Donate from your IRA
to Skyland Church
Under certain conditions, you can make a
federal tax-free
donation to a charity (in our case Skyland Church) under IRS rules called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). QCDs were recently made permanent by the IRS, and they are allowed in the 2016 tax year.
Here are the primary conditions:
- You have an IRA; a 401(k) does not qualify.
- You are at least 70 1/2 years old. In other words, you are taking "required minimum distributions".
- The distribution (donation) is made directly by the financial institution holding your IRA to "Skyland Community Church UCC". If you withdraw money from the IRA and then write a personal check to the church, it does not qualify as a QCD. The withdrawal is taxed as ordinary income.
Other rules apply, so do an online search for "IRS QCD" for the details, and coordinate with your tax preparer.
-- John Gaffney
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Altar Flowers
Open dates for donating flowers are September 4, 11, and 25. Please sign up in Whitaker Hall.
bottle brush thrives and blossoms -
choir stall for wild birds.
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Meditation Moment
Away, away from men and towns
To the wild wood and the downs --
To the silent wilderness,
Where the soul need not repress
its music.
-- From "The Invitation,"
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
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JAMS! What Can
You Make?
Strawberry Jam is just one of the delicious offerings made for the Harvest Festival. We can use many more! Can you help us?
Lots of nice fruit out there now. We count on you to contribute. Please fill our shelves! We are the first stop for some shoppers, who hurry in to see what we're offering; so help us not to disappoint our adoring public!
Please leave your sealed preserves on or near the hearth in Whitaker. If you need jars, let us know. Many thanks.
-- Mary Ellen McTamaney
(408-353-3331)and Julie
Victorine (408-353-1572)
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Minister's Column
Deacons Choose 'Catholic Worker' Veteran as Intern
We have a new student intern! The Deacons interviewed and hired Chelsea Page last Sunday. She grew up in Los Gatos and is attending Pacific School of Religion. Here is how she introduced herself:
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New intern Chelsea Page
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"I am a member of First Congregational Church in Murphys [CA], and I've just been accepted into the "in discernment/in care" process with the UCC. I have served as a full-time volunteer and lay minister in the Catholic Worker movement for the past ten years. I currently live at the Catholic Worker Farm outside of Murphys with my husband Marcus. We run this 40-year old hospitality and retreat center with our dear friends Kelley and Tom. The Catholic Worker movement is an interfaith movement that focuses on solidarity with folks who are poor, and peace movement efforts.
I was raised Catholic, but have joined the UCC for its down-to-earth theology, covenantal/democratic ethos, and full inclusion of gender and sexual minorities. I have four years of seminary training in my background; and at our church in Murphys I have loved volunteering to lead classes, chair committees, and preach. I am discerning a call to parish ministry, while at the same time on a journey of exploration into what congregational life is all about."
We look forward to introducing Chelsea to everyone at Skyland Church. Because of her schedule and my vacation time after Harvest Festival, she will begin her internship with us in October; but I wanted you to know this good news as soon as possible.
In the meantime, see you at Harvest Festival!
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Less Than 2 Weeks to Harvest Fest
It is now less than two weeks until Harvest Festival. Here are some dates to remember:
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Festival co-chairs Renee Pressler and Larry Cooke |
Saturday 9/10 (this week) is Setup day. We need people to help set up the canopies and tables.
Sunday 9/11 (next Sunday), we turn the pews around. We need furniture dollies.
Wednesday 9/14 through Friday 9/16, we will be filling the booths and moving shelves.
Saturday 9/17 is The Day!
We will begin preparations at 8 a.m.; the festival opens at 10.
Remember:
* Tell Jeri Tjon what salads you are making.
* Tell Deana Arnold what pies you are making.
* Let Renee Pressler know what else you can do that you haven't already signed up for.
And thanks for all your efforts so far.
- Larry Cooke
Tuesday lunches were big boosts to Harvest Festival workers: clockwise from chair Renee Pressler in red shirt, lower left, are Anne Evans (books), Carol Carré, (children's books), Larry Lopp, Christina Lopp (toys, silent auction), Debra and John Hultgren (lunch preparation), John Heyes (books), Mary Ellen McTamaney (jams & jellies), Betsy Fullagar and Dawn Hooper (sorting).
Postscript from Renee: We Need Help!
First, a BIG THANKS for all who have put in countless hours during the last three weeks. We are on a roll and having fun getting ready.
For those of you who have not been able to help yet....
This year six of our key players are not able to help at the festival itself, so we are reaching out to ask for your help that day.
Would you be willing to invite your friends, family, children to help from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the Harvest Festival?
We need:
Please call me anytime: 408-353-3405.
-- Hugs to all, Renee
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NOTE from your treasurer:
No significant financial activities this month; however pledge income is falling behind pledge commitments. If you are able, please attempt to keep your pledge gifts current.
We are now 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 are our operating finances for August 2016 as of Aug 30.
Summary of Operating Finances
August 2016 | Jun 1,2016 to Aug 30
Actual Planned | Actual Planned
Income $ 16,556 $ 19,779 | $ 47,906 $ 52,020
Expenses $ 6,595 $ 9,414 | $ 40,620 $ 41,811
Net $ 9,961 $ 10,365 | $ 7,286 $ 10,209
--
Gerald J. Alonzo,
Treasurer
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