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Dear KCC Members and Friends,
Thank goodness for the recent rain -- and let's hope we have more! We're so fortunate to live in this beautiful valley. The reds and golds of harvest season will soon turn to the bare branches of winter, which have their own beauty. At church last Sunday, it was good to 'gather together' with others who braved the weather to come to church. As always, it was worth it! Jim's sermon on the 499th anniversary of Reformation was superb. The sanctuary was warm and welcoming and we greeted our friends, new and old. We sang classic, old hymns -- the best, and so good for the soul! And, as always, our fellowship after church was wonderful. We're truly blessed in where we live and where we worship -- in the heart of the Sonoma Valley and at a little place called Kenwood Community Church.
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The Pattern In The Seed
On All Saints Sunday we remember dear friends who have died this past year. Here is a hymn sung at many Scandinavian funerals I attended as a young boy. It was sung when my Grandparents died, my parents and my brother. Both the words and the tune are in my DNA. Who Is This Host Arrayed In White by Hans Brorson was written nearly 300 years ago and set to music by Edvard Grieg 100 years ago. Here is the third verse: O blessed saints, now take your rest; a thousand times shall you be blest for keeping faith firm unto death and scorning worldly trust. For now you live at home with God and harvest seeds once cast abroad in tears and sighs. See with new eyes the pattern in the seed. The myriad angels raise their song. O saints, sing with that happy throng; lift up one voice; let heav'n rejoice in our redeemer's song! Bless us all, for some day we will see what we now cannot understand -- the pattern in the seed. Pastor Jim -- Jim Fish Pastor Kenwood Community Church on the Cutting Edge!
What? Are you kidding? Nope, it’s true. With the merciful conclusion of our Presidential election less than a week away, we are nearing both the necessity and the opportunity of restoring civility, community, tolerance, compromise, compassion, trust, and the compelling beacon of a larger purpose to our national discourse. Our country is crying for it. Well, that’s what we do best at KCC. Our mission, our message, our culture and our behavior all serve as a powerful crystal-clear roadmap for the rest of the country. Why not us? Why not now? Share the news. Spread the word. Gratefully, Tim -- Timothy Dorman Moderator The Protestant Reformation
499 years ago in Wittenberg, Germany, Martin Luther changed the course of western civilization. That was a big deal then, as it is today. In the last 1000 years, a few people changed the way we think about the whole world and our place it it. These few people had an idea that forever changed the world; the earth shook beneath our feet. Whenever we go to the dentist, drive a car, bake a cake, or use our computer, we think back to the time when science was invented or discovered. It sounds so strange to say: "science was invented," but it was. Sir Isaac Newton, among others, is credited with developing the scientific method. Before he discovered that things can be studied and figured out (like penicillin), we looked to demons and powers beyond our control to explain life. Fate controlled everything. Luther is up there with Newton and a few others who changed the world and everyone in it, including us. His discovery: personal responsibility and conscience give us power to stand up to those in authority. Or, no one can tell you what to do. No one can make you violate your conscience even if they claim the right to do so. This idea changed the world. We have elections on November 8 because of the Reformation in 1517. We have a Christian Church that, because of the Reformation, is continually reforming itself. The Reformation lifts each of us up as an equal to other rulers or ideologies. We are free to make our own decisions and our own mistakes. When casting our ballots, thank the leaders of the Reformation who transformed the world, and each of us in it. Your conscience is more important than an unjust order given by a superior. The Reformation celebrates, among many other things, our sacred right to make our own decisions; to follow our conscience. Pastor Jim -- Jim Fish Pastor Dear KCC Members and Friends,
We had such a terrific time at Women of the World (WOW) last week. Ladies, if you haven't yet attended one of our meetings, please consider doing so. Upcoming events include some philanthropic activities and some just-for-fun activities. We'll have one or two speakers and, of course, our annual Christmas potluck and gift exchange, as well as our annual Tea in May (hats optional). We even have our eyes on a retreat at Westerbeke Ranch -- this will be a 'first' for us. Details on all of these will be forthcoming. WOW is a great opportunity to get to know each other better. We meet the third Wednesday of the month, usually at noon, from October through May. We always have a good time! So, come join us -- you'll be glad you did. A Bridge Over Troubled Waters
I am writing this column on a late rainy Tuesday afternoon in front of the first fire of the season with two dogs at my feet, sort of a Norman Rockwell image. Listening peacefully to Simon and Garfunkel harmonize, I have been at a loss of what to write until I realized that is exactly what we do; we harmonize and bring peace and comfort to our rainy days. This morning I received the news that the husband of a new friend had died peacefully but way too early. She reached out to me seeking the prayers and support of our congregation. May we harmonize together and bring her and each other peace on a rainy day. We truly do provide a bridge over troubled waters. Gratefully, Tim -- Timothy Dorman Moderator On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, twelve of our church's Women of the World met at church and traveled to Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma to walk the labyrinth -- like we did last year. It was a beautiful sunny morning and a day for spiritual renewal. Jenny Froyd and Fran Threewit were chairpersons of this program, making it a very meaningful experience for all. In fact, we loved it so much that we are planning a two-day retreat there next October! More information about that soon. We then returned to the church, where four more women joined us for lunch and to plan for the coming year. WOW meets the third Wednesday of the month, October thru May, in the Fellowship Hall, from noon to two. All women of the church are welcome to attend, and we hope you will.  Photo courtesy of Kenwood Community Church  Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 The Ball of String
My parents were children of the depression as were many of yours. As a child, I remember the ball of string kept in a kitchen drawer. String could be saved and recycled for a second use, and so it was. String was not thrown away; it was wrapped up with other bits and kept. When we needed string, it was right there in the kitchen, ready to be reused. So too for aluminum foil. Cleaned and pressed like an old shirt, tin foil was pressed back into the service; recycled again and again. Younger generations than my own think they invented recycling. They didn't. Families with modest incomes, still recovering from the Depression, and a keen eye for reusing stuff, invented it. We had and needed only one garbage can; very little was thrown away. Food scraps went to the compost pile, empty jars to the basement for fall canning. Every day was an expression of stewardship. We did not need an annual stewardship emphasis in our family since we had one going on every day of the year. It was, as is now common to say, part of our DNA. It was the air we breathed. The practice of Christian stewardship, including making a financial pledge to the congregation, began years ago with a ball of string. For this, and for a lifetime of bounty, I give thanks. Pastor Jim -- Jim Fish Pastor Dear KCC Members and Friends,
This time of year the time goes so quickly. It seems we just dedicated the memorial wall in early September and now it's almost time for the trick or treaters and we'll be setting our clocks back soon (but not yet -- November 6 is the date). As the days grow shorter and we begin to turn on our heaters, we can also look forward to what's in store at church. Choir rehearsals begin next week; Women of the World hold their first meeting for 2016-2017 today; Stewardship Sunday and the Harvest Luncheon are coming up, along with Thanksgiving and the Gingerbread Extravaganza. Most importantly, we're moving toward Advent and the reflection, music, and strong sense of community that accompany both the season and celebrating it together at our worship services. So, enjoy Fall with its beauty and sense of anticipation and look forward to what is coming. We're so fortunate to share this season together at Kenwood Community Church. Thoughts on Stewardship
At this time of year when we are asked to consider our pledging for the year ahead, it is natural to think in financial terms. What am I called to give? How much can I afford to give? At what point do I start to feel vulnerable and insecure relative to what I will need for the rest of my life? How do I factor in the other worthy causes that need and request my support? What is the right amount for Kenwood Community Church? The good news is that there are no wrong answers, and we all get to consider and to decide for ourselves. The other good news is that there are multiple ways to give. We also can give our time and talents to the church. We can give generously in our outreach to each other and to the community. While we do depend on financial resources, we also depend on a vital membership that, on an ongoing basis, thrives on new members coming in. In our stewardship reflections, let us also include consideration for and commitment to reaching out to friends and acquaintances in Sonoma Valley who might be interested in the contemplation, community, and mission that we offer. What should be our goal? How will we reach it? What will each of us pledge in this regard? Gratefully, Tim -- Timothy Dorman Moderator |
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