Connections

December, 2014 


In This Issue
Pastor's Reflections
Worship Notes
Our Christmas Offerings
The Advent Event
Alternative Christmas Giving
Elisha's Pantry
Canned Food Drive
Warm Clothing Drive
Kid's Corner
Women's Book Group
Reconciling Corner
Sing Along Messiah
Bravo!
In Our Prayers
Prayer Chain
December Birthdays
 
1
Karin Jones
Joy Louise Nazaroff
2
Judi Collidge
4
Maurine Bennett
5
Isabella Ziemkowski
9
Bella Rerecich
10
Cynthia Morris
12
Deanie Wilmsen
Elaine Walter
16
Heather Boone
19
Ted Wilmsen
22
Judy Peletz
27
Gayle Pickrell
Hannah Wikse

let us know if we accidentally left you off the Birthday list! 

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Volunteers in Mission (VIM) 
  
(United Methodist Committee on Relief)



(Daily Devotional)

 
UMC publications

(CA-NV Publication)
 
SOCIAL CONCERNS
 
 
Newsletter Deadline

Please submit articles and special CCUM events to Administrative Assistant, Cindy Piccinini, [email protected]
before the 14th of the month for the following month's newsletter. All items are subject to approval and editing. Thank you.


 
PASTOR'S REFLECTIONS

I remember well my childhood excitement during Advent. This was definitely a countdown to Christmas. The lights were put up on the trim outside the house. My mother brought out the Advent decorations. The tree was set up and decorated. Our stockings were hung on the mantle. Our family creche was set up with only the animals and would change weekly as more characters entered the story as we celebrated with the lighting of each candle on Sunday nights. This was a precious family time as we read scriptures and sang a song.

 

Advent is a wondrous time. A time of waiting. A time of hope. A time of possibilities.

 

We all have our holiday traditions. As children, this is often a time of receiving, and learning about giving. One of our traditions here at Christ Church is to offer from our abundance, giving to local and international organizations which are doing God's work in the world.

 

This year, our Christmas offerings will go to Imagine No Malaria, the SAY Dream Center*, and the Interfaith Shelter Network**. There is more information about each of these worthy causes in this newsletter.

 

As we move deeper into winter and this holy Advent time, I hope you will join me in considering - What is waiting to be born in me? What new possibilities are gestating? What is the new year holding for us?

 

Wishing you many blessings of the season!!

 

Glo

 

 

* When fully-operational the SAY Dream Center will include 63 units of housing for 18-24 year olds, along with counseling and job training, both for the residents and another 1000 young people using SAY's effective counseling and job training services. And, with a $1 million operating grant from the County, SAY will be able serve these young people the moment that the Dream Center's doors open.  

 

**Interfaith Shelter Network provides housing and a hand up for homeless men and women and children in Sonoma County, in an atmosphere of dignity, respect and kindness, towards an outcome of empowerment, self-sufficiency and independence.  

 ~~~  

 


  

Sunday, November 30

First Sunday of Advent 

Mark 13: 24-27, 32-37

"Hope in the Darkness" 

Glo Wellman preaching 

 

Sunday, December 7 

Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 40: 1-11 

"Comfort My People" 

Glo Wellman preaching  

 

THE ADVENT EVENT 

10:30 am - following worship 

Crafts, activities, music, singing, festive potluck

 

Sunday, December 14 

Third Sunday of Advent 

Communion Sunday

Mark 1: 1-8; Psalm 126 

Glo Wellman preaching  

 

Sunday, December 21

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Luke 1: 26-38; 46b-55

"Mary's Song" 

Glo Wellman preaching
   

Wednesday, December 24 

Christmas Eve

7:30 pm Worship - "Telling the Story"

10:00 pm Worship - Contemplative Candlelight Service 

 Glo Wellman preaching

 

Sunday, December 28 

Amnesty Letters

Luke 2: 22-40

"What Child is This" 

Glo Wellman preaching

 

 ~ ~ ~
 

Our Christmas Offerings 

If every church member in the California Nevada Conference donates one dollar every week we will meet our goal of saving 200,000 lives.

 

Please feed our Imagine No Malaria Bucket one dollar every week.

 

~~~

 

 

~~~   

 

 

CONSIDER AN ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS

As you start planning for Christmas giving, I would invite you to think about giving outside of your friends and family as a way of spreading the true message of Christmas into the world. These are a few suggestions to get you started: 

  • The Living Room helps homeless women and their children with a day shelter, classes, food and resources www.thelivingroomsc.org.
  • Seeds of Learning builds schools and resource centers in cooperation with local residents in Central America. Wilmsens and Gaisers will be going to Nicaragua in February and can take school supplies, books, sports items (list at church) or donate directly at www.seedsoflearning.org.
  • Heifer Project www.heifer.org empowers people to change their lives through food resources.
  • The Volunteer Center of Sonoma County operates a Secret Santa program that allows you to buy a gift that has been specifically requested by the recipients. There are wishes for infants, children, teens and adults www.volunteernow.org.

 

 ~~~

 

SUPPORT ELISHA'S PANTRY 
Myra Gaiser and Gayle Pickrell have prepared someSweet Things for you!  These are available for $5 per jar.Take home some of the abundance of summer to enjoy and help raise money for Elisha's Pantry. Don't forget that these make great gifts for the holidays.

 

  • Santa Rosa Plum Jam 
  • Plum Butter
  • Apple Butter
  • Meyer Lemon Marmalade
  • Apple Jelly

~~~ 

  

CANNED FOOD DRIVE
Last Thursday's pick up and the sorting of canned goods was again very successful.  Thanks to Marguerite for again coordinating all our efforts this year. A special thank you for all the folks that picked up the foods and all the folks engaged in the sorting and packing of all the many food items we received.  Between the two Thursdays, we picked up a total of 7 car and truck loads of foods.  The Pantry and boxcar are brimming, at the moment.  The good news doesn't stop!!!!!  After we loaded all the cars and trucks, this past Thursday, the kids and teachers presented us with a cash donation of over $850.00!

 

~~~ 

WARM CLOTHING DRIVE
There will be another clothing distribution of winter clothes, for our clients, on the following Thursdays:  12/11-12/18

 

There will be no interruption of Pantry activities as a separate group of volunteers, from CST, will be handling the distribution.  If you or anyone from your congregations would like to help with the distribution, please contact Ann Sterin  - if you have heavy winter quality new or used clothes, you care to donate, please drop them off at CST, in the lobby.  Please call CST for hours of operation.

 

~~~ 

K
I
D
S
C O R N E R
 

We had such fun at our Halloween - Day of the Dead Party on Nov. 1st.

Painting sugar skulls
 
Face painting
 
Bobbing for donuts 
Mummy wraps were all the fashion!  
Thank you all for your ideas, costumes, fabulous Mexican food, delicious salads and desserts!! 

 

Our Shining Gift Christmas Project

On December 7th during Children's Time Heather Boone will tell us all about this beautiful tradition. Its purpose is to help children feel the joy in giving to others in our community and around the world.. Thank you Heather and Marguerite Li for making this a living tradition here at Christ Church!

 

Advent Celebration

We're looking forward to sharing love and joy at The Advent Event happening after church on Dec. 7th. Kids and adults alike are invited to make their gorgeous and unique Christmas/ Advent Wreaths, Christmas tree decorations, share food, and Christmas music. You will be hearing more about it!!!

 

Sunday School in December

It's a time of love, gratitude and giving. We are exploring ways we can help others as Jesus shows us. Our kids are learning about what people are doing to make a difference. We've made signs for you in about "Imagine No Malaria" and visited Elisha's Pantry. In December we will bake cookies for families in The Living Room.

 

We will also be learning about our Advent traditions and the Christmas Story. What a wonderful time of year!!

 

PS - Please let Anne Colby know if you are interested in teaching / helping in Sunday school.

 

   ~ ~ ~

 

WOMEN'S BOOK GROUP 
Wednesday, December 10th @ 7pm

This group meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month, 7pm, at Anita Pitzer's home. For more information, contact Anita.

    

December's book is Transatlantic  

by Colum McCann.

 

TransAtlantic is a profound meditation on identity and history in a wide world that grows somehow smaller and more wondrous with each passing year.

 

~ ~ ~

 

RECONCILING CORNER Reconciling

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Lindsey Kerr inspires us as she speaks about Welcoming LBGTQ Persons

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciling Sunday, November 16th: Celebrating our 17th year of being a Reconciling Congregation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biblical Obedience in Michigan:  Just Resolutions signed

EAST LANSING, MI-

On the heels of the nationally observed Methodist trial of Rev. Frank Schaefer, a bishop has reached resolution with two clergy who officiated same-sex weddings. Even though United Methodist clergy are required to provide the ministry of the church to all persons, current church law forbids presiding over same-sex weddings-an action that in other areas has led to church trials and defrocking.

 

Bishop Deborah Kiesey who oversees the Michigan area United Methodist churches was able to settle the complaints out of court, reaching a "Just Resolution" between the clergy and complainants. Part of the agreement charges the two clergy persons in cooperation with the Church to host a series of events that will emulate the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" model used in South Africa following the end of apartheid. Rowe and Tupper hope to work with Methodists across the Michigan area to provide a space for LGBTQ people who have been harmed by the church to be heard, with hopes of eventual healing to occur.

 

Rev. Tupper, who officiated his daughter's wedding to another woman, said "I'm thankful to Bishop Kiesey for choosing to give precedence to Jesus' law of love and inclusion. I appreciate the many frank discussions we had about the full inclusion of LGBT people in our churches-especially since the topic threatens to divide our denomination."

 

Rev. Rowe, officiated the wedding of two of his church members, who at first were reluctant to ask him. "After reading about the trial and initial defrocking of Rev. Frank Schafer the couple were considering leaving the church," said Rowe. "They came to me wondering if it was fair to ask me to extend the same pastoral and sacramental support to them that I offer to heterosexual couples. I told them that if they were unable to ask and receive the same pastoral care as the heterosexual members of the church it would be not only unfair but do great harm to them and to The United Methodist Church. I believe this opportunity was God sent, not in spite of the struggle this issue represents but because of the struggle and the holy conversation it can lead us to.  If we allow it, God can flow through us to use this Just Resolution process and others like it to contribute to the transformation of the church beyond our wildest imagination.  Not to take that opportunity would be in itself a cause for harm."

 

Matthew Berryman, executive director of Reconciling Ministries Network, calls this Just Resolution a "faithful act of Biblical Obedience."

 

"Bishop Kiesey acted as a leader for all of us by refusing to do more harm to LGBTQ people and the Church by reaching resolution with Rev. Tupper and Rowe. Her creative approach to justice is a hopeful path forward inviting us all to consider what reconciliation and healing could look like," said Berryman.

 

A public celebration was held on Wednesday, November 12 at University United Methodist Church 1120 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI at 11AM.

   

~~~ 



 

 

 

 

Christ Church was part of the North Bay Organizing Project's (NBOP) Voter Engagement campaign, knocking on doors in the Roseland area and our own Christ Church neighborhood. When meeting neighbors in our church vicinity, Karin Jones and a Spanish-speaking woman, Isabel, found out that the renters in one of the apartment were in shock because the new owner was raising their rent 40% as of December 1.  

 

NBOP began to organize around the justice issues involved in this situation, and have used our church for meetings with the renters. On November 13, renters of other apartments owned by the same company, along with NBOP trainees, community partners and one City Council member (Julie Combs), met in our sanctuary.

 

Glo Wellman, our Lay Pastor, did a great job leading off with song and reflection. Current renters and two of their children spoke to the 150 or so people in attendance, sharing that not only is there to be a rate increase (from $1000 to $1600), but they are already dealing with cockroaches, rats, mold, unprepared appliances, torn carpets. There is a 1% vacancy rate in rentals in Santa Rosa, which makes it very difficult for them to find other housing.

 

Rental abuse in a non-rent control environment is a justice issue. Our church's involvement is an important missional task we are now involved in. How can we help get more affordable housing in Santa Rosa? How can we help convince landlords to become more just, appropriate and reasonable in their rentals?


 ~~~

Saturday, December 20th @ 7:30 pm

**New Location**
Jackson Theatre, Sonoma Country Day School
4400 Day School Place
Santa Rosa

Tickets: $20
 
~~~

 

There are so many of you who serve Christ Church...without mentioning a word about it.  

 

  • Thank you Glo, Jack, Myra, Carol-Jean, Carl and all of you choir members who sang at our Thanks-giving celebration with Shomrei Torah. It was such a beautiful and meaningful time for us.
  • Thanks Myra and Bob Gaiser for the joyful wreaths and swags that adorn our sanctuary!
  • Thank you Christ Church Kids for your joyful singing. We loved following you in your rendition of Father Abraham. It was also a great workout!
  • Thanks to each and everyone at Christ Church for your warm spirit and gifts of the heart as we share the hope, love, peace and joy of this season.

 

~~~

 

man praying

In our Prayers...

"God does nothing except in response to believing prayer."  

~John Wesley

 

 

  • Nick Lawrence
  • Bob & Myra Gaiser (son, Noah, had surgery)
  • Lois Nimmo
  • Darlene Davis' grandson, Ryder
  • Neal Bohn, Heather's son's girlfriend's father
  • Hannah Seitz (Sally Seitz' daughter)
  • Bob & Janet Smith, Annika & family
  • Joan Niebank
  • Durward family
  • Coolidge family (Mikey and Austin)
  • George & Jean Houser
  • Our church family & community
  • Friends, families & neighbors struggling financially
  • Military personnel & their families
  • Our government leaders
 ~ ~ ~
 
PRAYER CHAIN

One of the ways that we care for each other here at Christ Church is through prayer.  We have a team of people who regularly pray for folks who are in need of spiritual and physical healing.  Would you like to join those folks who pray daily for others in need?  

Would you like more prayers for yourself or people you are close to? Our prayer chain members feel honored to receive prayer requests from you. Contact Darlene Davis.

 

We also welcome written prayer requests you can put in the offering plate on Sundays. Prayer request cards are in the "Gray Pad' folder. 


We have listed names above so that we might all be in prayer for each other.

 ~ ~ ~