March 5, 2008

A 4-part Lenten-Easter series led by Dr. Bob McKenzie has begun. Last Sunday we learned Mark's interpretation of the death and ressurection of Jesus and will continue to examine the versions told in the other gospels. Stay after Coffee Hour, on March 9 and 16, and the Sunday after Easter, March 30; learn how the stories of Jesus' resurrection at the end of the four gospels draw on very different traditions in recountng the singular event which created the church and empowered a band of disillusioned followers. Join us as we reflect on these magnificent stories.

We’re off to see the clinic …

On March 29 Max, Feliciana, Nicolas, Kevin, and Glenda and Stuart Pawsey, Martha Jackson from EBSC and Sarah Hodges from First Pres in Oakland are going to see the health clinic that St. John’s (Mission and Justice), EBSC and the Sisters of St. Francis are helping support in a small village in the province of Quiche in Guatemala. This is a clinic that was envisioned and started by Guatemalan refugees who live in Oakland in conjunction with their relatives and friends in Guatemala. These people raised money by asking people to buy a concrete brick! At this point the clinic is finished except for the doors and windows, which will be put in by Easter. The delegation will participate in the inauguration ceremony, which will involve a huge regional celebration.

An excerpt follows by Linda Davis, from an article appearing in the Montclarion Newspaper. Says David McPhail, Irene and I have come to know Nabil and Shuly through contact with the East bay Jewish-Palestinian Dialog Group. We count them friends and people of integrity and invite you to come and hear this extended conversation.

Two men raised poles apart politically and philosophically will meet on even ground on March 6 to discuss how differences do not have to lead to war. This peace dialogue between an Israeli and a Palestinian is sponsored by Piedmont's Appreciating Diversity Committee, which provides a host of illuminating programs on topics of interest.

Palestinian Nabil Whabeh was born in Jerusalem during the British mandate. He experienced both the 1948 and 1967 Arab-Israeli wars. He left Israel in the late 1960s and came to the Bay Area in 1970. Whabeh is a U.S. citizen and is not permitted to return and live in Jerusalem.

Meshulam Plaves, a Jew, was born and raised in Kibbutz Ein Hashofet in Israel. He served for three years in the Israeli army before moving to the United States in 1975. His parents and siblings still live in Israel.

The workshop asks: What is the likelihood of a Palestinian raised in Jerusalem and an Israeli child of Holocaust survivors becoming real friends? Can such a relationship survive the relentless conflict in the Middle East? Will opening a public dialogue help the peace process in some way?

According to program publicist Mahvash Hassan, the two men met and became friends through their involvement with the East Bay Palestinian Jewish Dialogue Group, formed in 1992 in the Bay Area as a way to uncover common ground and improve the chances for reconciliation between the two warring factions.

Over the past few years, the Bay Area-based Dialogue Group has taken numerous steps to increase openness and understanding. In 2006, they convened the Palestinian-Jewish Family Peacemakers Camp, spoke on public radio during escalating Middle East violence and spoke with an interfaith community on World Religion Day. Last year, they facilitated dialogue among Muslims, Christians and Jews in Chicago for the Jerusalem Project of the Global Reconciliation Conference. They provided three interviewees for a one-hour public radio broadcast about the history of the group, and hosted a four-day relationship-building booth among 40,000 Muslims at the convention of the Islamic Society of North America.

To attend: 7-9 pm, March 6, Piedmont Veterans Hall, 401 Highland Ave., Piedmont, free admission.

the second half of Thomas Hardy's pastoral novel, "Far From the Madding Crowd," at 2:30pm in the Ark Annex on Thursday March 6. Newcomers will be welcome. The novel for April and May will be "Howard's End" by E. M. Forster.

A Divine Coincidence? Read Ruth 2 (Lesson 7 in our study book) and come to the Campbell Reception Room on Thursday, March 13, noon to 2pm. Bring your Bible and lunch. Questions? Call Barbara Taylor

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

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!

Friday, March 28 at 6:30pm in the Campbell Reception Room for potluck and discussion of "The Band's Visit" and "Persepolis." Any questions? Call Barbara Taylor or Martha Perdue .

Saturday, March 29, from 8:30 to 10:30am in the church office, for a time of sharing an encouragement among the women of St John's.

Come enjoy the 4:00pm recital of organist Susan Matthews and stay for the reception which follows. Contributions for the reception are always appreciated.

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.

After the church snow trip, I found several items at our Tahoe house: a blue ski hat with fur top and green plastic flashlight are in the lost and found in the church office — call Jeanne Silver. A pair of black snow/ski/board pants (size medium) and a pair of black and grey Wigwam socks were left in a drawer in the master bedroom; please call me if they are yours. —Claudia Cate

4 11:00
Sylvia Falcon will do a talk and slide presentation about Georgia

O’Keefe—Verrry interesting, I’m told.

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED

11 10:30
Roma Arellano will do blood pressure screening

18 10:30 Bridge with Irene and Robert. Everyone welcome.

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED

25             11:00
Sally Clark will do a flower arranging demonstration. She will bring

materials and also use pots made by the ceramics class. Raffle winner will

take home a flower prize.

St. John's All Church Retreat! May 2-3-4

Asilomar Conference Center • Monterey, California

(Return this form or speak to Linda Bostjanick)

Deadline for signups: March 23

The 2008 Retreat will be a Kick-Off to a year of Worship Renewal. The purpose of the program for our Retreat and the year, climaxing in our 2009 retreat, is to deepen our relationship with the living God through worship which engages all ages and all our senses. We are going to explore the aim, purpose, and elements of Worship together, developing worship leaders among both children and adults.

Pastor Max Lynn and Musical Director Todd Jolly will expand our musical palettes while opening our hearts, minds, ears, and arms to all liturgical arts. We will learn the joys of move-ment, dance, and drama in our worship. Join in deepening your personal relationship with God. Help us share those relationships and open new ones in the hearts of others in the coming year.