoor Social Hour for the time being. Welcome to Social Hour on the patio.
Looking Forward to In-Person Worship! February 4, 2022 UPDATE
Looking Forward to In-Person Worship!
The Re-Opening Committee met on February 2 to assess the public health situation and consider protocols for resuming in-person worship. Guided by our priority to assure the safety and well-being of our congregation, we studied and discussed:
• government guidance and regulations;
• the infection rates and trends in our area;
• our population’s status regarding vaccinations and boosters;
• the pros and cons of on-site protocols we would need to assure safety; and
• input from the congregation.
Although the numbers of new cases in Contra Costa County are still the highest they have been since the beginning of the pandemic, if the current steep downward trend in infection rates continues, it looks like we may be back to early December levels in a few weeks.
We suggest we may be able to safely resume in-person worship on
Sunday, March 6, the First Sunday of Lent!
This date may change as we continue to monitor the situation, but for now let’s look forward to it.
New, simplified Covid prevention protocols for returning in person
· Vaccinations and boosters will be required for all who are eligible. Please be prepared to show vaccination/booster certificate at the door.
· Wear a face covering. Masks will continue to be required indoors. Please wear an N95, KN95, or KF94 if possible, otherwise wear a surgical mask with tight ear straps that completely covers mouth and nose. Cloth masks are no longer acceptable.
· Stay home when you’re sick. Please stay home for 10 days if you test positive or are experiencing any signs of illness and get tested before coming to ACC.
· Stay home for after travelling. Please stay home for 10 days after travelling and get tested before coming to ACC.
· Stay up to date: Please watch the ParishScope, Wednesday Update, and ACC website for the latest updates.
· Questions? Concerns? Please share with Pastor Celeste Fields, Moderator Faith Abel, or Re-Opening Chair Eleanor Crump.
The Re-Opening Committee is grateful for your abiding patience, support, and feedback as we continue to navigate and learn from this challenging pandemic.
Moderator Connection
Moderator Connection
I’m honored to be your Moderator for 2022, and will work with you to make it a good year for ACC.
Pastor Celeste is more settled at one month than I am at 2 weeks, but we both feel energy and enthusiasm for our time ahead for ACC. Virtual services were not what we envisioned for the first weeks of a new Pastor, but we are looking forward to the time soon when we can again meet in person for our Worship Services.
The reopening team met this week and are encouraged by the drop in the number of cases and are monitoring other factors to determine a safe return to meeting in person. Our tentative time for reopening is currently March 6th, but the team will continue to meet and will keep the congregation informed.
A date will be scheduled for a congregational meeting once we are meeting in person to verify/confirm the election of Council Members and approval of the 2022 Budget which were voted on Zoom on Jan. 23rd meeting. At this meeting a vote will also be taken on a proposed addition to our bylaws to allow the use of Internet meeting services for the Annual and Special Business Meetings of our Church.
The Installation of Pastor Celeste is not a firm date yet, but is in the planning stage. This is an exciting event for both Pastor Celeste and our congregation. Guest ministers from the area and the Conference will participate in this event, and the event will also include live streaming for those unable to attend.
The newly elected Council will meet next Wednesday, Feb. 9th at 1:00 pm. Members are Joe Pratt, Sara Laferte, Randy Laferte, Elena Caruthers, Eleanor Crump, Jaima Roberts, Tom Dean, Pastor Celeste, and myself. We on the Council will continue to strive to be transparent and keep you informed of our actions and decisions. We welcome you input and questions, and ask for your continued prayers for God’s guidance for all of us.
I look forward to the time soon that we’ll be able to give Pastor Celeste that ‘Extravagant Welcome’ in person.
Faith Abel, Moderator