The weekly newsletter of First Christian Church of Fullerton
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September 27, 2015 Issue 39 1 CALLER theIn This Issue From Dale’s Desk 2 Hands on Ministries 2 & 3 Remember in Prayer 3 Prayer Requests, 9/2- 3 Spiritual Disciplines Wk 4 JYF/Loving Hearts 4 Serving in the Military 4 Statistics/Congratulations 4 Important Dates 5 Disciplines 5 Light a Candle for Children 5 Food Bags for Pathways 5 Goodbye from Deb 5 Homelessness Forum 6 Harvest Festival 6 David Matson Lectures 7 Reconciliation Offering 7 Outreach Report 8 & 9 Regional Events 9 Pathways Events 10 Calendar insert Serving Sunday 11 Events: September 27 - October 4 2015 September 27: 8:00 A.M.-REAWAKEN Worship Service 9:00A.M. - Sunday School for all ages 10:15 A.M.-REMEMBER Worship Service 1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary & FH 11:30A.M.-1:00P.M.-JYFSpecial Guests Tea, CL 12:00P.M.-Loving Hearts Group meet at Coco’s for lunch 5:00 P.M. - Pathways of Hope Fundraiser @ Angelo & Vinci’s September 29: 6:30 P.M. - BA @ Barry’s 7:00 P.M. - Casa uses Sanctuary & Chapman Lounge September 30: 5:30P.M.-Homeless Forum @ Eastside Christian Church (see article elsewhere in the Caller.) 7:00P.M.-Trustees Meeting, CL October 1: Tri-Tip, Barry, Coordinator 5:00 A.M.-Casa Prayer Time, Chapman Lounge 6:30P.M. - Bell Choir; 7:30P.M. Chancel Choir October 2: Donna on vacation through October 9 Disciples Women’s Retreat @ Loch Leven through Sunday 6:00 A.M.-6:00P.M.-Chapman Film Students use CL & FH 9:00 A.M.-Pathways of Hope Program Committee, Choir room 10:00 A.M.-Speakers League, Room 107 October 3: Donna on vacation9:00 A.M.-NOON- Chapel on Wheels Paper Drive October 4: World Communion Sunday - Donna on vacation 8:00 A.M.-REAWAKEN Worship Service 9:00A.M. - Sunday School for all ages 10:15 A.M.-REMEMBER Worship Service, Shared service with Casa 1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary & FH 12:00P.M.-Loving Hearts Group meet at Coco’s for lunch October 5: Donna on vacation6:30 P.M. - OCCS, Chapman Lounge 7:00 P.M. - Worship Ministry Team, Choir Room AA Groups:Sun. 8 P.M., Room 107; Thursday 8 P.M., Friday, 7:30P.M.,Sat. 8:30P.M.,OCYPAA, Sat. 3:30 P.M., FH AL-Anon: Fri. Noon, Room 101A NA Group: Tues. 7:30 P.M.,FH:; OA:Tues. 7 P.M., Sun. 10 A.M.,Room 107 The Caller is publishedweekly Deadline Wednesday at Noon) by First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 109 E. Wilshire Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832 714.525.5525 email: [email protected]www.fullertonfirstchristian.orgInterim Pastor: Rev. Dale Suggs Editor: Donna Woodbridge Webmaster: Lisa Parks
From Dale’s Desk 2Hands on Ministries 2 & 3Remember in Prayer 3Prayer Requests, 9/2- 3Spiritual Disciplines Wk 4JYF/Loving Hearts 4Serving in the Military 4Statistics/Congratulations 4Important Dates 5Disciplines 5Light a Candle for Children 5
Food Bags for Pathways 5Goodbye from Deb 5Homelessness Forum 6Harvest Festival 6David Matson Lectures 7Reconciliation Offering 7Outreach Report 8 & 9Regional Events 9Pathways Events 10Calendar insertServing Sunday 11
E v e n t s : S e p t e m b e r 2 7 - O c t o b e r 4 2 0 1 5 September 27:
8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN Worship Service9:00 A.M. - Sunday School for all ages
10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER Worship Service1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary & FH
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. - JYF Special Guests Tea, CL12:00 P.M. - Loving Hearts Group meet at Coco’s for lunch5:00 P.M. - Pathways of Hope Fundraiser @ Angelo & Vinci’s
September 29:6:30 P.M. - BA @ Barry’s
7:00 P.M. - Casa uses Sanctuary & Chapman LoungeSeptember 30:5:30 P.M. - Homeless Forum @ Eastside Christian Church
(see article elsewhere in the Caller.)7:00 P.M. - Trustees Meeting, CL
October 1: Tri-Tip, Barry, Coordinator5:00 A.M. - Casa Prayer Time, Chapman Lounge6:30 P.M. - Bell Choir; 7:30 P.M. Chancel Choir
October 2: Donna on vacation through October 9Disciples Women’s Retreat @ Loch Leven throughSunday
6:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. - Chapman Film Students use CL & FH9:00 A.M. - Pathways of Hope Program Committee, Choir room
10:00 A.M. - Speakers League, Room 107October 3: Donna on vacation
9:00 A.M. - NOON - Chapel on Wheels Paper DriveOctober 4: World Communion Sunday - Donna on vacation
8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN Worship Service9:00 A.M. - Sunday School for all ages
10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER Worship Service, Shared service with Casa1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary & FH
12:00 P.M. - Loving Hearts Group meet at Coco’s for lunchOctober 5: Donna on vacation 6:30 P.M. - OCCS, Chapman Lounge7:00 P.M. - Worship Ministry Team, Choir Room
This September and early October, we are both celebrating and challenging one anotherconcerning hands-on ministries. This celebration and challenge is in response to the three areas ofministry that our Elders and Diaconate chose to focus upon for the second half of 2015 – Hands-OnMinistry, Invitational Ministry & Worship.
The celebration of Hands-On Ministry has been provided by the 21 individuals who let usknow what they are doing to serve the needy out in the community. Using their input and drawingon their own experience, our Outreach Ministry Team has compiled a list of Hands-On Ministries inwhich we can get involved in both inside and outside the walls of the church. That list is includedbelow.
This is where the challenge comes in. It is our hope that the list of ministries in whichcongregation members already participate will inspire others to become involved in a ministry thatboth serves others and uplifts those who serve in the name of Christ. After all, it is God’s good gracethat those who return the love of Christ by sharing the love of Christ are usually blessed by the loveof Christ yet again.
The slogan for our Hands-On Ministry emphasis is:
Where hands not only give to the needy,they serve the least of these.
I pray that each of us will find meaningful hands-on ministry either inside or outside the wallsof our congregation. In this way, we can answer Christ’s call to feed the hungry, to give water to thethirsty, to welcome to the stranger, to clothe the naked, to care for the sick and to visit those in prison.(Matthew 25:31-46)
Blessings,
Dale Suggs, Interim Pastor
HANDS-ONMINISTRIESSeptember24,2015
If you want to be involved in Hands On Ministry inside our congregation, you may volunteerfor these activities.
Hot Meal Ministry – first Wednesdays of each monthTri-Tip Sales – Thursdays from April through OctoberAgree to be an Officer, Elder, Deacon or Ministry Team Leader, if asked by the Nominating
Committee
Be a member of a Ministry Team, e.g. Discipleship/Hospitality, Worship,Property/Stewardship and Outreach, or accept an assignment to be on a short-term Task Force
Become involved in teaching children, youth and/or adultsServe on the Audio-Visual CommitteeBe a Leader in worship; Sing in the Choir; play in the Bell Choir
If you want to be involved in Hands On Ministry outside our congregation, the followingorganizations would welcome your participation.
Every Hospital in the area needs volunteers, e.g. St. Jude, Placentia-Linda, Western MedicalCenter, St. Joseph’s, etc. etc. Check it out with the hospital nearest you.
Organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Red Cross, the AmericanCancer Society, etc. always need volunteers.
Organizations serving children and youth need volunteers, e.g. Boys and Girls Clubs, BoyScouts, Girl Scouts, etc.
Pathways of Hope uses many volunteers in its ministries to the community.Retirement Centers in the area can always use volunteers, including the provision of a worship
service at Sunnycrest on the last Sunday of each monthCareer WiseCenter for Spirituality and Aging, Walnut Village in AnaheimCrittenton SchoolFullerton LibraryFullerton Schools, especially Orangethorpe Elementary, Longfellow Elementary, Richman and
Maple SchoolsGrandma’s House of Hope located in Santa AnaOrange County Habitat for Humanity; talk to Craig Wallace for more informationKeiro Retirement Home (Japanese); talk to Masumi Hogan for more informationThe Muckenthaler Center has various opportunities for volunteersProject Linus Program, go to www.projectlinus.org for information
The Roosters Philanthropic Organization; talk to Paul Robidoux about this groupSpecial OlympicWomen’s Transitional Community CenterYWCA / YMCA
********************************************RememberinPrayer Continue to pray for: Jim &Helen Bailey, Sue Bacon, DottieBense, Sandra Brown, Jack Doughty, Lorna &
ReadingsandPrayerConcernsforWeekofSept.28–October4,2015Monday, September 28: Reading: Job1:1, 2:1-3; Pray for our community and
the homeless forum to take place onWednesday, September 30.Tuesday, September 29: Reading: Job 2:4-10;
Pray for the Global Ministries Missionary inKenya, Phyliss Byrd. Wednesday, September 30: Reading: Psalm 26;Pray for the Trustees meeting tonight inChapman Lounge.Thursday, October 1: Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4;Pray for the Tri-Tip ministry, Barry Woodbridge, coordinator. Friday, October 2: Reading: Hebrews 2:5-12;Pray for Donna and Barry Woodbridge asthey travel to FL.
Saturday, October 3: Reading: Mark 10:2-12;Pray for PSWR Disciples Women’s retreat atLoch Leven through Sunday.Sunday, October 4: Reading: Mark 10:13-16;Pray for our congregation and Casa de Oraciónas we worship together for World CommunionSunday.
AttnJYF:MarkYourCalendars
JYF Tea Party, Today , 11:45 a.m. Chapman LoungeDress up in your fancy clothes and come forfood and fun!
LovingHeartsLuncheon The Loving Hearts Widow
group meets every Sunday after church atCoco’s on Harbor. You are welcome to jointhem. Just show up as soon as possible afterchurch.
Adam Hawley, Deb Taylor’s nephew, isback at Ft. Bliss.
Lt. Cmdr. Patrick O’Conner, Betty Rollo’s grandson-in-law, who is stationed at Hanford, CA.
Lt. Patrick Rollo, Betty Rollo’s grandson, isat sea for several months.
PFC Brandon Vannoy, grandson of Bob &Donna Vannoy, has been deployed to Afghanistanfor a tour of duty.
Michael J. Borden, Chief, Nancy Geiger’s grandson, in Norfolk, VA.
Brandon Johnson, Army Chaplain,Mariette Linberg’s cousin, Chaplain, at Fort Hood,TX.
Lt. Austen Packer, Laura Lee Wiggins’friend, at Oceana, NAS, in Virginia
Lt J.G. Kip Packer, friend of Laura Lee
Wiggins, has been deployed to Moron, Spain.Pvt. Kash Cross, Ted & Sammie’s grandson,deployed to Korea for a year
Mjr. Christopher Evans, cousin of AnnieFrater’s who is serving in Seoul, Korea.
Congratulationsto: Michael, Dayannand Josiah Shepherd onthe birth of the new baby.
Welcome to the world, Evangelyn SojournerGrace! 6 lbs 10 oz, 19" (exactly the same as bigbrother Josiah, plus one ounce, except Josiahwas 3 weeks early and Evie was 2 weeks late!).2:05a.m, September 20, everyone is healthy andstrongThose inclined can sign up to take or sendmeals at:http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?=ZMIH1119Registered at: Babies R Us:
https://toysrus.com/registry/link/index.jsp?overrideStore=TRUS®istryNumber=55586885We use cloth diapers. Check out our diaperservice registry at:HTTPS://OCDIAPERSERVICE.3DCARTSTORES.COM/VIEW_GIFTREGISTRY.ASP?ID=71.Password: sheps
DisciplinesDevotionalFor2016 It’s time to order theDisciplines 2016, a daily devotional
guide based on the Common Lectionary. Finalprice depends on the number of orders, butwill be no more than $14 for regular edition,$17 for large print.
We will collect for the bookswhen they arrive. A sign-up sheet is on thecounter in the office. Deadline to order isNovember 1.
ThisisWheretheRoadDivides I cannot believe where the time hasgone. I have attended this congregation for 20years. This congregation has seen numerouschanges during this time and I have
experienced the good along with the bad alongwith plenty of challenges and opportunities. Ihave experienced personal and spiritualgrowth; made new friends and became amember of the Van Diest family through myniece Carrie’s marriage to Scott.
I have had the opportunity while in thiscongregation to participate in choir; bell choir;worked at the Annual Bazaar in the capacity ofworker, table chair, co-chair for 7 years; been
president of CWF; served as a Diaconate;Elder; Vice Chair of the Congregation andChair of the Congregation; Led the AssociateMinister Task Force when we hired DebraTodd and probably many more things that Icannot remember.
I plan on being back from time to timeas I will still be working in the same job and forthe same company (just remotely frombeautiful Parks, Arizona near Flagstaff). I willtreasure the time that I have spent here and it
is difficult to leave, particularly my family.In the words of Michael W. Smith:
Pray for me and I’ll pray for you.Pray that we keep the common ground.Won’t you pray for me and I’ll pray foryouAnd one day love will bring us backaround again.
Blessings,Deb Taylor
ImportantDatestoRemember Today- Pathways of HopeFundraiser at Angelo & Vinci’s
October 6, 13, 20, 27 - DavidMatson lectures, Chapman Lounge
October 2 - 4 - Disciples WomenSpiritual Growth Retreat at Loch Leven.
October 17 – PSWR Gathering, Riverside First Christian ChurchOctober 23 - 25 - PSWR Young
Adult Camp, Loch Leven
LightaCandleforChildren September 13 throughOctober 18 has been designated as“Light a Candle for Children Vigil”culminating with the church service on
October 18.The theme for this year’s Children’s
Sabbath is: “How Long Must I Cry for Help?”It often reflects the desperate needs of myriadsof children around the world for food, shelter,clothing, education and more.
Each Sunday Children’s Moments willlift up a need for children and a candle will belit to remind us of the need of children aroundthe world.
You can find daily prayers and art fromchildren of the Disciples of Christ churchesfrom now until Children's Sabbath on Oct. 18at the Light a Candle for Children blog
FoodBagsforPathways Today is the last officialSunday of our SeptemberPathways of Hope Food campaign
(you can always bring food for Pathways.)If you would like, fill a grocery bag with
one product and place them on the table or thefloor in the Narthex. Here is the list of itemsthey can use: pasta, fresh fruits, veggies, beans,peanut butter, jelly, cereal, canned chicken,canned tuna, rice. No time to shop? You canwrite a check, write “Food Bags” in the memosection, and we will shop for you.
table that Casa could borrow for this event?Please let Donna know if you do. It’s not too late to help with this greatcommunity outreach project being organizedby Casa de Oración to be held on October 31,
from 4 - 8P
.M
. in Fellowship Hall and Patioareas. It will be a carnival atmosphere withgames, bounce house, cotton candy, popcorn,and prizes. Each child will go home with a bagof goodies.
We have been asked if we would like topartner with them in this celebration.
Here are some ways we can help.1. You can provide candy for the goody
bags. Just bring any amount that you wouldlike to provide to the office and Donna will see
that it gets to the right place. You can bring itanytime. That way we will have an idea ofwhat we will need to purchase.
2. Help Casa de Oración set up onFriday and Saturday.
3. Help to staff the event from 4:00 -8:00 P.M. (or any part of the time) onthe 31st
Please let me know as soon as possiblewhat you would like to be a part of so I can letthe Casa people know for their scheduling andbudgeting, and purchase of shirts for allvolunteers. Donna W.
ImportantHomelessShelterForum As you know OC currently doesn’t havea year-round facility and it has been somethingwe have been working on addressing for thelast 5+ years unsuccessfully, until now. TheOC Board of Supervisors has approved thepurchase of land for the shelter. They are
having a public forum as part of the process ofthis purchase to provide the community withinformation regarding management andinfrastructure.
This is the second Community Forumregarding this project. A panel will present anOperations Plan and Public Safety Plan inconsultation with Anaheim Police Department,Orange Police Department, Fullerton PoliceDepartment and Placentia Police Departmentthat identifies best practices in the operation of
a homeless service center and shelter. TheOperations and Public Safety Plans arescheduled to be presented by representativesfrom the Commission to End Homelessnessand the Anaheim Police Department,respectively.
These forums are usually saturatedwith people whose concerns are based on fearand lack of exposure to the homelessnesscommunity. It is IMPERATIVE that we haveallies to the homeless present to bring to thetable a different lens. The forum will be heldat: Kraemer Community Forum
September 30, 2015 @ 5:30 pmEastside Christian Church3330 East Miraloma AvenueAnaheim, CA 92806
No vote(s) or formal action will be takenat this meeting. Any future change in use of theKraemer site would require approval of theOrange County Board of Supervisors at a
publically noticed meeting open to the public.This vote would occur after the conclusion ofthe County’s due diligence process, which atthis point is anticipated to occur in November,2015.
I will be out in front of the church at4:45 in my new Red Wagon and can take 5people to carpool.
October 6, 13, 20, and 27 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday Evening LecturesTitle:"Preach the Gospel"
Are we willing to do something really constructive about the future growth and health of our congregation andour denomination? Attending these four very inspiring studies led by Dr. David Matson should be high on the prioritiesof any church member, and especially anyone in any leadership capacity in our church. These messages are excellent preparation for anyone of the many new volunteers teaching our children.
If we think the central message we are entrusted to deliver to our children, our friends, and those not yet a part ofour church is to be good and simply love everyone as Jesus did, these four highly entertaining lectures will challenge us tosharpen our focus and perhaps to refocus on what Pastor Dale has indicated is a necessary "laser focus" on what the gospel truly is.
"Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words." Most of us have heard these words, usuallyattributed to St. Francis of Assisi. Some of us have even quoted them on occasion. They certainly describe the ethos ofmost main-line Protestant churches, whose members would rather feed the homeless than tell people about Jesus. Butthere are two problems with the above quotation: 1) St. Francis never said them; 2) they aren't true. Both may surpriseyou, especially the second. This study will engage in a thorough biblical investigation of the word "gospel" to discoverwhy this beloved quotation isn't true and what impact that realization might have on the way we think about the workand role of the church today. Confusion about the gospel results in confusion about our mission.
Outline:(Oct.6) The "Gospel" in the Old Testament: Backgrounds
The word "gospel" doesn't occur very often in the Old Testament, but when it does, it tells us much about itsnature as an oral event.(Oct. 13) The "Gospel" in the Proclamation of Jesus
We are right to think of the gospel as something that Jesus accomplished for us, but did you know that Jesusactually preached the gospel as well?(Oct. 20) The "Gospel" in the Writings of Paul
Paul is actually our earliest source for the term "gospel" being used in a distinctly Christian sense. Actually, thegospel goes back even before him.(Oct. 27) Implications
If simply working for social justice is the gospel, how does the church differ from any other fine humanitarianorganization? Is there any compelling reason why a person should attend your church? Do we even need the church, ifother groups and organizations can do the job better
ReconciliationOfferingToBeReceivedTodayAndNextSunday “Be Reconciled,” the theme for the 2015
Reconciliation Offering, is based upon these well-known words of Jesus from Matthew 5.“So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or
sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to yourbrother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
These are strong words because they tell us that before we do anything in worship, specifically before weworship God with our gifts, we need to be reconciled to others. This tells us that reconciliation is not something to bedone in a “willy-nilly fashion.” It is a major challenge for each of us to live our lives in harmony with the others who arepart of our lives—families, neighborhoods, workplaces, shopping centers, and even in the church, especially the church!We are called to be reconciled to others so we can “move together, heal together and be bound together.”
Our gifts to the 2015 Reconciliation Offering will enable programs and projects to be undertaken in our Regionand across the US and Canada to build community in the midst of the brokenness we so often see between races andclasses of people in our nation. Please use the special Reconciliation Offering envelope to make your gift, or if you’vemisplaced your envelope from the distribution of envelopes this past Sunday, you can pick up one in the Narthex orsimply write the word “Reconciliation” on the memo line of your check.
Our goal for the 2015 Reconciliation Offering is $600. We are already $115 towards that goal. Your generous gift,along with the gifts of your sisters and brothers in this congregation, will enable us to reach, and even surpass, this year’sgoal. Thank you for your support of the 2015 Reconciliation Offering on either September 27 or October 4
meeting on September 16. A couple of ourregular members were missing, including PhilForbes who is recovering from knee surgery,
but we were pleased to receive a written reportfrom him about the distribution of hygiene kitsand Bibles at our monthly Hot Meal Ministryon the first Wednesday of every month. Here’sa report of the items discussed and acted uponduring our September meeting.
1. The meeting began with apresentation from Ariel Yarrish, Director ofChurch Relations for OC Habitat forHumanity. She informed us that OCHFH isclose to finalizing an agreement with the City
of Fullerton to build two new houses in ourcommunity. She also told us there is a long-range plan to build 92 homes in our city, doingthis in partnership with Jamboree Homes. Sheindicated that if things move along as planned,construction of the two homes should beginsometime in 2016, while the other project willtake longer to launch. She also told us that theHabitat Project in LaHabra will be dedicatedon Saturday, November 7. Watch for more
details about this special event coming soon.2. Plans for the 2015 Alternative GiftFaire were discussed by Coordinators MaryAnne Richmond and Jill Scott, who is beingassisted by Donna Woodbridge. Craig Wallace is organizing the setup and cleanupfor this annual event set for Sunday, November1 on the Plaza next to our building. You areurged to put this date in your calendar andplan to be part of this year’s Alternative GiftFaire.
3. Income from the Tri-Tip Project nowstands at $8,261.53 for the year.
4. Phil’s written report indicated that hedistributed 52 hygiene kits, 6 Bibles and 5Spanish bibles at the September 2nd Hot MealMinistry. He informed us that in order tocontinue this project in 2016, we need to thinkabout budgeting at least $1,200 to cover thecosts. This matter will be discussed again whenthe Outreach Ministry sets its budget
for next year as part of the church’s budget. Wehave received gifts towards our next purchaseof hygiene kits in the amount of $225.00.
5. During the Global Ministries TaskForce meeting, prior to the Outreach Ministrymeeting, we made tentative plans for Casa deOración and our congregation to partnertogether to visit Niños De Fe/Children ofFaith, an orphanage in Tijuana that is home to34 children and youth on Saturday, November21. The purpose of our visit will be to take tothe orphanage needed supplies, such as bathproducts, detergent, toilet paper, cereal andcooking oil, and to interact with thechildren and youth while there. Watch formore information about this potential tripwhich we hope will involve some children andyouth from both of our congregations.
6. Laura Lee Wiggins reported weexceeded our goal for Blanket Month byreceiving funds to purchase 163 blankets. Thewinners of prizes given away through adrawing of the names of donors were Duaneand Phyllis Elliott, Sue Malotte and LauraSchafell.
7. We reviewed a list of opportunitiesfor people to get involved in “hands-onministry” both inside and outside ourcongregation. You’ll be hearing more aboutthis list in the next few weeks.
8. Donna Woodbridge reported that thecollection of food for Pathways of Hope hasbegun slowly but she hopes it will build overthe final two Sundays of the month ofSeptember. Look for more information aboutthis project elsewhere in this issue of “TheCaller.”
9. The JYF Lemonade Stand generated$404.76 in July and August, while the “adult”
Lemonade Stand generated $445.00. Thesefunds are being sent to Pathways of Hope.10. The plans for the final promotion of
the Reconciliation Offering were reviewedincluding a reminder that we are open tosuggestions for a ReconciliationProject in our community for which we’dapply for a grant from the PSWRReconciliation Grants Committee. We aregoing to get information about what’s involved
in applying for a grant so this matter can bediscussed further in October.
11. Plans for the observance of theChildren’s Sabbath, begun on September 13and continuing through October 18, werereviewed.
12. The final item on our agendaincluded discussion of potential members ofthe Outreach Committee for 2016. If thisinterests you, please contact Ed Linberg
Chair of the Outreach Ministry Team
ChristmasCardsforJapan We have been contacted by JeffreyMensendiek in Japan asking us to againparticipate in the Christmas Cards for churchesin Japan. You will hear more about it in thefuture but here is a letter from Rev. Etsuya
Kataoka, Chair of the World MissionCommittee for the Tohoku Conference.Dear brothers and sisters in the United States,
I pray for the peace of Christ in yourlives. I bring you greetings at this time, fourand a half years since the great disaster ofMarch 11 which struck the Tohoku (thenortheastern part of Japan.) Since those firstdays after the earthquake, tsunami and nucleardisaster, we have been sustained by yourprayers and support for the people of this area.For this I want to express our heartfeltgratitude. The 85 churches in our TohokuConference have been blessed and encouragedby your signs of solidarity, even as we face thedifficult post-disaster realities. We continue towalk alongside those who are weak, prayingthat we will be able to fulfill the mission thatGod entrusts to the church.
Sadness and suffering still mark thelives of the people living in this area. It is also
true that our own churches have beenoverwhelmed by this disaster. Your prayersand support have truly been a healing presencein our lives.
We look forward to being able to exchangeChristmas cards once again this year. We livevery far from one another. But when we takeyou cards in our hands, it is as if we can hearyour life=giving breath. We feel very close toyou. Thank you so much.
Theme: “BELIEVE” gives us an opportunityto ponder, identify and share our beliefs withone another. We will explore some scriptures,some of our Disciples Heritage and some of thesongs we use to proclaim what we Believe.
Keynote speaker is Pastor Pam Mooreand music will be provided by her husband,Kent Moore.
Registration fee: $175. Registrationforms are available from Donna in the office.
RegionalGathering2015Saturday, Oct. 17th,Riverside First Christian Church,9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (Registration begins at 8)
Registration forms can be obtainedeither from Donna in the office or email Janelle Vannoy at [email protected] she will email you the link. Cost is $15 per
person, youth and children free if registeredbefore October 1: Registration at the event:$20. Lunch is provided.
YoungAdultMinistries All young adults (18-33) are invited to aweekend full of fun, fellowship, worship andrelaxation October 23 - 25. The cost is $100 forthe whole weekend. Scholarships are available.The theme “Pieces of the Puzzle” will includekeynote time, the chance to rest both spirituallyand physically and the opportunity toexperience camp in a new way. Early bird/T-Shirt deposit ($20 non-refundable) due October16. Check in begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct.23. Registration forms are available on thecounter in the office.
Annual Angelo & Vinci’s Fundraiserhonoring Warren Bowen for OutstandingService to Pathways of Hope for 2015 and aninteractive evening with the Alchemy TheaterProduction Players.
This year features a special new twist…”The Don” is Gone! An evening of tastefulentertainment and quiet remembrance that issure to explode! Be a part of the celebration oflife for notorious “Fullerton Crime Boss,”Carmine De Luca.” Don’t miss the chance todetermine who will succeed him as “Head ofthe Family!”
Tickets are $80 per person. Call 714-680-3691 for reservations, to purchase opportunitytickets, or make donations, or go to
FCCF would like to donate to PathwaysFundraiser event by filling a basket withcash. Randy Langston will be in the Narthexafter church today to collect your donations.Thank you for your participation in makingthis a great event.
November 5, 2015 - Springfield Banquet CenterTickets: $35.00 each
Fullerton Celebrities will be vying for BestDancer in a "Dancing with the Stars" stylecompetition. Each dancer will be paired with aprofessional dancer who will prepare them toreally "strut their stuff". In addition to a veryentertaining evening, you will be helping toend hunger and homelessness with Pathways
of Hope. Be sure to attend and cheer on yourfavorite! Dancers include:Fullerton Fire Battalion Chief - Kathy SchaeferAngelo's & Vinci's Owner - Cynthia PeckMayor Pro-tem - Jennifer FitzgeraldPathways Hope Committee member -Mackenzie NolanCommunity Volunteers: Janny Meyer, BobSattler and Zoot Velasco and more.
LightaCandleforChildrenDevotional Week of September 20 People are stealing thingsand hurting others. They are arguing and fighting.Why do you make me look at these terrible things? - Habbakuk 1:3
How do we help the 14.7 million poor childrenin our country? What about those in the world?How does God feel about poor children?
September 25: Words from Nicholas
"God feels sad about poor children. Godshould help the poor children go to placewhere there is fruit and vegetables and a housewhere a hermit lives. We should stop arrestingpoor people for doing nothing wrong. We
should cook food for them, help them growwith care and love."
Nicholas, Age 9 Land of the Sky United Church of Christ Asheville, North Carolina
CaliforniaStatisticsonChildPoverty California ranks 35th* in the percent ofchildren who are poor.
2,047,259 (22.7%) of children were livingin poverty in 2014
*1st represents the best state for children and50th represents the worst state for child povertyin the US.
