The Clarendon Connection
February 2009
www.clarendonhillchurch.org
Lent: Reflection and Renewal
The season of Lent is approaching, a liturgical season which can be a fruitful time of reflection
for our personal spiritual journeys as well as for our life as a community. Beginning with Ash Wednes-
day (Feb. 25) and spanning the forty days until Easter, Lent is a season of preparation. Traditionally,
Lent was a period of fasting that prepared new members for their baptism on Easter morning. For us, it
can function as a time of reflection and renewal, a type of spiritual fast that prepares us for the feast that
arrives on Easter.
Many people give something up in observation of Lent (such a sweets,
coffee or eating out), an act which offers a constant reminder of one's spiritual
state and can be a great way to build up to the joy and abundance of Easter. It is
also possible, however, to add a practice instead of taking something away. One
could commit to a daily prayer time or a daily reading of a psalm either alone or
with one's family.
Clarendon Hill will be adding its own spiritual activities for Lent in
order to help us observe this special season together. Each Wednesday through-
out Lent, the church will host a short evening prayer service that will include
Taize music, prayer, scripture and silence. The service will last between 30 and 45 minutes. All are
encouraged to make these weekday services a part of their Lenten routine.
Additionally, on Sunday mornings after fellowship time, Pastor Karl, along with seminarians Liz
Leavitt and Kelsey Rice Bogdan, will lead a class on "The Way of Discernment" geared toward guiding
indviduals and our community through a period of discernment about the future of our church. Those
interested can gather in the parlor around 12:30 p.m.
Together we can make these forty days a meaningful and productive time together, in prepara-
tion of the Easter feast that awaits us!
Reminder for your calendar:
Wednesdays, February 25-April 1, 7-7:45 p.m., Taize Evening Prayer Service
Sundays, March 1-April 5, 12:30-1:30 p.m., "Way of Discernment" Adult Education Class
'Wrap Around!' at The Nave
A Benefit for the Somerville Homeless Coalition
February 7, 2009, 1 - 5 p.m.
We are seeking donations of hand knit items--scarves, gloves, caps, etc.--for a
sale to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition. All items will be priced at $10 or less. As we all struggle
through this very cold and wet winter, donate a warm handmade scarf or hat to to help others stay warm.
Wrap your arms around your community!
Donations may be dropped off at the following locations:
• Nave Gallery, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powderhouse Blvd., Somerville, MA
during Gallery hours: (FRI 6-8; SAT 1-5; SUN 1-5)
• MAGPIE, 416 Highland Ave., Somerville MA 02144
during store hours: (TUES 11-6; WED 11-6; THURS 11-6; FRI 11-6; SUN 11-5)
Introduction to Yoga
Come join our small class after coffee hour to
practice mindful breathing and gentle yoga postures.
We will meet on February 8, 15 and 22. Great for
stress release, improved flexibility and strength.
Contact Liz at cavatorta1@hotmail.com for more
information.
Writing Group
Everyone is welcome to join the writing group. We
begin with a group check-in, move through 1-2
writing exercises, and finish with a group check-out.
We will tailor each session to the interests of those
who attend. Contact Rachel, reichiru@gmail.com,
for meeting dates and more details.
Clarendon Happenings
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Equal Exchange
Coffee orders will be taken on February 1 for deliv-
ery on February 8. There are still Equal Exchange
mini-chocolates available as well. If you will not be
in church on Feb. 1, be sure to email your order to
Katherine by Sunday evening
(kath.gustafson@gmail.com).
Women’s Horizons Bible Study
The Horizons Bible Study will meet at Salam
Lebbos's house in Arlington on Friday, February 27.
We gather at 3:30 p.m. and Bible study runs from 4
to 5 p.m. All are welcome. Contact Katherine
Gustafson if you need a ride:
kath.gustafson@gmail.com.
Resident Acupuncturist
Ching Ling is a CHPC member and an acupuncturist
who has an office in the church building. She is
looking for new clients, so if you or someone you
know would like to try acupuncture, contact
chingling1943@yahoo.com.
Annual Meeting and Potluck
On February 1, we will hold a (rescheduled) Annual
Meeting and potluck after church. Everyone is
welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting as
we discuss the life of Clarendon Hill Presbyterian.
Request from the
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in consultation with our partners in Gaza to make aid available
to those most in need. When Jesus walked these very lands, by his words and his ministries he
told all who would listen to care for the children, the old, the poor, the sick, the most vulnerable.
In this moment of crisis, while leaders strive to find a path to lasting peace, our priority must be
caring for those left vulnerable by the violence.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
GIVE to help the PC(USA) and our partners meet the physical needs of those in all the areas where violence leaves them
vulnerable, and the emotional and spiritual needs of the many more who have been traumatized by that violence. Mail
your gift to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Church, Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA. Write "DR000081-E1" on
the check to ensure your gift is designated to meet these urgent needs. You can also give online at www.pcusa.org/pda.
PRAY for all those whose lives have been and continue to be affected.
STAY INFORMED with regular updates on the situation.
In keeping with the long history of CHPC's support of the people of Palestine, this offers a way to bring direct aid to
Gaza and we ask that folks think prayerfully about making a contribution.
Dates at a Glance
Feb. 1
Annual Meeting and Potluck
Coffee Orders
Feb. 8
Coffee Delivery; Yoga
Feb. 15
Yoga
Feb. 22
Yoga
Feb. 25
Ash Wednesday Service
Feb. 27
Women’s Bible Study
March 1
Adult Education Class
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Thoughts from the Back Office
by Pastor Karl Gustafson
Window of opportunity. Fork in the road. Serendipity.
Synchronicity. Convergence. Astral alignment. And a
Greek word, ‘kairos’, much in use in our scriptures meaning
the perfectly right moment when God breaks into life and
offers an opportunity for change, growth, fulfillment.
Moments of major new possibility are described in a variety of ways. They happen to us as individuals and
as communities. We usually can’t seek them out or make them happen. All we can do is recognize them
when they appear and summon enough faith and hope to respond. They invite us to imagine new things
and make courageous choices. Outcomes aren’t obvious and sometimes the risks are high. But when we
are able to recognize a moment of ‘kairos’ and decide to respond our pulse speeds up, our minds sharpen,
our spirits soar. Moments of this kind of seriousness don’t happen all that often, and when they do, they
can be exciting and fearful all at the same time.
We have the great good fortune to find ourselves at the beginning of one of those moments. Clarendon
Hill Church has come to a fork in the road. We’re being offered a window of opportunity. The habits of
our past are converging with the needs of the present, and our future will be shaped by how we respond.
We are at one of those times of kairos when God breaks into our life and confronts us with the need to be
transformed, challenging us to claim who we are, envision who we want to be and what we want to do,
and set a course to make our new life bloom. Scary for sure. Exciting too.
That’s where we are, as I see it. CHPC is at a moment of creative necessity and opportunity. Now’s the
time. We can’t wait anymore. We have a new way of life to plant and nurture. We have been given a time
of kairos. Let’s go for it.
And…..
The inauguration of Barack Obama as president offers a lot of things, not least of which is an opportunity
for centrist and progressive Christians to claim their rightful place in the public arena. President Obama
has spoken often and unapologetically about the role his faith plays in his understanding of government
and public service. He has referred more than once to a grand old name from the not too distant past as
having been highly significant in this understanding. Reinhold Niebuhr is the name. Niebuhr was a
preacher, a teacher, an activist in many of the most difficult issues our country faced during the twentieth
century. Beginning as a Christian Socialist and pacifist, he grew into becoming the central figure in a
highly influential group known as Christian Realists. He was argumentative, thoughtful, a political insider
who was also a prophetic voice with influence. If anyone spoke truth to power it was Reinhold Niebuhr.
I’m happy to see that his name is being spoken again.
If anyone is interested in taking a look at one of his early but formative books, An Interpretation of Christian
Ethics, let me know. It’s short, clear, sharp. It would be fun to read him together.
One more thing…..
A small group has just begun to meet periodically in the late afternoon to explore ways to deepen our
spiritual life. We have chosen an ancient teacher of the Christian spiritual life to be our guide for a while,
Gregory of Nyssa. We are reading and reflecting on a collection of his writings about the Lord’s Prayer
and the Beatitudes. If you would like more information contact me: pastork@clarendonhillchurch.org.
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NEPCI Continues to Learn About New England’s Campuses
The New England Presbyterian Campus Initiative (NEPCI), a special project
of the Presbyteries of Boston, Northern New England, and Southern New
England, continues its work in partnership with Clarendon Hill
Presbyterian Church. As part of the project, Clarendon Hill has
hosted two meetings of the project’s advisory committee,
generously shared Pastor Karl’s staff time, supervised and
supported the work of seminary intern Kelsey Rice Bogdan, and
provided space in the Sunday School room for the ongoing
work of the project.
NEPCI has learned much about students on New England
campuses and the ministries serving them. The picture emerging
is of a generation of students seeking transformational relationships, in
which their faith can grow and impact the world. Our limited data suggests
that few of these students claim a specific Protestant denominational identity,
while a significant minority has no religious preference at all. Though Presbyterians
support 23 life-changing campus ministries in New England, our work encompasses less
than 10% of all colleges in the region.
What’s next for NEPCI? In the coming months, Kelsey will review nearly 40 individual interviews and
several student focus groups to draw out key themes about the current state of campus ministry and the
needs on-the-ground. The project advisory committee then hopes to share emerging results of the
research with Presbyterians in all three presbyteries, culminating in a region-wide event sometime in the
late spring. We hope that members of Clarendon Hill will participate in these events!
NEPCI has been blessed by its relationship with Clarendon Hill—thank you for all your support! Kelsey
would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the project. You can contact her at
NEPCI.Coordinator@gmail.com
.
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FYI
Massachusetts, along
with several other New
England states, was
recently named one of
the “least religious
states” based on a 2008
Gallup Poll. Gallup
interpreted the results
by suggesting that, in
part, there may be
differing "state cul-
tures" that are them-
selves associated with
life approaches that
give varying degrees of
credence to religion as
a guiding force.
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scripture
focus on mission
coffee hour
nursery
Feb. 1
M. Jirmanus
E. Schemerhorn
POTLUCK
K. Gustafson
Feb. 8
S. Donovan
C. Milanesi
Jirmanus
V. Donovan
Feb. 15
R. Winchester
H. Rantisi
Augers
E. Schemerhorn
Feb. 22
E. Sweeny
P. Auger
Milanesi/Kumpa
N. Jirmanus
March 1
C. Milanesi
S. Donovan
Camelio/Braga
K. Gustafson
March 8
J. Auger
R. Winchester
Reynolds/Graf
V. Donovan
March 15
P. Beran
S. Lebbos
Newquist/Glass
E. Schemerhorn
March 22
M. Reynolds
A. Kwaa
Chapman-Adisho
N. Jirmanus
March 29
J. Bray
K. Graf
Donovan
K. Gustafson
If you would like to be added to the rotation for any of these ministry opportunities, please contact
Ann Crews Melton, editor@clarendonhillchurch.org or 617.646.9690.
The Clarendon Connection is edited by Ann Crews Melton. Articles for the March issue are requested
by Feb. 22. Email editor@clarendonhillchurch.org with news, photos, tidbits, corrections or suggestions.
Church Assignments
Lectionary Readings
February 2009
February 1
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
February 8
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
February 15
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30:1-12
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45
February 22
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6 2
Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9
February 25 (Ash Wednesday)
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 51:1-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
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March 2009
March 1 (1st Sunday in Lent)
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15
March 8 (2nd Sunday in Lent)
Gen. 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38
March 15 (3rd Sunday in Lent)
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19:1-14
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22
Sunday Worship at Clarendon Hill
9:45 a.m.
Choir rehearsal
10:30 a.m.
Worship
10:45 a.m.
Children’s education
11:30 a.m.
Refreshments and fellowship
Communion will be celebrated on Feb. 1.
March 22 (4th Sunday in Lent)
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Eph. 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
March 29 (5th Sunday in Lent)
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
155 Powder House Blvd.
West Somerville, MA 02144-1613
tel: 617-625-4823
www.clarendonhillchurch.org
Rev. Karl
Gustafson, Minister Augustus Kwaa, Parish
Associate/Evangelist John Adams, Music Director
Arnie James, Sexton
To volunteer to help with an event, contact Randy at rwinchester@artsomerville.org.
www.artsomerville.org
the nave gallery
Current Exhibit: “Shout Out!”
Jan. 16 to Feb. 7, 2009
Featuring the work of over 30 young
artists from from Belmont, Boston,
Cambridge, Middleborough, Newton
and Somerville. "Shout out!" show-
cases the creativity of local young artists expressing their
thoughts on some very adult subjects. Additionally, three
group projects with younger artists are included.
ARTISTS
Isaac Bell , Simona Clausnitzer, Courtney Coulombe,
Rufus Dixon, Andrew Evich, Cameron Fetter, Chris
Gortmaker, Eriko Hishiya, Joey Janeiro, Ryan Keeth, Jill Liberatore, Chun Lok Lo, Marina Massida, JT Minor,
Jonathan Moreria, Neil Quigley, Katrina Rizzuto, Anna Shuster, Brianne Sullivan, Matthew Thompson, Sierra
Tseng, Jennie Vallesio, Daniel Wong