The Clarendon Connection
August 2008
www.clarendonhillchurch.org
New Face at Clarendon Hill Presbyterian: Kelsey Rice Bogdan
If you’ve been in the Sunday School room lately, you may have noticed some new
furniture off in the corner. Clarendon Hill has another intern… sort of. I’m Kelsey Rice Bogdan,
third year Harvard Divinity School student and project coordinator for the New England
Presbyterian Campus Initiative (NEPCI). I am working here full-time during the week this
summer, and will continue working here during the academic year as a field education student.
Since August 17 marks Higher Education Sunday in the Presbyterian calendar, I wanted to
introduce myself and invite you to participate as a congregation in the work I’ll be doing from
this little corner of the church basement.
NEPCI is the outcome of a grant proposal written to New England’s
presbyteries last fall by Clarendon Hill’s own Karl Gustafson and Gusti
Newquist. NEPCI seeks to investigate the current state of campus
ministries throughout New England, engage in ecumenical
conversations around what others are doing in the region, and
work toward a common mission statement and strategy in the
future. That’s a lot for one project to tackle! But even more
than these nuts and bolts that make up my day-to-day job, I
hope that this project will get all of us—people like you here
at Clarendon Hill, campus ministry practitioners,
denominational support people—talking about campus ministry
with a renewed sense of the possibilities. We have more than 200
accredited colleges and universities in New England, including
community colleges, private liberal arts colleges, public universities,
and for-
profit institutions. More than 45 of those colleges are in the Boston area
alone, and
one, Tufts, is literally right next door to us! Students on these campuses
may be less
“religious” in the conventional sense, but they’re interested in spirituality,
justice and reconciliation, and the progressive faith alternatives that congregations like Clarendon
Hill have to offer. Although I have no easy answers to the challenges at this stage in my work, I
have already seen how much growth is possible through engagement with campus ministries—
not only growth in college communities, but growth for congregations and individuals who are
called to take this journey. I hope some of you, or all of you, at Clarendon Hill will join me on the
path.
I’m looking forward to meeting
more of you as my work continues . If
you have questions or just want to share
your thoughts, please feel free to contact
me! You can reach me at
NEPCI.Coordinator@gmail.com
, at
(617) 625-4824, or grab me on Higher
Education Sunday, August 17, at
church. I would love to hear your
thoughts and ideas!
Introduction to Yoga
Come join our small, half-hour class after coffee
hour (Sunday, August 10 & 24) to practice mindful
breathing and gentle yoga postures. Great for stress
release, improved flexibility and strength. If
interested, please email Liz at
cavatorta1@hotmail.com.
Presbyterianism:
Past, Present and Future
Join this discussion group to learn about
Presbyterianism and how it is evolving and
changing. We will meet at 7 p.m. on August 5 & 12.
All are welcome to attend!
Equal Exchange Coffee
Katherine will take the Equal Exchange coffee order
on Sunday, August 3, for delivery on August 10.
Equal Exchange sent a notice which indicates that
due to higher organic coffee expenses and other
rising costs, the average price of coffee will go up 45
cents per pound as of August 1. See p. 5 for more.
So You Think You Can Teach?
Sunday School begins in September. CHPC
rotates teachers, with each volunteer teaching for
a month. The Logos multi-age curriculum is user
friendly. Please consider signing up for a month
or more. Contact Karl if you are interested
(pastork@clarendonhillchurch.org), or sign up
on the sheet posted on the bulletin board.
Dates at a Glance
August 3
Coffee Orders
August 5
Presbyterianism Discussion
August 6
Writing Group
Session Meeting, 7 p.m.
August 10
Coffee Delivery
Yoga
August 12
Presbyterianism Discussion
August 17
Higher Education Sunday
August 24
Yoga
August 27
Writing Group
Somerville Early Head Start
We are accepting donations for Somerville
Early Head Start. Items most needed include:
crackers
cereal
macaroni
canned black beans
rice in boxes (rather than plastic bags)
baby formula
diapers
peanut butter
Thank you in advance for your donations!
Writing Group
The writing group will meet on Wednesday, August
6 & 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Green Room. Please join
us!! We will begin with a group check-in, move
through 1-2 writing exercises, share as we feel
moved, and finish with a group check-out. We are
open to everyone, regardless of previous writing
experience, and will tailor each session to the
needs and interests of those who attend. Contact
Rachel, reichiru@gmail.com, for more details.
Clarendon Happenings
Clarendon Hill’s Facebook Account
Missing Clarendon Hillers halfway through the
week? Want to make church friends digital friends?
Clarendon Hill has a new facebook account at
http://groups.to/clarendonhill/
For more information about how to set up a
Facebook account, contact Rachel at
reichiru@gmail.com. Come join us!
Sunday Worship at Clarendon Hill
SUMMER SCHEDULE
9:15 a.m.
Choir rehearsal
10:00 a.m.
Worship*
11:00 a.m.
Refreshments and fellowship
*Worship will begin at 10 a.m. until August
31. Children’s Education and the regular
worship schedule will resume in September.
Pastor Karl on Vacation
Karl will be away from August 20-31. If you have
pastoral needs during this time, contact Rod
MacDonald, 781-272-9190; or Elliot Hipp,
781-630-3728.
www.artsomerville.org
the nave gallery
Jason Anderson, Strand of Oaks, and Gregg Porter
8 August 2008, 8 p.m., $5
An evening of intimate, uplifting music in a truly beautiful
space. Three friends, bandmates and kindred songwriters
play their hearts out on this very special Friday night.
Yael Bat-Shimon
Sunday, 24 August 2008 at 3 p.m.
www.myspace.com/yaelbatshimon
Yael was a big hit at the Somerville Open Studios Music Fest on May 4th. Her performance
on August 24 will include guest artists.
Yael Bat-Shimon studied violin solo performance in Paris with Mme Miriam Solovieff. She received her BA from
Harvard in Literature, specializing in French Feminisms. Yael pursued graduate study in violin performance and
contemporary improvisation at the Peabody Institute of Music in Baltimore and at the New England Conservatory
in Boston. She also holds an MA in Jewish Studies from Hebrew College. Most recently, she has been creating and
performing music for choreographers of modern dance as well as exploring improvisation both with musicians
from non-Western traditions and with performers from different artistic media.
The Secret Knowledge of Water
July 18-August 17, 2008
Curated by Karl Gustafson
Artists: Moira Barrett, Ellie Brenner, Matt Carrano, Heather Classen, Stan Czesniuk, Christine
Destrempes, Angela Devenney, Gary Duehr, Ruth Hamill, Liz Johnson, Shelley Loheed, Denyse
Murphy, Greg O’Brien, Dan Osterman, Kathleen Rugh, Cathy Schaefer, Jane Sherrill, Laura
Torres, Emile Tubenfeld
Five Knaves at the Nave
2 august 2008, 7 p.m.
Five musicians from across the Northern Hemi-
sphere will gather to perform an evening of
musical exploration and improvisation.
Chinapainting: www.chinapaintingmusic.com
Comprised of Daryl Shawn (Oaxaca, Mexico) and Jim Goodin (Brooklyn, NY). Goodin and Shawn collaborated online
and by the Spring of 2007, had released two CDs. That August, they met in person for the first time and played
several East Coast venues. They continue to work together online and this appearance in Boston is part of an ex-
tended tour for 2008.
Tim Nelson: www.myspace.com/nimbletunes
Multi-instrumentalist Tim Nelson (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) is another looper who cites eclectic influences ranging from
Robert Rich, Terje Rypdal, Brian Eno and Steve Tibbets to his daughter Chloe, Gyorgy Ligeti, Edgar Varese, Arvo Part,
and John Coltrane, to name but a few of the many.
Dennis Moser: www.sonicbids.com/usrsbin2
A Massachusetts newcomer, Dennis Moser, aka "usr/sbin", aka "AldoManutio Abruzzo", is proof that Texas is a
cultural nation unto itself and capable of many surprises. Growing up on the Gulf Coast, studying trombone, classical
guitar, and Renaissance lute, he is the epitome of a non-typical Texas musican.
Rob Byrd: www.robbyrd.com
Rob Byrd has an army, right here in Somerville, MA ... For many years guitar player Rob Byrd has been performing
improvised ambient music in a wide variety of settings from the legendary CBGB’s in New York City to the Burning
Man festival in the Nevada desert.
scripture
focus on mission
coffee hour
nursery
August 3
C. Milanesi
H. Rantisi
Gustafson/Cavano
N. Jirmanus
August 10
E. Sweeny
R. Liberace
Donovan
A. Chapman-Adisho
August 17
R. Winchester
S. Donovan
Schemerhorn
K. Gustafson
August 24
M. Jirmanus
M. Reynolds
Siggers
E. Schemerhorn
August 31
P. Beran
J. Auger
Jirmanus
V. Donovan
Sept. 7
A. Kwaa
K. Graf
Augers
N. Jirmanus
Sept.14
P. Auger
S. Lebbos
Milanesi/Kumpa
K. Gustafson
Sept. 21
H. Rantisi
J. Bray
Camelio/Braga
V. Donovan
Sept. 28
L. Cavano
P. Beran
Reynolds/Graf
E. Schemerhorn
If you would like to be added to the rotation for any of these opportunities, please contact Ann Crews
Melton, anncrews@gmail.com or 617.646.9690.
The Clarendon Connection is edited by Ann Crews Melton. Articles for the September issue are requested
by August 25. Email Ann at anncrews@gmail.com with news, photos, tidbits, corrections or suggestions.
August 2008
August 3
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
August 10
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
August 17
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133:1-3
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
August 24
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124:1-8
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
August 31
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Church Assignments
A Call for Nursery Volunteers
Why have a church nursery?
To ensure that CHPC is an inviting place to all,
including families with young children.
What is involved? On your assigned Sunday:
--Arrive at church 5 to 10 minutes early;
--Greet families with small children as they come
in, telling them that a church nursery is available
and that you will be happy to accompany them to
the nursery at any time during the service;
--Take care of the children during worship time.
Books, toys, and drawing materials are available in
the newly painted room;
--If you can’t make your assigned Sunday, change
with someone else on the list.
The need: Only a few are currently sharing the
duty, which means they are missing the
opportunity to be in worship several times a
month. The more that sign up for this shared
responsibility, the fewer times per year each is on
duty.
Benefits: It is a great way to get to know the
youngest members of our congregation and make
them (and their families) feel welcome, not to
mention just having a lot of fun.
If you are uncomfortable volunteering alone, sign
up with a partner and share the joy of playing
with young ones for an hour or less! Contact Ann
to volunteer, anncrews@gmail.com.
Lectionary Readings
September 2008
September 7
Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 149:1-9
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
September 14
Exodus 14:19-31
Psalm 114:1-8 or
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35
September 21
Exodus 16:2-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16
September 28
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32
155 Powder House Blvd.
West Somerville, MA 02144-1613
tel: 617-625-4823
www.clarendonhillchurch.org
Rev. Karl Gustafson, Minister Augustus Kwaa, Parish Associate/Evangelist John Adams, Music Director Arnie James, Sexton
Price Increases Mean Higher Prices for Farmer Co-operatives
by Anna Utech, www.equalexchange.com
Due to higher organic coffee and cocoa prices and other rising costs,
Equal Exchange needs to increase coffee, chocolate and cocoa prices.
The new prices will be effective August 1, 2008. Higher Prices for
farmer co-operatives are the main reason for our price increases. We
should all be proud of having created a new and expanding market
for fairly traded organic coffee and cocoa beans. At times demand
outstrips supply. This increasing demand, coupled with speculators
moving their money from stocks and banking to commodities, causes
higher prices. Currently Equal Exchange is paying well above the
commodities market and Fair Trade minimum prices for most of our
coffee.
In addition, increased fuel costs have led to higher costs for Equal Exchange, from shipping coffee,
tea and cocoa to the U.S., to delivering finished product to customers. The falling value of the U.S.
dollar abroad also affects Equal Exchange and our farmer partners. Coffee and cocoa are traded in
U.S. dollars, so our farmer partners urgently need higher prices to cover costs. And as our cocoa and
chocolate are manufactured in Canada and Switzerland, respectively, the U.S. dollar pays for less
than in years past. Although costs are rising, Equal Exchange is glad to support our farmer partners
with higher prices.
Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church participates in Equal Exchange’s interfaith program through the
Presbyterian Coffee Project. For more details about how to order, see page 2.