Go Tell It On The Mountain
Monthly Newsletter
Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ
Minister: Rev. Kevin Omi
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Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
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October 2019 to Nov 13 Church Calendar
Wednesday, October 2
10:30 A.M. Loma Prieta Club
Sunday, October 6
Neighbors in Need Offering
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Revs. Matt and Barbara Broadbent
Monday, October 7
Rev. Kevin on vacation thru Oct. 19
Sunday, October 13
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Revs. Matt and Barbara Broadbent
12:00 P.M. Deacons
Friday, October 18
5:00 P.M. Taco Night- Mountain Hang-out
Saturday, October 19
Chelsea Page Ordination in Murphys
Sunday, October 20
Rev. Kevin returns
10:30 A.M. Mayan artists to speak in service; event afterwards
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
12:00 P.M. Potluck Sunday
Friday, October 25
12:00 P.M. Lunch and "Biggest Little Farm"
Sunday, October 27
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
12:00 P.M. Church Council
Sunday, November 3
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
3:00 P.M. Children's Photo Show- Milk + Cookie Reception
Wednesday, November 6
10:30 A.M. Loma Prieta Club
Sunday, November 10
10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Rev. Kevin Omi
Regularly Scheduled Events in Whitaker Hall
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mondays
:
Alcoholics Anonymous 8:00
P.M.
Tuesdays
:
Qigong
8:30-10:00
A.M.
with Teacher Marcy Reynolds
Thursday
:
Qigong students only from 8:30-9:30
A.M.
Thursday
:
Yoga 7:00
P.M.
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Message from Reverend Kevin Omi
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The Fullness of God
Rev. Kevin Omi
I am writing this article after just completing a year with you, my dear friends at Skyland Community Church. I remember some of my first impressions:
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Kind people, like Patricia, Jeremy, Joan and Larry, that helped me get oriented and a congregation that welcomed me warmly
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My first encounter with John Haak and many other community members at the Gala
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A congregation that was deeply committed to doing
real interim work; what joy!
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My newfound awareness about potential fire danger and rainy winters
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Realizing that I actually noticed when individual cars drove by because it was so quiet
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Glorious October skies and the view of the blue sea
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Deer that ate apples in the orchard in the morning, rested in front of the office during the afternoon, and then moved on
Looking back, I am amazed at how far we have come together. Because of your deep love for this church, dedicated leaders, and commitment to the reVision process, we are
“a new creation” and one that is continuing to stretch and grow into the image of Christ our community needs. October will include our first Mountain Hangout (Taco Night) and the Community Building Team will offer its first film and lunch event. Both of these events are designed to help build community and connections with our neighbors. As Paul said to the Ephesians,
“you are not foreigners or guests, but rather you are the children of the city of the holy ones, with all the rights as family members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19, The Passion Translation)
I’ll be taking a couple weeks of vacation this month and you will enjoy having Matt and Barbara Broadbent lead you in worship on the 6
th and 13
th. I’m looking forward to hearing from and seeing the work of the Mayan artists on the 20
th, when I return. On the 25
th and with Lesley and Anne’s encouragement, I’ll begin offering Friday morning meditation time at the temporary Community Center for parents after they drop their children off at school.
We are truly experiencing the fullness and abundance of God!
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THANK YOU ALL for a very successful 74th HARVEST FESTIVAL
The Skyland Church village created a magnificent Harvest Festival this year. Our village of 74 volunteers came together and brought friends from all over the mountain to help us have a wonderful day for our community on Sat. Sept. 14th.
THANK YOU!
Donations came from church members and friends all over the mountain. What lovely gifts were shared. Big special thanks go to: Del and Mike Mahrle for a week's stay in a Kauai condo, Ed Ramsauer for a Triple O water filtration system (still available) and Emile's Mooser for his special dinner, Summit Vet for 10 days of boarding and Jenny Yamata's Summit Whole Body's gym membership, Loma Prieta and Silver Mountain wineries, the Arnolds and Bowens for wood chippers plus many more mountain friends. A special big thanks to Nancy Jo Lopp for making the silent auction work so well.
Here is the list of our 74 volunteers who made this event work. Every person helped make this a lovely, fun get together. Your help mattered!
Our fine team of volunteers who helped in so many ways were:
Gerald Alonzo, Deana, Zoe, Kevin and Kaelie Arnold, Ann, Adam and Dale Baier, Cliff and Caroline Barney, Muffet Brown, Carol Carre, Ken Chambers, Bonnie Cloyd, Jeremy Cole and Kathy Cagan, Hana Ben-Dashan, Shannon Edwards, Anne Evans, Al Feurbach, Lucy Freedman, Kim Gautho, Carol Green, John and Linda Heyes, Dawn Hooper, John and Debra Hultgren, Peggy Johnson, Adam and Dale Kerr, Susanne Johnson, Paula Leary, Carlos Leitao, Larry and Nancy Jo Lopp, Sally Mack, Glenda and Randy McCalla, Del and Mike Mahrle, Janet Maleski, Mary Ellen and Lou McTamaney, Larry McVoy, Kevin Omi and Carol Barriger, Leslie Meehan and Roger Sanford, Lynn Mitchell, Jan Parker and sister, Dorice and Genevieve Piraino- Sharp, Robin Porter, Cindy Siwajek, Renee Pressler, Marcia Rollins, Jackie Seymour, George Smith, Kris Smith, Sherry Starkie, Jan Swayne, Jeri Tjon, Bruce and Julie Victorine, Brian and Patricia Wood and five teens from CT English School.
The joys of giving are continuing; we are still cleaning up and so far have sent donations to: Leemore and Armona (schools in the central valley), Davenport Resource Center, Mental Health Community Action network (MHCAN) in Santa Cruz and the Quaker church rummage sale in Santa Cruz.
What a joy to work with all of you! We are a wonderful community that works like a family together.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Shannon Edwards, Volunteer coordinator
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Gathering for the Prayer of Thanksgiving before opening Harvest Festival
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Gathering for the Prayer of Thanksgiving before opening Harvest Festival
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All for kids, Toys, books, games, clothes...
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A table full of knick-knacks for sale...
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Dress up time !
Jewelry, clothes, handbags, & even cowboy boots !
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Whew ! Time for a rest !
Maybe a new book to read !
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This little piggy went shopping !
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Sharing Mountain Living Strategies and Fire-Safe Roads pack the House during their launch
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Robin Porter speaks about Mountain Organizations
Sharing Mountain Living Strategies had a very successful 4 speaker series at the Harvest Festival. Between 10-20 people attended each talk held in the sanctuary. The talks ranged from Mountain Organizations to Mountain Birding to Raising Chickens to Mountain Gardening.
Quote from Leslie Meehan email "I really enjoyed the day: hanging with super-cool team, learning a LOT from the excellent presentations and discussions and having the logistics go well thanks to skilled teamwork."
Patricia added that they were really pleased with the engagement of the speakers. One of the speakers emailed suggestions on promoting more community-wide talks in different and varying locations.
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Janet Maleski talks about gardening in our mountain community
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Larry McVoy avoided our camera while talking about raising chickens
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David Fullagar talks about supporting our fire-fighters in CSA 48
Fire-safe Roads- On September 25, the Fire-safe Roads Team filled the Loma Prieta Elementary School forum. Eighty people listened to the fire-safe team speak on Lessons from Paradise by Al Feuerbach, Property owners and Prevention actions by Gerald Alonzo, Supporting our Fire-fighters in CSA 48 by David Fullagar and What we need from the County and a Plan by Larry Lopp. Following the talks Sanjay Khandelwal from LPCF led an informative Q & A + discussion. Representatives from many local organizations including our district superintendent, MNHN, local Fire-safe and Fire-wise organizations spoke and neighborhood actions were proposed. There is growing community interest and engagement in making our mountain community more resilient.
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Connected Through Adventures
- The Children's photo show "My World in the Mountains" launched its call for submissions and its online video during the Harvest Festival. Please watch Lesley Louden in the video with Jan Parker's granddaughters' narration here:
https://youtu.be/sv2ATSgBkFs
Any local child between the ages of 2-11 is encouraged to submit
. On November 3
from 3pm - 5pm
there will be a Milk and Cookies reception for the Photo Show. There is a lot of interest in the community of younger families and it will be promoted in the October MNN. The MNN has agreed to publish some of the children's photos in the November issue.
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Mountain Hang-out Taco Night
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On Friday October 18,
5 - 8pm
in Whitaker Hall there will be a fun night with free food for everyone who wants to come. It is being promoted in the MNN in the Leary's real estate ad.
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Fourth Fridays Documentaries beginning October 25 from 12noon - 3pm
(
Community Building Events)
Lunch and a Documentary-
The Biggest Little Farm
has a great promotional flyer created by a graphic artist here in the mountains. To see the Fourth Fridays Flyer:
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the reVision team:
reVision@skylandchurch.com
Anne Evans
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LITANY THROUGHOUT THE INTERIM PERIOD
For God’s holy presence amidst change, we pray.
For comfort because loss is part of change, we pray.
For Christ-like steadfastness during the challenges of transition and seasons of faith, we pray.
For reassurance through frailty and failings, we pray.
For the abundant creativity the Spirit provides, we pray.
For our loved ones in this community of faith, we pray.
For God’s children beyond this community, we pray.
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Church Council News
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On Sunday September 22, 2019 the council met for the monthly meeting. It was too early in the month for the monthly treasurer’s report. However Gerald Alonzo will be putting together a list of his activities by the end of the year so a procedure of treasurer’s activities can be assembled. Gerald reported that Harvest Festival has earned a total of $11,013.46
Jackie Seymour reported on the upcoming activities of the reVision Action Teams. The ‘Sharing Mountain Living team’ had a good turn out for their four presentations at the Harvest Festival. Fire Safe Roads will be hosting a community wide information meeting on Wednesday 9/25. Mountain Hangout will be hosting a ‘hangout’ time with tacos on Friday Oct. 18, 5 -8 PM and the Community Building Team will be hosting a lunch and documentary film, ‘The Biggest Little Farm’ on Friday October 25 12 -3 PM.
Jackie also reported on the search and call process. Glenda McCalla has decided not to be on the search committee. The Search Nominating Committee along with the Search Committee chair, John Heyes, have decided to leave the Search Committee at four persons for the time being. Good progress has been made on the Local Church Profile. The work is daunting and it may not be completed until the beginning of 2020 although Jackie remains hopeful that it will be completed it earlier.
There was no trustee report, however the pavement is to be patched and resealed this coming week. The elevator paperwork is still with the county for review.
Rev. Kevin Omi told us about a meditation class he will be leading for parents at the community center on Fridays from 8:30 to 8:50 beginning Oct. 25 sponsored by the Loma Prieta Community Foundation. This is class is a community service.
Rev. Omi also discussed the Skyland Community Church Leadership to be. He explained the changing areas of responsibility with respect to the council that have evolved as we have undergone reVision and the Interim process.
Your co-moderators,
Jackie Seymour and Anne Evans
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Update from the Trustees
Last week the church parking lot was closed for four days for asphalt repair, slurry seal coat and new striping. The work was completed the evening before the Memorial Services for Ruth Dawkins on Saturday. Many thanks to all who were involved in this project.
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Please keep our search team and our process in your prayers.
Your co-moderators,
Jackie Seymour and Anne Evans
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Flowers for the Altar
We have enjoyed some beautiful floral arrangements on recent Sundays. If you wish to plan ahead--perhaps for a special occasion--please write your name alongside any open Sunday on the calendar in Whitaker Hall.
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despite my neglect
bottle brush thrives and blossoms--
choir stall for wild birds.
haiku by John Heyes
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Mayan art and weavings show in Whitaker Oct. 20
Mayan art by the teachers and students at Creando Mi Futuro will be on display and for sale in Whitaker Hall after worship Oct. 20. Creando Mi Futuro (Create My Future) is a Guatemalan nonprofit that enhances the lives of children through art, nutrition and education. Miranda Talbott-Pope, its creator and director, will be present and will give a short talk about her work during worship hour. You will be able to chat with her informally during the potluck to follow. Skyland’s Mission Board, as well as at least three Skyland members, support individual Creando students, so please join us and share in this important work.
In addition to the artwork, there will be textiles and clothes from Mayan weavers, as well as some of Carolyn McCall’s giclées and greeting cards of paintings of Mayan villages in Guatemala. See flier on display now in Whitaker.
Please make your potluck dish a little bigger than usual, as our mountain community has been invited.
Mira and her artisan products will also be featured at a "pop-up" sale on Saturday, October 19, 11 to 4, at Pacific Cultural Center, studio room, 1307 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz. Skylanders and friends are most welcome.
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MISSION BOARD REPORT:
LOCAL AID:
Any items that are not sold at the
Harvest Festival
on Sat.
Sept. 14th
will go to:
Sunday, the first load of donations (from Harvest Festival) was delivered to Santa Cruz Friends Meeting where they will be part of the rummage sale for the benefit of Friends Committee on Legislation of California
https://www.fclca.org/
. This is a very lean organization. On a very slim budget, they do a lot of good work hat is very much in alignment with the values of our faith and the teachings of Jesus. I believe that what we do in California is as important now as it has ever been, both for our own state and to set an example of what is possible across the country. Ann B.
GLOBAL SUPPORT:
The Mission's committee decided to take a hiatus this year for the Africa Library Project so that we can put our efforts into Revision and the upcoming Harvest Festival.
Shannon Edwards
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Our Food Pantry Needs You!
It seems as though the food pantry is being more heavily relied upon and supplies have recently become quite limited.
We really need the following nutritious items:
Hearty soups including vegetarian,
vegetarian chili, peanut butter, shelf stable milks, tuna, crackers, and cereal.
Thank you for providing the hungry in our community with food to sustain body, mind, and spirit.
Julie
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NOTE From Your Treasurer
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Note from your Treasurer for first 4 months of our fiscal year:
Pledge income is $2,431 above expectations, however my planned distribution of pledge income may have a small error due to an unexpected full year lump sum donations. I will continue make adjustment to monthly expectations as year progresses.
Offerings are $-680 below expectations.
Hall Rental is $312 above expectations.
Harvest Festival donations are somewhere between $10,257 and $10,623 !!! I get different results from two different reporting methods. Hope to clarify this before next Sunday. There is still some promised Auction donations to be received.,
Total expenses are less than expected by $2,642
Mission work:
In addition to all the volunteer support for Mountain Jam, our Music and Arts board donated $400 to its local support giving.
$611 donations to support UCC Strengthen Our Church funds.
$500 donation to support Rev. S. Anandan and his work providing education to students in India.
$100 donation for Bahamas disaster relief.
$50 donation for Hurricane Dorian relief.
$500 donation for general disaster relief supported by our NCNC-UCC conference.
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 or myself after service for these transactions.
Here is our operating finances as of Sept 30 for our 2019-2020 fiscal year.
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Respectfully
Gerald 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
Website
http://skylandchurch.com
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