Dear friends,

During political campaigns there is always a lot of debate about energy.  After that we don’t hear so much about the new policies that are being implemented. One party emphasizes the success of the US economy while the other talks more about the sustainability of the planet. One word I have mentioned a lot over the past five years or so in these writings has been the “energy” of the congregation: where it is concentrated, how it is created, how it is sustained.  We were concerned about the energy level of our small but vibrant Parkview family.  These concerns still pop up of course. One example is now that the energetic Donna has retired, how do we spread around the work of helping the bereaved in our Parkview family. The accumulated losses of the last year have weighed on the congregation. But, we didn’t have to think long before the Parkview Presbyterian Women stepped up and formed a rotating committee that would be in charge of memorial services.

We are also brimming with new energy: office manager Kris Sazaki, who always seems to be in motion and full of creative solutions, and our two residents Chelsea and Rola, who are fully engaged in our ministry. While we used to worry about the lack of energy before, we can now celebrate the energy we have at our disposal and talk about how to use it optimally.  The Planning Group under Jerry Champa’s leadership is now expanding its meetings to include a social element that will be well-suited to newcomers to the church. The PPC session just had its annual retreat, and everyone is on board on the formation of a new group for those in their twenties, thirties and forties (singles, couples and parents with children) as well as all who like to hang out with them (that means even I would be allowed!).  Rola and Chelsea are inviting you, your friends, and family. Please RSVP to outreach@parkviewpc.org for the first event: Happy Hour at the Kansha on Friday, March 2, 5:30-7:30 pm. There is no charge. We are asking for help from volunteers with background checks to watch the children who will be present.

With the word new energy we have found also comes the word policy. As we innovate and find new points of connection with each other, with visitors and the community around us in our constantly changing California society, we need to form new policies. As our residents come into daily contact with our community, we become more aware of the special physical, emotional, and financial needs of those around us.  For example, we are organizing an educational event around sake, spearheaded by Russ Hart, that includes sake tasting. We need to streamline our legal thinking about the implications of serving alcohol during our events. The 2010 20+ page safety policy for minors,  which includes a section on background checks for Sunday school teachers, is already being updated.  We will be working on these and other policies and, where necessary, consult you as a congregation, because I have learned over the years that whenever we innovate (like with the residency program) we must make sure we have your complete buy-in.

In the meantime, let us know your thoughts on our church’s “energy policy.” More important, as we innovate, we will need volunteers for established and new programs. So let us know, when it comes to Parkview, what you are willing to do for us. In other words, think about your personal “energy policy.” May God bless our ministry.

See you in church! Aart