THE WINDOW
Claremont United Methodist Church
The View From Here… October 15, 2008
In place of Pastor Sharon’s regular article, The Window welcomes a very special message from the chair of CUMC’s Stewardship Committee, Alex Morales.
These are the worst financial times for our world. They are unprecedented and devastating. But, just as in all things created by God and/or humankind, God places a flower bulb of hope in every moment, and God promises opportunities for us to change the world for the better.
That said, to me, this ministry and stewardship season is NOT about money, and it is NOT about membership growth. It is about growing the ministry of our church; particularly our own personal ministries and our relationships with God. It is also about our concentrated efforts to help our youth and young adults find a relationship with God and find their own ministry. And just maybe, someday, one of our youth will become President of the United States, you know, like Heather Domonoske or Laurel Oken; now these are candidates we’d all vote for.
As you know, we recently hired Dan Lewis to take advantage of an opportunity; he has already started this work with our young people. We did this before we had the financial resources committed to carry this forward. We need to financially support this effort.
I don’t know how I got here. Martha and I were looking for a church where there would be a God that would take care of us. CUMC has taught us that we are the hands and feet of God, and that we need to take care of each other and the world. We were looking for one pastor, maybe two pastors: one for us and one for our kids. We were looking for a church where our children could be baptized. Maybe we and our children would find a wonderful circle of friends for our lifetime. We didn’t realize that CUMC would be a church that said that there isn’t just one minister, we all must have a ministry, and our church’s very reason for existence is to help us in our relationship with God so that we can carry out the work of our ministry. We learned, additionally, that one important purpose of our friendships is to nurture us to go out to do our ministry.
We save a lot for retirement. We also give a lot to charity, 10% of our income. We give the majority of our financial resources to CUMC, the source of bringing us into relationship with God and teaching us our charity, justice and ministry work.
I recently told Marjorie Suchocki that I am not a very cheerful giver. I explained that Genaro Cordova is my mentor because he is so extraordinarily generous with his time and his giving – he tithes. But most importantly, he does it all so cheerfully. He is a missionary who also happens to be in charge of caring for our grounds and buildings. Marjorie said we all feel the pain of the giving when we just focus on our giving and sacrifice; the joy comes when we focus on the good that God creates from our giving.
We use the “Georgina Irwin test” for our buying. Would Georgina buy this? She is another mentor to Martha and me. To us, she was a Sunday School teacher who taught throughout her life, and she was exceptionally humble and frugal. I think this is why our carpet is 20 years old. I think Georgina would agree it is getting time for new carpet; maybe in a few years we’ll change it. We can’t buy the carpet now because we still need to save more, pay for tons of college education, (glad Martha is getting all those A’s; not sure about the boys), avoid deep debt, and keep our long-time promise to ourselves to become more generous.
This Ministry Stewardship Season will be a low paper, low tech, high touch, and high prayer campaign. Our church members will host neighborhood and community discussions to share what we love about CUMC, help us declare our ministry and stewardship mentors, and describe some of the ways that CUMC has helped each of us to carry out our ministry efforts.
What are our wildest hopes and dreams for ourselves and our church in response to our Stewardship and Ministry efforts this year?
We will all have and know our personal ministry in partnership with God. Examples are the ministries of kindness, love, healing, leading, listening, speaking, financial giving, helping the homeless, helping immigrants, helping prisoners, singing, praying, searching, inspiring, sharing the God in you, justice work, changing systems to better help people who are marginalized, and gardening.
We will all give support to one another through our friendships to help us each carry out our impossible ministries in a world that desperately needs God, hope, healing, and justice.
Our church will become an even more powerful teaching, challenging, and supportive system for our personal ministries and relationships with God.
We will pray, not only for our friends and the healing of the world, but we will pray for our church to carry out its role to bring us into relationship with God and support us in our personal ministries.
We will pray that our church will dramatically reach more youth and young adults so they will come into relationship with God and find their ministries.
Everyone at CUMC will be a financial supporter of our church, at any level. There is no gift too small. A dollar a week is a wonderful gift to begin your stewardship journey.
If stating the amount of your financial gift on your confidential pledge form causes a hurdle for you in making your pledge, you will declare that you are consciously pledging an undisclosed amount and sign your name. (Naturally, CUMC hopes you will state the amount of your pledge; this allows the church to have a more realistic expectation for the important church task of budget planning for the upcoming year. However, the primary purpose of pledging is for your personal growth in stewardship of God’s gifts to you. Our administrative budgeting and planning needs become secondary and optional if they get in the way of your stewardship growth.)
Everyone at CUMC will know who their ministry and stewardship mentors are. Mine are Genaro Cordova and Georgina Irwin. (Read the poster in the Narthex that shares about the mentors of John Cobb, Maise Dawes, and Donna Harris.)
Those who CAN, will lift us financially; those who CAN’T, won’t. BOTH GROUPS ARE HONORABLE. (And the woman who told me about her struggle to pay for her medications on a fixed income is in the honorable “CAN’T GROUP.” We will all prayerfully wrestle to figure out in which honorable group we fall. This coming year, we probably need more than $50,000 over what we currently have in pledges and loose offering. Increasing our revenue by this amount will take a lot of people in the “CAN GROUP” to stretch in this impossible time. We trust we will do it.
Throughout this season, continuously pray that CUMCs wildest hopes and dreams will come true for you and our church.
~Shared by Alex Morales in Worship,
October 12, 2008
As members and friends of Claremont UMC, we support the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service…
Our Prayers…
Long Term: Rachel Bruner (Amanda Bruner’s mom); Ruth Buchanan (Andy & Peter Buchanan’s cousin); Susie Charlton (Bill Charlton’s sister-in-law); Carys Jo Cottingham (3-year-old niece of Alex Morales); Kate Crevier (family of Dick, Vivien & Amanda Bruner); Cathy Davis (Sharon Rhodes-Wickett’s friend); Taylor Distelrath (Brett & Ann O’Connor); Jason, Melissa, Isaac, Elliott & Anngela Fleck (Janette Combs’ brother & family); Virginia Ford (Carolyne & Terry Givens’ friend); Ted Fukada (Bob & Laura Fukada’s son); Roberta Haertel (Lori Haage’s friend); Karen & Daniel Hancock (Fran Olson’s daughter & son-in-law); Steve & Luciana Hanusa (Henry Jefferson’s friends); Carl & Mary Jane Hess (upon his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease); Britney Hudgins (Dot Perry’s grandson’s friend); Laura Jansen (friend of Georgia Shannon); Ty Jenkins (friend of Lourdes Orret); Christopher & Karen Kime (friends of Mark Howard); Promise Koretz (Sonny Jayne’s niece); Jon Logan (Nancy Goodman’s friend); Wendy Losh; Tony Lumsden (Dick & Maralyn Tipping’s friend); Joe Malcor (Jerry & Jane Burtis’ friend); Judy Mauer (Nancy Goodman’s friend); Don McNevin (Jerry & Jane Burtis’ friend); Ruth Morales (Alex Morales’ mother); Tatsuo Mori (Cameron Coe’s grandfather); Ron Pham (will go back to Afghanistan in March); Jim Reidhead (Irene Lathrop’s nephew); Julia Reidhead-Simon (Irene Lathrop’s niece); Al Rhodes-Wickett & Family; Marge Rusler (Ardys & Ken Hunter’s friend); Joe Ryan; (Jerry & Jane Burtis’ friend); Scott Spoerl (Mary Jo Fowler’s friend); Evodia & Laurie Swanson (Lori Haage’s friends); Jeannine (Alzheimer’s disease; moved to care facility) & Wayne Thompson (recovery from surgery); Luis Torres (Kathryn Cordova’s friend); David & Susan Trujillo (Les & JoAnn Brewer’s friends); Betty Webb (Jim Pirlo’s friend); Sarah Zachary (studying abroad for one year in Scotland); Maidita (Tayde Perez’s cousin); Don (Charlsey Mae Smedley’s son), Joy (friend of Laura Fukada’s son), Michael and all caught in the snare of addiction.
People on our short-term prayer list are generally kept on the list for the maximum of one month, unless otherwise requested. Please know we are more than happy to offer our prayers for your loved ones as long as prayer is needed, so if you would like your loved one kept on the list longer than a month, please let Jessica in the church office know (909-624-9021 or jessica.johnston@claremontumc.org).
Short Term: Jean Bogus; Jack & Lila Chick; (Jack moved to Claremont Manor Care Center); Barbara Ild (Dick Bunce’s sister); Sonny Jayne (recovery from surgery); Leo Nieto (recovery from surgery); Meredith Prell; Michael Rachman (Janet Chandler’s son-in-law); Jeri Schlader (Clark Edgeworth’s cousin)
Thank you for remembering to keep the church office updated on the condition of your loved ones on the prayer list.
Our Unwillingly Absent
In each issue of The Window we list all of our temporarily or permanently homebound and their caregivers who are members. This is a reminder that they are part of us and would be here today if they were able. Let us remain as committed to them as they are to us. If you have additional information, please notify Jessica in the church office.
Jack Chick, Jane Estupinian, Carl Hess, Nancy & Pierce Johnson, Bunni & Frank Lambert, Ann Marshall, Nan Moore, Marjorie Onsgard, Ed Perry, Ruth Petit, Al Rhodes-Wickett, Marge Schumacher, Dot Torgerson, Ted & Mildred Woodson, Albert Woolfolk.
We extend our prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Marge McWilliams. Marge was a long-time, active member of Claremont UMC. She died on Friday morning, October 10, 2008. A memorial service for Marge will be held on Saturday, October 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Decker Hall, Pilgrim Place.
Card of Appreciation
Claremont UMC received a beautiful card of appreciation from the family of Kro Won. Kro is a member of Claremont UMC, and her father is the late C. Torbor Won, referred to in the letter.
On behalf of the family of the late C. Torbor Won, who died on May 16, 2008 we do extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to you for standing by us during the loss of our Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Philosopher, Historian, and Friend. We are so grateful for your prayers, support, love, and concern. Sometimes an unexpected act of loving kindness glows like a freshly lit candle in our lives.
Thanks once again for sharing the reflections that have shined so gracefully upon our lives.
May God richly bless you.
Mrs. Josephine D. Won
Wife of the deceased
On behalf of the family
Congratulations Kathryn Cordova!!
Selecciones’ “Generation Latino” Issue Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by Honoring Young Hispanics Who Are Inspiring the World
Earlier in October, Genaro Cordova and Kathryn flew to Miami, FL, where Kathryn was one of 5 recipients of this honor.
“Selecciones, the world’s best-selling Spanish-language magazine, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the achievements of young Latinos in its special annual issue, “Generation Latino: Young Hispanics Who Are Inspiring the World.” The issue features the extraordinary stories of five Hispanic teens and their accomplishments and contributions to their communities. The magazine’s signature franchise issue…hit newsstands September 23.
Now in its third year, “Generation Latino” pays tribute to Christian Rodriguez (Arizona), Regina Menda (Florida), Kathryn Cordova (California), Justin Alejandro (Texas) and Carolyn Gonzalez (New York) — five young Hispanics who are making it their mission to inspire and impact their communities through different areas of leadership. They have been selected from hundreds of entries nationwide.
“These young Latinos have overcome significant obstacles to become examples of personal growth and hope.
Through their perseverance and commitment they are making their mark and inspiring a whole generation,” says Selecciones editor-in-chief, Genevieve Marlin-Fernandez. “‘Generation Latino’ celebrates their personal triumphs and achievements as they truly represent the future generation of Latinos in the U.S.”
Kathryn and the other four recipients were honored “at a special VIP event hosted by Editor-in-Chief, Genevieve Marlin-Fernandez” (http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php?l=in&id=12412&cha=8).
Our Gifts and Our Service…
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF – On Sunday, October 26, our children will participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Children are invited to come to church ready to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF during the Good News for Children. Adults are asked to come prepared with a pocketful of change or bills to help our children fill their UNICEF boxes. The children will donate their collections to UNICEF, helping to provide basic necessities for healthcare, nutrition and education to children in need around the world. Last year we collected over $700 for UNICEF. The need this year is greater than ever; please give generously so that we can make a difference in the lives of children.
News from CUMC Preschool!
A great staff, a welcoming board, wonderful families! What an amazing start we are having. The scent of homemade applesauce and muffins fill the classrooms and office causing us all to feel a little cozier even on toasty warm days. Speaking of classrooms, have you seen them lately? The teachers have created enthusiastic, imaginative, inviting child centered areas both indoors and out. The board and parents are vivacious and have some great activities planned for the year! Please join us for our second annual Hoe Down on Saturday, October 18 at 4:00 p.m. to sample (and/or participate) in the Chili Cook-Off, shop at the Bazaar, jump in a Bounce House, and much more. Come join the fun anytime, any day!
Be An Informed Voter!
Available to you, on the receptionist desk in the Narthex, or from Jessica in the church office, are Ballot Recommendations made by the California Council of Churches IMPACT. These informative sheets give explanations to all of the propositions that will be on the November 4 ballot, as well as recommendations for how to vote on each of the issues. All are encouraged to pick up one of these sheets and get educated on the vote. For more information on the California Council of Churches IMPACT, visit http://www.calchurches.org/2-2.html.
Also…
Ballot Initiatives Discussion
Did you know that Prop 4 is a proposed Constitutional Amendment? Do all teenaged girls who become pregnant have parents who would provide appropriate advice and support?
Did you know that Prop 9 is a proposed Constitutional Amendment that would increase the costs of prisons, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office, initially in excess of $100 million and amount to tens of millions of dollars annually thereafter?
Did you know that Prop 6 would put 14-year-olds in adult prisons if they violate the law, any law, on behalf of a gang?
Join the discussion of all the State Ballot Propositions on Sunday, October 26, at 3 p.m., Room 10 (the choir room).
Ballot propositions are often tricky to understand and many have the potential to have long term negative impacts on California since they are very difficult to reverse in the future.
~Sponsored by the
Commission on Church & Society
Restroom Remodeling Completion
Many of you have admired our brand new restrooms. We want to take just a moment to say another word of thanks for all who were involved in the process: Dick Tipping, Edith Richardson, Don Moser, Dale Lawson, Clem Alphonso and crew for the construction, and Jay Mace and sons for laying the granite.
Below is a letter we received from the California-Pacific Annual Conference, Congregational Loan Committee. We received a gift from the Conference in the amount of $25,000 to make our restrooms handicap accessible.
Addressed to Tim Hernandez, the President of the Trustees for CUMC
Dear Mr. Hernandez and Friends,
The check you will find enclosed represents much more than the $25,000 cash value! For your congregation, it is intended to defray the expense related to your efforts on the handicap accessible restroom renovation. Imagine, if you will, this check signed with the salutation, “With Love, Your Family”.
For the Annual Conference, it represents a collaboration between the Jubilee Grant Task Force and the sacrificial and generous donations known as apportionments. Apportionments are donations made from all the churches in our Conference family. Churches from Atascadero to San Diego, from Honolulu to El Centro, pooling their funds to encourage and support ministry here and in many places around the world. Your church is one of those places!
Thank you for your efforts to improve your facility. Thank you for your outreach to your community. We are pleased to deliver this check of $25,000 to diminish your need. It has been a pleasure to work with your congregation throughout this process.
We celebrate with all of you for the safe and helpful space restored by the many workers. May God bless your ministry in Claremont for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Kris Hodson,
Director of Congregational
Loans for Your Family
A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, October 26, at noon in the Narthex to hear about the proposed CUMC partnership with Uncommon Good. The partnership would be a way to increase our "witness[ing] of God's healing presence to the community about us and act in solidarity with the needy and oppressed in Claremont and its surrounding communities," (Excerpted from the CUMC mission statement.) Nancy Mintie, Director of Uncommon Good, will be present to make a short presentation and to answer questions. A light lunch will be served.
Church Council Highlights
September 16, 2008
The Council endorsed the NO on Eight-Equality for All petition stating that our congregation opposes any ballot initiative that would amend the State constitution in an attempt to ban marriage for gay and lesbian couples in California.
The Trustees recommend that the Church move forward on the exploration of the ground lease with Uncommon Good for the construction of a 2,500 sq. ft. “green” building on our property. Further information will be presented at the next Church Council and in congregational meetings.
The Finance Committee announced that the annual independent audit has been received. No major problems were noted. For copies of the audit, contact Brenda Briggs or Lynnae Hernandez.
Appreciation was expressed to the Givens and the Reach Out Committee for the new name tags.
A $25,000 grant has been received from the Conference for the restroom renovations. Total cost of the renovations is $50,000, to be paid from the Capital Fund.
Commission/Committee chairs should have their proposed 2009 budgets into Dave Little, Finance Chair, by October 17. If you need help or further information, contact Dave or Lynnae Hernandez.
Important upcoming dates:
October 26, 3:00 p.m.: Commission on Church and Society presents a forum on the ballot propositions
November 2, 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Deep clean of the Round Building, led by Pastor Dan
January 14, 2009 – all church Charge Conference. Reports are due into Jessica by December 15.
Detailed minutes may be obtained from Terry Givens.
~Church Council Summary submitted by Susan Hume, Co-Lay Leader
Church Women United Invites You To…
World Community Day which will be celebrated on Friday, November 7, at 9:30 a.m. We meet at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 710 S. Hamilton, Pomona. The program, “God’s Wisdom Sets Us Free,” begins at noon.
Youth Calendar
October
10/19 – Don’t forget to join the New Youth Music Jam session in the Round Building from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Regular Youth Group will then be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., also in the Round Building. On the 19th we’ll start decorating for the Halloween party and Haunted House, which will be Oct. 26. Thank the Fondas for providing a scrumptious dinner!
10/26 – Youth and Children Halloween Party and Haunted House! We’ll have a Halloween party for all youth and children in the Round Building core beginning at 4:00 p.m. and ending at 6:00. The haunted house for the middle school and senior high youth will be in the Round Building classrooms from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00. We thank the Connor Family for providing a dinner of “Street Tacos!”
The deadline for the October 29th Issue of The Window is Sunday, October 19, 2008.
CUMC Fall Cleaning Round-up
Please join us in a thorough clean-up of the Round Building on Sunday afternoon, November 2nd from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. We’ll work with our youth from 2:00 – 6:00, then break for dinner together. Bring clean rags, buckets, brooms and gardening tools for sprucing up the outside, too.
Recycle It
If it is broken and you can't reuse it, donate it or freecycle it – head to Earth911.com. It gives you the closest drop-off locations for many different kinds of items.
~Sustainability and Faith Task Force
Podcast of Welcome Back Celebration for Bishop Swenson
If you were unable to attend the service, you can listen to a podcast of the ceremony by going to www.fumcpasadena.org/Bishop or www.cal-pac.org. In the service, Bishop Swenson cast her vision for the next four years of ministry. The offering taken up will go to African students attending Claremont School of Theology. Offerings can be sent to the Cal-Pac Annual Conference, P.O. Box 6006, Pasadena, CA 91102 with the notation: Swenson Celebration.
con·nect
a weekend hike-in retreat to
Sturtevant’s Camp for boys 4th to 8th grade
and their fathers
November 7-9
This retreat, called “Con·nect,” will help fathers and sons experience spiritual intimacy with God and with one another. The weekend will be filled with many awesome activities and times of worship and is sure to bless those who come.
The Sturtevant Camp is located in the Angeles National Forest, near Mt. Wilson, north of Arcadia. It does have hot water and heated cabins! The camp is only accessible via a scenic 4-mile, moderate-grade hiking trail, approximately a 2- to 3-hour trip.
Rev. David Palmer, associate pastor of Glendale First UMC, and Rev. Samuel Yun, the Director of Program Development for Camp & Retreat Ministries for the Cal-Pac Conference will lead the weekend. There will be times of worship and singing, Bible study, small group discussions, hiking, star gazing, various sports and games, fishing and much more!
The cost, which includes 2 nights lodging and 5 meals, is $195 for father and one son, and $65 for each additional person. The deadline to register is Mon., Nov. 3. For more information, talk to Rev. Dan. You can get registration forms from the church office.
Shopping List for Beta Center
Beta Center is a place that helps supply families with food and personal hygiene products. Thank you for your donations placed in the shopping cart in the Narthex with the sign: “Respond To Hunger.” Below is a list of needs:
Needed Items:
Canned vegetables
Canned meats
Canned fish
Dry or canned beans
Rice
Canned fruit
Peanut butter
Cereals
Oatmeal
Powdered milk
Canned milk
Soups
Can openers
Toothpaste & brushes
Feminine hygiene goods
Diapers
Hotel size lotions, soaps, shampoos, conditioners
Disposable razors
Recyclable plastic and paper bags with handles
Items NOT Needed:
Dented cans or other badly damaged goods
Cake mixes
Thank you for your help and generosity!
Preschool Fundraising Opportunities
Are you purchasing wrapping paper, bows, or ribbon for birthdays or the holidays? Would you consider supporting our Sally Foster Fundraiser? It’s going on now! Catalogs are available at the church. And the best part, we earn 50%!
See’s Candy coming soon!
We appreciate your support!