Thank you for your generosity!!!

From our Christmas offering, $3,717.62 will be sent to the Center for Violence-free Relationships in Placerville, which helps to create safe home environments in our local community.

$13,975.15 was designated for the well in Dinkere, Mauritania. John Ramey says that any funds beyond the expenses for the well will be used for a school for the town.

Thank you for your generous response to these needs! 

Current school in Dinkere, Mauritania.

by Patrick Hill

The Church Assessment Tool, or church survey, was completed by nearly two thirds (254)
of those sent an invitation to participate (387), providing a legitimate sample size for valid results.

Overall, approximately 78 percent of respondents are clearly satisfied with things in the church. Along with responses from other questions, morale appears to be very high, which suggests members are energized about the ministry at Faith Church.

The survey showed members value involvement in the church beyond worship.

On the whole, participation in church activities is very meaningful to me

Clearly Agree        71%

On the fence        27%

Clearly disagree      3%

Rating of church   HIGH

Moderate Perspective

Responses indicate that, theologically, the church tends to be moderate in its perspective. On the flexible style index, Faith Church appears to be very adaptable, which suggests we may be comfortable making frequent adjustments in the way we do things. However, members do not want to see a significant change in the direction of the church compared to the recent past.

As members look to the future, their top four goals are:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to reach new people
• Develop ministries that work toward healing those broken by life circumstances
• Strengthen the process by which members are called and equipped for ministry and leadership
• Expand outreach ministries that provide direct services to those living on the margins of society

The results from the survey will be used to guide the church's visioning, new rector search and campaign process in 2012.

More Information

Through January 2012, more information about the survey and the entire transition process will be shared with the congregation during Sunday worship services. The Annual Meeting on January 29 will also have more details. Click here for a Summary Document of the survey results.

Join us for the Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner on Sunday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m.  Bring a salad, main course or dessert to share.  Coffee, tea and water will be provided.

At the annual meeting, we will celebrate all that God has done for us and through us in the past year. Our treasurer will provide a report on our financial health.  The transition team will report to the congregation about the recent congregational survey and next steps in our transition.  In addition, we will elect 3 new members to the Vestry, the governing board of the church. 

We thank the retiring vestry members, Angelo Urbani, Junior Warden, and Jim Ness, for their 3 years of service.  In 2011, Andy Scholz was elected to complete the final year of a vacated seat.  Continuing vestry members are:  Carrie Grip, Senior Warden; Cami Day, Dan Shonkwiler, Fred Campbell-Craven, Jeanette Bessent and Steve Katzakian.

We will also be electing our Diocesan Convention delegates. Delegates attend the Diocesan Convention, casting votes on behalf of Faith Church for the business which comes before the convention in Redding November 9-10, 2012. Delegates pay their own way: driving expenses, 1 night's lodging and meals. Faith Church is allowed 7 lay delegates. Our clergy are also delegates.

To be a elected in either capacity, you must be a "communicant in good standing" (defined in the Canons as "faithful in corporate worship, working, praying and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God".)  The following are also suggested:  have been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church, be active in the life of the congregation, have made a financial pledge in support of Faith Church.  Vestry members will be expected to attend all vestry meetings (3rd Tuesday of the month) and the annual weekend retreat (last weekend in September), as well as any other meetings called during this transition year. 

The annual meeting, in addition to being important to the business life of the congregation, is a social occasion - a great opportunity to meet people you don't already know and to catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while!   Children's activities will be provided during the business meeting.

If you are interested in being elected as a vestry member or a convention delegate, please click here for the application, complete the form and return it to the church office by January 15, 2012.  In the event that there are more than 3 nominees for the vestry or 7 nominees for convention delegates, the vestry will review the applications and prepare a slate for the annual meeting.  Nominations will be taken from the floor of the meeting.

Why do we come to the Lord's Table?

How do we come to the Lord's Table?

If you would like to explore these questions together with your elementary-aged child and other families, please consider attending this new class in February! This two session class is appropriate for both children who have and those who have not yet begun receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Sign up forms and details will be in the Sunday service bulletins and in the church office in January.

When: Sundays Feb. 5* and 12*, 11:45-1:15 with a light lunch served, and childcare available.

Sunday, Feb 19 we will be welcoming the children who participated in the class at the 10:00 service Communion time.

For: elementary aged children with at least one parent attending

Where: Faith Church, in the Big Room

Supplies: A $10. donation per family would be appreciated to cover the cost of supplies

Instructors: Adriana Findlay, Janet Hensley and Fr. McNair

*If you and your child are unable to attend both classes, it would be best to wait until the class is offered again, most likely in the fall. Please contact Adriana Findlay, Director of Children's Ministries, for more information. 

The Christian life isn't always a walk in the park. Crisis invades life. Parents, and sometimes children, die. Businesses fail. People lose their jobs. Financial concerns and health issues arise. Marriages have challenges. Being a Christian doesn't protect you from the detours that can shatter your world.

Walking with God on the Road You Never Wanted to Travel, written by Mark Atteberry, offers real hope to those on an unexpected, difficult journey. For forty years the Israelites wandered through a devastating wilderness, suffering many losses, and yet learning some timeless lessons.

The thirteen lessons, presented as strategies for modern believers, are simply stated, clearly explained, and beautifully illustrated with dramatic and inspiring stories. Though you may be on a road that you never wished to travel, you can decide not to get stuck in the wilderness. A better life awaits you on the other side.

If you're interested in participating in the upcoming study group, please contact the church office by January 15. The books is $13, which includes tax and shipping.  It is also available for Kindle through Amazon.com. The cost will be $13.00. The group will meet from Wednesday, February 1 through May 2.

by Janie Shepard

Youth Group Coordinator

Thanks to the generosity of everyone at Faith Church, ALL the mandarins were sold!! The fundraising goal for the Gift Buying Outreach was surpassed and 19 Youth Group kids went Christmas shopping at K-mart for 25 Choices for Children little ones, buying everything from diapers to clothes to toys. All the purchases were gift wrapped and bundled up to be delivered, promising a very special Christmas for these kids.

Happy New Year!!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friend from Honduras

by Becky Hudak

Join the Magdalene Journey

by Jill Lasko

All who consider themselves to be seniors are invited to bring a sack lunch.  Coffee and tea will be provided.

Ken and Gerri Morgan will share a slide presentation of their tour of the Holy Land last year.  Follow the path of the Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land, and then on to Israel and many of the major sites from the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

If you have questions about the Lunch Bunch, speak to Pastor Jewell.

Come meet with other mothers of pre- and school-aged children in an informal, supportive setting to read and discuss Gospel scriptures, feeding our souls at this important time in our lives as we raise our children.

The class is ongoing, but offered in blocks. The next session runs for five weeks, meeting Thursday mornings 9:15-10:45, beginning Jan. 12th and ending Feb. 8th. Childcare is provided.

The text used is Meet the Bible, by Philip Yancey and Brenda Quinn. Please contact the group facilitators, Adriana Findlay or Kathy McNair to sign up.