FROM THE PASTOR MAY/JUNE My dear family in Christ,

Transcription

1 MAY/JUNE 2018 FROM THE PASTOR My dear family in Christ, There are only two times during the church year that we don the color red during worship: Pentecost Sunday and the celebration of an ordination. Within a span of three weeks in May June, we ll be doing both at St. Andrew s! On May 20, we will celebrate Pentecost, often referred to as the birthday of the church, since it commemorates the gift of the Holy Spirit to the early believers. Fire is the symbol of Pentecost, which incidentally is why we wear red. This year, however, we won t only be talking about fire, we ll be stoking some flames of our own as we burn the St. Andrew s mortgage that we have been paying down for decades. It s a good time for us to remember the faithful founders of St. Andrew s, a stalwart group of charter members who gave up their membership at First Presbyterian to plant this church nearly 60 years ago now. Those initial members have all passed on, but their spirit of faithfulness and commitment lives on in us, the followers of God in this place. As we burn the mortgage in worship on the 20 th, their spark of imagination and creativity will help to light our way into the future. As part of our Pentecost experience that morning, we will receive an offering to benefit children at risk, youth, and young adults (see related article on page 5 of the Lighthouse). Just as the disciples spoke in new languages on that first Pentecost, so we will be raising our voices and monetary resources in favor of those without a voice who need our help. I look forward to Pentecost Sunday with you! And following the service that morning, we will dedicate a bench honoring our neighborhood first responders and then have a congregational meeting to elect officers a whole new group of committed souls exciting! But as I say, that s not the only time we ll be wearing red this season. At the time of this writing, an ordination service is being planned for our own Paul Davidson, who has accepted a call to a three-point parish in the state of Kansas. He, Hazel, and Elizabeth will be taking off for the Great Plains before we know it, so please wish them well. They have been an integral part of St. Andrew s for a number of years, travelling from Lompoc to be with us on Sundays. Several St. Andrew s members will be involved in Paul s ordination service. The date is Sunday, June 10 th at 3pm in our sanctuary. All are invited to attend!

2 The Lighthouse page 2 So yes, we will be seeing red in May and June but only in good ways! Commemorating Pentecost and celebrating ordination reminds Session us that News God s spirit is still at work among us, inspiring us to fulfill Christ s ministry in the world and filling us with love, gratitude, and compassion. For what more can we ask? Let us thank God for the privilege. Serving alongside you, Dr. B SESSION NEWS At its March and April meetings, Session: Heard a report from the Pastor about the gracious and giving efforts of the members of Llamada Final to take care of the church. Recently a group spent a day cleaning and sprucing up Morgan Hall and painting the restrooms. Session expressed and passed on appreciation and thankfulness to the Llamada Final congregation. We are thankful for a wonderful relationship, sharing space and serving together in community. Received news from Paul Davidson that he has accepted a call to pastor a three-church parish in Kansas and making plans for scheduling his Ordination on June 10 at St. Andrew s. Session discussed the topic of getting a new welcoming table for the patio on Sunday mornings and additional greeters to welcome guests outside and nearer to the parking lot. Heard about plans for the Honeysuckle Possums concert fundraiser on Saturday, April 21 from 3:00 5:00PM in the Sanctuary, benefiting the Unity Shoppe disaster relief fund. An honoring bench to be installed on the church grounds has been ordered and will include a plaque honoring first responders from the neighborhood. Heard reports from the CBT team about the completion of new landscaping and approved the final bill amount. A Memorial Garden is being planned, to be located at the space between the Sanctuary and the church office. Parking lot: bids are being received for resurfacing the parking lot, timing to depend on the completion of the construction of the houses, due to construction vehicle use of the parking lot. Received a report from the Youth Ministries Team about transitioning to joint planning with the Children s Ministry Team to support and provide opportunities for children and youth, including multigenerational events. Youth Intern Renee McPherson will be completing her position in June as she plans to study abroad in the fall. Currently there are no plans to search for a new Youth Intern. Approved the Presbyterian Women Birthday offering to be received at the All Church Brunch on Sunday, April 15. Discussed planning for worship and Stone Soup lunch on Pentecost Sunday, May 20. Reviewed the plans for the Summer Elder and Deacon training program and the June 1 3 Session Retreat at Oak Creek Ranch. Approved a piano recital and use of the Sanctuary on Saturday, May 5. Approved adding Sunny Kennedy and Pam Polan to the SAIL Team. Session and Deacons shared dinner and discussion at their annual joint meeting on April 18. Sandy Thoits, Clerk of Session

3 The Lighthouse page 3 Our Mission Statement We worship Jesus Christ together consistent with Reformed/Presbyterian tradition, while: Learning God s Word and spreading the Gospel Supporting each member of our Church family Caring for others through mission and service throughout our community and the world Openly affirming all forms of diversity in leadership, worship and ministry Our Vision Statement As God calls us and equips us by the Holy Spirit, we strive to: Be a loving, connected family-in-faith of all ages Affirm Christ s teaching as the source of spiritual nourishment Grow in discipleship, leadership and service Share the joy of God s love with all CONGREGATIONAL MEETING May 20, 10:30am, following worship to elect church officers ORDINATION SERVICE FOR PAUL DAVIDSON SUNDAY, JUNE 10 3:00PM

4 The Lighthouse page 4 Russian Language School every Saturday in Morgan Hall from 9:00am to 12:00 noon. Chaperones are needed each week. Sign up after service or contact Linda Sorensen. 04 Rita Hardin 06 Jon Davis 08 Mackenzie Hoeckley 09 Robbie Knauss 10 Barbara Spencer 14 Garrett Timmons 19 Ernest Brooks 19 Suzanne Grimmesey 20 Porter Spencer 21 Leah Becker 24 Jordan Sommers 28 Jean McNeil 29 Karen Carroll 30 Marilyn Scott 31 Suzanne Malloy MAY BIRTHDAYS NOVEL BOOK GROUP FOR MAY/JUNE Saturday, May 12 - Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo. Saturday, June 9 - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. All meetings are at 10am in the Vos Room. New members welcome! 2018 Presbytery Meetings Saturday, May 19 Carpinteria Saturday, September 22 Paso Robles Tuesday, November 13 - Goleta JUNE BIRTHDAYS 02 Estrella Villanueva-Hoeckley 02 Jackie Parker 05 - John Doner 07 John Bowers 07 Cameron Shinn 08 Jamie Carroll 09 Karen Hayes 10 Elizabeth Davidson 12 Jared Hertig 13 Christine Malengo 14 Paul Zink 18 Mary Gilmour 18 Randi Rice 18 Dylan Wilson 25 Eric Bowers 20 - Lyndsay Pearson 25 Linda Sizer 21 Megan Malengo 28 Frank Gunther Linda Gunther 30 Kelly Thoits 23 Kirk Grier 30 Beverly Walters FROM MAGGIE VARNER: It is with sadness that I will be leaving St. Andrew s. I will be living in Indiana near my daughter. I will truly miss everyone as I was a member over 40 years.

5 The Lighthouse page 5 PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING Children at Risk Youth Young Adults THE PENTECOST OFFERING helps youth begin life with a strong start a solid foundation of faith formed in the first third of life, from childhood through young adulthood. Each year on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. The Holy Spirit remains with us still, connecting us with the church of the past, continuing to inspire the church of today, and pointing us to the church of the future. Each year, this celebration is marked by receiving the Pentecost Offering which nurtures the faith of those who are the church to come children, youth, and young adults. Psalm 71 testifies that a foundation of faith established during childhood helps ensure lifelong faith and service. The patterns and lessons established during these formative years continue to bear fruit throughout a person s life. Programs of the PC(USA) receive 60% of the offering, while the remaining 40% is disbursed to local programs determined by our church. This year we will be supporting the Daniel Bryant Youth & Family Treatment Center of the Santa Barbara Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse ( an effective outpatient treatment for youth, ages 10-19, who are struggling with substance abuse. We will be receiving the Pentecost Offering on May 20. Your generous participation will be significant in helping children, youth, and young adults grow up to proclaim with the Psalmist, O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. Pentecost Sunday May 20 9:30AM Special Worship Service Mortgage Burning with guest Mickie Choi from PILP Pentecost Offering Received Dedication of Bench Honoring Neighborhood First Responders 10:30AM Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers 11:00AM Stone Soup All Church Lunch (hosted by Children s Ministry Team) With Cents-Ability Presentation

6

7 The Lighthouse page 6 SAIL TEAM NEWS HONEYSUCKLE POSSUMS FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS! The Mudslide/Debris Flow Fundraiser was attended by 170 people! Approximately $2600 was raised and the SAIL Team is matching $2500. All proceeds go to the Unity Shoppe Disaster Services. Thanks to everyone who helped out and supported this much-needed cause!

8 The Lighthouse page 7 GOODBYE TO RENEE The Youth Ministries Team wishes to thank Renee McPherson for the leadership, creativity and enthusiasm she has brought to her role as the PYF leader at St. Andrew s. We bid her a fond farewell as she leaves us this June. She is planning to start her senior year at UCSB by studying abroad in Scotland. She can experience Prebyterianism where it began! PW Spring Brunch WAS A SUCCESS ON Sunday, April 15!

9 The Lighthouse page 8 STONE SOUP LUNCHEON SUNDAY, MAY 20 On May 20, after we celebrate the movement of God s Holy Spirit in and around us, burn the mortgage (!) and worship together, the St. Andrew s children and youth will host a lunch. At 11:00ish in Morgan Hall, we will have Stone Soup which is a soup that people bring a little bit to contribute to feeding a crowd. At this lunch, children and youth from our congregation will present some creative ways to think about hunger and present a proposal regarding CENTS-ABILITY, a strategy for raising hunger awareness and funding for the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Come and hear what our young people have learned about hunger and how they would like you to be challenged to address this need with them. You are invited to bring a cup of vegetables or a small can of beans that will be combined to create our simple soup and bread meal after worship and our congregational meeting. There will be no charge for the meal, and all are invited. A NOTE FROM JULIE Dear St. Andrew s Friends, What a blessing it is to have a church family like St. Andrew s and you have certainly been a supportive community in Christ! GRADUATION SUNDAY JUNE 10 If you have a high school or college graduate in your family this year, please let us know! We want to honor them in worship on June 10th. We urge parents to send a photo or two (jpg or pdf) to reneemacpherson44@gmail.com or Nancy at office@standrewspcusa.org along with some information about the student s school from which they are graduating, what they plan for the immediate future after graduation, and/or a long-term goal. I wanted to let you know that Dr. B and the Session have granted me an unpaid leave of absence from my part-time job responsibilities for the summer of As you might know, I also work a full-time job with a local private school which, as it happens, is heading into what looks to be a super-busy summer. So, this leave from my weekend job is going to be an even more necessary rest. I look forward to being able to do whatever my mom thinks is a fun weekend adventure! Julie Sommers

10 The Lighthouse page 9 ADULT ED NEWS ADULT EDUCATION CLASS CONTINUING THE CHALLENGE OF PAUL THEME 2: PAUL & LUKE Paul is one of Christianity s most impactful, yet most debated and misunderstood figures. In THE CHALLENGE OF PAUL, John Dominic Crossan gives us the benefit of his lifelong search for the Paul of history to create a new understanding that sheds new light on Paul and why he is more relevant than ever today. Crossan brings Paul alive with his distinctive presentation style. In this provocative series, Crossan confronts our traditional understanding about Paul that seems to support anti-homosexuality, slavery, patriarchy, and the subjugation of women. 1) The future of Roman Christianity 2) Vision & Vocation in Damascus 3) The Long-Distance Apostle 4) The God-Worshippers Remaining classes will be: May 6, 26, June 3, 10. All classes are in the Window Room of Morgan Hall at 11:00am. Meditation for MAY/JUNE I don t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those have sought and found how to serve. Albert Schweitzer FAITH goes up the stairs that love has made and looks out of the window which HOPE has opened. Charles H. Spurgeon

11 The Lighthouse page 10 PRESCHOOL CORNER We only have seven weeks of school left. Where did this school year go? We will see our slideshow and have our PreK Graduation and Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, June 5 th, at 6:30pm. We have 16 children moving on to elementary school. We will miss these sweet children and their families. We will enjoy seeing the slideshow in your Sanctuary, using your awesome media equipment. Thank you for sharing this with us! Our last day of school will be Wednesday, June 13 th. We added a couple of extra days to our school as we closed during the Thomas Fire. We are enrolling now for the Fall school year. We take children from the age of 2 ½ years (not potty trained) to PreK. Hope you can spread the word about our school. Enjoy the Spring, Summer is coming! Fondly, Cindy VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH AUDIO & VISUALS We are in need of volunteers to run the audio and visuals at the 9:30am Sunday service at St. Andrew s. Training will be provided. If you can help (for audio), please contact Dave Sommers at sommers@silcom.com or or Michael Padden-Rubin at michaelpadden@hotmail.com or , or (for visuals): Sandy Thoits at sthoits@gmail.com Thank you! ST. ANDREW S FAMILY FUN FAIRE SUNDAY, JULY 1 st SAVE THE DATE! 10:30am 12:00 NOON St. Andrew s Lawn

12 The Lighthouse page 11 St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church 4575 Auhay Dr. Santa Barbara, CA St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church Dr. Brett Becker, Pastor 4575 Auhay Drive Santa Barbara, CA Phone: Fax: Web: Facebook:

13