Post on 08-Jun-2020
transcript
May Greetings friends!
You might remember that for the season of Lent I followed the tradition of “giving something
up.” So I fasted from Facebook starting on Wednesday February 10th, until Easter Sunday. I
unexpectedly added to my Lenten “fasting” when I fell and broke my arm the last week of
February. I suddenly found myself unable to keep my typical pace and activity level. The two
experiences, giving up Facebook, and the broken arm, really impacted my life, my spirit, and my
perspective during the Lenten season. I must say the combo of these two things created an
enlightening experience. Last month, I reflected on my “giving up” Facebook for Lent. And this
month I would like to reflect on why the broken arm really changed my perspective.
First off, I recommend trying to avoid breaking a bone, ever! I hope you don’t have to go through
that! If you have, you know well the challenges such a thing can bring. The big thing that struck
me about my broken arm was that I was blissfully unaware of how much we use our entire body
for even the smallest of acts. From balance, to putting on clothing, to washing your hands, to
every sneeze, our bodies are a work of wonder where all the parts act in beautiful unison to
simply live. Even a simple fracture like mine quickly revealed just how dependent I am on my
left arm, to do any and everything. Our bodies are beautiful. And breaking my arm taught me to
tend to my body, strengthen it, protect it, nurture it, and not neglect it.
This experience also brought 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 to life in a very real and very personal way.
That’s the passage where the Apostle Paul speaks of the body and all the parts belonging to one
another, even and especially the less respectable parts. While he was speaking of the Church with
this metaphor, the real life applications to an actual body are not something I missed.
Finally, being “broken” is a humbling experience. Humbling because I needed to ask for help - a
lot. As a pastor I am usually on the other end of that equation. I am the one who gets asked to
help. I like helping others. It’s something I am good at. However, when you are broken, you have
to be the one doing the asking, the one receiving. And it’s hard! Simple tasks became
insurmountable problems when trying to do it all alone. This forced me to ask for help. This
forced me to come to the full realization that I can’t do it by myself.
I think that is the biggest lesson and most bountiful blessing, realizing I am broken and need help.
It speaks volumes of our relationship with God. We, as humanity, are most often broken and in
need of grace. We, as humanity, can’t fix ourselves and need help. This is where Christ meets us,
in the brokenness, working to make us whole. But also, this is where we, as persons of faith, can
step in when people ask for help. We can be the hands and feet of Christ. It might be easier for
me to help, but wow, when I need help, it is reassuring to know that it’s OK, and there are others
willing to sit with you, be with you, and help lift you up when you have fallen down. And thanks
be to God for all the ways Christ is that for us, and we can be that for others in Jesus’ name.
Blessings my friends,
Pastor Dave
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LETTER FROM PASTOR DAVE
SEASIDE UCC NEWSLETTER MAY 2016
SEASIDECOMMUNITY Phone: 310 375 4111 UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST SeasideUCC.org 22940 Ocean Ave Seaside@SeasideUCC.org Torrance CA 90505
May is Springtime. Avocados, strawberries and a host of other fruits are ripe and delicious, and, don’t forget grapes of the vine. All God’s creations. Seaside continues to be a large part of the Christian community. We have a wedding in October. Our Prayer Shawl, Book Club , and Sisters in Spirit all continue to meet monthly, along with the Seniors. Perhaps May is the month when we look homeward. As Sarah Ban Breathnach said, “With fresh eyes and a loving, appreciative heart, we reconsider our daily rounds.” Emily Dickinson said, “Home is the definition of God.” I hope this finds you all Happy and Healthy. God bless, Connie Sherman
WORDS FROM OUR MODERATOR, CONNIE SHERMAN
SEASIDE UCC NEWSLETTER MAY 2016
@SeasideUCC @SeasideUCC Seaside Community United Church of Christ
Seaside UCC SeasideCommunityUCC
WE LOVE MAKING NEW FRIENDS!
SEASIDE UCC NEWSLETTER MAY 2016
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH
Strengthen The Church (STC) is a special mission offering to reimagine and build the future of the UCC. Shared at the conference and national levels, STC largely supports youth ministries and full-time
leaders for new churches in parts of the country where the UCC voice has not been heard.
On Sunday, May 22nd, Seaside will be receiving the Strengthen the Church special mission offering.
Directed to local conferences, local church ministries and the Stillspeaking ministry, Strengthen the Church gifts help
visions become reality.
Invest in the vision!
2016 CROP WALK TO END HUNGER
The 33rd Annual South Bay CROP Hunger Walk, on Sunday April 17th, was very successful and to date we have raised over $5,000!!! Not all our participants were actually able to walk on that date, but we want to recognize them by listing everyone’s name: Marsha Bannon, Patricia Flack, Lisa Hansen, Linda Knaus, Ken Katona, Sara Khalafi, The Lange Family, Dorina Lollino, Peg McCartney, Ricky Moriyama, Sara Morrison, Katherine Orlin, Ginger Simms, Karen Ury Twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds we raised go to local programs working to alleviate hunger and homelessness. The following agencies are helping in our own communities; they will each receive support from CROP this year: SHARED BREAD - REDONDO BEACH UMC FISH EMERGENCY CENTER - SAN PEDRO SHAWL HOUSE - SAN PEDRO TOBERMAN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER - SAN PEDRO
Sincere thanks to each participant and to everyone who sponsored us so generously!
OUTREACH - PEG MCCARTNEY AND THE OUTREACH TEAM
SEASIDE UCC NEWSLETTER MAY 2016
FAMILY PROMISE
TUESDAY MAY 17, 2016 SIGN UP TO SERVE, FEED ETC.
SEE PEG MCCARTNEY TO SIGN UP!
OUTREACH - PEG MCCARTNEY AND THE OUTREACH TEAM
SPECIAL EVENT
UCC ANNUAL GATHERING! June 3-4, 2016 - Chapman University
If you plan on attending, please go to the link below to register. https://scncucc.churchcenteronline.com/registrations
SEASIDE UCC NEWSLETTER MAY 2016
MINISTRY NEWS AND UPDATES
SISTERS IN SPIRIT WOMEN’S GROUP
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 6:30 pm in the Church House
Once again we had a great gathering in April where we discussed an interesting topic, “Breaking Bad” … habits. It is always a positive move if we can eliminate some of those habits that slow us down, hold us back, and waste our time. Spending a little time figuring out how to do that can certainly help us in the long run.
In May we want to learn about the subject of becoming more mentally strong. Peg McCartney will introduce the topic for us. We will watch a TED Talks video by Amy Morin called, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong.” Everyone has the ability to build mental strength, but most people don’t know how. No matter what your goals are, building mental strength is the key to reaching your greatest potential. Amy Morin is a licensed, clinical social worker and psychotherapist who’s book on this topic is “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.” Hope you can join us in May!
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 5:00 pm in the Church House. Are you keeping someone in prayer?? Do not hesitate to ask for a prayer shawl. We love to send out our gifts of healing love. If you need a prayer shawl, please contact Marilyn James at 310/325-7745 or any other member of the group.
THE GENEVIEVE KISER SEASIDE SENIORS CLUB
Our next meeting is at 2:00 pm,
May 26, 2016, at the Church House
SEASIDE BOOK CLUB will meet Monday, May 9, 2016
at 7:00 pm at the home of Harvey Eidinoff
Book of the Month for May The Custom of the Country
by Edith Wharton
Book of the Month for June The Boys In The Boat
by Daniel James Brown
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CHURCH LEADERS
MODERATOR Connie Sherman
PAST MODERATOR
Marsha Bannon
SECRETARY Dayna Kosinski
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Lynn Van Zandt
FINANCE
Scott Bannon
WORSHIP Angel Jimenez
FELLOWSHIP
Amber Cole
FACILITIES Lisa Hansen
OUTREACH
Peg McCartney
SEASIDE COMMUNITY UCC 22940 Ocean Avenue Torrance, CA 90505
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED DATED MATERIAL
The Good News is published monthly by Seaside Community
United Church of Christ. The church is located at the corner of 230th and
Ocean Avenue in Torrance.
Phone: (310) 375-4441
SENIOR PASTOR The Rev. Dave Sigmund
OFFICE HOURS:
Tuesday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Wednesday: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm Thursday: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
ADMINISTRATOR Yaya Barahona
Everyone is invited to join us for Worship on Sundays
at 9:30 am
SAVE THE DATE
MAY 5th Bad Girls of the Bible Starts - 10 Week Series
MAY 17th
Family Promise
MAY 22nd Strengthen the Church Offering
NEWSLETTER ARTICLE DEADLINE
If you have anything to share about our community, please send your updates and articles for the June edition to the office
by May 19, 2016 seaside@seasideucc.org