January 2016 Page No. 1 Volume 48 No. 1

January 2016

The Herald

S I M I VA L L E Y

U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Rev. Andy Mattick Senior Pastor

Rev. Rachel Tabutol Emerging Ministries

& Membership Pastor

Rev. Camille Mattick Children, Youth & Family Pastor

Debbie Post Administrative Secretary

Ryan Frye Front Office Assistant

Rob Courtney Music Director

Leslie Frank Organist

Mike Seckman Custodian

Susie Strombotne Child Care Provider

Laura Hole Wedding Coordinator

Mark Witman Wedding Custodian

CROSSROADS CHILDREN’S CENTER

Michelle Gordon Director

(805) 526-2887

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SIMI VALLEY

2394 Erringer Road, Simi Valley, CA 93065-2296

(805) 526-6231 svumc@pacbell.net

www.SimiValleyUMC.org

WORKship Opportunity Join us for WORKship down at the

LA Regional Food Bank on

Saturday, January 9 from 8:30 am to Noon!

The Foodbank reported to us that they have a vast amount of

volunteers in December and very few as the new year begins.

We have shifted our volunteer dates accordingly to serve them as their need increases.

Be sure to sign up online using the link and passworld below!!!

https://volunteer.lafoodbank.org/ivolunteer-member-password.aspx?

event=AF5DD49AD28A4031A45DC61034EB6C29

Password: simi09 (case sensitive)

For more details, pick up a flyer in the Church Office or speak to Rev. Rachel.

We need Volunteers to come and

HELP UNdecorate the Sanctuary

on

Saturday, January 9 @ 9 am.

Local Church Charge Conference

Sunday, January 10th

10:30 am In the Chapel

Everyone is invited to come and

participate in this annual business

meeting regarding the

2016 budget, nominations,

leadership, etc.

January 2016 Page No. 2

REGULAR SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Childcare: For infants & toddlers in the Nursery thru the worship service.

9 a.m. Worship with Praise Band & Choir Signing for Hearing Impaired

Children’s Sunday School Youth Sunday School (Sep - May)

10 a.m. Coffee Fellowship 10:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Practice (Sep-May)

10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 6 p.m. Youth Fellowship

Sunday, December 27, 2015 First Sunday of Christmas

Wise Men Blessing of the Presents - Family Worship

Matthew 2: 1-12 Preaching: Rev. Rachel Tabutol

Sunday, January 3, 2016 ! A Time of NEW Beginnings

Epiphany: The Boy at the Temple Luke 2: 41-52

Communion Served Preaching: Rev. Andy Mattick

Sunday, January 10, 2016 A Time of NEW Beginnings

Baptism of the Lord Luke 3: 15-22

Preaching: Rev. Camille Mattick

Sunday, January 17, 2016 A Time of NEW Beginnings

The Wedding at Cana Human Relations Sunday

John 2: 1-11 Preaching: Rev. Rachel Tabutol

Sunday, January 24, 2016 A Time of NEW Beginnings

Jesus visits Nazareth Luke 4: 14-21

Preaching: Rev. Andy Mattick

Sunday, January 31, 2016 A Time of NEW Beginnings

UMW Sunday

January 17

“Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of

great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of

David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord.”

- Luke 2: 10-11

This will be my thirty-eighth Christmas - my thirty-eighth observation of the

changing of the new year. This is the 126th Christmas among Methodists in

the Simi Valley and the 28th such celebration in our Sanctuary. It is about the

1680th celebration of Christmas on December 25th since the date was

established as such by the Roman Church. And each time we gather around

this story, we hear the words of the angels - Do not be afraid! There is good

news of a great joy for you and for all people: the Savior has come! And he

is making all things new.

With all these Christmases come and gone, it can be hard to imagine just how

shocking the news to the shepherds truly is. They are men lying in a field

yes, but they are also lying in a moment in time - when there is a deep

uncertainty about the present and future and God’s place in both. All they

seem to know is that their people through the generations have lived with

exile and oppression. Long gone are the promises to Abraham. They lie in

place in history that longs for saving and these shepherds become the witness

to a new reality: the Savior has come.

We have all been a part of powerful, transformative, watershed moments in

history: World Wars; Korea and Vietnam; the Cold War and the Cuban

Missile Crisis; the fall of the Berlin Wall; September 11. The 20th century

saw much of new-ness shaped by conflict. With the shepherds, the new-ness

of God’s Kingdom comes as peace and hope - and in the form of an infant

child. Not only was God doing a new thing - it was being accomplished in a

new way. God’s salvation comes to the shepherds, not through a king with

political might, a priest with prophetic insight, or even a revolutionary with

impassioned rhetoric. The good news comes in the shape of a wrapped infant

dependent on his mother for thriving.

I cannot know what 2016 will hold. I do know that 2015 at its end is not at

all what I imagined at Christmas of 2014. I need to cling to a message of

new beginnings. I need a God who still sends hope and new-ness in

unexpected ways. I live into the hope that these will be days of growth and

possibility.

The last verse of This Is a Day of New Beginnings speaks to me:

Christ is alive, and goes before us

to show and share what love can do.

This is a day of new beginnings;

our God is making all things new.

So may it be in this coming year! Blessings in 2016!

Pastor Andy

January 2016 Page No. 3

January Circ le Meet ings

Teresa Circle - Tuesday, Jan. 12 @ 9:30 am Meet at Church to do service project.

Will be washing blankets for PADS.

Co-Chairs Bonnie Bastian and Mary Fry - 582-1238

Circle of Joy - Wednesday, Jan. 13 @ 12:30 pm @ Sally Stewart’s

Co-Chairs Sally Stewart – 584-1070 & Peggy Warren 527-2872

Seekers Circle - Monday, Jan. 18 @ 12:00 noon @ LaVaun Campbell’s

Pledge Service

Chair - LaVaun Campbell – 526-5449.

Night Owl Circle - Tuesday, Jan. 19 @ 7:30 pm in the Chapel

Call Laura Jean Hole 522-3756

Circle of Faith - Wednesday, Jan. 20 @ 12:30 pm @ TBD

Co-Chairs Valerie Bergh & Pat Peters

Fireside Friends - Wednesday, Jan. 20 @ 7 pm @ Kathy Morelock’s

Chair - Kathy Morelock

United

Methodist

Women

UMW Board Meeting All officers and circle chairs

are asked to attend. Wednesday, January 6

10:00 am in the Chapel Questions, contact Ruth Dempsey

@ 805-501-5874

Prayer Quilt Ministry

Saturday,

January 23 (4th Saturday of the month)

Room 10

10:00 am til noon

Bring your sewing machine to help piece

or layer quilts, bring your mat and rotary

cutter to make new squares, bring your

thimble and scissors to help thread ties

into the quilts, or just bring your creativity

to help design a top,

or stop by to pick up fabric to wash.

Questions?

Call Barbara Brown.

For more information on how you can help

or to request a prayer quilt for someone,

visit our web site:

simivalleyumc.org.

Cof fee Chat

Join Rev. Rachel

at Starbucks

On Sycamore & Cochran

Mondays

@ 3 pm

Enjoy a delicious

beverage and

conversation.

Coffee Chat

Support our Haiti Team! We are going back to Haiti to

assist in recovery and rebuilding

following the devastating earthquake of 2010.

Our team will leave on February 17th and return on the 26th.

Co-Team leaders are Camille Mattick and Nathan McAlister.

Team members: Anna McAlister, Hannah McKee, Ryan Snow,

Tevita Inoke, Kalo Inoke, Lili Inoke, and Ashley Ortega.

We covet your prayers as we prepare for our work and service.

Thank you to everyone that supported our tamale and ornament

sale in December. The team still needs to raise about $6,000.00

If you'd like to make a donation to the team, please contact Pastor

Camille

Sunday, January 31 , 2016 is UMW Sunday “We are Chr is t ca l led”

January 2016 Page No. 4

Children’s &Youth News Important Youth Related Dates:

AWWYAWWY MEETING (Adult Workers With Youth)

Tuesday, Jan. 12 @ 7 pm - Room 12

Youth Sunday School Youth meet weekly by starting in

the Worship Service and go to class following the Children’s Message

Jr. & Sr. High in Room 12 NO Class 12/27, 1/3 , 1/17

RECYCLING RECYCLING January 24January 24

Drop off clean plastic &

glass items for our youth to Recycle on

the 4th Sunday of each month.

Youth Handbells (6th - 12th Grades)

”Make a joyful noise to the Lord!” Questions ? Call Stu Thomson

Rehearsal on Thursdays

@ 7:30 pm in the Chapel

“Ringing” Christmas Eve @ 5 & 11 pm

Children’s Choir Rehearsals Sunday @ 10:00 am

in the Fireside Room Questions, contact Kirsten Moss.

We are Singing Christmas Eve

at 5:00 pm

No practice Dec. 27

& Jan. 3

Pioneer Club is BACK on January 6th !

For children in grades K-5. A mid-week afterschool ministry!

Join us on Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm in Witman Hall for more fun and fellowship while we study God’s word!

No Pioneer Club on Dec. 30 th. Questions, contact Pastor Camille !

Would you like to help with dinners for UMYF ?

Contact Debbie or Bob Post @ 522-2153

KBC K i d ’s Bell Cho ir

Wednesdays - 5 pm. Kids in Grades 3 – 5, learn to play KidsPlay bells that are made just for young ringers. Contact Stu or Diane Thomson if you have

questions, at SThomson@aol.com

We are playing Christmas Eve @ 5 pm No Pract ice Dec. 30

2016

WINTER RETREAT

IT’S ALMOST HERE!

MLK Weekend! Saturday, January 16 – Monday, January 18

@Camp Arroyo Grande

COST: $90 ($80 if you bring a friend and they only pay $80 too.

Also sibling discount $80 for 2nd and 3rd sibling.)

DEADLINE for $$ is Sunday January 11th .

Camperships available.

UMYF: J A N U A R Y I S A T I M E O F N E W B E G I N N I N G S Each January many people make resolutions to be healthier, more responsible, more organized, or just plain better at something. A new year is like a new slate for us, a chance for a new beginning, a chance to be better than we used to be. Faith is like that too. In fact, the apostle Paul calls us “new creations” in Christ. Following Jesus allows us to live life as a fresh start again—each day. Our theme this month will be “New Me” and we will explore how God makes us a new creations in Christ.

January 3: GAME NIGHT January 10: Faith Program (Jr. and Sr. High separate)

January 16-18: WINTER RETREAT January 24: Faith Program (Jr. and Sr. High separate)

There will be NO

Youth Movie Night or

Dinner Church

in January . . .

we will be on Winter Retreat !

January 2016 Page No. 5

Sunday Breakfast Sunday, January 24

7:30 - 10:30 AM Witman Hall

Everyone is invited to enjoy a delicious

breakfast cooked by our men on the 4th Sunday of each

month. The men are now rotating their menu with items like French Toast , and

Waffles in addition to Pancakes and eggs. Watch the announcements for menu details!

Men’s Donut Fellowship Donuts Plus on Erringer Road.

Thursday, January 7 @ 8 AM Drop by and enjoy some fellowship with the guys!

Adult Study Classes

Drop In Anytime to see what these

classes are all about!

Pastor’s Study Sundays in the Chapel

10:30 - 11:30 am

Examine the weekly Lectionary Scripture

No Class on Jan. 10

Join at any t ime!

Mor ning Book Group : Monday Morning Book Group will be

picking up “Love As A Way Of Life”

where we left off for Advent as we jump

into the new year. This book should be

complete in January and we will begin a

new one in February.

Join us @ 10 am in the Chapel

on Mondays.

“Genesis to Revelation” Sundays @ 10:15 AM in Rm 10.

This class is studying The Song of Songs

Led by Emily Walker. Join this class anytime!

Committee Meetings

SPRC - Jan. 5 @ 7 pm Chapel

Finance - Jan. 12 @ 7 pm Chapel

AWWY - Jan. 12 @ 7 pm Room 12

Wednesday, Jan. 13 @ 7 pm

Trustees - Fireside Room

MEOW - Room 12

Membership - Jan. 18 @ 7 Chapel

Preschool Board - Jan. 21 @ 6 pm In the Conference Room

Be sure to check

with your

committee chair

to verify your next

meeting!

UMM Monthly Program Meeting

Saturday, Jan. 16

@ 8:30 am in Witman Hall

Come and see what the men are up to

this month

Cribbage Connection: January 21: Let’s practice counting to 15 and 31 as we peg our way into fellowship and fun. That’s right we will have our next cribbage connection in the Chapel at 10 am. Looking forward to seeing you there! Lessons available.

We welcome beginners and experts alike!!!!

Movie & Mocha Tuesday, January 26 at the

Regal Simi Valley Civic Center Theaters. We will gather for lunch, a movie, and discussion. Movie selection will be published closer to the day, but be sure to put this event on your calendar now!

CrossRoads is having a FUNdraiser at

Tuesday, January 12 10:00 am to 9 pm

Flyers available January 10

January 2016 Page No. 6

GOOD TIMES LUNCH

@ Soup Plantation Monday, Jan. 4

@ 2 p.m. Lunch is $8.59 for seniors,

including drinks. Come enjoy the food and

fellowship!

Check it out: We are now on Facebook & Twitter! Like us & Follow us!

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SimiValleyUMC

Simi Valley UMC Young Adults

Twitter: @SimiValleyUMC

WALKING GROUP ! Join us Monday thru Thursday. Watch the calendar each week

for current times. We meet in front of the

Sanctuary to plot our course

then begin our journey!

Everyone is

Welcome to walk!

Theology On Tap WATCH FOR DETAILS COMING SOON. We are working

to coordinate a few opportunities. Contact Pastor Rachel for more details.

SAVE THE DATE: April 22-24, 2016, we have 16 spaces reserved for camping in

Carpinteria on the beach. Planning has begun and we are taking reservations!

First Come, First Serve basis.

C.A.Y.A. (College Age Young Adults ) Start off the New Year with time

dedicated to growing in your faith. We will pick up our every other week gathering

in Room 12 beginning on January 3rd

. We will meet on the 3rd

, 17th, and 31

st. We

will watch a video and then discuss our responses to the video.

18 year olds through 20-somethings still working on college courses welcome!

Join with other volunteers and help beautify our church campus.

No experience necessary !

Saturday, Jan. 9

8 am - Noon

Young Adults NewsYoung Adults News The church office will be

CLOSED

Dec. 25, 28 Jan. 1 & 18

P.A.D.S.

(Public Action to Deliver Shelter)

Sign up to be a volunteer monitor or to bring breakfast for the upcoming PADS season

(Nov. 1 - March 31).

A sign-up board is in the Narthex. Questions, contact Barrie Davidson

at bearee.davidson@gmail.com or 805-297-3317.

DATES Volunteers are needed:

Jan. 2, 16 & 30 Feb. 13 & 27

March 12

SAM ARITAN CENTER ADDITIONAL NEEDS

The Samaritan Center is preparing for an El Niño

winter. In addition to the coats that were delivered by the

MEOW committee (Coats 4 Cause), the Samaritan Center

is also requesting socks for all sizes,

umbrellas, rain coats and blankets for the homeless.

If you wish to provide these items,

please deposit them in the Samaritan Center basket in the Narthex

during the winter months.

The MEOW

Committee

thanks you for

the contributions.

January 2016 Page No. 7

BY OUR SERVICE

Dinner Church: Dinner is served to the hungry every Saturday.

To help with this ministry call the church office at 805-526-6231.

Samaritan Center: Local resource center for the homeless is always in

need of personal care items, coffee supplies, non-perishable food

items, etc. Donation baskets in Narthex. Call 805-579-9166.

PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) We house the homeless

overnight every Saturday, Nov. 1 - March 31, through this

local church sponsored program.

We Support Our

Church by Our...

PRAYERS

Prayer requests are submitted in Sunday

Worship. You may also post requests online at www.simivalleychurch.com/ prayer_request.htm.

JOYS

January Birthdays 1/6 Max Titcomb

1/8 Craig Kitzmann, Zach Laier,

Barbara Michaelsen

1/9 Rebecca Campos

1/10 Jackie Seckman, Dan Shuster

1/11 Jim Lightfoot, Jamie Seifert

1/12 Lauren Cowden

1/14 Colin Hunter

1/15 Amanda Poppen

1/16 Michelle Gordon

1/17 Diane Hayden

1/18 Joshua Tignac

1/19 Joel Mueller, Sandi Wilson

1/21 Mary Campbell, Taryn Koch

1/22 Soledad Horney, Vanessa Sponable

1/23 Maria Reynolds, Virgil Stites,

Diane Thomson

1/24 Gary Laier, Marcia Reyes

1/26 Sally Lionetti, Frankie Turner

1/27 Lynne O’Hanlon

1/28 Jerry Gladden, Luene Witman

1/29 Lydia Lightfoot, Kara Riggsbee

1/30 Kale Madelon

1/31 Linda Etter, Mark Horowitz,

William Palo

January Anniversaries: 1/12 Paul & Cheryl West

1/14 Gary & Vicky Laier

Prayers of healing for: Christina Foster, Dante Austria,

Frankie Turner, Delores Kensinger, Marty Martin, Ken Seckman,

Ken Hayes, Florence Wettig, Gary Spellman, Ellie Kokotos, Cleo

Gerken, Betty Coletto, Betty Preston, Marge Blanchard, Dick

Heileman, John Cannell, Jim Buckley, Dawn Hermance, Onilee

Kilpatrick, Doris Richardson, Dave Hautzenroeder, George

Pyfrom, Jenni Chatterton, and Jane Seaman.

BY OUR PRESENCE

Our Gifts

Offering income Needed each month

in 2015 to fund our current budget $ 50,520.28

Offering Received in November $ 45,808.50

Offering giving UNDER budget for November 2015 $ 4,711.78

Coin Drop Total for Nov. 15 - Dec. 13: $ 20.16

November 2015

22nd 238 24th 200 29th 231

December 2015 6th 240 275 13th 242

Thanksgiving Community Service

Choral Message 12th

Dear Simi Valley United Methodist Church,

Your donations and super kind words (in the card & in person) are more

than what we deserve. God really knew what we needed and He put it

in your hearts to help us so generously. Thank you isn’t enough. I wish

we could really show you all how thankful we really are. People like

you make this world much brighter!

Sincerely,

The Blanda Family

(Lucy - from CrossRoads Children’s Center)

January 2016 Page No. 8

The

Herald Simi Valley United Methodist Church 2394 Erringer Road Simi Valley CA 93065

805-526-6231 www.simivalleyumc.org

Twelve Twelve Days Days of Christmasof Christmas Celebrate Epiphany

at Aldersgate Retreat Center

Sunday, January 3, 2016

5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Meet “the Heart of Aldersgate” Festive Dinner

and Silent Auction

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” Sing-a-long

Musical Entertainment featuring: Reverend Robert Morley with his guitar Event Tickets: $50.00

Overnight Stay: $125 (includes, overnight accommodations and continental breakfast buffet. Event tickets not included.)

Reserve your space early, call (310) 454-6699 or email us at aldersgatedirector@calpaccamps.org

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT IMPROVEMENTS OF ALDERSGATE RETREAT CENTER Aldersgate Retreat Center, 925 Haverford Ave., Pacific Palisades, CA. 90272

(310) 454 - 6699

Coffee Hour Volunteers are Needed We need 40 families to sign up for Coffee Hour for the 2016

year. Coffee, and juice is prepared ahead of time for you.

You set up, clean up and bring goodies if you wish. We will

have trays, paper goods for you to use. 2016 Coffee Sign

Up Chart is in the Narthex.

Thanks to all of you who helped with coffee hour last year.

Coffee Hour is a great place for us to visit and fellowship

with new and old friends.

Mary Fry

805-582-1238

Coffee Hour J o i n u s f o r F e l l o w s h i p F o l l o w i n g t h e S e r v i c e