The Neighbor

The Orinda Community Church

An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ

January 23, 2008

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Kirk’s Korner…

In my sermon on Sunday, January 20, I noted that every Christian is called to do God’s work in the world.  Some of us are called to teach children, some to house the homeless, to make quilts for children, or to lift our voices in worship, while others feel called to the pastoral ministry.

On Saturday, February 9, I will appear before an ecclesiastical council of the Golden Gate Association that will examine my fitness for ordination into the Christian ministry.  This may seem anti-climatic given that I have already served as your interim associate minister for the past 13 months.  However, you called me here before I had passed through the usual procedures for ordination into the ministry, which is why I was “licensed” to serve as your interim associate pastor.  Now I must complete the normal vetting process that will permit me to be formally ordained whenever I receive a call to another church.

I was scheduled earlier to appear before an ecclesiastical council on October 6, 2007, but the leadership of my association belatedly realized that their existing by-laws precluded my appearance before a council until I had already obtained a church call.  Those by-laws have been revised to allow me to be examined and approved “pending call” to a new church.

In preparation for this examination, I wrote a twenty-page ordination paper, which is available for anyone to read.  This paper is composed of three parts: the first part presents my personal reflections about basic theological concepts, the second part is my understanding of the history and polity of United Church of Christ, and the third part is a brief account of my seminary education and my personal call to the Christian ministry.

Council attendees will listen first as I make a brief statement about my call to ministry.  Then, having read my paper beforehand, they may choose to ask me questions, either about what I wrote or about anything else they feel is important in order to decide if I am fit for ministry.  Finally, I will leave the room while a formal vote is taken.  The four possible outcomes of the vote are either a definite “Yes” or “No,” or a conditional “Yes-But” or “No-But.”  Either conditional outcome would require additional tasks specified by the council, followed by a future council.  If the council votes “Yes,” I may be ordained as soon as I am called to a congregation or ministry, and my service of ordination may be performed right away at the church were I am held “in care,” First Congregational Church of San Francisco.

I am nervously anticipating the opportunity to be examined by this assembly of clergy and lay people.  This event will mark the culmination of the many stages of approval through which I have passed since I began my quest to become a UCC pastor several years ago.  I am so grateful for the support and encouragement given me along this journey by so many kind people at my seminaries, in our UCC regional conference, and at First Congregational San Francisco and Orinda Community Church.  I trust that the Holy Spirit will inspire me to speak with heartfelt clarity and inspire the council to faithfully discern God’s abiding will.

Green Church Meets January 27

The Green Church Committee met on Sunday, December 30, and discussed plans for the coming year.  Members agreed to begin building a Green Church website that will allow the congregation to share much more information of relevance to “green” issues.  The committee will meet next on Sunday, January 27, at 11:30 a.m. after worship, and anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Between Earth and Heaven: Trekking in Nepal

Anna Johnson will show pictures of her recent treks in both the Annapurna and Everest regions of the Nepali Himalayas on February 10, 2008 at 11.30 a.m. in the Fireside Room.

She encourages those of you who have visited these areas to join her in sharing your stories.

Souper Bowl of Caring” Coming Soon

Sunday, February 3, will be the date of our annual “Souper Bowl Sunday.”  As has become our tradition on the Sunday of the Super Bowl game, the youth of the church will stand by the doors of the Sanctuary holding soup kettles to collect for the Contra Costa Food Bank.  One church youth group in South Carolina started this national fundraiser for local food pantries a decade ago and it quickly spread nationwide.  Last year over $8 million dollars was raised to feed the hungry in local communities.  At OCC last year we raised over $300 dollars.  Your donation could match the amount you will spend on Super Bowl snacks.  If you prefer, you can bring cans of food to place in the donation barrel in the Narthex for the Food Bank.  Thanks for supporting the “Souper Bowl of Caring” again this year!

Scout Sunday

Members of Boy Scout Troop 237 and other scouting units of both boys and girls are warmly invited to join OCC (in uniform) for Worship
on Sunday, February 10.  Troop 237 will host a free pancake breakfast that morning in the Board Room for all members and friends of the
church, beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Please plan to join in celebrating our scouts.  As Jesus said, “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:12)

Nine to Dine 2008

Our congregational dinner groups, which we are now calling “Nine to Dine,” are reorganizing for 2008.  Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.  Each year since 1998, different groups of church people have gathered for dinner, brunch, picnics, or a restaurant meal or cultural event.  Someone in the groups takes their turn as “host” and provides an entrée at their home, or arranges to use the church or to go “out on the town.”  For home dinners, the others in the group bring dishes to complete the meal.  All are welcome to participate, whether you are a church member, a regular attendee or a visitor.  The Care and Fellowship Commission assigns people into groups with those with whom they are less familiar so everyone has an opportunity to become better acquainted.  Add your name to the list and enjoy the fun.  If you have any questions call Sabine Hathaway, chair of the Care and Fellowship Commission, at 377-6703.

      Yosemite Weekend

The time has come to begin planning for our annual retreat at Yosemite National Park.  This traditional weekend of fellowship and fun in the glorious Yosemite Valley by the banks of the Merced River is not to be missed.  The dates this year are Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4, 2008.  Please mark your calendar now, and send in your check soon as we must have our reservation to the Park by March 1.  The cost of one cabin, which accommodates four, is $175.  If you are interested in attending, please talk to Dave Hoppock.  Checks should be made to “Dave Hoppock” with the memo “Yosemite” and sent to Dave Hoppock, 3 Corte del Rey, Orinda, CA  94563.  If you have any questions, please call Dave at 376-2585 or the church office, or e-mail Dave at davehoppock@msn.com.

Winter Nights Volunteers needed