The ROCK Ironwood Avenue, P.O. Box 537 Morro Bay CA Phone: (805) Rev. Richard Kurrasch, Pastor

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1 The ROCK HE ALONE IS MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION, I SHALL NEVER BE SHAKEN PS 62:2 June, 2018 Volume 53 - Number Ironwood Avenue, P.O. Box 537 Morro Bay CA Phone: (805) Web Site morrobayfcc@gmail.com Rev. Richard Kurrasch, Pastor

2 From the Pastor s Study First Christian Church, Morro Bay June, 2018 As traveler s approach Morro Bay on Highway 1, a large billboard shared by two local businesses provides a moment of comic relief as well as a subtle warning of sorts. On one side, McDonalds proudly displays its beverages (which in turn, of course, suggest hamburgers and fries and maybe a chocolate shake for good measure); on the other side, Urgent Care announces its presence in the community should the need arise. Incidentally, but not necessarily coincidentally, the former is located at 780 Quintana Rd., the latter at 783 Quintana. I notice this billboard on my twice-weekly drives to Morro Bay and each time cannot help but wonder if the paring was by design or happenstance. Maybe each could only afford half a billboard and so joined forces to economize. Or maybe a salesperson, bored on a Monday morning, decided the community needed a little humor and so sold half to each without mentioning the partnership being formed. I tend toward the latter, but then that s just me. A little droll, perhaps, but I get a kick out of it anyway as well as a reminder of Mark Twain s famous quip that the only way to keep your health is to eat what you don t want, drink what you don t like, and do what you d rather not (this as I have just enjoyed a midmorning snack of potato chips). Well, we say, all things in moderation, and maybe so, but we are drawn to bright shiny objects and if fast food is indicative of the sort of distractions that do capture our attention, we regularly run the risk of reaching the tipping point where the momentary distraction becomes a more serious threat to our wellbeing generally. Paul illustrates the point perfectly in his lament that he does not do the good he wants but quite the opposite, that he may have the right and the good in mind when he starts out but he ends up having missed the goal by a wide margin (Romans ). What s not necessarily good for persons may not be good for the environment, either. Hamburgers offer a case in point, for the amount of space, water, and grain and other food it takes to get a pound of hamburger to the grocery story leaves an unsustainable carbon and greenhouse gas footprint on the planet. Urgent Care reminds us to think about the connection between what we put in our bodies and our wellbeing, lest too much of the one finds us one day in need of the other, but we also are learning that our bodies and the planet and all manner of living things in between are interconnected and need our urgent care as well. When it comes to the planet no less that our own selves, may Paul s lament not determine the outcome but rather spur our resolve to win the battle. God s shalom to all, Rich

3 Earth Care Ministry Report - June, 2018 By Ruth Ann Angus, - Director, Earth Care Ministry Collaboration and Project Focus As our Earth Care Ministry evolves we reach out to other groups that are looking for collaboration. This past month I attended a preview showing of some of the films slated for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival that Central Coast State Parks Association will hold in late September. Myself and five other people involved in the environmental community viewed seven short documentaries and then rated them. overall, the films were informative, educational, entertaining and filmed well. Central Coast State Parks has expressed interest in collaborating on educational projects with our Earth Care Ministry and we are meeting together to discuss what types of events and projects we can work on together. On June 3 rd we will present the second film in our environmental film series entitled The 11 th Hour a documentary produced by actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is closed captioned and will show in the parish hall at 2 P.M. Our Peace Ministry brought together eight people who signed on to take the 12-session workshop series entitled Engage-Exploring Nonviolent Living produced by Pace e Bene/Campaign Nonviolence. Part One of the series, Exploring Nonviolent Power, involved five separate sessions some of which entailed role playing. Unbeknownst to me some of the group had amazing performance talent! We ended on high and will reconvene in July for Part Two, Structural Violence and Nonviolent Power. As a start to some collaborating and support of our local agricultural community I signed the Earth Care Ministry up with the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs supporting the Principles for a Faithful Farm Bill that states that we stand for: Protecting and strengthening programs that reduce hunger and improve nutrition in the United States. Promoting investments and policies that strengthen rural communities and combat rural poverty. Providing a fair and effective farm safety net that allows farmers and producers in the U. S. and around the world to earn economically sustainable livelihoods. Strengthening policies and programs that promote conservation and protect our natural resources from environmental degradation. Protecting the dignity, health, and safety of those responsible for working the land. Promoting research related to alternative, clean, and renewable forms of energy that do not negatively impact food prices or the environment. Safeguarding and improving international food aid in ways that encourage local food security and improve the nutritional quality of food aid. The Farm Bill did not get passed by Congress and programs such as SNAP that were in jeopardy remain protected for the time being, but this bill will come up again, so our interests and expectations will be promoted by this organization so that a Farm Bill will include programs to reduce hunger and poverty and encourage sustainable stewardship of our resources.

4 Birthdays Anniversaries Nancy Hoyt 9 Marjorie Berg 10 Jean Johnson 21 PRAYERS FOR: Earth Care Ministries HEALING PRAYERS FOR: Richard Woods Jean Johnson Ruth Ann Angus Jim Johnson Wilda Byng Izabel Stuart Phyllis Balsano Marilyn Dever Kris Davis Carol (Betty R. sister) Joan (Sister of Pat) Military of Our Church Josh Bigbee Nathan McAdams Traveler s Rich Elliott Refugees Kay s Sunday School Class Peace in the World Growth for our Church Opportunities to Share Our Faith Victims of Gun Violence

5 Pulpit Exchange June 10 Rev. Richard Kurrasch and Jason Sisk-Provencio of United Church of Christ of SLO will take part in a Pulpit Exchange on June 10. Pastor Jason Sisk-Provencio will participate in our service and deliver the Sermon, and Rev. Richard Kurrasch will do the same at the UCC Church Church Board Report Next Board Meeting is June 24 th. No meeting on Father s Day. Prayer Group Everyone is welcome to join us at 9:30 every Wednesday. We pray together for worldly and personal concerns. Please let us know if you have a prayer request. CRAFTS CWF is planning the following: June 27 CWF Tea Party (all invited) Oct. 27 Craft and Jewelry Sale Thank you to those who donated to the Blanket Fund where we raised over $300. The May 5 th Jewelry Sale earned $1300+

6 2018 June 3 June 3 June 10 June 27 July 22 Oct. 27 Earth Care Worship Service 11am Film Series: The Eleventh Hour 2pm Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio Pulpit Exchange CWF Tea Party (all invited) Earth Care Film 2 pm CWF Craft & Jewelry Sale Food Donations Needed at Church Reminder Food donations are taken the first Sunday of each month for the Salvation Army SIGN-UP to Host the Fellowship Hour The church supplies cheese, crackers & cookies with coffee and juice. All you need to do is make the coffee, set out the food and clean-up. Donations are needed to pay for the Fellowship Hours. Thank you to those who have donated.

7 People of Faith for Justice hopes you can join us for this special event!!

8 June, 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Earth Care Sunday & Film Birthday Sunday Food Collection Prayer 9:30 am Crafts 10 am Pulpit Exchange Prayer 9:30 am Crafts 10 am Flag Day Father s Day Prayer 9:30 am Crafts 10 am Elders Mtg. 2 pm Summer Begins Board Mtg. Prayer 9:30 am CWF Tea Party 11 am Choir Rehearsal 3 pm Full Moon

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