Go Tell It On The Mountain
Monthly Newsletter
Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ
Minister: Rev. Kevin Omi
|
|
Sunday Worship Service
10:30 A.M.
|
|
January to mid February Church Calendar
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
10:30 A.M. Loma Prieta Club
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Mid-Winter Retreat Series
9 A.M. - 1 P.M.
Overview of contemplative practices in Whitaker Hall at Skyland Community Church, 25100 Skyland Road
Sunday, January 5, 2020
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
Thursday, January 9, 2020
9:45 A.M. Bible Study resumes
Friday,
January 10, 2020
8:30 A.M. M
orning meditation resumes at Temporary Community Center
(
The Temporary Community Center is the building on the right side of Building Blocks Preschool at 23845 Summit Road)
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Mid-Winter Retreat Series
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
Thursday, January 16, 2020
9:45 A.M. Bible Study
Friday, January 17, 2020
8:30 A.M. M
orning meditation at Temporary Community Center (by Building Blocks Preschool)
5:00 P.M. Mountain Hang-out,
Note, this replaces our traditional Spaghetti Dinner and will likely involve an easier form of pasta to prepare. Please invite your neighbors!
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Mid-Winter Retreat Series
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Sunday, January 19, 2020
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
12:00 P.M. Potluck Sunday
6:00 P.M.
All Annual Reports from boards and committees should be submitted to the co-moderators.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
9:45 A.M. Bible Study
Friday, January 24, 2020
8:30 A.M. M
orning meditation at Temporary Community Center (by Building Blocks Preschool)
Noon to 3 P.M. Lunch and film from : "King in the Wilderness"
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Mid-Winter Retreat Series
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
12:00 P.M. Church Council
Thursday, January 30, 2020
9:45 A.M. Bible Study
Friday, January 31, 2020
8:30 A.M. Meditation at Temporary Community Center
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Mid-Winter Retreat Series
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Sunday, February 2, 2020
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
10:30 A.M. Loma Prieta Club
Thursday, February 6, 2020
9:45 A.M. Bible Study
Friday, February 7, 2020
8:30 A.M. Meditation at Temporary Community Center
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Mid-Winter Retreat Series
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Sunday, February 9, 2020
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
12:00 P.M. Deacons
Thursday, February 13, 2020
9:45 A.M. Bible Study
Friday, February 14, 2020
8:30 A.M. Meditation at Temporary Community Center
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Mid-Winter Retreat Series
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
12:00 P.M.
Annual Meeting
12:00 P.M. Potluck Sunday
Regularly Scheduled Events in Whitaker Hall
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sundays:
Choir rehearsal 9:00 A.M.
Mondays
:
Alcoholics Anonymous 8:00
P.M.
Tuesdays
:
Qigong
8:45-10:00
A.M.
Member led.
Thursday
:
Qigong students only from 8:45-9:30
A.M.
Thursday
:
Yoga 7:00
P.M.
|
|
Message from Reverend Kevin Omi
|
|
2020, Here We Come!
Rev. Kevin Omi
“From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for God.” Isaiah 64:4
What an exciting year we have ahead of us!
·
Our five “new” reVision ministries will become fully integrated into the life of the church. “Integrated” not in the sense of being subsumed or folded into our “existing” ministries, but instead becoming the
leading edge
of our engagement with the wider community
and
an important element of our spiritual formation. In turn, each of these ministry teams will more fully take responsibility for planning, budgeting, staffing, and publicity. For the wider community, these ministries are
already
becoming what they think of first, when they think of our church:
o
Sharing Mountain Living Strategies
o
Fourth Friday Documentaries and Lunch
o
Mountain Hangout
o
Connected Through Adventures
o
Fire Safe Roads
·
Time and energy permitting, in 2020 we may update the church’s bylaws to reflect the structure that the church needs
today
. We also need to ensure that Church Council benefits from the wisdom of enough people.
·
Our connections with the three other mountain churches will continue to grow, including, in various combinations, Easter Sunrise Service, Christmas Concert and Sing-Along; and a new initiative to launch fire safety programs in all four churches. I also remind you that members interested in joining either a homeless feeding program or prison ministry can do so with members of Mountain Bible and Christ Child Churches.
·
The Philanthropy Team will continue the good work it began in 2019. This includes better segregation of financial duties, documenting financial procedures, improving fund allocations, and thinking more strategically. I’m grateful for the work that Anne Evans has done with Gerald Alonzo, our long-tenured and beloved Treasurer. Along the same lines, I’m encouraging the Trustees to think about longer term and larger ticket items, such as when the sanctuary roof, Whitaker Hall floor, and trees on the property will need attention.
·
In due course, the Search Committee will start receiving ministerial profiles, enter into discernment and discussions, and at some point, present a candidate for the settled pastor to the congregation for a congregational vote. This will be a thrilling time for our church!
·
I will complete my ministry here at Skyland Community Church at some point and will learn what God has in mind for me next. I’m excited about the Mid-Winter Retreat series starting January 4, as well as the requests from the Friday Meditation gathering attendees to continue our 8:30 am meetings in 2020. The Loma Prieta Community Foundation is graciously supporting this activity.
Through all of this, God’s steadfast love and our devoted leaders and members will guide us. I am particularly grateful for our Co-Moderators, Jackie Seymour and Anne Evans, and look forward to new leaders stepping forward in 2020. I am grateful to be among and blessed by you.
|
|
It has been one year since we began the reVision 90-day journey. Along with Kevin's guidance, reVision has been inspirational in focusing us on our local mountain community.
On Sunday December 29, we shared the hopes and prayers that we wish for our local mountain community in 2020; hopes and prayers for greater connection, safety, involvement, for working together to solve issues, as well as peace and unity.
The Action teams continue their great work to actualize these hopes in January.
Fire-Safe Roads
Team- continue to meet and work with Santa Cruz County Emergency Services, supervisors, Fire-Safe Councils from both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties and the Loma Prieta School Superintendent to seek funding for and to create a shaded fuel break along Summit road, prioritizing the area near the Schools.
Don't miss:
January 17 from 5 P.M.-8 P.M.
Mountain Hang-out
will host "Lasagna night"-
an evening of conversation and dinner with friends.
January 25 from Noon to 3 P.M.
Fourth Friday Docs
will host lunch and the powerful film "King in the Wilderness", the last three years of Martin Luther King's life.
Both
Connected Through Adventures
and
Sharing Mountain Living Strategies
are in creative planning stages, so stay tuned for their activities.
Email the reVision team:
reVision@skylandchurch.com
Anne Evans
|
|
Mountain Hang Out Lasagna Night
Friday January 17
th
5:00 – 8:00 PM
You were blown away by the first Mountain Hang Out event: Taco Night! But the question on everyone’s mind was “How can they ever top this?” To find out, on January 17
th
5:00 – 8:00 PM, come to the 2
nd
of many Mountain Hang Out events as we present “Lasagna Night – the Sequel”.
We’ll be serving both vegetarian and meat lasagna, salad, and beverages. Invite your friends and neighbors, come for dinner, stay for conversation.
|
|
LITANY THROUGHOUT THE INTERIM PERIOD
For God’s holy presence amidst change, we pray.
For comfort because loss is part of change, we pray.
For Christ-like steadfastness during the challenges of transition and seasons of faith, we pray.
For reassurance through frailty and failings, we pray.
For the abundant creativity the Spirit provides, we pray.
For our loved ones in this community of faith, we pray.
For God’s children beyond this community, we pray.
|
|
Church Council News
++++++++++++++++++++++
The church council cancelled the December meeting.
All Annual Reports from boards and committees should be submitted to the co-moderators on
Jan 19, 2020
and be available for the congregation at the
February 16 Annual Meeting
.
The Council will meet next on Jan. 26, 2020.
Submitted by your co-moderators:
Jackie Seymour
Anne Evans
|
|
The Rhythm of Change
The rhythm of the forest is the rhythm of change. The end of the tree is a part of the process that has been going on since life began. Whether I look at the seed which falls to the ground and sprouts to life, at the cycle of the seasons, or at the disappearance of a stump, I see but a moment’s glimpse in a constant process of change. Change never ceases. (Robert Hamma, Earth’s Echo)
|
|
Pastoral Search Update
On December 18, our conference minister, Reverend Davena Jones, notified the Search Committee that she had validated our Local Church Profile. The next day it was posted on the UCC Ministry Opportunities website. All current profiles in the NCNC (Northern California Nevada Conference) can be read at this web link:
In January the Committee will have a video conference with Reverend Jones, who will provide guidelines about receiving and tracking ministerial profiles, interviewing candidates, and conducting background checks.
John Hayes, Search Committee Chair
|
|
Flowers for the Altar
Several Sundays are open for floral donations. Please sign up on the calendar in Whitaker Hall.
We have enjoyed some beautiful floral arrangements on recent Sundays. If you wish to plan ahead--perhaps for a special occasion--please write your name alongside any open Sunday on the calendar in Whitaker Hall.
|
|
hardy geraniums--
red, white, salmon, magenta
--
flaming into fall
~haiku by John Heyes
|
|
|
|
Sharon's parents
Soro and Kasanita
|
|
Soro with his two daughters
(Sharon is on the left)
|
|
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to thank you again for your sponsorship's of Fijian school children for the 2019 school year, and I have some great news to report.
One of the students you sponsored,
Sharon Vuniwaqa
, achieved great things during her year 12 at Kadavu Provincial Secondary School.
She broke four out of six school records:
English - 84 pts. (previously 80, set in 2017)
Accounting - 81 pts. (previously 79, set in 1997 and tied in 2017)
Economics - 83 pts. (previously 81, set in 1997)
Aggregate Total - 329 pts. (previously 320, set in 2017)
Her parents are very proud of her, as she has worked very hard on her education. She is from Waisalima, which is where my family lived for three years, and I am friends with her parents.
I've attached a photo of her parents, Soro and Kasanita, a photo of Soro with his two daughters (Sharon is on the left), and a photo of Sharon receiving her prizes.
I wanted to write and give you the good news, and pass along a big "vinaka vaka levu" (thank you very much) from Sharon and her family in Fiji, and from me as well!
All the best,
Connie Durant
++++++++++++++++++++++
Missions Board Update
In January the Mission Board will reach out and collect donations for the students we sponsor around the world. We work with individual contacts made by Skyland Church members who have arranged sponsorship's in India, Fiji, Guatemala and Tanzania.
|
|
Thank you for the Giving Tree
Thank you for your kind, generous support for our local school families in need. This year Skyland Community Church was able to help even more than past years. We sponsored 14 local families at CT English and Loma Prieta School for the holiday season. Due to the generosity of the Skyland Church and friends, we were able to give each family a $100 gift card for Safeway, a $75 gift card for Target and a $25 gift card for each of the children so they could buy the things that they most needed for the holidays. Our local outreach just keeps growing!
|
|
Update from the Trustees
Recently the battery powered emergency exit signs were replaced with new battery powered emergency exit signs that have LED lights for easier egress. There are two each in Whitaker Hall (upper and lower) and two in the sanctuary. When the power goes out these new exit sign lights will stay on for 90 minutes.
|
|
|
|
New Exit sign with LED lights
|
|
Message from Ann Baier
I especially like this quote by [now Saint] Romero, as I have visited El Salvador several times and feel a connection with the people of the country of “the Savior”.
Is there space to include this, or part of it? It also might be an opportunity to remind people about this resource from the broader UCC.
+++++++++++++++++++++
|
|
I Had Planned
Talitha Arnold
December 30, 2019
King David rose to his feet and said, “I had planned to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord … and I made preparations for building.” - 1 Chronicles 28:2 (NRSV)
King David had great plans, but God had other plans. The one thing he wanted most—building the Temple—he had to leave for his son Solomon.
David’s story is a good one for this year’s final days. What plans did you have for 2019? What do you need to let go of?
As the year draws to a close, a prayer by Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, written shortly before his assassination in 1980, offers this insight:
“It helps now and then, to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us."
“We plant the seeds that one day will grow,” Romero continued. “We lay foundations that will need further development. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning … an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.”
“We may never see the end results,” Romero concluded, “but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen.”
Prayer
Help us step back and take the long view, O God. Thank you for the seeds you’ve helped us plant this year, the foundations you’ve enabled us to lay. Give us the wisdom to let go of other things. Like King David and Archbishop Romero, remind us that we are called to be workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. Amen.
About the Author
|
|
NOTE From Your Treasurer
|
|
Note from your Treasurer for first 7 months of our fiscal year:
Pledge income is $1,993 above expectations based on anticipated distribution of pledge donations.
Offerings are $-1,124 below expectations.
Hall Rental is $771 above expectations.
Month’s expenses exceeded income by $7,655 primarily due to billing ourselves $7,000 for earthquake insurance. This transaction is simply a means to transfer money from our operating budget to our special Earthquake Fund. To refresh your memory, the congregation voted to self-insure for earthquake damage and $41,200 is currently in the fund.
We are able to accept credit card payments for pledge, general and special offerings if that is more convenient than check or cash. See either Jan or myself after service for these transactions.
Here is our operating finances as of Dec. 30 for our 2019-2020 fiscal year.
|
|
Respectfully
Gerald Alonzo, Treasurer
|
|
Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ
25100 Skyland Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033
phone: 408-353-1310
USPS mail: Skyland Church
P.O. Box 245
Los Gatos, CA 95031-0245
Website
http://skylandchurch.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
