Whatever things are
think on these things
Vol. 58, No. 15 August 15, 2009
Organ Repair
Dear Friends:
We held a brief meeting after Worship on May 31
to discuss the Church organ repair. At that time it
was decided to form a task force specifically dedi-
cated to this project and the formation of the task
force was subsequently approved at the annual
congregational meeting. Many of the people at
that meeting, plus others, have expressed interest
in the project and indicated a willingness to help
with the work of the task force.
In order to move forward, the newly created task
force needs to have a convener and should begin
its work very soon. So I am writing to ask
whether anyone would be willing to be convener.
In the absence of a suitable and willing volunteer,
we will have to call another meeting to discuss the
issue. We also need active participants in the day-
to-day work of the task force.
Remember that the organ is not broken. The
blower motor that forces air into the wind-chest is
burned out and, since it was built in 1931, the op-
timal solution, if the existing organ is to be made
operational, is to install a new whisper quiet mo-
tor and install it in the storage room across from
the altar flower room. The estimated cost is
around $10,000-15,000. The church cannot afford
this expense right now and so the task force was
formed to look at ways of raising the funds to
make this repair, examine other organ options,
ascertain whether grants might be available to
help us with the repair and establish some time-
lines for the repairs. The task force’s timeline is to
make a recommendation(s) to the congregation
for their approval by Thanksgiving.
“Organ Repair” continued on page 3.
Barbara Strader Editor
Triple C Wed. Sept. 2
Do you remember being bullied? Have you been a
witness to bullying? What happens to the bully?
Enjoy a delicious lunch at noon and interesting pro-
gram at 1:00 p.m., the first Wednesday in Septem-
ber. Everyone welcome; bring friends.
Our own church member, Ruby Unger, will show
her video “Bully No More: Stopping the Abuse.”
It highlights discussions with students who talk
about methods that prevent them from being a tar-
get of bullies, ways that stop bullies and get them
help, and what should be done if you witness bull-
ing behavior. Four types of abuse are identified and
defined: physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual.
Animation, humor, and role-playing are used to il-
lustrate “win-win” strategies students (and perhaps
even we) can use when confronted by bullying.
Maybe you remember Ruby Unger as the warm and
entertaining “Ms. Nancy” on San Francisco’s TV
show Romper Room? Ruby is also a former spe-
cial education teacher and creator of a number of
award-winning educational videos.
Please make lunch reservation and requests for
rides from The Redwoods with Meta Bare, 383-
0783. Lunch is $6.00.
In This Issue
News from Seminarian In-Care James 2
Task Force/Team Alert! Last Chance 2
Board Report 3
Keneth Has a New Blog 3
Hot Lunch Program Needs Donations 3
Calendar of Events 4

News from Seminarian
In-Care James Christie
This summer, I have been preparing for ordination
by serving as a chaplain at Yale-New Haven Hospi-
tal. I am formally enrolled in a program called
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). It is essentially
teaching me the basics of hospital chaplaincy and
crisis and bereavement ministry.
Needless to say I have gotten a lot out of my ex-
perience at the hospital. Yale-New Haven is a 930
bed level-one trauma center (one of the only three
in Connecticut) and the best teaching hospital in the
state. The worst of the worst cases get referred to
the hospital. Thus far, I have had seven twenty-four
hour on-calls where I serve as the hospital chaplain.
In that period I respond to any full trauma, crisis,
and patient death that occur in the hospital. On a
weekend, I can get up to twenty “pages” a day and I
consider myself lucky if in the night I get four
hours of sleep. On six of my seven twenty-four
hour shifts I have dealt with situations that I would
describe as “horrific.” In fact, two of those situa-
tions could easily be called “absolutely horrific.”
Now, from the description above, you would think
that I was having an extremely challenging and
miserable summer. Granted, there have been some
moments when I have felt emotionally exhausted.
But on the whole I have found my time at the hos-
pital to be extremely gratifying. It is good feeling
knowing that I have been helping patients and their
families during tough times. Not only that but I am
doing a good job taking care of myself. I am seeing
friends, going out to funny movies, and practicing
Yoga almost every day.
I finished up my internship at Bedford Presbyterian
Church in April and have continued my trend of
getting a lot more A’s then B’s in my classes (in
fact, I got all A’s last semester!) I have got one
more year left at Yale before I graduate. I still
have two weeks left at the hospital and I writing
this to you on my last on-call shift. Please keep me
in your thoughts and prayers.
- James Christie
Task Force/Team Alert!
Last Chance to Reserve
If you have dates you would like to reserve on the
church calendar, please email the church office
(ccmvucc@comcast.net) or phone (388-5540) by
August 10. You do not need to have detailed plans
in place, but to guarantee access to specific dates,
times and rooms, we must hear from you soon.
Typically in the Fall, outside groups begin calling
to rent space for their events at the church. We
want to be sure that any special activities (other
than meetings) which you are planning have first
priority for scheduling on the building use calendar.

The Community Church of Mill Valley

United Church of Christ
An Open & Affirming Congregation
8 Olive Street, Mill Valley , CA 94941
Phone 415/388-5540
Fax 415/388-1678
e-mail CCMVUCC@comcast.net
www.millvalleyucc.org
Pastor: Pam Shortridge Sunday Morning:
Minister Emeritus: Jack Bartlett 9:00 a.m. “The Unexpected Word” Class, Foster Room
Parish Associate of Mission: Dora Ford 10:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary
Minister in Covenant: Jacquie Hoffman Nursery Care for Infants & Toddlers, Nursery
Seminarian In-Care: Arn Lou Mutia Program for Children in Preschool through Third
Seminarian In-Care: James Christie Grade, Children gather in the Chapel
Director of Music: Esther Archer 11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour in the Tamalpais Hall
Executive Editor: Barbara Strader
Facility Operations Manager: Aaron Young Of Good Report is published on the second and fourth Monday of each
month. Deadline for submissions is the previous Monday at noon.
2
2
 Board Report
The Board had its monthly meeting on July 22nd
and, as usual, we had a full agenda. It was gratify-
ing to hear that the church is in a reasonably sound
financial position and there are grounds for being
cautiously optimistic that we may have weathered
the worst of the recession, though none of us wants
to speak too soon! We have concluded negotia-
tions with Old Firehouse School and a five year
extension was recently signed that includes a rental
increase. As we indicated at the annual meeting,
some of this money will be used to fund church
maintenance and the first major project is to repair
the roof on Tamalpais Hall. We hope that the work
will start in late-August and be concluded by mid-
September.
The Board will be having their annual retreat on
August 15 so if anyone has any ideas on what we
should be talking about and where the church
should be headed, please let me know.
- Mike Webber, Board President
“Organ Repair” continued from page 1.
There has been some discussion about soliciting
other bids for the motor repair. However, the num-
ber of reputable organ builders is limited in num-
ber and Schoenstein has had long experience with
our particular instrument. Thus spending time so-
liciting other bids, if desired, should be carefully
limited so as not to hold up the task force’s delib-
erations on whether and when the repair should
proceed and how the money will be raised. (Copies
of the Schoenstein estimate are available if you
would like to review it.)
Please let me know
your thoughts on this
as soon as possible.
Stop me after church
on Sunday, phone me
at 415/513-5209 or
email me at:
webberm@usfca.edu.
- Mike Webber
3
Keneth Has a New Blog
Keneth continues his wonderful work in Uganda.
Now you can regularly check for updates and in-
formation by visiting his new blog at http://
hfacm.blogspot.com. Also, please consider for-
warding his blog address to anyone you think
would be interested.
Keneth resumes his studies this month and we are
happy to report that there were sufficient funds to
cover the fees, accommodation and living ex-
penses. We will continue paying tuition for his fi-
nal two years.
The task force is encouraging Keneth to focus on
his studies as well as begin his own fundraising
campaign for the Hope for African Children Minis-
try. Working with the task force and Harriet Kos-
tic, we hope to nurture the connections made while
he was here in Marin, in an effort to raise money.
Donations to the ministry may be sent to the Com-
munity Church with “Kiyija Keneth’s Mission”
noted in the memo section of the check.
- Camilla Burraston
Hot Lunch Program
Needs Donations
Each calendar year, along with the other congrega-
tions that serve the homeless at Westminster Pres-
byterian Church, the Community Church makes a
contribution for coffee, and janitorial supplies and
clean up. In the past, we have contributed $150.
Westminster has asked that we contribute $200 for
2009 because of increased costs. We have received
a few contributions but still need more. We would
like to pay the requested $200 within the next few
weeks. We hope that some of you who endorse
what we are doing but are unable to prepare or help
serve food will send a generous donation. Make
your check out to the Community Church and note
that it is for the Hot Lunch Program. Thanks!
- Harriet Kostic & Jack Bartlett, Coordinators
The Community Church of Mill Valley NONPROFIT ORG.
United Church of Christ U. S. POSTAGE
8 Olive Street PAID
Mill Valley, CA 94941 Permit # 24
Mill Valley, CA
Return Service Requested

Upcoming Church Events

Sunday Guest Worship Leader & Preacher: Christy Newton
9:00 a.m. NO Bible Class in August
10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary
Child care in the Nursery
11:15 a.m. Coffee and Conversation, Tamalpais Hall.
All are invited.
This Week
Wed., July 29-Aug. 12 Pam Shortridge on vacation
Wed., Aug. 12, 11:45 a.m. Men’s Lunch, Moylan’s in Novato
Coming
Sat., Aug. 15, 9:00 a.m. Board of Directors Planning Retreat, Clever’s
Wed., Sept. 2, 12 Noon Triple C Lunch and Program
Ruby Unger will show her video Bully No More:
Stopping the Abuse.
Sun., Sept. 13 Fall Program Begins