Thursday, September 17, 2020
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Blessing of the Animals
It was great to see some of you and your pets for the Blessing of the Animals Drive Thru last Sunday afternoon! During worship this week, we will talk about the blessing that animals are, and our call to care for all the creatures of the earth.
I've been thinking a lot this week about how precious the natural world is, as we deal with the smoke in the air at unhealthy levels due to the myriad fires here in the West. Those daily walks that have been so precious to me during this time of physical distancing have disappeared this week, and it reminds me how precious the earth is, and not to take it for granted. All of this to say, I am ready to celebrate singing birds, busy ants, majestic elephants, and so much more! Looking forward to worshiping with you!
Blessings,
Jessica
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Upcoming In-person Gathering in OB
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In-person World Communion in OB
Sunday, Oct. 4 | 1:30 - 2:15 PM | Outdoor Courtyard, Ocean Beach Campus
World Communion celebrates the love of Christ at the Lord’s Table when people all over the world come in unity, peace and hope. It is a considerable honor to mindfully break bread and drink from the Lord’s cup with our brothers and sisters across the planet. How good it is to share together in this way! We are making it the first in-person, small group, outdoor gathering under careful guidelines. We invite you to click the button below to rsvp.
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The service will be brief and focus on the sacrament and prayer. Attendance is restricted to 25 people, RSVP is mandatory, and safety measures will be taken.
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Affordable Housing and the Water’s Edge
Our vision at the Water's Edge is to dive deep in community and pour out God's love. We have seen that many of our neighbors in Ocean Beach struggle to stay housed, keep up with rising rental costs, or do not have housing at all. We are exploring what it might look like to use our resources to support Affordable Housing efforts even more as a church. Please read the draft of current ideas, and let us know your thoughts!
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Rachel's House Donation Drive
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 3:30 - 5:30 PM | Mission Valley Campus Parking Lot P2
In honor of welcoming Pastor Jessica’s baby girl, we would like to invite you to participate in a donation drive supporting Rachel’s House, a women’s shelter that offers resources to women experiencing homelessness. All items collected will go directly to assisting women be able to gain improved quality of life, and become healthy, fulfilled, contributing members in society.
How You Can Help
You may drop off items in Parking Lot P2 on Mission Valley Campus. You may remain in your car, and a church staff member will assist you to adhere to COVID19 safety precautions.
Donation Items Needed:
- *New -Underwear of all sizes
- Plastic Shower Shoes
- New or Gently Used - Women’s clothing
- New or Gently Used - Bras M-L sizes
- *Paper products – Paper Plates, paper towels, napkins
- Hand Sanitizer
- *Black Hair Products
- Pads and Tampons
- Full size or Sample Size lotions, shampoo, conditioner
- Deodorant
- Combs and Brushes
- Razors and Shaving Cream
- Hair Ties
*indicates most needed items, all are needed though
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Rachel's House Sandwich Sunday
Sunday, October 4
In order to meet our commitment to support Rachel's House every other month we are donating $300 each time. We have been averaging 1/3 of this goal in donations received, so please know that your contribution would be welcome and helpful if possible for you and your family.
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Please consider making a monetary donation online. Chose "Special Gift" and write: "Rachel's House Donation."
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Thank you for supporting Rachel's House!
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Updates from OB Emergency Food Bank
We are successful in achieving our mission. Nobody who has come for food on a distribution day has been turned away empty-handed. The OB Emergency Food Bank is serving between 140-200 people a week. We are also in need of more helpers. If you feel called to volunteer please sign up below.
Current needs
We package whatever we have and get it out. I prefer for the kits to minimally contain soap, toothbrush and toothpaste and socks. We probably go through 50 kits a week and socks are almost always a need. We have very little shampoo or conditioner right now. We also have no antibiotic ointment or any kind of tissue, wet wipe or antibacterial hand sanitizer. We could certainly use all of those things. The easiest way to support our mission is to go to Amazon and purchase from our Amazon list. Click on the button below.
Blessings,
Marian Jennifer Hart
OB Loaves and Fishes Pantry Coordinator
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New Beginnings Membership Class
Sunday, September 27 | 12 - 2 PM
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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New Grief Support Group
Sundays, Oct. 4 - Dec. 13
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM | by Oct. 2, 2020
Experiencing a loss during this pandemic makes grief so much more complicated. Please join FUMC’s Pastor Tamara and New Life Counseling Center Director, Sheilah Cameron, LMFT, as they facilitate a virtual Grief Support Group to help you walk through this difficult time. The group will be reading the book, “Understanding Your Grief” by Alan Wolfet PhD. It is suggested that you purchase the book prior to the first meeting.
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Pastor's Bible Study: "Travel through Acts"
Sundays through 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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"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.
Join the 18-week fall 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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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
September 20 | 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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