From the Director of Educational Ministries and Family Life

February 2010

Our children and youth put together twenty-five bags of supplies to be sent to Church World Service, in response to the terrible earthquake in Haiti. The kits are standard hygiene kits distributed by emergency teams in crisis situations. They include a small towel and washcloth, a comb, a toothbrush, nail clippers, a bar of soap and band aids, sealed in a plastic bag. CWS adds toothpaste and mails off the packages to places of need. One report I received said that an UMCOR supply site (United Methodist Committee on Relief) had emptied their warehouse of kits in a mailing to Haiti. So, ours will be used soon.

If you want to make a special donation to help cover the cost, just note “Hygiene Kits” on your donation to the church. The kits cost about $8.00 each, and then $2.00 per kit is needed for postage/handling by CWS. It was a good experience for the kids to have a chance to make a response to those in need. I hope to continue with a mission focus in our youth and children’s ministry, knowing that our giving to others in need is a major part of our Christian walk.

On Friday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m. parents and children will be gathering for dinner and a program at the church. After some ‘family time’ the kids will have an activity, and the adults will spend time dreaming and planning for our ministry with children at 1st Baptist Church. Any ideas you have and your willingness to help with our long-term ministry in this area is welcome—please contact Pastor Linda.

--Linda Pickens-Jones

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In a midweek message Pastor Rick reminded us that ‘it takes a village’ to raise a child, and I am very pleased to be part of the ‘village’ of 1st Baptist Church of Palo Alto!

I have long had a passion for the role of education in the life of the local church, and look forward to the many ways I can be of support to the 1st Baptist congregation as we engage our hearts and minds in the faith walk with Jesus.

I believe in an intergenerational approach to the educational process, and affirm the role of elders in helping youth and children enter into a full life of faith. We will be working together to discover creative ways to be intergenerational in our life together. I’ve been impressed already with the depth of commitment to our younger ones by the congregation, and the deep desire to develop a stronger sustainable program. I want to begin my time with you exploring and naming the needs we see in our church, in the wider community, and the places we can best be in creative educational and family ministry. This discernment will be a part of your overall planning as a church under the leadership of Pastor Rick.

I am beginning by getting to know the youth and children through Sunday School. We have already made artistic heart decorated cards to send to some folks who need to hear the words of hope “take heart” that we heard in the Gospel story of Bartimaus. This month we will be exploring what Stewardship means, along with the rest of the congregation, and then making plans for a play to be presented in December.

How can you help? First and foremost, pray for our children and the children of the community, that they may know deeply of God’s love for each of them. Second, be thinking about some ways your God-given gifts might be used in service with the youth. Third, let us pray again that we might all work together in unity for the glory of God.

Pastor Linda

Top Ten Facts about Me (Pastor Linda Pickens-Jones)

1. I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and I grew up in Long Beach, California.
2. I was a sociology major in college, graduating from Cal State L.A.
3. I attended seminary at Claremont School of Theology, and received a Doctor of Ministry, writing a thesis on Multicultural Education in the Church.
4. I was baptized as an infant in the Methodist Church, confirmed in the Episcopal Church at 12, joined the Methodist church at 13, and I’ve been an active United Methodist ever since…that is, before I became part of 1st Baptist church!
5. I was ordained a deacon and then elder in the UMC in the 1970’s among the ‘second wave’ of women coming into ordained ministry.
6. I have served in ministry as a local church pastor, as a program coordinator on a regional level, as adjunct faculty in a seminary, and as a missionary.
7. My parents are both living, in Rocklin, California.
8. I am married to Rev. Dr. Alan Jones, who is pastor of Campbell UMC.
9. Our daughter Emily is a student at Foothill College (and will attend UC Davis beginning January 2010 in International Studies). Our son Daniel is a graduate student in vocal performance at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
10. I have a passion for travel, especially to Britain, and last year fell in love with Turkey! I am a new and zealous quilter. I love to write and also lead writing groups. I utterly enjoy a hot cup of tea curled up with a book of fiction.