Several weeks ago there was a controversy over videos showing the inhumane treatment of ill cattle at a butchering facility in Chino.  The videos led to a massive recall of beef.  As I've been doing interfaith meals over the last two years, I've become more aware of the use of kosher meat in the Jewish tradition and hallal meat in the Islamic tradition -- two practices that have much in common. Underlying these traditions is that the animals possess life given by God and if they are to be slaughtered, it should be done in the most humane way possible.  It occurred to me

Our Fall Session of LIFT (Living in Faith Together) has come to a conclusion, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped make it possible!

 Children's Teachers: Curtis and Lorraine Crotzer

Chefs: Bill and Joyce Berger

Kitchen Crew: Carol Gessert, Etholine Newcomer, Bertie Eby, and Lois Johnson

Groceries: Gretchen Zee

Table Decorations: Marj Friestad

Dessert Bakers: Chuck Roth and the Vickers, Libera, and Fry Families

Treasurer: Rondi Fry

Linens: Karen Allin

 Thank you for so enthusiastically serving

As I mentioned in my DC letter, I recently finished "Head and Heart" by Gary Willis. Willis has written often on American history and won a Pulitzer for his book on Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.  In this book he traces the history of the influence of religion on America as a back and forth movement between evangelical fervor and "enlightenment" thought, i.e., a view that seeks to be highly rational, emphasizing tolearance of various opinions.  So, for example, the revolutionary period followed a time of a religious revivalism known as the "Great Awakening

Trip to Washington, D.C. – October 17, 2007

In September, I received an invitation from Lois Capps, to attend a “Central Coast Faith Leaders Day on the Hill.”  I was one of twenty faith leaders (Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish, including four African-Americans) from Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties invited to be part of a day-long series of conversations between us and representatives of Congress exploring the role of faith and politics in approaching issues such as the environment, social justice, and peace and pluralism at home and abroad.

Rehearsal Dates for the Children's Christmas Pageant are: December 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, and 23^rd (Sundays at 11:00am in the Sanctuary), and a Sunday, December 23^rd Dress Rehearsal in the evening. The Pageant will be presented on Christmas Eve.

All Preschoolers will now meet with the Kindergarten through 2^nd grade class in Room 3.

Your Sunday School teachers are:

1. PreK-2^nd Grade Class (Room 3): LuAnn Miller, Betty Kilb, Chris Grant, and Lorraine Crotzer.
2. 3^rd-5^th Grade Class (Room 4): Craig Fry, Marilyn Gross, Mary Ribet, and Janice Graybill.

Operation Christmas Child boxes are due back to the church by Wednesday, November 14^th. Please remember to use a standard size shoe box, include $7 per box for shipping, and include a personal note to the child if able. Thanks so much for participating in our Fall mission project! Children around the world will be greatly blessed.

We really hope you'll join us for the last session of LIFT for the Fall (Nov. 14^th at 5:30pm)-even if it's for the first time! The food, friends, fun, and great Bible studies can't be beat!

GPC continues to do many things to serve Christ, from nurturing children and youth to creating intergenerational worship services to building houses in Mexico and bakeries in Ghana. This work grows out of our faith and the sharing of our personal spiritual gifts. It is made possible by the funds we all contribute to the church week-by-week and month-by-month.

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