Thursday, October 29, 2020 |
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Good morning and Happy All Saints Sunday my Water’s Edge family!
This year has certainly altered my curmudgeonly outlook on faith and the WE family we fellowship with. I have realized how important it is to see you folks Sunday in and Sunday out. I used to grumble, growl and moan with displeasure at the process of getting up at 0530 on Sundays and driving to OB to get things ready for Sunday service. But now--I MISS IT! ALL OF IT! I miss all of you. Everyone who made me smile, laugh, shake my head, roll my eyes in disbelief, and grate my teeth, I miss! The upside to this whole ordeal is it has gotten me out walking, a lot! A 10 mile day is average for me, and anything under 5 (which happens occasionally) makes me cringe, leaving me feeling like I have done little that day.
I still have a job. I am gainfully employed and working harder than ever for our church and its two campuses. I have a deeper appreciation for the connections I have through our church. I appreciate the people more. Working mostly on the Mission Valley campus during the week has reinforced how grateful I am for the people I work with. Throughout this whole ordeal, I have been able to work, communicate, break bread, drink coffee, and converse with all of our pastors and staff. The working relationships I have are stronger than ever. Having slogged through the year in the people- and event-less COVID trenches has me feeling like I can get through anything.
Each day has its ups and downs. Some days, for reasons I can't put my finger on, I feel tired, sad, lonely, angry, melancholy. These are the COVID times we are living in. It's natural. And then other days, wow--I walk through our two campuses and am amazed at all the beauty I am surrounded by. I see our crosses, hear our organ notes played by Dr. Jaebon Hwang, and feel uplifted beyond words. That is when my faith feels strongest. I take in a beautiful sunset, watch the crows fly to the San Diego River to feast for the night, and feel--even just for a moment. No matter how small that moment is--we are going to be okay, This will pass like a gas station hot dog, soon just a distant memory.
Andrew Polster
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All Saints Communion Services |
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Sunday, Nov. 1 | OB Campus Court Yard
Join us for an in-person, small group, outdoor gathering on the OB campus under careful guidelines. The service will be brief, as we gather to remember the saints who have gone before us - those we have loved and remember with gratitude to God for their lives. We will also celebrate Holy Communion together.
Attendance is restricted to 25 people, registration is mandatory, and safety measures will be taken. No walk-ins please!
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New Pastor's Bible Study
Sundays, Nov. 1 - 22 | 8 AM | Zoom
For the month of November, Dr. Bill Stephenson will lead an OB Bible Study "Hope and Healing: Healing Miracles by Jesus." By looking at stories of healing in Mark and John's gospels, the group will explore a theme that feels so relevant today. Bill begins the study with a compelling question: "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be well?" The 4-week study will gather via Zoom on Sunday mornings. RSVP below.
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Election Day Worship on Zoom
Tuesday, November 3 | 12 - 12:45 PM | RSVP
The country is divided, conflict is deep, and the election is poised to be a source of pain, anxiety, and fear. We, as people of faith, place our trust in God and hear our call to love others as ourselves from Christ. Your pastors invite you to participate in a zoom worship service to place ourselves in the presence of God on this important day, to pray in the Spirit of Christ for the future, for those who are hurting, and for unity and peace.
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Moving Forward After the Election
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 5 - 6 PM | RSVP to this Zoom Mtg.
In the days after the Election, the potential for increased anxiety, conflict and uncertainty, we as people of faith can support one another in being the church, which is called to be peacemakers, justice seekers, and lovers of all in the name of Christ. This zoom meeting invites open conversation about your thoughts, even as it places all our worries in light of God's past steadfastness and our responsibility as followers of Christ.
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Drop-off dates and times:
Monday, Nov. 16 - Friday, Nov. 20 | 8 AM - 4 PM | Donation box in front of the church office in Mission Valley
Sunday, Nov. 22 | 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Mission Valley Parking lot P2
First Church is again partnering with Wesley UMC to distribute ingredients for a full Thanksgiving dinner to hungry San Diego families. We are asking you to prayerfully consider these options:
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Donate to the "Special Gifts - Wesley Thanksgiving Fund", either by check or online (select "special gifts" and write "Wesley Thanksgiving Fund" in the memo line).
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Shop for items on this list and bring to First Church where it will be sorted and packaged for distribution at Wesley.
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Volunteer to help sort, and package food bags for distribution on Monday, November 23, or volunteer to monitor health practices at Wesley during distribution on Tuesday, November 24.
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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.
Water's Edge Children and Youth
Sundays | 6 & 7 PM
Sundays | 10:45 AM
Prayers of the People
Wednesdays | 9:30 AM
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Until We Feast Together
Stewardship season is here! We hope you will consider offering a pledge for the 2021 operating budget of Waters Edge and First Church! Click the button below to submit your pledge today.
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Annual Church Conference & Council Meeting
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 12 PM | Via Zoom
Don't miss the opportunity to reflect on the past year and give thanks for the ministries and people of the church. We will conduct some essential business for the coming year, including nominations for the lay leadership of the church, pastors' compensation packages, and membership reports. We will hear from our District Superintendent John Farley in his last year of his superintendency.
This annual Church Conference and Council Meeting is an opportunity for us to give thanks to God for God's presence in this unusual year, for the church's ability to serve others, and for all of the people who love First Church. All are welcome to attend.
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Build an Adirondack Chair Project
Through Oct. 31, 2020 | Cost: $69 /chair
Although Habitat for Humanity has scaled back work on job sites to outside volunteers, they have presented the First Church with a unique opportunity to get our “hands dirty” in a safe environment that still supports this ministry, in the form of purchase and assembly of Adirondack chairs . Each chair can be purchased online, assembled as a family, or household project and donated to the Habitat Re-Store where the profits back put back into building projects. If you are interested, please rsvp below.
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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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World Communion Sunday Live-stream Worship
November 1 | 10 AM | Join Rev. Jessica (or Rev. Adam) 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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First Church Anti-Racism Response Update
Together we become the change...
What are we doing about it?
First Church is taking steps to make sure our siblings who are people of color are valued in our world. The Church Council and Trustees have created a Racial Justice Endowment which will allow for a yearly distribution of grants to organizations and non-profits who are devoted to eliminating racist practices and advocating for anti-racist policies. We anticipate the first distribution to be in December 2020 and the church’s commitment is to continue supporting these efforts through grants long into the future.
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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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