Message from Pastor Mike

Perhaps you've seen this sentiment making its rounds on social media over the past several days:

“Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.”
                                                                                    -Rav Yosef

If you are on social media, you might have also noticed that I am back on it as well. My original intention was to take a social media break as part of my Lenten spiritual commitment this year. Things changed. Rapidly, breathtakingly, paralyzingly....things have changed. All of the maddening aspects of social media, which drove me to take a break from it, are still there. I find I'm having to remind myself, multiple times a day, that people who are too insecure to acknowledge their vulnerability are as high risk a group as the eldery and the immuno-compromised. But I'm also finding wonderful gifts of inspiration, wisdom, and insight like what I shared above. The primary reason I chose to break my Lenten fast from social media was so that I could better stay connected with many of you, as well as other friends and family that I care about. Staying connected matters now, more than ever. That's what I appreciate about the quote above from Rav Yosef (before you ask, I have no idea who this person is), it reminds us that we can maintain our connections with one another even in spite of our separation by physical distances. In fact, the quote goes further than merely suggesting this is something we can do but is emphatic that we must do this. My ability to be present with you physically now is drastically diminished, hospitals and nursing homes do not currently consider pastoral visits essential. Likewise, my ability to visit you in your homes is limited by my own concern about potentially infecting someone without realizing it. In many respects, clergy are ideal transmitters of this virus. In spite of these limitations, I want to hear from you and know how you are doing. The physical distance does not change who we are together as a family of God. 

Along that same line, we are currently working to create a Call and Care Ministry team which will involve designated members of the congregation calling other designated members at least once a week to check in, offering a friendly voice, finding out if there is anything the person needs that the church might be able to help with. Perhaps someone needs groceries, postage stamps, or other household supplies but are too fearful, or too sick to go out. In those instances we have volunteers from the church, who are among the lower categories of risk, who are willing to go and get you what you need and drop it off on your doorstep. But if you have an immediate need along those lines, please don't wait for one of our designated callers to reach out, contact me or contact Jessie in the church office and we will get you connected with someone who can help you.

So make those phone calls, send those texts and emails, greet the people that you do encounter as graciously and warmly as you possibly can from six feet away. Remember, that there is a greater reality that connects us all and let us live accordingly.

Peace.

Pastor Mike

List of Cancellations & Postponements

Starting with most recent cancellations....

Children's Bible Exploration (Postponed)
Doorkeepers for the rest of March (Cancelled)
Men's group for March (Cancelled)
Building Committee Meeting for March (Cancelled)
Choir Rehearsals, March 19 and 26 (Cancelled)
Bell Rehearsals, March 19 and 26 (Cancelled)
Nomadic Shelter for the remainder of the season (Cancelled)
UMW Women's Tea (Cancelled)
Sunday Morning worship and Sunday school through March 29 (Cancelled) 
Spring Cleaning Day (Postponed)
CFYM March Meeting (Postponed)
Parents Night Out for March (Cancelled)
Parents Group for March (Cancelled)
Super Senior Lunch for March (Cancelled)
Fifth Sunday Potluck for March (Cancelled)
Women's Book Club for April (Cancelled)
Generous Souls Book Study all remaining meetings (Cancelled)

Future updates due to COVID-19 can be found HERE

Need to Know

All church related, in person gatherings of 10 or more people have been put on hold until the end of March. All community groups that meet on our church campus have also been told they need to discontinue their usage until the end of March. We will reassess these decisions as we get closer to the end of March. More than likely, these decisions will need to remain in place beyond the end of this month. To be prudent, staff has been directed to suspend all non-essential church spending and we are asking all lay leadership and volunteers to do the same. If you are unsure if something is essential or non-essential, please contact Pastor Mike for guidance. Our Administrative Support Team will be meeting remotely this Sunday as scheduled and will be discussing how we might respond to the wide variety of implications this situation has on our life together as a faith community. Implications for our staff, as our activity level remains low over an extended period of time; coupled with concerns about decreased giving, are of immediate concern. The wisdom and viability of continuing to offer an "Open Sanctuary" time on Sunday morning will be reassessed every week and we will notify you of those decisions by Friday of each week.  New recordings of complete worship services are being made available every Sunday for you on our website, www.foothillsumc.net and our Foothills UMC Facebook page. 

A Note from FUMC Financial Secretary

I hope and pray that you all are adjusting to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 virus and that the disruptions to your lives are manageable.

As financial secretary at FUMC, I want to reiterate the need for us to continue to give to the church as we are able. Most of our operations costs continue even when our formal worship services are not being held. Pastor Mike and congregational leadership have already begun to take action to eliminate non-essential expenses. In addition to your regular giving, we receive about $7,000 from unknown contributors in the collection plates each month as well as building use income from outside groups. I anticipate that we will not receive that combination of income while formal services and outside group usage of the facility are on hold.

There are three ways to continue giving:
  1. Drop off your contribution at the church, at this time the church office remains open as usual
  2. Mail them to the church: 3301 Green Valley Road, Rescue, CA 95672
  3. Give online. Here are some instructions:
  • Go to our website: foothillsumc.net
  • Click on the menu bars in the upper right corner
  • Click on GIVE
  • Under Online Giving, click on Give Online (highlighted in blue)
  • That will bring you to a page where you can create your online profile.
  • You can then choose your contribution amount, frequency and the category where you want your contribution to go. If you made a pledge and want it to go against your pledge, select “Operations Pledge”. If you do not have a pledge, select “Operations – Not Pledged”.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call or e-mail me at:
925-683-5226 or ed.kaufmann@sbcglobal.net

The virus will present many challenges for us all, and maintaining the financial health of our church is one. I am confident that if we faithfully work together we can successfully meet this challenge.

Thank you all for your support in making FUMC what it is today and will continue to be!
 
Ed Kaufmann

How to Stay Connected & Informed

  • New recordings of complete worship services at foothillsumc.net, a link will be provided on the Foothills UMC Facebook page each Sunday as well.
  • Regular, church-wide email communications.
  • Church Office remains open during the week as normally scheduled
  • Pastor Mike plans to be present at church, during the week, as usual
  • To contact the office: 530.677.4910 or office@foothillsumc.net
  • To contact Pastor Mike: 530.677.4910 / 530.215.9052 or pastormike@foothillsumc.net


Foothills United Methodist Church
530.677.4910 | office@foothillsumc.net