August 2016 - Los Altos United Methodist Church

August 5, 2016, Volume 66 No. 8
The Big Questions: Responding to the Big Questions of Faith
Our current morning worship series started July 31 and continues through September 4. We are examining some of
the biggest questions of our faith and will try to respond in a way that makes sense for this time and this place.
August 7: (How) Should We Live Together?
Senior Pastor Mariellen Yoshino and GroupLife Chairperson Kim Jones will present a dialogue message. The scripture
is Colossians 3:14-17. Holy Communion will be served.
August 14: Why Should I Do Anything About Poverty?
Pastor Mariellen and Bold Service & Social Justice Cochair Jan McDaniel will have a conversation about poverty and
faith, reflecting on Matthew 26:6-13. Our featured Outreach Connection agency will be Hope’s Corner.
August 21: So What About Hell?
Pastor Mariellen and Steve Moyer will speak together about the concept and
meaning of hell. The scripture is Mark 9:43-50.
August 28: Why Do Bad Things, Like Alzheimer’s, Happen to Such Good People?
Pastor Mariellen and Bonnie Bollwinkel will present a dialogue about Alzheimer’s and
other life struggles. The scripture text is Proverbs 3:5-6.
September 4: What Happens When We Die?
Pastor Mariellen and Dr. Bill Buchholtz will offer a conversation about death and what
happens to us, using Luke 23:42-43. Holy Communion will be offered.
To Begin Again: Preparing for New Seasons in Our Lives
On August 14, the Creekside Crossings evening worship service will begin a four-week worship series. To Begin Again:
Preparing for New Seasons in Our Lives will follow the prodigal son story of Luke 15:11-32 and explore these topics:
wandering from the path, wondering if there’s something better, God’s whisper of “Come back!” and God’s loving welcome.
August 14: Wandering
Our new beginnings often arise out of wandering away from the
path we want to be on. Pastor Sam Lewis will give the message.
August 28: Whispering
The voice of God whispers to us, “Come back, come back,
come back!” Pastor Dirk Damonte will give the message.
August 21: Wondering
We wonder if perhaps there is something better, if
a new beginning might be possible. Pastor Debbie
Weatherspoon will preach.
September 4: Welcoming
God welcomes us with open arms and a loving heart,
saying, “Welcome home!” Senior Pastor Mariellen Yoshino
will preach. Holy Communion will be offered.
Thank you so much for asking!
A couple of months ago, I sent a Tuesday e-Note requesting that you send me
questions to include in our summer morning worship series, “The Big Questions.”
Like we did last summer, I want to spend time with you reflecting on the big questions of
Christian life and understanding. Amidst these big questions (summer 2016 edition),
I hope you will find at least one question or scripture that you have pondered.
This summer, I will discuss five of these “Big Questions” with a “partner-in-preaching.”
I have asked Kim Jones, Jan McDaniel, Steve Moyer, Bonnie Bollwinkel, and Bill Buchholtz
to preach with me. Together, we will talk about these questions that you have asked.
In preparation for this series, one partner-in-preaching said, “I hope that since these are the ‘big questions,’ no one
is expecting the one ‘big answer.’” She continued, “I hope everyone knows we can only discuss these questions and
offer understanding. … People have been seeking answers to these questions for a long time.”
This reflection is so true. With this series, I hope we will ask our questions, seek God’s answers, and act to engage these
questions in our world now. Following the morning services each Sunday, there will be “next steps” offered for study or
specific action so that you can be part of “touching heaven and changing earth with head, heart, and hands.”
So yes, thank you for asking and seeking, and thank you for taking action.
Blessings,
Take a Next Step With GroupLife
Do you have a friend or two and want to discuss with them some good news about life? Are you ready to take
a next step in doing something positive in this world? Then become a HOST! Help GroupLife this fall to engage
folks in our worship series and small-group study, Love Does. To be a host, all you need to do is:
• H – have a heart for people and God
• O – open a space (at home or church or work or even a coffee shop)
• S – serve a beverage or snack
• T – turn on the video
For this fall series, based on the New York Times best-selling book by Bob Goff, there is a five-session video
curriculum perfect for small-group engagement and discussion. Yes, only five meetings. This is an easy time
commitment. No reading required for participants. Really, you must have one or two friends or neighbors you
could ask to join you for this uplifting study! How about someone you can ask to cohost a group of friends
together? The GroupLife team will help with all the logistics and mentor you. The worship series with this theme
begins on September 11, and Bob Goff himself is coming on September 25 to preach in the morning services and
talk more over lunch. You can schedule your five small-group meeting times whenever is convenient for you in
September, October, even November.
To find out more, come to an info session in the Redwood Room between any of the morning services on Sunday,
August 14, or attend the rally/workshop (with free breakfast!) on Saturday, August 27, 9:00am–12:00pm in
Creekside. The GroupLife team hopes you will say yes to an easy way to be a blessing and be blessed! For more
information or questions, contact GroupLife Chairperson Kim Jones ([email protected]).
August 5, 2016
GOOD NEWS!
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Guest Preacher: Wayne Kerr
Sunday, August 7, 5:00pm, Creekside
On August 7, we will welcome a special guest, Wayne
Kerr, as our preacher and worship leader at the
Creekside Crossings evening worship service. Wayne
is a talented worship leader and recording artist. He
serves as the worship pastor at Grace Fellowship
United Methodist Church in Katy, Texas, and travels
several weekends per year to share his heart through
music and speaking. Please help us welcome Wayne!
All-Church Family Dinner: Back to School
Births
Sachika Tanikawa Durkee
July 3
Parents: Leina & Brian Durkee
Grandmother: Sherry Durkee
Weddings
Andrew Maggiora & Rachel Koh
July 1
Sunday, August 21, 6:15pm, Creekside
Families with school-age children know that August means “back to school.”
Summer vacation is waning and we start to look ahead to the activities of the fall
season. Whether you are busy buying school supplies or your school days are
but memories in the rear-view mirror, young and old are invited to our August
All-Church Family Dinner celebrating Back to School. The Creekside Crossings
service on August 21 will be a special family service, followed by the dinner. Come
give our students a rousing send-off as they start a new school year! Students of
all ages are invited to bring their backpacks, whether cartoon-themed or laptop
messenger bags, for a special blessing and gift.
Deaths
Vera Burns
July 1
Thank you
Chef Fred Mayo has come up with a delicious menu designed to please all ages.
There will be a special children’s table featuring pizza and chicken tenders and an
adult’s table with whiskey-grilled baby back ribs, spiced corn coblets, creamy kale
salad, melon, and dessert. Don’t miss this chance to say farewell to summer while
enjoying hospitality and fellowship with your church family. Let us know you’ll be
coming to dinner by registering at www.laumc.org/backtoschooldinner.
Thank you all for your continued
prayers and support. I have been in
and out of the hospital many times over
the last three years, and I really feel
your prayers holding me up when I am
fatigued and discouraged.
—Jane Holt
August Outreach Connection: Hope’s Corner
We want to thank everybody who
helped create a beautiful memorial
service for our father on July 26. It was
a very emotional and difficult process
that took some time to produce, but
everything went accordingly, thanks to
all of you. We are forever appreciative
for everything you’ve done for our
family throughout the years.
Thank you,
Jim Forderer’s Sons
Sunday, August 14, all services
Our featured Outreach Connection agency this month is Hope’s Corner, Inc. People
in our community are hungry. Even if employed, people earning minimum wage
cannot afford both rent and food. In addition, people who are unhoused need
a place to feel welcomed. Hope’s Corner, Inc., addresses these needs every
Saturday by providing a nutritious breakfast and bag lunch. Hope’s Corner now
serves 250 breakfasts per week on average. The organization also offers free
showers and recently expanded the shower program to be open on Thursday
mornings as well as Saturday mornings. On
Thursdays, Community Services Agency has
a social worker on site to help connect guests
with the services they need.
On August 14, Hope’s Corner board member
Kevin Thompson will speak at the morning
services and board President Leslie Carmichael
will speak at the evening service with updates
about what Hope’s Corner offers. You will
find donation boxes outside the entrances
to the Sanctuary and Creekside. Please give
generously to this growing program.
August 5, 2016
GOOD NEWS!
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Alzheimer’s Benefit Concert
Saturday, September 10, 3:00pm, Sanctuary
Every fall for the past seven years, Senior Organist T. Paul Rosas has
organized a fund-raising concert for Alzheimer’s research. This year a special
matching grant will double the amount of money raised for the Alzheimer’s
Association, matching what is collected in the freewill offering up to $15,000.
The first part of this year’s concert program will be the “Suite for Flute and
Jazz Piano” composed by Claude Bolling. The dynamic quartet performing
the suite includes familiar faces: Vivian Boudreaux on flute, Christy Crews on
bass, Dylan Damonte on percussion, and T. Paul Rosas on piano. The quartet has
played pieces of this work over the last 10 years, and now the group will put the
entire work together for the audience’s enjoyment.
The performers for the second half of the program are also familiar: The Star
Geezers are four retired gentlemen (ages 77–86) whose repertoire includes
bluegrass, gospel, folk, country, standards and oldies. The group is made up of
Jim Reynolds on guitar and vocals; Stan Kullbom on vocals; Mike Beamer on
guitar, mandolin, and vocals; and Ballard French on upright (and handmade) bass.
The group’s eclectic mix of music and fun is always enthusiastically received. The
audience will have a chance to sing along to some of the tunes.
This year, the Alzheimer’s Team is participating in the San Jose Walk and joining
Compassion Week! Save the date of October 8 for the Walk and visit http://act.alz.org/goto/LAUMC for details and to
sign up.
New Bishop Coming to California-Nevada
The current bishop of the California-Nevada Conference,
Bishop Warner Brown, will retire on August 31. Bishop
Minerva Carcaño has been assigned to be our resident
bishop beginning September 1. Bishop Carcaño has served
the California-Pacific Conference the past four years and
before that served the Desert Southwest Conference for
eight years. She was born in Texas and served as a local
church pastor and/or district superintendent in Texas, New
Mexico, California, and Oregon before being elected to the episcopacy in 2004.
Bishop Carcaño helps lead the Interagency Task Force on Immigration for The
United Methodist Church and is a lead spokesperson on matters of immigration
reform for the Council of Bishops. In 2013, she was one among 14 religious
leaders who were invited to the White House by President Barak Obama to
consult with him about immigration reform.
Los Altos United Methodist Church has been asked to host one of the conference’s
welcome receptions for Bishop Carcaño this fall. Watch the Good News! for more
information about welcoming her to the area.
August 5, 2016
GOOD NEWS!
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Rev. Dr. Mark S. Bollwinkel Scholar Is Named
Now in its second year, the Rev. Dr. Mark S. Bollwinkel scholarship to the Claremont School of
Theology (CST) was awarded in June to recipient Salasamina (Sina) Vuna. Sina is entering the
final year of her Master of Divinity “hybrid” program (a combination of online and classroom
education) and is on the ordination track to become a deacon in The United Methodist Church.
Sina comes from the South Pacific kingdom of Tonga. She lives in San Mateo with her husband
and six children, where they are members of Hillsdale UMC. Her online studies allow her to work
full-time as an accountant while she maintains a full-time seminary class load. Sina has been
serving in an internship at a local homeless shelter for families with young children.
In a video message shown during Sunday worship on July 17, Sina expressed her thanks to the
congregation: “From the depths of my heart, I am very grateful and honored to be the recipient
of the Rev. Dr. Mark S. Bollwinkel scholarship. I want to take this opportunity to say to all of you
at Los Altos Church, thank you very much for your generosity and kindness. This scholarship is a testimony that if we are
open to follow and obey God’s call, God will provide for your need and enable you to serve Him. … I am called to serve the
poor—specifically homeless families with young children. My experience at Claremont has transformed me to be the hands,
the feet, and the heart of the Lord in serving the poor. I have met a lot of outstanding professors and colleagues, and I’m
delighted to be among people who answer like Jeremiah, ‘Here I am Lord. Send me.’ Thank you once again. I love you all.”
Experience Four Weeks of Poverty in One Afternoon
Sunday, August 28, 12:00–3:00pm, Creekside
Thousands of men, women, and children live in poverty in Silicon
Valley, and with skyrocketing housing costs, trying to make ends
meet is more stressful and elusive than ever. To gain greater
insight into and compassion for the challenges they endure, sign
up for the Poverty Simulation, a unique role-playing event that
allows you to take a deep dive into life with a shortage of money.
In this fast-paced activity, you will role-play as a member of a
low-income family struggling to provide food, shelter, and other
basic necessities for a month while navigating through community
resources. You will also meet people who have lived in poverty
and discuss opportunities to create a truly thriving community.
The experience will touch you on intellectual, emotional, and
spiritual levels.
The Poverty Simulation is open to adults and high school students. Space is limited! Visit our website (www.laumc.
org/poverty-simulation) for more information and to register. Contact Nancy Peterson ([email protected]) with
questions or to volunteer at the event if you participated in the simulation last year.
The event is sponsored by the LAUMC Bold Service and Social Justice Committee in a multi-faith partnership with
Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Palo Alto First United Methodist Church, Bay Area Cultural Connections,
Congregation Beth Am, and Saint Simon Parish. Step Up Silicon Valley, a movement to reduce poverty initiated by
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, will conduct the simulation.
August 5, 2016
GOOD NEWS!
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Chancel Choir Welcomes Interim Director
Chancel Choir is pleased to announce that José
Mendiola, a former bass/baritone soloist, will serve as
the choir’s interim director September 1 through the
holiday season.
A graduate of San Jose State University, José has
sung with several choral groups and been a soloist
for Opera San Jose. He currently teaches voice
and brass fundamentals through the San Jose
Youth Symphony Music Matters Program and is
collaborating with the Chris Bryant Guitar School in
Los Gatos as a voice instructor.
José looks forward to working with Chancel Choir.
Please welcome him when you see him. Singing with
the Chancel Choir is an excellent way to meet our new director and make new
friends. The choir would love to have you!
A Special Welcome Desk Volunteer:
Harriet Stenberg
The first friendly face many people see when
they arrive at LAUMC on a weekday is the person
stationed at the Welcome Desk in the church
office. The Welcome Desk greeter is often the first
person to share LAUMC hospitality with a smile,
a warm greeting, and a supportive offer of help
or comfort, whether the visitor is a first-timer or
a long-time church family member. If you’ve ever
stopped by the church office for a meeting or an
errand on a Wednesday afternoon, or called the
church office with a question during the same
time, you have probably received the warm and
cheerful greeting of our special Welcome Desk
volunteer, Harriet Stenberg.
Harriet will tell you that she receives as much as
she gives during her weekly time slot at the Welcome Desk. She was looking for
connection when she accepted the role in 2009 on the suggestion of Pastor Rick
Plain. Harriet’s beloved husband, Carl, passed away that year, and she wanted to
find a way to be more involved in church life and contribute to LAUMC’s ministries.
Harriet became a member of LAUMC in 1963. Many LAUMC families remember
Harriet fondly as their fourth-grade teacher at Bubb School or visiting GATE
program teacher at several local schools. She joined UMW in 2010 and was UMW
treasurer for four years. She has a son and daughter and six grandchildren.
Harriet answers the phone at the church office, greets visitors, directs deliveries,
and helps in any way she can with office projects. When asked recently what she
likes most about her weekly shift at the Welcome Desk, Harriet remarked, “I feel
very close to the people I work with. They make me feel welcome, and very much
appreciated! Everyone is so nice and helpful. I love being here.”
Photos from Starfire Singers’
premiere of Borderless.
August 5, 2016
And we love having Harriet as a member of the church team! We have other
morning and afternoon shifts available at the Welcome Desk if this is a way that
you, too, might enjoy contributing to the life of the church. Call the church office
(650-948-1083) if you’d like to know more.
GOOD NEWS!
Page 6
Children’s Ministries News
At LAUMC we want all children to know a deep
faith that lasts a lifetime, to know God’s love and
share it at home, in school, in the community
and with each other. Combined summer Sunday
school classes will continue through the end of
this month. Beginning September 11, we will offer
grade-level classes on Sunday mornings at 9:30.
Sunday school teachers will be eager to greet and
get to know your children. Our children’s choirs
begin their rehearsals at 11:00am that morning.
Join us for a very special all-family evening worship and dinner on
Sunday, August 21, and remember to have all students bring their school
backpacks for a blessing!
Have you ever wanted to share and grow in God’s
love together as a family? You are invited to join us
for Families, Faith, and Fun: four Friday GroupLife
gatherings that will be all about our fall theme of
Love Does! This family-centered gathering will meet
on September 9, 16, 23, and 30, from 6:00 to
8:00pm in Creekside. There will be dinner and child
care at no cost, great family ideas and discussions
to share, small age-group meetings after dinner,
and more. You won’t want to miss this! Register at
www.bit.ly/LoveDoesFFF.
We give special thanks to MacKenzie Breining,
our Donovan’s Door coordinator, for putting on
another wonderful Respite Night for families with
special-needs children on Friday, July 29!
I look forward to seeing you at church!
In faith and with gratitude,
Lisa Conway, director of Children’s Ministries
SUNDAY MORNINGS IN AUGUST
Deep Blue: Two-year-olds through kindergarteners meet in Room 1 in
Children’s Center at 9:30am.
Club 252: First through sixth grades meet in room 8 at 9:30am.
Donovan’s Door: One-on-one aides are available for all special-needs
children during the Sunday school hour with advance registration. Contact
[email protected] for more information.
Nursery: Childcare is lovingly provided for children two years old and
younger in our church nursery during all Sunday morning services.
August 5, 2016
GOOD NEWS!
Children’s Center News
Did you see the yellow hard hats,
the palm tree filled with letters, and
the mini athletes parading around
the Children’s Center these past few
weeks? We had tons of amazing
adventures in our Summer Fun
Camps. For three weeks in July, our
preschoolers returned to school for
special themed camps:
Construction Zone: Children explore
with blueprints, building, excavating,
gardening, decorating, and more.
Story Explorers: Award-winning books
come to life in each classroom.
Olympic Games: Friendship, unity,
challenges, and sportsmanship are
practiced through the fun of beach
volleyball, gymnastics, dance, golf,
tug-of-war, water balloon toss, and so
much more!
During our camps, we joined LAUMC
in collecting school supplies to support
Sacred Heart’s Pack-a-Back drive. We
appreciate the many families who
brought in backpacks and supplies to
help local children in need.
After the excitement and fun of our
Summer Camps, the Children’s Center
staff spends August prepping for the
upcoming school year. Rooms are
painted, decorated, and spruced up in
anticipation of the first days of school
on August 29 and 30. We will kick off
the year with several special activities
organized by our Family Resource
Center to welcome all of our families
to school—but they are open to the
church and community! Save the
date for a welcome coffee talk with
the Children’s Center codirectors on
September 13 and a “Parenting
With Presence” education event
with speaker Susan Stiffelman on
October 19. Watch for more details
in upcoming Good News issues or
visit the Children’s Center website
(www.childrenscenterpreschool.org).
Page 7
GOOD NEWS!
Los Altos United Methodist Church
655 Magdalena Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94024-5297
(650) 948-1083 www.laumc.org
DATE MAILED: August 5, 2016
NEXT GOOD NEWS! DEADLINE: September 6, 2016
WORSHIP SERVICES: Sundays 8:00, 9:30, 11:15am & 5:00pm
Group Outing to the
SF Giants
Friday, August 19
7:15pm, San Francisco
Come with a group from LAUMC to
watch the San Francisco Giants play
the New York Mets. Bring your friends!
Tickets can be purchased for $33 each
from coordinator Tom Cox (tcox_us@
yahoo.com).
Senior Fellowship
Senior Chat meets on the first Friday of
every month at 10:00am in the Garden
Room for fellowship, conversation, and
occasional guest speakers. On August
5, the conversational topic will be
“How I Spent My Summer Vacations.”
Contact John Lehman (408-480-2592
or [email protected]) with
questions or for a ride.
Boomers & Beyond hosts a movie
viewing on the first and third Tuesdays
of every month at 1:00pm in the Live
Oak Room. Drinks and snacks are
provided. Contact Harriet Palmer
([email protected] or 650-9489527) with questions.
Senior...
Chat!
Book Club
Thursday, August 25
7:30pm, Youth Room
The Thursday Night Women’s Book
Group will meet to discuss Border Town,
by Shen Congwen and Jeffrey Kinkley.
All women are welcome to participate.
Contact Sandra Montoya (smsmontoya@
yahoo.com) with questions.