Email: [email protected] ~ Web: www.rcumc.net~ Facebook:UmcofRanchoCordova
Pastor: Rev. Tina Ballagh; Administrative Assistant: Sonya Auer
November 2014 Edition
UMW Holiday Faire
November 1, 2014
10:00am to 2:00pm
You are invited to our annual
Holiday Craft Faire
of unique gifts, baked goods
& Luncheon
UMCRC ANNUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23, AFTER WORSHIP
PASTOR EVA MARTIN WILL BE PRESIDING
EVERYONE IS INVITED!
*Luncheon at 12:00noon - by ticket only
$12.00 per person
Contact Louise Underwood for tickets
Thanksgiving volunteers sign ups
begin November 3 at Loaves & Fishes
Faith Matters
The Season After Pentecost
From the Sunday after Pentecost all the way up to the
season of Advent after Thanksgiving weekend we are on a
faith journey in a long season called....well simply
“The Sundays after Pentecost.”
Also referred to as Kingdomtide, the gift of the Holy Spirit
prompts and guides the response of the Christian community
through growth in our discipleship and service, utilizing our
gifts and graces in giood stewardship of all that is God’s.
We , the Church -the Body of Christ here on Earth - has been
gifted with all that it needs to proclaim and participate in
God’s mission to and for the world. We are freed of fear, our
hearts and wills formed by the compassion and love of the
Triune God first experienced at the Lord’s Table.
We are all called to take a deeper step and commitment
in faith in this season, practicing the Five Fruitful Practices:
Intentional Faith Development, Radical Hospitality,
Extravagent Generosity, Risk-taking Mission and
Passionate Worship that we may stay in love and relationship
with God and serve our neighbors in all the ways, places,
times and ways you can.
In order to be considered for
volunteer placement,
you must be at least 14 years old and have attended a
Volunteer Orientation.
To register or to find out more information,
please call 916-637-2444
or email [email protected]
Daylight Savings Ends
November 2, 2014
Along the Way ... page 2
Table for Six ... page 6
Sunrise Circuit News... page 8
Hanging of the Greens ... page 10
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walking together in faith
“D-i-s-c-i-p-l-e-s” ... It’s a calling and a lifestyle!
Can the practice of faith be a true adventure? Just routine? Or even a struggle?
Well, it could be any of those and no doubt when considering the wide range of
experiences we humans bring to the practice of faith, we need Jesus’ ministry to
remind us that the practice of faith is indeed a true adventure.
The early disciples were regularly confounded by the directions that Jesus
would lead them. The saints of the church over the centuries have shown us
that to step out deeply in faith is an awesome and risk-taking adventure.
Theologian Alfred North Whitehead once said, “God is the great adventurer
of the universe.” To follow the path of Jesus that leads to a deep and
profound relationship with God takes us into the heart of faith adventure.
Such a journey is not for the lazy or disinterested or the faint-hearted.
The journey takes commitment and investment every step of the way.
The journey also leads to deeper enjoyment or richer fulfillment and learning.
com·pas·sion
kem/paSH/en: noun
plural noun: compassions
Sympathetic pity and concern for the
sufferings or misfortunes of others.
Synonyms: pity, sympathy, empathy,
fellow feeling, care, concern, solicitude,
sensitivity, warmth, love, tenderness,
mercy, leniency, tolerance, kindness,
humanity, charity .
Antonyms: indifference, cruelty
Origin: Middle English:
via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin
compassio(n-):‘to suffer with.’
There are several ways such a journey can come alive for you.
One is to join a small group like FEAST or the Sewing or Craft Groups.
Another is to become a part of one of our many Bible- based sudies, the UMW
Circle “Susannah/Friendship”; our Middle School or our Senior High Youth
groups, La Bella Notte Chime Ensemble, the Wind Ensemble, Chapel Choir, or
our newest Children & Youth Choir beginning November 2nd after Worship/
Sunday School.
Our Interfaith Food Ministry ‘Cordova Food Locker’ team, Loaves and Fishes
Ministry, and working quarterly with Family Promise as hosts & meal preparers
is a vital mission reach of UMCRC close to home as well as our “Be Our
Guest” 3rd Wednesday hospitality. Our Traveling Missions teams are forming
and planning their preparations for next June and July to Utah and Arizona,
There are so many opportunities here ....just take a look at the church
calendar and our newsletter ‘The Circuit Rider”. Sonya and I are happy to help
you connect. To realize such an extraordinary adventure, one has to be intentional and open to new experiences. Our 1st Sunday Taize service is
a new evening opportunity to connect with God in a quieter, more
contempletive way.
Disciple/apostle Peter writes in the Message Bible by Eugene Peterson:
“So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the
gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old
grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better
then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of
life shaped by
God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; now,
you be holy.” Peter is calling us, as did Jesus, to a life full of faith adventure:
knowing,
loving and serving God and others. The cool part: we get to take the journey
together...in love and mercy and forgiveness. WOW!!
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~Love in Christ, Pastor Tina
In the moments and times when
putting compassion into action seems
hard and at times even impossible,
perhaps we might take inspiration from
Nike, Inc., which says, “Just do it.” Or
from Marian Wright Edelman, who
wrote, “If you don’t like the way the
world is, you go change it. You have an
obligation to... and You just do it one
step at a time, one person at a time,
one dsy st s time.”
Perhaps we might receive inspiration
from Nelson Mandela, who said, “It
always seems impossible until it’s
done.” And we won’t forget Walt
Disney, who said, “It’s kind of fun to
attempt to do the impossible!”
Susannah/Friendship Circle
Wednesday November 5 in Snyder Hall.
Ladies, please join us the first Wednesday
of each month at 9:30am for refreshments
followed by the meeting at 10:00am.
This will be our World Thank Offering,
please bring the money you have
collected all year long
This is a great time of fellowship, worship and doing
the work God has in store for us.
We welcome all women of the church to all
meetings.
Our United Methodist Men’s Fellowship (UMM)
includes several possibilities for young and older men
to come together for fellowship, prayer and study
together.
We meet the second Saturday of each month at
Brookfields on Folsom Blvd. in Rancho Cordova.
This month we will be meeting on
November 8 at 7:30am.
All men 18-100 are invited to have breakfast with us,
share devotional time, and discuss up-coming events.
Women’s Spirituality Group
Tuesday November 11 at 7:00pm
at UMCRC
in the Fireside Room
For more information, please
contact Louise Underwood
Our Weekend Warriors working a little overtime....
Our Wednesday morning breakfast fellowship
gathers at McDonald’s on Folsom Blvd (near See’s
Candies) on the 2nd Wednesday at 8:00 am.
Our next gathering will be November 12!
You are Welcome!
RCUMC SNAP SHOT
Operational Expenses Only
Income & Expense September 30, 2014
Income
Expenses
Profit(Loss)
Apportionments
Actual Budget YTD % of Budget
$107,234 $118,772
90%
$125,015 $135,967
92%
-$17,781
-$17,195
Owed
$10,726
Paid
$4,510
Due
$6,216
Join us on the
1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 7:00pm
for our United Methodist Men’s Bible Study.
We will be meeting at the Salmon’s home this month.
Contact Mike Hughes for more information.
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Umbr
breel la New
Newss
Yellow Umbrella:
Mission and Outreach Ministries
FAMILY PROMISE WEEK IS
NOVEMBER 23-29!
*That is during Thanksgiving*
Let’s all work together to give them a warm
and special holiday!
Red Umbrella
Music & Arts, Celebrations
Beginning Sunday
November 2!
UMCRC Children’s Choir
11:30am-12:00noon
Snyder Hall
All children are invited to
come and sing along!
It is sure to be lots of fun!
Sunday November 2 at 5:30pm
“Be Our Guest” Dinner & Fellowship
for everyone in our community
November 19 , 2014 from 5:00 to 6:30pm
Disciples are always in need!
Contact Barbara Leard to find out how you can help.
Also, Invitations are available in Adams Hall for you
to share with the community.
Blue Umbrella:
Evangelism, Christ Care, Membership
Christ Care Team Meeting
Sunday November 16 at 4:30pm
Our next Emmaus Reunion meeting will be
Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00 pm in Adam’s
Hall. Reunion groups help keep the feeling of the
Walk to Emmaus alive in our hearts,
and also serve future pilgrims.
Please join us!
If you have any questions, please contact
Tom or Julie Steinbach. De Colores!
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An hour-long meditative candle-lit service that
centers around music, prayer, scripture and silence,
to quiet the mind, open the heart and feed the
soul… Taize is a time of prayer and praise,
Thanksgiving and assurance practiced in community in the presence of God.
Some share that this service expresses for them
a basic reality of faith that can be grasped quickly
by the heart and intellect, gradually penetrating the
whole being.
Come and see and experience if this practice of
prayer feeds and fills your own heart and spirit.
Invite a friend for whom our Sunday morning
worship is not at a time that works for their life or
for whom the quiet centering is a better fit!
This Fall there our growing breadth of musical
expressions at UMCRC continue. You are invited to come
be a part in one that will stretch and grow your skills or just
offer the blessed tapestry of ‘the joy of music and being
with others’ in community.
Vocal Choir: Thursdays at 7: 00 p.m.
Praise Band Thursdays at 5:15 p.m.
The Wind Ensemble: Wednesdays at 6: 45 p.m.
The Chime Ensemble: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Children’s Choir: Sundays at 11:30 a.m.
The Green Umbrella
Christian Education & Stewardship
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT BIBLE STUDY
This group meets twice each month - on the first and
third Tuesdays of the month in different homes.
Our first meeting in November will be held on
Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at the home
of Ver Joyce and Mike Salmon. Bill Ballagh will
leading the discussion and snacks will be provided by
the Salmon’s. This group is studying a six-session series
titled Dealing With My Problems and we will be focusing
on Matthew 6:25-34 and the subject of Worry.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.
we will meet in the home of Judith Kummer
where we will conclude our discussions on
Dealing With My Problems,
focusing on Matthew 27:11-26 which deals with
Moral Dilemmas.
Ver Joyce Salmon will be facilitating the discussion
and Bill Ballagh will provide snacks.
If you’d like to join a Bible Study group that meets
during the day, twice a month, please consider joining
this group. Please call Ver Joyce Salmon at 853-9976
to get on the group mailing list.
Your presence would be a gift.
THE SEEKERS BIBLE STUDY
This group will be meeting on
Monday, November 3, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.
at the home of Florence Harmor.
Mike Salmon will facilitate the discussion
and Eileen Andersen will provide snacks.
At our November gathering we will be focusing on
Mark 4:1-20 which is the “The Sower” aspect of
Discovering the Deeper Life.
This group meets once a month
and everyone is welcome.
DISCIPLE II BIBLE STUDY
Wednesdays at 10:00AM
and Thursdays at 7:00PM
in Adams Hall, Room 5
This walk through the Bible by themes encompassing
the entire library of Genesis, Exodus, Luke and the Acts
of the apostles. Each 8 week segment will end with a
break. The first break begins November 27.
ADVENT STUDY BEGINS
On December 4, we will begin a 4 week Advent study
called UNDER WRAPS: The Gift We Never Expected.
LIVING THE QUESTIONS
Continuing Mondays at 7:00pm, thru November 24
in the Fireside Room
Join us for a 5 part discussion about Islam, called
“The Jesus Fatwah”.
This is an open invitation to anyone who would like to
understand more (or anything) about this religion that is
making news headlines daily.
Organizer, Pastor Eva Martin, admits to being ignorant
but has a lot of questions.
It will be a journey together.
We will meet weekly, ending Monday November 24, just
before Thanksgiving.
WATCH FOR A NEW IN FOCUS BIBLE STUDY GROUP
for those looking for a simpler walk throught the Bible...
Our next group begins in January 2015.
If this interests you, tell Mike or VerJoyce Salmon whether a weekday or a Saturday morning might work for you.
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Words from Wesley
A Bible Study of Spirituals and “Songs of Zion”
by Andrew Davis, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.
Spirituals are a timeless piece of the fabric of human history. Ranging from songs of freedom
from captivity during the human slave trade, to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, to the
struggles of marginalized groups today, spirituals are a powerful way of seeking God’s deliverance
and pointing to the hope of a brand new day. This four-week study may be used any time of the
year and may bring new light to the struggles of those facing persecution today, including immigrant families, women, people of color and the LGBT community. At the same time, this study
could also provide a framework for ways in which spirituals can be incorporated into our weekly
worship services.
JOIN THE FUN!
New Group Being Organized!
Friends Eating And Sharing Together
Tuesday November 11 at 11:30am
This month, Ver Joyce and Mike
Salmon will be coordinating our
outing. We will be enjoying the food at
WONDERFUL CHINESE
located at Sylvan Corners in Citrus Heights.
This restaurant was written up in the Sacramento
Bee a few years ago and their food continues to be
enjoyed by many. If you would like to carpool, we
will be departing from the church at 11:00 a.m. Or
if you prefer, you can meet us at the restaurant at
11.30 a.m. Please call Ver Joyce and Mike at 8539976 if you would like to join the group on the 11th
as reservations will be made on the 10th.
Want to Co-ordinate a FEAST Outing?
Contact the restaurant, asking them if we can have
separate checks for lunch. If the restaurant will not
provide separate checks the host has the task of
coordinating payment at the end of the meal.
Host calls the restaurant with the final number of
reservations for lunch the day prior to our dining out.
Folks have the choice of either meeting / carpooling at
the church or going directly to the restaurant.
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F.E.A.S.T. (Friends Eating and Sharing Together) has been
meeting monthly since July 10, 2012 and it has been a
great adventure. We meet on the second Tuesday of
each month with a member of the congregation selecting
a restaurants for us to visit for lunch. We’ve enjoyed the
following cuisines, to name a few: Persian, Thai,
Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Russian and Korean.
All were wonderful!
We’d like to start up another fellowship/dining group that
will meet on the weekends or in the evenings for those
who are not retired. There will be six people in each
group; hence the title: Table for 6. Once we have a list
of individuals who would like to participate, we will set
up groups who will meet on the dates and times of their
choosing for three months. The group may choose to go
out for brunch after worship, get together for breakfast
on Saturday morning or meet in some someone’s home to
enjoy a potluck meal. After three months of
fellowshipping together, the groups will be reformed.
Our plan is to have group assignments in place starting
in January 2015. What a great way to start the new year!
If you participate in F.E.A.S.T. please consider joining
“Table for 6” as well.
Everyone is welcome!
Celebra
tions THIS MONTH
Celebrations
2
3
6
9
13
Dana Huppert
Phyllis Hall
Lindsey Drake
Christopher Sullivan
Becky Celaya
Lois Powers
15 Jane Gebhart
Jeanie Strathdee
17 AJ Abdulla
18 Bill Ballagh
Rod Ellenberger
22 Lucas Haas-Tan
Scott McKinney
24 Ed Martin
26 Benjamin Bautos
Michael Fris
Joe Pearce
28 Larry Fordham
Herb Powell
30 Kay RIchardson
11 Nancy & Jay Harmor
14 Arnella & Benjamin Bautos
22 VerJoyce & Mike Salmon
Do you know of a birthday or anniversary
that should be listed here?
Please let our office staff know
:Youth Ministry News:
A Shepherd’s Story
Our New Children’s & Youth Choir Begins
Sunday November 2 - December 21
Sunday morning November 2nd is a special for several reasons:
It’s the start of Pacific Standard time ( ‘fall back’ Saturday evening
by turning your clocks and watches BACK one hour when you go
to bed).
It is also ‘All Saints Sunday’ as we remember those who have
come before us in faith, inlife and in witness and rest in God now
from their labors.
And it is at last, the beginning of our Children’s Music Ministry
with choir director Betty Karamatova. Children and Youth from
age three to twelve are invited to come be a part of this new
musical experience.
The choir will choose their name and begin readying a special song
for Thanksgiving Sunday November 23. They will also be learn
four songs as part of their Christmas gift to the congregation on
Sunday December 21st called “A Shepherd’s Story”.
Our Middle School Youth Group will be learning the speaking
roles of the play while all the children learn the role of the shepherds and angels, prepare the props and backdrops, and announcements that will be Preparing the Way of the Lord during
Advent season. All children and youth and their friends beyond
our walls are invited to be a part of an exciting Advent season.
A CIRCLE of FRIENDS
A new group is forming here at UMCRC for Young Adults
who live with challenging and varied abilities every day and
who are looking for creative expression, genuine friendships,
warm welcome and fun with others!
Our first get together of 2014 will be in December.
Listen for more news and watch for your personal invitation!
This wonderful Nativity play is also a
children’s curriculum as the girls and
boys learn in a fresh new way about
the many participants in the story of
Jesus’ birth and what bringing Good
News is all about.
Each Sunday during Sunday School we will be focusing
on a different aspect of the Good News story, while
also making props and backdrops, learning our
character’s roles and meeting some of the special guests
who will join us week by week to teach us about living
in those times and bringing Good News to the world!
Don’t miss out on these six special Sundays!!
Calling All Senior High Youth
You are invited tocome share the journey deep in faith and
in mission response with Sr. High companions in Christ.
As well, come learn and get better acquainted with congregational mentors that you will choose to journey through 2014
and 2015 alongside.
And, we’ll be preparing these next nine months for our return
trip to our Sierra Service Project site at Tsaile, AZ while serving
here in the Sacramento area in mission to our neighbors from
God. Invite a friend!
Join us each 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
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Sister Swing Concert
AF
amily P
romise Event
Family
Promise
Father Tony Flannery,
a native of Galway, Ireland
will speak at St. Mark’s UMC on
Sunday November 16 from 3:00 to 5:00pm
Fr. Tony has been ordered to remain silent and forbidden to
minister as a priest because of his refusal to sign a document
that violates his conscience; namely that women cannot be
priests and that he accepts all Church stances on contraception,
homosexuality, and refusal of the sacraments to people in
second relationships. After a year during which he attempted
to come to some accomodation with the Vatican without
successs, he has decided to take a public stance
on the need to reform the Church.
Fr. Tony Flannery is an example of what a priest should be: a
pastoral, thoughtful, inclusinve and engaging leader, yet he has
been bullied by the Vatican for working to revitatlize our
wounded Church.
UMC Night at Sacramento Kings
A United Methodist Night to Imagine No
Malaria with the Sacramento Kings will be held
on Friday, February 20, with their game
against the Boston Celtics. A portion of
California-Nevada Conference ticket sales will
benefit the conference’s Imagine No Malaria
initiative. The game begins at 7 p.m. Persons
who purchase UMC tickets will gain exclusive
access to watch program warm-ups beginning
at 5 p.m. For more information, contact the
UMCRC Church Office or Angela Franklin,
(916) 374-1525,
or [email protected].
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Saturday, November 1 at 7:00pm
at Fair Oaks UMC
9849 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks
$10 adults $5 children
*All proceeds go directly to Family Promise
Sister Swing is a trio of voclaists dedicated to fun and
frivolity while preserving the vintage jazz sounds of the
girl groups of the 1930s and 1940s.
Sister Swing has had the honor of receiving the Best
Swing Band title from the Sacramento News & Review
Magaizine in 2005, as well as the distinct honor of
singing for Bob Hope and his wife at the
Wings Over Stockton Air Show.
Join our sister church and help people in our community,
while enjoying an evening of music and fun!
The Circuit revival movement is open to all persons who
are exploring what it means to live as Jesus calls us to
live. In addition, we will be planning quarterly events
such as attending Christian concerts, movies, etc.,along
with a local summer missions project for 2015.
The best way to learn more is to visit our website at
www.thecircuitrevival.com.
NOV 7th 7pm Circuit Revival Fair Oaks UMC
Nov 9th 3pm Circuit Excursion
– Winter Jam 2014 at Sleep Train Arena –
Featuring Hill Song United, Jeremy Camp, Francesca
Battestelli and more…
DEC 5th 7pm Circuit Revival Rancho Cordova UMC
Praying we will see you at the Circuit Revival!
Invite family and friends to come along!
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A Weekend with Sam Kauffman
A Servant’s Heart Ministries
If you are interested in helping hang the greens
and preparing the chapel for Advent,
please let us know!
Perhaps 11/27 or 28 or 29?
What time shall we get together to
Deck the Halls??
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Saturday November 15
Storytelling & Drama Workshop
for Sacramento Churches
Session 1: “Music, Movement, Prayer and Song”
Session 2: “Once upon God’s Time
- Let Me Tell You a Story”
Session 3: “Living Word”
*Lunch will be served in between Sessions 2 & 3.
Please make sure the Church Office
has your current contact information as well
as the preference of how you wish to receive mailings
and notices.
Sam will also be with us at Worship Sunday
morning at 10:00am.
Come for a unique time of storytelling and music
with the theme “Celebrate the Harvest”
...for December 2014 is
Friday, November 20th
The UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of RANCHO CORDOVA
2101 Zinfandel Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-5227
Web: www.rcumc.net / Facebook: UmcofRanchoCordova
Address Service Requested
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November 2014 Edition