Documentary: Ecosophia

Ecosophia primes us to ask deep, existential questions about what drives the climate crisis – questions we usually try to avoid.

Ecosophia means ecological wisdom, and this documentary explores the interrelation between energy, the economy, resources, population, psychology, spirituality, the biosphere, the limits to growth and climate change. A simpler world is coming, and what’s needed is as much a spiritual revolution as a physical one.

This documentary brings diverse perspectives on climate change, including climate scientists, social scientists, and indigenous people. The many voices intersect and converge on why climate change is called a crisis and why the planet needs more of our attention and care. The voices are overlaid with beautiful images of the world that is worth preserving. It is a striking call for wisdom.

Join us on Zoom for a special screening of this documentary, followed by a discussion, Saturday, May 11, at 1:30 p.m. You can register for this screening and others by visiting bit.ly/SSDSZoom.

Watch trailer here.

May Special Offering SAVE-ing The Abused

Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE) is a local organization that provides shelter, support, and educational opportunities for individuals and families so they may end the cycle of abuse, heal, and have the freedom to reach their full potential. The program includes a shelter/transitional housing program and an Empowerment Center offering crisis support, referrals, and assistance with food, clothing and, even, restraining orders. SAVE has also created education programs for police officers and medical personnel specifically addressing the needs of domestic violence victims and provides Teen Dating Violence Awareness presentations to schools. 

As with all our special offerings, you are welcome to give at any time. You can also do your giving online: go to nilesdiscoverychurch.org/give and select this month’s special offering from the special offering options. With so many possibilities for special giving, you may need to choose which ones are most important to you. To see the complete schedule of special offerings, please visit bit.ly/NDCSpecialOfferings.

Last month, you donated $174 for the future leaders of the church, which will be split between the Pacific School of Religion and Disciples Seminary Foundation. We are training the future, thanks to your generosity! 

Native News From The Ministry Of Social Concerns

by Judy Zlatnik  

Stanford Powwow
May 10-12, 2024, at Eucalyptus Grove, Palo Alto, CA
For updated details, as they come in, email jzlatnik@yahoo.com or check out the website at stanfordpowwow.com.

Tule Boats Float Event
May 19, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Coyote Hills Regional Park
Tule is a wonderful plant that Ohlone Peoples traditionally used (and still use today) for housing material, sleeping, cordage, and much more. Come and build a miniature tule boat and see how well this unassuming plant can float and transport valuable cargo. Ages 7+ Parent participation required. Parking fees apply where charged. Wheelchair accessible. This is a drop-in program; no registration is required. For information, call (510) 544-3220.

Exciting Achievements:

Sogorea Te’ has purchased over two acres in Berkeley in an area where buildings were constructed on shell mounds, sacred ground to the generations of natives who have lived here. The plan for the area includes exposing the nearby creek, creating open space with native plants, and building a 40-foot-tall mound that will house an educational and memorial component.

Yurok Indians Tribe also made the news for a mammoth project under contract with Resource Environmental Solutions (RES). The Yurok Fisheries Department is leading a monumental project to restore the diverse, native flora that once flourished within the Klamath River’s 38-mile-long reservoir reach. The Yurok tribe is also participating in another project to remove three dams along the Klamath River which will help to restore the natural flow and should greatly improve the salmon population. The Yurok are the largest tribe in California and is the only tribe in California who has not been removed from their ancestral lands.

Raise Some Dough

by Sandra Wong

Join fellow church friends and family for a night out at Panera Bread in Fremont on Saturday, June 8, 2024, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and raise money for Niles Discovery Church!

Whether you dine in or purchase an order online, 25% of the proceeds will go toward our church. To get credit, you must show the flyer at the time of your order. For online orders, please enter the code on the flyer (FUND4U). Flyers for the event are in the fellowship hall, on the literature table. Download flyer here.

Let’s have a nice summer evening out with our church community for a good cause!

Chili Cook-Off

by Melissa Palleschi

Enter your favorite chili in the Nile Discovery Church’s Chili Cook-Off. It will be on May 19, following worship, in the fellowship hall. Everyone will be a judge and there will be prizes for the best chilis.

The Ministry of Hospitality and Fellowship Team will provide salad, cornbread, and dessert. Bring chili in a Crock Pot (preferably) or kettle that can be kept at low heat. Make enough so all can have a small taste. For more info contact a member of the Ministry of Hospitality and Fellowship Team.

Hybrid Town Hall Meeting

by Mark Twist, Moderator

Hello everyone!

Are you willing to join us on June 9 (the second Sunday in June) for a hybrid Town Hall Meeting after morning worship? This will be the opportunity to hear and discuss where we are in the church coaching experience and help the Cabinet determine if (and potentially how) we should continue.

We had a first coaching session on March 10 that went very well. But shortly thereafter, there was a staffing change in the Northern California Nevada Conference office that prompted us to pause and evaluate our next step(s). Your participation in the June 9 Town Hall Meeting will help us figure out what’s next!

Allyship 102 Class

On Sunday, June 23,  2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Allyship 102 will be held at Niles Discovery Church. This free event, open to everyone, will answer questions raised at the Allyship 101 class. Anyone who wants to support the LGBTQIA+ community is welcome to attend. Attendance at Allyship 101 is not required. Allyship 103 will be a Biblical self-defense seminar for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. It will delve into what the Bible and Jesus have said or not said about queer people. Allyship 103 will be held on September 8, at 2:00 p.m.

Pride Place of Belonging Potluck Picnic

On Saturday, May 18, 1:00 pm. to 4:00 p.m., Pride Place of Belonging is organizing a free LGBTQIA+ family-friendly potluck picnic on the patio at Niles Discovery Church (36600 Niles Blvd, Fremont, CA) and a walk in the California Historic Nursery Park, which is located across the street. Please invite your family and friends who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Allies are welcome to attend if they are accompanied by a friend or family member in the LGBTQIA+ community. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. To help coordinate food, we are asking people to please use the following SignUpGenius link to indicate what food you will bring to share: bit.ly/ppb240518

Echoes In Art: Grief & Hope

by Rabbi Zoe McCoon

Tri-City Interfaith Council, Temple Beth Torah, and East Bay Holocaust Education Center are proud to present Echoes in Art: Grief & Hope – a Holocaust remembrance event. This is part of longstanding annual Tri-City Community tradition of coming together as an Interfaith community to sit alongside our Jewish neighbors as they observe Yom HaShoah, the Shoah Remembrance Day in the Jewish Calendar. Join us on Sunday, May 12, 2024, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA. This event will feature a “Music of the Holocaust” concert and storytelling program with local musicians, an art and media exhibit, our traditional Yom HaShoah service, and opportunities to be with our neighbors in grief, in memory, and in compassion.

This event will be multi-access – in person and online. Please send questions to Rabbi Zoe McCoon at RabbiZoeMcCoon@BethTorah-Fremont.org. Advance registration is required by Thursday, May 9, at bit.ly/ShoahRemembrance2024.

Inquiring minds want to know: What does membership mean?

The time is always right to consider formally uniting with Niles Discovery Church. Because it is prudent to make such a commitment only with appropriate information, from time to time Pastor Jeff leads “Inquirers Classes” to provide that information. The next offering of this class will be on Sunday, April 28, 4:00-5:00.

Right now, the class is planned to be in Room 3 at the church (36600 Niles Blvd.). However, if someone who wants to attend can only attend online, we’ll switch to a Zoom meet. That means it’s important that you let Pastor Jeff know you’re interested in the class so he can let you know if there is a change in venue.

Participants in this class will get to know each other better. They will talk about the mission of the church, learn about the governing structure, and shed some light on “how things work around here.”

Membership in congregations of both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) – these are our two denominations – is important because it (among other things) means that you accept the shared responsibility for the church community. Only members can vote at Congregational Meetings and only members can serve on the Church Cabinet.

Pastor Jeff hopes this class interests our “friends” – both long-term and new – and that he will see you there. Current members are also invited to attend to participate in the sharing and learning.