The Clarendon Connection
June 2009
www.clarendonhillchurch.org
Celebrating a Church for All God's Children: More Light Sunday 2009
by Michael Adee, More Light Presbyterians
Now more than ever it is important for us, for our Church, to recognize and celebrate the presence
and gifts of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in our local congrega-
tions. We believe in a Gospel and a Church for all God's children.
While we do recognize and give thanks for the extraordi-
nary, history-making progress made during the Amend-
ment 08-B Campaign,* we also reckon with the reality that
its ratification was narrowly defeated. This is a time of
mixed emotions, celebration and lamentation.
We celebrate that a record number of 77 presbyteries so
far have affirmed fair and equal ordination standards; and
we lament that 92 have held to the status quo of discrimi-
nation against faithful LGBT Presbyterians simply seeking
to answer God's call to serve. It is time for us to gather in
community in every possible congregation, MLP Chapter,
campus or seminary group for a time of reflection, prayer,
healing and solidarity.
More Light Sunday is June 7, 2009. The first Sunday of
June is chosen for More Light Sunday in recognition that
June is the tradition of LGBT or Gay Pride Month in most
cities. Pride celebrations were first held in June to honor
the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969, a watershed moment in the LGBT
equal rights movement. We encourage each welcoming church, campus ministry or MLP Chapter
to consider ways you can be part of your local or state Pride celebration. Learn more at
www.mlp.org.
Boston Pride Week is Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14. For more information, visit
www.bostonpride.org.
*Ordination Amendment 08-B, approved by the 216th General Assembly, is being considered by the
presbyteries for ratification. A simple majority vote is needed for ratification. A "Yes" vote will enable the
denomination to move forward together again as one church family committed to the equality of all of its
members, and enable the ordination of LGBT members who are called to serve. A "No" vote will leave us
mired in the same division, conflict, and unjust policies which have characterized the church for decades.
Please keep the Presbyterian LGBT community and entire Church in your prayers.
Introduction to Yoga
Come join our small class after coffee hour to
practice mindful breathing and gentle yoga postures.
Great for stress release, improved flexibility and
strength. Contact Liz at cavatorta1@hotmail.com
for meeting dates.
Clarendon Happenings
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Women’s Horizons Bible Study
The Horizons Bible Study meets at Salam Lebbos's
house in Arlington on Friday afternoons once a
month. We gather at 3:30 p.m. and Bible study
runs from 4 to 5 p.m. All women are welcome.
Contact
Val Donovan or
Katherine Gustafson
(
kath.gustafson@gmail.com) for meeting dates and
directions.
Presbyterian Coffee Project
Presbyterian Coffee Project orders
will be taken on June 7 for deliv-
ery on June 14. Orders can be
emailed to Katherine
(kath.gustafson@gmail.com) by
Sunday afternoon, June 7.
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 June 7.
Celebration and Goodbye Potluck/
BBQ for Voltaire Organo
Mary Reynolds’ & Bill Bartin's Home
28 Howie St., Melrose
Saturday, June 13, 5-8 p.m.
Please join us on our tree-top deck for good eating
and conversation, and perhaps a song, wishing
Voltaire well as he completes his post-doc and
returns to a job in the Phillipines. Lucky for us, he's
worshipped with CHPC and been a stellar choir
member for the past three years. Bring your favorite
dish and beverage--we will have hamburgers/hot
dogs and some chicken too. If anyone wants a veggie
burger, let us know! Contact
mreynolds105@yahoo.com for more info.
Help with Liz Leavitt’s Ordination
If you can help with the reception for Liz Leavitt’s
ordination, contact Katherine Gustafson. We are still
looking for some food items, flowers, and donations
toward expenses. See back cover for more details.
Calling All Kids (of All Ages)
We are going to be writing and putting together a
play. Come join us during Sunday School time in
June and July.
Congratulations!
Newsletter editor Ann Crews Melton married Ryan
Wayne Warner on May 23 in Longview, Texas. Ryan
is a North Dakota native and recent graduate of
Berklee College of Music. Ann and Ryan will stay in
Boston while Ann finishes her MA in Publishing &
Writing at Emerson College.
Dates at a Glance
June 6
Liz Leavitt’s Ordination
June 7
Coffee Orders
June 13
Goodbye for Voltaire
June 14
Coffee Delivery
CHPC Friends-
Thank you so very much for the lovely intern celebra-
tion and the beautiful cross necklace. It has been such
a wonderful year for me here at Clarendon Hill, and I
am grateful to all of you for hospitality this year and
your well-wishes. I will cherish the cross for all of my
ministry.
All the best,
Liz Leavitt
To volunteer to help with an event, contact Randy at rwinchester@artsomerville.org.
www.artsomerville.org
the nave gallery
Surprise the Tender Alphabet:
Image Meets Text
5-26 June 2009
Opening reception 6 June 2009, 3-5 p.m.
Curated by Ann Forbush and Jenny Lawton Grassl.
Surprise the Tender Alphabet: Image Meets Text is an exhibit of work by thirteen
New England artists. The show incorporates painters, printmakers, photographers,
sculptors and performance artists who embrace text or language in their artwork.
Legible writing and poetry appear in some works, while others offer more ambiguous
or subliminal messages. Our "alphabet" takes many forms, from intimate handwriting
scrawled in a diary to disintegrating messages found on the street, allowing the
fusion of words and images to seduce, comfort or incite.
Metal and Glass Ensemble
19 June 2009, 8 p.m.
www.myspace.com/metalandglass
$7 donation
Metal & Glass Ensemble is a Boston-based improvisational group with a rotating membership
who create acoustic drone-based music with bowed cymbals and other metal objects, and
glasses tuned to a just-intoned 23-note octave. This just scale, employing whole-number ratios
akin to a natural harmonic overtone series, is the only formal tuning used in the group. The bowed metal generates its own
shifting but interrelated pitch classes, while the instrumental players contribute using a variety of microtonal intonations. In
this way the music is liberated from the 12-tone equal-tempered octave, and explores a broad spectrum of harmonic
relationships. The ensemble uses a structured improvisational scheme (such as a chart or graphic score) to give each
performance a specific form. In some cases the structure is conceptual, expressed through verbal imagery. The music
itself evolves gradually over time, often conveying a meditative quality.
The Bruno Raberg Nonet
24 June 2009, 8 p.m.,
www.brunoraberg.com
$12, $10 students with ID
Innovative bassist/composer Bruno Raberg will present a night of original music written for his all-
stellar nonet. Raberg is a mainstay on the Boston scene and has six recordings in his name
featuring Mick Goodrick, Donny McCaslin, Matt Wilson, Ben Monder, Chris Cheek and others.
Featured are trumpeter Phil Grenadier, who’s currently a member of guitarist John Scofiled Sextet, and Allan Chase,
formerly with drum legend Rasheed Ali.
Upcoming Exhibit: Physical Digital
11 July-9 August 2009
Artists: Rachel Gargiulo, Ted Ollier, John Pyper, Liz Shepherd
Opening Reception: 11 July 2009, 3-5 p.m.
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scripture
focus on mission
coffee hour
nursery
June 7
S. Donovan
P. Auger
Gustafson/Cavano
E. Schemerhorn
June 14
R. Winchester
H. Rantisi
Donovan
K. Gustafson
June 21
E. Sweeny
A. Kwaa
Schemerhorn
V. Donovan
June 28
C. Milanesi
S. Donovan
Siggers
E. Schemerhorn
July 5
M. Reynolds
T. Siggers
Augers
K. Gustafson
July 12
P. Beran
K. Graf
Milanesi/Kumpa
V. Donovan
July 19
J. Auger
R. Liberace
Camelio/Braga
E. Schemerhorn
July 26
J. Bray
M. Reynolds
Chapman-Adisho
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 July issue are requested
by June 25. Email editor@clarendonhillchurch.org with news, photos, tidbits, corrections or suggestions.
Church Assignments
Lectionary Readings
June 2009
June 7
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29:1-11
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
June 14
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20:1-9
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
June 21
1 Samuel 17:32-49
Psalm 9:9-20
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
June 28
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130:1-8
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
A Call for Nursery Volunteers
Why have a church nursery?
To ensure that CHPC is an inviting place to all,
including families with young children.
What is involved? On your assigned Sunday:
--Arrive at church 5 to 10 minutes early;
--Greet families with small children as they come
in, telling them that a church nursery is available
and that you will be happy to accompany them to
the nursery at any time during the service;
--Take care of the children during worship time.
Books, toys, and drawing materials are available in
the newly painted room;
--If you can’t make your assigned Sunday, change
with someone else on the list.
The need: Only a few are currently sharing the
duty, which means they are missing the
opportunity to be in worship several times a
month. The more that sign up for this shared
responsibility, the fewer times per year each is on
duty.
Benefits: It is a great way to get to know the
youngest members of our congregation and make
them (and their families) feel welcome, not to
mention just having a lot of fun.
If you are uncomfortable volunteering alone, sign
up with a partner and share the joy of playing
with young ones for an hour or less! Contact Ann
to volunteer, editor@clarendonhillchurch.org.
July 2009
July 5
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
Psalm 48:1-14
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
July 12
2 Sam. 6:1-5, 12b-19
Psalm 24:1-10
Eph. 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29
July 19
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Psalm 89:20-37
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
July 26
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14:1-7
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
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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
The Presbytery of Boston & the Presbytery of the Cascades
cordially invite you to a service of worship to ordain
Elizabeth Smith Leavitt
into the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament
in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
to be held
Saturday, June 6, 2009
at ten o’clock in the morning
at
Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church
A short reception will follow.
Parking is available at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, the parking lot of which can be accessed
from Raymond St. Please note that most other parking around the church is neighborhood parking and
requires a permit.
If you are in need of childcare for this occasion, please email leavitt.liz@gmail.com by June 1.