February 20, 2008
K’atat is the name for God in Quiche. . .
Utquiwatch whatchlal – is ' how are you, brother? '
Fred Goff and I learned a few words in Quiche when we met with the Tum family to discuss our upcoming trip to the village of Xecajuic, where we are helping to build a health clinic. St. John's has committed $6,000 from the mission portion of the Centennial Campaign towards its construction.
Here is a little info which helps bring home the appropriate need for our project. According to the Pan Health Organization, among the indigenous population in the area, in 1989 93% were living in poverty and 91% in extreme poverty. In Guatemala as a whole, the leading causes of death were pneumonia and influenza (16.5%), conditions arising in the perinatal period (13.8%), intestinal infectious diseases (8.9%), and nutritional deficiencies (5.7%). Infectious diseases, deficiency diseases, and conditions related to pregnancy and delivery accounted for about 45% of the deaths.
This is good ministry: a project defined, organized and orchestrated by the people themselves which will promote health and offer service to five different villages, a group of people who suffered incredible horrors at the hands of the Guatemalan military in the 80s. The people are empowered, lives — particularly children and women — will be saved. The project re-ignites our connection to East Bay Sanctuary Covenant as the Tum family, having received refugee status with help from EBSC, desires to help family members who have returned to their land following a long period in a Chiapas refugee camp. The project is ecumenical: in the U.S. Catholics, Presbyterians and Methodists are helping with funding. The local Catholic Church donated the land and the local committee is getting cooperation from the evangelicals, too!
The building is just about complete. In fact we hope to participate in the inauguration ceremony and celebration. The inauguration is a very big deal in Guatemala; they pull out all the stops. For the last one I participated in they barbequed an entire steer and had a football tournament complete with ringers for the home team.
Besides celebrating God’s work in solidarity with the Quiche, we also intend on confirming our desire and commitment that the clinic be well staffed and equipped with medicine.
K’atat is on the move in Guatemala and at St. John’s. Celebrate the Good News of the Gospel, and pray for our post Easter trip.
Pastor Max Lynn
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Annual Meeting!
Following Worship, Sunday, February 24
(This is a potluck luncheon.)
Come to confirm the terms of our pastor's call, approve the 2008 budget, and review our big Centennial year!
Coming Right Up—
--Sunday Forums starting March 2:
A new 4-part Lenten-Easter series led by Dr. Bob McKenzie. . .
begins the Sunday following the Annual Meeting, on March 2, 9, and 16, and resuming after Easter Sunday (which is March 23) on March 30. This series focuses on the stories of Jesus' resurrection at the end of the four gospels. The gospel writers draw on very different traditions as they recount the singular event which created the church and empowered a band of disillusioned followers. Join us as we reflect on these magnificent stories.
--Flick Flack . . .
meets Friday, February 22 at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room for potluck and discussion of "Juno" and "The Great Debaters." Any questions? Barbara Taylor or Martha Perdue.
--Women at the Well . . .
meets Saturday, February 23, from 8:30 to 10:30am in the church office, for a time of sharing and encouragement among the women of St John's.
--The annual World Day of Prayer service
will be held at the McGee Ave. Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St, Berkeley, Friday, March 7, at 9:30am. The program for 2008 has been written by the Christian women of the only English-speaking country in South America. The country's name means "Land of Many Waters" and is an Amerindian word. Do you know what country that is?* The theme of the service is "God's Wisdom Provides New Understanding."
*The country's name is Guyana.
--All-church workday, Saturday March 15, starting at 9:00am
Lots of different projects, from clearing away stuff to working in the garden and installing toilets! Come one, come all! Fresh coffee and bagels will help fuel you!
--Dates have been set for Camp Elmwood . . .
St. John's summer outreach program to the youth of the community. Teen Leadership Camp for youth ages 13-18 who volunteer to assist as counselors is set for July 21-25. Camp Elmwood for campers ages 5-13 and our teen counselors is set for July 28-August 1. Flyers and applications are available each Sunday in the narthex and on St. John's web site. Please pick up flyers and applications and distribute them to neighbors and friends. Also contact Fred Harvey if you will be available to help with the program. No special skills are needed. We can use everyone.
--Water Into Wine: Saturday night, March 15, from 5:00-8:00pm.
Come for cocktails and substantial hors d'oeuvres, not to mention the scintillating social scene, at the home of Howard & Martha Perdue!. You don't have to RSVP but it's OK if you do!
--February PrimeTimers
St. John's Prime Timers is for "Seniors" over 50. Classes are ongoing and always welcome new members.
TUESDAYS:
9:45-10:30 — Exercise
9:30-12:00 — Ceramics, weaving, copper enameling
Feb. 26
11:00 — 'Let’s Talk!'
12:00 noon — Lunch
12:45-2:15 — Writing Class
THURSDAYS
9:30-12:00 — Tap dancing: Beginning and Intermediate, with Gil Chun
9:45-10:30 Tai Chi — Taught by practitioner with 25 years experience. $2 donation
12:30 -2:30 — Ukulele and songs, with Gil Chun