The building in the center of the photo to the left is The Old Court House in St. Louis, MO, as seen from the top of The Arch, the iconic landmark also in St. Louis. Most folks know that The Arch is a national landmark. It’s also called, “The gateway to the west,” as it stands on the west side of the Mississippi River which, for many, is our country’s middle dividing line. I didn’t know anything about The Old Courthouse, however, in spite of its significance in this nation’s history regarding the abolishment of slavery.

Those who have had a class in American History are likely to have heard of the Dred Scott case/ decision –

even if they don’t remember exactly what it was. The photo to the right is of the statue of Dred and Harriet Scott, located on the east side of The Old Court-house. It was dedicated in 2012. Its plaque reads:

Dred and Harriet Scott filed suit for their freedom at this courthouse in 1846. Their case reached the United States Supreme Court and was decided in 1857. The court ruled that the Scotts and all African Americans were not citizens of the United States. Opposition to the decision was one of the causes of the Civil War and led to the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution. The Scotts’ struggle for freedom stands as a defining mo-ment in the history of the Civil Rights movement.

I was able to visit the Gateway Arch National Park on the morning of Feb. 22, before Registration for General Conference opened later that afternoon. Only last week, as I was continuing my re-flection about my experience at General Conference, did I see what may be a remarkable parallel between what happened at The Old Courthouse, where the Scott’s case was defeated, before it moved up to the Supreme Court, where it was defeated again, and what happened with the legis-lation passed at GC2019 that stripped our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters of any rights to their full participation in the life of the United Methodist Church. Furthermore, although the Supreme Court ruled against Dred and Harriet Scott’s request to be seen as full human beings and Ameri-can citizens, as the plaque beneath their statue reminds us, that defeat galvanized the abolitionist movement, led to three Civil Rights Amendments to the Constitution for those formerly enslaved, and led to the Civil War, which abolished slavery completely as an accepted practice in the US.

In light of this rich history in St. Louis, I started thinking, “How appropriate it was that this pivotal General Conference was held in this city! And maybe the GC’s decision to pass the Traditionalist Plan is just what we needed to galvanize those who are ready to say, ‘Enough!’” Well, that deci-sion is already doing exactly that – from our Western Jurisdiction, to other states (even in the south!), to Germany, and, as I received word yesterday, even to Kenya. As US citizens for whom our civil rights are an anchor for our values, and as people of faith for whom our shared humanity as created by God is a cornerstone of our beliefs, we know an injustice when we see one; and the General Conference’s decision was unjust.

I believe God is trying to do “a new thing” among us, and the failure to perceive it is, as usual, ours. I pray the United Methodist Church will open its eyes, repenting of its blindness and of its sin of dehumanizing others, and that God will give United Methodists who are perceiving God’s movement the strength, courage, and great joy of affirming the sacred worth of all of God’s chil-dren as, with God, we create a new thing.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Myrna

F a i t h M a t t e r s

M a r c h 1 3 , 2 0 1 9

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E

C o m e h e l p t o f o r m o u r n e w U M W g r o u p ! L e a r n m o r e o n p a g e 4 !

U N I T E D

M E T H O D I S T

W O M E N !

P r a y e r s a n d B i r t h d a y s

2

A B a b y s h o w e r T h a n k Y o u

3

t h e A m a d o r V a l l e y Q u i l t G u i l d h o n o r s L y n n V a n n

5

P i c t u r e s f r o m G e n e r a l C o n f e r e n c e S e s s i o n 2 0 1 9

6

Please let us know if you know of someone who could use our prayers of intention, so we can include them on our list. You may also ask the Prayer Chain group to confidentially pray at 510-357-0770 or prayer@fumcsl.org.

Continued prayers of healing for our or chronically ill, and those who are recov-ering from accidents/illnesses, or loss, who include: Rich Bulman, Dorothy Feick, Barbara Humphrey, and Rev. Dar-rell Thomas.

Josephine Wolfgramm, who is still struggling to recover from a very bad cold. Cards of encouragement and get well may be sent to her at

1231—96th Ave.; Oakland, CA 94603

Donna Fay Bower, as she recovers from successful cataract surgery on eye #1. Eye #2 will come later this month. Cards of encouragement may be sent to 1924 Wayne Ave.; San Leandro, CA 94577

Betty Quadros, in her difficult health situation at this time, as well as for her daughter Joanne and son Jim who are offering her support. Cards of en-couragement may be sent to 532 Maud Ave.; San Leandro, CA 94577

O u r P r a y e r s , J o y s , a n d T e a r s

A n n i v e r s a r i e s & B i r t h d a y s

Birthdays: Marie Watson March 13 Elaine Kavasch March 19 Barbara McDavid March 24 Josiah Zapata March 26 Silvi Tijam March 31 Jeff Pitcher April 3 Yoshiko Shinoda April 4 Marcie Avalon April 6 Denise Price April 14

P a g e 2 CARING AND SHARING

Anniversaries: Mareta Fred Fletcher March 1 Tracy Joel Zapata April 12

P r a y i n g w i t h o u r H o m e b o u n d c h u r c h f a m i l y

Mary Lou Smith: 2242 Fernwood Ct, Hayward, CA 94541

Bob Tanquary: 25919 Gading Rd., Hayward, CA 94544

Gail Tanquary: 1531 Court St., Ala-meda, CA 94501

Marie Watson: 962 Glen Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577

Charles Dumm: 400 S. Broadway PL #481, Tucson, AZ 85710

Barbara Gibbs: 2133 Nome St., San Leandro, CA 94577

Charlotte McMahon: 1445 Linton St., San Leandro, CA 94577

Betty Quadros: 532 Maud Ave., San Leandro, CA 94577

Fred and Yoshiko Shinoda: 1290 Sherry Ct., San Leandro, CA 94577

Elliot Bernadel-Huey April 17 Charles Dumm April 17 Loranne Shoptaw April 21 Eileen Chen April 24 Fred Shinoda April 27 Sharon Meehan April 29

(continued)

If you have a birthday or

anniversary that you’d

like us to celebrate in The

Spire, add your name to

the Birthday and

Anniversary book located

in the back of the

Sanctuary, or contact the

office at 510-483-0606 or

office@fumcsl.org

P a g e 3 OUR SHARED MINISTRY

S e r v e C o m m u n i o n d u r i n g w o r s h i p

Communion is on the second Sundays of the month! If you are interested in helping service Communion,

B r i n g C l o t h i n g D o n a t i o n s d i r e c t l y t o D a v i s S t r e e t

( a n d N O T t h e B r e e z e w a y ! )

Donations are only for items, as marked. There-fore, we ask that you take other clothing di-rectly to the Davis Street

Family Resource Center, located at 3081 Teagarden St, San Leandro, CA 94577, which handles and distrib-utes such donations well.

We want to clarify that the collection bins by the parking breezeway doors are specifically for the April Showers ministry.

R e p a i r S k i l l s N e e d e d !

on the north side of Hale Hall away from the building. If you have the skills to make these repairs, (or skills that might be help-

ful with other projects), please contact Lynn Vann, Chair of Trustees (408-691-4661).

Do you have handy-person skills you are able to share? The Trustees need assistance com-pleting projects such as redirecting downspouts

Red Wagon food collection serves the Davis Street Family Resource Center. You may bring in non-perishable food items to share as part of the Offertory on any Sunday Morning.

The Interfaith Homelessness Network (IHN) hosts “April Showers” on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of each month at the Girls’ and Boys’ Club of San Leandro at 11am. You may donate athletic socks and men’s briefs in the barrels in Breezeway.

S e r v i c e M i n i s t r i e s a n d A g e n c i e s W e S u p p o r t

call Judy Bulman at 510-397-2340 to get involved!

A B a b y S h o w e r T h a n k y o u !

thoughtful, and practical gifts will each help them off to a good start of the adventure of parenthood. Oh, and the wonderful books! Thank you so much for surprising them with books they had not thought of needing yet! A special thank you to some of my friends who were available to help:

Dawne managed the food and was Advisor, Nancy headed up clean-up and gave the gift of singing an original song for the Par-ents-to-Be, Marilyn and Linda D were my advisors and support, and Dennis always helps me from the backdrop. Thanks so much & May God Bless, -Betsy Borruso

“We are so very grateful for the outpouring of love and support for Pe-ter & Victoria’s soon-to-arrive Baby Girl, and Dennis & me! Our Church Family is amazing in so many ways - just some of which are caring for each other, having fun, eating to-gether, & generosity. The lovely, generous,

P a g e 4 CONGREGATION EVENTS AND GATHERINGS

Monthly: • 1st Tues: Trustees

• 7:00pm, Wesley Room • 2nd Tues: Finance Committee

• 6:30pm, Library • 1st Thur: Lay Leadership

Development • 10:00am, Wesley Room

• 2nd Sun: Staff-Parish Relations • 12:30pm, St. Francis Room • 4th Sunday of March • 1st Sunday of May

• 4th Sun: Church Council • 12:30pm, St. Francis Room • 3rd Sunday of March

R e g u l a r m e e t i n g s a n d g a t h e r i n g s

Weekly: • Mondays

• Gentle Exercise class, 10:30am, Hale Hall

• Staff meeting, 12:30pm, office 1st and 3rd Mondays

• Wednesdays • Meditative Communion,

12:15pm, Chapel (except 2nd Wednesdays)

• Spire day (2nd/4th Wed.) • Thursdays (Sep.-May)

• Bell Choir, 7pm, Lydia Room • Chancel Choir, 8:00pm, Chapel

Sunday mornings: • 8:40am, Adult Choir (Sep.-May)

• Children’s choir included on the 2nd Sunday of the month

• 9:00am, Quiet Time, Sanctuary • 9:30am, Worship

• Communion, 2nd Sunday of the month • Children’s Sunday school during wor-

ship, except on 2nd Sundays • 11:00am, Adult Sunday School

• History of the Church, St. Francis Rm. • Bible Study, Library

• 11:00am, Children’s Choir (Sep.-May) • Except on 2nd Sundays of the month • Email music@fumcsl.org to learn more

• Ongoing • Warming Shelter

• Sunday, March 17, 12:30pm, St. Francis • Church Council Meeting (special date)

• Sunday, March 24, 12:30pm, St. Francis • SPRC Meeting (special date)

• Saturday, March 30 • Ministry Action Plan Summit, 9am-3pm

• Palm Sunday, April 14

U p c o m i n g e v e n t s

• Bishop’s Visit, April 16, Sanctuary • We will host Bishop Carcaño’s visit to

address the recent General Conference Session

• Maundy Thursday, April 18 last day of Lent • Good Friday, April 19 • Easter Sunday, April 21, first day of Easter • Sunday, June 9

• Pentecost Sunday, end of Easter Season

U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t W o m e n a r e m e e t i n g a g a i n !

life who had shaped her faith journey. We learned a lot about each other in that sharing. The group discussed the purpose of United Meth-odist Women, as well as the general expectations for any unit in a local church. In conversation, we learned that UMW also invites women to learn about some multi-faceted social issues.

In the end, the group de-cided to meet again – on Saturday, March 16, at 10 AM, in the Wesley Rm. All women are invited to attend! “Homework” as-signed was to review the By-laws of UMW carefully, which each person re-ceived. The morning end-ed with a soup and salad lunch.

A group of women gath-ered in the Wesley Room this past Saturday, Feb-ruary 9, to try to restart a United Methodist Women’s group here. Nine women attended, including Pastor Myrna. The Opening Devotions focused on the theme of “nameless women” in the Bible. Pastor Myrna invited each person to name a woman in her

P a g e 5

U p c o m i n g S p i r e N e w s

share with the congrega-tion? Send an email to

office@fumcsl.org to be included in the next Spire!

Do you, or your com-mittee, have any news to

AMADOR QUILTS GUILD HONORS LYNN VANN

C h u r c h C o n t a c t I n f o r m a t i o n

Need Help?

Dial 211, 24 hours a day,

7 days a week, for FREE

information about health,

housing, and social services

(including food kitchens, etc)

Or visit www.edenir.org

Pastor: Rev. Myrna Bernadel-Huey pastor@fumcsl.org Note: Fridays are the Pastor’s day off Office Manager: Trust Hilton 510-483-0606 office@fumcsl.org 9am-2pm, Mon, Wed-Fri Custodian: Nancy Skinner custodian@fumcsl.org

Youth and Children’s Ministry: Mele Afu mele@fumcsl.org Music Ministry: Dr. Ondine Young music@fumcsl.org Prayer Chain- Confidential: Dawne Teske 510-357-0770 prayer@fumcsl.org Wedding Coordinator: Judi Pitcher wedding@fumcsl.org

On March 3rd, Lynn Vann was honored by the Amador Valley Quilt Guild with a Quilt of Valor in Church!

IN THE UNITED METHODIST CONNECTION P a g e 6

Clockwise from the top: Pastor Myrna, Bishop Carcaño, Mele Afu, and Mele’s seminary cohort; Mele, Pastor Myrna, and Pastor Diana Bohn; delegates on the Conference floor.

P a g e 7 PICTURES FROM GENERAL CONFERENCE 2019

Clockwise from the top: Conference floor; Method-ists seeking entrance into the Conference floor fol-lowing the vote to affirm the Traditionalist Plan, a

time of prayer, and the ar-ea outside the Conference

First United Methodist Church of San Leandro is a Christian Community of love, following Jesus with our hearts and our hands. We believe that every person is a child of God.

For more information, please visit us online at www.fumcsl.org and on Facebook

Contact the Church Office at 510-483-0606 or email us at office@fumcsl.org

Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 9am-2pm

DATED MATERIAL

Please Do Not Delay Return Service Requested

March 13, 2019

The Spire is published on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month by the First United Methodist Church of San Leandro. The Spire is available online at fumcsl.org and printed in the back of the Sanctuary. To request to be on the email or postage list, email office@fumcsl.org. Articles may be submitted electronically at office@fumcsl.org.

All Articles Due by 9:00 am on the Monday of Spire Week.

Sunday Schedule:

9:30 AM Worship & Children’s Sunday School

11:00 AM Adult Sunday School & (September –May) Children’s Choir

1600 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro, Ca 94577 510-483-0606 | www.fumcsl.org