The Fellowship
Newsletter for May 2021
Friends and family of CVUMC, here is what is happening in our church community.
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As we prepare to begin the month of May, the church will experience another transition from the celebration of Easter to celebrating Pentecost on the 23rd of May. Throughout the season of Pentecost the church will remember that the community of faith again celebrates a new life in Christ through the gift of the Holy Spirit that is now a part of our lives.
Not only will we be celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit, but on the 23rd of May, the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church will be planning to gather for its first reopening service outdoors in front of the Sanctuary. In making this announcement known, more details about this reopening will be forthcoming. For the present time I would like to share a few thoughts to help prepare us to enter into this time of new beginnings. I believe we can be safe and healthy as we prepare to gather for worship and would like to lift up a few guidelines to follow as we prepare to return to worship.
First, you are invited to bring your own chairs to sit on. A few folding chairs will be available from the church if needed but bringing your own would be appreciated.
Second, as wonderful as it will be to see one another and to hear the music from Barb and the band, please continue to wear a mask and refrain from singing throughout the service.
Finally, let us be patient as we allow ourselves to orientate to this new style of worship, and in time, we hope to be returning to worship inside the Sanctuary.
I want to thank our church leaders and members who participated in preparing our reopening guidelines as requested by the North District and Annual Conference and for dedicating their time and talent to making this reopening a possibility.
In preparing to reopen for worship and to celebrate Pentecost, when we come to worship, may we mirror the words of 1 Peter 3:15 where we find: “…give a reason for the hope that we have with all gentleness and respect….”
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Paul
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Save the Date
Teacher Appreciation Week – May 3-7: Consider bringing a little something for our dedicated Preschool Teaching Staff! (See the Preschool newsletter message)
***Sunday, May 23: Reopening for In-Person Worship!!(Outdoors in front of Church) (Info in Pastor Paul's message above and in article below)
Thursdays, May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10 Virtual Bible Study: "Let Our Children Learn" (see article below) 3:00-4:30 pm on Zoom
Saturday, May 22: District Conferences, held by Zoom Webinar. North District’s is from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Register on the District website (info in article below)
Every Sunday: Worship service on our church Facebook page at 10 a.m. and continuously thereafter. The video is on our website www.cvumc.org by 12 noon.
Alternate Saturdays: May 1, May 15, May 29. Donations for Bailey Center & Learning Works. New Hours: 10:00 – 1:00 outside of Fellowship Hall. Non-perishable foods, paper goods, disposable diapers, diaper wipes, baby formula, etc. Financial donations also welcome. Also, UMW Books are available for check out and return
Every Tuesday: Prayer Team meets at 6:30 pm on Zoom. If you have a prayer request, please call any member of the Prayer Team: Pastor Paul, Jeanne Lavieri, Diane Lewis, Debi Bois, Janice Burke, or call the Church Office (818-249-6173)
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In-Person Worship Starting Again!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 23rd when we will have our first in-person worship, after 14 months of Zoom worship. As Pastor Paul stated in his message, we will use lots of safety protocols to keep everyone as safe as possible. We’ll worship outside in front of the Sanctuary. Although we will have a few folding chairs available, we’d appreciate if you can bring your own chairs (camp chairs, etc.). Wear masks, maintain social distancing, refrain from singing. Refreshments will not be served.
What time is the worship service? We haven’t yet decided on what time worship will be held. Because of the heat, we might begin earlier than our traditional time of worship. We’ll let you know soon. We are really excited about being able to see each other in person!
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Sunday Worship Materials for Children
We’re going to begin In-Person Worship on Sunday May 23!! Connie Horton would like to provide Sunday School lessons and activities for any student – all ages! – for them to use during the worship service while they are sitting with their parents. There will be clipboards with a variety of lessons, crafts, quiet game/activity pages. The clipboards will be collected each week and sanitized for the next time. Connie really misses the children and youth – please let her know if you’d like her to prepare a clipboard of materials for you!
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Learning Works
The next dates for donations for both Learning Works and Bailey Center are Saturdays, May 1, May 15, and May 29. The school is hoping to gradually reopen for in-person classes, and so foods that are easily microwaveable are really helpful. As always, any non-perishable food, paper goods, hand sanitizers, disposable training/pull-up diapers for toddlers, sippy cups – all are greatly appreciated. Many thanks to you from the students and staff of Learning Works for the donations you have sent them. And if you are interested in making a financial donation, you can make a check out to CVUMW and put Learning Works on the memo line.
Thank you always for your concern and care for these young people.
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We had a great turnout for the Easter Egg Hunt with our Young People. Thank you to Preston, Melika, Bella and Sofi for helping out that day. Also to Connie Horton and Molly Burke for their help to setup and be at the event. Also a big thanks to the Del Castillo family for doing the greeting for Easter Morning.
When the Youth Group met in April we talked about the Parable of the Mustard seed. I had some seeds and they got planted outside fellowship hall. Such little seeds and they are already growing! It was fun to see how they are doing. A visible sign of something so small that can grow into something big!!
In May we will be discussing Sierra Service Project and if we are going to attend a few days in the online format. Not exactly what we wanted but they need to keep the vulnerable communities they serve safe. We also will be meeting as they are going back to school to meet in person safe and socially distanced. It is good to be in person.
Preston Midgley is working on his Eagle Scout project for Boy Scouts and presented a plan to Pastor Paul and myself. After working with his advisors he has decided to redo the small side of the Garden in front of the Church. It is a big task and he came to us with a detailed plan and pictures of ideas. We are so excited and proud that he has chosen to do this project at the Church. Watch for more details and ways you can donate to help with this.
Keep praying for our Young People as they go back to school in person or continue on line. It is a hard time for them and we want to let them know we support them and that God is with them always.
Yours in Christ,
Janice
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The Foundation
On Monday, April 26th, the Foundation Board met for its 1st Quarterly Meeting of 2021. We reviewed income and disbursements and were very pleased with our standing. The Endowment Account's value grew $47,580 in the first 3 months of 2021, and that was AFTER we were able to make our first payment of $11,500 to CVUMC. Praise the Lord! The Parsonage Account's value grew $18,994 in the first 3 months of 2021, and that was AFTER we were able to make a payment to CVUMC of $7,000. Again, we say praise the Lord. It is with prayerful investment, combined with a heavy backup of prayers from all of you that we are able to continue to fund the Church as it stands on the eve of a possible reopening. Praise the Lord!
In addition to that great news, we are also about to engrave two new leaves for the Tree of Life. One for Carol Ruygrok and one for Ed Waldheim. Let us take a moment to remember the impact they both had on our lives. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever."
Your Foundation Board
Debi Bois – President; Bettie Hull – Treasurer;
Chris Ruygrok – Secretary/Tree of Life Officer
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As always, we deeply appreciate all who are able to give. The smallest bit helps and we are grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you to Dan Griffin, Karyn Kemmerer and Molly Burke for getting this online option up and running.
Giving online is easy: just go to our website www.cvumc.org and under the Giving Tab, click in and follow the instructions.
You can give a recurring pledge or donation or a onetime amount. And of course you can still mail in or drop off your tithes and offerings to the church if you like. To mail offerings and donations to the church, use this address:
Crescenta Valley UMC
2700 Montrose Ave.
Montrose, CA 91020
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Special Thanks to *Our Awesome Musicians* for Easter Sunday Music!
Barb, the Band, the guest musicians and vocalists always inspire us with such beautiful, thoughtful, and exciting music, and this Lenten and Easter season in particular. For Easter Sunday this year we were graced with our “new traditional” Mardi Gras/New Orleans Easter Sunday music, and uplifted and emotionally embraced by music and song throughout the month. Thank you Barb Catlin-Bergeron on Piano and Tambourine and for knitting all the video pieces together, Tim Kobza on Guitar and Vocals, Ricky Cosentino on Drums and Vocals, Alexis Sklarevski on Guitar, Wayne Bergeron on Trumpet, Forrest Robinson on Drums, Perrin York on Vocals, Andy Martin on Trombone!
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Preschool News
April has been a very active month, with Spring arriving and so many exciting projects. Here is an overview of the events:
The week of April 12 was "The Week of the Young Child", which is a national recognition. Parents helped their children make a special snack for them to eat at school on Tuesday April 13. Teachers engaged each child in conversation, asking everyone how they and their parents made their snack.
For Earth Day (April 22) we paid special attention all week to celebrate this amazing Earth Environment. Kids were involved in activities that help teachers talk about some of the interesting pieces of nature around us at the preschool.
** Bird Feeders ** Salt dough
** Squirrel Feeders (we have a squirrel friend here who visits us each day!)
** Planting seeds for our garden (how plants grow)
** We are growing caterpillars and waiting for the butterflies
** “Let's make a volcano”
** Using recyclable products to produce art
** Science experiments with milk, vinegar and plastic
Beside the activities above, we spent time observing nature and having a Picnic on the grass Friday, April 23. Families sent their own Picnic food for lunch Friday.
Wednesday April 28th was National Super-Heroes Day, another chance for kids to have fun. We made it Prince and Princess Day as well, where children dressed in the outfit of their choice to follow the theme: Superhero, Prince or Princess.
Coming in May
Another Superhero Event will be the week of May 3-7: Teacher Appreciation Week.
More than any other time, Covid-19 has stretched preschool teachers to the limit. All of the protocols, sanitizing and managing that has to be done is beyond what has ever been required of a Preschool Teacher and Management. It has been heavy responsibility to keep everyone safe.
It’s no secret that one of the very best things about our school is the wonderful staff that gives our kids constant care and affection and works tirelessly to create a fun, nurturing environment where they can learn and grow.
Considering that this profession is one of the lowest paid college graduate careers, it points to the love of children that is needed to work in this field. Teacher Appreciation Week (May 3-7) is a great opportunity to tell them how grateful we are for all that they do.
We've sent home an email to parents suggesting ways they and the children can show their gratitude and thanks to persons in this profession. Of course there's no expectation that families will participate in everything. And they may find special ways of their own to say thank you to the teachers.
Here are our ideas:
Monday: Thank you for being such a Sweet Teacher (gift ideas - fruit, candy, cupcake, cookies)
Tuesday: Thanks a Latte for all you do (gift ideas - Gift card to Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Peat's Coffee etc.) Wednesday: Thanks for helping us Bloom (gift ideas - flower drawing by the child, a potted plant, a flower from the garden)
Thursday: Thank you for being the Apple of our Eye (gift ideas - anything apple : soap, hand lotion, apple cider, apple bars...)
Friday: Just a note to say Thank You (gift ideas - a handwritten note from parent and child saying thank you)
Also in May:
Wacky Wednesday: the last of this year’s Wacky Wednesdays is *Wed. May 12 Crazy Hair Day: (surprise us – can’t wait to see the hairstyles!)
We also send home weekly emails to parents so they are informed of activities we’ve done and those we plan to do. In addition, we send links to helpful parenting articles. The most recent have been from www.childmind.org, with many articles to help parents to support their children in dealing with their emotions; how to give instructions children will be able to follow; and to support healthy growth.
Linda Taylor-Bell and the Management Team,
Ms. Erica, Ms. Geovanna
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North District Conference
District Conference is the annual gathering held to celebrate the ministries of the past year, mourn what we lost, share in worship, elect District leaders, prepare us for Annual Conference Session and nominate members to represent us at Annual Conference. This year, all Cal-Pac District Conferences will be held virtually via Zoom Webinar on Saturday, May 22, 2021 (Pacific & Hawaii). For us in North District, the Schedule on Saturday, MAY 22, 2021 is
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North District Conference: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT
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Are you ready to register for your District Conference (May 22 - see the article above) or for Annual Conference (June 17-19)? Both events will be held virtually. Registration is now open, and this year, you can register for both events with one convenient form. Go to www.calpacumc.org. First click on the “Learn More” button and then the “Register Now” button. All 2021 District Conferences are free, but you must register. Annual Conference registrations are free through June 2. To offset the cost of the Session, voluntary contributions are being collected. Annual Conference Special Offerings can also now be given via registration as well.
North District News
The Northridge North District office of the California-Pacific Conference will close permanently, beginning May 1, 2021, as the team is transitioning to a virtual platform. Please begin mailing all correspondence to:
North District Office, Cal-Pac UMC
6510 E. Spring Street, Mailbox 92
Long Beach, California 90815
Phone number will remain active and the same at
(818) 882-8005.
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Music Notes
Thanks to all who have been participating online via Facebook for our online worship services. The band and I want to offer our sincere thanks to the church for keeping us working over the pandemic shutdown. It was so appreciated. It has been quite an experience figuring out how to do music each week via the online platform. I want to thank my bandmates who really stepped up and went above and beyond the call of duty. They really are the best!
*Tim Kobza - thank for always being willing to sing, play any guitar, and help out with the technology front. Kudos to you and Melissa for giving Ricky an iPhone so he could use the acapella app!
*Ricky - thanks for singing from the heart every week and embracing the new (and often frustrating) technology.
*Alexis - thank you for being so consistent both musically and with getting the acapellas done right away on Wednesday so we all had a fighting chance to stay with the timeline.
I have learned a lot about iMovie and Facebook Premiere – nothing like a Sunday deadline each week! I can use those skills in my teaching life, so while painful at times, it is now a beneficial skill. That said, I will be happy not to stress whether the video renders correctly or if Facebook Premiere does anything strange.
The guys and I look so forward to making music in 3D again and seeing all of you. We are counting the days until May 23rd (Pentecost) when our notes will reach your ears without the help of Facebook Premiere. Bravo!
Peace be with all of you:)
Barb and the band
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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.
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Library Book Cart/Table: Lots of books available for check-out each Food Pantry day. (This month: May 1, May 15, and May 29) Check out the occasional Book Reviews in the Friday Emails – you might discover a book that is perfect for you! Thanks for following Covid safety protocols. And: since so many people want to read the books, please check out no more than two, and try to return them within 2-4 weeks, hopefully in 2 weeks, at the very next Food Pantry collection date. (And if you’re reading for the Reading Program, books from 2015 to 2021 “count”.)
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Mission U: June 24 – August 8 – Mission U is the annual gathering of women to study and grow in understanding of the mission of the church in the current world context (there are also sessions for children and youth). Because it will be on Zoom this year at various times, participants can join more than one study if they wish. Most studies are offered with both afternoon and evening sessions. All are welcome to attend multiple studies. You need not be part of United Methodist Women (UMW).
Studies include:
- Finding Peace in an Anxious World (we have one copy on our library table)
- Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom: Living Into the Church’s Moral Witness through Radical Discipleship
- Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools
- Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission
- Managing Anxiety (Youth)
- Becoming Peacemakers in a Culture of Violence (Youth)
- Responding to Violence (Children)
Study books can be purchased
For more information, please contact:
·School-to-Prison Pipeline Bible Study: Please see the article “Let Our Children Learn” below.
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Let Our Children Learn: Interrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline
A UMW Virtual Bible Study on Thursdays
May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10
3-4:30 PM PT
Register through the post on United Methodist Women’s Facebook page, or contact Linda Neate for the link.
Information from Emily Jones, United Methodist Women, New York office:
“You are invited to join United Methodist Women members and friends for a four-part Bible study (on Zoom) on the sacred place of children and youth in God's eyes, antiracism and interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. There is no cost to participate. Sessions will be live/interactive and will not be recorded. No prior knowledge is required. All are welcome.
What can I expect?
“This study includes four 90-minute sessions:
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Embracing New Life (Colossians 3:1-17; Romans 12:1-2)
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Embracing the Gifts and Leadership of Children (Acts 16:16 19, Matthew 19:13–15, Luke 2:39-52, Jeremiah 31:15-17 and Matthew 2:16-18)
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Reimagining the Role of Women in Society (Numbers 27:1–8, Matthew 15:21–28 and Luke 18:1–8)
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Unfamiliar Identities: Embodying New Possibilities for Interaction with All Women (Luke 15 + Ephesians 6:10-17)
“Each session will build on the previous session. We encourage you to register for and attend the full series."
“The Bible is not just a story we read about the past; rather, the Bible points to a Gospel story that is alive and at work in the present as well. God seeks justice and liberation for all people. God's love flows freely towards children and youth. The school-to-prison pipeline is contrary to God's vision for creation.
“There will be opportunities to participate and interact with other study members in small groups. Participation in small groups is voluntary but highly encouraged. We invite you to:
- consider and explore additional lenses for engaging with Scripture;
- dive deep into Biblical wisdom that supports the liberation, wellbeing and wholeness of all people, especially children and youth;
- reflect and discern in community, seeking clarity about your own call to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline.”
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BIRTHDAYS
6 Cathy Del Castillo
6 Dan Griffin
8 Lisa Castaneda
8 Diane Lewis
19 Barb Catlin-Bergeron
21 Dee Ann Paiz
21 Andy Marrero
23 Hector Castaneda
24 Susan Lockhart
24 Bill Snow
27 Arden Daniels
ANNIVERSARIES
6 Ted and Alma Swanson
23 Hank & Kathy Garrett
28 Alan & Cathy Del Castillo
31 Andrew & Kathy Midgley
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We are blessed with the support, efforts, caring, and kindness of so many people. They have ensured that our church worship services, faith development, financial stability, and mission outreach never ceased even though we couldn’t worship “in person” during this last year. We ask that you who are reading this newsletter hold in prayer the people who generously have given of their time and talents during the past year of quarantines.
*Pastor Paul: pastoral leadership, care, wisdom, spiritual guidance
*All of you - for your time, resources, and prayers for our church family
*Our Awesome Musicians! Barb, the Band, the guest musicians and vocalists gave us such beautiful, thoughtful, and inspiring music. We were graced with our “new traditional” Mardi Gras/New Orleans Easter Sunday music, and uplifted and emotionally embraced by music and song throughout the month. Thank you Barb Catlin-Bergeron on Piano and Tambourine and for knitting all the video pieces together, Tim Kobza on Guitar and Vocals, Ricky Cosentino on Drums and Vocals, Alexis Sklarevski on Guitar, Wayne Bergeron on Trumpet, Perrin York on Vocals, Andy Martin on Trombone, Forrest Robinson on Drums, Todd Chuba on Drums, Mike King on bass, Rev. David Felten on sax!
*All who create and present our worship services
Musicians:
See the tribute above!
Tech Team:
Barb Catlin-Bergeron, Molly Burke, Kim Mawhinney, Edmond Hambarsumian
Liturgists (Welcome, Joys and Concerns, and Scripture):
Debi Bois, Janice Burke, Jeanne Lavieri, Diane Lewis, JoAnn Stupakis
Worship Team:
Pastor Paul, Barb Catlin-Bergeron, Janice Burke, Jeanne Lavieri, Debi Bois, Diane Lewis, Ricky Cosentino, Tim Kobza, Alexis Sklarevski
*All who manage our church structure, operations, programs, and finances
Financial Team: Dan Griffin, Becky Castano, Janice Burke, Debi Bois
Church Office Administrative Assistant: Karyn Kemmerer
Staff-Parish Relations Committee: Andrew Delman, Jenny Hambarsumian, Mike Abdollahi, Jeanne Lavieri (as Lay Leader) and Janice Burke (as Lay Member to Annual Conference).
Youth Leader: Janice Burke
Linda Taylor-Bell:
Preschool Director – successful and safe operation of Preschool!
Preschool Board:
Connie Horton, Chair, and Lisa Perry-Castaneda, church representative
Foundation Board Members:
Debi Bois, Bettie Hull, Chris Ruygrok
Food Pantry Coordinators: Debi Bois, Janice Burke, and Connie Horton
Marv Wacker: Thursday Man and “Head Groundskeeper and Troubleshooter”
Membership Secretary: Kim Mawhinney
Trustees: Richard Brace, Alan Del Castillo, Hector Castaneda, Edmond Hambarsumian, Andrew Midgley, and Linda Neate
United Methodist Women Board:
Kathy Garrett, Peggy Griffin, Connie Horton, Bettie Hull, Diane Lewis, Loraine Locke, Mary Marino, Linda Neate, Carmena Smith, Cathy Wacker
Committee on Lay Leadership:
Jenny Hambarsumian, Melissa Abdollahi, Kathy Midgley
Leadership Council:
Pastor Paul, Janice Burke, Becky Castano, Dan Griffin, Kathy Midgley, Jeanne Lavieri, Debi Bois, Connie Horton, Linda Neate
Prayer Team: Pastor Paul, Jeanne Lavieri, Debi Bois, Diane Lewis
Tithes and Offerings Tabulators: Bettie Hull, Connie Horton and Cathy Wacker
Check out our church website @ www.cvumc.org for up-to-date news!
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