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My beloved Mt. Tam Church,

This is my new favorite thought that is keeping me centered in this busy time: “There are only two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” (Albert Einstein) Who would expect Albert Einstein to speak of miracles? For me, the key is the first sentence: “only two ways to live your life,” which leads to a question: HOW are you living your life?

That’s the focus of my morning devotional time right now. Am I living my life in a way that reflects the love of God and the grace that accompanies me daily? And what in me needs to rise up in order to embrace life in that way?

As we move through this season of thanksgiving, it’s a good question to ponder. Am I living a life that reflects my status as a beloved child of God? Am I treating others the same way? And am I serving others that have yet to know this good news? Good things to think about as we prepare for Thanksgiving, Advent and beyond.

Peace,

Pastor Kim

My beloved Mt. Tam Church,

What a crafty lot you are! Sunday is the Heifer Project card making extravaganza, lead boldly and beautifully by Judy White. As far as I know, this is the only church that does such a creative and mission-oriented project to support Heifer International. One of the many things that is great about it is that folks like me, who are not naturally artistic, can participate and create a beautiful card which then, in turn, is sold to produce funds for Heifer. We become crafty! A double win! I hope you prioritize Sunday for worship, cards, pizza, and mission!

And another Santa’s Workshop is near—after church on December 8th, when the children gather and grown-ups scatter, for kids to make gifts for family members. Lots of volunteers help and this brings out a lovely intergenerational engagement that is also loads of fun. If you don’t have children at home, please take this opportunity to volunteer and get to know some of the most vibrant and interesting members of our church—our children!

Finally, I am still blown away by the Marin Organizing Committee’s (MOC) 10th-anniversary convention on October 27th, the Sunday of the power black-out. I have to admit that I was skeptical when the organizers decided to not cancel the meeting, moving it to the local synagogue, renting generators for audio and sound, and having the event. I thought it should have been canceled. How wrong I was! 700 people strong met to celebrate the accomplishments for God’s justice of the past and to commit to a new set of priorities for the future, including rental justice, housing and a new directive of mental health care for youth in our county. If you are in a place to “put flesh on faith” and walk the walk, MOC and the church’s Social Justice Team may be your calling!
So much to celebrate and for which to give thanks for. See you in church on Sunday!

Peace,
Pastor Kim

My beloved Mt. Tam Church,

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday, when we remember and give thanks for the saints of the church and in our lives. We have had one church member pass away this last year, our dear Meg Morris. I have known Meg for many years, as she and Bob were former members of Trinity Church in Berkeley, the church I served before Mt. Tam. She had some tough events in her life that might have cowered or defeated another person. Yet Meg’s spirit was strong and her will much bigger than her physical body.
I miss her! And this Sunday, we will give thanks to God for her.

This has not been an easy week, with power outages, raging fires, family and friends evacuated and losing homes, the uncertainty and out-of-controlness of it all. Amazingly, the scripture for this Sunday, chosen months ago, is from Matthew 6, where Jesus shares his message about worry with his followers. “Did the Saints Worry as Much as You Do?” is the sermon title. I’m trying to fill in those words with something that can help all of us in this troubling time. Pray for me in that endeavor, and perhaps the most vital message is that through it all, God is always and still with us. For the saints, for God’s presence, and for you I am grateful. Lastly, grateful for today, that is enough.


Peace,

Pastor Kim

My beloved Mt. Tam Church,

October is my busiest month of the year. Not December with Advent and Christmas, or the spring with Lent and Easter. October is the busiest month because the school-year events are in full swing, we are getting ready for Advent/Christmas, stewardship campaign and for me personally, as President of the Conference Claimaints’ Endowment Board, committee meetings, phone calls and one of the three annual meetings adds to a busy schedule. You might find yourself in the same place. And wondering if you can bring any relief to your schedule.

Sometimes I find it isn’t in eliminating events that make a busy time not only tolerable but enjoyable, but doubling down on my commitments that bring me joy and feed me spiritually. That’s why I’m planning on both enjoying the Community Meal/Faith U. lunch this Sunday—a chili cook-off, what’s not to love?—AND the Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) Ten Year Anniversary rally at the Civic Center from 3-5. Both of these ministries feed me—literally, in the case of the community meal and my need to be engaged in social justice is nurtured through the rally. The Mt. Tam Social Justice team will be out in full force!

So even though Sunday will be a very full and long day, it will be a powerful day that will feed my spirit and equip us all for ministry. See you this Sunday!

Peace,

Pastor Kim

My beloved Mt. Tam Church,

It happens once in a while—in just one day, we have several events of ministry.  Take October 27:  after worship, we have the Community Meal which will also be our Stewardship Faith U. lunch.  Something to which we look forward every year.

AND—October 27th is also the Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) BIG Convention—hundreds of folks gathering to witness to and for social justice in Marin County.  It takes place at the Marin Civic Center (big venue), from 3-5 p.m. and our Social Justice Team hopes to turn out 40-50 church friends and members to participate.  Get details from the bulletin, Faith Matters and Clare McCamy.

We could cry “Ugh!” and bemoan this coincidence of scheduling.  And to be honest, it does make for a long day and some folks will have to make a choice about which ministry to take up that day.  Yet, I am convinced that our congregation is large enough and strong enough to both feed the hungry, celebrate Faith U. and witness to God’s justice and love at the MOC convention in one day!

So, let’s gear up!  Let’s commit ourselves to these ministry events, which are openings of the Holy Spirit to us and in our midst.  My challenge to you is for each one of our church family units to participate in at least one of these amazing opportunities.  Bring your children.  Invite a neighbor.  And witness to God’s amazing love which is big enough for us to feed, witness, learn and grow together.  I am so grateful for you!

Peace,

Pastor Kim

My beloved Mt. Tam Church,

I will always treasure last Sunday—it would have been enough to only baptize Willie Lang. Did you feel the Spirit moving? Yet, there was more–add-in communion, the blessing of the animals, a great teen youth breakfast and a smoking-hot study of the Book of Job…what a Sunday! 

I will also treasure certain memories—Josh Larson lifting up Romeo, the Larson family 4-month old Bernese Mountain dog puppy, larger than either of his daughters, for a blessing.  6-year old Cole nailing the God question right on the head—“God is up there, right here, right here!”  Willie’s radiant face as he received baptism and the joy on the faces of everyone present as we celebrated together. I will always treasure this past Sunday—how about you?

This Sunday begins four Sundays of Stewardship Season—and Harrison, Richard, Karen, Mary Michael, Tricia and I (the Stewardship Team) are inviting you on a treasure hunt—following Jesus who tells us “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Where is your treasure? And what do you treasure? We’re going to explore the full depth and meaning of the word as spiritual adventure. 

For stewardship is so much more than raising funds for the next year’s annual budget. It is about a congregation teaching itself about caring for all that God has given us, which is everything and how we demonstrate and live out gratitude for all of God’s good gifts. For we each have a ‘treasure,’ “what do you treasure?” broadens our consideration to the edges where God is at work. I think you will find this Stewardship Season spiritually provocative for growth in faith. I am grateful to be on the journey with you. See you for the treasure hunt this Sunday!

Peace

Pastor Kim