2019 Special Session of the General Conference

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The Courier February 2019 First United Methodist Church of Canoga Park 22700 Sherman Way, West Hills, CA 91307-2396 Telephone: 818.340.2950 e-mail address: crossandflame@att.net website: www.umccp.

Sunday Worship at 10:00 am 2019 Special Session of the General Conference The Council of Bishops has called a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church to be held

The 32-member Commission was authorized by General Conference 2016 and appointed by the Council of Bishops to examine paragraphs in The Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and exploring

1 The Courier February 2019 First United Methodist Church of Canoga Park Sherman Way, West Hills, CA Telephone: address: website: Preschool: Welcome to First Church where everyone is either our friend or family. Sunday Worship at 10:00 am 2019 Special Session of the General Conference The Council of Bishops has called a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church to be held February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. The purpose will be to receive and act on a report from the Commission on a Way Forward based on the recommendations of the Council of Bishops. The 32-member Commission was authorized by General Conference 2016 and appointed by the Council of Bishops to examine paragraphs in The Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and exploring options to strengthen the unity of the church. The full report of the Commission on the Way Forward (93 pages) merits reading by United Methodists across the connection. The following summaries of the Way Forward Commission Report are available: One Church Plan summary (4 pages); Connectional Conference Plan summary (5 pages); and Traditional Plan summary (5 pages). If you would like to receive the full document, or one of the summaries by , contact the church office at crossandflame@att.net. What is General Conference? Every four years, United Methodists from around the world assemble as the General Conference and connect in worship, prayer, Communion, fellowship and the legislative work that shapes our shared life. General Conference delegates confer and vote on proposals for resourcing and regulating the life and work of The United Methodist Church. General Conference sets the rules and establishes procedures for virtually every aspect of the church s life. It also communicates the denomination s official position on a variety of issues and cultural challenges. It is the only body authorized to speak for or as The United Methodist Church. Why was this special session called? The special session in February 2019 is to focus on the issue of human sexuality and church unity with the goals of ending distracting and missioncompromising disagreement about how to be in ministry with LGBTQI people. Continued on page 3 Pastor Lynn Westover Preschool Director Wendy Finley Music Director/ Accompanist Paul Cady Certified Lay Minister Grace Leighton Administrative Assistant Julie Mosley Courier Layout Sharon Mountford Resident Bishop Grant Hagiya North District Superintendent Rev. Jim Powell

February Birthdays 1 Brenda Jones 6 John Caldwell JoAnn Chadwick-Ellis 11 Ayla Ann Palmerlee 12 Laura Pomeroy 16 Lois Jimenez Emily Willauer 20 Shirley Ilgenfritz 25 Libby Bennett 26 Jan Fenske 27

Flower Calendar 3 Open 10 In memory of Laura Longman 17 Open 24 Open Flowers and Design by Gina has been supplying our lovely flower arrangements in recent weeks.

2 February Birthdays 1 Brenda Jones 6 John Caldwell JoAnn Chadwick-Ellis 11 Ayla Ann Palmerlee 12 Laura Pomeroy 16 Lois Jimenez Emily Willauer 20 Shirley Ilgenfritz 25 Libby Bennett 26 Jan Fenske 27 Margaret Cates Lynn Westover Anniversary 25 Jim & Marie Smith If we do not recognize your special days, please leave a note for Julie in the office, so that we may include them in the future. Flower Calendar 3 Open 10 In memory of Laura Longman 17 Open 24 Open Flowers and Design by Gina has been supplying our lovely flower arrangements in recent weeks. They have agreed to provide our arrangements for $40 per week. February Calendar Weekly Activities Sunday Peace Evangelical Church, Hall, 9:30 am Hindi Urdu UMC, Sanctuary, 5:00 pm Monday Cub Pack, Scout Room, 7:00 pm Monday Narcotics Anonymous, Parlor, 8:00 pm Tuesday Boy Scouts, Scout Room, 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous, Parlor, 7:30 pm Wednesday Shower Ministry, 8:30-11:00 am Men s Stag AA meeting, Parlor, 7:00 pm Thursday Choir rehearsal, Choir Room, 7:30 pm Narcotics Anonymous Study Group, Lounge, 6:30 pm Friday Girl Scouts, gsavl1896@gmail.com for details Other Activities Saturday 2 Men s Fellowship Breakfast, 8:30 am Frank Weiler's Deli, Victory Blvd Sunday 3 Super Bowl Sunday Bring food donations Tuesday 12 Administrative Committee Meeting, Library, 7:00 pm Thursday 14 Bookends Circle, Library, 9:30 am Sarah Circle, Denny s, 9:30 am Burbank Blvd. near Topanga Canyon Blvd. Friday 15 Courier deadline for March issue Monday 18 Presidents Day, Office closed Wednesday 20 Faith, Hope & Love, Library, 7:00 pm Upcoming in March Saturday 2 Men s Fellowship Breakfast, Frank Weiler's Deli Victory Blvd Wednesday 6 Ash Wednesday Service, Sanctuary, 7:0 pm Ashes will be used as a symbol of mortality and repentance Sunday 10 Daylight Savings Time begins Super Bowl Sunday On Sunday, February 3, bring canned and boxed food for the West Valley Food Pantry. You will have the opportunity to place your donations in a basket representing the Rams or the Patriots. It s a way for you to vote for your favorite team and to donate food for families in need. When the votes are counted, each can or box is one vote. 2

North District UMW Local Officer Training: Local Leadership Training is for the Local Organizations officers, circle leaders and those interested in UMW leadership at the local level.

3 North District UMW Local Officer Training: Local Leadership Training is for the Local Organizations officers, circle leaders and those interested in UMW leadership at the local level. All UMW members are encouraged to attend as well as those interested in learning more about UMW. The 2019 Local Officer Training session is being held on Saturday, February 23 at First UMC Santa Barbara, 305 E. Anapamu St. Cost is $ Registration is at 9:30 am. Meeting from 10:00 am 2:00 pm. Meet other officers, be trained and enjoy fellowship with other UM women. Cal-Pac UMW Mid -Winter Event: The Mid-Winter Event is being held at Yorba Linda UMC Yorba Linda Blvd. The program is entitled Sparking A Climate Revolution and the speaker is Rev. Dr. Deborah Shepherd-Webster. The cost is $12.00 Future Meetings: UMW Mission Team Meeting Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 10:00 am UMW General Meeting Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 9:30 am in the Library Special Session Continued from page 1 The hope is that decisions made will allow the 2020 General Conference to focus on mission and the next steps for the church s unified global witness. What is the process for making decisions? Delegates will vote on motions and amendments on petitions included in three plans in the Commission on a Way Forward report and other petitions from individuals and groups of United Methodists. Which plan has the support of the Council of Bishops? A significant majority of the members of the Council of Bishops and the Commission on a Way Forward recommend the One Church Plan for adoption. All three plans in the Commission on a Way Forward report will be presented to General Conference as will several others being submitted through petitions. Bookends Thursday, February 14 9:30 am Library The book being reviewed is Winter Solstice by Rosemund Pitcher. Lynne German will be the reviewer and the hostess will be Midge Herder. Sarah Circle Thursday, February 14 9:30 am Breakfast at Denny s Restaurant, on Burbank Blvd. near Topanga Canyon Blvd. Please note this is a different Denny s. Our waitress will be working there and will accommodate us. Faith, Hope & Love Wednesday, February 20 7:00 pm Library Shirley Thomson and Beulah Hajek will provide the program and devotions. Mary Beth Godwin will supply refreshments. 3

News from Troop 474 Our Troop and Pack closed 2018 with a bang.

Pastor Lynn Westover Flora Wilhelm Paul Cady Betty May s family: David, Kelly & Carol Jennifer Alderman Jackie Dutcher UM General Conference Those living with mental illness The local homeless

net Recycling Eye Glasses Dana Dreyfuss volunteers at West Hills Hospital. They gather old eyeglasses, which are distributed to people who need them through the Lions Club.

Our Second Annual Pictures with Santa event was coupled with another great event held at our First United Methodist Church.

4 News from Troop 474 Our Troop and Pack closed 2018 with a bang. We participated in three community events: Pictures with Santa, The Miracle Worker play at the Madrid Theater, and we hosted a Firefighter Appreciation Dinner at Station 72. Pastor Lynn Westover Flora Wilhelm Paul Cady Betty May s family: David, Kelly & Carol Jennifer Alderman Jackie Dutcher UM General Conference Those living with mental illness The local homeless population To receive Prayer Chain s, please contact Robin Abernathy at robingreenbird@yahoo.com cc the church office at crossandflame@att.net Recycling Eye Glasses Dana Dreyfuss volunteers at West Hills Hospital. They gather old eyeglasses, which are distributed to people who need them through the Lions Club. Set your old glasses free to do good in the world. Dana has a mail box in the church office. Our Second Annual Pictures with Santa event was coupled with another great event held at our First United Methodist Church. At the Children s Business Fair, families were welcomed to come by and take a complimentary picture with Santa for a small donation. Scouts greeted families, handed out candy canes and introduced families to Santa. At The Miracle Worker, our Troop and Pack manned the concession stand and served as ushers directing theater-goers to their seats for the three nights of the production. As a special treat, we got to meet the cast and see the play that details the life of Helen Keller. Our very own Santa made an appearance as well. On December 15th, Pack and Troop 474 along, with 14 other units in our district, served dinner to 12 different Fire Stations in the San Fernando Valley. At 6:00 pm, we had chairs and tables and food ready to serve to our brave local firefighters. Our local heroes simultaneously were greeted, thanked and served via a Facebook Live broadcast and then, we presented our assigned Station (Station 72, Vanowen) with BSA Thank You pins for all that they did to keep us safe during the fires. After dinner, we toured the station and took this picture.

Laura Longman Memorial Scholarship 2019 Funding This February is filled with anniversaries and memories for the friends and family of the Laura Longman Memorial Scholarship.

5 Laura Longman Memorial Scholarship 2019 Funding This February is filled with anniversaries and memories for the friends and family of the Laura Longman Memorial Scholarship. It was 40 years ago this month that Laura drove herself to St Joseph s Hospital in Burbank because she was having difficulty breathing. She had had the flu since before Christmas of She was admitted and diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Later that year she received an experimental heart transplant at Stanford University Medical Center. It was like putting a new engine in a very tired old car. She went on to travel the United States in her new life. Since her childhood she had loved to be learning. She entered San Francisco State University as a junior studying Biochemistry. On February 9th of 1984, Laura sent Valentine cards to her friends and family. None of those cards had return addresses on them. She knew that her heart was failing. Laura, then a senior died in class of heart failure on February 10th The Laura Longman Memorial Scholarship was founded as a living memorial. On Easter Sunday, 1985 the first scholarship grants were awarded. By April 2018, $167,000 had been awarded in 113 scholarship grants given to 95 different students. Memories of Laura may be seen in a video presentation on the church website: Anyone who would like to contribute to this ministry in memory or honor of a loved one are invited to write a check payable to the First United Methodist Church of Canoga Park with the memo line reading Laura Longman Memorial Scholarship. Please include a note of dedication to your loved one or honoree. All donations and gifts are dedicated for use in this ministry. Your gifts are very much appreciated and will be acknowledged for your tax purposes. Preschool News February is Dental Month. We look forward to Dr. Joe, a local children s dentist, coming to talk with us about how to brush our teeth and keep our beautiful smiles. Our Bible verse this month reminds us that A friend loves at all times. (Proverbs 17:17) Preschool is an excellent opportunity to reinforce this concept of acceptance and forgiveness in our community of friends. We still have some spots open in our Room 3 class (2 ½ to 3 ½ years old). If you know anyone looking for a great preschool, have them give us a call. Wendy Directory Updates Sue Rosen 103 Kati Court Gilbertsville, PA Virgene Engberg Fairwinds of West Hills 8138 Woodlake #179, West Hills, CA (same phone number) Flora Wilhelm Aura Avenue Northridge, CA (same phone and ) You are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items on the first Sunday of every month. Your much-appreciated contributions are taken to the West Valley Food Pantry for distribution to their clients.

I went to Vine St. and Selma Ave. grammar schools. Bancroft Junior High and Hollywood High, graduating in 1940.

My father owned a welding shop and made good money at that time. He died when I was three from drinking water from an old well, and got thyroid fever.

6 I went to Vine St. and Selma Ave. grammar schools. Bancroft Junior High and Hollywood High, graduating in Betty May 6 April December 2018 My Life as I Remember It I was born in Lincoln, Kansas, April 6, I was the ninth of ten children. My father owned a welding shop and made good money at that time. He died when I was three from drinking water from an old well, and got thyroid fever. My oldest sister tried to take care of the family and she and my next oldest sister hitched out to Hollywood and thought it would be cheaper to live out there; so she came back to Lincoln and bought a model T Ford for 20 bucks and took the rest of the family that hadn t hiked out to California (seven of us) to Hollywood. We broke down in Needles, Arizona, and two men with a truck, put our car on back of it and that s how we rode into Hollywood. (Like the Beverly Hillbillies.) I turned 8 on the trip out. Interested in sports and music, I was always in the shows at school, singing and dancing. I started at L.A. City College and sang in the a cappella choir. My six sisters and I sang together for a short time, but it was too hard getting together. When World War II started, I went to work at Vega and Lockheed. I tried to stay in school, but it was too much for me. My mother and my one sister that was still at home joined the 1st United Methodist Church of Hollywood and all of us sang in the choir. My sister and I sang a few duets in church. I met my first husband when I was working at Lockheed. We adopted our 1st child, Carol. I had our son David 12 years later. During that time, I worked for Ralph s market for 12 years and became a Lead. Then I worked at Teledyne for 20 years and was a lead supervisor. I married again and had a daughter, Kelly. My husband passed away after 13 years. I retired from Teledyne at age 70. While I was there, I was on the bowling team (average was 135 and beat my best friend who had the high score for women) on the last night of the season with a game of 255. I belonged to the Woodland Hills Rock Chippers for 50 years and was very active, serving as president. I loved to go camping and hunting for rocks and fossils. I also belonged to the Canoga Park Emblem #360 for 40 years, serving as president 4 times and always held an office, sometimes more than one. I prepared the club bulletin for the last 20 years. I sang with the Valley Harmonettes, for about 20 years, and have always sung in the church choir. My hobbies are dancing, playing cards, collecting recipes (once loved to cook), singing, camping, collecting rocks and fossils, jewelry making and collecting. Just like to collect things I enjoy. Written by Betty May

Wilbur (Willie) Wilhelm 29 September 1922-11 December 2018 I knew Willie first at Rocketdyne, then later at Live Steamers Train Park.

7 Wilbur (Willie) Wilhelm 29 September December 2018 I knew Willie first at Rocketdyne, then later at Live Steamers Train Park. I hired into Rocketdyne in 1959 and Willie was my boss s boss on the Thor rocket engine program. Willie worked for Rocketdyne for much of his career. He was involved in many significant rocket engines as a Project engineer; these included the J-2 liquid hydrogen engine that was the propulsion for the second and third stages of the Saturn which took men to the moon in the Apollo Program. Willie was a Project Engineer for the development of the Space Shuttle during the proposal phase. Prior to Rocketdyne he worked for Westinghouse on the Manhattan Project. At the Train Park, Willie is best known for his involvement in the steam plant and with the documentation of the underground utilities around the Club. But his fingerprints can be found on many items around the Club. From the development of the steam plant, to the Club s air and water systems to renovating our full-sized railroad cars, to landscaping, to building trestles, to expanding the Club westward, Willie would see a need, volunteer his time and then figure out how to build, renovate or repair it. He was adept at involving other members on a project, and if the project had aspects outside his area of expertise, he was not shy about contacting the best in the appropriate industry for instruction or assistance. Willie served as president to the Club in He was also our Facilities Superintendent for a number of years, as well as the Roster and newsletter editor. Willie had a well-equipped machine shop at home where he loved to build things. He decided to build an Allen ten-wheeler steam locomotive. He took a welding class and made his own stainlesssteel boiler. When it proved too tricky to weld himself, he got his welding instructor from Pierce college to do the work for him. The finished locomotive ran beautifully and provided many years of service to the Club. It is now owned by a member at Riverside Live Steamers. He helped design the Club s air compressor system and the compressor house. After a weeks-long study where our various trains were timed how long it took them to complete the loop, load and unload passengers. He determined the need for our super trains with bench seats. I remember being on stopwatch duty during the study. The result was larger, safer trains that could carry many more people and keep the lines moving. Various members remember Willie by when he talked you into working at the Steam Plant. He never ran out of projects. He was friendly and always willing to help; we helped each other. He had wit and was like a breath of fresh air. Willie was the consummate engineer. He built nothing without planning and detailed drawings Willie was born on September 29, He met his first wife, Arliss, at the University of Washington. She was very involved in Club activities and a good friend to the other members. They shared a love for ballroom dancing, and Willie was also a ham radio operator. The couple lived in Calabasas with their son and daughter in a home Willie designed and built. When Arliss contracted Alzheimer s disease, Willie cared for her at home as long as he could; she passed away when Willie was in his early 60 s. Later, he was introduced to his second wife, Flora, who also loved dancing. They were married approximately 13 years. Flora and her family took wonderful care of Willie. God bless you, Willie, and keep on dancing and steaming. Written by Larry Sak

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF CANOGA PARK 22700 Sherman Way West Hills, CA 91307-2396 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage P A I D Canoga Park, CA Permit #1 Return Service Requested UMC Market

Every store at UMCmarket is happy to pay a percentage of the purchased amount as a donation. There is no additional cost or charge for either you or our church.

8 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF CANOGA PARK Sherman Way West Hills, CA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage P A I D Canoga Park, CA Permit #1 Return Service Requested UMC Market UMCmarket makes it possible for our church to receive donations from retailers every time you make an online purchase. How it Works. Every store at UMCmarket is happy to pay a percentage of the purchased amount as a donation. There is no additional cost or charge for either you or our church. The stores send UMCmarket the contributions within a variable time frame of days. Once our church reaches $100 in total donations, a check is mailed to the church. Signing Up is Free! You can easily sign up for free. When you go to UMCmarket, you will click on the Get Started button. You will have the option to sign up with your Facebook account or enter your and create a password. You will then be prompted to download the Easy Give Button and find our church. With these three simple steps, you are ready to shop and donate! Easy Give Button. Using the Easy Give Button App is the easiest way for you to shop and donate. Once it s downloaded, you will see the UMC Cross and Flame icon in your browser toolbar. This Easy Give Button will allow you to shop directly at store websites and let you know that you are connected. Share UMCmarket with your friends! We hope you will sign up, try UMCmarket out, and share with our church family and friends. Your donations will make a difference! Contact UMCmarket s customer service team for help. Just them at info@umcmarket.org.

First United Methodist Church of Canoga Park

March 2018 The Courier First United Methodist Church of Canoga Park 22700 Sherman Way, West Hills, CA 91307-2396 Telephone: 818.340.2950 e-mail address: crossandflame@att.net website: www.umccp.org Preschool: