Sunday Worship at Clarendon Hill
SUMMER SCHEDULE
9:15 a.m.
Choir rehearsal
10:00 a.m.
Worship*
11:00 a.m.
Refreshments and fellowship
*NOTE NEW TIMES! Worship will begin at
10 a.m. from July 6 to August 31. Children’s
Education and the regular worship schedule
will resume in September.
The Clarendon Connection
July 2008
www.clarendonhillchurch.org
Good News from San Jose! Presbyterian General Assembly
Votes 54% to 46% to End LGBT Discrimination!
Friday, June 27, 2008
by Michael J. Adee, More Light Presbyterians
T
his is an amazing moment in history. I give
thanks to God for all of you who have been praying,
believing and working for the Presbyterian Church (USA)
to end discrimination against its own lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGBT) daughters and sons, sisters and
brothers in Christ.
Today, the 218th General Assembly of the PCUSA
voted 54% to 46% to end discrimination against LGBT
members of our Church; and to provide spiritual and
ordination equality for LGBT Presbyterians.
The Assembly approved the Boston Ordination
Equality Overture which called for a deletion of the
"fidelity in marriage, chastity in singleness" requirement
and lifted up our historic Constitutional questions for
ordination and installation. This part of the overture requires ratification by the presbyteries in the next year.
The second part of the overture provides a new Authoritative Interpretation. It struck down the anti-gay
policy statements beginning with the 1978 Definitive Guidance and the subsequent 1979 ruling that homosexuality
is not compatible with service in the Church, sinful and not part of God's design. These profoundly uninformed
and homophobic statements from the past of our Church have no further force or effect with the approval of this
Boston Ordination Overture.
More Light Presbyterians gives thanks to God for all of the Commissioners, Youth Advisory Delegates and
other delegates who are served faithfully this week. There is clearly a sea-change in our Church, society and world
as more people are letting go of the old beliefs and prejudice about homosexuality, same-gender loving persons
and embracing what it means to recognize Christ and the divine image within all of God’s children, no exceptions.
Our work of witness, education, truth-telling, sharing our stories within our local churches, on our college
and seminary campuses has just begun! We have one year to pray and work so that this Boston Ordination Equal-
ity Overture will be thoughtfully and prayerfully considered, heard and ratified by our presbyteries. The joyous
work of being the Church and sharing our faith to achieve the ratification of the Boston Ordination Equality
Overture will begin on June 28 at the close of this Assembly. For this moment, on this day, we rejoice in the fact
that this Assembly has provided a way forward for our beloved Church.
Together we are building a Church for all God's people!
Sandra Winter of Chattanooga, Tenn., fits Maisha Johnson of
Stockton, Calif., with a stole in the More Light Presbyterians
booth at General Assembly. Read more on p. 2. Photo by D. Bolin
CLARENDON HILL & MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS
During a focus on mission in June, Katherine Gustafson
challenged Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, a participat-
ing congregation in More Light Presbyterians (MLP), to
contribute at least $150 to MLP in order to be listed in their
next annual report. Katherine urged consideration of this
special offering in honor of the many folks we know who
cannot currently be ordained in the Presbyterian Church
(USA). If you would like to contribute, please contact
Katherine at kath.gustafson@gmail.com.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Giving Rainbow Scarves
by Peg True
S
unday evening I was in the More Light booth giving out a new supply of scarves. Using the bless-
ing Janet Edwards created, I put the scarf on a woman who had told me her daughter was lesbian. On
impulse, I asked if she would like a scarf for her dauther and she was thrilled. Her daughter has not spo-
ken to her in four years and the mother saw the scarf as a possible entre.
The blessing and the scarves, knit by so many around the country, open doors!
Power of Positive Knitting: Rainbow Scarves at the General Assembly
by Heather Reichgott, http://holy-vignettes.blogspot.com/
T
he power of Presbyterian knitting is a force to be reckoned with.
After this call for people to knit rainbow scarves, which
mark LGBT supporters at the assembly and help remind everyone
how many of us there are. . .verily, there is a flood of scarves.
Presbyterians: You are CRAZY knitters. Old lady knitters and 6-year-old beginning knitters. Knitters who
tucked passionate notes of prayer for LGBT Presbyterians into the folds of their creations. Some 600
scarves were in by the so-called deadline but they just kept coming.
The scarves aren't just swag, like the freebie buttons or stress toys you can pick up at most booths
in the convention center. Someone must put a scarf on your neck for you, with a blessing, and you're
asked to promise to explain to anyone who asks about the scarf why you're wearing it. This action, plus
the semi-liturgical look of a scarf, gives the whole thing a surprising kind of gravity and spirit.
At least on the surface, the scarves just say "I have this position on LGBT equality." But each scarf
was knit for the wearer by someone else. Each one represents hours of work and prayer. The fact that
you're wearing it represents a promise you made, and the hope and prayer of the person who gave it to
you and prayed over you. The gentle ghosts of all the knitters of a thousand scarves float through this
assembly, accompanying everyone with those colors on their neck.
And of course, every hour, there's more and more color out there. You can see the growth, and the
way people begin to recognize one another, to stand taller, to remember once again the communion of
saints who surround this holy struggle.
The Blessing (one version)
This scarf was knit by someone who believes in the full inclusion of LGBT people in our church, including
ordination. They blessed it as it was made and I bless it now as I give it to you. May you join us in work-
ing for justice.
Thank You!
by Ellen Schemerhorn
I
n early June, we mailed off 25 multicolored rainbow scarves to be worn by commissioners at
General Assembly (GA), which was held in mid-June in San Jose, California. The scarves were a visual
reminder that our national church is still not inclusive of all of God's children. I'd like to thank those who
knit or crocheted our cache of scarves: Val Donovan, Katherine Gustafson, Liz Cavano, Sarah Donovan,
Karen Alison and most especially Shelley Rhodes . We also received a thank you card from Rev. Janet
Edwards, who coordinated this effort for More Light Presbyterians. She wrote:
Dear Clarendon Hill Church Knitters and Crocheters,
Deepest thanks for your contributions to the rainbow scarves witness at the PCUSA GA!
Every loving stitch will shine with more light. And each scarf will be a shield and buckler for
it's wearer. May this be the year justice and love prevail.
You can watch for your work in pictures from GA on mlp.org starting 6/20.
May you all knit and crochet in peace.
Janet
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Parish News
Augustus Kwaa has had a death in his
family and needs to travel to Ghana for the
funeral, which will be in late July. If you
would like to make a contribution toward
the cost of his ticket, make checks out to
him.
Introduction to Yoga
Come join our small, half-hour class during coffee
hour (12:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 20) to practice
mindful breathing and gentle yoga postures. Great for
stress release, improved flexibility and strength. If
interested, please email Liz at
cavatorta1@hotmail.com for more info.
Clarendon Hill’s Facebook Account
Missing Clarendon Hillers halfway through the
week? Want to make church friends digital friends?
Clarendon Hill has a new facebook account at
http://groups.to/clarendonhill/ For more
information about how to set up a Facebook
account, contact Rachel at reichiru@gmail.com.
Come join us!
Rental Space Available!
Teen Empowerment recently left their rental space at the church, so there is room available! If you
know of a group or organization that is in need of office space, please have them get in touch with the
church as soon as possible.
Presby 101
There will be two or three evenings in late July and/or early August with a potluck supper and
discussion about “What Presbyterians Believe.” Dates to be announced. See more information on
page 4.
Equal Exchange Coffee
Katherine will take the Equal Exchange coffee order on Sunday, July 6. Equal Exchange sent a notice
which indicates that due to higher organic coffee expenses and other rising costs, the average price of
coffee will go up 45 cents per pound as of August 1. Katherine will provide more information in time for
the August order.
The Secret Knowledge of Pastor Karl
Karl is curating an exhibit at the Nave Gallery titled “The Secret Knowledge of Water.” It runs from July
18-August 17. The opening reception is on Friday, July 18 from 6-8 p.m. See page 5 for more details.
Dates to Remember
July 6
Coffee Orders
July 18
“Secret Knowledge of Water”
Opening Reception
July 20
Yoga with Liz
TBA
Presby 101 Potlucks
Clarendon
Connection
Happenings
Peace, Justice and Mission Committee Report
The committee met recently and began to plan events for the coming fall. In addition, we dis-
cussed holding a summer series of evening meetings (with a light potluck supper) that will focus
on Presbyterians, and more specifically, what we believe. Our hope is that a chance to talk about
our tradition and what Presbyterians believe will inspire us to use our faith and beliefs as a way
to undergird our mission focus.
In September, we hope to make a day trip to Gaining Ground farm in Concord. This is a trip for
adults and children over 5 years old. Here is more information from the farm’s website
(www.gainingground.org):
Gaining Ground grows organic vegetables and fruit with the help of hundreds of
community volunteers and donates all of this fresh food to area meal programs and food
pantries. Based in historic Concord, Massachusetts, Gaining Ground raises and distributes
approximately 20,000 pounds of produce each growing season. Find out more about
how Gaining Ground is helping those in need . . . and how you can help us!
We offer hands-on educational and community service opportunities for individuals and
groups (ideal group size is 8-10). Volunteering at Gaining Ground offers
* a chance to engage in meaningful work,
* knowledge of where food comes from and how it grows,
* a chance to see a variety of plant and animal life, and
* a change of scene from your usual environment.
Volunteers give whatever time they can: some help once a season, others more often. All
work under the guidance of our professional garden coordinator and her crew.
Depending upon when we visit, we may be able to follow our time with a picnic lunch at Walden
Pond in Concord, or an ice cream treat at an ice cream stand, or pick apples at an area orchard.
Watch for more information in the August newsletter, and make plans now to join us!
Leading up to Sunday, October 5 (which is World Communion Sunday, and the day that we
collect the Peacemaking Offering), we will have a Sunday series entitled "Shalom: A Study of the
Biblical Concept of Peace," which is an elective course of The Kerygma Program. On September 7,
14, 21 and 28, we will use bible study and a guide to look at peace from a theological and spiritual
perspective. Pastor Karl will lead us in this study, which will follow our worship and fellowship
time.
To continue in our interfaith efforts, we hope to hold a four week (or so) series on Judaism, led
by a member of Temple B'nai Brith; this will be in late October and early November and is still in
the planning stages.
We also hope to provide opportunities for hands-on mission work that will engage our spirits,
minds and bodies as we move throughout the rest of the fall and on into 2009.
-Ellen Schemerhorn for the PJM committee
www.artsomerville.org
The Secret Knowledge of Water
July 18-August 17, 2008
Curated by Karl Gustafson
Artists: Moira Barrett, Ellie Brenner, Matt Carrano, Heather Classen, Stan
Czesniuk, Christine Destrempes, Angela Devenney, Gary Duehr, Ruth
Hamill, Liz Johnson, Shelley Loheed, Denyse Murphy, Greg O’Brien, Dan
Osterman, Kathleen Rugh, Cathy Schaefer, Jane Sherrill, Laura Torres,
Emile Tubenfeld
Opening reception, Friday, July 18 from 6-8 p.m.
After the reception from 8-10 p.m., Dr. T & Friends: Water Music and
other improvisation. $5 suggested donation.
the nave gallery
Peter Walker
13 July 2008, 7:30 p.m. $10
www.myspace.com/peterwalkerguitarist
Guitarist Peter Walker came up in the Cambridge MA and Greenwich
Village folk scenes of the Sixties. He recorded two albums for the Van-
guard label in the late Sixties in a style best described as American folk-
raga. He studied with Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan, and was Dr.
Timothy Leary's musical director, organizing music for the LSD advocate's
"celebrations."
Peter Walker's 1967 debut album, Rainy Day Raga, features one of the
first studio appearances by jazz flautist Jeremy Steig, as well as guitarist
Bruce Langhorne, who recorded with Bob Dylan and many others. Rainy
Day Raga is a gentle and beautiful fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions, and one of the earliest
examples of a style explored by Sandy Bull several years earlier. A second album, Second Poem to Karmela or,
Gypsies Are Important (1969) found Walker going even deeper into Indian instrumentation, playing sarod and
sitar. During this time, Peter played or was associated with such musicians as Lowell George, Fred Neil, Tim
Hardin, and Joan Baez, among many others.
Walker settled in upstate New York in the early Seventies. In more recent years, he has developed an intense
interest in flamenco guitar and, through regular trips to Spain, been accepted into the flamenco's exclusive
musical elite.
Emily Smith and Synergy
with Anne's Cordial
27 July 2008, 7 p.m. $8
www.myspace.com/emilysmithsynergy
www.annescordial.com
Two Providence-based, female-fronted bands are
coming to the Nave to bring you a double-bill of beautiful vocals, passionate songs
and distinctive rhythm. The Emily Smith Band and Synergy--vocals, guitar and
drums--blends pop and rock with world, electronic and jazz elements, and Annes
Cordial--guitar, keyboard and three-part vocal harmonies--combine original folk and jazz songs with reinterpretations
of blues, bossa nova and 80s New Wave hits!
Making the wrong move
By Kevin Cullen, Globe Columnist | cullen@globe.com | June 30, 2008
T
heir baby, their Debbie, turned 24 so Ed and Margaret Braga had a little party yesterday at their house in Arling-
ton. It was hot and there are 25 steps up to the front door.
Debbie Braga's 31-year-old brother David couldn't make it. He has all sorts of health problems and rarely leaves
Seven Hills Pediatric Center in Groton, where he has lived since he was 11 years old.
"We had him home for Father's Day, and it was a good day," Ed Braga said. He was sitting at the kitchen table and
Margaret sat next to him and she nodded and agreed it was a good day.
They don't know how many more good days their David will have. They just found out the state wants to move David
and 30 other people out of Seven Hills to a smaller facility.
This is the result of a lawsuit that has nothing to do with the Bragas and other families who know only that their
children have survived and thrived at Seven Hills, long after some experts said their kids would die in childhood.
Nobody from the state, nobody with a medical degree, has bothered to sit down with the Bragas or any of the other
families and ask them if they thought moving the people out of Seven Hills is a good idea.
Last week, at the annual Seven Hills family picnic, Ed Braga pulled aside some doctors from Children's Hospital, the
hospital that got Seven Hills up and running in the first place, and asked them whether they thought it was a good idea.
"They think the same thing we think," Braga said. "They think this is a really bad idea. They think this will really
threaten David's health and the health of the others."
Margaret Braga remembers bringing David home for the first time, seven months after he was born, thinking she
could love her little boy back to health. But the oxygen didn't reach his brain soon enough, so he was mentally retarded. He
had cystic fibrosis. He was a quadriplegic. His digestive system was a mess. His respiratory system was a mess.
Margaret would lie awake at night, listening to her son gasp for air, unable to sleep because she thought she had
just heard David take his last breath. As David got older and heavier, they would struggle, carrying him up those steep front
stairs.
"I was like every mother with a seriously disabled child," Margaret said. "I thought just my being a good mother
would heal him, but it didn't."
Seven Hills saved more than David's life. It saved his parents and his five siblings, all of whom had been devoted to
caring for him and keeping him in the family home.
And now, just like that, someone who has never met the Bragas, never spoken to them, never sat at the kitchen
table, listening to the stories, the love, the pain of putting David there in the first place, the doubt, the reluctant realization that
it was the right thing to do, has all the power. Somebody who knows none of this, who has never seen the photograph of
David in a tuxedo at his sister's wedding six years ago that sits on the bureau just inside the front door, this somebody says
they know what's best for David Braga.
"Don't we have the right to say no?" Margaret asked. "Don't we have the right to say, 'If you move David and these
other people out of Seven Hills you're going to hurt them, maybe kill them?' "
Debbie Braga scoffed.
"The state says they're going to move my brother into a community setting," she said. "He's already in a community.
They don't know or care about that community."
Ed Braga looked out the window. The guests would be arriving soon and he had to get the food out and had to be a
good host even as he harbored a bad feeling.
"They're gonna kill him," Ed Braga said, standing up. "If they push him out, they're gonna kill my son."
www.boston.com
Margaret Braga is a member of CHPC.
July 2008
July 6
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Psalm 45:10-17 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
July 13
Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
July 20
Genesis 28:10-19a
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
July 27
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128:1-6
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Lectionary for Sundays
scripture
focus on mission
coffee hour
nursery
July 6
J. Auger
C. Milanesi
Siggers
N. Jirmanus
July 13
J. Bray
E. Schemerhorn
Jirmanus
A. Chapman-Adisho
July 20
R. Liberace
S. Otami
Augers
K. Gustafson
July 27
M. Reynolds
R. Winchester
Milanesi/Kumpa
E. Schemerhorn
August 3
C. Milanesi
H. Rantisi
Gustafson/Cavano
N. Jirmanus
August 10
E. Sweeney
R. Liberace
Donovan
A. Chapman-Adisho
August 17
R. Winchester
S. Donovan
Schemerhorn
K. Gustafson
August 24
M. Jirmanus
M. Reynolds
Siggers
E. Schemerhorn
August 31
P. Beran
J. Auger
Jirmanus
V. Donovan
If you would like to be added to the rotation for any of these opportunities, please contact Ann Crews
Melton, anncrews@gmail.com or 617.646.9690.
The Clarendon Connection is edited by Ann Crews Melton. Articles for the August issue are requested by
July 24th. Email Ann at anncrews@gmail.com with news, photos, tidbits, corrections or suggestions.
August 2008
August 3
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
August 10
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
August 17
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133:1-3
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
August 24
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124:1-8
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
August 31
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Church Assignments
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
Clean Your Desk Campaign
Recycle, Reuse, and Renew Hope for Nicaraguan Kids!
Each year, with your help, Quest for Peace sends 60 tons of school supplies to Nicaragua for use in the
rural schools. With an average annual income of $250, families cannot afford supplies for their several
children - nor does the government provide them. In addition to school supplies, “parents must come up with
additional salary, desks, materials, school repairs, water and electric bills, and cleaning materials,” says Nan
McCurddy in Education: A Privilege in Nicaragua. Your educational supplies will build friendship between
peoples, help educate Nicaraguan children and open a new world for you.
Donate school supplies such as:
pencils and erasers
paper and notebooks
art supplies
crayons and markers
scissors and rulers
musical instruments
basketballs, baseballs, etc.
Please--NO books, 3-ring binders or anything battery operated.
The supplies are put in large cargo containers and shipped to Nicaragua. They travel to the 300-plus
schools which Quest for Peace serves in Nicaragua. (www.quixote.org)
Last year, Clarendon Hill shipped many pounds of supplies. There will be a box in the foyer of the church
for you to deposit your supplies along with a more extensive list of the supplies that are needed. Remember
to ask friends and neighbors to participate too! And if you or your colleagues haven’t cleaned your work desk
(or desk at home), take a look to see what you can contribute.
If you don’t have school supplies to send, we would also be grateful for monetary donations to help defray
the cost of shipping the items. Please see Ellen Schemerhorn (ellends@verizon.net) for more details.