Doug Davidson

Pictures: June 14, 2015

June 14, 2015
We bid fond farewell to Douglas Davidson in worship and at Cook-out in appreciation of his service to us. We wish him well in his new position!

(Photos by Jin Chin)

Youth Sunday 2015 Photos

Pictures from the Youth Sunday Worship, June 7, 2015

We bid farewell and Godspeed to Doug Davidson this Sunday. Doug came to us as an ABSW intern in September of 2013 and has served this past year as our Minister of Children, Youth and Families. We are very grateful for the gifts of compassion and ministry that Doug has brought to our congregation. I first met Doug as a college student in 1989 and have valued his friendship and support ever since.

Now that he has completed his work at ABSW, Doug will be expanding his hours managing communications for the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Doug is an excellent editor and gifted writer, so the GTU is blessed to have him share these particular skills with them. Still, we will miss him and wish him well as he travels on. If you have not had the chance to contribute to our “love gift” for Doug, contact Jane Chin, Carolyn Shepard or myself. We want to show our appreciation in a tangible way.

Not incidentally, thanks to Doug and our children and youth for an excellent “Youth Sunday.” I believe we were all moved by the skill and maturity with which they conducted worship. Special thanks to Clara Ramirez for her thoughtful reflection (see below,) to Daniel Ha for his beautiful music and to our college returnee, Oscar Ramirez, for his “Word with Adults”. Every young person was a graceful and willing participant. And thanks to Doug for a timely and meaningful “Reflection on the Word.”

As we journey on, this Sunday’s focus is on the love of God and our love for God. John teaches us that God is love. If this is so, to be rooted and grounded in love, as Paul encourages the Ephesians, is to be rooted and grounded in God. I have long argued that this is the real source of power in the world. More than might or control or fame or fortune, it’s “love that makes the world grow round.” To know this is to know God.

Plan to stay afterwards for a cook-out on the patio to express our appreciation for Doug and his work. Everyone is welcome. See you Sunday at 10:00 AM.

May we continue to grow together as God’s people.

Pastor Rick

Youth Sunday

This coming Sunday is Youth Sunday at FBCPA. Doug and our children and youth have been working on a wonderful service in the spirit of Pentecost. The theme is “Alive in the Spirit: Dreams and Visions. Doug will be preaching, Clara Ramirez, graduating from high school will offer a reflection and we will celebrate Communion. This is a great opportunity for us to support our remarkable children and youth as well as Doug Davidson and Elizabeth Ramirez who work with them faithfully. We will also recognize those who are making transitions from one level of education to another.

Though it appears we will not be giving a scholarship this year, I still encourage you to give as generously as you can to the special offering for the Granholm Scholarship Fund. Building up that fund so that we have resources to give scholarship as needed in the future is very important. Thanks to Laura Garcia who has made a generous donation to the fund in memory of her sister, Janice.

If anyone is interested in going with me to the PCBA Spring Conference in Alameda please let me know as soon as possible. I will also give a plug for The Choral Project Concert in our Sanctuary Friday night at 8:00 PM. I think you will find the music will be moving and fun. Remember children and youth can come free if they obtain passes.

In Adult Spiritual Formation, we continue with the series, “Painting the Stars: Science, Religion and an Evolving Earth.” The videos are challenging and informative and our discussions have been spirited as usual. This week we will look at an “Evolutionary Christianity” as we consider what it means for us a followers of Christ to live into an “evolutionary paradigm” rather than a static one in terms of how we see and understand the world.

Please plan to be here by 10:00 AM for worship and Sunday School, followed by Adult Spiritual Formation.

May we continue to grow together as God’s people.

Pastor Rick

April Mission Offering: ABSW (5/13/15)

Special Mission Offering for April goes to support scholarship aid at the American Baptist Seminary of the West. ABSW has been a charter member of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) since 1962. ABSW, founded in 1871, is the center of American Baptist ecumenical theological education in the far western United States. The seminary is affiliated denominationally with ABC-USA and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. ABSW admits students from a variety of denominational traditions. ABSW is described as Multi-Cultural, Multi-Ethnic, Evangelical, and Ecumenical.

Our church has many connections with ABSW: Our Minister of Faith Formation and Family Life, Doug Davidson, is a student and his wife, Jennifer Davidson, is Assistant Professor of Worship and Theology. Our pastor is a graduate of ABSW, as are Dona Smith Powers and Lynn Hunwick. Pastor Rick is currently teaching there in sabbatical coverage in pastoral care and counseling.

To date, we have received $1154 towards our goal of $750.

April Mission Offering: ABSW (5/6/15)

To date, we have received $1104 towards our goal of $750.

April Mission Offering: ABSW (4/29/15)

To date, we have received $965 towards our goal of $750.

April Mission Offering: ABSW (4/15/15)

To date, we have received $325 towards our goal of $750.

April Mission Offering: ABSW (4/8/15)

To date, we have received $260 towards our goal of $750.

Special Offering April 2015: ABSW

The American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW) was founded in 1871 and is the center of American Baptist ecumenical theological education in the far western United States. ABSW is a charter member of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) since 1962. The seminary is affiliated denominationally with ABC USA and the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and admits students from a variety of denominational traditions. ABSW is described on Twitter as Multi-Cultural, Multi-Ethnic, Evangelical, and Ecumenical.

Hobart Hall, the heart of ABSW’s campus, is a four-story brick Tudor Revival building and was designed by one of California’s most famous architects, Julia Morgan. Dedicated in 1921, ABSW is a California state landmark.

ABSW offers its students resources through the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), the largest partnership of seminaries and graduate schools in the United States. ABSW students may take classes at 9 other GTU seminaries, and have access to one of the finest theological libraries in the world, a faculty of distinguished scholars, and the resources of UC Berkeley. Through the GTU, students can pursue ABSW degrees as well as Ph.D., Th.D., and M.A., and two joint Ph.D. programs with UC Berkeley.

Paul M. Martin is President/CEO and Professor of Pastoral Theology and Michelle Holmes is Vice President/CFO . Many of us remember LeAnn Snow Flesher, Academic Dean and Old Testament Professor, from her visits to FBCPA. We all remember Tripp Hudgins, now Director of Admissions.
Our church has had many connections with ABSW: Our Minister for Children, Youth & Families, Doug Davidson, is a student at ABSW and his wife, Jennifer Davidson, is Assistant Professor of Worship and Theology. Our pastor is a graduate of ABSW, as are Dona Smith Powers and Lynn Hunwick.

The 144th ABSW commencement ceremony will take place on May 16, 2015, 2:00 PM, at Beth Eden Baptist Church in Oakland. The speaker is Bishop Warner Brown Jr., Bishop of the California-Nevada Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. At last year’s ABSW Commencement, Congresswoman Barbara Lee was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Laws.

Our goal of $750 for the April Mission Offering for scholarships will be matched by the ABC Home Mission Society. We encourage you to give generously to continue FBCPA’s longstanding history of support to students at ABSW.

Marilyn and Lynn Hunwick

Tag: Doug Davidson