News

2012 Lenten Devotional Study

The Church & Society Committee brings to you the Lenten Devotional Study on the book of Mark prepared written by Rev. Elizabeth Knott, founder of Pal Craftaid. Download a copy of the 2012 Lenten Devotional by clicking this link (then right-click to print or save a copy to your computer).

Rev. Elizabeth Knott is a retired Presbyterian minister. In July of 1992 she participated in a seminar to Palestine-Israel which was co-sponsored by the Presbyterian Global Ministrie and Peacemaking agencies. The seminar became an unexpected transformative venture sending her back 32 times to the Holy Land. In 1993 se founded the volunteer ministry of PalCraftAid whose purpose has become to provide support, healing, and hope to Palestinian individuals and families. Through the importing and selling of Palestinian sculpted olivewhood and counted cross strich needle work to congregations, over $500,000 has been raised to various Palestinian organizations who offer critical life-sustaining sustaining ministrie to those in desperate need.

More information about Pal Craftaid and the Lenten Devotional can be found here.

Joyful Noise!

Guitars, keyboard, bass, cookies, and goat nails…were all enjoyed by our young people on Sunday.  The Youth Connection rocked out to “Peace Like a River” and even kept it together for a third verse.  Other songs were attempted with varying results.  We have a ways to go on the Beatles’ “Love Me Do,” but a wonderful, musical time was had by all.

Many thanks to Al and Carol for helping lead us with instruments, guidance, and hot cocoa!

We’ll jam again in a few weeks so keep looking for songs that you’d like for us to learn.

Looking for Communion Servers

Greetings!

It’s that time of year when we start thinking about Lent. As is our tradition, we serve communion on six Sundays during Lent, beginning on February 26. That means we will need a total of 48 communion servers!  This year, I’m excited to announce that we are introducing online sign-ups! Now you can simply visit a web page, take a look at what slots are open, and type in your name. It’s easy, give it a whirl! Just click here to be taken directly to the online sign up page.

If technology is not your thing, fear not. You can still contact Lynn Bicknell via email at vialynn@comcast.net or by telephone at (415)-459-7919.

You can learn more about serving communion, and how to sign up online or otherwise, by clicking here.

Thank you!

REST on a Rainy Night

Reflections from the Youth team who volunteered on January 20…

The first real rain of the season came down hard last night. Welcomed by gardeners, not so much by Marin’s homeless. As a result, our REST shelter was full to capacity.

REST, or Rotating Emergency Shelter Team  is a collaboration between the St. Vincent de Paul organization of San Rafael, Marin’s Interfaith Chaplaincy, and the 15 Marin faith communities who provide food and shelter for men and women on each night of the week during the winter months. Our church hosts on Friday nights, and last night our regular shelter volunteer team was ably assisted

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Thank you, Knitters!

Greetings all knitters,

Did you know that over the past half year our group has knitted 51 caps, 53 scarves and 27 pairs of fingerless mitts for our winter shelter guests?  That is absolutely amazing!  Now that we have given them all out, I want to report to you on this project.

On Friday night, December 23 we set up two tables in Duncan Hall and displayed caps, scarves and mitts that The Closely Knit Group made.  The men took time to select just the right ones and were very grateful for their gifts.  Since there were only about 30 men at the shelter that night we had about half of the gifts left.  We waited until the weather turned rainy to take the rest back to the shelter.

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Musicians, Come Play With Us

During Lent this year, which begins in late February, we are planing to do a cycle of cantatas by Buxtehude, one cantata each Sunday. The music is very beautiful and will inspire many people.

The cantatas call for a very small ensemble of strings. If you are  interested in being part of this experience, please contact Daniel Canosa, our Music Director. Members of the community are welcome.

Announcing Our Brand New Website

Things are looking a little different around here! Today we launch our new church website. Same url (www.togetherweserve.org). Different look and feel. What’s behind the change? First off, like cars and clothes, website design has a way of evolving. There are new features and capabilities we can now take advantage of. All while freshening up our look.

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Youth Group Kicks off 2012

The Youth Group officially kicked off the new year today with a planning meeting and a trip to House of Air in San Francisco. It was a spectacularly beautiful day on Chrissy Field, with a lot of fun jumping and playing dodgeball on wall-to-wall trampolines. Read more →

Reflections on REST

On Friday, December 23rd, we welcomed 30 or so men to share a meal with us and sleep in Duncan Hall as a part of our participation in the Marin County-wide REST program (Rotating Emergency Winter Shelter). As is our tradition, the Closely Knit Group graciously distributed hand-knit hats, scarves, and fingerless mittens.  Read more →

Welcome Daniel Canosa!

Daniel Canosa will be our new Director of Music beginning January 1, 2012.

Argentina-born Daniel Canosa is a talented conductor and musician who has led orchestras and choruses in Argentina, the United States, and Europe. We sat down recently with Daniel (pronounced “Danielle”) to get to know him a little bit better and talk about this new step with our church. Read more →