MBCC Blog

Housing for Christian Environmental Activist

Hey all . . . just got this note from someone moving to the city looking for short-term housing.  If you know of anything, drop me a note and I'll make the connection.

B

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Hello Bruce,

Hello, my name is xxxxxxxxxx. I’m a young (24) Christian environmental activist. I recently moved to San Francisco to work on a campaign around bottled water.  I’m currently in a program called xxxxxxxxxx, which is a training school for environmental organizers- most of us recent college graduates. I’m trying to find housing for the 14 weeks I’m here, and would love to find fellow Christians to live with.  I thought I would email your church to see if you knew of anyone looking for roommate or someone willing to temporarily house a Christian activist. My program doesn’t pay much, so I’m looking for a place under $600 and one that is near public transit since I am without a car.

Any help getting the word out would be much appreciated!

MBCC in the SF Chronicle

Some of you might have seen the article from this past Christmas day that featured MBCC as part of an article on how the recession is effecting churches.  Recession colors Christmas in Bay Area Churches was written by religion writer, Matthai Kuruvila and contains quotes and insights into a good variety of churches.  There are of course some interesting comments that I think are more about people's reaction to church than anything else but I think an interesting opportunity to hear what folks are thinking.

From the article . . .

Christine Boles, who also attends Mission Bay, said the residential architecture business she owns with her husband has seen business cut in half this year. She and her husband decided they would give gifts that required time and are focused on building relationships.

Boles is giving one couple a coupon to have their kids over to her house for a sleepover, with a date night for the parents; she's organizing her mother-in-law's photographs; and she's committed to spending more time with her brother.

She said they are gifts that are more meaningful to her - and they seem more true to God's call.

READ COMPLETE ARTICLE

I went ahead and responded to a couple of the comments.  Just could not resist, but hey, you never know when some good might come out of pushing against church stereotyping. Or . . . I am just going to get jumped all over.  Love SF!  Dive in if you dare ;-)

Eugene Cho to "bring it" to MBCC

This Sunday Eugene Cho will be guest speaking at MBCC.  Eugene and I have "known" each other for a few years now, but have never met in person.  Through, blogs, facebook and many a common friends, I think Eugene will fit right in here at MBCC.

Eugene Cho is the founder and lead pastor of Quest Church - a seven year old multicultural, multhethnic, and urban faith community in Seattle and the founder and executive director of Q Cafe, an innovative nonprofit community café and music venue. He and his wife, Minhee, are also creating a grassroots global movement to fight global poverty in 2009. Eugene hasn't published squat and is only sought after by his wife and three children.

Scripture:  Matthew 6:19-24
Title: Where is your treasure?

Please take some time to read his blog: [http://eugenecho.com] and we'll see you on Sunday.

PS --- Remember as part of our Advent Conspiracy this Sunday we are doing the potluck/food bank fundraiser after servuce, so bring your dish a few duckets for the meal.  For more info please contact [Tiffany].

MBCC Handchimes

So sometimes it is really fun to go all old school and do things like this . . .

 . . . and yep, battery ran out before the end.  Sorry.

Wednesday Word/s: Communication Migration Vacation

[image: izarbeltza]

Greetings all!

I hope you are well and enjoying the winter-like experience of the season.  Yeah, yeah there are many of you who are from places where this is still balmy, but that is not where we are and after 20 years in The City, this is C-O-L-D.

First, thanks to all who were part of our grand celebrations this past Sunday as we chartered as a congregation, ordained our first group of elders and I was officially installed . . . all fancy ways of saying we are maturing, growing and will be around to do some good in this community.  At least that is the plan.

As we enter the next few weeks of the Christmas season, here are a few things to bring to your attention:

1. MEMORIAL FOR THE HOMELESS DEAD - With this shift in weather we need to be sure to pray for those for whom living on the street is rough enough, but add the cold and life becomes that much more fragile. I would encourage you to take some time out of the week and attend the Annual Memorial for the Homeless Dead that will take place this Thursday @ 5:30 in front of City Hall.  This annual event gather people from across the faiths to read the names of all those who have died on our streets this year.  A celebration and remembrance of lives lived, it is also a dramatic reminder of the pain and struggles that exists around us every day.
2. EZINE MIGRATION - Over the next few weeks we will be migrating our eZine list to our main secure online church database, Stafftool.  Currently we are managing people's info in a variety of locations and this will be an attempt to streamline some of our internal work as well as make it possible to sat more up-to-date with people's emails.  A new ezine will be delivered in 2009!
3. WINTER BREAK HONEY DO's - If you have some time to continue to help get things put together here at 32 Ocean Avenue, please let Bruce know.  While we have come a long way, there are still curtains to hang, shelves to secure and a variety of other tasks to accomplish.  they will eventually get done, but the sooner, the better.

That's it for now.  Please be sure to check back here often to keep up with on-going activities, announcements and musings connected to MBCC.

Take care.
Bruce

Mamá Art Cafe presents ANDEAN SOUL - 12/19

I just received this eMail about what looks like a great event down at Cafe Mama.  I am going to try and make it if anyone wants to try and go. 

Let me know - Bruce

Mamá Art Cafe presents
ANDEAN SOUL

Paintings by Luis Valverde
Peruvian Music provided by Valverde Family
Friday, December 19, 7-10pm
$5 suggested donation

Dear friends of "Mamá,"

On behalf of all Mamá Art Cafe team members, I would like to extend an invitation to a special event this Friday evening, December 19, 7-10pm. During the last 5 years, we have invited our San Franciscan friends to share their artistic talents at our venue. On this occasion, The Valverde Family, originally from Peru, will delight us with their artwork, music, and folklore.

I would like to thank you all for your support in 2008. In the new year, our team members will continue to offer you organic and fair trade coffee, healthy treats, and quality spices. We hope you enjoy our ongoing calendar of monthly art exhibitions, live music Saturday afternoons, and special cultural events. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Warm regards,

Paulo Acosta Cabezas
Founder & Director
Mamá Art Cafe
4754 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94112

The "Circle of Hands" Crosses

 At last Sunday's Chartering, Ordination and Installation worship extravaganza, as we ordained our first class of elders, we presented them with crosses and the words, "You are a created and called child of God."  These crosses were hand-crafted by Woody, over at Wooden Crosses by Woody.  We also ordered a matching 16" chancel cross of the same design.

Working with Woody was a joy and I would highly recommend him to any of you who are looking for a unique way to express the breadth and diversity of our faith.  Prices were very reasonable, shipping was quick and the quality exceptional.  Thank you Woody!

Here is the story of the crosses we ordered, a variation of the Circle of Hands design.  The wood used: Olive wood, Purpleheart and Myrtle.

The circle is a symbol for wholeness and completeness. It is God’s vision for reconciliation and reunion. The cross is made of purple heart- the wood used for the keel of the rebuilt Amistad. Out of a time of brutality and slavery, this re-commissioned vessel’s mission is to teach peace and reconciliation. A unique characteristic of Purple Heart is that when sanded it’s color is brown. When exposed to light, it returns to its true color – again a vision for reconciliation.

The medallion or the nimbus is made of holly, one of the nine sacred woods of the Celtic people. It is the wood of winter and introspection and prayer. Unless one immediately begins the drying process of freshly cut holly, it will turn grey. The holly of the nimbus, the traditional symbol of representing the presence of the Divine, reminds us of the importance of being attentive to the faith journey just as God is attentive and faithful to us.

Using the ‘ying-yang’ symbol, the hands at the center of the nimbus reminds us of the vision of wholeness in relationship with each other and God. The two woods used for the hands are Biblical woods.

The hand with a greenish hew is made of myrtle. In the book of Isaiah (55:12&13) it says: “For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace. Instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”  Again, the wholeness of being in relationship as seen in the myrtle is a witness to God’s vision for creation.

The hand with the brown graining pattern is olive wood from Jerusalem. There are many stories connected with the Olive tree. It is the branch of hope that the dove carried to Noah. It is the tree from which the anointing oil was made, used by the prophets as a sign of blessing. It is the tree beneath which Christ prayed. In relationship, our hands are to be a blessing and prayer, a touch of peace and hope.

The four woods of the Cross- the purpleheart of reconciliation and transformation, the prayerfulness of the holly, the blessings of the olive and the sign of God’s faithfulness experienced in the myrtle -  combine as a witness for Life that calls the faithful to ministry.

Woody's contact info is as follows

Rev. Woody Shook [email]
Wooden Crosses by Woody
106 Hurricane Road
Westmoreland, New Hampshire 03467
603-357-2113

Vote early, vote . . . well just vote for the Word/s of God

[image: theresasthompson]

As promised, YOU, yes YOU, get to help decide upon which words the MBCC Pastoral Staff will reflect upon and  will use to shape and guide our worship conversations in January and February.  The survey will close at 11:59pm on Sunday the 21st, so get on over and cast your votes!

CLICK HERE  to take the two-question survey or if that doesn't work, type http://www.polldaddy.com/s/0C50C7E3617CB20E/ into your browser's address bar.

Thanks in advance!

Wednesday Word: Conspiracy

I hope you are doing well as the Christmas Season gets underway.  I know that the economics of the day are creating a great deal of anxiety in many aspects of our lives.  From people losing jobs to relocations to feeling a general sense of insecurity, now, more than ever we must embrace our call to be a presence of peace in a world of conflict and chaos.

One of the ways we can do this is to remember why we do the things we do in the word.  Unless the world where we earn that which gives us our worth: money, prestige, power, status, etc. As people who claim a belief in Christ, we do what we do BECAUSE of what has been given.  Our blessings no matter how small compel us to live with gratitude in the world.

In response to that which we should be grateful, I would invite and encourage you to take part in MBCC's Advent Conspiracy a worldwide movement to see and experience the Christmas season a little differently.  This year, Tiffany, is helping to coordinate our efforts.

This is a note from her to get us going.  If YOU are interested in getting involved, please contact Tiffany [email]  as soon as possible.

From Tiffany . . .

I’d love to use this group as a way to help our community come up with some creative ways to make this season meaningful. Here are some things I’ve thought about, but I’d love to have some more ideas from you all.

1. Blog about it! Write about your own thoughts on advent, consumerism, and volunteer work you’ve done
2. Host a screening of the documentary “What Would Jesus Buy”
3. Schedule a craft and or/baking day to make gifts instead of shopping. If you’ve already got one on the calendar, post it on staff tool and invite folks to join you.
4. Get a group together to serve a meal or do a shift at the Food Bank.

I’m sure there are lots of folks out there who have ideas, so let’s hear ‘em!

Sunday Fare Sale 12/7/08 to 2/1/09

Here's a special deal for riding Muni to MBCC!  Every Sunday from 12/7/08 to 2/1/09, pay the regular $1.50 fare and get an all-day transfer valid the rest of the day.on all Muni vehicles (except cable cars, Candlestick expresses, and CultureBus museum express).  This Sunday Fun Day promo was originally designed to encourage shopping with San Francisco, but it's also ideal for going to and from MBCC on Sunday for just the one-way fare.  See the sfmuni.com webiste for details.