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Davis United Methodist Church
Crossection Newsletter
April 2014
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 A "LOVE" NOTE... (from your pastor) We talk about spirituality a lot at Davis UMC. Of course we do; we are a church. One of our primary reasons for existing is to nurture spirituality. There are other words we can use for this: nurturing a relationship with God. Supporting people's faith development. While we always have room to grow in how well we articulate what it means to us to nurture spirituality, we at Davis UMC are likely to find a fair amount of common ground when talking to one another about the role of spirituality in our lives and in our church. But what happens when we are talking to people outside our church community, or outside any church community? What do we know about how to talk about spirituality then? In exploring the nature and purpose of church, we tend to look for balance between an inward focus and an outward focus. The role for an outward focus is pretty clear when we are talking about service. We serve as volunteers within the church, but we also reach out in service to the community beyond the church - doing things like feeding the hungry. But when we talk about spirituality, it becomes much less clear where an outward focus fits. We come to church to be nurtured spiritually and to help nurture the spirituality of those we encounter at church. But what about beyond the church? Many of us are unsure of how to talk about or share our faith - especially in the face of images of Christians who share their faith through heavy-handed means of trying to proselytize or convert others. So here is an invitation to you. I invite you to consider these questions: What are examples of spiritual needs? What constitutes spiritual well-being? I suggest that if we think broadly about spiritual needs and spiritual well-being - things that transcend any particular religion - then we may begin to identify ways we can care about and care for the spiritual needs and spiritual well-being of people beyond our church. Just as we care for the material and bodily needs of people beyond our church, when we work to feed the hungry. So: What are examples of spiritual needs? What constitutes spiritual well-being? If you take me up on the invitation to ponder these questions, I would love to hear what you come up with! See you in church! in faith, 
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Adult Sunday School Classes in March
Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:45am
Adult Bible Study - in the Rothe Room
This spring, lessons in the Adult Sunday School Studies explore connections between Jesus and the Hebrew Scriptures. Each unit approaches this relationship from a different perspective.
Unit 1 explores "Jesus and the Davidic Covenant"
Unit 2 explores "What the Prophets Foretold"
Unit 3 explores "Jesus' Use of Scripture"
Contemporary Issues Forum - in the Walker Room
April 6: Water and the City of Davis
with Dianna R. Jensen, Principal Civil Engineer, City of Davis Water Department
Water is an increasingly precious resource and an essential issue for our city government. As a community in the middle of a severe drought, it is also essential that we conserve water where we can. Construction begins in April on the Davis-Woodland Regional Water Treatment Facility which will bring Sacramento River water to Davis and improve water reliability. Dianna Jensen will talk about the new water project and some suggested residential water conservation measures.
April 13: "Right to Die" Laws in the United States
with Lisa Ikemoto, Professor of Law at King Hall, UC Davis
Does a person have a legal "right to die"? Physician assisted suicide is now legal in many countries and in several states in the US. Professor Lisa Ikemoto will talk about some of the ethical and legal issues surrounding these end-of-life laws and practices. Throughout her career, Lisa has had a strong interest in science and the law and has focused on the fields of bioethics, healthcare law, public health law, and civil rights issues related to race and gender. She is particularly interested in the ethical issues related to scientific advances and how these advances can benefit the public.
April 20: EASTER (no forum)
April 27: Celebrate Earth Day (TBA)
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From Your Finance Ministry
| | FEBRUARY ACTUAL | YEAR TO DATE ACTUAL | YEAR TO DATE BUDGET | | | | | | | INCOME | $28,747 | $68,257 | $52,396 | | | | | | | EXPENSE | $27,244 | $49,915 | $55,666 | | | | | | | NET | $1,503 | $18,342 | | | | | | |
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April 27th Special Offering: Heifer International and Freedom from Hunger
Our special offering in April will be divided between two non-profit organizations fighting global poverty and hunger. Both Heifer and Freedom from Hunger are highly regarded nongovernmental organizations using sustainable and self-sufficient approaches.
Through its gifts of animals, Heifer International provides families with a continuing source of food rather than short-term relief. Heifer helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Its animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, through agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey that can be traded or sold at market.
Freedom from Hunger is a Davis-based organization established in 1946. The organization works with local partners on sustainable projects to increase the self-sufficiency of the poorest people in the world, especially those who live on $1/day or less. Their programs use a variety of innovative strategies, including value-added microfinance and adult education projects that serve over 21 million people.
For more information on these groups, see their websites: http://www.heifer.org and http://www.freedomfromhunger.org
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Letter From the
Superintendent Regarding 2013
Apportionments
March 19th, 2014
Dear Davis UMC,
I am writing with a deep sense of gratitude and pride today to celebrate your church's full participation in apportionment giving. In offering my profound thanks I want to be clear. This is not a small thing.
As United Methodists, we talk a great deal about being Connectional. This is part of the genius of John Wesley that continues to bless us today. However, talk of being connectional means little if our actions are not congruent with what we proclaim.
Your action of paying 100 percent of your 2013 Apportionments is a powerful witness of the vision we share of being the Church of Jesus Christ together.
Please share and proudly display the enclosed certificate affirming the incredible good work you have done together [Note: certificate has been posted in the entry way to Fellowship Hall]. Remember, this accomplishment is about healing the world. It's about feeding the hungry and healing the sick. And it's about spreading God's love across the world. And you, dear friends, are a significant piece of this work!
On behalf of the entire Annual Conference, thank you for your faithfulness.
Blessings in Christ,
Schuyler Rhodes
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Pathway Update
Davis UMC's "Pathway" process is now in the interview phase. We are using congregational interviews following an Appreciative Inquiry model as a way to gather information about our church. This information - i.e. the answers shared in the interviews - will ultimately contribute to visioning and goal-setting for Davis UMC.
Our interviewers are 26 folks who have been trained, and who will conduct interviews in teams of two, beginning the first week of April and continuing through May 24th. When we looked at the church directory and lists of members and constituents, we realized it may not be realistic to interview every person we want to interview. That would be over 150 interviews! However, we are committed to interviewing every person who wants to be interviewed. If you wish to be interviewed, just contact Anna in the church office or Pastor Kelly to schedule an interview. We are also sending invitations to over 100 active congregants. But miscommunications can happen - emails get lost, lists get mixed up. So if you do not receive an invitation, this does not mean we do not want to interview you! Again - if you wish to be interviewed, please do let us know.
Here are the interview questions we will be using (taken from Memories, Hopes, and Conversations). They may be of interest to all, and we are asking folks who will be interviewed to reflect on the questions and consider their answers before coming to the interview.
1. Reflecting on your entire experience at our church, remember a time when you felt most engaged, alive, and motivated. Who was involved? What did you do? How did you feel? What happened?
2. A. When you consider all of your experiences at our church, what has contributed most to your spiritual life? What relationships or programs or events have been most powerful and helpful in fostering the congregation's relationship with God? Are there particular characteristics or traits of our congregation that are most valuable as we grow spiritually, both personally and as a church? Tell me what has made a difference and how that has happened.
2. B. What are the healthiest, most life-giving aspects of the relationships among people at our church? What would you say has been most valuable about your friendships? Have certain groups been valuable to you? What would you say is most important about how we relate to each other? Give me some examples of how we live together at our best?
2. C. When you think about how our church has related to our community and to the world, what do you think has been most important? When we are at our best, how do we express God's love and mercy and justice to others? What have been your own most important ministry or missional experiences in relating to others beyond our own church?
2. D. Don't be humble. This is important information: What are the most valuable ways you contribute to our church personally - your personality, your perspectives, your skills, your activities, your character? Give me some examples.
3. What do you think is the most important, life-giving characteristic of our church? When we are at our best, what is the single most important value that makes our church unique?
4. Make three wishes for the future of our church. Describe what the church would look like as these wishes come true.
Why these particular questions? These questions follow the model of "Appreciative Inquiry," which is a method for assessment and planning in organizations. In addition, the questions are designed to look at the three core areas of congregational life: spirituality (relationship with God, faith), community (relationships with each other, fellowship), and making a difference in the world (service, mission, and outreach).
Once we have completed the interviews, we will synthesize the input and develop a way to bring the information to the whole congregation for discussion. After that, we together - leaders and all interested congregation members - will work to develop clear next steps for this church. These "next steps" will be concrete and practical goals that are most closely allied with the gifts and character of this congregation, and which we hope will best carry us forward into the future we envision together.
If you are interested in more information about the Pathway process at DUMC, you can ask any member of the "seed team": Pastor Kelly Love, John Knight, Louanne Horsfield, Jim Tischer, Megan Houpt, Tina Denena, or Janice Morand.
For a more complete review of what the Pathway process about and how it got started, see the article in the January Crossection. You can also find past articles from February 2013 and August 2013 in our newsletter archive.
If you are interested in studying the resources that different teams have been exploring in this process we are calling "Pathway," here's our reading list:
- Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, by Marcus Borg
- Pathway to Renewal, by Dan Smith and Mary K. Sellon Huycke
- Simple Church, by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger
- "Why Does God Need the Church?" blog post at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/soulwod/2013/01/why-does-god-need-the-church/
- Memories, Hopes, and Conversations, by Mark Lau Branson
- Deepening Your Effectiveness, by Dan Glover and Claudia Lavy
- The Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry, by Sue Annis Hammond
Or, if you'd like a copy of the study packet the Pathway group is using, or copies of the books listed above which are available to borrow, you can check the cubby under the "Pathway" box in the hall outside the church office (with the staff and volunteer mailboxes) or ask Anna in the church office.
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Historical Notes by Kathy Schinski
Dewey and Evelyn Raski have been members of Davis United Methodist Church since the early 1980's. In January, Dewey passed away at the age of 96. Dewey led a very successful and interesting life. It was summarized in a comprehensive obituary in the Davis Enterprise. A copy of that can be read on a bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall at the church. I will touch on some highlights, and then concentrate on his activities with the Davis United Methodist Church.
Dewey was born in 1917 in Utah, but was raised in the Los Angeles area. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Entomology from UC Berkely in 1941. He was involved in sports there, as well as in high school, and he tried out for the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. WWII interrupted his Master's studies. He was a fighter pilot and instructor in the Army Air Forces. During this time Dewey met Evelyn, his wife of 70 years. In 1948 he earned his PHd in Entomology while remaining in the Air Force Reserves, retiring with the rank of Major. Dewey lectured at UC Berkeley for 6 years and then came to UC Davis as chairman of the Nematology Department. He became well known worldwide and was especially instrumental in establishing a Nematology department at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, where an award named for him has been given. He received many awards himself before retiring in 1987. He is survived by his wife Evelyn, 3 of their 4 children,11 grandchildren, and 6 great- grandchildren.
In the Davis community, Dewey participated in many activities, several of which were initiated by members of the Davis UMC, such as STEAC and Habitat for Humanity. He was involved with International House and Doctors Without Borders, both of which are supported by Davis UMC as well.
Within the church, Dewey and Evelyn participated in many religious study groups, especially during the 80's and 90's, and they went on some of the church retreats. Their daughter Maya participated in the Youth Group. Dewey also served on several committees, such as Pastor Parish Relations and Social Action. One of the final church pictures I have of Dewey is when he participated in a fairly recent Wills and Trusts seminar in the Fellowship Hall.
One of the things in the church that Dewey was most proud of was heading the Stained Glass Window Project. Under the direction and design of Shirley Eley, church members financed and constructed windows for the Fellowship Hall. The Raski home became the construction headquarters during the entire process! There are two scrapbooks in the Walker Room containing photos of that. As a family member, a community member, and a church member, Dewey Raski will be greatly missed; however, his long years of achievement and caring will keep him in our memory.
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Declaration of Inclusion Update
In late fall Church Council endorsed a resolution regarding performing same- sex marriages and authorized Pastor Kelly and Jim Cramer, Council President, to sign it on behalf of the church. On November 25, 2013, Jim Cramer spoke to the congregation about our endorsement. The organizers would like to have a number of church councils now endorse the following as a resolution to present to the annual conference session in June:
Be it resolved that when it is necessary to choose between conflicting mandates in The Discipline in regards to ministry with those who are not heterosexuals,
The California-Nevada Annual Conference affirms that the mandates of inclusion:
* "inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination" (¶140), and
* "All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status or sexual orientation are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured" (¶161f), and
* "We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends" (¶161f),
shall take precedence over the discriminatory exclusionary mandate:
"Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches." (¶341.6).
Furthermore, as the Discipline is contradictory in these matters, making it impossible to obey either the inclusionary or the exclusionary mandates without violating the other, we deplore the bringing of charges against any of our clergy for violating either the inclusionary or the exclusionary mandates of the Discipline in said matters.
At our March 26 Council meeting, the Davis UMC Church Council discussed and voted to endorse the resolution, adding our support to the effort to adopt this stand as an Annual Conference.
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April Events and Announcements
Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network Spring Dinner
The Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network (YIIN) invites you to its Annual Spring Dinner. It will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2014, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Davis Community Church, 412 C Street. Mary Philip and her crew of cooks will prepare a wonderful Indian dinner. There will be entertainment by Mariachi Puente, a Davis youth band. There will also be a raffle and silent auction. Half of the proceeds from the dinner will go to support YIIN's programs with farmworker families in Yolo County, and the other half will be used for scholarships for local immigrant college students. The cost of tickets is $30.
If you would be interested in attending, please contact Alison Pease at alisonmp@gmail.com or (530) 220-9772 or Rick Gonzales at gonzales_rick@sbcglobal.net or (530) 758-2331.
Pot Luck and Variety Show - Sunday, April 6th, 12:30 pm, in Fellowship Hall
Stay after the 11 am worship service on Sunday, April 6th, and join us for a pot luck lunch and a variety show. The afternoon will be a fun and silly way to get to know one another better. The Children's Choir will be singing, and the youth group will be hosting a silent pie auction to raise money for their summer mission trips.
We need you and your inner ham! Do you or do you and your friends and/or family have a talent or act you could perform for us? a poem? song? skit? dance? juggling act? magic trick? Email Bria Stevens at briastevens@davisumc.org to sign-up.
All Church Work Day,
April 12th, 9 am - 12:00 pm
General needs are pruning, washing all windows and glass doors, gutter cleaning, carpet cleaning and much more (see Sunday bulletin insert for a detailed list). You can signup online at www.signupgenius.com, or let the church office know which duties you would like to help with. Bring your tools, cleaning supplies and muscles. Coffee and Pastries will be provided.
Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday - April 13th, 8:30 and 11:00am. We will begin outside together with the liturgy of the palms and enter the sanctuary together as we move into the liturgy of the Passion.
Maundy Thursday - April 17th, 7:30 pm. We remember Jesus' new commandment and the Last Supper, with Taize-style music.
Good Friday - April 18th, 7:30 pm. "Tenebrae" service marks deepening shadows as the light is extinguished and we hear and reflect on Jesus' seven final statements as he neared death.
Easter Sunday - April 20th, 8:30 and 11:00 am. We celebrate the good news of the resurrection!
Easter Egg Hunt, April 20th, between services
All children and their families are invited to celebrate Christ's resurrection with a light brunch and Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 20th in between worship services at 9:45 am on the church lawn. Children ages 0-Kindergarten will hunt for their eggs at 10:00 am The 1st thru 3rd graders will begin their hunt at 10:15 am All children in 4th thru 6th grade will start their hunt at 10:30 am Please bring a basket or bag for your children. We would love it if you could bring muffins, fruit or veggies to add to our brunch.
Easter Potluck, April 20th, 12:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
This potluck is for anyone wishing to spend Easter afternoon with their faith family in loving fellowship. Bring your family's favorite Easter dish to share. If you have any questions contact Zora Fowler at fowler.zora@gmail.com or 756-1007.
HELPING HANDS: Community Day of Service
April 26, 8 am - 12 pm
Let's show Davis that Methodists care about the community!!! Come out and participate, have fun, and give our church a visible community presence.
The City of Davis proposes to bring different community groups together to engage in meaningful service to the community. The proposal is for a Davis Community Day of Service to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2014. While city staff initiated this project, they are working with faith-based groups, service organizations, and other community groups to plan for and implement this day of service. The Church & Society Committee supports this event and a representative is participating in the planning process.
Interested groups will organize the day and work with City of Davis staff to identify service projects. We anticipate volunteers will work for about 4 hours from approximately 8 am to 12 pm. Following the project work, we envision all of the volunteers meeting and having a celebration BBQ lunch. Some potential projects include park clean up and renovation, graffiti abatement, repairing recycling carts at apartment complexes, and pruning back trees and shrubs that obscure street signs.
If you are interested in participating with other church members, contact Jim Cramer at 756-3973 or cramerjc@gmail.com.
All-Church Baby Shower, Sunday, April 27th, 12:30, Fellowship Hall
We are welcoming the newest addition to the Vannucci-Mounce family. Little Nate Thomas was born on November 26, 2013 to parents Stacey and Kristina and siblings William, Cassie and Emma.
As always we will be presenting the parents with individual wishes for their baby, as well as simple gifts. Since Nate is not a first-born, Kristina has suggested that books are always welcome. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in this important ministry. If possible, please bring a finger food to share.
Wildflower Walks
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!! Come join a convivial group of nature lovers as we frolic through wildflowers and contemplate the majesty and mystery of nature. These outings are more like gentle walks than moderate hikes, requiring some effort but decidedly less strenuous than Jim Cramer's other, more notorious hikes. Each is about 4-5 miles with some up and down, and each is suitable for children and families. For all walks you will need good walking shoes, a hat, lunch, and water. All walks will leave from church at 8 am.
April 5 - Rockville Hills Regional Park. This park, near Fairfield, features exciting rock formations and a duck pond as well as pretty wildflowers and diverse habitat.
April 19 - Hidden Falls Regional Park. This park, near Auburn, features lovely streams and an unexpected waterfall as well as pretty wildflowers.
May 3 - Tennessee Valley. This walk is in the Marin Headlands outside Sausalito. We walk two gentle miles to the beach, play there, and then walk back. Wildflowers should be abundant.
For more information, contact Jim Cramer at cramerjc@gmail.com.
Safe Sanctuary Policy
Your Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Children and Youth Ministries group have worked tirelessly during the past year to construct a strong Safe Sanctuary Policy which models our desire to protect each other from abuse of any kind.
What is the Safe Sanctuary Policy?
The Safe Sanctuary Policy or Safe Ministry Procedure is a set of guidelines which provide a safe and secure environment for all children, youth, vulnerable adults, and volunteers who participate in activities sponsored by our church. Some of these policies include: background checks for all of our church staff and volunteers who work with children, appropriate child to staff/volunteer ratios so that there are 2 adults present at all times, and proper reporting procedures for suspected abuse. These policies and procedures we've approved reflect our congregation's commitment to preserving this church as a holy place of safety and protection for all enter, and as a place in which all people can experience the love of God through healthy relationships with others. If you would like to read the policy in full, it is available by request. Please contact Anna Wisehart, our church secretary, at davisumc@davisumc.org.
Safe Sanctuary Logo Contest
We want both the congregation and the community to know that we are a safe sanctuary, and we need your help designing a logo to reflect our values! The winner will have his or her design featured on church documents and win a special prize. The due date for submissions is May 30th. Please send submissions to briastevens@davisumc.org.
April Birthdays
04/01 Sasha Ballard
04/02 Sarah Mangum
04/03 Eliza Buchanan
04/03 Beth Hull
04/04 Miles Melendres
04/06 Michelle Woods
04/07 Anna Wisehart
04/09 Haylee Wise
04/11 Laura Benham
04/11 John Campi
04/11 Jessica Diedesch
04/12 Cassie Vannucci-Mounce
04/14 Dan Ray
04/15 Hope Harvey
04/16 Brian Williams
04/19 Zachary Hull
04/22 Juney Lee
04/25 Kitty Hudson Cawley
04/25 Jan Powell
04/28 Kristin Bastin
04/29 June Prowell
April Anniversaries
04/09 Mark and Sara McCarthy
04/24 Dick and Judy Dowell
04/24 Ron and Marilyn Hoppes
04/27 Jeff Hudson and Karen Hudson-Bates
04/27 Sue Pacciorini and Diana Hoffman
04/28 Laura and Larry Williams
04/29 Danny Maurantonio and Kathy Glatter
If we don't have your birth date or anniversary please let us know.
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Looking Ahead...
United Methodist Church Summer Camps - An Invitation from Bria Stevens
One of my favorite memories as a child was experiencing Jesus at Camp Myrtlewood, a Christian camp in Oregon where I spent a few summers of my youth. I loved praying in the wild, worshipping in the woods, swimming in the lake and meeting new friends.
Our conference offers many camp programs for children and youth - both in the great outdoors and in the urban city of San Francisco. The costs vary on a sliding scale based on what families can afford, and scholarships are available.
Have questions? Ask the Papagni family who went last year. Michael, Eli and Noah had a great time.
Check out this link for more information about camp program descriptions and dates: http://www.cnumc.org/camping
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in signing up your children for a week of spiritual growth and fun. - Bria Stevens, Director of Children & Youth Ministries
Vacation Bible Camp - Save the Date
This summer's Vacation Bible Camp will be held on Monday, June 23rd - Friday, June 27th from 9am to 12pm for children ages four to eleven. Mark the date on your calendars! We will be exploring modern day disciples through a curriculum called the "Giraffe Heroes" program. Please contact Bria Stevens at briastevens@davisumc.org if you would like to be a part of this project.
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Ongoing Events and Announcements
Single-Serving Juice and Fruit Cups Needed for Grace In Action
The guests at Grace in Action are so thankful for the bag lunches they receive when they visit Grace in Action for rest and conversation. The number of guests has been increasing and your donations of single-serving juice and individual fruit cups would be very much appreciated. Food donations can be dropped in the Grace in Action box in Fellowship Hall or donated as part of the Feed My Sheep food collection each month. For more information, visit the website: http://grace-in-action.org, email: office@grace-in-action.org, or phone: 530-792-1053.
UMW meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm in the Walker Room at the church. Guests and new members are welcome. Contact Alice Lakin, President at (530) 759-9978 or Rosa Washington Olson, Vice President at (530) 753-2088 for more information.
The United Methodist Men
UMM will continue to meet weekly on Wednesdays from 7 - 8 a.m. Come join us for breakfast and fellowship at Black Bear Restaurant, 2nd & B Sts. Contact Jerry Beaman (753-4555) if you have questions or would like more information.
Transportation Connection
As a church community we are called to take care of one another. If you need a ride to worship services and/or events, or if you can provide transportation, contact Gail Mitchell, our new Transportation Connection coordinator. Gail can be contacted by phone at 530-757-1618 or by email at gailtalk@gmail.com.
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THANK YOUS
A special thanks goes out to Bob Fretwell for the many hours of work he has put in planting, weeding, and trimming the landscape around the church.
Thanks to Jean Becket, Jerry Beaman, Clara Robison, and Sherrill Futrell who fold the worship bulletins on Friday mornings.
Also, a big thank you to the Pacciorini/Hoffman family and Gail Mitchell for putting the sermon titles on the church sign each week.
Thank you to Marilyn Hoppes, coordinator of Fellowship time, and thanks to Rita Lundin, Bill Powell and Jerry and Rosa Washington-Olson who pick up the water for us at H20 To Go.
Have you noticed someone going out of their way to make a difference at the church? Email the church office so we can include them in our thank-yous!
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Quick Links...
The deadline for the monthly Crossection newsletter is the 20th of every month. |
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Contact Information
Phone: 530-756-2170
Church office
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