Monastics and Mystics
This Sunday I'm excited to share the message with you, as we reflect on "Monastics and Mystics" - people who have gone before us in the faith, and have something to teach us about God's mystery and the spiritual gifts available through solitude and/or the gentle self-disciplines of faithful living. In this time of pandemic, such teachers are speaking to me in new ways. While there have been times in my life when the world and life-experience of a monastic seemed light years removed from my own, these days I'm seeing some similarities. With physical distancing and stay at home orders impacting our usual social interactions and calendars, I am coming to believe that monastics and mystics may have some spiritual wisdom to teach us today. Ways we can find the sacred gift of God's constant presence in the midst of challenging times. Ways we can continue to journey on the pilgrimage of faith, even if we rarely leave our homes. I hope you'll join me for worship!
I also wanted to share an update with you. As many of you know, my family and I are preparing to welcome a new little girl into our family, with her due date at the end of October. Pastor Adam Marshall-Lopez, a Licensed Local Pastor in the UMC and long-time member of the Pacific Beach UMC, will be filling in for me during my three months of maternity leave. Pastor Adam will work closely with the pastoral team of First Church, as well as the Water's Edge Leadership Team, during the time that I am away; preparations and detail planning for this time are going well. My leave will begin when the baby arrives, and so while babies have their own schedules, end of October is the expectation. More information about Pastor Adam, including a bio, will be forthcoming. Thank you for your ministry with the Water's Edge Faith Community, and I can't wait to introduce our newest little one to all of you pretty soon!
Blessings,
Jessica
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Tomorrow Wednesday, August, 12 is the last day to fill out the survey!
If you have not already done so, please take a minute to fill out the survey below. Your participation will help church pastors, staff, small groups, committees, etc., with planning details when the time comes for a safe return to church gatherings. Select the button below to start the Survey.
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Adopt-A-Student Volunteer Op!
Share God’s love through the gift of education
As public education enters into an unprecedented chapter during the COVID-19 pandemic, students, parents, and the education community need your help. We are looking for caring and dedicated volunteers to support Cherokee Point Elementary schoolchildren (Kindergarten -5th Grade) with reading, literacy skills, and math support.
Along with your warmth and encouragement, we are looking for you to:
- Be within the age range from 14 to 140!
- Have online access to Zoom
- Be committed for 45 minutes - 1 hour per week, for a three-month period: first trimester: 8/31/-12/18/2020, second: 1/4-3/26/2021, third: 4/5-6/15/2021.
- Undergo a background check per First Church’s Safe Sanctuaries Policy
- Complete an online training (1 hr) provided by Cherokee Point Elementary School administration.
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Service of Remembrance, Loss & Hurt
Sunday, August 16
There are many sources for our grief during this pandemic. The obvious is our grief for people who have died. But there are other things we grieve: the loss of a job, the ability to connect with distant friends and family, a regular routine, a sense of certainty and stability, future dreams, travel plans, etc. We grieve all that we love that used to be and may not ever be the same again.
Our third service of remembrance will focus on this broad definition of grief. We invite you into this time and place to sit in the presence of God with your grief. We still invite you to provide us some information about the people you have lost, but we would also love to know the specifics of other things you are mourning. We will name, honor, grieve and find hope, together.
To participate in the service
Click the button below so we can honor your grief during the service. Submissions close on Thursday, August 13 at 3 PM PDT.
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Pastor's Bible Study: "Travel through Acts"
Sundays, Aug. 16 - Sept. 20 | 8 - 9 AM | RSVP
Even though we cannot travel easily this summer due to the coronavirus, our Water's Edge Bible Study was interested in the travels described in the Bible. Acts is full of travel stories, and we will have a 6-week study via Zoom to explore this book. Matthew Skinner's resource Acts: Catching Up with the Spirit will help guide our discussion, but the only book you'll be asked to read is the book of Acts itself.
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New Beginnings Membership Class
Sunday, August 23 | 12 - 2 PM | RSVP
Sign up today for this personal conversation with Pastors Trudy Robinson and Jessica Strysko via Zoom. Together we will explore: What does Church membership mean? What is First Church all about? The blessings of company on our Christian journey and the responsibilities of belonging to a community of faith.
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"Conversations"
Wednesdays | 7 PM
You are welcome to join this group for discussion and conversation on various topics. Dr. Bill Stephenson and Curt Goldacker are the primary facilitators.
Starting on August 19, a new 18-week curriculum called "24 and Me: A Divine DNA Search for Relatives in the Bible " written by Bill Stephenson Ph. D. See upcoming schedule.
Water's Edge Children and Youth
Wednesdays | 6 & 7 PM
Sundays | 10:45 AM
Prayers of the People
Wednesdays | 9:30 AM
If you want to join these online meetings, or have your own small group you'd like help connecting with, please let me know! Zoom is very simple, and we have great people who can walk you through the steps over the phone if needed. Please don't hesitate to reach out! My e-mail is revjess@watersedgeob.org.
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NEWS FROM MISSION VALLEY CAMPUS |
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Pastors Connection on Zoom
Register to attend this opportunity to meet Rev. Dr. Hannah Ka and to enjoy some conversation with her and Rev. Trudy. Bring your questions, hopes, and dreams.
Space is limited to 25 devices, but feel free to gather any member of your household around that one device. Please only register one person per household.
The Zoom link will be sent to your email prior to the event. Please be sure you are using a device with audio and video capabilities, and download Zoom in advance of the event.
Meetings are by Zoom, Sundays, 1:30 - 2:30 PM.
Reserve your spot for the following Sunday afternoon dates by clicking on the links below:
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Tips for live-stream worship:
Gather and light a candle to signify the holy presence of Christ.
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Sunday Live-stream Worship
August 16 | 10 AM | Join Rev. Jessica and Stephanie online this Sunday
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How to give when the church office is closed and worship is online?
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Give online using your credit or debit card. Gifts can be one-time or automatically recurring each week or month, however you’d like.
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TEXT to Give. Just text MYCHURCHGIFT to 73256 and see how easy it can be!
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Mail your check directly to the church via US postal service: First United Methodist Church of San Diego, 2111 Camino del Rio S. San Diego, CA 92108.
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Covid-19, Water's Edge & You
Simple steps to stay physically, spiritually, and emotionally well in an age of the corona virus.
Stay up-to-date with the latest information from Water's Edge Faith Community.
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Eventual Return to OB Campus - Donations Needed!
As we prepare for a safe return to the OB campus, there is much work being done by a Church Council Task Force, members of the Water's Edge Leadership Team, and church staff to get our recently approved plan approved by the Annual Conference. We are also watching the currently rising Covid 19 cases very carefully, and are committed to doing no harm. The likely first step will be small group gatherings of 10 people or less meeting on campus, wearing masks, social distancing, etc. We don't know yet when this will be, but will certainly let you know when the conditions are right.
As we move forward on sanitation plans and preparations, we have a request of you: would you plan to donate one bottle of hand sanitizer and one carton of sanitizing wipes per person for our return-to-campus effort? If you are able to do this, we would be incredibly grateful, as ordering these supplies has become very challenging. Again, even though we don't know when small groups can begin meeting on campus, if you are able to have this donation on hand to bring with you when that time comes, we'd be so grateful. If you have any questions, you can e-mail me at revjess@watersedgeob.org.
Prayers for good health, peace, and for our connection through the power of the Holy Spirit, which continues to sustain us in this season and always.
Blessings,
Jessica
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Water's Edge Faith Community
Join us on Sundays, at 10 AM
1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd in Ocean Beach
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