Vistas Midweek Update for January 19

We are here!!
The church is closed to walk-in traffic, but you can still reach us by phone and email.

Phone: 805-544-2133
Email info@mtcarmelslo.org
on Facebook at facebook.com/mtcarmelslo

Prayer requests may be sent to the church office by email or phone

OUR MISSION
Celebrating God’s grace through worship, learning and service.

Presiding ELCA Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton’s Call for Prayer

The psalmist reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Our nation is bracing amid reports of acts of political violence planned for the coming days at state capitols and in our nation's capital. Wherever you are, and whatever your political beliefs, we are one in Christ Jesus. On this firm foundation, as a pastor and a bishop, I invite you to join me in prayer during this time of chaos, confusion, fear and grief. For even when "the nations are in an uproar," we are encouraged that "the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (Psalm 46:6a, 7).
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton

Mighty God, our great help in trouble, as distrust, fear and violence threaten our nation and its peoples, we come to you in prayer, seeking your wisdom, strength and peace.

We pray for the health of our democracy and its leaders (especially ...), that those elected to serve may utilize government structures and processes to promote human flourishing and the common good...

We pray for those who risk harm to ensure the safety of others: police officers, security guards, the National Guard and other military personnel...

We pray for an end to the evils of white supremacy, Christian nationalism, and racial violence that threatens, destroys and kill...

We pray for those experiencing trauma induced by the public display and use of hateful language and symbols, including Confederate flags, anti-Semitic language and images, and nooses...

We pray for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and historically marginalized groups traumatized by violence stemming from white supremacy: lynchings, bombings, vandalism and church burnings...

We pray for clergy and church leaders, especially for those burdened by mistrust and painful divisions in their communities. Give them and all people the courage to confront white supremacy, Christian nationalism and racist rhetoric with messages of truth, sustained by the power of your magnificent love...

We pray for people and communities struggling to discern your voice amid competing voices clamoring for attention. Direct us to listen deeply and celebrate the diversity among us. Freed in Christ, we dare to witness to your promise of abundant life and abiding peace...

In this time of great uncertainty, we pray without ceasing, trusting that your word, Holy God, never returns empty and your mercy never fails. We pray in the name of Jesus and by the power the Holy Spirit. Amen.

MT. CARMEL VALUE VOTING SURVEY

The MET Team has processed and condensed all responses to the member interviews that were conducted in September and October. We are now asking you to complete a Value Voting Survey to let us know which interview responses resonate most with the overall congregation.   Each separate family member who is a member of Mt. Carmel may complete a survey.

Click on the following link to access the survey.

Link to Value Voting Survey

Thank you for participating in this survey. Your input is very important to us.

The MET Team

Nancy Cook          John Keisler Dave Lonsway          Dave Parkinson
(805) 440-4510     (805) 543-4259       (805) 439-3370         (805) 594-1649

Click the picture for the order of worship

Link to WEDNESDAY Evening Zoom Service
Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
For telephone: +1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 867 5095 6162
Passcode: 695333

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Outdoor In-Person Worship Service Suspended

Sunday 12 noon In Person Outdoor Worship Suspended

In light of the post-Christmas rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the county and the possible presence of a more contagious variant in our region, we are suspending our Sunday 12 noon in-person worship for a time. Although we have followed county guidelines in our outdoor worship with social distancing and wearing masks—and want to emphasize that current measures are still believed by health officials to be effective in preventing COVID spread—we believe it is best to err on the side of caution as we await distribution of the vaccine. We will have a monthly evaluation of the situation and invite your input. We also recognize that some of our members will be disappointed by this suspension of in-person worship and are considering the possibility of smaller (limited to six persons) outdoor, physically-distanced in-person Bible study group(s) for those who may be interested. We will have further updates in upcoming VISTAs.

New Monday Evening Book Discussion Group

Mondays at 6:30pm on Zoom

Beginning January 11

The Compassionate Life: Walking the Path of Kindness

The award-winning bestseller that helped launch an international movement (and inspired the film "I Am"). Acclaimed author Marc Barasch brilliantly explores the nature and practice of compassion: What can we learn from exceptionally empathic people? Can we increase our compassion quotient? How do we open our hearts to those who do us harm? What if the great driving force of our evolution were actually survival of the kindest? Drawing on science and spirituality, history and popular culture, bottom-line business and a high-sense of fun, here is a startling, provocative argument that a simple shift in consciousness "can change pretty much everything."

We'll begin our discussion with the Preface and Chapter 1.

Books are available for purchase at:
amazon.com -- $4.99

Link to Zoom Book Discussion Group
Meeting ID: 862 7971 6007
Passcode: 419787

Join by phone: 1 669 900 9128

Call for Nominations
SWCA Synod Council & Committees
Deadline April 9, 2021

The Call for Nominations has been updated to include the position of Conference Representative from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Conference.

The Nominating Committee of the Southwest California Synod invites members of synod congregations to prayerfully consider if God is calling them to serve on Synod Council or on a Synod Committee. Elections to fill these positions will take place at the 2021 Synod Assembly, which will take place June 4 - 6. Descriptions of the duties of each open position are linked below. If you are considering serving on the Synod Council, please read the Synod Council Conflict of Interest Policy here.

We are looking for candidates who have a desire to share their experience, knowledge and passion as leaders in the synod. We need good listeners, critical thinkers, folks with an openness to the Spirit, and a willingness to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

The Constitution of the Southwest California Synod states that "no more than four members of the Synod Council, with the exception of the Bishop, may be from the same conference." The nominating committee will take this into account when configuring the ballot and encourages nominees from all the conferences that make up the synod.

Any congregational member in good standing may be nominated and, if elected, serve on the Endowment, Consultation, and Discipline Committees, regardless of their home Conference.

Candidates can self-nominate for open positions by completing the online nomination form, linked here and below. The online form can also be used to nominate candidates.

Please note that nomination forms for all positions must be submitted no later than Friday April 9, 2021. Those who wish to be considered for open positions who have not submitted their form by that date must be nominated from the Synod Assembly floor.

The following committee positions are open:

Endowment Committee Member-at-Large
Description

Consultation Committee
Description

Discipline Committee
Description

The following council positions are open:

Synod Council Vice-President
This position must be filled by a layperson
Description

Synod Council Member-at-Large (ten open positions)
These positions are open to both clergy and laypeople.
Description

Synod Council Youth Representative
This two-year position must be filled by a member of a SWCA Synod congregation in the 10th or 11th grade by the time of the Synod Assembly.
Description

The position of Conference Representative for the Twin Valleys, Tehachapi, Central Coast, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles Metropolitan, and South Bay Conferences are open. If you are interested in a Conference Representative position, please contact your Conference Dean. Conference Representatives are elected at Spring Conference Assemblies and affirmed at Synod Assembly.

Conference Representatives
(Twin Valleys, Tehachapi, Central Coast, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles Metropolitan, and South Bay Conferences)
Description

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM