|
Dear Friends in faith,
 I have a special interest in the meaning and beauty of “sacred space.” That is to say, the experience of occupying a place that, by means of its distinctive qualities, brings one—somehow and in some way that is hard to explain, and perhaps better left that way!—closer to God. Of course, this idea, by its very nature, is personal and means different things to different people. But that too is among the angles that shape this subject into something special. The variety of perspective is limitless!
So, as someone fond of this notion, I’m fortunate to work at Congregational Church of Soquel. The entire campus possess a quality of “sacred space,” worth exploring but certain sections seem to have it in abundance. The Sanctuary, for one, is an outstanding example. The rich history, natural acoustics, the elegant simplicity of the architecture, it’s quirky floor, plain-spoken bell and majestic spire; it all transcends the sum of its physical parts to make a statement more emotional than empirical, more spiritual than merely spacial.
Another piece of sacred space is the Church Courtyard. The renovation, completed 12 years ago, helped to bring out a unique quality that has somehow settled into the earth beneath its hardscape and indwell also the soul resting below consciousness thoughts. However, not unlike the Sanctuary, there is more than simply architectural elements at work here. The brick circle and landscaping, the teak benches distributed throughout, and the three entrance arbors, Faith, Hope and Love; all these facets add to a unity. But, like literary metaphors, these objects seem to point to something that cannot be, well, objectified? Rather, they are felt, touched by memory or given life by way of a spiritual imagination. Welcome, homecoming—grace and peace; these are the deeper qualities we hope to discover in sacred space. Or maybe just the opposite is true? Perhaps it is these same qualities that The Sacred hopes to find within those who occupy these places.
Peace,
Mark Fountain
Minister |
|
|
|
Moderator’s Report – November, 2019
It fills my heart to think about all the ways God’s Love is expressed by our wonderful church family.
There is always someone willing to lend a hand when needed. Opening up our church on Friday evenings for those needing a place to sleep and share a meal is just one, way God’s love is shown.
On Mission Sunday, the speaker from Coastal Kids Home Care did a wonderful job of describing their program which provides much needed care to children in their homes. Donations were made and our youth had a bake sale to help raise money for them.
Our Trunk or Treat event was a huge success. We had a wonderful turn out. We welcomed many families from our community. It didn’t even matter that we were without power. With many hands helping, it all came together and we all had lots of fun!
A special thank you to Ryan and Rachael Cash for heading the Stewardship event. They plan to speak on Stewardship Sunday, which is November 10. The Board of Fellowship will also be treating us to some tasty food at Second Sunday Brunch after the service.
As the holidays approach there are many more events being planned. We have Advent classes, readings and a special family event after church. Also, Carols, Cookies and Cocoa and the Children’s Christmas program is coming up. Please see the bulletin or other reports for the dates and times of these special events. My appreciation to all those that make these events possible.
A very special thank you to the Power Outage Committee. They include Steve Gullickson, Laura Hamby and Micah Sorkin. They have done a great job of making sure all is taken care of before, during and after these outages. We are very blessed to have each of them covering all the details involved in taking care of our church and keeping us safe.
With God’s Blessings,
Cindy Boram
|
|
|
|
Board of Trustees
We were prepared for the PG&E power outages on Thursday, October 10 and Sunday
October 20!
• Signs were printed and posted on all the doors that the campus was closed during the Thursday outage.
• Office equipment was unplugged to protect from power surges.
• The office alarm system, after a few tries, was successfully disarmed and rearmed.
• The campus buildings and rooms were inspected after power was restored.
• The kitchen refrigerator was kept closed to prevent food spoilage.
• A special e-blast was sent to members announcing that Sunday church service and Sunday school would be held during a power outage. We had good attendance!
Our thanks to the Action Committee – Laura Hamby, Micah Sorkin & Steve Gullickson – and to everyone who contributed to preparing our power outage plan!
We are following up on the campus-wide facilities inspection conducted by Steve Gullickson.
• Plumbing repairs: Refastening 2 loose toilets, fixing 3 sink faucet handles
• Replacing burned out and missing florescent light tubes (mainly in Parrish hall)
• Adding new smoke detectors in the kitchen & Parrish hall
• We need to be prepared for upcoming major re-roofing expenses
Our thanks to Chris Hanson who recessed the audio jack connection box in the chancel floor and added a new audio outlet outside the pulpit! This reduces the tripping hazard over loose microphone wires and improves the appearance of the chancel floor.
Stewardship Sunday is November 10. Ryan & Rachael Cash have prepared a letter that will be sent to the church members and will be giving a presentation in church on Stewardship Sunday, with special activities planned in Parrish hall afterwards. Please give thoughtful consideration to this appeal for the support of our church!
Our Budget Committee is sending out budget request forms to various ministries.
Please give your budget requests careful attention and return your forms promptly.
A couple budgets have been overrun already this year, so consider your needs carefully!
Bob Weers
Chairman, Board of Trustees
|
|
|
|
Board of Fellowship
The Board hosted a yummy potato bar with salad and desserts at the October 13th Second Sunday brunch. This is definitely an annual favorite!
No electricity on the church campus? The Fellowship Board made some adjustments and served up grilled hot dogs, nachos and apple juice at the annual Trunk or Treat event.
The next Second Sunday Brunch and the Celebration of Giving will be held on November 10th. The Fellowship Team will once again be serving the ever-popular sweet and savory pie feast.
Kathy & Steve Gullickson
Judy & Rick Peretto
|
|
|
|
Ministry Associate
November is the month for Thanksgiving and counting our blessings, and we have many here at Congregational Church of Soquel. First, we have a wonderful group of talented children who are willing to lead us in worship to lift our spirits and give us joy. In costume or in music, in mission and service or just every Sunday in our learning groups, they remind us of the love that Jesus shares through their smiles and hugs. What a gift!
Second, we have a generous, giving Congregation – always willing to help, the best cooks around, in prayer for all of us, working on budgets and stewardship, all worshipping together to honor God. It is a privilege to work with you and to be blessed by you all – I am so thankful!
I am also thankful for our Lord who is our Healer, and for the good results from my cancer treatments and the continuing healing of other issues. As a matter of fact, I am celebrating all this with a vacation cruise through the Panama Canal, so unfortunately I will be absent for much of November. You will be in my thoughts and prayers while I am away.
And remember that right after Thanksgiving, we will be moving into Advent with many opportunities to share in the journey to Bethlehem and Christmas. On November 30, the church will be decorated with the Hanging of the Greens, and on December 1 we will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent with special Candlelight Service during Worship and an all-church Intergenerational Advent Project during Fellowship time. I will be looking forward to this on my return. We will also begin again our Advent Bible Study on Monday nights starting December 2 at 7 pm. Our theme this season will be “Trusting God for the Journey” as we explore different journeys of faith. Hope to see you all. I give thanks for You.
Blessings, Rev. Patti
|
|
|
|
Learning Coordinator
We really enjoy our special time in church school learning all about how much we are loved by our Lord. Each child is such a blessing and a gift to our teachers and church family. They bring all of us so much joy.
We had a great time, baking goodies for the bake sale we did to raise money for the Coastal Kids Home Care Organization. We raised $58 for this important organization. It was nice to help the Mission Team with adding to their generous donation.
We were so happy to help introduce our new Hymnal during Folk Worship by leading two of our favorite songs and playing instruments and joining the congregation in singing. It was lots of fun!
Our students will soon be preparing for the Christmas Pageant which takes place on December 15 at 6:30 in the sanctuary. Thank you, Emily Hanson and team for your leadership. Emily, we are so blessed to have you as our director.
Reverend Patti and Reverend Mark have invited the children/youth to participate in the Advent readings and lighting of the candles this year. We are so happy to be part of this special part of the service.
With God’s Special Blessings,
Cindy Boram
|
|
|
|
Ministry of Learning and Worship
What a wonderful October we had! Our Mission Sunday was made special with the students having a bake sale for Coastal Kids Home Care, supporting families of children with cancer and other major illnesses. Parrish Hall was filled with the delightful aroma of freshly baked brownies and spice cookies – yum! Everyone gave generously, and went home with a treat or two.
The following Sunday we celebrated our new hymnals with the students singing & playing instruments in church. We did this in the midst of a PG&E power shutdown – no problems with the Congregation singing our praises to God for all his blessings! The selections from our hymnals were so uplifting, and a true joy. After church we had our most successful Trunk-or-Treat ever. I personally gave out about 80 treats, but I know some children came by more than once. So, if you add in all the adults that were helping, and parents and others, I would guess that that about 100 people enjoyed the event. We had almost a dozen "trunks", a very well stocked and staffed cake walk, a scary "haunted" room, live band and a lunch crew. Additional atmosphere provided by Mother Nature playing tricks with the gusting wind, blowing away anything that wasn't "nailed down"!
Looking ahead, don't forget to put these events on your calendar:
Carols, Cookies & Cocoa on Dec. 6th
Christmas pageant on Dec. 15th
Advent Bible Study on Mondays at 7 p.m., Dec. 2, 9, and 16
More information on other festivities coming soon!
Respectfully submitted by
Gloria Wells, Ministry of Learning and Worship
|
|
|
|
Ministry of Missions & Service
Mission Sunday 2019: We were pleased to welcome Margy Mayfield, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Coastal Kids Home Care (CKHC) on Mission Sunday. CKHC cares for children with illness and disabilities to provide healthcare to children and support to parents, by registered nurses, in the comfort and convenience of their own home. Because of the well received presentation and and the the outpouring of financial support from the congregation, the Board of Ministry of Missions & Service will be able to donate a minimum of $1,000 to CKHC. Thank you for your support!
November Mission of the Month Panamerican Institute Christmas Baskets: Thanks to your help, last December we were able to provide Food Baskets to our most needed families at Panamerican Institute. Your help again this year will allow us to continue with this Christmas tradition for the 46th consecutive year. Each gift basket costs only $50.00 and contains pinto beans, rice, wheat flour, sugar, salt, canned tuna and vegetables, margarine, cereal, cooking oil, tomato sauce, cookies, pastas, gelatin, jelly, toilet paper, soap, tooth brushes and paste. Please specify your donation to "Christmas Baskets" in the memo line of your check.
Associated Faith Community Shelter Program: Every Friday evening our church continues to host the Community Shelter Program. Up to 20 homeless congregate in Parrish Hall every week from Friday night at 5:30 pm until 7:30 am on Saturdays. Want to help this program by preparing and sharing a meal with the participants? Please contact me or any member of the Board of Ministry of Missions & Service if you have any questions about this program.
See you at church!
Scott Hamby
Ministry of Missions & Service
|
|
|
|
Board of Deacons
Deacon‘s met during the planned back out it October. It was a brief meeting ;-) After our devotion, we shared member and friend contacts, joys, concerns, and prayer requests.
We are pleased to report that Robin has settled into Sunshine Villa and is happy in her new home. She takes full advantage of the many recreational and entertainment opportunities they offer!
The focus of the meeting was discussing the upcoming holidays and events. For most of these, we coordinate with other boards and committees. We’ll have our trunks ready for Trunk or Treat, and invite all of you to join us for the Hanging of the Greens, Saturday, November 30, 9:00am. We discussed the possibilities for Advent. Mark will continue this discussion with Learning & Worship.
We will be including NACCC Advent devotion booklets in the November 1, bulletin mailings.
Something new… suggested by Deacons and approved by Church Council, there will be an opportunity to donate to the work of the Deacons on Communion Sundays. A special envelope will be included in bulletins each Communion Sunday. These voluntary contributions will support the work of the Deacons, enabling them to more tangibly reach out to members and friends of our church community.
Upcoming Called to Pray Tuesdays: November 5, and December 3, 5:00pm. We look forward to Called 2 Pray Tuesdays, a time for the purpose of prayer. We pray, Called 2 Pray, will be for you.
Looking forward to seeing you at church this Sunday!
Peace and Grace,
Laura Hamby
|
|
|
|
Ministry of Music
Hard to believe, but Advent begins in only a few short weeks! The Choir is excited to share with you a season full of inspirational holiday music, culminating with our Annual Christmas Choir Service on Sunday, December 22nd 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. We'll be singing five pieces at different times throughout the service -- you won't want to miss this special service!
As a reminder, we still have ample, newly-introduced hymnal supplement dedications available to purchase. Look for a Music Team-hosted table in Parrish Hall after church, where you can view a sample dedicated hymnal, and dedicate YOUR very own nameplate to a loved one for only $25.00 per hymnal! All proceeds go directly toward replacing our sanctuary organ chimes.
The inaugural Choir Fall Retreat & Rehearsal was held on Saturday, November 2nd from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Lynette & Scott Hamby's home. The rehearsal, led by Camille Couture-Carter, and accompanied by Vicki Melendy, proved to be time well-spent. A wonderful opportunity for concentrated and uninterrupted rehearsal time on Advent music, the Choir also got a healthy dose of tasty food & fellowship. My thanks to the Hamby's for hosting, Vicki for her piano accompaniment, and Camille for the terrific idea!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, December 6th -- 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. CAROLS, COOKIES & COCOA, Don't miss this annual, ever-popular and fun all-church event! Time to dig out your Christmas sweaters, mittens, hats, and instruments, and don your holiday cheer! We'll meet at Parrish Hall, then carol throughout Soquel Village, returning to the Hall for some tasty cookies and hot cocoa. This is a Music/Fellowship Team sponsored event. Come join the festivities!
Sunday, December 22nd -- Annual Christmas Choir Program in church -- 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
By the way, the invitation stands -- Anyone interested in singing with us, please come check us out. Rehearsals are held in the West Building on Sunday mornings
from 8:30 to 9:20 a.m. For more information, contact Camille or Juli.
Musically yours,
Juli Sanderson
Music Team Chairperson
|
|
|
|
|
|
