January 2016

HILLCREST

~ News ~ A Gathering Place for Faith and Action in the Community

www.hillcrestucc.org

The Season for the Reason

No, that’s not a misprint. We all, most of us anyway, know the saying about “the reason for the season.” And

there is wisdom in that saying, of course. In the crush and stress of preparing for Christmas and—let’s face it—

the blatant and thoughtless consumerism that pervades our whole economic system and certainly the Christmas

shopping season, reminding ourselves of the “reason for the season” can be important. Even powerful.

But that’s not what I want to talk about now. What I want to offer now is the Season for the Reason. And that’s

powerful!

We all know, at least I hope and pray we do, who and what “the reason” is: Jesus, of course. Jesus is the very

embodiment of God’s love for us. And what Jesus embodies is the creative impulse and aspect of God that calls

us to life, that calls us

1) to love who we are (by the way, how is that for anti-consumerist? If we really loved

who we are and who God made us to be, how many shamelessly shallow and narcissistic and even

harmful products would find no buyers?)

2) to love others and the whole of God’s creation.

And here’s the thing—it’s what comes after Christmas that is the Season for the Reason. The season of

Epiphany is all about the rest of our lives. It offers us, and invites us into, the spreading of the light. The

spreading of the light of Christ into your life. Epiphany is the time to ask yourself: Where and how do I not

love myself, the me that God made me to be? And then ask, What does the light of Christ have to say about

that? And Epiphany offer us, and invites us into, the spreading of the light beyond ourselves to others and our

world. Epiphany is God’s offer --and promise (!)—to us to live in, and live out, the light of Christ.

That’s why I say that Epiphany is the Season for the Reason. It is the season to really explore, and experience,

God’s love for yourself and the world. And that’s why Epiphany is so important—it’s all about living our lives

as God created us to live them: as ones filled with the light of Christ, as reflections of God’s light.

So, celebrate the Season for the Reason. More so, live into the Season for the Reason.

God Bless you the Epiphany season!

Rev. Fred

Hillcrest Congregational

Church

Nations Shall Walk By Your Light

2 Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS January 2016

CHRISTMAS EVE PHOTOS

December 24, 2015

Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS January 2016 3

Want to listen to some GREAT stories?

We all have a “life story” to tell. Imagine if no one was there to listen?

As a Caring Hands volunteer, YOU have the opportunity to help someone who has a LIFETIME of stories to

tell. The heart of our program is connecting a senior to an appropriate volunteer so you really get the chance

to know each other well. As a Caring Hands volunteer you make a significant impact on dispelling the lone-

liness and isolation that affects so many seniors.

Volunteer hours are flexible. We do our best to find a senior who lives close to you and who meets your day

and time requirements. John Muir Health offers comprehensive training and ongoing support so you feel

prepared to be a volunteer.

For more information about volunteering for this unique Caring Hands Volunteer Program, call Linda

Groobin at 925-952-2999 or visit our website www.johnmuirhealth.com/caringhands.

We have trainings scheduled: Friday January 29, 2016 in Brentwood and Friday March 25, 2016 in Concord.

Hope you will consider joining us!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ANNUAL COUNT

OF HOMELESS PERSONS

Contra Costa County will conduct its annual count of homeless persons on Thursday, January 28th and

Friday, January 29th. The count depends on volunteers to visit assigned locations to interview members of

our community. A required training will be provided on January 24th. Please contact Doug Leach at

leachd@gmail.com or Dick Beal at richardlynnbeal@gmail.com for additional information or to volunteer.

4 Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS January 2016

Fading Names/Taking Stock

I just cancelled a preaching date! Ouch! Hopefully, it will be reinstated. We had planed a reunion, Valentines

Sunday, for 19 people who in 1971, promised to “Love God and You.” That covenant normally hangs in my

office, but is presently outside my office door for all to see. The names are terribly faded, but it’s a good

read!

The Gathered Church was the 2nd Congregation I helped birth. I also helped give it a decent burial, rather

than let it limp toward a aching demise. The Gathered Church died with dignity, as many of us hope to do.

We had planned the Reunion for Valentines Day. Many names have graduated into the Church Triumphant.

We think we’ve located several living members, but they stretch from here to Maine. Two are high profile

UCC Leaders in Wisconsin. Even if all wanted to gather, February is terrible timing. Stay tuned! It’s a fasci-

nating story.

For the moment, I can’t help reflecting upon those badly faded names: my memory of them is quite vivid….

so in a way, they Live, and prompt serious reflection this New Year’s weekend.

When the Gathered Church does convene sometime in Spring/Summer, we’ll tell stories, as Elders do. Each

name, present or not, will get up and walk around, a resurrection of sorts!

Much else has faded in the 50 years since we released balloons on Mt. Davison, and collectively composed

our covenant:

God talk morphs into troubling metaphors, while God is still real.

The psychedelic Hippies tripping on LSD have faded into a Heroine epidemic.

Hopes for a peaceful world are under siege, as is confidence in a livable future.

I’m 2+ inches shorter. We live longer, trusting it is better.

We choke on new gadgets, but still awake with bad dreams

I, for one am, grateful to be alive, only regretting that so few Congregationalists realize they are very well

positioned, in the UCC, to cope with this emerging new world!

RLW December 31, 2015

Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS January 2016 5

Happy New Year from Christian Education!

We hope you had a joyous Christmas. Please join us for fun and learning in upper campus Sunday school

every Sunday at 9:30!!

Upcoming Activities Include:

A family bowling outing planned for Sunday, January 24th after church AND

Our first Family movie night of 2016 will be Friday, February 5th at 6pm.

We hope you and yours have a blessed 2016 and hope to enjoy fun, fellowship and faith with you in this glo-

rious new year!!

Blessings,

Mya Ewing

Christian Education

A NOTE FROM CATHY CARLSON, DAUGHTER OF

HILLCREST FOUNDER REV. BOB CARLSON’S

The Hillcrest Church office received notice of the death of Mae Ilene Carlson Fox on November 27, 2015 in

Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Mae’s daughter, Rev. Cathy Carlson, sent the photo of Rev. Bob Carlson holding

worship services in their Pleasant Hill home before Hillcrest Church was built. She also sent the following

note to Hillcrest members:

December 6, 2015

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Before my mother died, she asked me to write each church that had nurtured her in the faith—and on her

behalf, say “Thank You.” Thank you!

Mom has wonderful memories of those early years at

the church. The tea cart she was given as a going

away gift is in our (my!) living room. May God continue to bless you and strengthen you to

continue the work of peace and wholeness.

Cathy Carlson

Condolences can be sent to:

Cathy Carlson

1105 Homestead Rd. #9

Beaver Dam, WI 53916

6 Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS January 2016

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday -Friday 9 a.m.-12 noon;

1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

(Closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.)

The office is now closed at noon

on Wednesdays.

Church Office Phone (925) 689-8260

Website: www.hillcrestucc.org

Food Room Hours:

Mon., Wed., Fri. 9 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

(925) 686-3663

No appointment needed. I.D. required.

Clothing Room Hours:

Mon., Wed. & Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

(no appointment needed)

Jim Flagstead’s Hours:

Financial Secretary

Mon. & Thurs. 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Rev. Fred on Mini-Sabbatical, January 13 thru February 9

According to our contract with Rev. Fred, he is now eligible for

four months of sabbatical leave. He will be taking one month

of that sabbatical leave (four weeks, actually) from January 13

thru February 9, 2016.

Rev. Fred has been invited by our denomination, The United

Church of Christ, to author volumes on the Gospel of Luke and

Paul’s letter to the Philippians for the “Listen Up!” bible study

series. This series is part of the “God is Still Speaking” cam-

paign and moves from the commitment, voiced by the famous

pilgrim preacher John Robinson, that “There is yet more truth

and light to break forth from God’s Holy Word.” We at

Hillcrest know that—we live it every day and every week. The

reason for this mini Sabbatical is to research and write the

“Listen Up!” study on The Gospel of Luke.

In Rev. Fred’s absence preaching and teaching duties will be

shared by Rev. Ray as well as Rev. Laura Barnes and Rev.

Mariah Callison. Pastoral care duties will be the responsibility

of Rev. Ray and if/as needed other clergy colleagues. The

office will have full information.

Looking Ahead to Ash Wednesday: SAVE THE DATE

On Wednesday February 10, there will be two Ash

Wednesday Worship Services:

Noon and 7 p.m.

Both will feature music, reflection, imposition of ashes,

and Holy Communion.

Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS January 2016 7

IN THE HILLCREST SPOTLIGHT

THANK YOU

Dear Friends (and you really are dear to

me.)

How do I express my deep gratitude to

all who helped me recently got through

some health problems with so many

prayers and much loving care. It worked

and I am doing well.

Bless you for “being there” for me. I am

so grateful.

With love,

Gloria Kaprielian

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service for Phyllis Scholl

will be held on Saturday, January 30th at

2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest. A reception will

follow.

CONCERNS

Carol Albright

Ryan Anderson

David Asdourian

Wil Auzenne

Jim Barton

Web Beadle

Lynne Beller

Brooke Bettis

Mitsuka Bude

Bob Cameron

Debra Cass

Kylie Chen

Cara Clark

Richard Commins

Phyllis Conley

Rich Daugherty

John Duley

Rollin Forbes

Elan Foutch

Maggie Friend

Ann Gannon

Elizabeth Gellately

Dan Gobba

Nancy Hammill

Grant Hawkes

Linda Hernandez

Robert Hess

Brian Husler

Debbie Johnston

Laurie Keating

Jessica Kelly

John Kelly

Soonhee Kim

Charley Lamb

Shirley Malcolm

Roger Martin

Roland Mittica

Ron Morisawa

Jerri Murphy

Terri Myers

Claire Nakaki

Lindsy Noeth

Lyle Palmer

Bill Pantaleo

Alice Peek

Gene Pierson

Lois Ransome

Helen Reeks

Jackie Rich

Arlene Riedel

Pat Rogers

Shirley Ronzone

Alix Sahlin

Kate Sheller

Gerry Smythe

Dana Sparks

Mercia Stewart

Cecille Stoddart

Patrick Swanson

Liz Thomashefsky-Adams

Marjorie Tovey

Richard Wagner

Ron Watkins

John Weaver

All military personnel & families

We remember friends and members

in residential and continual care:

Linda Auzenne

Frank Como

Paula Fritz

Betty MacKenzie

Lyle Palmer

Mary Rinehart

Bettie Ryan

Jan Smiley

HOSPITALIZED

HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL

Clinton Tubbs

Martin Johnke

Peggy Barron

8 Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS January 2016

Hillcrest Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

404 Gregory Lane Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Phone: 925-689-8260

Website: www.hillcrestucc.org

Senior Minister: Rev. Dr. Fred Weidmann

Eldering Ministries: Rev. Dr. Ray Welles

Youth Ministries: Mya Ewing Children’s Ministries: Charlie Guitron

Nursery Coordinator: Shelby Pickett ————————————————–

Worship Service:

9:30 Education Hour

10:30 a.m. Worship and Church School

Childcare available beginning at 9:30 a.m..

—————————————–——

Deadline for the next NEWS is Sunday,

January 10, 2016 at NOON.

Please e-mail all articles to:

hillcrestucc@att.net or put them in the news

folder in the “News” office box — include

the source of the article and your phone

number.

Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS United Church of Christ

404 Gregory Lane

Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

MAILED: January, 7 2016

8 Hillcrest Congregational Church NEWS January 2016

Hillcrest Book Club

Our January book is "Buried In A Bog" by Sheila Connolly, a novel set in Coun-ty Clare, Ireland. It is a story with a mys-tery involving family, discovering your roots along with interesting characters, history and culture of Ireland. The selection for February is "How Starbucks Saved My Life" by Michael Gates Gill. This is a riches-to-rags true story of an advertising executive who lost it all--and was finally redeemed by his new job and his twenty-eight year old boss, at Starbucks. Book selections are posted on the Bulletin Boards in the Office and Fellowship Hall. Do you enjoy reading, talking a bout books? Drop in on our lively discussion, we meet on the second Sunday of the month, after church, in Room 16. January 10 "Buried In A Bog" February 14 "How Starbucks Saved My Life"