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Worship Opportunities
9am & 11am Worship Services
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Please have any newsletter related articles, information, etc. to the Communications Director by November 23rd - [email protected]
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10/14 - Relay for Life Boutique 10am-4pm
10/15 - COSROW's Annual Fall Bake, Book & Craft Sale
10/22
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Alternative Gift Fair 10am - 12am
10/26
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THANKSGIVING
10/29
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Advent Wreath Workshop @ 5pm
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COSROW'S Annual Fall Bake, Book & Craft Sale will be on Sunday, November 15th at 10am. Stop by their table and do a little shopping for Christmas. They are also accepting donated baked goods, books, and crafts to sell. If you have something you would like to donate, please contact Jane Wood.
Proceeds from the sale help with the Battered Women's shelter gift and Retreat Scholarships.
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Outreach is sponsoring this local event...
Thursday, November 26th, 2015
at the Newhall Public Library
Thanksgiving Feast
Clothing Give-A-Way
Bicyle Raffle & Give-A-Way
Live Entertainment
Crafts for the kids
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Our Alternative Gift Fair will be held on Sunday, November 22 in the Fireside Room from 10 - 12. This event sponsored by the Outreach/Missions team gives you an opportunity to make a donation to a number of non-profit organizations, which include the following:
Bridge to Home (our local homeless shelter )
Church World Service (provides worldwide help including to Syrian refugees)
Domestic Violence Center (provides safety and support to victims of domestic violence)
Family Promise (assists homeless families to find permanent housing and develop sustainable independence)
Food Pantry (provides supplemental food on a short-term basis to local residents in need)
Habitat for Humanity/SCV (helps provided funding for construction of low-income housing for low-income veterans)
Heifer Project (works with local communities worldwide to encourage hope and prosperity by linking them with sustainable agriculture
Society of St. Andrew (food is gleaned and distributed to those in need)
USO committed to lifting the spirits of America's troops and their families)
Donating to the Alternative Gift Fair enables you to support worthy charities AND you will receive a card which identifies the charity and which you can give to a friend as a Christmas card. Clearly this is a perfect way to share God's love while saving yourself a trip to the mall to purchase items that are not so desperately needed.
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An Emergency Kit for the Soul
by Scott Mocha
Growing up in Oklahoma, massive storms were a part of every season. Whether it is a tornado coming in the spring or summer, or an ice storm during the winter, one thing that we always had to be prepared for was an emergency. In my house as a child we had an emergency preparedness box: it had flashlights, jackets, candles, canned food, and water; exactly the kind of thing a person needs when the electricity was off, the heat wasn't blowing, or the chips are down. As the years went by, I always knew it was there and I always knew where to go in times of need. When I was 15 years old however, my Dad added a Bible to the equation. He gave me the book and I never opened it, at least not for many years. I was smart enough to have it though, in case of an emergency, and that time came finally when I was 32.
This Christmas will be a time when many people join us, possibly for the first time, or maybe the only time of the year, and we want to help them in the same regard. What can we do that will create an impact, what can we do to help them prepare for that time in their life? What can we give them that will not only point back to God, but will also remind them where home is, and where they can come and be loved for exactly who God created them to be? We can give them their own emergency kit.
When people come to visit us this year at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church for Christmas, we want them to go home with a Bible. Maybe it will be one of many Bibles in their home, maybe it will be the first one, but it is important that no one leaves without one. Why? Because God's word does NOT return void (Isaiah 55:11) and God's LOVE can show them through any struggles, any hard times, and any circumstance. That is the gift we can give this Christmas, the story of God, and the reminder of His Gift to us, Jesus, and that will serve as an emergency kit that truly lasts a lifetime.
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Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment.
Typically, Alpha has around ten sessions and includes food, a short talk and a discussion at the end where you can share your thoughts.
Alpha is for anyone who
'
s curious. The talks are designed to encourage debate and explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly, honest and informal environment.
The Story So Far...
Alpha began as an introduction to the Christian faith for new Christians. Alpha has since grown significantly across the globe, with now over 27 million people having done Alpha.
Though the location of Alpha may change,
these three elements remain consistent: good food, an Alpha talk,
and a time of small group discussion
where thoughts can be shared openly and honestly.
We would love to have you join us here at Santa Clarita UMC starting SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 @ 6pm. For more information, c
all the church office at 661-296-1155.
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The M&Ms (Maturing Ministries group) meet on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month at 9:30a. We gather together to share a bit of ourselves, our joys & concerns, to pray, to gain some spiritual enlightenment from the Bible, discussion topics, or each other. And we have lunch!
One of our recent projects was helping set up the reception for Diana Thayer's memorial service. Diana was very active in M&Ms and will be sorely missed.
One of our past projects was writing cards of appreciation and encouragement to persons in the military. (We have several veterans in our group including two WWII vets!)
Several members of our group also participate in the Friendly Valley Methodist Church Wednesday morning Bible study, as well as the COC program at Friendly Valley, "Friday with the Professor". The next program, titled "Community Opportunities at COC", is Nov. 13 at 1:00p.
In 1900 life expectancy was 47 years. The M&Ms are pleased to have the extra time. Join us in the celebration!
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Campus Update!
The Dream Team along with The Trustees are working to renovate the "cry room" to make it more welcoming to families. It will be called the "lullaby room".
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Susan & David Huffman
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11/1/02
13 years
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Judy & Keith Paul
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11/2/91
24 years
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Eric & Dianna Stewart
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11/7/90
25 years
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Harriet (Kate) & Les Morris
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11/14/92
23 years
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Sally & David Harum
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11/17/62
53 years
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Alex & Laura Strand
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11/17/12
3 years
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Tom & Deanna Jennings
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11/18/78
37 years
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Katherine & Robert Stone
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11/20/04
11 years
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Ida & Raj Shah
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11/22/67
48 years
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| Allen Dooley |
11/1
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| Jamielee Flores |
11/1 |
| Eric Weatherbee |
11/2 |
| Garth Phillipsen |
11/3 |
| Mike Bermack |
11/4 |
| Mark Gerken |
11/4 |
| Lyle Wohlfarth |
11/4 |
| Sarah Paterson |
11/5 |
| Sue Terwall |
11/5 |
| Belinda Crawford |
11/6 |
| Tom Moioffer |
11/7
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| Ken Spencer |
11/7
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| Diane Taylor |
11/7
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| Martin Tripp |
11/8
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| Ruth Briggs |
11/10
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| Gale Tripp |
11/10
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| Barbara Goff |
11/13
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| Lee Nicolai |
11/13
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| Bridgette Crowell |
11/14
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| Linda Gerken |
11/14
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| Jerry Rhodes |
11/14
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| William Wohlfarth |
11/14
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| Fred Allen |
11/15
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| Courtney Aponik |
11/15
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| Arline Seals |
11/15
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| Jim Elliott |
11/17
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| Allen Kelly |
11/17
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| Debbie Peck |
11/17
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| Shirley Allsman |
11/18
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| Patty Conwell |
11/19
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| Wade Hampton |
11/19
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| Amanda Jones |
11/20
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Kyle Waddell
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11/21
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| Joseph Taylor |
11/23 |
| Shiloh Liedtke |
11/24
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Louise Willard
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11/24
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Conne Clift
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11/26
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Nicole Hampton
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11/26
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Josh Bennett
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11/27 |
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Bill Emerson
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11/27
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Betty Peck
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11/28
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| Ashlee Flores |
11/29
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| Scott Gibson |
11/29
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by Pastor Melissa
Being home for the Holidays is a standard image at this time of the year that is reinforced by songs, movies, and commercials. Being home for Thanksgiving and Christmas speaks of that deep down longing to be in the place and space of loved ones who care for one another sharing special moments of love, laughter, and good food. Being home can be the place where you wash away the weary created by the world of work that demands so much of your time and energy to produce and conform to a social norm. Home can be the place where you are just you. Home can be the place where you leave behind the pretentiousness of the world. Sometimes, it is at home surrounded by all those who understand you the best that you are reminded of who you are - I feel blessed that sometimes my siblings, my cousins, my aunts and uncles help me revert to a kid again and they remind me of all my faults and short comings. In those moments of being reminded of who I really am, I experience the deep meaning of being loved by those who appreciate me the best.
This might be true for you too. You might have a person in your family or circle of friends whom over the years knows you the best. They appreciate your great achievements but more importantly, they know your great failures and short-comings and love you irrespective of what you have done or not done.
Families are not perfect and the above may seem like a romantic notion of family. Yet, I know there is that deep down longing to be with those who you love and love you especially at the time in our calendar when family and home are celebrated. In fact, sometimes family is not defined by blood relations. It is the family of friends that surrounds, supports, and cares for you and you do likewise. Many times this is your church family. So, as we get ready for the holidays, Come Home for Advent, Sunday, November 29 is the first Sunday in Advent, where we together through the love of Christ wash the weary away created by the world. Advent is waiting, accepting, and preparing for Jesus to once again love us into the family of God.
Come Home For Advent
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Veterans Day is a time that we remember and honor all persons who have served in the U.S. military...past and present. We can make a difference in the lives of millions of people if we not only remember, but also reach out to support the troops returning from combat service.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has become a major mental health issue as our veterans return from serving in the war. The Rand Corporation released a study estimating that one in five U.S. service members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan suffers from major depression or combat stress.
We are seeing an increase in combat stress, addiction, domestic violence and suicide. Too often the ethic is to be silent about combat related mental health problems. Only half of those with mental health problems seek treatment.
This is slowly changing as the military is encouraging veterans with combat stress symptoms to seek help. When treated early, the symptoms can be treated and need not lead to lifelong problems. Regardless of our political views about the war, clergy and faith communities can be part of the support team for returning veterans and their families.
How Faith Communities Can Support Veterans and Their Families
* Send letters care packages and other tokens of support to persons who are deployed.
* Support families dealing with the transition of persons leaving for service and returning from service. Faith communities can reach out through phone calls, providing meals, providing child care and, most importantly, providing a listening ear.
* Know the signs of distress and reach out when an individual or family is struggling. Children are especially sensitive to signs of stress in the home.
* Provide opportunities for veterans to share their story and talk about how their combat experience has affected their faith.
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2015 Trunk or Treat was a hugh success!
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We hosted 350 children and their families, meaning we gave away 350 glow stick necklaces to individual children.
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We served 300 hot dogs and bags of chips, 10 gallons of lemonade, and snow cones.
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We collected for Imagine No Malaria.
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Families were encouraged to visit the photo booth and take home a memento photo-strip of the event, which has our church's name and the year.
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We had more than 30 trunks displayed and gave away approximately 20,000 pieces of candy.
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We were able to donate a 26 gallon tub full of left over candy to Valencia United Methodist for their Trunk or Treat on Oct. 28.
Thank you so much for your help in making Trunk or Treat a tremendous success!!
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Upcoming Events!
UMYF -
Every Sunday evening from 6-8pm. Join us for fun, fellowship, and a few surprises!
Senior High Only
Our mystery trip will take place Friday to Sunday, November 13-15. Our youth have no idea where we are going...but it's going to be an amazing weekend of fun, fellowship, and travel! Please contact Brandon for interest so he can arrange the right number of drivers.
#Scumthanks Challenge!!!
Our congregation is encouraged to share what they are thankful for during the month of November...by posting their thanks on Instagram and Facebook and using the hashtag #scumthanks! Feel free to use your imagination and post what makes you feel thankful...or use our handy calendar as inspiration! Don't forget to use #scumthanks in your postings, and look for your pictures on Sunday morning during our services!
No Shave November!
A few of our male members are keeping their beards and mustaches going this month to benefit our Youth Ministries!
On the patio every week, vote for who you think will grow the best facial hair! Mustaches, beards, sideburns....it's gonna be a hairy month!
Interested in joining in the fun and growing out your beard? Contact Brandon for more details.
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Thank You to Rick Sperry...
We want to thank Rick Sperry for the ministry he has done with us at Santa Clarita UMC. As of Monday, Oct. 26, Rick has resigned from his position as Christian Education Director. We pray for Rick and Debbie as they continue in ministry and as they grow as a family. Your Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is now working with Pastor Melissa, staff and other leadership to continue continuity of our ministries. As well as evaluating what the position needs to be in light of our goals and filling the position.
Every Tuesday @ 4:30pm!
After school kids ministry program
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Everyone who has a heart to sing is invited to join us to praise God in worship at the 9:00 a.m service each Sunday. No experience necessary. You do not have to know how to read music. For more information on Choir, please email our Director of Music, Christine at
[email protected]
or talk to any choir member.
Message from Christine...
The scorching summer season has finally come to an end; it's getting colder and becoming my favorite time of year. This means that sweaters are appearing and Starbucks just re-released my favorite coffee, 'The Christmas Blend.' I welcome this change of the season almost as much as I welcomed summer when it came; sometimes we just need something new. I wish I had welcomed all of the changes in my life as easily, but I guess that is the wisdom that comes with parenthood (just don't tell me it comes with age, please!)
Preparing for the celebration of the coming of Jesus somehow also reminds me of how things have changed, mostly because that serves as a constant to measure other things by. It's a constant that is underlined by the greatest gift man has ever known, Christ himself, the only son of God, the messiah. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son... Wow, those words mean more to me now than ever, as I sit next to my own 5-month-old son and hear him make sweet noises while he stares into the depths of his rattle and stuffed animals; God loved us that much, to give up THAT. Wow.
Celebrating that gift, this year, will be more impactful than ever. We will be celebrating the "Come Home for Advent" series and embracing what truly makes our church so unique; that it's truly our home. There are lots of things that change in this life, but this place remains constant: this is our home, no matter where we go.
A church home is a place where we witness and minister to each other as well. There are many ways to minister to our friends, our families, and even in the service itself. As we approach Advent, I'd like to extend an invitation to you and your friends to join us in the choir and minister through music in the holiday season. We will begin our Christmas concert and advent music on November 12
th
. If you would like to minister to your friends, family, and community through song, come deliver Christ's message as we worship and fellowship together on Thursday nights from 7:30-9pm. Maybe you can help someone new find their own home here.
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What is SPRC (Staff-Parish Relations Committee)?
This committee works with the lead pastor and other staff so that the staff can work effectively in managing the ministry of the congregation for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. An effective committee will fulfill legal and ethical responsibilities related to staff.
Responsibilities:
Through the year, this leader maintains a healthy and growing personal spiritual life and leads the SPRC committee members to do the same. The committee shall engage in biblical and theological reflection about the mission of the church. The chairperson, along with the pastor and others, has primary responsibility for the appointed and paid staff who lead the vision and mission of the church. This leader is the congregation's primary connection with the district superintendent and bishop related to the appointed leadership of the congregation. This individual leads the SPRC committee by preparing and communicating the agenda for meetings, leading the meetings, following up actions by assigning responsibility for implementation. This person should become familiar with United Methodist resources and organization.
Responsibilities of the Committee
- The committee leads the congregation to encourage, strengthen, nurture, support, and respect the pastor(s) and staff and their families. It helps the staff set priorities that strengthen the congregation's total ministry.
- The committee consults with the lead pastor to recommend staff positions to support the strategy of the church leadership team (church council).
- The committee recommends staff compensation, travel, housing, and other financial matters to the church council through consultation with the finance committee. The finance committee includes the salary total in the budget, and the SPRC works with staff on allocation.
- The committee provides for annual evaluation of the pastor(s) and other staff for ongoing effective ministry.
- The committee creates and updates written policy for hiring, evaluating, promoting, retiring, and dismissing staff members who are not subject to episcopal appointment. (Procedures must comply with local and state laws). This is recommended to the church council for adoption.
- The committee conducts proper screening (including background checks) for lay employees and volunteer staff.
- The chairperson is the congregation's primary connection with the district superintendent and bishop related to appointed leadership of the congregation.
- The committee meets with the district superintendent and/or the bishop in an advisory capacity related to clergy leadership. Considerations include the age and stage of the congregation, an understanding of feelings and desires within the congregation about the pastor's leadership and appointment, and the culture and needs of the community around the church.
- The committee enlists, evaluates, and annually recommends to the charge conference candidates for professional ministry.
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Event Picture Takers! If you like taking pictures, we would like to recruit you to help take pictures when you attend church events. If you are interested, please contact Donna Nacey at [email protected].
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