THE TIDINGS
MONTE VISTA GROVE HOMES
2889 SAN PASQUAL STREET
PASADENA, CA. 91107
JANUSARY, 2012
(626) 796 6135
ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS
JANUARY CONVOCATIONS
January 5
EPIPHANY CELEBRATION, Tom Starbird, JPL
Our friend Dr. Tom Starbird from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will tell us
about the star of Bethlehem as we celebrate Epiphany and the coming of the
magi who followed the star to the manger and the baby Jesus.
January 12 NEW YEAR’S PARTY, Debbie Herbert and Staff
As we begin a new year, Debbie and our unique staff tell stories to help us remember and celebrate 2011.
January 19
MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEK, actress/singer Kim Walker
To celebrate the Martin Luther King holiday we welcome Kim Walker, talented
African-American singer and actress. She presents dramatic depictions of great
black Women in American history. Kim is a deacon at Hollywood Presbyterian
Church.
January 26
THE MUSIC OF Natalie Ross(pianist) and Lois Steinberg (soprano)
Pianist Natalie Ross and soprano Lois Steinberg return to MVGH by popular
demand. Natalie made her piano debut with the Miami Symphonic Orchestra at
the age of 12, and has performed both solo and with orchestras through out the
United States and Europe. Lois began singing at the age of 7, won honorary
scholarships at Juilliard School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music,
and enjoys singing opera, musicals and popular songs.
SAVE THE DATES FOR DAY TRIPS 2012
TUESDAY JAN 17. -A PASADENA SPECIAL: A TEA AND TOUR OF THE RED CROSS MANSION
TUESDAY FEB 14: -THE BOWERS MUSEUM: WARRIORS, TOMBS AND TEMPLES: CHINA’S ENDURING LEGACY
TUESDAY MAR. 13 - SAM MALOOF HISTORIC RESIDENCE, WOODWORKING STUDEO AND CRAFTS FEATUREING
FINE HANDMADE FURNITURE. A BROWSE THROUGH THE GARDENS WITLL BE INCLUDED
WHAT IS THE "RESIDENT MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION"?
Presidential Ponderings---January 2012
So---I'm sitting here in mid-December, and there's a stack of envelopes before me: missions organizations,
churches, our college, the seminary, public broadcasting, relief organizations... And---have you noticed? They
would all be very happy for an end-of-the-year contribution from us!. We want to be generous, and good stewards, and these are causes and people we care about, and in many cases have given to for years. It's always a
prayerful consideration: Whom can we help, and how much? What is the best allocation of the resources that
God has given us? And, well---we don't have quite as much to go around as we used to!
And then I pick up the envelope and pledge card from Monte Vista Grove Homes. Obviously, this is a prime
concern for us, because it is where we live, and probably will for the rest of our lives. And the question that we
talk about and pray about together is stated so clearly in the pledge card from the Grove:
RESIDENT MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION
*All residents are expected to contribute to operations.
The request for 2012 is
Single $700 per month
Couple $1400 per month
Now, we know that the bottom line issue is this (stated explicitly on the 2011 pledge letter): "To cover 100% of
what it costs to live at Monte Vista Grove (in an independent living unit), this is what is needed." So we must
search our hearts, review our resources, and decide what to do...in 2012!
How much of that amount are we able to commit, along with the other obligations and contributions we have,
after a life time of living and relationships?
I think it is remarkable that, after our modest move-in fees, and the remodel costs, and our monthly resident fees
and meals, we are given the privilege of a tax-deductible contribution beyond that. Not only does that address
upkeep, and maintenance, and upgrades and repairs (consider the Dec. 1 windstorm!), but it also helps to supplement the costs of those whose monthly income simply will not allow them to meet that amount. It seems to me
like a simple, Biblical principle, invoked by all of us at "stewardship season", throughout our years of ministry:
"You know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
"...it is a question of a fair balance between your abundance and their need,
so that their abundance may be for your need,
in order that there may be a fair balance." (II Cor. 8:9, 1313-14
There are some of us who can find $700 or $1,400 in our monthly budget, even if it is a sacrifice. Some can do
even more. Perhaps, as 2012 goes on, we will discover that we might be able to exceed our present pledge.
But---and this is SO important---There are some of you whose lives and situations are such that you simply cannot afford the suggested monthly amount. God bless you! That's OK. Remember it is a faith promise, an indication that as the Lord provides for you, you will help some of our neighbors. You do what you can. You must
be the wise judge of your resources.
But I would hope that all of us would donate as generously as possible in 2012, in thanks to our gracious God for
the provision of this unique place where we live. Thank you for whatever you can do.
Larry Ballenger
President
-2-
MONTE VISTA MUSINGS
Exploring how faith meets culture in the
21st Century
Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Gary Demarest
“One but Not the Same”
Where: Marwick Place at Monte Vista Grove
2889 San Pasqual Street
Pasadena, California 91107
When: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
5:30-6pm: Refreshments
6-7pm: Program
Complimentary event including wine and appetizers
MONTE VISTA MUSINGS – An MVGH Community Outreach Beginning Jan. 31
Monte Vista Musings is a new series of lectures and discussions at MVGH “exploring how
faith meets culture in the 21st century.” These programs are designed to reach out to our
neighbors in the San Gabriel Valley with stimulating and inspiring talks drawing on the accumulated wisdom of our residents. Gary Demarest will initiate this series on January 31 at Marwick Place with One but Not the Same, looking at the persistent challenge to affirm both unity
and diversity in a changing world.
To make it convenient for people in the wider community to attend after their work day, we will
begin at 5:30 PM with wine and appetizers, followed by Gary’s talk and discussion at 6 PM.
We will conclude by 7:00 PM so everyone has the rest of the evening free. MVGH residents are
encouraged to invite friends and neighbors from the wider community to join us January 31.
The next Monte Vista Musings program will be June 5.
If you have questions about this new opportunity please contact
Meagan McClellan or Jim Symons.
-3-
PERSONAL NEWS
Over Thanksgiving week in November the further celebration of Art’s 80th year involved flying
to our vacation share resort in FIJI where he has always wanted to visit. Joining us were Cathie
& Doug (A’s sis & bro-in-law) who were further celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary,
and our daughter Leslie & son-in-law Steve. We relaxed, saw the sights, enjoyed the very
friendly, English speaking population, and saw the best demonstration of the ritual fire dancing
we have ever witnessed. Weather very humid with short spells of rain, giving us one afternoon
of pouring rain, thunder and lightening. Back to Pasadena in time for the horrendous windstorm.
Art and Carolyn French
Dear MVGH Friends, Never have Bill and I been so grateful for the loving care of our Grove
family as we are now. Thank you for the extensive prayers that kept me going in the hospital,
and for little comforts offered, for hugs and kind words said so graciously. We thank you for a
gift of fruit and for a meal and for those prayers; they were all appreciated. Now, I am getting
stronger, happier and actually looking forward to my PT. God bless you all,
Millie Van Ness
Again this month, but with a heavier heart, I thank you all for your support, friendship, cards,
hugs and sensitive words. Taylor’s life was as big as he was tall. At the memorial service December 29, Bill Hansen’s homily was as creative, beautiful and fitting in its own way as Taylor’s work during his lifetime. Bob Bos in his own special way embodied the right words to
touch our hearts and God’s. Son-in-law Richard Wylie offered background guitar music and
his own rendition of “Farmland”, which he composed on our Pennsylvania farm. The meaningful Scripture readings continued to express the depth and comfort surrounding Taylor’s life
through the readers representing family and friends. Bill Craig led us at the piano with strength
and power which Taylor would have loved. Meagan McClellan graciously handled a huge
load. The Grove crews were kind and helpful.
Son Taylor (NJ) produced a wonderful visual history of his father’s life, which the family will
treasure forever. Through it all I was surrounded by the complete families total of Terry
(WA), Dee Ann (PA) and Lance (Thailand) (with a total of nine grandchildren).. They were a
wonderful support amid the multiplicity of tasks. As they return home, you are my family.
How fortunate I am. I thank God and you. Betty Jo
Our granddaughter, Helena Van Loan, a sophomore at South Pasadena High School, was selected as the All-Area Girls’ Cross-Country Runner of the Year by the sports writers and editors
of the Pasadena Sun, Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Canada Valley Sun. She
was the fastest runner at the CIF Southern Section preliminaries, Southern Section finals and
CIF-State finals.
Bill Van Loan and Judy Post
The Stackhouses want to thank all the friends at Monte Vista Grove who were so kind to us
during our recent illness. The cards and messages and prayers, the food brought to the house,
the many trips to doctors —are just some of the ways you showed your love and support. We
are deeply grateful. We praise God for this loving community and for the excellent care we received in the Health Center and the Hearth.
Don and Lee Hawthorne spent Christmas in Portland, OR with their son Robert and familly
-4-
PERSONAL NEWS
Just a quick update on service connected grandchildren. Katy has retired from the army but her
husband has been deployed back to Germany. She will go with him with her baby. —
Alex, who was blown up in a tank in Afghanistan last year. Has returned to the States and has
been computer training this past year. He has now been attached to the 101st Airborne Division
and is scheduled to return to Afghanistan. Date is classified, but sounds like it will be soon. He
was so thrilled to receive his copy of “Using All the Colors” that was autographed by the whole
writing class. —Connor’s ship, Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, set sail December 12 and
has now approached Guam. Their next few visits of the six month goodwill tour will include
Thailand, Dubai, Bahrain, Singapore and many others he couldn’t remember. They will possibly then replace the Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier which is scheduled to go into dry
dock for repairs, and they will be stationed off the coast of Iraq/Iran.
Many prayers are requested.
Mary Froede
For the first time in many years Mark and Agnes Duntley had all six grandchildren with them
for Christmas. Coming from harsher climates, all three families enjoyed our beautiful holiday
weather
THANK YOU
To: The Residents of Monte Vista Grove
c/o Larry Ballenger and Charlie Castles
Dear Larry, Charlie and all the Residents of MVGH,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to you and to Pat Hoffman as well, for everything you did
for the Resident-Staff Christmas Party! I had a wonderful time, as did all the staff. The Monte
Vista Brass was awesome!
I want to thank those who prepared the delicious cookies and cheeses and nuts, and those who
served the eggnog and cider.
Thank you to Joane Hinch and the others who decorated Marwick Place so exquisitely.
Thank you to Jack Lorimer for his wonderful rendition of Ogden Nash’s “The Boy Who laughed at
Santa Claus!”
Thank you to every resident for the monetary gift for me and all the staff; we are completely overwhelmed.
Perhaps we don’t express it often enough, but the true gift is working here among all you loving,
caring and gracious people. Each day here is a gift.
Thank you again for the party, the music, the food, the monetary gifts...and for the life-changing experience of working and knowing the wonderful residents of Monte Vista Grove!
With love, and on behalf of the entire staff.
Nancy Lain
-5-
PIANISTS NEEDED FOR VESPERS
For many years Rowena Markham has been our faithful pianist every Sunday for Health Center
Vespers. But now we need to put together a list of available pianists who would be willing to
take turns playing two or three hymns for the Sunday afternoon 4:00 p.m. services.
If you play the piano, would you be willing to be on a rotating schedule to play for the 30 minute
service about once every 6-8 weeks?
Thanks for prayerfully considering this call to ministry on behalf of our Health Center residents.
Let us know of your availability to serve by calling Bill Van Loan/Judy Post at (626) 793 4669,
ART NEWS
In early January Rich Gallego will be bringing his completed painting to Monte Vista Grove to
hang in the library on January 11th. Those who attended his demonstration on November 12th
will remember this painting that he worked on during his instruction. His workshop was enthus iastically received by the 25 persons who attended the Art Studio. At that time he almost finished
the painting but took it home for touchup and framing. He very graciously agreed to bring it
back to the Grove when framed so that participants at the Nov. 12th demonstration can view it in
its completed form. Be sure to watch for it in the Library on January 11 &12
At the end of January another series of “Introduction to Painting” classes will take place in the
Art Studio on Monday afternoons from 2-5 p.m. The class is full with eight students enrolled.
The course will run Jan 23rd, Jan. 30th, Feb 6th and possibly Feb 13th and will be taught by Joan
Stackhouse.
LIBRARY NEWS
Judy Ballenger has been hard at work computerizing the collection of fiction books. They are
ready for printing! A printed list on yellow paper will be prepared for the library. You will be
able to look up your favorite fiction authors to see how many books we have by them, or if we
have them in large print. Paperback books are not on the list, of course, because they are not
catalogued into the library. Judy has also been working to update the Gamble Room list of NonFiction books printed in the summer. Many books have been added in that room. Don’t forget the
wonderful biographies (920) and the fabulous books written my Monte Vista Grove authors (Red
Dot section) when you are selecting books to read.
STAMPS
Thanks very much to all who donated stamps for the Japanese Christian Medical Society and either put
them in our mailbox or in the manila envelope on the bulletin board. We may all have extra stamps this
month from our Christmas mail. They can use even nonprofit stamps and all our ordinary stamps, but if you
get mail from overseas, those stamps are great!
The sale of these stamps to stamp collectors helps the JCMS with their medical work in Tasmania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Nepal. They send doctors and nurses and also support medical students in
Asian countries, and the stamps they sell provide 10% of their budget.
Please trim them off the envelope with a quarter-inch border all around, or just tear them off the envelope,
and I can trim them.
Thanks, Judy Ballenger
-6-
A New Year’s Resolution
What’s your New Year’s resolution? Here’s mine—TO HAVE OPTIMAL WELLNESS
IN 2012. I believe that everyone at the Grove could benefit from making this resolution. It
would mean different things for each of us. Bruce Calkins’ optimal wellness is far different
from that of Ray Heer. Loretta Tang’s optimal is very different from that of Bev Grant. But
each of us, whatever our condition, can benefit by striving for optimal wellness.
Your Wellness Committee has planned for two new resources this month that can help
each of you to fulfill this resolution. The first is the enlistment of two highly-qualified personal trainers—Jeff Nicholson and Steve Smekar. Each will come to campus by appointment to have one-on-one sessions with residents in the Wellness Center. You may sign up
for 30 or 60 minute time slots on the bulletin board or with Shirley Castles. The cost is
$50.00 for a 60-minute session, with a 50% scholarship available from the Reese Wellness
Fund for each person’s first hour.
A Michigan native, Steve Smekar has both a B.A. and M.A. in Exercise Science. After
several years working as a personal trainer in Portland, Oregon, Steve moved to Southern
California in 2008 to begin work at Fortanasce Physical Therapy center in Arcadia. Jeff
Nicholson has a B.S. in Physical Education from Pepperdine and a M.Div. from Fuller. A
certified personal trainer, Jeff also has experience as a Chaplain, working in the Spiritual
Care Department of Huntington Hospital. An active tri-athlete and hiker (with Bruce Calkins), Jeff helps persons at different levels to achieve optimal wellness.
Have you had a health challenge in 2011 that caused you to plateau down in your level
of exercise but you wish you could do more? Have you wanted to be more active but have
been afraid to try to do so? Do you feel that you’ve lost strength to pick up heavy objects, or
even to get up from a chair? Are you afraid of falling? If you have answered “yes” to any of
these questions a personal trainer can help you with professional assessment of your condition, and correct exercises to do. Personally, I need muscle strengthening and guidance in
correct use of the excellent equipment in our Wellness Center. I plan to sign up.
By popular request, the second new offering beginning in January will be Balance
Training. These will be free offerings on four Saturday mornings from 10-11:15 am in Marwick starting January 21. They will include various exercises related to balance – strengthening and stretching that you can do at home, as well as education about fall prevention and
all that goes into “being in balance.” Our leader will be Dianne Whiting, a qualified physical therapist who has worked in the field for 45 years, the last 22 of them at Casa Colina
Rehabilitation Hospital in Pomona. A member of La Canada Presbyterian Church, Dianne
has served on our Wellness Committee, guiding us as we developed our program.
A plan to achieve optimal wellness can also benefit from three other Grove offerings:
Taiji classes on Mondays from 10-11 in Marwick with Diana Chong, exercise classes on
Tuesday and Friday from 9-10 in Marwick with Carrie Holtzman-Little, assisted by Shirley
Castles, and “Gentle Movement with Nicole” on Mondays and Fridays from 10:45-11:30 in
the Hearth Lounge.
Norm Thomas
-7-
FILM DONATIONS KEEP COMING
Our media collection of movies keeps
growing as more Grove people donate
more of their collections. These are
mainly DVDs of newer pictures such as
the cartoon called, “Madagascar”, and
more recently the classic:
“To Kill a Mockingbird”.
Remember: our collection has more than
500 films, both videos and DVDs. Our
catalogues make them easy to find.
MUSIC LOVERS
Funds have been made available to have Catherine
Thompson continue her music appreciation classes
during the January winter break from PCC. The
classes will be in The Hearth lounge at 10:00 a.m. to
12 noon from January 4th through January 25th.
CLASSIFIED: I have a new office chair which I
think was designed for someone taller than I am.
If interested call Ballengers, 584 7020, or
E-mail, revbal @aol.com
Warren C. McClain
The Women’s Prayer Group would love
to have more women join with us on
Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 9:30
in Marwick Place. We learn of the needs
in the Health Center and in the Grove.
We study from the Mission Yearbook for
Prayer and Study. Then we have a special time of lifting our concerns to God
and feel his Spirit guiding us.
Please come—The Prayer Group Members
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
David Lee
Deane Hendricks
Vince McLaughlin
Pat Shumard
Jack Lorimer
Joan Stackhouse
Gary Demarest
Nancy Reeves
Paul Markham
Ken Grant
Rosemary Pierson
January
January
January
January
January
January
January
January
January
January
January
3
10
10
12
15
15
16
16
22
26
29
THE TIDINGS
MONTE VISTA GROVE HOMES
You are invited to Men’s Prayer Fellowship
Monday mornings from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. in
Marwick place.
Director: Deborah Herbert
President of the Residents’ Association
Larry Ballenger
Volunteer Leaders for January, 2012
January 2
No Meeting
January 9
Larry Ballenger
January 16 Bob Boss
January 23 Art French
January 30 Bill hansen
Editors: Mary Louise and Jack Lorimer
Reporters:
Norma Lee Runquist
Evelyn Thomas Heyne
Mary Brassard, Betsey Burgess
Jane McClain,
Barbara Dosker
Carolyn French, Lee Hawthorne
Come and share the time for thanks, intercession and fellowship with one another as
brothers in Christ.
Cecil Hoffman
Facilitator
Publishing and Distribution
Nancy Lain
-8-
Edwin Chr. Van Driel, Incarnation Anyway: Argument for Supralapsarian Christology.
(New York: Oxford University Press, 2008, $28.86) Reviewed by Franklin J. Woo
Van Driel’s Incarnation Anyway insists on the primacy of God’s love over man’s sin.
“Supralapsarian”?—undoubtedly a term hardly used or heard since seminary days for most
clergy. From the Latin lapsis for fall, Infralapsarianism says that the incarnation of Jesus
was contingent upon the sin of man, while Supralapsarianism says that it wasn’t.
A native of the Netherlands, Van Driel today is a faculty member of Presbyterian Pittsburgh
Theological Seminary. Beside sholding Ph.D. and M.Phil. degrees from Yale University,
he also holds similar degrees from Utrecht University in Holland. With good Dutch theological rigor, Van Driel has renewed this centuries-old debate. His book is a good postChristmas reflection on the Incarnation as we approach Epiphany (January 6th).
Van Driel takes us through the supralapsarian Christology of three representative
theologians, namely: Friedrich Ernst Daniel Schleiermacher (German, 1768-1834),Isaak
August Dorner (also German, but less known, 1809-1884) and Karl Barth (Swiss, 18861968).In it he goes through great effort in meticulous and circumlocutory analysis and logic
to argue (perhaps more effort than most retirees would care to exert in reading, let alone following) to show how he differs, but more importantly, how he agrees with these thinkers.
To make a long story short, Van Driel finds support in them for his own argument on
suprlapsarian Christology, that God’s incarnation in Jesus was not contingent upon the sin
of humans. “In my proposal,” he says, “we do not have to preach sin before we can preach
Christ; we can preach Christ as the offer of friendship and love, that human beings discoverthemselves as sinners.” Furthermore, he claims that if God’s becoming human is contingent
upon human sin, then God’s coming is for therapeutic purposes, which ended when the
problem was solved. Contrariwise, he insists, God’s coming is for friendship and relationship, which are permanent and ongoing. Such a view of God’s love being prior to human
fall was vividly expressed by British theologian Charles Dinsmore more than half a century ago in saying that “there was a cross in the heart of God before there was one planted
on the green hill outside of Jerusalem” Why either Infra or Supra? Why not both?
Another supralapsarian perspective (although he never used or showed awareness
of the term), was emphasized by Bishop K. H. Ting, the head of the Protestant Church in
China when he made this very same point of the primacy of God’s love two decades ago:
In Romans 5:15-17, Paul speaks of the infinitely greater impact of Christ on humanity
than that of Adam by using such expression as “much more,” “vastly exceeded,” “in far
greater measure,” and “out of all proportion.”. . .The Incarnation profoundly affects human and cosmic life in all aspects. It is inconceivable that any area of human endeavor
should be unaffected by grace. But too often, we make sin universal while limiting grace
only to the few who profess a belief in Christ. It really amounts to saying that the Incarnation of the Son of God had made less of an impact on humanity than the fall of Adam. But
this is not a view that can go along with the vision of God whose name is love and whose
concern is to create, that is, to redeem, educate, and sanctify a humanity that will reach
perfection as free and intelligent agents or co-creators with him.
1. Quoted in Donald M. Baillie, God Was In Christ. (New York: Scribner’s Sons, 1948,
p.194).
2. “The Cosmic Christ,” A Talk to the Friends of the Church in China, England, 1991 in
Love Never Ends: Papers by K. H. Ting. edited by Janice Wickeri. (Nanjing, China: Nanjing Printing Co., 2000, p. 413).
-9-
THE TURKEY SHOT OUT OF THE OVEN
The turkey shot out of the oven
And rocketed into the air,
It knocked every plate off the table
And partly demolished a chair.
It ricocheted into a corner
And burst with a deafening boom,
Then splattered all over the kitchen,
Completely obscuring the room.
It stuck to the walls and the windows
It totally covered the floor,
There was turkey attached to the ceiling,
Where there’d never been turkey before.
It blanketed every appliance,
It smeared every saucer and bowl,
There wasn’t a way I could stop it,
That turkey was out of control.
I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure,
And thought with chagrin as I mopped,
That I’d never again stuff a turkey
With popcorn that hadn’t been popped.
Jack Prelutsky
(Courtesy Judy Post)
-10-
-13-
-14-
-15-
-16-
-17-