July 3, 2009

emmaus

...Let Creativity Touch Our Souls...

July 2, 2009

MEDITATION - From the Desk of Shel White

I believe there are pictures that are worth a thousand words. I have seen some that are worth about three or four. Then there are pictures or paintings that grab out attention and it is difficult to move away. A picture like that could take more than a thousand words if words could even capture what the eyes can see. Over the centuries artist have tried to turn many scripture passages into a deeper understanding of the glory of God and our left brain just fails to comprehend, but our right brain is fully alive. We Protestants often miss out on connecting with our Lord through art.

This Sunday, I will invite the congregation to move away from words and just let the creativity on the screen pass through out analytical mind and touch our souls.

Here is a text I believe an artist could proclaim in ways that even these words can not:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

Grace and Peace and Joy,
Shel

KEY UPCOMING EVENTS - places to connect - places to grow in your faith:

  • WORSHIP:
    • July 5, 2009 9:00am and 10:30am Shel White preaching on Various Scriptures: "Right Brain Worship - Part 2" We are going to look at several forms of art that relate to scripture passages and see how they can help us connect to our Lord. Special Music: Sandy Walters
    • July 12, 2009 9:00am and 10:30am Wendy Komori Stager preaching Special Music: Chamber Singers - "We are Blessed"
  • Take a Walk with St. Andrew's! Last month, we walked through the Martinez Shoreline Park. This month, please join us on Saturday, July 11 at 10am. We will meet at St. Andrew's and then carpool to a trail to be determined. Sign up in Crothers Hall. It will likely be hot! Bring water, sunscreen and a hat. If you have an idea for a future easy hike or walk, let Jennifer Cross Miller, Greg Gould or Nancy Kenyon know.
  • Calling All Worshiping People of St. Andrew's Are you intrigued by all the different ways we can worship God? Have you pondered the subtleties and nuances of what happens on Sunday mornings, and why? Come join us as we explore new and exciting ways to worship God as a community, and we plan out the worship calendar for 2009 - 2010. No experience necessary, just bring your thoughts and ideas. Come for the day, come for an hour, just come on by. We're meeting on Saturday, July 18 at 11am at Rick & Trisha Oldenkamp's house, 50 Midhill Road, Martinez, CA 94553. Lunch provided, and dinner too, should we go that long...
  • Women's Summer Celebration This new short-term class is designed for women who are juggling a ton of things and yet hunger for more of God's wisdom in our life and our families. Women's Summer Celebration (WSC) will be 6:30 to 8pm on Thursday nights from June 18 to July 30. (except VBS July 9) We will spend time studying how to "Make Decisions with God's Help," praying together and having a lot of fun along the way. For more information, please talk to Alison Armand or Rev. Wendy. Sign up in Crothers Hall.
  • Barbecue for Family with Young Children St. Andrew's is blessed with an increase in families with younger children. Many of these parents and children do not yet know each other. Therefore, on Saturday, July 11 at 4pm, we are having an informal barbeque potluck. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. The kids can play and adults can chat. Please sign up in Crothers Hall or email sandy.standrews@gmail.com. We are also organizing "Dinner with Friends" groups. These groups are made up of three or four families that meet once a month at homes for 5 or 6 dinners. You may sign up for these groups in Crothers Hall or at the barbeque.
  • Ideas for Church Events What new and existing activities would you like to see at St. Andrew's? The People Flow Committee is planning and scheduling activities for 2010 and needs YOUR input to provide exciting and inclusive activities. These may include: walks, bike rides, museum visits, family BBQ's, day trips, game nights, etc. This is your opportunity for direct input! Please look for the clipboard in Crothers Hall to write down your ideas.
  • "You Asked For It." What would you like to hear the preachers preach? Please share with Shel a topic or a scripture passage you would like to see addressed in a sermon. We are working on sermon thoughts and themes for the rest of the year. We may not be able to get to all the requests, but we will try. Please drop a note into Shel's box, email shel.standrews@gmail.com, or leave a message at the church, 685-4720, ext. 2.
  • Vacation Bible School St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church invites you and your K-5 friends to VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ~ July 6 to 10, 2009 ~ 9am to 12:30pm. Discovery Canyon: Explore the wonders of the world. Discovery Canyon brings kids full circle with amazing activities, lasting friendships and Bible adventures. Each day kids will explore the Word, make Bible connections, and collect critter friends - each carefully linked to the Bible verse and daily story. Your amazing Discovery Canyon begins and ends each day with an opening celebration and a closing celebration. During the opening celebration everyone learns the daily theme, Bible story and Bible Memory Verse. There's toe-tappin' music to get the day going and help everyone remember the good news, too! For more information or to register, please contact Jennifer Cross Miller at (925) 685-4720 or jennifer.standrews@gmail.com.

      • VBS Needs:
    • Games Leaders (2 days).
    • Decoration Helpers on Sunday, July 5.
    • Recycled or used items for a craft project like washers, nuts, wire and cardboard.

      • If you can donate your time or materials, please contact Elaine Rios or Jennifer Miller. Thank you!
  • For those who Grieve Widows/Widowers Grief Recovery workshops are offered at several places in the East Bay this Summer and Fall. Check out the brochure by clicking on this link or pick up a copy in the welcome documents kiosk at St. Andrew's.
 

Building for the Future

Updated June 6, 2009

The St. Andrew's Activity Center Project is a large, modern multi-use facility to be located directly opposite the sanctuary on the site of Room 7. If this project is new to you, please check out our displays in Crothers Hall or the website links, below, to learn more about the design.

On May 27 the Building Project Team took delivery of a complete set of construction drawings, including changes for comments received from the city during our hearing process. Now we are providing review comments to Goldman Architects for finalized plans before our June 23 Planning Commission hearing. Add about a month for plan approval and we would receive a permit to start demolition and construction later this summer.

In the meantime, the highly detailed set of plans provided by Goldman Architects will permit us to obtain bids from multiple, qualified companies for construction. The bid process will allow the project team to obtain the best price and performance from the contractor. A firm date for demolition of Room 7 and construction will depend on receipt of construction permits and selection of the construction contractor. A highly regarded firm, Oliver and Co., has been advising our team about construction matters for some time, and will also be available to bid on our project if they choose.

The project team has contacted the youth groups and children's programs so they can move their activities to allow for construction. This includes moving youth group meetings from Room 7 to Room 1, and moving children's play areas in light of the construction work in the backyard area. The Wednesday Crew has begun setting posts for fencing and gates for a safe play area near Room 1.

The art glass protection project began the week of March 16 and the results have been impressive. Plenty of light is passing through the new covering so the art glass remains a brilliant display of color. One defective panel is due for replacement this summer.

Questions about the building project may be directed to Craig Mizutani, Building Project Team (silver_beagle@sbcglobal.net), Greg Gould (gould56@comcast.net), Ken Harold (kdharold@comcast.net), Sue Fitch (sue_fitch@yahoo.com), or Warren TenBrook, Communication Team Leader (warren@tenbrook.org).

Please click here to read the Activity Center Mission Statement included with our loan application.

Please click here to read about Session's decision to proceed with the building project and loan application.

Click here to download Session's December 2007 Activity Center Project Communication Packet (PDF)

For more information, click the links below to review team meeting minutes for the Building Project (Microsoft Word files):

Our Architect John Goldman, with careful consultation with St. Andrew's members, has prepared a vision that places our new Activity Center to balance our Sanctuary. Click on the links for views of the Activity Center:

You can view the plans being prepared for review by the City of Pleasant Hill by clicking on the links below: