By Daniel Thomas, CGS Musician

​Over the last couple of weeks we have watched our economy begin to “open” again - more stores welcoming customers inside, restaurants serving people, workers returning to offices - and I have felt a mixture of hope and dread. Hope because, for every milestone we reach in re-opening, we get that much closer to my theatre producing shows once again (and providing jobs to dozens of artists); and dread that, if society does not reopen in a safe, prudent, and cautious manner, we could find ourselves moving backwards - more sickness, more death - and those milestones (and the theatre’s re-opening) get moved further away.
 
Personally, I have not felt any great rush to return to “normal” (other than finally getting a haircut in my sister-in-law’s backyard). As much as I want to get back to doing what I love (and what provides income for my family), the desire for my family, my community, and the world to keep safe and healthy takes precedent. And so, I continue to limit my trips away from home. I wear my mask, I wash and wash and wash my hands, we wipe down our groceries before we put them away. They are the smallest of inconveniences to provide some measure of prevention and safety for all those with whom I come in contact.
 
The other day I went to the grocery store, and I was amazed to see the number of people about - strolling, shopping, socializing, eating at restaurants - and I was dismayed at the number of them not wearing masks. Was it defiance? Was it annoyance? Was it apathy? How could people so easily forgo something so simple, and yet so protective to those around them? Have we grown so soft, so complacent that three months is the limit of “suffering” that we can handle?
 
Meanwhile, all around us, millions of voices are being raised against centuries of suffering at the hands of the privileged. All around us, thousands of people are suffering in plain sight due to economic hardship or mental and emotional anguish. All around us, people are suffering from life-threatening illnesses or incapacitations. We live in a world where suffering is real and present. And yet, the idea of being “told” to wear a mask - to prevent additional suffering for oneself, or those around - incites such wailing and gnashing of teeth among some people one would think they have been told to remove their arms and submit them as tribute.
 
Loving thy neighbor can be immensely difficult sometimes. Wearing a mask should not be. Protect yourself, protect those you love, protect your neighbors. I can not wait to be with all my friends, family, and communities in person once again. But if it means maximizing the health and safety of those people, then wait I shall. It is the least I can do for those I love.=

Even though Mt. Cross isn't having camp this summer, we are able to host small family groups at camp for anyone who would like to have some time away from their home this summer! Here’s what you need to know:

You can choose to camp or stay in our cabins/lodge. For camping, we have 2 sites available, and can possibly accommodate your RV (please be sure to mention if you have an RV when you reserve a spot). Your family will get their own pool house bathroom if you are staying in the campground. If you would rather stay in the cabins, we have 2 Madrone cabins available with private bathrooms in central bathhouse. And finally if you would like to stay in Lower Jensen, we have 2 rooms available with private indoor bathrooms. 

When you come, you will get a welcome bag full of family activity ideas, campfire fun, and camp goodies! We will also provide coffee in the morning and a boxed lunch for everyone in your family and full access to our hiking trails, ball field and volleyball court, and campfire rings. 

Full food service and kitchen access is not available, and families should plan to bring their own sleeping bags/pillows, toiletries, towels/washcloths, water bottles, and personal sports equipment (ball and glove, basketball, soccer ball, volleyball, etc.).
 
COSTS & REGISTRATION INFO:           
Campground: $25/family/night
Madrones: $45/family/night
Lower Jensen: $75/family/night
 
To reserve your spot, please email Adam at [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, and phone number, as well as which building you are hoping for, or if you’d like to stay in the campground.

This book by Robin Diangelo is the guiding framework for a new education opportunity at CGS. Do you feel defensive when someone suggests that you might be responsible for the oppression of black people? Do you wonder what your role in creating an equal society should be? Do you want to be open to and prepared for cross-racial dialogue? 
We know that we are all simultaneously sinners and saints. But talking about our potential shortcomings is still not easy. Questions like these are difficult to answer with others and cannot be answered alone. 
At CGS we hold one another's vulnerability with careful hands. In this community, we walk with one another on the journey of learning and transformation. We hope you will join us, assured that the goal is not to condemn one another but to grow. 
 
Chuck Witschorik Jr. will be hosting an hour of education and conversation every night, for one week. We will gather at 7:30pm each night. We will meet Monday July 6 through Friday July 10. You can join us in one of two ways. 
To join via video, click here: https://zoom.us/j/99088010575
To join via telephone, call 669-900-9128 and when prompted, enter Meeting ID 990 8801 0575. 
 
You don't have to read the book to get something out of this class. 
In fact, in many places, physical copies of this book are backordered for three or more weeks so you may not be able to. There are options if you are interested:
To buy a copy of the ebook click here. 
To buy a copy of the audio book click here. 
To buy a copy of the book we found one seller who has them - here. ,We also recommend this seller. 
 
If you have questions about this class or would like more information about how to join and get connected, please contact Chuck W at [email protected] or by calling 510-684-4177.  
 
For a preview of the subject matter, watch this interview with Robin Diangelo about her book:
​

​by Susan Duran Council Member

Last week after dropping off bottled water and other supplies for our Safe Car Park guests, I remembered the church library was open and quickly decided to check it out. I have been dearly missing our local Willow Glen library being available for my weekly visit. I found a pile of books that were on a desk, either they were recently returned or had been donated by generous members. I came upon the book “Words to Love By...”.by Mother Teresa", which is based on interviews with her led by Michael Nabicht and Gaynell Cronin. They had spent several weeks with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India while producing a film there. I was intrigued and became determined to borrow it. Sorry, Paul Thomas, church librarian, I did not officially check it out, but I promise to return it soon!
I had been feeling very sad and depressed about the latest killing of yet another black person. When will all the violence, bigotry, bullying, and racial injustice ever end? I brought my heartfelt fears, questions, and wonderings to my Lord in prayer. While wrestling with the problems of our country, I never questioned my faith in my savior, but rather what should I do? How can I have hope? Sometimes when I am despondent, I seek out bible verses to reassure me and strengthen my belief. This time I searched “Words to Love By” to boost my dismal flailing spirit.
These are three short portions from the book that I felt were especially meaningful and relevant.
 
“Change your hearts... Unless we change our hearts we are not converted. Changing places is not the answer. Changing occupations is not the answer. The answer is to change our hearts. And how do we change? By praying.” (p.38)

“Prayer is joy. Prayer is love. Prayer is peace. You cannot explain it you must experience prayer. It is not impossible. God gives it for the asking. ‘Ask and you shall receive.’” (p.39)

“The fruit of prayer is a deepening of faith. And the fruit of prayer is love. And the fruit of love is service.” (p.44)
 
I have read and reread this short book over the last week and I have been reassured and comforted by its words of wisdom and God's spirit. No, I don't have all the answers to the ongoing problems of our nation, but I can show love to others. We are all made in God's image. I can continue to pray and work for peace, I can protest peacefully and work for positive changes in our government. I can serve others in my own way and try to be a light in the world. God through your never ceasing love, renew us and commit us to love all the people in the world and serve others.
 
Works Cited
Mother Teresa, Words to Love By... Mother Teresa, Notre Dame, Ave Marie Press, 1983.

​“When I think of home, I think of a place where there’s love overflowing.” It always hits me every time I hear this. This is the beginning line of the song “Home” from the musical, The Wiz. The song speaks of the desire to be back home, to the place where one feels secured, comforted, and loved. And being an immigrant here to the US, it took me quite some time to adjust to the new reality that this country will be my new home. I moved here from the Philippines 21 years ago to be with my parents, leaving behind the places and people that molded me for 32 years. The first 2 years were arduous - unfamiliar sights surrounded by strangers in a foreign culture and different challenges. I lived in San Diego with a relative while looking for a place to rent, and earning a living while working in retail. It felt like I was back to square one. There was a longing to be back to that place of security, comfort, and love. To be back home. But being a person of faith, I also knew deep in my heart that this was God’s plan for me, that this is a path God wanted me to take. So I trusted, and I followed. And with the new challenges came new opportunities. I got to explore new places and created new memories. I met new people and developed new relationships. And more importantly, I found my true self. 21 years later, home is here, with my husband, surrounded with dear friends, in now familiar surroundings. I sincerely felt God’s guidance along the way through those years. I’m certain right here right now is where I meant to be.  

In one of the following Sundays, Keynote Vocal Group will be singing “Homeward Bound” by Marta Keen, in a setting by yours truly. In her own words, Ms. Keen describes the intentions behind this hauntingly beautiful work - “Finding your true calling in life; knowing that those who love you trust that you will return. I wrote this song for a loved one who was embarking upon a new phase of life’s journey, to express the soul’s yearning to grow and change.” With the things currently happening around us, we are all now facing a new reality, a more challenging stage in our journey. But as long as we find comfort and security in the love of our family and friends, trusting that God is guiding us forward, we know that we’ll make it through. Grown and changed, we’ll make it home. 

This Friday at 2pm, Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer continues with their town hall series to minimize bias in our church. This week's town hall features LGBTQ+ voices including our own Pastor Manda. You must RSVP to watch this town hall live online. You can RSVP by clicking here.

You can see more on their facebook event page here.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020, 6:30pm via Zoom
 
Present: Jean Herriges, Michael Flanagin, Laurie Gaumer, Joe Shackelford, Susan Duran, Skye Gordineer, Petra Menard, Rachel Visscher, Jean Hope, Pastor Manda, Jerry Clark
 

1. Opening Prayer (Petra)
2. Council read their Behavioral Covenant
3. Agenda Approved
4. April minutes approved
5. Devotion led by Pastor Manda
6. Motion to not meet in person for worship through June & July carried.
   1. Council consulted the ”Considerations for worshipping” article from the ELCA in addition to local, state, and federal health guidelines, and needs of most vulnerable people.
   2. Pr Manda applied for a grant in the amount of $1500.00 (from the Sierra Pacific Synod) to use for purchasing the necessary equipment to execute digital worship now and in the future as we potentially return to the sanctuary. Short term task force will put together equipment plan. Petra will liaise with this group.
   3. While we continue worship online, we will add Zoom meeting coffee hour each week to help us with the lack of interpersonal connection.
7. Personnel Committee report
   1. Committee is meeting regularly and working on the employee handbook. They will have some decisions to be made at next month’s meeting.
8. Financials
   1. Reports as of 4/30/2020: Balance Sheet Budget vs Actuals expanded  Budget vs Actuals short version
9. ELCA CU and Paycheck Protection Program from the CARES Act
   1. PPP loan applied for through ELCA credit union-- $49K approved by SBA
   2. ELCA credit union account opened for the purpose of applying for the PPP loan and will hold the PPP loan funds to aid in tracking spending so that qualification for the loan forgiveness will be more manageable
   3. Motion that we task the finance team with exploring other interactions with ELCA credit union after their 2021 budget process was carried.
10. Safe Car Park
    1. During the month of June it will be held in our parking lot.  Good turnout of volunteers. Will use a combination of an outside cleaning service and Comfort’s hours for bathroom maintenance.  Doug’s unused hours will also help maintain the parking lots free from debris. Treasurer will ask accountant to put SVSP income and expense on Income Statement as separate line items.
11. May Congregational Meeting after worship via Zoom on 5/31
    1. Election: Ballots due by 5/26. May 29 or 30 - Susan and Petra will count ballots and report results to Jean Herriges.
    2. Agenda:
       1. Report election results
       2. Council members report on ministries: Michael report on personnel and PPP program; Petra report on giving; Rachel report on Safe Car Park; Susan report on celebrating; Laurie report on bible study  
       3. Breakout rooms with a council member in each room -Council members will ask how things are going. The council will work on the structure for this conversation over electronic means between now and May 30th. 
       4. Celebrate, recognize, and thank staff and lay leaders-get everyone back together after breakout rooms-need to create a list to recognize specific names of those involved and what they contribute; look in breeze for those involved in specific groups; start by recognizing the staff with a gift card. For this meeting each Council member will speak about one of the staff and thank them for their work. Assigned as follows:
          1. Laura - Petra
          2. Daniel - Rachel
          3. Rey - Michael
          4. Venetia - Skye
          5. Doug - Jerry
          6. Comfort - Susan
          7. Ronny - Jean Hope
          8. Pastor Manda - Jean Herriges
    3. Motion to allocate $1200 for 8 gift cards for staff members as thank yous. Is carried.
12. June Council retreat:
    1. Cancelled due to COVID. Alternative plans are to hold 3 weekly Tuesday night meetings in June instead of the retreat.  The meetings will be on June 2 at 6:30pm, June 9 at 6:30pm, and June 16 at 6:30pm. In these meetings we will conduct our monthly business and begin visioning for the 2021 fiscal year. The finance team will be invited to at least one of these meetings. 
13. Council expresses their thanks to Laurie for being a wonderful treasurer.
14. Pastor’s report:
    1. YWCA inquiring about renting out space 
15. Closing prayer given by PR Manda

 
Note:
Next council article to be submitted to Laura by June 9: Susan
 
Upcoming Council activity
Sunday, May 31: Congregational meeting
Tuesday, June 2: Council meeting
Tuesday, June 9:          Council meeting 
Tuesday, June 16:       Council meeting
 

e just had a high holy day last Sunday – Pentecost. Usually these big Sunday festival days are the only ones that we Lutherans know about. However, we’re not so different from our Catholic siblings and our liturgical calendar also recognizes minor holy days – like the feast days of martyrs and saints. They usually fall on weekdays and for faithful people who rarely worship between Sundays, we easily miss them.

Last summer, during the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, all the voting members of our church established a new day of commemoration. The new feast day happens for the first time this month – on June 17th as a commemoration of the Emanuel Nine.

On June 17, 2015, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson were murdered by a self-professed white supremacist while they were gathered for Bible study and prayer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (often referred to as Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina.

And five years later, we mark this martyrdom as our black, indigenous, & siblings of color still live in dread of what will come next, or are stifled with a meaningless life that is not going anywhere except to the grave. And this is exactly why we need this day of commemoration and repentance.

Those of us with the privilege of whiteness have yet to change our lives significantly enough to stop the murder of the people of color in our community. In our scripture we read over and over again that the process of transformation begins first with repentance – a complete 180 degree turn from the way things are now. So while we might desire for our communities to be transformed already, for us to love one another, live in peace, value diversity, etc., etc.,...none of that can happen until we all repent. It can’t happen until we all change our thinking and our behavior.

And that is hard to do.

I’m grateful that a portion of our congregation has begun to do that hard work together. I’m hopeful, that with the loving support of this faith community we can continue to do that hard work together which our siblings of color absolutely need us to do before they will feel welcome.

But I also know it won’t happen today. So for today, I’ll just ask you to practice one part, the confession. Print it out and say it before dinner with your family. Bookmark it on your phone and say it in front of the mirror. Use it as a guide to deep prayer or meditation. Bring it with you on your walks and hikes. Practice this repentance until you believe it. Other people’s lives depend on it.

Worship Resources for Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015 "Confession, Repentance and Commitment to End Racism Sunday" © 2015 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.