Dear Friends,

November is a month in which

we often give more attention to

gratitude and thankfulness.

The season of Thanksgiving is upon us. The Mod-

erator Team and your pastors decided to give you

an opportunity throughout the month to practice

giving thanks. As a preparation for worship (or

other times through the week), you will be invited

to deposit notes of gratitude and thanksgiving to

our Gratitude Wall that will be placed in the Nar-

thex on the way into the Sanctuary. We’ll provide

materials but you can also bring your own notes

from home.

Diana Butler Bass, “the author of the multiple

award-winning Grounded and leading trend spotter

in contemporary Christianity, will have a new book

coming out in April of 2018 and in it, she explores

why gratitude is missing as a modern spiritual

practice, offers practical suggestions for reclaiming

it, and illuminates how the shared practice of grati-

tude can lead to greater connection with God, our

world, and our own souls.

More and more people are finding God beyond the

walls of traditional religious institutions, but these

seekers often miss the church community itself,

including its shared spiritual practices such as grat-

itude. While four out of five Americans have told

pollsters they feel gratitude in their daily lives,

Bass finds that claim to be at odds with the discon-

tent that permeates modern society. There is a

gap, she argues, between our desire to be grateful

and our ability to behave gratefully—a divide that

influences our understanding of morality, worship,

and institutional religion itself.

In Grateful, Bass challenges readers to think about

the impact gratitude has in our spiritual lives, and

encourages them to make gratitude a "difficult and

much-needed spiritual practice for our personal

lives and to make a better world." Maybe our own

communal practice of gratitude and thanksgiving

will do just that – with God’s help - make our lives,

our church and our world better, healthier and

more whole.

Get ready, get set, give thanks!

Reverend Gail

November 2017

2 The Good News

Church Staff

The Rev. Gail Doering, Interim Senior Minister

The Rev. Eric Sherlock, Associate Minister John Kendall Bailey, Music Director Mary-Marie Deauclaire, Handbell Director Janice Inman, Preschool Director

Church Officers Kristina Kelchner, Moderator Charlie Hasselbrink and Kyra Kennedy, Vice

Moderators Steve Bridgeman, Treasurer Syd and Leslie Dent, Financial Secretaries Kim Michaud, Church Clerk

Commissioners Alice Donovan, Buildings and Grounds Amy Furber-Dobson, Children’s Ministries Trish Moosbrugger, Faith Journeys Steve Paroli, Membership Alene Miskovetz, Outreach Heidi Bridgeman, Stewardship Judy Gestring, Youth Ministries

Preschool Board Janet Apostolo, Nancy Dowell, Judy Halden, Janice Inman, Sandra Lepley, Nicole Noga, Anne Seiler

Rev. Gail’s Pastoral Relations Committee: Bette Felton, Karol Mead, Richard Stein, Melissa Tumaneng

Rev. Eric’s Pastoral Relations Committee: Laura Beaver, Chris Callison, Judy Halden, Alex Hasselbrink

United Church of Christ

989 San Ramon Valley Blvd Danville, CA 94526

www.danvillechurch.org www.dayspringpreschool.org

Danville Congregational Church is an Open and Affirming church, welcoming all of God’s people – of diverse race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic condition, and physical, mental and emo-tional ability.

Telephone: (925) 837-6944

Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 AM – 3 PM

Worship Sunday at 9:30 AM Everyone is welcome!

Godly Play Schedule

November 5 Family Worship – No GP November 12 Ark and the Tent November 19 Ark and the Temple

November 26 Exile and Return

Holy Moly! Schedule

November 5 Family Worship – No HM November 12 Samuel November 19 Esther November 26 Jonah

Please remember that the Deacons are available to pray with you or take your prayer request at any time. We can pray individually (privately) or pass your request to the whole Diaconate or the church-wide Prayer Support Team. Please feel free to contact any Deacon with your requests for prayer, or to be a part of the Prayer Support Team. Prayer requests can also be e-mailed to pray-ers@danvillechurch.org.

Larry Berlin Janis Jang Dee Brook Mary Kay McClure Bette Felton Anne Seiler Carol Gerich Diane Stein Peggy Gierke Richard Stein Nancy Hill

Our Vision

At Danville Congregational Church we welcome you to a progressive spir-itual community that is open and affirming, celebrates differences, and encourages alternate views. We explore the Bible with curiosity and en-thusiasm, taking it seriously but not literally. Taking Christ’s call passion-ately to love our neighbor, we extend our faith into action for the betterment of all. Wherever you are on life’s journey, we offer you a place of peace and hope.

October 2017 3

Church Camp

Wow! What a fantastic time we had up at Camp Caz.

Almost 60 of us from DCC were present! Thank you to everyone who pitched in to make this another resound-ing success, especially Amy Furber Dobson for her knowledge of all things Camp Caz and her energy and enthusiasm. It was such a special time of connection with one another, with nature, and with God.

Our Sunday morning service outdoors is always deeply spiritual. I feel that our singing can go out and touch the farthest regions of the world! We spent time with our friends from Sonoma First Congregational and little did we know how their lives would change just a week lat-er, as the fires blazed through their community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all. We have booked camp for next year – yeah! Mark your calendars for September 28 – 30, 2018. Please let Joyce Klassen know if you want to be involved in the planning for next year.

\

4 The Good News

- from the Discovery Team presentation to Council, July 2017

Fall Worship Series 2017 Our Emerging Vision

November 5 ~ How we show up… Action: Taking a Stand for Others November 12 ~ How we show up… Community: We Care for Our Communities by Ministering to Those in Need November 19 ~ How we show up… Community: Nurturing Deep Relationships November 26 ~ How we show up… Community: Making Our Journeys with Others December 3 ~ First Sunday in Advent December 10 ~ Second Sunday in Advent December 17 ~ All Music Sunday December 24 ~ Christmas Eve 9:30 AM: Intergenerational Pageant and Advent 4 5:00 PM: Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship

We’d love to know about your joys and con-cerns. If you have something to share in the next newsletter, please send it to Peggy Gierke by October 22.

Prayers of Healing... Karen Anderson, now at home, still recovering from her extensive foot surgery Heidi Bridgeman's father, Richard Brown, who had vas-cular surgery on his legs, also continued prayers for her mother who recently suffered a stroke. Britta Cascio, a long time member (she joined DCC Oct. 26, 1958), now in Hospice care at Sunrise, Diablo Road Syd Dent's father struggling with the difficulties of ar-thritis Janis Dewar's brother in law, Gary Williams, recently hospitalized Chris Evans' friend, retired UCC minister, Don McKay, recently diagnosed with cancer Prayers of Sympathy... To the Wadsworth and Seiler families upon the pass-ing of Alan Wadsworth, their beloved husband, father and grandfather on October 7. A celebration of Alan's life was held at DCC October 21. Prayers of Joy... Janis Dewar's nephew Jared and bride Lisa upon their marriage in Oakland October 7 Diane and Richard Stein, whose son, Chris was married to Mashariki, October 19 in San Francisco Continued Prayers.... Ken Boehmert Sylvia Martino Chris Sonnema

October 2017 5

Theology on Tap

Second Tuesday of Each Month The conversation begins at 7:00!

Join us this fall as we continue with our monthly Theology on Tap gatherings. In the spirit of what we started this past summer, we will meet in a different members’ home every month. Just bring a snack to share and your beverage of choice. Please RSVP to Rev. Eric if you plan to attend.

Fall Theology on Tap Calendar

November 14 – Kyra Kennedy and Pat McGrath Host, 504 Nugget Court, Danville

Men’s Luncheon Through November 16

Brass Door Restaurant, San Ramon

The fall series of Men’s Luncheons continues each Thursday through November 16 at noon at the Brass Door Restaurant in San Ramon. As has been our habit, we will eat together, catch up on each other’s lives, and discuss the scripture planned for the worship service on the following Sunday. We share the discussion leader-ship. All DCC men are invited. For any questions, please contact Dave Hill at dghill@sbcglobal.net.

3 – Polly Smith 7 – Dee Brook, Howard Spinner 9 – Bob Hardy 12 – Bob Powers, Nan Karns, Barbara Olwin, Barb DeBarger 14 – Laura Beaver, Judy Schreib 17 – Betty Leecing 18 – Marylou Acorn 21 – Wilson Jacksom 23 –Don Lenhardt, Nancy Hill 28 – Claire Northway 29 – Karen Anderson 30 – Ligaya Marston, Elke Torgersen

Please enter your birthday and/or anniversary on the calendar in Koinonia Hall if you would like to be celebrated on your special day!

Fall Circle Assignments Date Circle Assignment Backup Circle 11/05/17 OLIVE BALSAM 11/12/17 PINE CEDAR 11/19/17 WILLOW CYPRESS 11/26/17 ALMOND OAK 12/03/17 BALSAM OLIVE 12/10/17 CEDAR PINE 12/17/17 CYPRESS WILLOW 12/24/17 (AM) OAK ALMOND 12/24/17 (PM) OLIVE BALSAM

6 The Good News

Office Transition Update

In an effort to keep you informed, here is the latest on

the Church office. First, a huge thanks to our volun-

teers who have stepped in to help in big and small

ways. There are many of you, but Kim Michaud, Penny

Atkin, Bob Britt and Steve Mico, have contributed in

invaluable ways. The newsletter is underway, our wor-

ship bulletins are continuing to be published and we

have office coverage during our regular office hours.

We are still receiving requests and booking facility

rentals. However, we do ask for your patience if a

phone call gets dropped or our volunteers must vacate

the office during regular hours.

Two part-time office positions have been posted

through Indeed.Com, the Conference website and

Craigslist. We hope to have one or both positions filled

soon. If you think you might know qualified applicants,

contact one of us on the hiring team, Rev. Eric Sher-

lock, Syd and Leslie Dent, Judy Halden, Kim Michaud or

Rev. Gail Doering. We’d be happy to provide the job

postings and talk with you about these important jobs.

As far as communication with the office, please call,

stop by, OR email at office@danvillechurch.org.

If all else fails, call Rev. Gail at 925-852-7481 or Rev. Eric

at 781-307-5724 (cell phones).

Needed! Greeters for Our Renters The Tenant Relations Committee is in search of a few great people to greet and help our renters when they occupy our Church for events. Duties to include open-ing the Church prior to each event, ascertaining that all their needs are covered, and returning prior to the end to make sure the facility is in useable condition for the next tenant and securing the premises. Most events are on Saturday afternoon/evening for two to three hours. The pay is $50 per event. Candidates must be depend-able. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested, please contact Rev. Gail or any member of the Tenant Relations Committee, Judy Hal-den, Pat McGrath, Randy Jang, or Penny Atkin.

Mark your social calendars for some fun fellowship times!

#TGIF

Thanks to Steve Paroli and Mark Critchfield for wonderful hospitality at their home for our TGIF on October 20. It was such a fun way to end out the week chatting over a drink and some tasty pizza and salad.

Next TGIF - Friday, November 10 6-9pm - John and Joyce Klassen’s home,2450 Ascension Drive, San Ra-mon. We’re planning a little ping–pong too if that’s something you’ve been itching to do! Bring a pizza or dish you’d like to share, enough that covers your family plus BYOB (wine, beer, soda). We’ll have salad and des-sert. Drop by for however long works for you!

Annual Christmas Party!

Mark your calendars for Saturday - December 2 at 7 pm . Kairos Hall. It will be an adult only event, and childcare will be provided! If you would like to join the party committee to help plan and decorate, I’d love your skills and talent! email Joyce.Klassen@comcast.net

October 2017 7

Author Event

November 30, 2017 at Noon

There will be an entrance fee of $10 which will be re-funded should you purchase a book. We hope that you will put this event on your calendar for Nov 30 at noon and plan to be part of this exciting opportunity. This event is in collaboration with Rakestraw Books.

The following information on the book is taken from

the Amazon website:

‘In layered prose and with thoughtful, accessible schol-

arship, Aslan narrates the history of religion as one long

and remarkably cohesive attempt to understand the

divine by giving it human traits and emotions. Accord-

ing to Aslan, this innate desire to humanize God is

hardwired in our brains, making it a central feature of

nearly every religious tradition. As Aslan writes,

“Whether we are aware of it or not, and regardless of

whether we’re believers or not, what the vast majority

of us think about when we think about God is a divine

version of ourselves.”

NOVEMBER

Youth Events

Sunday, November 5 9:30 AM All Church Family Worship

Sunday, November 12 9:30 AM Worship 6:00 PM Youth Group & Food Fundraiser

Sunday, November 19 9:30 AM Worship No Youth Group Meeting

Sunday, November 26 9:30 AM Worship No Youth Group

Youth Group Fundraiser

Clean out your closet and help the DCC Youth Group at the same time!

Mark your calendar for the Youth Group FUNDrive on

Sunday, January 28 from 8:45 – 9:45 AM at the

church’s parking lot.

By donating gently-used clothing, shoes, accessories,

books, linens, and small household items (no furniture),

you can help raise funds for our Youth Group and their

upcoming trip to the Western Regional Youth Event in

Honolulu, Hawaii June 25-29. Start gathering up your

donations today!

Watch for more information, and feel free to email

Judy Gestring at ndzmoms@comcast.net with any

questions.

Reza Aslan, author of Zealot – The Life and

Times of Jesus of Nazareth and of a new book

God- A Human History will be at DCC at noon

Thursday November 30, 2017.

8 The Good News

Youth OWL Class

Our Whole Lives (OWL) grades 6 – 8 group continues

to meet twice a month from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Thurs-

days and we will continue this schedule for the balance

of the school year. The entire youth group continues to

meet on Sundays from 6:00 – 8:00. Our students’

commitment to both our youth classes is strong as

demonstrated by the strong attendance.

There will be multiple opportunities this year for church

members to participate in various youth fundraising

events, including another contribution project with

SAVERS in Dublin and dining out to benefit youth. Stay

tuned for further information in upcoming newsletters

and emails regarding all these activities. This year’s

profits will be applied towards the June Youth Confer-

ence in Hawaii.

A Massage from Lynda

To my dear friends at DCC, We have been through a lot together these past 12 years: laughter and tears, joy and pain, the thrills of adventure and the peace of reflection. I’ve come to know you as friends, dear as family. It is a season of change for all of us. We are facing many challenges, together and individually, and it is an appro-priate time for all of us, me and the congregation, to fo-cus on our health and well-being. I will miss our day-to-day interactions, but I will continue in my role as your biggest cheerleader. I wish you all the best, from the bottom of my heart. Love and peace, Lynda

Habitat for Humanity

There are several opportunities coming up to sign up for Habitat for Humanity Faith Partner Field Days. The next event is Saturday, November 18. This is a great opportunity to join faith partners along with fu-ture residents to help build single family homes at the Muir Ridge Site off Pacheco Blvd in Martinez. It’s only 15 miles from DCC. No experience required. Habitat staff provides the tools and the training. Contact Rich-ard Stein for more information. Signing up is easy using the Habitat website at below.

http://vhub.at/danvillecongregationalchurch. _____________________________________________________________

Responding to the North Bay Fires Thank you to everyone who donated October 15 during worship. We collected $1,500 for the First Congrega-tional Church of Sonoma as they help their members rebuild after the devastating wildfires. In the coming weeks and months, FCC Sonoma will be coordinating clean-up efforts. DCC is looking for a volunteer coor-dinator to help recruit volunteers to go to Sonoma and help recovery efforts. If you are interested in serving as DCC’s volunteer coordinator for the fire recovery, please contact Rev. Gail, Rev. Eric, or Kristina Kelchner. _____________________________________________________________

October 2017 9

Women of DCC

Would you like to get out once a month to walk,

talk and connect with more of the brilliant women of

our congregation/community?? Come join us.

We’ve got two dates to get us started and see how this

goes. Initially we’ll make them pretty easy walks and

then see what the group would like to do. We’ll meet in

the back for the DCC carpark on Saturday Nov 11 and

Saturday Dec 16 and carpool to some walking are-

as. Let’s meet at 8.30 am and plan to be back no later

than 11am – still time to hit the Farmers Market or get

on with your Saturday activities :)

Please email Joyce.Klassen@comcast.net to say if you

are interested in being on the group list and include

your cell phone number too.

Faith Journeys

Recommended Read for Fall 2017

Scattering Seeds: Cultivating Church Vitality, by

Stephen Chapin Garner with Jerry Thornell

The Moderator Team and Faith Journeys Commission encourage all members and friends of DCC to join us this fall in exploring Scattering Seeds: Cultivating Church Vitality. Copies of the book are available in Koinonia Hall to read and share. Pastor Eric and Pastor Gail will be referring to ideas from the book

during their sermon series this fall.

In Scattering Seeds: Cultivating Church Vitality, Stephen Chapin Garner and Jerry Thornell share the story of their home congregation, the United Church of Christ in Norwell, MA. This average congregation has approached congregational life in a not-so-average way. Each congregant is seen as a minister, bringing the good news of Christ to the community; the church has moved away from boards and committees, instead utilizing the people to form ministry teams; and they have revitalized the way they approach and practice worship and education. Garner and Thornell don’t claim to have the secret to church growth and vitality, but in sharing the story of their simple church in New England, they give hope and innovative ideas to congregations in regions all over the country.

10 The Good News

Mother Teresa Text

The text below, found on the wall of Mother Teresa’s

home, was recited during worship on Sunday, October 22

2017. Many of you asked for a copy of the text.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulteri-or motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jeal-ous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgot-ten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Keeping in Touch

There are several ways you can stay up to date on

what's happening at DCC and be in contact with other

members and friends:

There is a weekly email (usually sent on Thursday) with information about what's happening in the life of the church. If you are not receiving it and would like to, please let the office know.

The Sunday bulletin also contains lots of great infor-mation.

The newsletter comes out monthly, both electronically and in print. Are you receiving the print copy, but would rather receive it in your email (saving paper and post-age)? Or are you not receiving either? Please let the office know.

If you are in a circle, you should be receiving the weekly prayer requests from your caring coordinator. If you are not in a circle but would like to be, please contact Kim Michaud.

Are you in our electronic directory? Is your information up to date? Not sure? Be sure to check it out! For mo-bile phones, go to your app store and download the Instant Church Directory app. On your computer, go to www.instantchurchdirectory.com and click on "church member sign-in." Then follow the directions to create a login (you must use the email address you have posted in the DCC directory). Voila, you now have in-stant access to contact information for all of your church friends wherever you are!

Please remember, our church directory and any per-sonal contact information the church has collected about our members and friends may only be used for fostering the fellowship and ministry of the church and not for commercial use or gain.

October 2017 11

November 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #4

2 11:30 AM Spiritual For-

mation Group #3

12:00 PM Men's Lunch

Series

12:00 PM Women's Spirit-

uality Group #5

7:00 PM Rev. Eric's PRC

3 4

5 Olive Circle

Communion Sunday

9:30 AM Worship

5:30 PM Celebration Bells Rehearsal

6:00 PM Youth Group

6 7 10:30 AM Pilgrimage

Group

1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #1

8 1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #4

2:30 PM Tenant Relations

Committee

6:00 PM Racial Justice

Task Force Community

Forum

9 10:00 AM Diaconate Meet-

ing

11:30 AM Spiritual For-

mation Group #3

12:00 PM Men's Lunch

Series

12:00 PM Women's Spirit-

uality Group #5

6:00 PM OWL (Our Whole

Lives)

10 5:30 PM TGIF!

11

12 Pine Circle

9:30 AM Worship

11:00 AM Commission Meetings

5:30 PM Celebration Bells Rehearsal

6:00 PM Youth Group and Food Fundraiser

13 14 1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #1

7:00 PM Theology on Tap

15 1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #4

7:00 PM Dayspring Pre-

school Board

16 11:30 AM Spiritual For-

mation Group #3

12:00 PM Men's Lunch

Series

12:00 PM Women's Spirit-

uality Group #5

17 18

19 Willow Circle

Ingathering Sunday

9:30 AM Worship

11:00 AM Search Committee

20 7:00 PM PFLAG

21 8:00 AM -Dayspring Family

Friendship Feast

1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #1

7:00 PM Finance Commit-

tee

22 Dayspring Preschool

Closed

10:00 AM Prayer Shawl

Ministry

1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #4

23 Dayspring Preschool

Closed

11:30 AM Spiritual For-

mation Group #3

12:00 PM Women's Spiritu-

ality Group #5

24 Dayspring Preschool

Closed

25

26 Almond Circle

9:30 AM Worship

5:30 PM Celebration Bells Rehearsal

27 28 1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #1

7:00 PM Council Meeting

29 1:30 PM Women's Spiritual

Formation Group #4

30 11:30 AM Spiritual For-

mation Group #3

12:00 PM Rakestraw

Event: Reza Aslan

12:00 PM Women's Spirit-

uality Group #5

6:00 PM OWL (Our Whole

Lives)