Wheat Ridge Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
November 2015 Volume 74, No. 11
In this issue:
Hokusai Says
HOKUSAI SAYS by Roger Keyes
 Reformation, Halloween and All Saints Day
Pastor’s Annual Report
Hokusai says look carefully.
He says pay attention, notice.
He says keep looking, stay curious.
Hokusai says there is no end to seeing.
He says look forward to getting old.
He says keep changing,
you just get more who you really are.
He says get stuck, accept it, repeat yourself as
long as it is interesting. He says keep doing what
you love. He says keep praying. He says every
one of us is a child, every one of us is ancient
every one of us has a body. He says every one of
us is frightened. He says every one of us has to
find a way to live with fear. He says everything is
alive -- shells, buildings, people, fish, mountains,
trees, wood is alive.
Water is alive.
Everything has its own life.
Everything lives inside us.
He says live with the world inside you.
He says it doesn't matter if you draw, or write
books. It doesn't matter if you saw wood, or
catch fish. It doesn't matter if you sit at home
and stare at the ants on your veranda or the
shadows of the trees and grasses in your garden.
It matters that you care.
It matters that you feel.
It matters that you notice.
It matters that life lives through you.
Contentment is life living through you. Joy is life
living through you. Satisfaction and strength is
life living through you.
He says don't be afraid. Don't be afraid.
Love, feel, let life take you by the hand.
Let life live through you.
Mission Project Summary
Mouse Morsels
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Offerings and Attendance
Calendar
Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) was a
Japanese artist, ukiyo-e painter and printmaker
of the Edo period. He said, “At seventy-three,
I began to grasp the structures of birds and
beasts, insects and fish, and of the way
plants grow. If I go on trying, I will surely
understand them still better by the time I
am eighty-six, so that by ninety I will have
penetrated to their essential nature. At one
hundred, I may well have a positively divine
understanding of them, while at one
hundred and thirty, forty, or more I will
have reached the stage where every dot and
every stroke I paint will be alive. May
Heaven, that grants long life, give me the
chance to prove that this is no lie.”
Halloween and All Saints Day –
Is There a Religious Connection?
by Deb Packard
While it is tempting to assume that All Saints’ Day evolved from Halloween, that assumption could not
be further from the truth. Halloween (a contraction of All Hallows Eve) was an ancient pagan festival in
which it was believed that the souls of people who had died were set free to walk among the living. As
Christianity made its way into Western Europe and the British Isles, the Church co-opted Halloween (as
they did many other pagan holidays) into the festival day of All Hallows’ Eve. In this way, they could
more easily convince the pagans that Christianity had everything to offer that their religion did and also
much more. Over the years, though, the religious view of Halloween faded away and was gradually
turned into the secular holiday that we are all so familiar with.
On the other hand, the Feast Day of All Saints was a religious holiday from its inception. Though there
are many festivals that celebrate the dead in many cultures dating back to even before All Saints’ Day,
this religious holiday was created by the Holy Roman Church to celebrate the courage and sacrifice of all
people who died for the sake of their faith. This was especially true during the reign of Diocletian (245311 A.D.), the Roman emperor who, arguably, was the most vicious persecutor of Christians. Today,
however, and in many Protestant churches, All Saints’ Day has become a day to remember not only all of
the “saints” of the past, like Abraham Lincoln, William Wilberforce (responsible for instituting abolition
in the UK), and Mother Theresa, but the people that we have loved and hold dear who have gone on
before us. I think it’s a good thing to do this. Happy Halloween and a blessed All Saints’ Day to you all!
The Meaning of Reformation Day
and Why It’s Important to Us
by Deb Packard
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.” “Blessed
indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their
labors, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:13
Before October 31, 1517, in order to be called a Christian, you followed either the Roman Catholic
Church (western Europe) or the Eastern Orthodox Church (eastern Europe, Asia Minor). On that day, a
monk, who was angry about the abuses of power committed by the leadership of the church in Rome,
wrote a treatise (we know them today as the “Ninety-five Theses”) and nailed them to the door of the All
Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Why was this monk, Martin Luther, so angry with the pope and
his cardinals? It began with his deep questioning of the dogma of the church which held that one’s sins
could only be forgiven after confessing them before a priest and receiving absolution. Luther pondered
the letters of St. Paul and became more and more convinced that forgiveness could only be granted “by
the grace of God alone” and that priests, including the pope, had not the right to forgive sins. Enter
Johann Tetzel, sent by the Bishop of Rome to Germany to raise money for the Vatican by selling
“indulgences.” An indulgence was a piece of paper signed by the pope that absolved the sins of anyone
(even the dead) if they paid for one. This was said to have shortened the time spent in purgatory and so
that one could go straight to heaven. Tetzel used this sales pitch: “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings,
the soul from purgatory springs.” This angered Luther so much that he wrote to the Archbishop of Mainz
and Magdeburg speaking against the indulgences, but it did no good.
At the end of the day, Luther posted his theses to the door of the church—not because he was being
disrespectful to the church, but that was where the townspeople went to get their news. After a long
period of persecution by the church and a trial in Worms (the Diet of Worms), Luther was finally left
alone. He got rid of concepts such as purgatory and private confession. The Protestant Church today is
based on many of his teachings regardless of the denomination. Because people appreciated the
freedom to worship as they wished, the festival of Reformation Day has been commemorated by many
churches to this day on October 31 because that is the day that Luther posted his ninety-five theses.
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Pastor’s Annual Report
In July of 2015 I began my new call as your senior minister. This has been an exciting challenge
for me as I grow into this new role. I appreciate all the support, encouragement, and loving
reception from the members and friends of WRCC UCC. It’s only been four months, but we
are off to a great start. In May of this year a survey was sent out to our members and friends,
and we had a whopping 72% response rate. The results of the survey revealed an interest in
increasing our mission, outreach, and social justice activities; a desire for more fellowship and
spiritual development opportunities; and improved facilities and play areas for our youth and
children. We have begun to have conversations and to implement plans in light of these results.
The list below highlights a few important activities in the last four months. Here are some of
our current and newer activities and programs:
• Coffee and Contemplation Gathering
• Women’s Homelessness Initiative Activity
• Offering for the Syrian Refugee Crisis
• Jefferson County Faith and Safety Summit
• Pastoral get-acquainted visits in homes of elderly and homebound members and friends
• Council approval to convene an Ad Hoc Committee to consider improvements for the
courtyard
I hope that in 2016 we can develop more opportunities for fellowship, outreach and spiritual
growth. We are at a time in society and history where churches like ours are needed
more than ever. As a progressive, positive, thoughtful, strong, compassionate church, WRCC
UCC provides a social voice that continues to remind us that relationships matter, healing can
happen, transformation is possible, forgiveness is necessary, resurrection is real, and God is
alive. I believe Wheat Ridge Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ is poised
to meet this call! As we grow spiritually, foster fellowship, and extend our compassionate
hearts and hands outward, we come alive in the empowering Spirit of Christ. Let us continue
to talk, stay centered in our relationship with God, and see what God is calling to be and do
as a church community. We are a congregation with much passion and commitment, and I look
forward to our shared ministry together.
— Claudia Schmitt, Sr. Pastor
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that
the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:7
Cranes
By Katsushika Hokusai
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW
MEMBERS!
• Karen Burron, 3235 Jay St., Wheat Ridge 80033,
303-232-4262
• Renate and Vic Westfall, 2669 So. Wadsworth Circle,
Lakewood 80227; RenateVic63@yahoo.com,
720-638-2505
• Carrie Martin and Jean Bareis, 948 Perry Street,
720-329-5239 (Carrie, cell), 720-988-7718 (Jean, cell).
Welcome back, you two!
• Ro Rains ♫♪ 2647 S. Wadsworth Way,
303-233-1514.
MISSION PROJECT REPORT AND UPDATE
On Oct. 24, WRCC UCC participated in the Women’s
Homelessness Initiative (WHI). This mission is hosted by 6th
Avenue UCC every other month on Saturday night through
6:15 a.m. Sunday. The WHI host church is responsible for
providing meals and a safe and caring place for homeless
women to spend the night. The program is facilitated in
cooperation with the St. Francis Center.
The St. Francis Outreach Program serves people who are
homeless and congregating on the 16th Street Mall and in
surrounding parks. The center does not provide overnight
shelter, so the women sign up for a lottery if they would like
to have a place to sleep for the evening. Only twenty slots are
available and as many as 70 to 80 women have been known to
sign up. The women whose names are selected are then
bussed to the participating church .
There were nine members from our church who
participated in setting up twenty cots and creating an
environment of hospitality. We made up the cots with sheets,
blankets, pillows, etc. These items are all stored and supplied
by 6th Avenue UCC. Our church members contributed such
items as nail files, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss,
chocolate, water, lotion, shampoo, and Chapstick and put
these items in a gift bag for each women. Jenna Williams and
her daughters created beautiful handmade cards and these
were left on the pillows.
Pax Christi Ecumenical Catholic Church prepared the food
for that night. They made a wonderful meal of gumbo, salad,
bread, and dessert.
I think we all had a meaningful time. I am already looking
forward to our next event which is tentatively scheduled for
December 12. There are many ways to participate in this
mission, and we will plan to set up the room again and deliver
gift bags. We are hoping we can prepare a meal for another
time (David said he would cook!), probably in February.
Thanks to everyone who helped! I encourage those who
aren’t sure about this to give it a try.
See you next time. — Rev. C
…for I was hungry and
you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink,
I was a stranger
and you welcomed me.
Matthew 25:35
Btw, please don’t forget to turn
in your pledge card and pay your
per capita dues. They dues are
$10.40 a person. Thank You!
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Events in November
Nov. 1: All Saints’ Day and Annual Meeting after church
Nov. 4: Coffee and Contemplation at 9 a.m.
Nov. 8: David preaching
Nov. 14: Deacons and Trustee meetings
Nov. 11: Coffee and Contemplation at 9 a.m.
Nov. 15: Communion after the benediction
Nov. 18: Coffee and Contemplation
Nov. 20-22: Women’s Retreat in Estes Park
Nov. 26 Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Nov. 29: First Sunday in Advent, Hanging of the Green, Soup Potluck and
burning of the previous years Palm Sunday ashes.
Anniversaries and Birthdays for November
Brandi Rail
8 Nov. Birthday
Tim Dyer
8 Nov. Birthday
Ron and Krista Williams
11 Nov. Anniversary
Kathie Curtis
19 Nov. Birthday
Karen Ugolini
20 Nov. Birthday
Claudia Schmitt
22 Nov. Birthday
Quintry Jeffares-Whitehead
26 Nov. Birthday
Offerings and Attendance
Oct 4:
Oct. 11:
Oct. 18:
Oct. 25:
$ 2,452.40
$ 1,233.00
$ 1,923.00
$ 1,438.60
OCT Total: $7,047.00
Average Attendance: 53
42
50
59
60
The church needs about $9,500 per
month to fund our operating expenses.
Halloween Gallery
We had a lot of very interesting visitors on
Sunday Oct. 25 and a very scary haunted house.
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Hello, Wheat Ridge UCCers! With October’s
arrival we are looking for some cooler
weather. Halloween is just around the corner!
Greetings to all from your Wheat Ridge church
mice! Squeak, squeak!
We recently had a wonderful visit with Jeanne
Gallagher. She is doing great and we saw some
really cute pictures of her grandkids. Joanne and
Rod Gustafson are traveling to Branson, Missouri,
just for fun. The Kenney Family recently enjoyed
a short trip to Glenwood Springs! Beautiful!
Kendall and Deb Johnson had a terrific trip to
France, but Kendall came home wearing a brace for
a broken bone in his lower leg. Also, Kendall and
Deb’s niece, Lindsey, has died after a long struggle
with cancer. We are so very sorry about that and
are thinking of Kendall and Deb. Jeri Mitchell’s
husband, Randy, had a close call in a car accident.
Randy wasn’t hurt, but his Suburban was totaled!
Yikes!
Sarah Parkinson has decided to double-major
in German and in Religion. Floy says that Sarah’s
German skills are very good! Right now in the
Religion Department Sarah is studying “the Problem
of Evil.” We bet that’s fascinating! Congrats, Sarah!
Marsha and Glen Stocking have had a bout
with the flu. Yech! We hope you both recover
quickly! We recently enjoyed a concert of the Mile
High Freedom Band, in which Fred Rollenhagen
is a trombonist. The music was excellent and the
program was very creative. Way to go, Fred!
Huge thanks to Sarah Parkinson and to
Antares and Quintry Jeffares-Whitehead for
their very creative work setting up our annual
Haunted House in the north rooms off the
Fellowship Hall. What a fright! Thanks also to
Jenna Williams, Jen Brozovich, Erika Kenney,
Floy Jeffares, and all others who helped so
wonderfully with our Halloween Party on Oct. 25.
And thanks always to Marilyn Olson, Charlotte
Rubenking, and Pam Cokins for their on-going
work keeping our tables decorated for the season.
It’s all so cool!
Claudia’s daughter, Fauve Johnson, completed
her first marathon. She ran the “Run with the
Marines Marathon” in five hours and 30 minutes.
Super neat! I’m afraid it would take this mouse 24
hours! Nancy Conner, our organist, had a
wonderful trip to Vienna, Austria, to celebrate
granddaughter Olivia’s second birthday. Nancy was
able to get bargain air fares because of her benefits
as a former flight attendant. We are so glad that she
had such a good time!
We extend sympathy to the family of Bob
Liska, who died right after his 90th birthday party
on Oct. 10. Services for Bob are planned for
December 4. Please pray for Pam Cokins’
beautiful five-year-old great
niece Abi. She has been in the
ICU at Children’s Hospital
Colorado for three weeks
and the doctors do not
know what is wrong with her.
We certainly will be praying for
her. Bonnie Allison also needs
our prayers. She is very sick.
She is a former Colorado senator and a very good
friend of Norma and Keith Daly.
We mice bid you farewell for now! Kindly leave any
cake crumbs or leftover Halloween candy on the
floor of the church kitchen. — the Mice
The Church Mouse is published monthly by the Wheat Ridge Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. The deadline for
copy is the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Articles may be handwritten or typed, but we prefer plain text sent via email to
wheatridgeucc@gmail.com. Articles must indicate the name of the writer and/or sender. Unsigned articles are written by the editor.
The church website is: www.wheatridgeucc.org . News and photos for the website should be sent to the same email address listed
above.
Sunday worship is at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School for children is held during morning worship beginning at approximately 10:20,
following the Time With Our Children in the sanctuary. Adult Education begins at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday. Office hours are 9:00 to
noon daily. Monday is the minister’s day off. The pastor may be reached at 303-238-6271 (office), 303-522-7016 (cell), or
wheatridgeucc@gmail.com .
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