The following story about Herb Linville marks the first in a series about members of First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara that we’ll publish in the eNews Update. It’s a way of helping us to appreciate the diversity and contributions of our members who remind and inspire us of what the Church is all about.
They are written by Judy Powell, our new Featured Member Editor, who joined the church in 2008 after attending here for four years. She retired from Santa Barbara City College’s Adult Education program in 2006, where she had worked since 1984 putting together their Schedule of Classes. She’s happy and honored to be asked to put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard) once again.

Meet Herb Linville, Our Featured Member for March:
For the past 55 years, First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara has been like family to Herb Linville. He moved here from his native Bourbon County, Kentucky in 1953 after completing his master of library science degree from Columbia University in New York and a two year stint in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He says he got two job offers…one from the University of Kansas and the other from Santa Barbara College of the University of California, then housed on the Riviera. “Since I hadn’t been west of the Mississippi River, I decided on Santa Barbara. I figured I’d stay for two or three years.”

Working alongside the newly hired catalog librarian that first week was a young newlywed named Betty Kimball. “She invited me to her house for dinner that Sunday. She and Sam were so welcoming, and said I had to come to the KOKO (“Keep On Keeping On”) Club that evening. It was sponsored by their church (First Presbyterian) to provide fellowship for singles. There wasn’t otherwise much to do in Santa Barbara in those days for young singles. I met a delightful group of people there and kept on going for a long, long time.” He began attending church with them, and on Wednesdays and Sundays the KOKO group went to plays and musical events, played tennis, and even took camping trips together on weekends. “It was like family. I became a member in 1955 when Rev. Joseph Ewing asked me to teach Sunday school.

“First Presbyterian Church in those days was housed at the corner of Anapamu and Anacapa Streets. The main sanctuary was where the new City parking garage is; the former Christian Education Center is now home to the Coffee Cat.” Herb was there throughout the church’s multi-year building campaign and eventual move to its present location under the leadership of Dr. Lawrence Fisher. “The new sanctuary and its great acoustics make it a welcome site for many local musical performances each year as well as for the church’s own stellar musical ministry.” (Read More)

ADULT EDUCATION
Anderson Lounge

April 11- May 9                  9:00am                 “MEET JOHN MARK “
The Rev.Dr. Harold Englund , Presenter
Dr. Englund is Pastor Emeritus at First Presbyterian Church, Berkley, CA

One of the most fascinating personalities of the New Testament is John
Mark, author of the Gospel of Mark. His family, his background, his
relationship to the early church, his missionary activity, all place him
in a key position for understanding how the message of Jesus reached
people like us! Beginning on Sunday, April 11, Harold Englund will lead
 five Sunday morning studies on John Mark.
Come equipped with a New Testament. Since the story unfolds
cumulatively, try to be on hand for the whole series. Notes will be
passed out for personal review. Be ready for a few surprises as we
"connect the dots."

Clippers Dinner Features the Moderator of the General Assembly
On Friday, March 12, the Clippers enjoyed a delightful dinner by Chef Kay and then heard a presentation by our current Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow. For more information on our Moderator, visit him on our denomination's website. To learn how you can become involved in the Clippers/Spares and Pairs, please call Juleine.
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LIFE OF THE CHURCH

THE FLOWERS today are dedicated by Ben & Berni Newitt in celebration of the anniversary of their church membership. The Flowers are also dedicated by Dave & Cynthy Ardell in loving memory of Miriam & Barclay Ardell and Evelyn & Kenneth Sieling. Following worship the Deacons will take the flowers to those who are ill or homebound.

ANNOUNCING A UNIQUE INTERGENERATIONAL FPC MISSION
TRIP serving with F.I.R.M., Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, (Fresno, CA) July 25-31. Work with S.E. Asian refugees and other immigrants of all ages. $350/person. Scholarships will be available. Contact Chuck (687-0754 x102), Josh (x104), Loyda Marquez, Jan O'Connor or Judy Sims for details and application. Open to up to 20 people. Application deadline May 28.

CONNECTING ALL CAREGIVERS : Our Monthly Caregiver Support Group meets Tuesday, March 23, at 1PM in the Garden Room. The goal is to connect people that have common interests, to share knowledge and be a resource for one another, to take time for self-nourishment and to pray for one another. All who care for loved ones are welcome .

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND YOUNG ADULTS!! Josh Murray will meet you on the Patio on Sunday mornings at 10:30 for a pilgrimage to a nearby coffee shop or restaurant for a time of discussion, prayer, and fellowship.

PRAYER AFTER WORSHIP returns to FPC on Sunday, March 28 . Those desiring prayer after the close of the service are invited to go to the Chapel (beginning March 28). An elder or staff person will be ready and available to share in this ministry with you.

THE PRAYER CHAIN is available to pray for your needs. In the Narthex and Fireside Lounge are Prayer Boxes provided by the Congregational Care Ministry. Please place a request form in the box, call Chuck at: 687-0754 x 102 or email: ccurtis@fpcsb.org. Requests are kept confidential.

PRAYER AND INTERCESSION

Pray for:

·  Missionary Bill Young with Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship

·  Those who are sick, hospitalized or recovering and need our support

·  Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: Kyle Lauth, (grandson of Dolores Crisp); Sgt. Erich Johnson (grandson of Beverly Smaniotto); Nicolas Jones (grandson of Allen & Ann Braithwaite); Andrew Gaston (brother of Leah Gaston); the people of the Middle East, the pastors and people of the churches and for all those working for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world

·  Congregation and staff at First Presbyterian Church of Oxnard Pastor Ted Brandt and retired minster James Bain

  THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday, March 21 – 8:30 a.m. Contemplative Worship in the Chapel; 9:00 a.m. Informal Worship in CFC; 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary ; 9 & 10:30 Adult Ed in Anderson Lounge ; 11:45 a.m. Sermon Feedback Session in Anderson Lounge ; 2:00 p.m. FPC Fine Arts Tour in the Sanctuary

Monday, March 22 –5:30 p.m. Presbyterian Women Dinner and Program in the Christian Fellowship Center, $10, reservation required.

Tuesday, March 23 –7:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Breakfast in Anderson Lounge; 10 a.m. Tai Chi for Arthritis in Garden Room; 1 p.m. Caregiver Support in Garden Room; 7 p.m. Session in Anderson Lounge

Wednesday, March 24 –7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship in the Chapel; 7:00 p.m. High School Group in the Youth Lounge (Josh, 279-2391)

Thursday, March 25 – 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir in Choir Room

Friday, March 26 – 10:00 a.m. Senior Activities Program begin in Garden Room; 6:00 p.m. Junior High Youth Group in the Youth Lounge (Josh, 279-2391)

Sunday, March 28 – 8:30 a.m. Contemplative Worship in the Chapel; 9:00 a.m. Informal Worship in Christian Fellowship Center; 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary ; 9 & 10:30 Adult Ed. in Anderson Lounge;

(Herb Linville, Featured Person, continued)
By the time the new UCSB campus was completed on the site of the former Marine Corps base in Goleta, Herb was hooked. “I liked my job, I liked the place, I loved Santa Barbara.” The new library building, the first of two permanent buildings erected at USCB,  was a bonus. There, he continued to build longtime friendships in an atmosphere that felt more like family than mere employment. He rose through the ranks and ended up as head of the Library’s Departmental Publications department. He also was an active member of the American Library Association where he served many elected and appointed positions.

In 1988, 35 years later, Herb took early retirement in order to take greater advantage of the cultural opportunities in Santa Barbara and to indulge his great love for travel which began with his trip to the Chicago World’s Fair. “My father always told me, ‘Travel while you can.’ I’m still doing that.” He laughs.
In retirement, he’s also been active with the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara County which honored him for his 20-plus years of service during a special celebration in December 2009.

Life hasn’t always been easy, despite Herb’s ever-present optimism. When the Sycamore Canyon fire swept through the foothills of Santa Barbara in 1977, he lost his beloved home on Las Alturas Road, with its magnificent views of mountains and ocean. One acquaintance described the experience as a defining moment for Herb. He could have moved away, but decided those vistas were worth a second chance. “I built a small two-story home, ideal for a single person, but with room to expand.” He remained there happily for nearly 25 more years.
Today, Herb calls Valle Verde Retirement Community home, and it, too, brings welcome fellowship. “When told my friends I was moving to a retirement community, they wondered if I’d like it. I told them I grew up in an old folks home, so I knew it would be okay.”

He pauses to explain. “I grew up in Kentucky during the Great Depression. In those days, there was no welfare system, but each county had a ‘poor farm’ to care for the poor and indigent. My father was a county employee who managed the farm in Bourbon County. I stayed there until I went away to college when I was 18.

The family went to a small county Disciples of Christ Church every week. “I remember my Mother saying to my Father, ‘Just because the door is open, you don’t always have to go.’ But go we did, so I grew up with the church as a part of the family.”

He says his parents had always intended for him to go to college. Following in the footsteps of his high school principal, he attended a small liberal arts Presbyterian college called Southwestern at Memphis, now known as Rhodes College. While working in the library there, he discovered his future career. He went on to the Library Science School at Columbia University in New York where he earned his master’s degree.

His collegiate experience unexpectedly shaped his service in the Marine Corps when his draft deferment ran out. “I completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, where the weather was just dreadful… hot and humid.” Lemons turned into lemonade for Herb. “When they discovered I could type, they assigned me as a member of the permanent administrative staff on the base. I spent my two years of active duty typing weekly training schedules of 10 copies (with carbons!) for each of the many platoons stationed there. I hated typing, but it was worth it; they didn’t send me to Korea.“ The relief is still evident in his voice these many years later.

His childhood experiences taught him compassion for the less fortunate. In Santa Barbara, Herb has been a volunteer with Transition House and the Community Kitchen since their inception. “In the early days, the homeless were housed for a month at a time by a series of churches, including Trinity Episcopal and First Presbyterian. We volunteers would stay overnight with them to make sure their needs were taken care of.” This continued until the present Transition House facilities were completed.

He was also on one of the early two-person crews from local churches who handed out bag lunches through the window of Trinity Episcopal Church starting back in the ‘50s. “When Von’s grocery store on Chapala Street learned of our efforts, they began donating food, and we were able to begin serving warm lunches to the homeless.”

Today, after being housed at a series of locations throughout the city, Community Kitchen is happily situated at Casa Esperanza on Cacique Street. “It has wonderful, state-of-the-art commercial equipment donated by a local family.” There, every Friday, Herb is part of a 12-person missional outreach group from First Presbyterian Church headed by Don Bennett. Along with groups from other churches throughout the week, they serve up to 200 hot lunches daily to Santa Barbara’s growing homeless community. “The chef works with whatever is donated each day by local grocery stores and farmer’s markets; he’s very creative. This past Friday, we had soup, fried chicken, hash browns, green salad, and fresh fruit.”

Linville has also served within First Presbyterian Church as a deacon, several terms as an elder, and as clerk of the Session and was a moderator of the Presbytery for a term. “That was when Judith Muller was called to be our Associate Pastor. It was a good year.” (For a clear, concise description of the inner workings of the Session and Presbytery and how they work together, Herb’s the person to ask.) He also helps with the church’s mailing committee but gives full credit to the rest of the volunteers who “do all the real work. I just take the newsletters to the bulk mailing facility in Goleta.” So, he’s a humble guy. Somebody has to deliver the mail, right?

Herb says he’s especially happy to see new faces at church on Sunday mornings. “Our current search for a new associate pastor is exciting. We need to spread the Word out into the community and reach even more people. This is an exciting time for the church.”

“So many people tell me that First Presbyterian is a friendly church,” he says. But a church isn’t just a lovely sanctuary on a prime piece of Santa Barbara real estate nor an excellent and inspiring ministry nor a dedicated and hard-working staff. Ours is a community of Friendly Believers. Just like Herb Linville. He’s always smiling and has his hand outstretched to welcome new people to the fold.
By Judy Powell, Featured Member Editor.