Dear Friends,
 
Most of us are familiar with the term, “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” In our language it means that all of us should be able to succeed on our own. But according to the website Useless Etymology, the meaning evolved into the opposite of the original intention. Here is their explanation:

The phrase “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” originated shortly before the turn of the 20th century. It’s attributed to a late-1800s physics schoolbook that contained the example question “Why can not a man lift himself by pulling up on his bootstraps?”
So when it became a colloquial phrase referring to socioeconomic advancement shortly thereafter, it was meant to be sarcastic, or to suggest that it was an impossible accomplishment.

Eventually, however, the phrase’s commonly-accepted meaning evolved, and now when we tell people to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” it’s implying that socioeconomic advancement is something that everyone should be able to do—albeit something difficult. (https://uselessetymology.com/2019/11/07/the-origins-of-the-phrase-pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps/)
 
The reality of life is that none of us is capable of succeeding completely on our own. Even if we don’t recognize it, the systemic structures that are built around us either help or hinder our actions. More importantly, we need the communities that surround us. I learned this in a profound way the week after Easter.
 
This is when I celebrated my 60th birthday by trying to run and/or hike many many miles at an event called Born to Run. Here I joined other participants in a 4-day attempt to go as many miles one can – or wants to in the allotted time period (noon Wednesday to noon Sunday). My goal at this event for the past three years has been to get to 100 miles. The first year I went 60. The second year I went 50. This year my stated goal was 60 for 60 (but 100 would be nice).
 
By Friday I had completed 60 miles and did not see any way I could get to 100. Then friends and family arrived. Saturday morning, I was accompanied by two buddies. Saturday afternoon another two joined me. Then two friends (who’d already gone 10 miles earlier that day) joined me for a night hike (complete with almost running into a cow in the dark!). That got me to 90 miles and another friend joined me for the second time to get to 100 miles. There is no way I would have gotten to 100 miles without them!
 
We need one another. Our successes are not solo successes. This is a good reminder for us as a community of believers. What we do (or don’t do) as a congregation is not due to the dedication of any single person. It takes all of us.
 
At the end of this month we celebrate Pentecost. This day is traditionally thought of as the birthday of the church… the coming of the Holy Spirit upon all those present that day. As we see in this story, and in the growth of Christianity through the centuries, the movement was (and is always) a movement of people rather than persons. As we think about our own congregation, how might the Holy Spirit be calling us to work together?
 
Blessings,
Pastor Nancy


The 2023 Southwest California Synod Assembly will be held on June 2-3, 2023 at 
California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks with the theme "Caring for the Body of Christ"

Many Mansions
Join us in celebrating the Grand Unveiling of our newest affordable housing community, Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments! This unique complex in Unincorporated Ventura County just outside of Camarillo will be dedicated to extremely low-income seniors and seniors experiencing homelessness with a disability.

Our Grand Unveiling will be held on May 31st , 2023. Arrival 10:30am, program starts 11:00am. We will we break ground, tour the site, and offer an exclusive look at one of the actual factory-built units of this first of its kind modular affordable housing community in Ventura County. This event will take place at 1732 S. Lewis Rd., Unincorporated Ventura County, CA 93012. 

If you have any questions, please contact Dalit Shlapobersky (DalitS@manymansions.org).

We look forward to seeing you there!
Preschool News
This month at Our Redeemer is WOMEN'S APPRECIATION MONTH! To honor and show our extreme gratitude for all of the moms and other special women in our students' lives, we will host a Muffins with Mom event on May 11 & 12. In addition, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week May 8th – 12th, I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the dedicated teachers of Our Redeemer who so generously give their students guidance and love every day. I would also like to give a special shout-out and THANK YOU to all the teachers and staff members behind the scenes whom we would be lost without. If you would like to show appreciation to your student’s teacher for all they do, we have a binder in the school office with each teacher’s favorite things. I hope you are able to show all the special women in your life how much they are cherished!
Have a wonderful month!

Peggy Schreiber
Preschool Director

To access our May Preschool & Kindergarten Newsletter click on the button below:
Be Part of our Legacy Wall!
Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to have your own tile displayed on our legacy wall forever!

Tiles for sale May 1- 31, 2023
Cost: $30 for 1 tile or $50 for 2 tiles

This opportunity is for all of Our Redeemer's current and future preschool families; alumni; church members and friends. Everyone!
 
We are selling tiles that will be displayed on our play yard's “Legacy Wall.” These 6 by 6-inch tiles can feature your special message and artwork. The tiles can be purchased at the preschool office. You and your family can come in and paint the tile at any time during office hours (8 am-4 pm). Questions? Call 805-983-0612.
Preschool & Kindergarten Enrollment Information
We are now enrolling for Summer School & Fall 2023-24 school year.
Call the School Office for more information: 805.983.0619
Volunteer Opportunities

  • If you would be interested in reading the lessons for worship or bringing in snacks, please call Bruce Wilcox, 805-827-2031.
  • If you are interested in assisting Pastor Nancy with the worship service please call the church office at 805-983-0612.

Operation LOVE
Quilting and Fellowship
Every Wednesday at 9:00 am

The quilting group "Operation LOVE" at Our Redeemer has been creating quilts for the Lutheran World Relief quilt ministry for many years. About 60 quilts are sent annually to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to those in need around the world.

Operation LOVE meets every Wednesday at 9:00 am in the coffee room. Anyone interested in participating in this ongoing project is encouraged to join the group at any time. 

Sewing/quilting experience is not essential since there are many different ways to give assistance as needed.
Church Council
The May council meeting will be held on
Monday, May 8, 2023, at 3 pm

A flower calendar is available in the narthex bulletin board. You may sign up for the Sunday of your choice.
 
There is an information sheet available with flower suggestions and ordering information as well.
 
If you have been thinking about signing up to provide a floral arrangement for the altar, but need some direction, here are some guidelines:
 
First, choose an available week on the Flower Chart located in the narthex and sign your name and phone number.
 
Then, you have two options:

*You can do the foot-work yourself by contracting your favorite florist, or you can bring a potted plant or a flower arrangement from your own garden, or...
 
*You can have Bernardo's Flowers deliver an arrangement to the church for that Sunday. Simply call the church office at 983-0612 and let the Secretary know if you would like the office make the arrangements. Make the check out to "LCOOR" and put it in an envelope marked "FLOWERS." Bernardo's Flowers will deliver the arrangement to the church office on Friday.

For questions, call Jackie at 805-983-0612 or ask any Altar Guild team member.
Red Cross Blood Drive Coming Soon...
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Preschool & Kindergarten
Join us on Tuesday, June 27 from 9 am -3 pm for our Blood drive
May Birthdays