DECember 2018 C O A S T S I D E L U T H E R A N C H U R C H H A L F M O O N B A Y. A New Year Begins with Advent

Transcription

1 DECember 2018 C O A S T S I D E L U T H E R A N C H U R C H H A L F M O O N B A Y A New Year Begins with Advent Happy New Year! Advent is here and a new church year begins. As ELCA Christians who follow the 3 year lectionary and seasons of the church, our calendar works a little differently. We experience a fresh new start NOW prior to Christmas or New Year s Eve. Our year begins with Advent-- preparing for the birth of Christ anew in our hearts, our homes, and communities. I love Advent! Like Pr. Sue shared yesterday, I too love What s Inside 2. October Treasurer s Report 3. 2nd Mile Giving 4. Congregational Meeting 5. Thank You s 6. Opportunities 7. Mark Your Calendars 8. December Calendar the vibrancy and beauty of the blue in this season. I love focusing on a new gospel. This year 3 is the gospel of Luke-- a gospel with moving, thought-provoking, unique stories often known beyond those who know and follow Jesus, like the The Prodigal Son (or what I like to call it: Two Sons and a Father ). As your pastor, merely changing the season enlivens me; yet beginning the new year gives an added freshness to it, especially since Advent is so rich in it s story, symbolism, and intent to prepare us for the coming of Christ and Christmas. It s a powerful moment in the life of the Christian Church which flies by so quickly. There is so much to do in December! Having a season that reminds us to take the time to center and pay attention to the wonders all around us can tremendously help us to not get too caught up in our lists of all we need to do. Advent is a time to stop a moment and enjoy a nice hot beverage on a cold winter morning or before going to bed. Advent is a time to light candles as we move towards Christmas and read daily devotions and scripture that celebrate God s love for us and presence in all ways. Advent is a time to enjoy the sparkling colored lights and various holiday celebrations with tasty foods and opportunity to enjoy loved ones near and far. Advent is a time of giving and receiving, setting the pace for a year, a lifetime of such giving and receiving. Advent is a time for worship. Last night we began Holden Evening Prayer for Advent. It s like a warm blanket for me--the words, the music, the community engagement. I love how it recognizes the rhythm of our days, helping us transition from day into night. I love how the readings for reflection recognize the struggle of being human while inviting us to trust in the One who will never let us down. I love how this worship speaks in a special way to this time of year. Maybe it s because Advent was when I first exposed a congregation to it or because winter is so clearly on its way. Or maybe, it s because singing the words of Mary during Advent makes them alive in a way no other season can. It s a lovely addition to Advent. I highly recommend it (Thursdays, 7 pm). And, if you d like to continue it in Epiphany, we can! There s something about this mid-week worship that brings meaning to winter and a new year. Advent is here; a new church year has begun. The Holy Spirit is at work, making all things new with fresh possibility and new challenge. This Sunday at our congregational budget meeting, we will vote on a 2019 budget that has again been prepared as transparent, honest, and wise as possible, recognizing shortfall this year while being clear about what matters to us and what seems to be God s call for us in the days ahead. We will also vote on whether or not to proceed in splitting my call as your pastor into 2 part-time calls utilizing the gifts, wisdom, and spirited faith of two people to serve this congregation in 1 full time call. I ve done this ministry before and I love it! It s rich, vibrant, and engaging for all involved. There s a reason Jesus sends out disciples two by two. Shared ministry is powerful! That s why we as ELCA Lutherans have such emphasis on shared ministry between laity and clergy. Collaboration works! May we all stop and wonder, center and be, pay attention and see the wonders of this Advent season. In Christ, Pastor Dawn Teuthorn, your grateful Pastor of Coastside Lutheran Church C L C D e c e m b e r p g. 1

2 OCTOBER TREASURER S REPORT C L C D e c e m b e r p g. 2

3 OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER SECOND MILE GIVING Every month, through your generosity, CLC contributes to the Second Mile Giving ministries of the ELCA, totaling $1800 over a 12 month period. In October, we gave to California Lutheran University. Founded in 1959, California Lutheran University is home to more than 2,810 undergraduate and 1,316 graduate students who come from more than 61 countries and represent a wide variety of faiths. The dedicated, accomplished faculty works with small classes of students who are open-minded about ideas, about people, and about faith and are seeking to grow as individuals, to discover their purpose, and follow that purpose to transform their community and the world. They are also the home of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of the GTU in Berkeley, California. In November, our 2nd Mile giving goes to the Lutheran Social Services of N. California. The mission of LSS is to promote stability and honor the dignity of those served by providing supportive housing services that lead to self-sufficiency. LSS envisions that our communities have hope, stability, and a path to self-sufficiency. LSS offers the hope of lives transformed to people of all faiths (or no faith) who are vulnerable because of homelessness, mental illness, addiction or disaster. The mission is to provide services to the public at large, throughout a service area that encompasses Northern California, with offices and programs in Sacramento, San Francisco, Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties. Help for California Fire Victims Our Sierra Pacific Synod newsletter recently reported that as of Thanksgiving, Lutheran Social Services has sent $55,000 in VISA gift cards ($100 each) to provide immediate assistance for our neighbors in Butte County. This is made possible through your generosity, Lutheran Disaster Response and Wells Fargo Bank, which is waiving the activation fees. The VISA gift cards will be disseminated with the advice and assistance of local clergy, nonprofits and government officials handling the fire relief efforts. You can still help to make a difference in the lives of the thousands of individuals and families displaced by this latest devastating wildfire. Simply write out a check to CLC with CA Fires or Disaster Response on the memo-line and bring it by the office or drop it in the offering and we ll forward it on. Thank you for your continued generosity as we care for those affected by this disaster. C L C D e c e m b e r p g. 3

4 Congregational Budget Meeting Sunday, Dec. 2 after 9:30 am Worship This Sunday, we ll further discern and vote on the 2019 budget and Splitting Pastor s Call into 2 positions: Sr Pastor (filled by Pastor Dawn) and a 2 year Renewable Term Call for an Associate Pastor (with the intention of extending it to Sue Holland). Splitting the Pastor s call keeps the pastor part of the 2019 budget the same while giving the congregation the wisdom, time, talent, and passion of TWO pastors, with the benefits of longevity, continuity, freshness and vibrancy. Below is the proposal for how splitting Pastor s call will work. PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN PASTORAL CALL FOR COASTSIDE LUTHERAN CHURCH Rev date: 10/24/18 The purpose of this proposal is to provide recommendations to split the current call served by Pastor Dawn Teuthorn for Coastside Lutheran Church and establish: 1) A part-time Senior Pastor position that will continue to be held by Pastor Dawn and 2) A part-time Renewable 2 year Term Call for an Associate Pastor position For purposes of this document, these two positions together comprise the Pastoral Team. The changes are being proposed to: Fully utilize the gifts, experiences, and learnings from both members of the Pastoral Team Encourage longevity of the members of the Pastoral Team DIVISION OF DUTIES While most of the pastoral activities will be shared by both the Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor, there are some duties that will be specifically assigned. Those assignments shall be based on experience as well as pastor interest/skill set and congregational need. Specific roles in following areas will be clearly defined. WORSHIP: The Pastoral Team will share in worship activities, which includes preparation of the liturgy, preparation and delivery of the sermon, preparation and delivery of the children s sermon, and oversight of the music ministry. It Is proposed that each will be responsible for worship twice each month. PASTORAL CARE: The Pastor Team will share in pastoral care activities, including visits to ill members and those in need of spiritual support and guidance, weddings, funerals, hospital visits, etc. Establishing and facilitating small group activities such as Bible Study and Centering Prayer are also part of Pastoral Care OUTREACH: The Pastoral Team will share in Outreach activities; specific roles will be determined based on the needs of the congregation and specific pastor interest/skill set. ADMINISTRATION: Church Council Both members of the Pastoral Team will attend the Church Council meetings. Both members of the team are given voice and vote. Volunteer leadership Both members of the Pastoral Team will be responsible for encouraging and managing volunteer leadership within the congregation. Finances - Both members of the Pastoral Team are responsible for managing the finances of the church. Specific roles in stewardship activities will be clearly defined. Staff - The Senior Pastor will be responsible for personnel oversight and functions, including performance reviews/discussions. Facility Management - The Pastoral Team will share in Facility Management. This includes managing maintenance needs, facility usage, and property improvements. Specific roles will be determined based on pastor interest/skill set. PROPOSED SCHEDULE 1) Each member of the Pastoral Team will work half time (20-25 hours per week). It is understood that the hours may need to increase for either member during times of critical need. 2) Each member of the Pastoral Team will do the entire worship alone as preacher and presider once a month. 3) Schedules will be established to provide for an overlap day - one day each week when both are present. C L C D e c e m b e r p g. 4

5 Thank you BLUE SKY for our new path to the labyrinth and the beautiful stone work done at the entrance. Wow!! Thank you Kathy Young for the beautiful seasonal flower arrangements that grace our altar. Thank you to longtime Boy Scout Micah Warner-Carey who did his Eagle Scout project here gifting us with a beautiful Peace Pole, Free Little Library and Bench at the entrance to the West Wing. The message of peace appears in 8 languages: English, Arabic, Portuguese, Tagalog, Spanish, German, Hebrew and Mandarin. Special thanks for all you give!! Liesl filled 2 shopping carts of new items for fire victims. Thank you to all of you who gave to the Christie family, Joycelyn Howard s son, who lost everything in fire in Paradise, CA. The family was able to purchase a 29 ft trailer. AND thank you to all who gave to the ELCA Disaster Response for the CA fires. Your generosity will continue to make a HUGE difference in the lives of many!! THANK YOU for brightening the Holidays for 2 local families! Thank you for spreading the light of Christ and Christmas joy by supporting our Adopt-A Family donation through Coastside Hope. Thank you Marian for heading it up this year. Coastside Lutheran Church sponsored two families. CLC December 2018 pg. 5

6 Blessings from your staff of Coastside Lutheran Church In this season of reflection, we thank God for YOU! May the light of Christ shine brightly upon you, your loved ones, and this congregation. We are blessed to know and serve God with you through this community of faith. Warmest wishes: Pastor Dawn, Pastor Sue, Liesl McPherrin, David Borac, and Socorro Amezcua If you d like to furnish a poinsettia(s) for the chancel during Advent and Christmas, please complete a form and place it either in the offering plate on Sunday or leave it in the office. Forms available in Narthex. All forms due by Sunday, the 17th. ELCA Good Gifts go beyond your regular congregational offering to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. Together, we can do more than we ever could alone, making a huge collective impact on the needs of our church and the world. If your gift is in honor of a friend or loved one, it s easy to tell them about it! Visit a card for a selection of printable cards. Give online or through the mail and you may request that a printed card for each of your gifts be mailed to your home. Please allow two weeks for delivery when ordering online, and three weeks for delivery when ordering through the mail. The ELCA s approach to ministry starts with listening. After our congregations and global companions identify local needs, we partner with them as they develop local solutions. As a long-standing, unwavering presence in nearly 90 countries, including the United States, we steer clear of one-size-fits-all answers and have enormous respect for local context, local expertise and local ingenuity. Monday, December 24 th is Christmas Eve! Worship times are 6 pm and 10 pm. Candlelight, carols, Holy Communion. Sunday, December. 30: 10 am ONLY Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion All are welcome; invite your friends, family and neighbors. C L C D e c e m b e r p g. 6

7 MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Congregational Budget Meeting Sunday, Dec. 2 after 9:30 am Worship We will consider these 2 important agenda items: 1. Finalize and Vote on the 2019 Budget 2. Splitting Existing Pastoral Call into 2 Calls Thursday Evening Advent Worship with Holden Evening 7pm November 29-December 20. On Sunday, December 16 at the 10 am worship, CLC children, youth and choir will present this year s Christmas pageant, The Fumbly, Bumbly Angels. Join the choir on Sunday, December 23 after the 10 am worship as we visit the homebound members of our church community to sing some Christmas carols. Holiday Happenings Saturday, December 8, 7:30pm Coastside Chorale Holiday Concert Sunday, December 9, 7pm Community Sing at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church Sunday, December 16, 10am CLC Christmas Pageant Christmas Eve Worship: 6 pm and 10 pm No Christmas Day Worship Sunday, December 30: one worship at 10 am Curl up with a good book over the holidays, then come out for Book Club in January! Thursday, January 12 noon. All are welcome to meet at Café Mezza Luna (459 Prospect Way, Princeton by the Sea) on Thursday January 12 noon to discuss Love Wins by Rob Bell. In Love Wins, bestselling author, international teacher, and speaker Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis, Drops Like Stars, NOOMA video series) addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith hell and the afterlife arguing, would a loving God send people to eternal torment forever? C L C D e c e m b e r p g. 7

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 9:30 am Worship 10:30 Budget Mtg & Potluck Brunch 9 8:30 am Worship & HC 9:10 Fellowship in WW 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10 am Worship w/ HC nursery, children s time 8:30 am Worship & HC 9:10 Fellowship in WW 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10 am Worship w/ HC nursery, children s time 23 8:30 am Worship & HC 9:10 Fellowship in WW 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10 am Worship w/ HC nursery, children s time am Worship ONLY with Holy Communion & Christmas Carole Sing pm Cleaning 7 pm Open AA pm Cleaning 7 pm Open AA pm Cleaning No 7 pm AA CHRISTMAS EVE Worship 6 PM &10 PM pm Cleaning No 7 pm AA IDM New Year s Eve Worship December 7 pm Community Chorale in Sanctuary :45 pm Centering Prayer in Sanctuary 7 pm Community Chorale in Sanctuary 18 2 pm Women s Bible Study, WW 6 6:45 pm Centering Prayer in Sanctuary 25 CHRISTMAS DAY :30 pm IDM in WW :30 pm IDM in WW 7 pm Council in Conference Rm :30 pm IDM in WW 26 Office Closed January 1 January am-2 pm Hope Services Cooking 7pm Advent Holden Prayer 7:30-9pm Choir Rehearsal am-2 pm Hope Services Cooking 7pm Advent Holden Prayer 7:30-9pm Choir Rehearsal am-2 pm Hope Services Cooking 7pm Advent Holden Prayer 7:30-9pm Choir Rehearsal January 3 Jan January 5 January 6 th, we celebrate EPIPHANY Amahl and the Night St Jude Episcopal Church in Cupertino tonight & 7 pm C L C D e c e m b e r p g. 8

9 OUR CALL Coastside Lutheran Church is a spiritual harbor where all, without exception, are welcome and accepted with open arms. We are fed and we grow by sharing in the grace of God through Jesus Christ, so we can go out to serve the community, inspired by the Holy Spirit WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:30 am Meditative Worship with Holy Communion 9:10 am Fellowship for All 10:00 am Worship with Holy Communion, Children s Time, Nursery CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship: 6 pm and 10 pm with Holy Communion Sunday, December 30: 10 am worship only Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion COASTSIDE LUTHERAN CHURCH Website: coastsidelutheran.org Phone: info@coastsidelutheran.org COASTSI DE LUTHERAN CHURCH 900 N. Cabrillo Hwy December 2018 Newsletter