Go Tell It On The Mountain
Monthly Newsletter
Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ
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Rev. Stephen Glauz-Todrank, Pastor
Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a. m.
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Dear Skyland Friends,
Those on our mailing list already know, but others may not, that I have decided to retire on June 24th. I have enjoyed so much my 27 years of ministry with you and others at Skyland Church, but I believe it is the right time to depart so that you can flourish in company with new leadership.
What you may not yet know is that our choir director, Margretta Dollard, is retiring from her duties also, after serving even longer in her role. It is very unusual for a church to go so long without staff changes and I want to urge you not to worry.
There are processes already underway, guided by our Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Daniel Ross-Jones, to make an orderly transition to an Interim minister to serve during the time when a search committee for the new minister can gather and do its work.
There will also be a search underway shortly for a new choir director. Please be open to change and patient with each other and the process of embarking on a new adventure.
There will be a party to celebrate together on June 17th. I hope you will be able to join us.
May God nurture and support us all through this time of endings and new beginnings.
Blessings to you always,
Stephen
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May 6
10:30 a.m. Family Worship Service
Missions Board Meeting after Service
May 8, Tuesday
Skyland Church Women's Group Meeting
Lectio Divina practice
May 13
10:30 a.m. Family Worship Service
Mother's Day
Deacons Meeting after Service
Trustees Meeting after Service
May 20
10:30 a.m. Family Worship Service
Potluck after Service
May 22, Tuesday
7 p.m. Church Council meeting
May 27
10:30 a.m. Family Worship Service
Memorial Day
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Church Council Spotlight
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The Council met with our Associate Conference Minister Daniel Ross-Jones on Thursday, April 26, to discuss the process of finding a new minister. He presented an overview of the processes for finding both an interim minister and, later, a settled (“permanent") minister.
The first process, in which we find an interim minister, is fairly simple.
A small group will assemble a job description for posting, review applications, and select an interim minister who will be with us for the period of time before we find a settled minister. Daniel will assist in this process.
Daniel felt that the reVision and ministerial search processes would be complementary to one another, and he looks forward to guiding us through both. Randy McCalla is in the process of combining notes taken during the meeting so these can be distributed to the congregation. In addition, Daniel left a packet of documents about various aspects of the search process, and we are working on making those available to you online or in print, as well.
During the Council meeting on April 29, Jackie Seymour, Nancy Jo Lopp, and Gina Adams volunteered to work on the process of finding an interim minister, with Stephen offering to help them with the job description. There may be one or two others selected to round out this committee.
The Council also discussed the possibility of there being a period of time after Stephen has retired when we do not yet have an interim minister. The Deacons will consider the options for providing Sunday services, home visits, and other supports until an interim minister is hired.
Our next African Library collection is ongoing, with many quality books coming from our local schools.
The communications committee is looking into getting a good wi-fi hub for the sanctuary to facilitate streaming of our services and other events.
The next Church Council meeting will be on Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m., since the Sundays in May are already occupied by meetings or holidays.
We are currently in the pledge drive time of our fiscal year, so if you haven’t sent in your pledge card for next year, please do so by mail or place it in the offering tray. The congregational budget meeting will be held June 10 immediately after the service to approved the budget for next year.
As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of the Church Council.
Thanks!
Deana
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Flowers for the Altar
Several Sundays are open for floral gifts in both February and March. Please sign up on the calendar in Whitaker Hall. You can check the calendar in the links at the end of this newsletter.
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haiku by John Heyes
purple orchid blooms
flutter, barely in motion,
like exotic moths.
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Missions Board Delivers!
Feeding our school
We bring snacks to our local schools. Granola bars, fruit cups, drinks, etc.
No peanuts please.
Contact: Jeremy Cole
Africa Library Project
We will be adopting a primary community library in Sierra Leone. Please start collecting books for preschool- 8th grade and put them downstairs in the Skyland Church room with the copier. Donation boxes have been added to the local schools.
Contact: Cindy Siwajek
Local Support
Mental Health Community Action Network in Santa Cruz helps those transitioning into homes.
We are collecting socks, coats and sleeping bags.
If anyone has a diaper changing table we are still looking for one.
Contact: Shannon Edwards
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MEDITATION MOMENT
Have courage for the great sorrows of life and
patience for the small ones; and when you have
laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to
sleep in peace......God is awake.
Victor Hugo
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NOTE From Your Treasurer
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Pledge income for our fiscal year through April is $1,439 above my best expectation of commitments, but Offering income continues far less than our financial plan, -$8,403 for our fiscal year to date. However, our significantly reduced expenses result in a net of +$2,388 fiscal year to date.
Gifts of $2,550 have been receive in memory of Harold Hoyt. Family requested these gifts be sent to Heifer Project International, Harold’s favorite charity. Funds have been sent in memory of Harold Hoyt.
Donations of $1,240 were received to help our friends in Fiji recover from recent disastrous hurricanes. Per instructions from our member Connie Durant who lives in Hawaii, funds have been wired to Orisi Matai in Fiji.
At our last Council meeting it was agreed to pay the balance on our Earthquake loan. The balance of $5,125.75 has been paid in full. A recent donation of $5,000 to our Facility Improvement Fund was used for this payment.
Reminder to renew your pledge for next fiscal year, June 2018 through May 2019. Please consider increasing you commitment if possible.
Still appears we will end our fiscal year with a small surplus in net operating finances.
We are able to accept credit card payments for pledge, general and special offerings if that is more convenient than check or cash. See either Jan Swayne or myself after service for these transactions.
Our operating finances as of April 25 for our 2017-18 fiscal year:
Summary of Operating Finances
__________April 2018
_________Actual Planned
Income___$ 9,077 $ 9,350
Expenses $ 9,666 $ 9,373
Net______$ (-237) $ (-23)
Jun 1, 2017 to Apr 25, 2018
__________Actual Planned
Income___$165,747 $170,357
Expenses _$165,502 $176,006
______Net $ 245 $ (-5,649)
Gerald J. Alonzo, Treasurer
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Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ
25100 Skyland Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033
phone: 408-353-1310
USPS mail: Skyland Church
P.O. Box 245
Los Gatos, CA 95031-0245
email: sglauztodrank@gmail.com | Website http://skylandchurch.com
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