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Davis United Methodist Church
Crossection Newsletter
April 2015
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A "LOVE" NOTE... (from your pastor)
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
As this newsletter goes out, we will be entering the somber days in which we remember Jesus' betrayal, arrest, torture, and crucifixion. On Holy Saturday we hold our breaths, suspended for a moment between death and life.
Then: on Easter Sunday we celebrate!
Easter is the most important celebration of the Christian faith (no matter the attention given to Christmas). And though Easter Sunday is the peak of that celebration, Easter is in fact a seven week season in the Christian calendar.
In this season we will turn our attention to our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. We see our lives as Jesus-followers through a particular frame: lives framed by the intersection of Jesus' own life; the understanding of God we gain through such a Jesus; and how the narrative of death and resurrection informs this picture. These intersecting aspects of a Christian understanding of God's hopes for how we humans will live (and love). We reflect upon the biblical stories of Jesus' followers centuries ago, and ask ourselves:
- how does Jesus' long-ago earthly life inform our own?
- what does Jesus Christ reveal about God - and how does this shape our own relationships with God?
- what do we know of death and resurrection, apart from one old story? what choices in our lives reflect the hope of resurrection?
I look forward to celebrating Easter with you - as this month begins, and all through the season.
See you in church!
In Faith,
p.s. You may remember that in this appointment year (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015) I have the benefit of the quadrennial leave allotted to United Methodist clergy - one year out of every four when I receive an extra month for study. I will be finishing out that time in April and May, first with a leadership retreat in St. Louis, April 13-19. Then I will participate in the Festival of Homiletics in Denver, May 11-16, followed by a week-long silent retreat in Centering Prayer May 17-24 at the Mercy Center, Burlingame. This is such a treat - thanks for the support!
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April at a Glance
April 2nd Holy Thursday worship at 7:00pm
April 3rd Good Friday worship at 7:00pm
April 5th Easter Sunday worship at 8:30 and 11:00
Come at 8:30 for more leg room!
Children's Easter Egg Hunt after 11:00 service
Easter Potluck at 1:00 pm in Fellowship Hall
April 11th Grace Garden Annual Plant Sale
April 13-19 Pastor Kelly away for Continuing Ed
April 19th Special Offering: Help the Immigrant
April 25th Davis Day of Service
UMW Tea
See Church Calendar for details and more events.
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Children's Easter Egg Hunt April 5th, 12:15 pm DUMC Courtyard
Children and Youth Ministries will be hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday after the 11:00 service (approx. 12:15)
Children should be accompanied by an adult and gather on the Labyrinth. The hunt will be staged in waves based on age: 0-2 year olds are first, followed by 2 - 4 year olds, then preK/K, then 1st-3rd graders, and finally 4th-6th graders. Easter "baskets" will be provided.
 Easter Potluck Fellowship Hall April 5th, 1:00 pm
This potluck is for anyone wishing to spend Easter afternoon with their faith family in loving fellowship. Alice Lakin will be providing a lamb. Please bring your family's favorite Easter dish to share.
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April 19th Special Offering: Help the Immigrant, Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network, and Justice for Our Neighbors
The Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network, or YIIN, is a nonprofit organization that works with various agencies to assist those whose lives have been affected by immigration. It is comprised of people who serve and advocate for immigrants. YIIN engages in a number of programs to help serve immigrants. For instance, YIIN makes weekly visits to juvenile hall to visit unaccompanied minors and also has an afterschool program at the Madison Migrant Center. YIIN also endeavors to assist undocumented college students in Yolo County.
Our church held a local Justice for Our Neighbors, or JFON, legal clinic last summer. National Justice for Our Neighbors, an organization founded by UMCOR in 1999, seeks to help immigrants who cannot afford a private immigration attorney. Justice For Our Neighbors ministry exists to help these vulnerable individuals, providing quality, affordable legal services that help people access immigration laws in a compassionate and welcoming environment.
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Adult Sunday School Classes in April
Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:45 am
Adult Bible Study - Rothe Room
April 5th "Resurrection Guaranteed"
April 12th "Love One Another"
April 19th "Believe God's Love"
April 26th "Watch Out For Deceivers"
Contemporary Issues Forum - Walker Room
Meets between services on Sundays (9:45-10:50). If you have an idea for a forum or an issue you would like to speak about, please contact Susan Padgett at sdpadgett@sbcglobal.net.
April 5: Easter Sunday. No Forum
April 12: Davis Phoenix Coalition: Rising from the Ashes of Hate
with Gloria Partida, Coalition Member
Two years ago, Mikey Partida, a young gay man, was severely beaten in a brutal hate crime in Davis. In response, Mikey's mother, Gloria, and others in the community formed the Phoenix Coalition to promote "a world where all people are safe, respected and free from violence." Since its formation, the Phoenix Coalition has actively worked to address all forms of intolerance through programs to build awareness, community engagement, advocacy and education. Join us for this opportunity to meet Gloria Partida and to learn more about how we can support this important work.
April 19: Why Ferguson Matters in Yolo County
with Rev. Kristin Stoneking, Executive Director, Fellowship of Reconciliation
Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) has been deeply involved in the struggles taking place in Ferguson, MO through the leadership of Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, who grew up in St. Louis and who is organizing with grassroots young protesters and faith leaders. In their work in Ferguson, FOR has called for clear police accountability for the killing of Michael Brown, efforts to seek community reconciliation and address the broader systemic issues of inequality, and actions to end hyper-militarized policing in communities nationwide. Kristin will talk about her experiences in Ferguson, particularly during the Truth Telling Weekend March 12-14, and how we can apply the lessons of Ferguson here in Yolo County.
April 26: The Yolo Food Bank
with Linda Zablotny-Hurst, Director of Development and Josh Ellis, Volunteer Coordinator, Yolo Food Bank
Since 1970, the Yolo Food Bank has been working to alleviate hunger and malnutrition in our local communities. Today, the food bank joins with volunteers and donors of food and funds to distribute food across Yolo County through its nine programs, including one involving partnerships with 63 community agencies. Yolo Food Bank serves 17,000 direct clients monthly (i.e. those people to whom food is actually distributed), and about 47,000 indirect clients monthly (i.e. the number of people who share the distributed food based on a household size of 2.8 people.) Nearly 4 million pounds of food is distributed annually, about a quarter of which is fresh produce. Despite our living in a bountiful agricultural area, it is estimated that there are more than 44,000 food insecure people ( >20% of the population) in our county, including 1 in 4 children (10,750). Come learn more about the nature of hunger in Yolo County, and how our donations of food, funds, and time can make a real difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors.
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 Small Group: "Listening for the Heartbeat of God" Celtic Spirituality Small Group Study begins April 12th
John Philip Newell, pastor, author, and poet from Edinburgh, Scotland, will spend a weekend in Davis in February 2016. To introduce us to Newell, JoAnn Diel invites us to join a small group study at Davis UMC using Newell's book "Listening for the Heartbeat of God." Discussions will focus on the current teachings of Newell, including Celtic history, beliefs and practices.
- Sunday afternoons 4-5 p.m. in the Walker Room
- April 12-May 17
- Books available in the church office for $10
Newell's writing presents his understanding of "a spirituality for today, modeled on the vital characteristics of Celtic spirituality through the centuries." His teachings are absolutely grounded in Christianity and in life - and they are beautifully inclusive. Here are a few gems from his writings:
- The light of God flows through all things and is at the core of our being.
- Philip redefines "born again." Jesus invites us to be born again - to let what is deepest in us come forth in radical new ways to reform the world. To be born again is to find out how to let our light shine.
- The wisdom of other traditions, nations, and cultures help complete ours.
- The way of compassion is at the heart of all great traditions.
- Philip invites us to reconnect with God's passion for healing and reconciliation - and with Jesus' way of non-violence.
- You cannot be afraid of those you know.
- Deep feeling moves us to action - and bits of action done faithfully will eventually make a difference.
- Deep knowing and understanding relationships are the compass. (note: compass and compassion)
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Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network
4th Annual Dinner
April 25th, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Davis Community Church
YIIN's 4th Annual dinner will be prepared by Mary Phillip and accompanied by music and a raffle. Proceeds will go to support YIIN's mission, which includes financial assistance for those who need help paying for a legal immigration status application.
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Meet Our New Staff!
You will begin to see two new faces in the nursery or offering child care for other meetings and events. Please welcome Emily Pagliai and Aubrey Niegocki. Emily is self-employed as a nanny, which has been her primary work for about 5 years. Emily also has experience as a medical assistant, and is the mom of a 2 1/2 year old daugher. Aubrey is a freshman at UC Davis and comes with lots of child care experience both through volunteer work and paid baby-sitting.
For now Emily and Aubrey join our child care team primarily as substitutes and back-up staff, assisting Alice, Emma, and Carolina. lease take a moment to introduce yourself when you see Aubrey or Emily at work, and help us give them a warm welcome!
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From Your Finance Ministry
| | FEBRUARY ACTUAL | YEAR TO DATE ACTUAL | | | | | | INCOME | $31,472 | $53,265 | | | | | | EXPENSE | 425,316 | $49,419 | | | | | | NET | $6,156 | $3,846 |
Over the past two months, the Finance Ministry has been reviewing the contract for the solar system installed three years ago that provides solar power to our church. We are currently leasing the system from the lessor and have the option to buy the system as early as January 2017 for $32,900. After careful review of the costs and benefits of owning the system, the Finance Ministry recommended to Church Council in February that we plan to purchase the system as soon as the contract allows (January 2017) and funds are available. Church Council has approved the recommendation. We will be working with the solar subcommittee to develop a plan to raise the funds over the next two years that will be presented to Church Council for review and approval. If you are interested in supporting this project please contact Jim Cramer or Brian Horsfield.
We are grateful to all those who have worked tirelessly to provide ways for our church to be a good steward of the earth's resources. Thank you.
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Historical Notes: Easter Hymns
By Kathy Schinski, DUMC Historian
The hymn most often and most aptly sung at Easter is "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today!" This hymn was written by Charles Wesley in 1739, (less than a year after his Aldersgate experience) at the opening of "The Foundry,"the first Wesleyan chapel, in London. It began as a variation of a 14th century Latin hymn called "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" which was translated in the early 1700s, for which Charles Wesley had previously written a 4th verse. The two hymns are often confused now, due in part to changes made to the Wesleyan hymn, but in Wesley's day they were not that similar.
Although the original form of Charles Wesley's hymn remains, the popular form most often sung at Easter has been modified in several ways:
1)The tune of the original was a Welsh melody called "Lanfair", but in the early 1800s the Lyra Davidica "Easter Hymn" tune of today's Methodist Hymnal was introduced. Since this was also the tune used for the 14th century hymn, this is where the two became more alike. "You Tube" has both the Lanfair and the Lyra Davidica versions of "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today!"
2) Charles Wesley did not put the Alleluias into the hymn! This was done in the early 1800s, to make the current tune work and it was so fitting that it stayed.
3) Charles Wesley wrote 11 verses for the hymn, but the commonly used verses are an amalgamation of what were considered the most meaningful phrases. In the Methodist Hymnal there are 4 essential verses and 2 optional verses. All 11 verses as written by Charles Wesley can be found online.
4) To be more inclusive, the line "Sons of men and angels say" was changed in the Methodist Hymnal and other places to read "Earth and Heaven in chorus say." When I looked online at choirs, some sang it the original way still.
What is most notable is that the text of the hymn is written in the present tense. This is important because it puts people of today in community with those who witnessed the resurrection, and reaffirms our own hopes of freedom from death into everlasting life. Some people feel that the hymn is a call to action to help the suffering and oppressed even though it takes us to "the cross, the grave, the sky." Charles Wesley, along with unknown visionaries from the 1800s combined to write this quintessential hymn, rich with jubilant imagery and the wonderful revelations of Easter!
Sources: (1.) Wikipedia..2.)Christianity Today"Hymn For Easter Day, Christian History"3.)lectionary.org "Hymn Story:Christ The Lord Is Risen Today"4.)Kenneth W. Osbeck "Amazing Grace 366 Hymn Stories For Daily Devotions")
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RiverCats "Imagine No Malaria" Fundraiser Game Friday, May 1st
If you are interested in going to this game as a group from DUMC, contact John Uhte at juhte@yahoo.com. Tickets are $23 person. The group registration deadline is April 1st so please contact John ASAP if you would like to go. |
New Volunteer Opportunity at Davis Community Meals
Davis Community Meals (DCM) has started a new meal each week on Mondays at Cesar Chavez Plaza (1220 Olive Drive, Davis). The meal has consistently had 15-20 people attending.
A group of 3-5 volunteers is needed each Monday to cook, serve and clean up the meal. The volunteers can buy the food themselves and/or use random donations from week to week. We are looking for a main dish and two side dishes. No dessert is necessary unless something has been donated. The meal is served at 6 pm. Meals can be cooked at Cesar Chavez or cooked elsewhere and delivered. Clean-up is usually finished by 7 pm.
If you or your group would like to volunteer, please sign up at
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4cacaf28a3fc1-monday
Or contact Harmony Scopazzi at volunteersatdcm@sbcglobal.net (530-220-4089)
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From the Trustees: Church Work Day Report
What a turnout! The All-Church Work Day on March 28th was definitely the place to be. Eager helpers were to be seen all over both buildings and scattered around the grounds.
Just some of the activities:
- Paints in the shed sorted, color-checked, and some discarded.
- Bushes trimmed and landscaping edges neatened up.
- Weeding in Grace Garden
- Ironing yards of fabric for worship setup for Easter
- Sorting the Children and Youth Ministry supply closet (a room unto itself).
- Sorting some classroom shelves.
- Shampooing upholstered chairs in Sanctuary, Fellowship hall, and Walker Room.
- Ironing out wax on Sanctuary carpet and chairs.
- Washing windows, windows, windows (thanks Chuck for the high-up ones).
- Pressure washing outdoor benches and patio and walkways.
- Cobwebbing under children's patio covering and elsewhere.
- Sweeping pine needles from Fellowship hall roof.
- And no doubt other tasks I didn't get out and notice!
Trustees wish to extend thanks to all who came and worked:
Drake Woods (at 3, the youngest)
Dave Woods
Sue Woods
Mary Philip
Rosa Washington
Randy Ruan
Louanne Horsfield
Brian Horsfield
Chuck Young
Eva Brock
Linda Deos
Alice Harvey
Alice Lakin
Marcus Clark
Margot Clark
Bob Fretwell
Douglas Layson
Sherrill Futrell
Joyce Smuda
Pastor Kelly
Cid Barcellos
Jim Tischer
Kirk Amundson
Kathy Schinski
Roland McCoy
Dick Dowell
Cynthia Casteel
Blanche Shannon
And I think I missed a few. Thank you!
You gave some great TLC to our church home, where so much of God's ministry begins.
Louanne Horsfield, Trustee secretary
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Caring Congregation
Ways we can support one another
Meals Ministry
What is the meals ministry?
When a family member is ill, hospitalized or grieving, not having to worry about meals can be a great blessing. So, church members often make meals for individuals or families as a way of caring for members of our church family.
How do I request meals for my family or myself?
Call or email the church office during the week or call or email Helen Roland (756-3973 hroland2@gmail.com )
How can I get involved in the meals ministry?
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A GOURMET COOK
Let Helen know you're interested in being on her list of potential caregivers. When a church member or family needs meals, Helen will contact you. She'll let you know who needs food and any dietary concerns. If you can provide a meal, that's great. If you are unable, no problem - Helen will contact you another time. You should know that you don't always have to provide a home cooked meal; you can purchase precooked meals. Most of the grocery stores in town have delis with delicious options.
Prayer Chain
Do you love to pray? Particularly to pray for the concerns of others? If you are a person who prays, you can serve your church community by joining our prayer chain. It is often a great comfort to know people are praying for us or our loved ones or the cares of our world. Prayer chain participants are committed to praying for those in need. To join the prayer chain, contact coordinator Courtney Diedesch at courtney_ed@yahoo.com.
Do you need to be prayed for? Or would you like to request prayers for someone you care about? Our prayer chain is a group of folks who are committed to praying for any need brought to their attention. To request prayers for yourself, or someone you care about, or a concern that is on your heart, contact coordinator Courtney Diedesch at
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Transportation Connection
We need more people willing to drive!!!!! PLEASE let us know if Gail can call you to ask for rides for church members.
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 Transportation Connection coordinator. Gail can be contacted by phone at 530-574-1176 or by email at gailtalk@gmail.com.
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Do you have ideas for improving our church campus?
When we think of our church campus, we plan for normal expenses such as water, gas and electricity and small maintenance items. And we have recently begun to think long-term and plan for repairs/replacement of major items like roofs and furnaces.
But what about those improvements that would make our campus better? Here are a few of your ideas:
- An electrical upgrade for our kitchen or a commercial kitchen
- New carpet for some rooms
- New surface (tile?) for the Fellowship Hall
- Signs that would greet a visitor and clearly show where things are, including how to find our office
- Office remodel suggested by Pastor Kelly that would make it more welcoming to first time visitors
How can we get started? We can start by collecting ideas and then getting an idea of what they would cost. At that point the Church Council would then consider how the various ideas fit with our vision (Pathway?) and the ministry priorities of the church. If approved, the question of funding and identification of a champion would follow.
How can you help? If you have an idea for an improvement please send a short email to: trustees@davisumc.org and give us a title, a short description, and why you think this improvement would be beneficial.
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Volunteers Needed to Create New Photo Directory
 It has been about 3 years since DUMC updated the photo directory, which means that it is most likely time to do so again. Rather than go with a photo company as has been done in the past, it has been suggested that Anna create a photo directory using the membership database and personal photos that the congregation sends in to her. This project will require a volunteer (or group of volunteers) to initiate and organize. If this sounds like something you would be willing to do, please let Anna know by calling or emailing her. |
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"Little Jobs"
a little corner of your monthly newsletter
 There are so many ways to help support the ministries of your church, and some of them are quite small in scope!
- Typing. There are often little things around the office that need typing - hand-written notes from meetings or brainstorms, short poems or articles that we want in the computer in order to edit - things like that. Let us know if you'd be willing to have us call you when we simply need something typed.
- Reading. Many of our ministry areas have interesting resources available - sometimes more than current volunteers have time to read. If you like to read and might be willing to read and summarize information related to some ministry area in the church, let us know! Let us know whether your interest and time limit you to articles (for example) or whether you might be willing to take on a book.
- Phone calls. Phone calls are often the most effective way to convey information, but they take more time than a group email. Would you be willing to receive a list of people to call and some brief, simple information to convey (e.g. a meeting reminder)? This would be an enormous help!
 To express your interest in being called upon for any of these "little jobs," call the church office and Anna will take your name and connect you to the right people. Want to know more about how you might find your volunteer niche at Davis UMC? Let Anna know, and she will have a member of our Nominating Committee contact you to find out more about your interests.
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Invitation to United Methodist Women/Men (ongoing)
The Annual UMW Tea will be on Saturday, April 25th, 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall
UMW meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month. Guests and new members are welcome. For more information, contact President Alice Lakin at 759-9978 or Vice President Rosa Washington-Olson at 753-2088.
The United Methodist Men
UMM will continue to meet weekly on Wednesdays from 7 - 8 am. 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.
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April Birthdays and Anniversaries
Birthdays
04/02 Sarah Mangum
04/03 Beth Hull
 04/04 Miles Melendres 04/07 Anna Wisehart 04/09 Haylee Wise 04/09 Judy Tischer 04/11 Laura Benham 04/11 John Campi 04/12 Cassie Vannucci-Mounce 04/14 Dan Ray 04/15 Hope Harvey 04/16 Brian Williams 04/19 Zachary Hull 04/25 Kitty Hudson Cawley 04/29 June Prowell Anniversaries  04/09 Mark and Sarah McCarthy 04/24 Ron and Marilyn Hoppes 04/22 Brian and Sarah Williams 04/27 Jeff Hudson and Karen Hudson-Bates 04/24 Dick and Judy Dowell 04/28 Sue Pacciorini and Diana Hoffman 04/28 Laura and Larry Williams 04/30 Jacqui and Carlos Castanon If we don't have your birthday or anniversary please let us know. |
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For Your Information
The deadline for the monthly Crossection newsletter is the 20th of the previous month. Submissions may be edited for clarity, accuracy, or length.
Need A Church Directory?
Email or call Anna in the church office ( davisumc@davisumc.org; 756-2170) and she can provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the most up-to-date church directory.
Quick Links for more information:
Archive of past Crossection newsletters and weekly email news
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Contact Information
Phone: 530-756-2170
Church office
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