Church News – Weekly Scripture Reading

Getting to Know You: Pat Morales

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

Pat’s family has lived for six generations in Watsonville. Her ancestors—the  Chumash and the Salinan people—have lived a thousand years along the Central Coast of California. When the Europeans first arrived, the Spanish immediately enslaved these ancient people to build their churches and farm the land that had once belonged to them. When the Americans took over, their first governor, Peter Burnett, declared a war of extermination (genocide) on these Native American people. Some of them survived by hiding in plain sight. They took Spanish surnames and thus became invisible to their American conquerors. A Native American with roots along California’s Central Coast going back at least 13,000 years should make us consider Pat a national treasure.

Pat’s grandmother was born in Watsonville in 1892 and her mother was born in Aptos in 1915.

Born and raised in Watsonville, Pat managed to evade my question about her birthdate.

Pat’s dad Anthony Espinoza died when Pat was only seven years old. Only faint memories remain. She does remember going into the woods with him where he cut firewood to sell as a source of extra income. She has a photo of herself as a small child sitting on a log watching her daddy saw and split the firewood. Her mother Agnes evoked strong and emotional memories revolving around the work ethic and independent spirit she taught her children. She lived to be 102. When she passed she left instructions to sing Frank Sinatra’s, “I Did It My Way.”

When I asked for a favorite mother memory, Pat smiled and said, “I remember as a teenager standing over the ironing board crying because I had to iron when I wanted to run around with my girl friends.”

At age 15 ½ Pat went to work for National Dollar store advancing from clerk to bookkeeper in ten years. From there she worked ten years in a bank, and then there was a coffee shop just down the street from Big Red, and today a thrift store just across the street. It is more than obvious that Mother Agnes passed on that powerful work ethic.

Married twice and twice widowed, Pat is the mother of two, the grandmother of seven and the great-grandmother of seven. And so the progeny of a people who have lived and prospered along the Pacific coast of California for thousands of years carries on for more generations.

When I sat down with Pat I had a notion to separate what she does as a member “from the pew” from her work as the staff Caretaker. As we talked it became obvious that the two have merged. She has a part-time job and a full-time labor of love. She said, “Sometimes I complete my chores, go to bed, and fall asleep. Around 2 or 3 a.m. I awake with a start. Did I lock that front gate? I assure myself, yes, and try to go back to sleep. It is then that my mother’s words  urgently come to mind that a job worth doing is worth doing right. I get up, get dressed, and go check that gate.”  

When Pat came to Big Red Church twelve years ago, they embraced her and she embraced them. She carries in her heart of hearts a fierce protective love for the Big Red Church. This reporter takes great comfort in realizing that while I am sleeping she is very likely walking the darkened corridors and across that midnight campus to make sure the gates are locked, the lights are off, and the alarm is on.

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.

Beating the Bounds

By Pastor Raygan

Of the many ways I could jump into this work at Big Red, I want to start with relationships. All of the work of the church is grounded in relationships. In many English, Irish, and Scottish parishes, there is an annual tradition known as “Beating the Bounds,” though it has other names as well. In this centuries-old custom, on “Beating the Bounds” Sunday, the minister and congregation walk the boundaries of the Parish. Walking the boundaries helped them reinforce the boundaries of the parish, even if they had to walk through people’s yards and farms, and wade through rivers and other obstacles to do so. One church in Oxford still carries on this practice today, even though they have to go through restaurant kitchens, department store shoe displays, and several locked gates and people’s private property in order to do so. This odd practice helped the church pass down their knowledge and traditions to younger generations, and reminded them of the specific set of space that they were called to serve.

I am excited to finally be here at First Congregational, and to join you in the work of doing creative and transformative ministry in our community, but I’m also aware I’m starting 135 years into the Big Red Church’s story. So, I have a bit of getting up to speed to do; much like merging onto a freeway where traffic is already moving a bit above the speed limit.

Now, at Big Red, our boundaries aren’t so neatly defined, which has its benefits and complexities, but that doesn’t make the work of becoming acquainted with our community any less important. Rather than parish boundaries, we have people. So as I get started and get up to speed with you all, a better way of showing me the community we’ve all been called to serve will be actually meeting with as many of you as possible. I know I will gradually get to know many of you through the many ways you are involved at Big Red, but I’d also like the chance to get to know you at an individual or small group level, too. I want to meet with all of you; longtime members, new members, associate members, visitors, friends, and whatever other categories of involvement you may have with Big Red. I could not be more excited to be here because I see great potential and many exciting things in the Big Red Church, and I want the work we do to be grounded in our connections with each other.

To schedule these meetings and gatherings in a way that simplifies the logistics for me, I’ve set up this online schedule with the times I am making myself available over the next couple of months, and where you can sign up: http://bit.ly/meetraygan

If none of the available or proposed times work for you, or you prefer not to use the computer or Internet, we can find something that will work if you call me at the church office.

I’m looking forward to meeting, working, and serving with you all.

Pastor Raygan

Getting to Know You: Ruth Gadebusch

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

On a recent Wednesday, my friend Gayle and I had lunch with Ruth. I thought I knew this delightful Southern lady. The truth is my knowledge of this spunky, charming Christian woman was skimpy at best. When I first came to Big Red Church, Ruth was the moderator. I was impressed. I loved the confident way she handled herself with the congregation. I found the hint of her Southern heritage in her accent delectable. I was, however, most impacted by her hats and affectionately refer to her as the hat lady. These beautiful hats are sometimes handcrafted and decorated to coordinate with the outfits that this seamstress extraordinaire creates from the fabric she loves. While some women might hang out in bars, Ruth says she prefers to “hang out” in fabric stores.

Born in rural Georgia on a farm six miles from the nearest town, Ruth was the oldest of four siblings—two girls and two boys. At a very young age she noticed that at harvest time she and her sisters worked in the kitchen for no pay, while her brothers working in the fields were paid for their labor. This struck her as profoundly unfair and I suspect was the seed of her activism and progressive stance in all things social and religious.

In San Francisco where she was serving as a commissioned officer in the Navy, she met Rolf at a dance. Three months later they were married in a union that lasted 58 years. They were blessed with three children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren with one on the way. As so often happens, my interview became less interview and more conversational. She volunteered a touching account of Rolf’s last days when on the way to the hospital that last time it never crossed her mind that Rolf would not be coming home again.

I asked what lesson she gained from her time in the big City. Her reply was, “The world is a big place and we are all different. My perspective changed. I let my children live their own lives and I am not too concerned about the details of religion.”

We conversed about Fresno. Such a storehouse of memories!  Ruth lives in the Bullard/West area, and when she moved there it was rural. Her kids could walk to school. She is an activist and often writes about politics and the things that divide us like city, county islands, and the economic islands that keep us separated. And along the way she served as a board member of the Fresno Unified School District

Coming from a different faith tradition, I found Ruth a fountain of knowledge about the function and structure of the Big Red Church. This time spent conversing together one-on-one allowed Ruth to engage in a teaching moment with an eager student. My notes positively overflow with things I did not understand about the way Congregational churches do things.

With humor, sensitivity, and a large dose of love, she expressed her vision and prayer for the future of this church which is such a vital part of her life. “Dale, I am optimistic about the optimism that is evident among us from the pews to the clergy. There is a sense of excitement that radiates through every aspect of the church and its ministries. There has always been a sense of social responsibility and the church seems to be growing exponentially. My prayer is that we as a church family find a good balance between caring for those in our midst and serving others.”

If you only know Ruth with a nod and a smile on Sunday morning, you are missing the opportunity to be acquainted with this genteel Southern lady—the hat lady!

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.

Getting to Know You: Judy Oftedal

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

During my two and a half years attending Big Red Church, my most frequent question to myself has been, “Dale, what makes this church such a special place?”

Today I am spotlighting my 13th “from the pews” person, and it seems clear to me that what makes Big Red special is the people and what makes the people special is the diversity that in some wonderful way welds us all together as a family. We are different and that is okay.  We love, we defend, we cherish, not because of, but in spite of.  We are family.

Judy and I have since day one enjoyed an easy sense of camaraderie.  When we sat down to talk, I opened my notebook and said, “OK, Judy, talk to me.”  Imagine my surprise when she said, “Oh, Dale, I can’t do that. You will have to ask me questions.  I have always been very shy. I was bullied as a child and still have to work hard to overcome my shyness and fear.”  Here is an example of that specialness I am speaking of. I have teased Judy unmercifully for two years, and she loves me not because of but in spite of.  

“Judy, where were you born?”  “I was born right here in Fresno.  In fact I was born and raised and have lived all my life within a three mile radius of Fresno (Street) and Ashland (Avenue).”  It is amazing what you learn when you ask, “Where were you born?”

When this shy woman paused for breath, I asked, “How did you and Randy meet?”  At this point I met another Judy. A faraway look, a soft smile, and a dreamy tone of voice prefaced this next part of the interview.  “We went on our first date on May 28, 1971.” “Wait, wait,” I exclaimed, “do you expect me to believe that you remember the exact day of your first date?”  In the same dreamy voice she answered, “Yes, it was May 28, 1971, a B.B. King concert. And I knew then and there that he was the man for me. We were married on August 25, 1973.  That is just short of 45 years, and it has been a good run.”

Afraid of breaking the spell of her narrative, I asked, “What about your family?”  Her demeanor did not change. “I love my husband and I love my children and grandchildren.  Randy is my rock. Martin, our first born son, is a joy and his partner Trent is a delight.  These two have blest us with a grandson Hudson. Second son Daniel is a single parent and the loving father of our granddaughter Mellena, which is derived from the Greek word for “honey.”  My family is perfect.

“I have two last questions, Judy.  What brought you to Big Red?” “I was looking for a church where they did not tell me that everyone I loved was going to hell.  I found that church here.”

“Why do you stay?”  I have a brand new family that loves me not because of but in spite of.”

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.

Getting to Know You: Mollie Schuller

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

Probably most of you are wondering who is this? Well, Mollie is definitely one of us—certainly a member of our church family. The thing is, she is nine years old.

At this juncture, it might be appropriate to give some background. I thought when I started this “pew person”s venture my biggest challenge would be writing the essay. Wrong! It turns out that the most important part of the process, as well as the most rewarding, is the interview. Not that there is a shortage of you in the pews who serve faithfully. My problem is choosing from the abundance. I find myself constantly observing and considering who would allow me to interview them.

On the last Friday of June around 10 a.m., I was scouting for an interview and stopped by the Big Red fellowship hall where the Pantry volunteers were distributing free food. It was there I met Mollie. She was busy. I was impressed. I watched in amazement as this young lady focused on helping make the passing out of food a rewarding experience for all involved.

Mollie stationed herself out of the way and when things got scattered and out of order, she rearranged the tables so that when the next folks arrived they were greeted by tables appearing to have been prepared just for them.

Mollie’s mother Kim graciously allowed me to interview this sensitive youngster via telephone. I found her to be delightfully precocious while at the same time innocently child-like. This scribe had a list of questions probably more appropriate for a child of the 1950’s.

I asked what according to my template was a simple query, “Tell me about your family.” After a moment of silence, these words came softly across the line, “Well, that gets complicated. You see I have two sets of parents and five siblings.” This interviewer was staggered at that answer. Family is complicated. “Out of the mouths of babes” became at that moment the focus of my discussion with this charming child.

“Mollie, what are your favorite things to do?” “I like to help others,” which I guess explains her presence at the Pantry’s free food Friday. At this point Mom prompted with, “He wants to know what you do for fun.” “Oh, I also like art, swimming, and acting.”  I can tell you right now that helping others would not have been on my list of favorite things when I was nine!?

I asked, “What are your goals for the future?” Without hesitation she answered, “I am going to be an activist and sing happy songs.” There were more questions and more unexpected answers, but it seems to me that the phrase “activist and happy songs” captivates Mollie’s personality and gives me a perfect place to wrap up this interview.

Jesus when speaking of children said, “Of such are the kingdom of heaven.” Just perhaps those of us who are adults should concentrate on being more like them. They are not just our future; they are—in every sense of the word—our present.

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.

Getting to Know You: The Children

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

This reporter’s charge was to speak for and about those who step from the pews and serve the church. There are so many of you doing exactly that. The involvement from the pews at Big Red is, in my experience, remarkable. The diversity of these pew persons never ceases to amaze me. I am blessed to have this opportunity to get to know you.

On Sunday, June 24th, my mind was on pew people to interview for future columns  when the familiar song, “Draw the Circle Wide,” began. I watched in wonder as children began to pop out of our pews. Every time these children emerge into the aisles and head as one toward the chancel steps, a delighted sense of joy and unrestrained happiness spreads like a fresh breeze through this sanctified place of worship.  

Children were coming out of the woodwork. Dads and moms were proudly walking with the tiny ones, little girls holding hands, boys barely restrained rushed in excitement to the front and a choice spot on the steps. And on the faces of the rest of us there were smiles of joy as we watched this scene unfold.

Spellbound, I stared around the room watching this every Sunday morning occurrence in the Big Red sanctuary. It dawned on this chronicler that these children truly step from the pews not just as the church’s responsibility but as partners and even examples for those like me who are sometimes more than a little jaded and cynical.  

Three little girls especially caught my attention. From somewhere behind my pew they came marching down the center aisle walking hand in hand—sisters, cousins, Sunday school buddies—I have no idea. They were radiant. One on each side, the two older girls framed the younger one in love and protection. There before my cynical old eyes, walking hand in hand was the perfect metaphor for family love.  

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” And I believe not as a burden, but as a blessing.

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.

Getting to Know You: Adua Butticci

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

On a recent Sunday morning I walked up to the front door of the Big Red Church where the ushers handed me an Order of Worship. I picked up my old man’s cushion and found my regular pew. Gayle was off doing her thing, Scott was blessing us with beautiful music, and I glanced through this bulletin. Then I really looked at it

Every Sunday morning someone hands it to me. I do my ritual while the music plays, I use it to follow along with what is happening during worship, and the I discard it without another thought until next Sunday morning when I expect to be handed a new one. I started asking questions and found that the process of getting that Order of Worship—which I take for granted—is mind boggling. So many folks involved.

Our behind the scenes pew person this time is Adua Butticci. I found her on a Friday morning in the church office with a stack of papers which was, of course, the unassembled Order of Worship. You will find Adua there every Friday collating, folding, and in general giving us a tool to make our worship a more rewarding experience.

Adua was born in San Francisco. Her parents were first generation Italians. At age 14 Adua’s family moved to Merced where her father tried his hand at farming. Adua was not impressed with the rural life of the Central Valley and at age 17 escaped back to the Bay Area and lived with her sister in San Jose. There she enrolled at San Jose State University and earned her degree in social sciences. She then joined the Grail, a Roman Catholic version of the Peace Corp. Its mission was to empower women.

Along the way, Adua moved to Fresno, married, raised a family, and pursued her profession. But this is not all. Adua loves to dance—specifically the Argentine Tango. This dance she has had to give up because the men tango dancers have all disappeared. Not one to be defeated, she joined a group that dances Polynesian—no partner is required. As an afterthought she mentioned that she works out three days a week where they do a Colombian dance called the Zumba. Lest I forget, this amazing woman also sings in the Big Red choir. How she finds the time is a mystery to me!

Adua’s first words to me were, “I really don’t have anything valuable to say.” I am here to tell you that this soft spoken woman has much to say that cannot be spoken in this Reader’s Digest condensed version of her story. It is really just a teaser. Look her up, take her out to lunch, talk to her. You will be blessed.

As I wrapped up I asked my last question to which she replied, “Dale, I came to the Big Red Church in 1990 searching for something and I found it here. I stay because of the people.”

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.

Getting to Know You: Randy Oftedal

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

This reporter caught up with Randy Oftedal in the kitchen where he was busy slicing watermelons into child-size pieces for the Friday session of Kidmunity Music Camp at Big Red Church. I had to negotiate a bit to get him to slow down enough to talk with me. With all due respect for the butcher knife he was expertly wielding, we came to terms. He could keep slicing and I could ask my questions. I kept a respectful distance from the knife.

Randy was born in Fresno in 1949 of Norwegian stock. His father’s family settled in Fresno around 1890. His grandfather, Zeeb, three times removed, witnessed a murder and after testifying, he was shot and killed outside the Acme Bar on Mariposa Street in Fresno. His mother’s folks made the journey from Norway and settled in Clovis in 1903. His grandfather was one of the first city council members of Clovis.

The Norwegian surname, Oftedal, means “swan valley” in English. I find that beautiful and romantic, especially when contrasted with my own Scottish surname which means “big cow pasture.”

Randy and I were on a roll. I was asking questions and he was chopping melons. The answers were coming fast and furious. We talked about his wife Judy and his sons, Martin and Daniel. The grandchildren also got a fair bit of grandfatherly praise.

Randy loves fast cars and food. I suppose that the fast part might explain the speed with which he wields the butcher knife. And his love of food suggests to me his passion—almost obsession—with our Big Red Church Pantry food distribution program.

I have purposely written in the first person to emphasize my respect for Randy and Judy. They are relatively new members of Big Red, and they have been a breath of fresh air. Their mantra seems to be “feed my sheep.”

A group of dedicated Big Red family members have enthusiastically joined in the mission to feed the hungry. Twice a week some of the children in the neighborhood Head Start program receive a bag of groceries that goes home with them. Once a month free food is distributed to anyone who comes to the front door of the fellowship hall. And the newest project is a Sunday meal delivered to the homeless camped around the Poverello House.

Fundraisers, donations, and astute shopping have made this Big Red ministry self-supporting. Once a month there is a meeting to discuss ways and means to meet the goal of reaching out to those who are hungry.
I encourage you to get to know Randy. Be aware, however, that if you do, you may very well find yourself signing up as a volunteer in the Pantry program.

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.

Getting to Know You: Joel Bright

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

Our pew person this week is Joel Bright. He is one of those behind the scenes members of our church family who quietly goes about the business of getting stuff done. Joel is of recent vintage at the Big Red Church, but that has not prevented him from being involved in all sorts of projects and also participating in the lay functions on Sunday morning worship. On Father’s Day, he, along with several other pew folks, will be preparing a meal for the church family after worship in the Fellowship Hall. I tried to do my reporter thing and get him to give me a scoop on the menu. Joe’s surname is not Bright for nothing, he did a bunch of doublespeak, and I have no advanced news of the Father’s Day luncheon menu.

I asked Joel for a short biography. It went something like this, “I have been married to Tracy for 21 years. She is the love of my life and the mother of my two children: Georgia, eighteen, is on her way to Santa Clara University this fall, and my son Spencer is thirteen and enrolled at University High School this next semester. I have worked for Albright Electrical for 20 years. I was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and lived there until I graduated from Memorial High School in the class of 1984.”

I requested a short biography and this is what I got! I did not push for more and obviously there is a lot more. My thought was to encourage you, if you have not done so, to shake this family member’s hand and ask, “Joel, where were you during the time between Madison and Fresno?”

I met Joel soon after he and Tracy arrived at Big Red. Not because I was particularly outgoing or friendly—they were! Mayo Goliti introduced us and we were off to the races. Smiles, hugs, bright and cheerful conversation, quick witted humor, along with clever and intelligent retorts drew me to them immediately. Take a chance and get to know Joel and Tracy. You won’t regret it.

I am running out of space but I am not out of notes. It occurs to me that the best way to get a handle on Joel and his behind the scenes mission is to understand that, like his surname, he makes everything he touches “bright.” Currently this bright, lively gentleman is working on illuminating The Big Red Church by upgrading all of the overhead lights in the sanctuary. And Joel Bright said, “Let there be light.”

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.

Getting to Know You: Joel Greenberg

a column dedicated to the folks in the pews

Written by Dale Buchanan

Joel was born and grew up in Los Angeles. He came to Fresno to finish his education and after graduation was a social worker specializing in counseling for forty years.

“What motivated you to make this your career?” I asked. Joel replied, “I have always liked people and been extremely interested in what makes them tick.” My next question was, “Joel, have you, in your search for what makes us tick, found a common denominator that explains why we all act like we do?”  His answer was, “It seems to me a two-part answer. One, we are human, and two, we are each and every one of us distinct and unique individuals.” 

I talked for two hours with this venerable gentleman. My questions kept coming and with each answer I had another question which was patiently and thoughtfully answered. My notes flowed onto the paper—page after page of rich insights into this sweet and gentle man who has quietly occupied a pew at Big Red for decades.

Did I mention that Joel is a gifted poet? Joel’s poetry reflects a darkness when it speaks of his childhood. At a very young age Joel’s father died of cancer. Without a trace of bitterness or hate, he looked me in the eye and said, “My mother suffered a nervous breakdown and stopped wanting to be my mother. When I was eight years old my twin brothers and I were locked up for three years in a camp where we were abused in every imaginable way from beatings to verbal abuse and deprivation.”

“Joel, how did you survive all of this?” “I was crazy at first,” Joel replied. “Therapy helped and when I am blue Linda comforts me.”

Linda was raised by
good enough parents and family:
I learned to walk on
my knees as a child
in hollow loneliness

(from “Simple Things”)

And this profound description of aging:

Cheeks and foreheads furrowed
in wrinkles,
thinning hair, grey beard, yellow teeth,
arms not strong enough to lift
grocery bags or scrub floors. . .
The young dance with possibilities. . .
We elders are walking libraries. . .

(from “All in All”)

This poem speaks of all of our inner struggles to achieve:

I'm dried out; my poems
are fallen crisp leaves drained of
sap. . .
The green fuse that drives
the flower ushers our creativity.
We are tender red roses bathed
in petals of sunlight and fog. . .
Stop this self-serving complaining. . .

(from “The Blessing to Time”)

Joel met his wife Linda for piano lessons. It took about a year for lessons to blossom into love. He confided that he only learned to play a little. The love has lasted a life time.

Dale Buchanan is a member of FCCF with a passion for stories and writing. In between penning his own memoirs, he is helping us get to know our members, one pew at a time.