The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County (ICCCC) proudly announced the appointment of Rev. Will McGarvey as their interim Executive Director. This position was left vacant when the prior Executive Director, Rev. Brian Stein-Webber, left the council to take a position with Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary after serving the council for nearly 12 years. The appointment of Rev. McGarvey was effective September 1, 2012. In this role, Rev. McGarvey will be responsible for overseeing the overall functions of the council and will play a leading role in furthering its objectives.

“The work of the Interfaith Council is so important here in Contra Costa County. Our work supporting Winter Nights Shelter, the Chaplaincy in the Juvenile Detention Facility, and our Social Justice Alliance provide an opportunity for people of faith to work together to make our county a better place.  I’m happy to be able to help the Executive Committee focus on our mission, and organize our committees to help the member congregations work toward greater understanding among our faith groups. This is among the most important piece of work during this time of increasing religiously motivated violence,” said Rev. McGarvey after accepting the appointment.

“We are so thrilled to have Rev. Will McGarvey back in a leadership role. The Executive Committee of the council was unanimous in its decision to appoint him to this position. Will is greatly respected in interfaith circles, and his prior experience and working knowledge of the council will be extremely valuable when he rolls up his sleeves to go to work. We are looking forward to working with him to promote interfaith harmony and understanding, and to make a difference in each of our communities,” said Rev. Alexis Easton, President of ICCCC, on behalf of its Executive Committee and member organizations.

About Rev. McGarvey: Rev. Will McGarvey has served as pastor at Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, CA, a PC (USA)-UCC congregation, for the last eight years.  CPC shares ministry with their sister congregation, First Congregational Church of Antioch (UCC).  Will grew up in the LDS tradition and served a two-year mission in New England before finding a new spiritual path within Progressive Protestantism.  He has long been active in interfaith circles, including the early meetings that organized interfaith chaplains for the 2012 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.  Will did his seminary studies at San Francisco Theological Seminary, where he specialized in theology of the environment.  Rev. McGarvey served on the Executive Committee of the ICCCC from 2004 to 2010, acting as Vice President for many of those years.  He has also been a part of East County United, an association of the Council that does programming and events in East County. He may be reached at eye4cee@gmail.com or by calling 925.597.9797.

About Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County: ICCCC is a non-profit, 501 c (3) organization solely governed by its Executive Committee. Its mission states, “We as people from a diversity of religions, spiritual traditions and sectors of society, gather to manifest our unity as we promote the spirit of community, service and cooperation through the work of the Interfaith Council.”

The Interfaith Council, as the Council of Churches, was originally organized for the primary purpose of providing chaplaincy ministries in various county institutions on behalf of local congregations. The Council became interfaith in 1997, widening its membership to include congregations and faith organizations that represent the growing pluralistic population of Contra Costa County. The council remains committed to supporting the religious and communities in our county. Program areas have expanded to include Health and Faith in Action, Social Justice, Finance, Spirituality, Youth and Education.

There are more than 100 congregations and organizations holding membership and affiliation from a wide range of Christian and other faith traditions, including Jewish, Buddhist, Baha’i, Unitarian, Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, Unity and Religious Science.

FIRST ANNUAL SALVATION ARMY

CLASSIC CAR SHOW, CAR WASH & CRAFT BOUTIQUE

September 15, 2012 at 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

@ Higgins Chapel, 1310 A Street, Antioch

FUNDRAISER

Benefits the Salvation Army’s After School Program

CRAFT OR PRODUCT SELLERS CAN Rent a 10’ x 12’ space for $25 to sell your Arts and Crafts OR PRODUCTS

For rental space or more information contact

Norm (925) 778- 0808 Ext: 17 or email SalArmyAntioch@yahoo.com

Second monthly night walk to be hosted by Antioch Church Family

On Sunday, July 8th at 7 p.m., Antioch residents will gather at Antioch Church Family to stand up against the violence that threatens East Contra Costa County.  This movement was launched last month and over 60 participants attended the first night walk.  This Sunday, community and faith leaders will continue to walk to deliver their message of peace, unity and offer up a prayer to end the violence that has greatly impacted their communities.

Nearly a dozen congregations from the area have joined the movement that aims to bring hope and address the issue of violence in East County.  The participating congregations include: St. John Lutheran Church; Antioch Christian Center, Antioch Church Family, East County Shared Ministry (Pittsburg Community Presbyterian & First Congregational Church of Antioch); International Christian Ministry; Grace Bible Fellowship; St. Ignatius of Antioch; Most Holy Rosary Church; Islamic Center of the East Bay; and St. George Episcopal Church.

After witnessing violence in their own churches and the impact it was having on their congregation members, the faith leaders were determined to do something to address the critical issue of violence.  The night walks is only the first step in what they see as a strategy to decrease the violence in their communities.

The night walks will be held every second Sunday of the month at 7 p.m. in rotating church locations and all are invited to attend.

The Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) is a federation of 25 religious congregations, seven different denominations, representing 35,000 families in Contra Costa County. CCISCO is an active member of the PICO National Network.  For more information call (925) 779-9302 or visit them at 202 G Street, Suite 1 or online at www.CCISCO.org

July 4, 2012 at 8:00 am

Antioch City Park, 10th & “A” Streets

As we celebrate the birth of our nation, join us in prayer as we re-dedicate our city to the spirit of Christ as our founding fathers envisioned.

Following are the words that appear on the plaque on the corner of 10th & “A” Streets, the site of the July 4^th, 1851 picnic where the townspeople changed the name from Smith’s Landing to Antioch:

“july 4, anno domini, 1951

This city was named 100 years ago for Antioch in Syria where the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians. (acts 11:26) Today we rededicate ourselves to him in grateful memory of our founding fathers who envisioned a city and a world under the rule of the spirit of christ.”

The theme scripture verse for the Community Prayer is “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

For more information about the Community Prayer for Antioch and America, please contact Mike Pollard at 925-285-2621

The Antioch Salvation Army will hold its Summer Day Camp, June 18-August 10, 2012 at The Salvation Army, Antioch Corps and Community Center.

What is Summer DayCamp? DayCamp is a Summer Activities program for children grades K-6.

What are the daily operating hours? Day Camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

What will my child do in Day Camp? In Day Camp your child will study lessons which celebrate cultural differences and family values; as well as lessons in Reading, Writing, and Math. Day Camp also includes weekly outings to places that might include; Marine World, The Zoo, The Jungle, etc. They will also have daily crafts, activities, movies, rallies, special guests and performances, games, sports and physical fitness.

How much does it cost? The cost of Summer Day Camp is $95.00 per week with a one time registration fee of $20.00 (there is a $10.00 per child tuition discount for siblings).

What is included in this cost? The weekly program fee covers your child’s daily crafts and T shirt,

Also included in the weekly fee is breakfast, lunch and snacks daily.

You can help a child go to Day Camp.

For more information and applications; call Tabitha or Maria at The Antioch Salvation Army (925) 778-0808 or Denise at (925)778-0303.

East County Shared Ministry will celebrate Philippine Heritage at a special worship service on Sunday, June 3, at 10 a.m. This is one of several culture-specific celebrations, both recent and looking forward, as the ministry honors its global heritage.

The guest speaker will be Rev. Israel Alvaran, an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church who is assigned as national organizer for economic justice of its General Board of Church and Society. An activist for social justice since his seminary days, he has served with the church in various settings: as pastor, youth minister, university chaplain, and social justice community organizer. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, he came to the United States to pursue graduate studies in 2003.

The political situation in the Philippines changed a few years later, with the abductions and murders of progressive leaders, union activists, community organizers, and even clergy. Alvaran, with approval from his bishop in the Philippines, was granted political asylum. He later earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley in 2010. More recently, he worked as interfaith community organizer in San Francisco, supporting worker justice and immigrant rights concerns.

“Unity in diversity is the foundation of the shared ministry,” commented Rev. Christy Parks-Ramage. “As we celebrate our diversity, we strengthen our commitment to social justice which unites us.”

Everyone is invited to join in the celebration of Philippine Heritage particularly those who share this connection. San Francisco alone is home to 40,072 Filipinos, by the estimate of the 2000 U.S. Census. Many Filipinos also live in the counties surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area, with 68,680 in Alameda County, 34,436 in Contra Costa County, 60,144 in San Mateo County, 77,815 in Santa Clara County, and 35,862 in Solano County.

About East County Shared Ministry

East County Shared Ministry comprises Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg (PCUSA) and First Congregational Church of Antioch (UCC) who have embarked on a continued exploration of shared ministry that will enrich, enhance and strengthen their collective progressive ministry to the congregations, the community and the world at large. ECSM recognizes, celebrates and gives thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. All are invited to participate in their community and worship life including, but not limited to, believers, seekers, agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope. For more information visit the website at www.cpcpittsburg.org.

WHAT: The Antioch Salvation Army, serving all of East Contra Costa County, will host its first spaghetti dinner fundraiser event. Tickets are $12, and proceeds will go to The Salvation Army’s after-school program

For the last 12 years, The Salvation Army has been operating an after-school program called the TRY (Teaching to Redirect Youth) Club in Antioch. The program has been established to improve literacy skills, basic math memorization, computer literacy, and assisting students with homework.

Last year, more than 1000 children attended the after-school program.

Tickets can be purchased at the Antioch Salvation Army, or call (925) 778-0808, ext. 17, for more information.

WHERE: 620 East Tregallas Road, Antioch

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

CONTACT: Lt. Alexander Williams (925) 778-0808 ext. 17 (office)

Second Show Added!

The Multi-platinum-selling, Grammy Award winning Christian rock band Third Day will perform in Brentwood at Golden Hills Community Church on Saturday, April 21, 2012 during their Make Your Move Spring Tour.

A second show jas been added at 2 p.m. – Also performing are Matt Maher and Trevor Morgan!

Third Day has played to millions of fans in numerous sold-out arenas around the world. It’s garnered 25 No. 1 singles across multiple formats—not to mention armloads of Grammy and Dove Awards. Yet the band’s willingness to struggle openly before fans and critics alike to unearth its identity, purpose and mission stands as Third Day’s most valued accomplishment during its first decade together. Backing up the band’s ascent, Billboard magazine noted the act is “not only one of the best Christian bands of the ’90s but one of the best rock bands, period.”

Third Day has clearly weathered the difficult climb from obscurity to success, but the band is hardly suffering from over-confidence or complacency. In fact, the band’s eleventh album, Revelation, addresses that very issue head-on. Rather than lean back in a figurative easy chair, Third Day challenged itself immensely, shaking up its direction and reasserting its place as a rock band of enormous depth and passion.

“Our career is like a dream I didn’t even know I had,” drummer David Carr says. “It’s gone beyond anything I could have dreamed of.”

Influenced by the Southern rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other artists such as U2 and Rich Mullins, Third Day were originally formed by vocalist Mac Powell and acoustic guitarist Mark Lee. The duo added bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr from another local band, and recorded some demos. Third Day’s live shows gradually built a loyal fan base, and just after lead guitarist Brad Avery joined, the band signed to Gray Dot Records. Their eponymous debut followed in 1996, with Conspiracy No. 5 appearing a year later. In 1999 Third Day returned with Time, and the next year Offerings, a collection of new and live material, came out, followed in 2003 by its companion, Offerings II: All I Have to Give.

That same year, the American Music Awards tapped them with a nomination in the Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist category. For their fifth studio album, 2004’s Wire (which was followed shortly after by Live Wire), Third Day returned to their rock & roll roots, a trend they kept up for 2005’s Top Ten hit Wherever You Are, which came out in CD/DVD format the next year. After the release of the holiday album Christmas Offerings in 2006 and the compilation Chronology the following year, the band announced the departure of Avery in February 2008. Despite the loss, Third Day soldiered on, releasing Revelation in July of that year. The album was produced by Howard Benson and featured appearances by Chris Daughtry and Lacey Mosley. Third Day won the American Music Award in 2008.

The church is located at 2401 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood. See map: Google Maps

For tickets click here. For more information about Third Day, click here. For more information about Golden Hills Community Church visit www.goldenhills.org.