Your church news & updates
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An Experiment in the "Love Lab"
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Several months ago I preached a sermon on what I believe “church” is and should be: a “love lab.” It’s a place - and community - that is constantly at work exploring what “love” really is. After all, “love” is the most mysterious, multi-faceted, prone-to-misunderstanding of phenomena. (The same goes for “God”, who is love’s synonym.) Comprehending and sharing God/love always invites a never-ending process of discovery. Everything a church is - or should be - is really an experiment.
In that Spirit, the UMCPS Our Way Forward Strategic Planning Leadership Team is initiating an experiment with our Sunday morning life together. For the month of October, in the interest of strengthening our core value of “Embracing Hospitality,” we’re trying a hiatus of our pre-service Hymn-Sing. Instead, we’ll be providing a 15- minute time of simple, casual fellowship in and around the sanctuary before the start of worship.
The goal of this experiment is to see if this before-worship connecting time allows us to even better welcome first-time guests, be the face of Christ for them, and make things as comfortable as possible for all to discover God’s amazing grace the moment they step into the sanctuary.
This experiment is also about learning if additional fellowship time scratches the congregation’s itch of getting more time to connect with one another - a need the Leadership Team has often heard shared.
Please know this in no way impacts the Fellowship Hour following/between services in Fellowship Hall. That continues as always. And additional opportunities for singing beloved hymns in the worship service are also being explored.
This is all an experiment. An experiment about love. When the month of experimentation is through, we’ll seek evaluation from all worship participants and take it from there. The great thing about experimenting is it doesn’t matter if things are a “success” or “failure”. Whatever we discover will lead to greater excellence in whatever way God calls us to provide welcome to all, for such a time and place as this.
Plus, in the adventure - sometimes messy, sometimes exhilarating - of trying something new together, we will grow closer in love, I am sure. I look forward to exploring with you! See you in the lab!
Pastor Jane
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One-Day Wellness Retreat This Saturday at UMCPS
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The All-Church Wellness Retreat will now be taking place in the comfort of our church! There is no need to worry about driving 90 minutes through the mountains, no sleeping on bunk beds in cabins, or dealing with uneven terrain at the camp ground.
So, what can you expect? You can expect a peaceful day at the church from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, October 5th with opportunities to hear from a physical therapist about physical wellness, learn about mindfulness and emotional wellness from a licensed psychiatrist, and discuss spiritual wellness with a candidate for ministry. By the end of the day, you will have answers to the following questions:
- What does it mean to be physically well given my pain/physical limitations?
- What does it mean to be emotionally well in an emotionally unstable world?
- What does it mean to be spiritually well while dealing with doubt, fear, or unbelief?
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Pet Blessing Thursday at VillageFest
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Pastor Jane will be at VillageFest this Thursday, October 3rd offering pet blessings to the community. You are encouraged to bring your pet, volunteer at with the pet blessings, or even explore VillageFest to hear what people are talking about.
Want to participate? Contact the church office.
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The California-Pacific Annual Conference continues to pursue the mission given at our 35th Annual Session last June: to see a new church. As a part of this effort, several “Listening Posts” are taking place throughout the Conference region over the next few months.
Each “Listening Post” will provide a trained Conference moderator who will lead attending clergy and laity from all local churches in the area to reflect on what is important to them in their Christian faith and in the United Methodist Church. In addition, all will have the opportunity to imagine new directions for the church toward which God seems to be leading.
The Cal-Pac Annual Conference is a diverse community and encompasses a vast range of theological positions, cultures and experiences. It is vitally important that all viewpoints are expressed and taken into account as Bishop Hagiya, the Cabinet and the task force created at Annual Session 2019 in response to Resolution 19-06 work towards a strategy for the Conference.
UMCPS is hosting a “Listening Post” for Coachella Valley churches on Saturday morning, October 12, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. You are eagerly invited to attend. Share your heart and your vision for our Conference’s future.
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The United Methodist Church is participating in the Desert Aids Walk to allow people living with HIV /AIDS to have access to the best possible medical treatments available and enjoy a better quality of life.
You have an opportunity to make a difference and help the UMCPS Pride Team raise $1,500 for the Desert AIDS Project.
Click here to donate today
to support the Desert AIDS Project and their work to provide healthcare as well as bring an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Curious how your money helps Desert AIDS Project?
- $1,000 provides housing for 3 clients for one month (housing improves health outcomes for clients)
- $25 provides a counseling session for one client
- $500 provides 25 confidential HIV tests
So far the church has raised $275. Can you help us reach our goal?
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Sunday Night Live Returns Sunday, October 6th
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Sunday Night Live, the church book group, is back again beginning this Sunday, October 6th. You are welcome to participate as they dive into "Days of Awe and Wonder: How to Be a Christian in the 21st Century" by Marcus Borg.
Click here to learn about the book.
There are three copies available in the church office for $9.
Sunday Night Live will meet in the Walker-Smith building Sunday, October 6th to November 24th from 5:30 to 7 pm. Questions?
Contact Poul Bahnson
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It's time to start brainstorming your costume and car decorations for this year's trunk or treat! The church will be hosting Trunk or Treat this Halloween, October 31st from 5 to 7 pm in the west parking lot of the church.
Last year was a huge success as we saw many members of the community and neighborhood stop by for a safe and fun trick-or-treating experience for the family. We had about 12 cars last year. This year, we are hoping for 20 decorated cars!
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Cinema Diverse Opening Night Success
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On Thursday, September 19th, the UMCPS Pride Team hosted the opening night of Cinema Diverse LGBTQ Film Festival. Nearly 20 church members and friends showed up to support the festival and watch the film, "For They Know Not What They Do."
Thanks to the Pride Team and Pastor Jane for including the church in a wonderful event!
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Toiletries Needed for Feeding Programs
At the weekly feeding programs at the church, our guests also have access to
clothing and toiletries. Currently, we are running low on toiletries. Can you help?
We are in need of
travel-size
:
- Soap
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Body lotion
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
Travel-size toiletries can be dropped off in the church office Sunday through Thursday. Thank you!
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All Staff Appreciation Sunday- October 13, 2019
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Please plan on attending a fun-filled afternoon of food, mirthful laughter, games, and joy after worship on Sunday, October 13th in the Fellowship Hall. This event will be hosted by the Staff Parish Relations Committee.
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How Your Special Summer Offering Has Made a Difference
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Earlier this summer, the church had a special offering to support the overnight cooling centers located in Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, and Cathedral City. Because of your generosity, the church was able to raise $2,536.12. That gift was matched by the Desert Healthcare Foundation.
These funds allowed for the the overnight cooling centers to operate from 7 pm to 7 am, offer on-site showers, kennels for pets, and utility coverage. These centers were also able to:
- Serve 409 unduplicated homeless individuals (191 in Palm Springs, 159 in Cathedral City, 119 in Desert Hot Springs)
- Place 11 people in Coachella Valley Rescue Mission programs
- Serve 12,133 bottles of water
- Serve 4,043 snacks
- Launder 5,393 items
- Offer 4,241 showers
Thank you for your generosity!
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October 3- Linda Phillips
October 3- Brent Wisely
October 3- Richard Allegra
October 4- Ruth Ritter
October 6- Amy Bahnson
October 6- Christina Reitz
October 6- Joe Dean
October 7- Salesi Kapukapu
October 7- Beverly Nabors
October 9- Terry Brager
October 13- Dorothy Seymour
October 14- Alan Krug
October 16- Hapi Veikune
October 19- Juan Gutierrez
October 19- Linda Rudolph
October 20- Richard Zinnert
October 21- Vicki Nyi
October 22- Patsy Crouser
October 23- Cathy Dykstra
October 28- Tina Stormont
October 31- Lin Manuel
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October 1- Conrad & Judy Garvey
October 2- Stanley Potrude & Richard Allegra
October 9- Doug & Robin Purcell
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Sunday Attendance and Coffee Hour
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Attendance for the last two weeks of worship:
- September 22- 101
- September 29- 111
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Coffee/Fellowship Hour Responsibilities for October:
- October 6- Care Team
- October 13- SPRC
- October 20- Mission Team
- October 27- Worship Team
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