I had the joy of being with our youth during their last meeting before departing on their mission trip. The gathering was a flurry of details: packing lists, itinerary for the week, setting expectations, and writing thank-you notes. And by the time you receive this newsletter, they will be off!

One thing our team will be doing to help us all feel connected to their experience is to post each day on Facebook. If you haven't already "liked" the Davis UMC Facebook page, please do; this will ensure that you see the photos and information chronicling the youth mission experience. (You can find a link to "like" us on Facebook at the top of this newsletter.)

The mission site is Delta Grace, in Sunflower, Mississippi. (Learn more here.) Our youth will be doing home repairs for low-income residents in or near Sunflower. In addition, our youth will be studying the civil rights movement of the past and today, learning about events in the region where they are working and visiting important historical sites.

Davis UMC is a church that believes in putting faith into action, and I am so grateful that this church provides such robust support for our youth to practice this aspect of our faith. Approximately 70 different donors contributed to funding this trip beyond what the families of the youth were asked to cover. THANK YOU!

Please continue your support by praying for our youth and their adult leaders each day. The group is: John Campi, Emma and Mitch Finklang, Ricky and Brandon Pacciorini, Colin Ruan, Carolina Sturla, Laura and Sophia Young, and adults Kelly Wilkerson, Rita Lundin, and Chuck Young. A BIG thanks to Kelly Wilkerson for leading our youth group this year and for planning this trip, and to all the adults who are giving their vacation time to accompany our youth. The group returns to Davis late on Saturday, August 8th.

On Sunday, August 16th, our youth will plan and lead our worship service - giving us a taste of what they have experienced, and sharing how that informs our faith. It's a service you won't want to miss!

See you in church!

In Faith,

August 16th Special Offering:

Healthcare for the Less Fortunate

Our August special offering will be split equally between two organizations that provide healthcare for the underprivileged. One, CommuniCare, works on the local level, including Davis. The second, Doctors Without Borders acts on the national and international level.

CommuniCare has its origins in the Davis Free Clinic, started in 1972. Its mission today is simply to provide high quality healthcare to those in need. Specifically, CommuniCare provides medical, dental, behavioral and teen services, as well as health education. Its clinics are in Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento and Esparto.

Doctors Without Borders provides healthcare worldwide where it's needed most, particularly due to conflict, exclusion, epidemics or disasters. They are recognized internationally for their work in some of the very dangerous places around the globe. Not only does the organization work in the medical area, it gives voice in advocating on humanitarian issues and is a contributor to peer-reviewed medical and public health research in conflict zones.

Please help us with a contribution to these vitally important organizations.

Adult Sunday School Classes in August

Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:45 am

Adult Bible Study - Rothe Room

Aug. 2nd Our Redeemer Comes

Aug. 9th A Choice To Be Just

Aug. 16th A Call For Repentance

Aug. 23rd God Demands Justice

Aug. 30th Return To A Just God

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.

SUMMER BOOK STUDY: THE NEW JIM CROW

Come read with us this summer! Hope Harvey, a 2015 graduate of Long Island University, is leading a series of discussions on "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," by Michelle Alexander.

August 2nd: The New Jim Crow (Chapters 4 and 5)

August 9th: The New Jim Crow (Chapter 6)

August 16th and 23rd: Further discussion of The New Jim Crow. (Topics to be announced.)

August 30th: Walking the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James)

with Dave and Kim DeYoung, DUMC members

This past spring, Dave and Kim DeYoung traveled to Europe to follow an ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, the purported burial site of St. James. Following the footsteps of Christian pilgrims since Medieval times, Dave and Kim began their trip in southern France, crossing the Pyrenees and walking a total of 500 miles over 35 days carrying only small packs. Come hear about their amazing journey.

From Your Finance Ministry

	JUNE ACTUAL	YEAR TO DATE ACTUAL

INCOME	$39,494	$170,035

EXPENSE	$25,915	$156,677

NET	$13,579	$13,358

Contribution statements are emailed quarterly.

If you haven't received yours, please contact our Financial Secretaries (Zora Fowler and Rita Mt. Joy) at financial@davisumc.org.

Historical Notes

Someone from church once said this to me:

"Saving EVERYTHING isn't History!"

So though I tend to be a hoarder,

Part of my job is to be a sorter.

To know when I should have control,

And which things I should just let go.

To check with others and reserve

The things I most need to preserve,

Selecting what I need to file up....

(Compiling doesn't mean "to pile up"!)

Overseeing the past's survival
Without being "OVER ARCHIVAL!"

- By Kathy Schinski, DUMC Historian

MONTHLY UPDATE

FROM GRACE GARDEN

It's already the end of July. How can time go by so fast? I have been away on vacation for 3 weeks, which was wonderful. When I came back the garden looked great! The squash/zucchini are producing (unlike last year), the melons are looking good (harvested the first two cantaloupe this week), and the cherry tomatoes are prolific. The other tomatoes are still green but should be ready in another few days.

The fruit trees are done for this year. I missed out on harvesting the peaches and nectarines. My most important job is to taste test the fruit before we give it away. Want to make sure only the best goes to Friday's Harvest and Davis Community Meals. Very important job I have. Well, the fruit all ripened while I was away and I missed out. However, I knew I could count on the volunteers to fill this important duty of quality control. Grin!

The fruit trees (apricots, plums, pluots, peaches and nectarines) were great producers this year. The total for all eleven trees was 445 pounds! That's the largest harvest since they were planted in 2011. Last year the total was 254 pounds. Not bad for drought years.

It was wonderful to have so many volunteers step up while I was away. Many thanks to Gwen Oliver, Bob Fretwell, Mardena Creek-Michelson, Andre Schonhofen, Kirk Amundson, Kathy Gilpin and Sarah Williams. And a special thank you to Bob who oversaw the garden for the majority of the weekdays while I was gone. It is great knowing how many support Grace Garden and our purpose to help feed the hungry. The garden is in great shape. I knew I didn't have to worry about a thing.

Enjoy the rest of our summer!

Cid Barcellos

DUMC Has a New Coordinator of Children's Ministries!

Omba Kipuke was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Dr. Esaho & Beatrice Kipuke, who are Methodist Missionaries in Togo, Africa. Growing up in the States, Omba enjoyed being a part of the church and spreading the love of Christ while participating in the various church programs including praise and worship, drama, choir, and mission outreach. Omba is the former Student Trustee and board member for the Los Rios Community College District and is a Behavioral Science major at Bellevue University online. He enjoys playing piano, soccer, and above all, spending time with his daughter Pyper.

Help us welcome Omba to the ministries of Davis UMC! You will have a chance to meet Omba on Sunday, August 2nd - and of course any Sunday thereafter.

Our staff position for Coordinator of Youth Ministries is still open. We are scheduling interviews with those who have applied, but will continue accepting applications until we have filled the position. If you know someone who might be a fit, or if you can help spread the word about this position, please see our website for details.

Bike and Build Riders are Coming

Wednesday, August 12th!

For the seventh consecutive year, our church is hosting a group of bike riders from Bike and Build. Bike and Build is a non-profit organization dedicated to building low-income housing through Habitat for Humanity, while riding across the United States. We support one such group by housing them overnight, providing them a potluck supper on August 12th at 6 pm, and a send-off breakfast first thing the morning of the 13th.

Your Church and Society ministry, which is hosting the event, needs your help. Paul Grench will be staffing a sign-up table for providing the potluck dinner items after both services on August 2nd and 9th. Everyone is welcome to join us at the potluck on the 12th, where we'll be able to spend time with the riders and learn about their trip. The Men's Group has once again supported the riders' efforts by agreeing to get up early and provide the breakfast!

We hope to you can help with this energizing, important effort! If you won't be in worship the next two weeks, you can contact Paul Grench by phone (530-219-6134) or e-mail to sign up for a potluck item. We even have options for those who would like to help with food but cannot be present the evening of the 12th.

2015 United Methodist Men's Retreat

Friday, August 21 - Sunday, August 23

King's Beach United Methodist Church

(On Lake Tahoe's North Shore)

The United Methodist Men's Group will again host the church's annual men's retreat. It is an informal gathering mostly intended to give the men of the church a chance to get to know one another better. Any man associated with the church is welcome to attend.

There will be ample free time for talking, walking, napping, reading, singing, beach combing or just sitting around. We will have a sign up table after services beginning in mid-July. Come join the fun. For more information, contact Jerry Beaman at 753-4555 or Jerry Olson at 753-2088.

Contemporary Issues Forum Coordinator Needed

The Contemporary Issues Forum meets each week between services (from 9:45 to 10:45). The current coordinator, Susan Padgett, will be stepping down and we are looking for someone who would be interested in taking her place.

Forum is one of our two offerings for adults on Sunday mornings. The format of the forum is flexible. It can include speakers, films, conversations, book studies, etc. Forum is part of the Church and Society ministry of DUMC. If you are interested in coordinating or facilitating a conversation on a particular topic, please contact Susan at sdpadgett@sbcglobal.net or Paul Grench at PaulGrench@aol.com.

Cal-Nev Peace with Justice Grants

August 15th: Deadline to apply for Cal-Nev Peace with Justice Grants

Up to $1500.00 available for UMC churches & organizations who create projects and programs that support ADVOCACY and ACTION for

Environmental sustainability & justice
Individual liberty, justice, and dignity
Social justice, including equality and nondiscrimination
Economic justice
Peace and nonviolence

So far this year, the following churches and organizations have received grants:

1.First UMC, Pacific Grove, for the One Starfish Safe Parking for Homeless program 2. Merced UMC, for the Merced Prison Project 3. First UMC of Redding, for the Genocide No More - Save Darfur, Moving Beyond Witness program 4. Pine UMC, for Cal-Nev Philippine Solidarity Task Force and Network on Religion and Justice for Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ people, Justice at the Intersections project 5. Wesley UMC, Fresno, for the start up Circles program 6. California Church IMPACT, for the one time support of the expansion of the Activist/Advocacy Alert System. 7. Temple UMC, JFON-BAIT, for the Mexico/U.S. Border Seminar

Let's join the above churches and with the help of a Peace with Justice grant, follow Jesus in "proclaiming the good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, setting the oppressed free." (Luke 4:18-19)

For additional information and application forms, please contact Mary Liebke, mliebke@yahoo.com or 530.273.3678

United Methodist Missionaries to Nicaragua to Speak at Davis UMC, Aug. 6th

On Thursday August 6, 2015 at 7 pm, Nan McCurdy and Miguel Mairena, 30-year missionaries to Nicaragua, will speak at the Davis United Methodist Church on "Mission Means Bringing Hope." Before the talk the Church and Society Committee of DUMC will offer a 6 pm community potluck. Both activities will take place in the Fellowship Hall of the church at 1620 Anderson Road, Davis.

Nan and Miguel's work in Nicaragua involved developing programs with youth and women focused on education, women's health, economic empowerment, prevention of violence, promotion of gender equity and other human rights, and a youth-run community radio station. They worked with hundreds of Volunteer in Mission teams and have educated about topics like US-Nicaragua relations, the Eternal (External) Debt, Free vs Fair Trade and the root causes of migration from Central America. This summer, they are teaching the Latin America Study for United Methodist Women at Mission U.

Please come and meet these dedicated mission advocates who will help us learn more about issues in Central America and how to participate in global mission work there.

From Your Church and Society Committee:

To conserve water and fight climate change, let's go vegetarian once each week on Mondays! The Cool Davis Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice encourages faith communities to care for God's creation by foregoing meat on Mondays. Why? It takes about 1800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. This includes water for growing feed, rearing the cow, butchering, transporting, storing, etc. One pound of chicken takes 500 gallons, while potatoes, pasta, fruit, and vegetables all take less than 100 gallons. In addition, most of the feed for meat animals is grown using petrochemicals, fertilizers and pesticides that deplete the soil. Moreover, cows, pigs, and chickens also are major sources of methane, one of the worst greenhouse gases. So let's conserve by going meatless at least once a week.

CA House is Still Looking for a New Community Coordinator!

Cal Aggie Christian Association Campus Ministry (CA House), the progressive Christian ministry at the University of California, Davis is seeking outstanding candidates for the position of Community Coordinator. For a full job description, go here.

SEVEN: The Play

A fundraiser for Empower Yolo and

International Rescue Committee

On October 18th the Friends of Empower Yolo, a group of community members, are bringing a powerful documentary play to Davis. SEVEN: The Play tells the story of seven ordinary women from around the world who did extraordinary work in response to terrible injustices. The aim in bringing SEVEN: The Play to Davis is twofold: first, to give our community the opportunity to hear the compelling and triumphant stories of women from around the world; and second, to partner with our local businesses, faith communities, service groups and others in raising money to support two vital organizations: Empower Yolo and International Rescue Committee.

Friends of Empower Yolo is accepting donations from local businesses and groups. Between donations from local groups and individuals and ticket sales, the Friends of Empower Yolo hope to raise at least $10,000, with half of the proceeds going to each of the two organizations.

If you, your group or your business would like to make a donation, please contact Georgene Redmann georgene.redmann@gmail.com or Susan Gefter stargefter@aol.com. To follow the development of bringing the play to Davis or to volunteer to help with its production, please follow us on Facebook: SEVEN the play in Davis.Tickets go on sale August 1st on the Empower Yolo website at http://empoweryolo.org/seven and we anticipate that tickets will sell out quickly.

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 or 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 (or something) you care about, contact coordinator Courtney Diedesch at courtney_ed@yahoo.com

Transportation Ministry

Love to drive? Interested in helping others reach a destination? The DUMC Transportation Ministry is looking for additional drivers to help transport members of our congregation. Some folks simply need a single ride to a doctor's appointment while others would like rides to church. If you are able to help out on either an occasional or a more consistent basis, then your help would be greatly appreciated. You're able to set your own limits (for example, only drive within Davis, only drive on Tuesdays, or only one Sunday a month). If you're interested, please contact Celeste Cron, our new Transportation Coordinator, at

cmaiacron@aol.com or 304-5534. Thank you for sharing the road!

Need a ride? Contact our transportation coordinator, Celeste Cron at cmaiacron@aol.com or 304-5534, to see if she can set you up with a ride from our list of drivers.

Altar Decoration Sign-up

The Worship Arts Committee is in need of more people to sign up to bring

flowers or other decorations for the altar. There are two easy ways to sign up: 1) online or 2) by calling the church office at 756-2170.

Do you like flowers but you're not the artsy type? If you would like to sponsor a flower arrangement for any amount of money contact Joyce Smuda about getting matched up with a volunteer arranger.

"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.

Invitation to United Methodist Women/Men (ongoing)

United Methodist Women

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.

August Birthdays and Anniversaries

Birthdays

08/01 Sue Woods

08/04 Bill Powell

08/13 Teddy Williams

08/15 Ron Hoppes

08/15 Karen Hudson-Bates

08/18 Randy Padgett

08/24 Zora Fowler

08/26 Beth Flory

08/28 Brandon Pacciorini

08/31 Carol Jewell

Anniversaries

08/03 Bill Buchanan and Kathryn Monroe

08/06 Tim and Eileen Tutt

07/07 Matt and Laura Benham

07/07 Cid and Dan Barcellos

08/08 Tim and Sarah Mangum

08/16 Jerry Olson and Rosa Washington Olson

08/17 Russ and Kristin Thebaud

08/21 Caroline Chantry and Jim Malot

08/24 Jim Cramer and Helen Roland

08/24 Vernon and Kay Singleton

08/24 Gina and Randy Cron

08/26 Stan and Robin Johnson

08/28 Marcus and Margot Clark

If we don't have your birthday or anniversary please let us know.

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:

Davis UMC website

Davis UMC church calendar

Archive of past Crossection newsletters and weekly email news

Contact Information

Phone: 530-756-2170
Church office

davisumc@davisumc.org

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