January 28, 2013
Dear Lakeshore,
A quick note this week as I prepare to spend most of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on Berkeley’s Holy Hill attending the annual Earl Lectures at the Pacific School of Religion. This year’s theme “Real Families, Real Faith, in the Real World” holds much interest for me. Pastor Tanner is also planning to attend the lectures.
The Lakeshore and American Baptist Families lost a great leader, a gentle spirit, and a wise friend when The Reverend Harrison Williams, a retired Associate General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, passed away last Thursday at age 93. Harry made significant contributions to every community he was part of as a pastor and denominational leader. Certainly our congregation along with the residents and staff at Grand Lake Gardens, his home for the last decade, will miss his steady, unflappable presence. There will be a memorial at Lakeshore in the last weeks of February. I will have specifics by the end of this week.
Our celebration of African American History Month begins on Sunday. This year’s theme is “Let Your Light Shine.” On Sunday I will be preaching from Jeremiah 1: 1-10, the call of Jeremiah. This important beginning to Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry reminds us that our stories. our personal histories, are always connected to a much larger whole. It reminds us that our stories, our personal histories, are part of God’s ongoing story, the story of God choosing us even when we don’t want to be chosen.
Thank you to Moderator Alean Saunders-Coffey, Vice-Moderator Kay Baxter-Reid, Treasurer Carol Leichter, and Clerk Phil Meads for their leadership at Sunday’s Annual Meeting. Thanks also to the outgoing LABC Foundation President Alice Edmondson and incoming President Dave Gattey for their good work. We have a complex structure which provides both stability and opportunity for leadership, community and self expression. Our structure is dependent on the commitment and involvement of many people. I am most grateful for all.
Peace,
Jim H.
Prayers of the Congregation
- The family of Harrison Williams as they mourn
- Irene Jennings on the death of her brother
- Theodore and Sylvia Taylor Smith on the death of Ted’s brother
- Margaret Alexander for her daughter LaShaya
- Mary Karne for her daughter Maryla (home from Alta Bates Hospital)
- Bette Pancoe
- The Broadnax family
- Kay Baxter-Reid, prayers of healing for Stacey and Abbott
- Patricia Butterfield for her daughter and for all who are seeking employment
- John Burke, recuperating from surgery
- Cordia Lee for Nancy, Elysse, Elijah and herself
- Phil and Gloria Meads for their son, Bob, Rhonda and Cynthia
- The Kachin people as the attacks of the Burmese Army intensify
- The Peace of Oakland, may the Ceasefire Strategy which is currently being implemented reduce the number of shootings
- Karen Okusu, wasn’t feeling well on Sunday
- Sybil Alexander
- Declan and Sheila Brown for their nephew David and family
- Sandra Dunn for her father
- Doris and Ted Evans for their daughter Charlotte
- Ann Fields for her family and the Murphy family
- All who are traveling
- All who are grieving
Announcements
Great Food. Great Company. Great Setting. Great Deal. The Annual Swedish Pancake Breakfast of the Seafarer’s Ministry of the Golden Gate is this Saturday at 10:00. The hoped for donation is $5 per person. The breakfast will be held at the International Maritime Center, 4001 – 7th Street, Berth 40 (right on the water). Harry W. was a member of the Seafarer’s Board.
For an important report from the Kachin State follow this YouTube link.