The Fellowship Newsletter for February 2020 Friends and family of CVUMC, here is what is happening in our church community.

From The Pastor

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to reap; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love; and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8      On this Monday of the last week in January, it is hard to believe how quickly the New Year has moved along and it seems the words found in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes seems well fitting.     As a church family, we have experienced many of the seasons of life. A few that come to mind are tears and sadness as we have extended a farewell to loved ones who have passed away and now reside with our Lord in heaven.      Just as we have celebrated Christmas and have been living in the season of Epiphany, we will soon be entering into another season, one that is known as Lent. This year’s Lenten season begins on Wednesday the 26 th of February.     The season of Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends forty days later on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten which means “spring.” The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time for penance by all Christians. The First Sunday describes Jesus’ temptation by Satan; and the Sixth Sunday (Passion/Palm Sunday), Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his subsequent passion, death, and Resurrection on Easter.     With four Sundays remaining in the season of Epiphany, I hope these weeks ahead will allow you to prepare for the season of Lent and provide opportunities to reflect on the life and ministry of Jesus that will take us to Palm Sunday and the celebration of Easter. Your servant in Christ, Pastor Paul

Save the Date Sun. Feb. 9: Presentation of Special Mission Recognition award during worship Fri. Feb. 14 : Valentine’s Day Sat. Feb. 22 : Cal-Pac UMW Midwinter Event at Simi Valley UMC Wed. Feb. 26 : Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season

Is prayer something that comes easily to you? Or do you feel that you just don’t “know” how to pray effectively, naturally?     Prayer does not have to be long or eloquent. Simple prayers of gratitude are some of the easiest and most effective ways to develop a sense of joy and optimism. Isn’t that how we teach our children to begin to pray – with simplicity?     One of the Women’s Reading Program books this year is Tilly and the Crazy Eights. The main character in the book is a modern, assimilated Indigenous Canadian who has begun to value her cultural traditions again. She decides to begin each day with a traditional prayer. It’s one that would be effective and meaningful for all people. Here is an edited version, if you’d like to try it for yourself, or modify it to suit your beliefs and individual situation:      “Great Spirit, Creator of all things. My name is __________ and I come before you in a humble manner. I offer thanksgiving for the safe passage through the night and the safe passage of those I love. I offer thanksgiving for watching over, guiding, protecting, and keeping my family safe, healthy, and vibrant. I seek your help and am grateful for any guidance or messages you send my way. Thank you for giving me the opportunity of another day.”      There’s a bit more, but this beginning prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude is a good place to start. By beginning every day with such a prayer, each of us may find fuller connection to God and to each other.

Foundation The Foundation Board members are President Debi Bois, Becky Castano, Norma Ellis, Henry Garrett, Bettie Hull, and Chris Ruygrok       On January 27th, the Foundation Board met to decide what it’s 2020 contribution to CVUMC could be. In keeping with the guidelines outlined in “The Thoughtful Christian’s Guide to Investing Church Funds”, provided by the CalPac Conference, that to keep an endowment fund viable by contributing within 3% to 5% of assets, we have prayerfully decided to give approximately 4.85%, and pledge $40,000 in 4 equal payments of $10,000. When added to our $9,000 matching funds for increased congregational pledges, that brings our total contribution to $49,000. Additional Pastoral Housing contributions of approximately $18,000 bring that 2020 total up to $67,000. This is all made possible by your contributions and our faithful investing. Total team work.     If you are still considering your own 2020 pledge and are able to increase your contribution....remember those matching funds.       Something else you need to consider....Debi will step down as President in January 2021. Most of the board will also be stepping down at the same time. If you feel moved to join the Foundation....now is the time. Reach out to Debi at boisdebi@gmail.com . In God’s Love.....your Foundation Debi Bois

Children’s Education

We are so grateful for the supportive nurturing of our Sunday School teachers! Connie Horton teaches the younger children and JoAnn Stupakis has been teaching the older children.  Younger Elementary     The first Sunday of each month, which is Holy Communion, the younger children remain in church with their parents. Then the remaining Sundays the children leave the Sanctuary after the Children’s Message and go downstairs for Sunday School.     Connie will be using a reference program called “All in One Sunday School” as a guide for the next few months. The emphasis will be on stories from both the Old and New Testaments, not only for content but also where to find them in the Bible. It is her hope that the students will become more familiar with the Bible as they learn where and how to find the books and passages. Students will also be encouraged to memorize some of the more familiar passages. Of course we will also have the related crafts that the students enjoy doing. We will meet in the education building as usual - hope to see everyone on Sunday!  Upper Grades     Beginning March 1, upper grade Sunday School students will be participating in the worship service instead of having a separate Sunday School class. Ways to help include ushering, greeting, sound board, choir participation, acolyte, assist with communion, liturgist, etc. Jo Ann Stupakis will coordinate participation and training.       If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Jo Ann Stupakis at  jostupakis@yahoo.com  or by phone at 818-269-3295.     We look forward to growing our young adults into service during worship.

CVUMC Youth Group:     The Youth Group had a break over the holidays and into January. We will be meeting On February 9 th  and 23 rd . The 9 th  is the Academy Awards so we may change the time earlier if everyone wants to get home for the Awards Ceremony.     Coming up we will be planning a couple of fundraisers for our trip to Sierra Service Project in August. We will let you know about those.     I am still looking for some mentors and speakers to work with the Youth. What gifts do you have to share? Maybe it’s just giving of your time. I can tell you that they inspire and give me hope all the time. Speak to me about this great opportunity. It doesn’t matter what age you are, just bring an open mind and heart.       Reminder: Youth Group is open to any youth in 6 th  Grade through 12 Grade. Peace and Hope, Janice

Adult Book Study   We are beginning a new book about the most beloved Parables of Jesus called Stories Jesus Told . There are 6 chapters, one parable per chapter. There is also a DVD which will be played at each class – 10 minutes for each parable. Arden Daniels has ordered the books from Cokesbury. They cost $10 and will arrive soon, maybe in time to distribute Sunday February 2 to all who are interested in attending the class.     This Adult Book Study group meets the 1 st and 3 rd Thursdays of each month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Connie Horton’s house. This month those dates will be February 6 and February 20. We look forward to seeing you – all are welcome.

United Methodist Women The Board members are Kathy Garrett, Peggy Griffin, Connie Horton, Bettie Hull, Diane Lewis, Loraine Locke, Mary Marino, Linda Neate, Carmena Smith, and Cathy Wacker.

Reading Program: We begin the New Year with many new titles for the Reading Program, both Fiction and Non-Fiction. These are books that will enhance your understanding of *world issues, *interpersonal relationships, *prayer, *how to become closer to God and more receptive to His guidance, *ways to understand and help our children and youth as they mature in such a complex world. There are also many copies of Response Magazine, which tell of the struggles and achievements of many women all around the world.     We hope you will read some of these books for sheer pleasure and also to enhance your own understanding of people, world issues, and other cultures. If you also want to read to complete one of the Reading Plans, books that “count” for the plans are from the 2015 – 2020 book lists. Look for the Book Cart and sign-out sheets in Fellowship Hall after worship on Sundays. * Membership and Pledge Outreach: During the month of February, our United Methodist Women will be reaching out to all women at CVUMC. We invite you to join us in membership, working together as United Methodist Women for the benefit of women, children, and youth around the world. * February 22: Cal-Pac UMW Winter Event held at Simi Valley UMC from 9:00 to 3:00. (Registration and refreshments are from 9:00 - 10:00. Program starts at 10:00). The focus of the day’s discussions will be   “Economic Inequality – Living Wage for All” with Carol Barton, National United Methodist Women Executive for Community Action.  The cost is $15, which includes lunch. The registration deadline is February 10. Also, we are asked to bring a love donation of gift cards for the Toberman Neighborhood Center, which is a United Methodist Women National Division project within California-Pacific Conference. Please see Linda Neate if you are interested in going.  We will set up a carpool for those who wish to attend.

Music Notes By Barb Catlin-Bergeron, Music Director The choir rehearsals start back on Saturday, Feb. 8th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in Thee Room (Fellowship Hall). Generally the rehearsals are on the 1st Saturday of the month, so please mark the dates down. All are welcome! Barb

Montrose Preschool and Infant Care Center

Preschool News:     Montrose Preschool finished out the year doing extremely well. We are full capacity in all classrooms except Pre-K, which is understandable.     Fun activities in January included a Chinese New Year celebration and Lantern Parade. The children were able to taste Chinese Noodles and have fortune cookies from our friends at the New Moon restaurant.      The SuperBowl (football) has stimulated excitement from parents that pass to the children. We are having a SuperBowl play day with the children so that they can throw footballs (foam for young children), a popcorn machine and wear their parents’ favorite team jersey.     February brings Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. The children will make valentines for their friends, heart shaped English muffins and red jam for snacks as well as take a walk to deliver a special valentine for mom and dad to the mailbox down the street while the teachers incorporate a lesson on mail delivery.      President’s Day will center around stories about Washington chopping down the cherry tree (this story is at the level of young children). Lessons will focus on Personal Character and “Random Acts of Kindness” to our friends & family and collected items for the homeless. We will have cherries for snack and perhaps cooking activities that include Cherry Bread.  Respectfully Submitted, Linda Taylor Bell Preschool Director

Walk and Word “In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:35   We have just completed another blessed season of Sunday morning hikes and Scripture journaling. We are four chapters into the Gospel of Mark and have read enough to get a sense of the importance of place in the story. Jesus moves quickly to and from a variety of locations, beginning with the Jordan River where he was baptized, on to the wilderness, into towns, beside seas, across seas, into synagogues, grain fields and deserted places. And so we also find significance in the wilderness setting of Walk and Word . The steps we take on the gravel trails through the chaparral bring us close to this little piece of Creation. We hear birds and the trickle of the recently renewed creek and feel grateful to be present. I am sharing a few photos of what feasted our eyes when we looked up. Every week brings new delights and discoveries.

Unlike Jesus, we do not head out while it is still dark. Walk and Word meets at Deukmejian Wilderness Park at 8 AM on the second, third, fourth, and sometimes the fifth Sunday of each month. We hike for one hour and then read and reflect on Scripture for a second hour. We would love to have you along. If you have any questions, please contact me at  jnlavieri@earthlink.net  or at (818) 383-3137. If you are unable to hike, there are many beautiful vistas accessible by wheelchair. All are welcome.  Peace, Jeanne Lavieri

Board of Trustees Members of the Board of Trustees are Pastor Paul Tangonan, Richard Brace, Alan Del Castillo, Hector Castaneda, Andrew Delman, Connie Horton, and Linda Neate Since the NOMADS were unable to visit us this year, the projects we had planned for them to work on have been put on hold for a bit. Trustees will be meeting soon to discuss which projects are urgent and which can wait for a while. We’ll keep you all posted on the progress in maintaining our beautiful campus!

Wednesday Prayer Group     Are you interested in being a part of a small group that prays together? The Prayer Team meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:45 p.m.      During the meeting, the requests from the prayer cards placed in the offering plate on Sunday are read and also the joys and concerns lifted up in church during Sunday’s worship service. (Anyone who wishes their prayer request to be seen only by the Pastor can be assured that it will be kept private and not brought up to the Prayer Team.) Then prayers are lifted up for all joys and concerns mentioned.     If you have a prayer request, you may call Pastor Paul, Jeanne Lavieri, Diane Lewis, or the Church Office (818-249-6173). Any time you wish to participate in this small-group prayer team, you are always welcome. And you don’t need to commit to every Wednesday.

Our church wouldn’t have the special warmth and loving spirit it has without the help, donations, and efforts of many, many people. Thank you to all of you!

·          Cathy Wacker : for keeping offering envelopes available in the pews, straightening the hymnals, and in general tidying the Sanctuary

·         Mike Abdollahi and Hector Castaneda : helping out on the Preschool Parents’ Workday to repair some of the playground equipment

·         Ushers and Greeters on Sunday mornings in January : Sophie Castano, JoAnn Stupakis, Danny Castano, Susan Lockhart, Bella Castano, Bill Snow, Molly Burke, Janice Burke

·          Liturgists/Lay Readers: Jeanne Lavieri, Debi Bois, Janice Burke, Ricky Cosentino, Hank Garrett, Jenny Hambarsumian, Ted Swanson

·         All those who brought refreshments for after the church worship: the Griffin family(Dan, Peggy and Kelsey), the Castano family (two times) (Becky, Sophie, Danny, Bella), Marilyn Squillante’s extended family, ·          Becky Castano , who coordinates the Sunday refreshments volunteers and, with her children, coordinates and helps with clean up every single Sunday

·         Janice Burke: Youth Group leader, Leadership Team chairperson

·         Arden Daniels and Carmena Smith : moderating the Thursday Adult Study Group

·         Jo Ann Stupakis and Connie Horton: Children’s Sunday School teachers

·         our Choir members : Andrew Delman, Camille Sepulveda, Debi Bois, Diane Lewis, Jeanne Lavieri, Jenny Hambarsumian, Kathy Garrett, Madeline Sepulveda, Mary Marino, Peggy Griffin, Richard Brace

·          our Musicians : Barb Catlin-Bergeron, Ricky Cosentino, Tim Kobza, Alexis Sklarevski, Guest Pianist Yumi Gardner

·         Bettie Hull, Cathy Wacker and Connie Horton : tabulating Sunday’s offering every Monday morning

·          JoAnn Stupakis and Janice Burke , for the coffee we all enjoy before worship service begins

·         Marv Wacker : all the minor repairs on our campus every day, every week, and helping the Preschool with repairs

·           Edmond Hambarsumian and Kim Mawhinney : bringing us Sound and Video at every Sunday worship service

·           Kim Mawhinney : writing and sending the church’s weekly Information Email every Friday

·          Molly Burke : keeping our church website www.cvumc.org up-to-date

(If anyone’s name was left out, please let me [Linda Neate] know so I can make a correction in next month’s Fellowship. Thanks.)

February Birthdays and Anniversaries Birthdays                   Anniversaries                      4 Beverly Reynolds 14 Pastor Paul and Connie Tangonan 7   Linda Waldheim 13  Al Burke  15  Henry Garrett 20  Stuart Mawhinney 21 Alma Swanson 22  Carmena Smith 26  Debi Bois 26  Jenny Hambarsumian 29  Jonathan Castaneda Check out our church website @ www.cvumc.org for up-to-date news!