The Clarendon Connection
November 2008
www.clarendonhillchurch.org
Clean Your Desk Campaign
Once Again a Success!
Thanks to the generosity of the
congregation, more than 61 pounds of school
supplies were shipped to a warehouse in Virginia
(the first leg of their trip to Nicaragua). We
appreciate the paper, pencils, pens, erasers,
crayons, markers, glue and other supplies (both
brand new and gently used) that were donated to
help children in Nicaragua as they pursue their
education.
This campaign, run by Quest for Peace
(http://quest.quixote.org/), an initiative of the
Quixote Center, delivers 60 tons of school supplies
to rural schools each year. They have also been
working with the Institute of John XXIII to
expand community development initiatives since
1984. Many thanks for your donations!
Flea Market Thank You
A thank you to all who helped out with
the Flea Market. It was a HUGE success. We
made almost $1200!!!! All will go toward
CHPC heating costs this winter. This was a
joint effort of the church and ArtSomerville.
The participation by so many of you helped
out tremendously.
One last request –
if you drive to church
for a meeting, wor-
ship or other event in
the next week or so,
please plan on picking
up a box or two and
taking it to your local
charity. Many thanks!
(continued on p. 4)
"May we no longer be silent."
--Bishop John Bryson Chane
The Episcopal Bishop of Washington, DC, The Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, delivered this sermon on Sunday, October 5, at St.
Columba Church in DC, on the topic of his recent trip to Palestine/Israel. Learn more at Friends of Sabeel--North America:
www.fosna.org
Karen and I recently returned from a 10 day journey to Palestine, Jordan and Israel. This trip was not your usual
pilgrimage to the Holy Land but rather an opportunity to spend time with the new Episcopal Bishop of Jerusalem,
Bishop Suheil Duwani whose diocese has jurisdiction in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria and Palestine. Some of you
may have spent time visiting sites in the Holy Land but I can assure you that what I saw, heard and experienced has
brought me to a place where I can no longer sit back and assume that in time all will be well in that troubled part of
the world.
Looking backwards for a moment to 2003, Jim Wallis of Sojourners and I, along with two Anglican Primates, five
Church of England bishops and leaders from four mainline US Christian denominations met with Prime Minister
Tony Blair at #10 Downing Street urging him not to support the United States effort to undertake a pre-emptive
military strike against Iraq. We urged patience, the use of soft power and the further support of high level diplo-
matic talks. We were not successful. But the Prime Minister begged us to return to the United States and urge
President Bush to aggressively move forward with leadership in engaging the Road Map for Peace, an effort to solve
the Israeli Palestinian conflict. All of us agreed that without solving this conflict, the Middle East would forever be a
seething caldron of war, discontent and would also be a breeding ground for the growing forces of indiscriminant,
global terrorism. Upon our return to the US, the President refused to meet with this broad, representative religious
community to discuss the Road Map and the rest is a history that we are living with today.
Introduction to Yoga
Come join our small, half-hour class after coffee hour
to practice mindful breathing and gentle yoga
postures. We will meet on November 9, 23, and 30.
Great for stress release, improved flexibility and
strength. Contact Liz at cavatorta1@hotmail.com
for more information.
Dates at a Glance
Nov. 2
Coffee Orders
Nov. 4
Election Day
Nov. 9
Coffee Delivery;
Yoga
Nov. 11
Post-Election Dialogue
Nov. 14
Horizons Bible Study
Nov. 16
Gusti’s Potluck
Nov. 23
Yoga
Nov. 27
Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 30
Yoga; Young Adults
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
Horizons Women’s Group
The Horizons Bible Study will meet at Salam's in
Arlington on Friday, Nov. 14. Join us at 3:30 p.m.
for tea and 4:00 p.m. for discussion. All are wel-
come. For directions to Salam's, contact
salamlebbos@hotmail.com or Mabel312@aol.com
.
If you need a copy of the study guide, contact
Katherine Gustafson,
kath.gustafson@gmail.com.
Young Adult Gathering
Young Adults (20-30 somethings) will gather for
lunch after church on Sunday, November 30. We'll
meet at coffee hour and decide on a location. We
hope to see many of you young(-ish) types there.
Contact Liz (leavitt.liz@gmail.com)
for more info.
2
Gusti Is Now Blogging!
The Massachusetts Bible Society has hired Gusti
Newquist to provide weekly commentary on the
Sunday lectionary. Her "mini-sermons" may be
viewed on-line at www.massbible.org/blog.
Equal Exchange
Now is the time to plan ahead for holiday gift
giving!! Coffee orders for November will be taken
on Nov. 2. Delivery will be on Nov. 9. (Katherine
will need help on the 9th if anyone is available.)
Also, the chocolate minis are in and they are deli-
cious. We are considering putting in an order for
espresso whole bean. Anyone who is interested in
ordering 1 lb. (or more) should be sure to place an
order on Nov. 2. Orders can be emailed to
kath.gustafson@gmail.com.
Post-Election Dialogue
SMUJP (Somerville-Medford United for Justice with
Peace) invites you to a post-election dialogue:
thoughts on the election results and implications for
the Somerville and Medford progressive commu-
nity. We hope to define three key areas to focus on
going forward: relating to peace, economic justice
and local issues. This open, nonpartisan discussion
will be held on Nov. 11, 7-9 p.m. here at Clarendon
Hill Presbyterian Church. We hope you can join us!
For more information, contact
abbyyanow@hotmail.com.
Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck
Gusti would like to invite the CHPC
community to "The Fourth Annual Pre-
Thanksgiving Potluck" on Sunday,
November 16 at 3:00 p.m. Test out
your Thanksgiving side-dish and/or
beverage and share it with this fabulous crowd. Think
outside the pie-box! Join in at 92 Hudson Street,
Somerville; call 502.552.4840 or email
gusti_newquist@yahoo.com for more information.
Wedding Invitation
The Clarendon Hill community
is invited to witness the joyous
wedding of Mike Nickey and
Steven Bucchianer (service only), Nov. 22 at 11 a.m.,
Gordon Chapel in Old South Church. They will be
having a small family reception. CHPC offers Mike
and Steve many blessings and congratulations!
3
www.artsomerville.org
the nave gallery
To volunteer to help with an event, contact Randy at rwinchester@artsomerville.org.
Current Exhibit: ‘Kitchen Stories’
17 October through 15 November 2008
Curated by James Zall
The American kitchen has evolved from a dark, private room at the back of the house to a
bright, gleaming showplace that's often the social focus of a home. In Kitchen Stories, fourteen
artists explore the highlights, low spots and dark corners of this complicated space. They tell
stories about the social, economic and political aspects of the kitchen and, in doing so, they tell
us stories about ourselves.
“Reddi-Wip” by Joanne Kaliontzis
The Folk Brothers at The Nave
1 November 2008, 8 - 10 p.m.
$15 suggested donation, $10 for Tufts students with ID. A portion of the proceeds will be
donated to RESPOND.
NOTLOB ACOUSTIC CONCERT SERIES is proud to present two of the most highly regarded
traditional folk artists performing today, Jack Hardy and David Masseng, a.k.a The Folk
Brothersiii, a.k.a. The Baloney Brothers. The concert will be hosted by Naomi Arenberg,
host/producer of Folk on WGBH.
'200X' Party! Release party of the debut Divorced Album at The Nave
7 November, 2008, 7 - 10 p.m.
$5. All ages.
Live performances by Scary Mansion, Brown Bird, Ladies and Gentlemen, Vanessa Hayes, and of course, The
Divorced. WZBC's DJ Ning Nong will spin records between sets.
Sandi Hammond, ESP and Eleonora Bianchini
14 November 2008, 8 p.m.
$12
Sandi Hammond is a gifted classically trained singer/
songwriter and a fine musician on keyboards and
guitar. She touches audiences with her prolific and
impressive repertoire of unique melodic songs.
E.S.P. is Boston's newest vocal trio, featuring the
diverse talents of Emily Browder, Sandi Hammond, and Patrice Williamson. In collaboration with pianist-arranger
Mark Shilansky, E.S.P. delivers original songs and compelling new arrangements of familiar and lesser-known jazz
tunes.
Originally from Perugia, Italy, Eleonora Bianchini is a young Italian singer who creates a warm and charming
atmosphere through the sound of her voice. She is currently lead vocalist of “Peru Mestizo Project” with band
leader Oscar Stagnaro, and she just recorded her first cd, a project that features her own compositions in
different South American music styles as well as lyrics in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.
www.artsomerville.org
the nave gallery
To volunteer to help with an event, contact Randy at rwinchester@artsomerville.org.
Geoff Bartley Guitar Workshop at The Nave
15 November 2008, 5 p.m.
$25. Reservations required.
NOTLOB ACOUSTIC CONCERT SERIES is proud to sponsor Geoff Bartley, one of the most
highly regarded traditional folk, blues, rhythm and blues and bluegrass artists performing
today for a guitar workshop. Geoff will teach "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and
Out", written by Jimmy Cox in 1923, in the key of C in standard tuning. Workshop attendees
may bring any kind of guitar: steel-string, classical or electric. Geoff will provide lyric sheets
and chord diagrams to all workshop attendees.
Mary McCaslin and Geoff Bartley
15 November 2008, 8 - 10 p.m.
$15 suggested donation, $10 for Tufts students with ID. A portion of the
proceeds will be donated to RESPOND.
NOTLOB ACOUSTIC CONCERT SERIES is proud to present two of the most
highly regarded traditional folk artists performing today, Mary McCaslin and
Geoff Bartley, with a cameo appearance by a very special guest, and hosted
by Dave Palmater of WUMB-FM.
No Longer Be Silent (continued from p.1)
We as a nation pride ourselves on being a great democracy, a "city built on a hill." And we generally focus on several key
ingredients that define a democracy; living by the rule of law, respecting and upholding human rights, and the freedom to
worship as one chooses. My trip to the Diocese of Jerusalem and the current condition of Palestinian Christians in particular
makes me deeply concerned about the universal understanding of basic democratic principles that our nation holds as
sacred and that we as a democracy should hold Israel accountable to as our trusted, democratic ally in the Middle East.
The West Bank, as occupied Palestinian territory continues to experience the illegal building of Israeli settler housing.
Almost 1000 new units are being built in Maale Adumim. In Givat Zeev which is a settlement that rings Jerusalem, a new
750 unit building project has been approved. Requests are on the table with the Israeli government to build 350 new homes
in Beitar Illit very near Jerusalem. Literally hundreds of new homes are being added to already existing settlements in the
West Bank; all illegal, all on occupied, Palestinian land, and all built while the Israeli Government casts a blind eye. These
settler houses are visible by their handsome construction, their stout, red tiled roofs, their manicured lawns and their
suburban feel that resembles a California housing sprawl. Driving between Jerusalem and Jericho, huge apartment com-
plexes can be seen, rising high on a hill in occupied Palestinian land; again a painful reminder of broken promises. These
settler houses and apartment buildings, constructed by Israel on occupied land are a violation of international law. The 1907
Hague Convention clearly states that; an occupying power may expropriate land only for the public use of the occupied
population. Taking West Bank land indiscriminately as Israel has done is a clear violation of international law. I ask the
question; "is this the behavior of a democracy that lives by and cherishes the rule of law?"
Karen and I visited the land owned by Daoud Nassar and his family; over 100 acres that have been in his family since 1916
when purchased by deed from the Ottoman Empire. The Nassar family has legal right and claim to the property located
about 6 miles southeast of Bethlehem in Palestinian occupied territory. It is now in the middle of an area that in 1991 was
declared by the Israeli Government as State Property. A large illegal Israeli settlement less than 1000 yards away has
emboldened Israeli settlers to come onto the Nassar's property brandishing rifles and shotguns, firing them and threaten-
ing the owners with death if they do not move out. Settler bulldozers have plowed a road through a portion of the Nassar's
olive grove, and have blocked the only road entrance to their house and property with huge boulders. And with the sup-
port from the Israeli authorities the settlers have prevented the Nassars from being able to drill wells for water, or connect
to available electricity. The settlers say the land is theirs because God gave it to them, and not to the Palestinians. Known as
The Tent of Nations, the Nassar's small farm is a now a center where pilgrims gather to support the Nassar family in their
4
quest to end Israeli harassment and the daily threat of a land grab. Having spent an afternoon at the Tent of Nations and
hearing the story of abuse and constant harassment over property that is legally owned and deeded, I ask the question; "is
this the behavior of a democracy that lives by and cherishes the rule of law?"
While visiting Gaza, on an Israeli permit issued to the Bishop of Jerusalem, I was exposed to a Palestinian territory cor-
doned off like a prison for those who live there. I have visited many countries in Africa and Latin America steeped in
poverty. Gaza is equal to them all. Donkey carts now are beginning to outnumber motor vehicles, as gasoline and diesel
fuel is rationed by the Israeli's through the Hammas government to ten liters by permit every two weeks. Our Episcopal
Hospital in Gaza is short of medicines because of Israeli prohibitions, and the hospital can only operate on electricity for 8
hours a day because of shortages. I celebrated the Eucharist in a church next to the hospital that still has a gaping hole in
the roof left by an Israeli rocket that exploded in front of the altar and left the interior strewn with lathing and plaster. In my
protest to the Israeli embassy I was informed it was an unfortunate accident of war. There would be no compensation for
damages. The hospital administrator informed me that last year 8 patients from the hospital waiting to cross from Hammas
controlled Gaza into Israel for emergency medical care died while waiting hours for clearance from Israeli immigration to
cross the border for treatment. I ask the question; "is this the behavior of a democracy that lives by upholding and cherish-
ing human rights?"
If you are a non Jerusalemite Palestinian Christian wishing to enter into East Jerusalem for religious worship or pilgrimage
you must have a permit and those permits are difficult to get. Because of prohibitions against Muslims as well to visit the
TempleDome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosque, three million Christians and Muslim Palestinians are being denied rightful
access to their holy sites in Jerusalem even during religious high holidays. Because of restrictions and the obscenity of the
building of the wall, Bethlehem has become a ghost town, with shops and businesses shuttering their doors and with
religious pilgrims from other countries the majority of those who walk the streets and eat in the restaurants. I ask the
question; "is this the behavior of a democracy that lives by protecting and upholding religious freedom and the right to
worship as one pleases?"
I am appalled that the Palestinian Political movements of Fata and Hammas play off against each other at the expense of
Palestinians and their welfare. And their power struggle to control so much of so little is short sighted and certainly not the
way to raise up and strengthen Palestinian political leadership in order for Palestine to be an active player in negotiating a
fair, two state peace settlement with Israel. The fracturing of Palestinian political leadership and the failure of the United
States to work with Israel in brokering a two state solution, claiming Jerusalem as a shared holy city for Jews, Christians
and Muslims and supporting land swaps for the Palestinians in places where illegal settlers have moved is a moral failure
of the human heart and will.
Jews, Christians and Muslims have the moral obligation to denounce violence as a solution to any and all disputes between
Israel and Palestine. No one has the right to take the life of another in the name of God, and no one has the right to take
another persons land in the name of God. Palestine must have the right to be established as an independent state that is in
possession of territory that is contiguous with Israel. And Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state contiguous with
Palestine. Israel must return to the 1967 land borders established by the United Nations with appropriate compensational
territory granted to Palestine for land not returned to Palestine in the peace agreement for reasons acceptable to both
parties. The holy city of Jerusalem must be a shared holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims. Anything less violates the
ancient traditions of these three Abrahamic faiths and violates their histories as contained in their holy books.
Politicians seeking the highest office in the land who wait on the results of the November 4th Presidential election must
have the courage to not just speak out in their unequivocal support of Israel but must also speak out and condemn viola-
tions of human rights and religious freedom denied to Palestinian Christians and Muslims.
I support with conviction the right of Israel to exist as a free state, unencumbered by indiscriminant violence and the threat
of attack engendered by those who would wish to do her harm. But I am appalled that there has been little or no discussion
by politicians seeking the highest office in the land about the devastation of the Palestinian economy as a result of the
construction of the security Wall by the Israeli government. I am as a Christian unwilling to remain silent as Palestinians are
humiliated, their human rights are violated, their lands taken from them and are too often forced to immigrate to other
countries because they feel that they and their children have no future in their ancient homeland. For faithful Jews, Chris-
tians and Muslims and our politicians not to speak out on these unacceptable conditions is to find them guilty--guilty of the
greatest crime of all--the crime of silence!
There is contained in the Gospel lesson for this morning an ominous reflection. The parabolic teaching of Jesus about the
landowner and the vineyard contains not only a message about the stone that the builders rejected but calls us all to re-
member the following; Matthew 21:43-44. "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given
to a people that produces the fruits of the Kingdom. The one who falls on the stone will be broken to pieces; and it will
crush anyone on whom it falls."
5
scripture
focus on mission
coffee hour
nursery
Nov. 2
E. Sweeny
A. Kwaa
Schemerhorn
N. Jirmanus
Nov. 9
C. Milanesi
S. Donovan
Siggers
K. Gustafson
Nov. 16
M. Reynolds
R. Winchester
Jirmanus
V. Donovan
Nov. 23
P. Beran
K. Graf
Augers
E. Schemerhorn
Nov. 30
J. Auger
T. Siggers
Milanesi/Kumpa
N. Jirmanus
Dec. 7
J. Bray
M. Reynolds
Camelio/Braga
K. Gustafson
Dec. 14
H. Rantisi
P. Beran
Reynolds/Graf
V. Donovan
Dec. 21
R. Liberace
J. Auger
Newquist/Glass
E. Schemerhorn
Dec. 28
K. Graf
J. Bray
Chapman-Adisho
N. Jirmanus
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 December issue are requested
by Nov. 24. Email Ann at anncrews@gmail.com with news, photos, tidbits, corrections or suggestions.
Church Assignments
Lectionary Readings
November 2008
November 2
Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12
November 9
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
November 16
Judges 4:1-7
Psalm 123:1-4
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
November 23
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 100:1-5
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46
November 30 (1st Sunday of Advent)
Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
6
December 2008
December 7 (2nd Sunday of Advent)
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8
December 14 (3rd Sunday of Advent)
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126:1-6 or Luke 1:47-55
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
December 21 (4th Sunday of Advent)
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96:1-13
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
December 25 (Christmas Day)
At Dawn:
Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97:1-12
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20
Christmas Day:
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1-9
Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12)
John 1:1-14
December 28
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm 148:1-14
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
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 Nov. 2.
Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church
Featured in The Boston Globe
The Night Is Young: The church of rock
By Jeff Miranda
October 3, 2008
Reprinted with permission from The Boston Globe, www.boston.com
A church might seem like an unlikely setting for a rock concert. But at last Saturday's "Goatstock 4" benefit, three
local acts plugged in their amps and cranked up their guitars, playing everything from psychedelic rock to goth trip-hop
on the altar of the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church. (Proceeds from the annual show are donated to a nonprofit that
sends livestock to poor families to raise.)
The church is home to the Nave Gallery, which holds art shows and all-ages concerts - though on this night, the
small but attentive crowd had long since retired their fake IDs. It's definitely an unusual experience: You watch concerts
from the pews with a slight smell of incense lingering in the air.
The Nave hosts a "more experimental sort of music that doesn't go over well in bars and clubs," according to
event coordinator Randy Winchester, but it has also featured popular New Hampshire singer-songwriter Jason Ander-
son, and Allison Crowe, a contemporary chanteuse who has toured with Diana Krall, will perform a holiday-themed
show Dec 5.
The art gallery features a variety of work, from the traditional to the offbeat, in an intimate space. From Oct. 17
to Nov. 15, artists will explore kitchen space from political, social, and economic perspectives in the exhibit "Kitchen
Stories." On Oct. 18, the Nave is hosting a flea market with books, clothes, and household items.
If you're looking for raucous dance parties or artwork that makes your head spin, this isn't the place for you. But
if you like the idea of rocking out in church, the Nave Gallery is worth checking out.
The Nave Gallery, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powder House Blvd., Somerville. 617-625-4823.
www.artsomerville.org
Jeff Miranda is a fourth-year student at Northeastern University. He can be reached at mrjeffmiranda@gmail.com.
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