Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Summer of Sharing
Fred Groppuso, Stone Church’s own
“Dumpster Diver,” recently shared with
the church school how he helps the
Heifer Program by recycling. Later the
children made creations from junk.
Here is one of their Lovely Creations!
The Fish Outside fish most likely marked secret meeting fish shows up these days between 11
My Office places for Christians in the midst of am and 1 pm. Take a look.
by The Reverend Doctor Ken Henry great persecution. The fish was the Still, while I’m not convinced this
sign of Christ’s followers, and still sighting is anything more than glints of
Last Sunday, I was sitting in my is. All right, this American religious sunlight refracting off some unknown
office in Lincoln House with Elder icon or kitsch can also be located on source, I must say it made me stand up
Donald Foster when Mary Jo Blazek, the bumper of the car in front of you and pay attention. Besides, I like the
Stone’s Children’s Ministry Coordi- (along with several creative parodies), fact that we have a fish outside Lincoln
nator, called out, “Ken, did you know but at its inception, the fish symbol House marking a place where people
there’s a fish outside your office?” meant you were part of a supportive meet to talk about God, Jesus, their
At first, my mind flashed to a real group of believers. faith, and other spiritual matters.
fish lying outside the door leading to Of course, with the precision of Each Sunday in September, we will
the church courtyard – a fish caught Dominic Crossan and the Jesus offer a series of classes on Presbyterian-
and filleted by one of the many fish- Seminar, Donald and I began to ism and The Church (see page 8). These
ermen in the Men’s Mission Team deduce and debunk this trick of the classes have been designed for prospec-
– a slain beast that perhaps swam the light, but in the end, both pastor and tive New Members and Inquirers and
depths of Loch Lomond. elder couldn’t figure out where it was will be held in the Church Library.
Yet, as I stepped around the corner, coming from. And if you’re not sure where that is,
here was the sign of the fish reflecting A few days later, it didn’t help mat- I have a suggestion:
up off the sidewalk. One of the earli- ters when I read among documents Look for the sign of the fish.
est symbols employed by Christians in the church archives: “There are
was staring at me. The fish symbol several stones in the church contain-
for Christians in the first and second ing complete fossils of fish.” All right,
century, as you probably know, iden- I’ll admit that I’m stretching it here;
tified friend from foe. Most church nevertheless, if you would like to
historians agree that the sign of the explore this mystery for yourself, the
THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 1
A True Rainforest Adventure!
Stone Church children enjoyed five our activity site coor-
happy days learning about giving, shar- dinators. Helpers at
ing, caring, loving and praising during the sites were Joyce
Rainforest Adventure Vacation Church Summers, Sheridan
School in early August. The days flew Bowers, and Kelsey
by as we leaned how to be good stew- McDaid. Small
ards of the environment and, in par- group leaders were
ticular, the rainforests of the world. Alexandra Bowers,
Each day was full of games, music, Jane Martin, Hilda
snacks, science and cooking, and arts Salazar and Nancy
and crafts. Some days we didn’t want Shearer-Schroeder.
to go home! Karen Scott and
Rosaleen Zisch’s niece surprised us Claire Ribble prepared snacks and we loved their stories and activities.
when she visited with a friend’s python helped us make homemade bread At week’s end, Janice Goertz led the
– one of the rainforest creatures. Caryl every day – the kids’ favorite treat! kids in a performance of five songs with
Westerberg and her Our cool middle school motions. Parents and friends lined the
daughter Kelsey McDaid helpers were Matt Schro- room, listening and watching the kids
brought beautiful chick- eder, Michael Searing, and adults perform. It was a Rainforest
ens that laid colored Jeremy Edwards, Tara Tree Top Adventure Bible Blast.
eggs. Kelsey explained Hatch-Franklin and her VCS Coordinator Kate Wheatley is
that chickens originated friends, Jeneal, Veronica, particularly grateful to assistant Marie
in the rainforest. and Caitlin, who did Pierce, who was an all-around helper,
Kate Wheatley and double-duty looking after problem solver, go-to person, and artis-
Marie Pierce, who set up our youngest participant, tic advisor. VCS is a warm and fuzzy
VCS, are very grateful to Ashley Sailor! Rosaleen experience when we are all working to
our loving and fun staff. Zisch, Mary Jo Blazek, teach our kids about the love of God
Julie Sailor, Janice Goertz, Caryl West- and Ken Henry were spectacular story- and the very close presence of Jesus in
erberg, Ken Henry and Jim Hagan were tellers dressed in very funny costumes; our hearts. - Kate Wheatley
Don’t Forget the Portable Church Library: the Social Hall Cart
Remember our Cart in the Social Additions to our adult New to our special
Hall! We’ve just put fresh books on side: sections:
it and hope you’ll find something Why People Believe Weird The Creative Lunch-
you’d like to read. things: Pseudoscience, Super- box by Ellen Klavan
This month, we’ll be relying more stition, and Other Confusions (Family 641.5 Kla)
than usual on the cart as a place to of Our Time by Michael Odd Girl Out: The
return and check out books, because Shermer (133 She) Hidden Culture of Aggres-
New Member classes will meet in The Histo- sion in Girls by Rachel
the library each Sunday starting rian & the Believer by Van Simmons (Fam-Teen
at 11:15. So please visit the library Harvey (209 Har), given 302.5 Sim)
before that time or during the week by Rebecca The Dis-
when the church office is open. Kuiken abled God:
- Sue Williams, Library Coordinator Prayers Toward a
and Poems of Liberatory Theology of Dis-
New books for Inspiration by ability by Nancy Eiesland
younger members: Ideals (242 Pra) (Spec. Needs 261.8 Eie)
Going to Sleep on the The Misunderstood Jew: Here I
Farm by Wendy Lewi- The Church and the Scandal Stand: My
son (1st Bks Lew) of the Jewish Jesus by Amy-Jill Struggle for a Christianity
Animal Behavior by Levine (261.2 Lev), given by of Integrity, Love & Equal-
John Stidworthy (YA 591 Sti), given Pat Magee ity by John
by Betsy Williams California S. Spong
Clara Barton Founder Cavalier: and
of the American Red The Journal L i k e
Cross by Susan Sloate of Captain Water for Chocolate by
(YA Biog BARTON) Thomas Fallon by Thomas Laura Esquivel (F Esq),
Author Susan Sloate McEnery (979.4 McE), both given by the Zisch
given by the Zisch family family
THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 2
Summer of Sharing children, while helping to spread John Dominic Crossan
Our Talents & Love
to Lecture on Paul, the
the word of God, to become
by Mary Jo Blazek, involved in Church School this
coming year.
Children’s Ministry Coordinator There are many ways you can
My first assignment as Chil- help. We are in need of teachers,
Apostle to the Gentiles
dren’s Ministry Coordinator was assistants, and substitutes, as well John Dominic Crossan returns to Stone
to create a summer program. My as storytellers, craft assemblers, Church on October 24 and 25 to explain Paul,
idea was the Summer of Sharing. I room decorators, and record the apostle to the Gentiles, and his role in the
invited members of the congrega- keepers. So you can see that there early Church, with
tion to share their special talents is a job for everyone. a four-lecture series,
and hobbies with our children. I am proud to say that Stone Paul and the Justice of
The results were a wonderful Church is a place where the con- Equality: Jesus’ Apostle
exchange not only of information, gregation assumes responsibility against Rome’s Empire.
but of love and commitment. I do for nurturing the Christian life Many theories exist
believe the presenters received as in our children. about who Paul was,
much as the kids. Thanks to all I look forward to working what he believed, and
of you who participated in our with you all to provide a sacred, what role he played in the origins of Christi-
summer program. loving place for the children in anity. Using archaeological and textual evi-
Since it worked so well once, our lives. dence and taking advantage of recent major
I’m going to present the oppor- If you are interested in hearing discoveries, Crossan discovers the real Paul as a
tunity again. I challenge anyone more, please contact me at the church dedicated successor of Jesus, carrying on Jesus’
who loves to hear the laughter of office (408-269-1593). mission of inaugurating the Kingdom of God
on earth against the reign of Rome.
Adult Study Continues Crossan Lecture Jesus was a homeland Jew within Judaism
within the Roman Empire, and Paul was a dias-
pora Jew within Judaism within the Roman
Theme of “Paul” Throughout Fall Classes Empire. The Empire’s official and legal author-
ity eventually executed them both, one in Jeru-
The focus of Sunday morning When respected leaders col- salem and the other in Rome. For a dominant
Adult Study this fall will be the life lide, who do you follow? majority in that world, Caesar’s titles were:
and ministry of Paul. Even questions about lawsuits Divine, Son of God, God, God from God,
Please join us, from 11:15 am to and what to wear! Lord, Liberator, Redeemer, and Savior of the
12:15 pm, for these exciting oppor- World. For a tiny minority in and against that
tunities for learning. Oct. 24 & 25: Henrietta Perdue world, Jesus’ titles were exactly those (and
Lectures by John Dominic Cros- more) in a profound polemic that was not
Sept. 7 - Oct. 19: The Corin- san: “Paul and the Justice of only a non-violent treason against Rome, but
thian Correspondence (Dale and Equality: Jesus’ Apostle against also a new creation for the earth. The choice,
Barbara Bracey, leaders) Rome’s Empire” (see article at now as then, is between a world of force and
What deserves to be at the center right) violence or a world of justice and peace.
of your life? For early Christians The 7:30 pm Friday lecture is titled The World
in Corinth, and just as much for Oct. 26 - Dec. 21: Paul, Rome of Paul: Paul and Empire. The three Saturday
21st century Christians in San Jose, and the Kingdom of God (Pat lectures, starting at 9 am, are The Mission of Paul:
Paul’s letters raise the issue of what Magee, leader) Paul and Luke; The Message of Paul: Paul and Jus-
happens when a person or group This nine-week study explores tice; and The Legacy of Paul: Paul and Gender.
either fails to find the true center of fresh insights into Paul’s message The cost is $20 for the Friday lecture, $30
their lives, or having once found it of the Kingdom of God, its chal- for the Saturday three-lecture series, or $35 for
in the morning of their lives, drifts lenge to Roman imperial theology, both days of lectures. - Pat Magee
off-center later in the day. and the apostle’s radical relevance
Paul’s Corinthian Correspondence is for today. Marcus Borg In Palo Alto
also a treasure trove of astute guid- We follow preeminent New Tes- Marcus Borg, a fellow of the Jesus Seminar,
ance about practical questions that tament scholars Marcus Borg and Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion
still confront us, such as: John Dominic Crossan on location and Culture at Oregon State University, and
Questions about sex and in Turkey as they trace the Apostle author of many books including The Heart of
family life Paul’s footsteps throughout the Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith, will
Does it come down to “situa- Roman Empire. speak on Seeing Christianity Again, at the 2008
tion ethics”? Please note that there will be no class Robert McAfee Brown Annual Lectureship,
Who is “In” and who is “Out” on December 28. First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, the
of the kingdom? - Pat Magee, Adult Education weekend of November 7 - 9.
THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 3
Maureen
Health Ministry
Chandler
and Mary
Jo Blazek
to Focus on Our
Physical, Mental
in their
lovely straw
hats at
Presbyterian
been awarded month. We need to be aware that
to some of our price increases took place beginning PW Schedule for September:
very wonderful last month. Chocolate is still avail- Emerald Circle, 9:30 am, Sept. 4,
Women young people for
the 2008 - 2009
able, up to the stock on hand.
This month we are targeting com-
Rhonda Lakatos’ home
Amethyst Circle, 1 pm, Sept. 3,
school year. They are: Andrew Willis panies that offer double coupons. We Church Library
at UC Berkeley, Sarah Hedayati at don’t have a list, so please check the Sapphire Circle, 7:30 pm, Sept. 8
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Marika products you have been buying. Cou- (ask Jeanette Rapp for location)
Minehart at San Jose State, Rachel pons were presented to Miner and Focus Group, 9:30 am, Sept. 2,
Buckley at Willamette University, Max Christopher elementary schools (Oak Liz Shandera’s home
Frohlich at San Diego State, Katie Grove School District) at the August Book Group I, 1 pm, Sept. 29,
Henry at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Brunch. They are a supplement to the Liz Shandera’s home, reading The
Gordon Meacham at UC Davis, efforts of the schools to collect cou- Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and
David Moncrief at Cal Poly Pomona, pons and are most appreciated. Jeffrey Zaslow
and Dan Willis at UC Berkeley. Bible Study with the Rev. Marge will Book Group II, 2:30 pm, Sept. 15,
An overview of this year’s Bible be September 25 at 9:30 am in the Betty Spicher’s home, reading The
Study, Jubilee! Luke’s Gospel for the Church Library. She always pushes us Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Poor, will be held on September 13 at to reconsider what we think we know. Prayer Shawl Group, 4:30 pm,
San Francisco Theological Seminary, If you are going to San Francisco Sept. 25, Fireside Room
led by Dale Lindsay Morgan, author Theological Seminary, it will give you Bible Study, 9:30 am, Sept. 25,
of the study. Registration forms are a head start on that presentation. Church Library - Catherine Amos
Rainforest
Adventure
Vacation
Church
School
In the Rainforest Adventure Vacation Church School, the children
did crafts (above), played games, which included a color-
ful parachute (upper right), and danced and sang, which is
always more fun when you have a partner! (lower right).
Worship
and Is it Simon and Garfunkel? No, it’s even better!
Picnic Derk Johnson and Ken Henry (upper left). Bob
in the Lowry and Don Skipwith (bottom left) load
Park, plates with delicious food prepared by chefs ex-
History traordinaire, Walter and Debbie Roach (below).
Park
San Jose