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| Christian Spirituality Book Group |
Deepen your knowledge and your practice.
Join others seeking wisdom from sources both ancient and new.
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 7 pm, at the Blossom Hill Barnes & Noble. Pastor Elane leads.
September's book: My Monastery is a Minivan, by Denise Roy.
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 Can you believe it's already September!
If you have kids, you don't have to even check the calendar, do you? You can probably hear the storm of activity gathering power and getting louder as each moment passes.
If you don't have kids, but you ever go shopping in brick-and-mortar or online stores, it's likely you have not only heard the storm of activity, but also experienced the tidal wave of sales, shoppers, squallers and sensory overload.
To be fair, it's not just school that brings chaos to our lives. It's the physical world itself, with its sights, sounds, tastes, smells, demands and lures. If you live in your body and in society, you have experienced the tumult of the material world. And with the "convenience" of constant input through email, texting, radio, tv, billboards, RSS feeds, newsletter, phone calls, and mail, just keeping your mind intact -- much less your schedule or your spirit -- can be a fulltime task.
That's real life, and in this church, we are all about real life. Here's the thing: the physical and material world isn't the only reality. Just beyond our immediate sensing; past the input, output, and throughput, is the kingdom of God. The reign of God is real, available, and accessible if we choose it. Choosing to live into the reign of God, as well as in the material world, brings balance to our crazy lives.
Real life is meant to be in balance. A life in Christ is a life in balance. I'll be working to set my own sights beyond the daily urgencies; I hope you'll join me. Here are some possibilities for your 2s and 3s or small groups:
Peering past the storm,
Pastor Elane
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Celebration of Ministries September 7
Each fall we come home to
Campbell UCC to party! We eat together, and share all the good work God has
done through our ministries over the last year.
We say goodbye to our friends who have moved elsewhere, and remember
those who have passed from this earth.
This Sunday, September 7, come and
celebrate God's presence in Worship, and God's amazing works of transformation
and healing at our Annual Celebration.
Campbell UCC alumni and new friends are especially welcome. The church will provide the basics; members and friends are asked to bring a side or dessert to share.
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 Getting a Life in Balance
Between work, school, health, friends, family, fun, Spirit, and whatever else you've got going, you may be always on the verge of falling down. A life in Christ in intended to be a life in balance. We'll be looking at how to find a life in balance during our 10 a.m. Sunday worship throughout September and October. |
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Dive! on Hiatus
If you're a fan of Dive!, our first-Wednesday deep experience, you'll want to know that Dive! is on hiatus while we explore new worship possibilities. So if you come to campus tomorrow, you'll be worshiping on your own! Your worship team is considering ideas such as a Wednesday night "X-Alt-Church", with yoga, meditation, study and "smells and bells" worship in rotation. We're also looking at creating other worship options on Sundays, to help out all you late risers and early birds. If you have any particular desires for alternative worship opportunities (or have friends who would like something that doesn't exist yet), please contact Director of Music Ministries Cheryl Forest Morganson or Pastor Elane. |
Hot Off The Presses - The Garden of Eatin'
It is not too late to get your very own copy of Garden of Eatin', a recipe collection put together by the Faithful Follower's to support The American Cancer Society. Contact Mary Alice Edson or Teresa Lewis to reserve your copy, or visit the Faithful Followers display at the Annual Celebration.
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Service and Fellowship Opportunities
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Koyaanisqatsi -- Life Out of Balance
Koyaanisqatsi is an internationally acclaimed motion picture produced
and directed by Godfrey Reggio, with an award-winning original music score by
Philip Glass. With the assistance of Francis Ford Coppola, who is credited as
presenter, the film's premiere caused a sensation at Radio City Music Hall in 1982 under the auspices of the
New York Film Festival. The film went on to receive acclaim and recognition at
festivals and public performances throughout the world. (To view the trailer, click the above image.)
Koyaanisqatsi, the ancient Hopi Indian word meaning "life out of
balance", is a ground-breaking work -- a non-verbal film integrates
images, music, and ideas. This unique collaboration of the IRE, a non-profit
foundation in Santa Fe, the work of brilliant cinematographer Ron
Fricke, and the musical contribution of Philip Glass, one of the foremost
composers of our time, resulted in a motion picture that People Magazine called
"an extraordinary visual tone poem... akin in visual impact to Lucas and
Spielberg. Uncanny, original and fascinating."
We'll be screening Koyaanisqatsi
in the Sanctuary on Friday, September 12 at 7 p.m.
Bring your film-buff and spiritual-seeker friends! Free.
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Massage Therapy
Aching back? Sore
feet? Can't relax? We've got the solution for you! How about
a massage from massage therapy students Ken or Jen Brown? They are graciously offering
one hour massages on 8/31, 9/21, 10/11 and 10/26 with all proceeds to support ministries of the church. If you're interested contact Jen here (email is preferred method) or
call her at 408-887-1757 to schedule your appointment.
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Hats'n'Chat Knitting Party
September 22, 7 p.m.
 Novice knitters needed. And if your stitches always line up neatly on the
needle and your yarn never tangles, you might feel out of place at the Hats'n'Chat
group -- but you're welcome anyway!
We make hats for the
Montgomery Street Ministry -- our Christmas gifts and party for the homeless
men living at the Montgomery Street Inn in San Jose.
Hats'n'Chat is the fourth Monday of the month,
7-9 in the Fireside Room. Materials, tools and instruction are always available. Childcare is possible with notice. Contact Susan Hough by email or at 737-8192. |
PRAISE REPORTS!
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Ice Cream Social at the  Montgomery Street Shelter August 12
70 homeless men gathered in the heat of summer for what's become an annual tradition at the Montgomery Street Inn. We took ice cream and toppings and root beer to downtown San Jose and served the men sundaes and floats and the joy of community. Doug Donahoo brought his guitar and played outside, becoming an instant "town troubadour" and big hit.
9 adults, 2 kids, and 6 gallons of ice cream (that could have been 10!) became a summertime witness to Christ's love. Next up: The Montgomery Street Christmas Party and Gifting! For more information about the Montgomery Street Ministry, contact Cheri Whaples or Jerry Spradlin.
Destroyed But Not DefeatedAfter we heard that an attic fire had destroyed the home (and all the possessions) of a family of six in Madera County, God led us to help them out. When Campbell UCC alumna Joanne Stokes brought Rigo and Angela Hernandez to campus last Sunday, they found a warm welcome and a new start waiting. Donations included a large entertainment center, full bedroom set, twin bed set, tv and microwave, clothes and linens, and even an ice cream maker. May God bless them as they put their lives back together, and may God bless Joanne and our own Faith King for bringing them to us.
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Reaching God's People with Food and Love
From the pen of Faith King, Food Pantry Team Leader
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the food pantry during the 2007-08 fiscal year. A special thanks to Susan Hough, Mary Edson, Pam Warriner, and Teresa Lewis for giving so much of their time to make this ministry possible.
This year we had 161 visits for food for 81 adults and 56 children. This represents a whopping 50% increase in visits over last year, even though the number of the adults served was virtually the same. This year, though, twice as many children needed and received our help.
As always, we saw a generous mix of the "faces of Jesus," which provides a rich experience for us volunteers -- and reminds us that hunger and need cross racial and cultural boundaries. Every one of those 137 children of God needs to know Jesus' embracing love for even them. Thank you for making the sharing of that love, and of good food, possible; thank you also for the opportunity for the volunteers to take another step on our faith journeys.
You can donate food by bringing it to Sunday worship, or by stopping by the office during the Food Pantry hours Tuesday and Thursday 11-1. If you'd like to help out, please contact me at 246-1619. |
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Shelter Dinner Update - August From the pen of Angie Jaggars:
Dining room table decorations of summer flowers on bulletin board trim strips added seasonal color to all the tables.
Faith King, Jen Brown & many members of the organization known as TOPS filled our toiletries basket for the women.
The main courses for our dinner came from Audrey Pecsok, Margaret Engdahl, Suzanne Keyes & Evelyn Brooks who provided baked ziti, meat lasagna, veggie lasagna & tuna noodle casserole. Nora Menke gave a nutritious green salad, Theresa Albers brought juices & Linda Lucitt donated mini croissant rolls.
Both children & women were treated to homemade cupcakes baked by Linda Lucitt & her grandson, Greg. All in all, a great dinner!
In addition to 2 late plates we provided dinner for 17 women & 8 children. And several prayer cards were given to me for us to remember at worship service.
I have been "flying solo" the past several months at the Shelter Dinners. I welcome anyone who wishes to join me on the second Tuesday of each month. Seeing our church community's faith put in action is a true blessing.
Shalom,
Angie Jaggars
Shelter Dinner Coordinator
292-4063
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Mark Your Calendars
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Youth Group Returns!
CREATE, our group for kids ages 12 to 18, returns to its regularly scheduled program on Sunday September 14. CREATE meets Sunday evenings in Room 1 from 6-8 p.m. to worship, connect, serve, study, and pray. And eat. Did we mention eating?
When do you become an adult?On the 2nd and 4th Sundays during CREATE, Pastor Elane will be leading select high school youth in exploration, formation and initiation. How do you get on this select list? Sign up! You should receive an invitation in the mail this week; if you don't, please email Pastor Elane. Self-proclaimed adults needed!
If you can cook or order take-out, we need you! Please sign up to bring dinner for CREATE. Contact Cheri Whaples to pick a date. |
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Employment Opps with Campbell UCC
 Part-time Office Administrator needed to keep both the business and the pastor on track! 10-15 hours per week, depending on your skills and time, but must include Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11-1. Strong computer, MSOffice, and English composition and proofreading skills required; ability to concentrate in the midst of chaos helpful. Must love God and God's people and be able to show it.
For more information or to apply, contact Pastor Elane, 378-4418. To find out what it's really like to work in the office, contact outgoing office administrator Cheryl Forest Morganson
Youth and Family Minister Update
Our newly approved budget includes funds for a youth/familiy minister.
Recently, a task group appointed by council to formulate a job description and move forward with the hiring process
met to better define our church's needs and desires for this new position. We
will be posting a job description soon. If ministering to youth is a
"heart burst" for you, or you have thoughts and ideas on what is
important for this role, please let us know and we will take them into consideration.
Members of the task group are:
Jennifer Brown, 887-1757
Linda Lucitt, 377-3581
Nora Menke, 978-7998
Pastor Elane, 378-4418
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Want to learn to play rhythm guitar or piano by "ear"?
From Director of Music
Ministries Cheryl
Forest Morganson:
The vast majority of music that is performed by Campbell UCC's instrumentalists
relies on chord charts and the human ear - not on little black dots scattered
across a page of music. If you are able to walk up to a piano and
pick out a tune - any tune - you have the basic skills necessary to learn to
read chord charts and participate in Worship as part of the Music Ministry
Team.
We are now offering chord chart
coaching sessions. I have designed a program of progressive "pop
piano" study based on several praise and Worship songs. These
sessions are much more flexible than the piano lessons we offer, and you will
go at your own pace. Advanced participants will also receive instruction
in how to produce chord charts from scratch. We are also expanding out from
piano and drum to guitar lessons as well. The group lessons will be
casual and focused on chord-based worship music.
As you learn, you'll participate in Worship (either Sunday morning or as part of a small group ministry). Absolute beginners encouraged! Contact Cheryl Forest Morganson for more information.
If you have a guitar sitting unused in your garage, please consider donating it to the Music Ministry for use in Worship!
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Real Faith for Real Life
You might think that your woundedness or your sinfulness is the truest thing about you, or that your giftedness or your personality type or your job title or your identity as husband or wife, mother or father, somehow defines you. But in reality, it is your desire for God and your capacity to reach for more of God than you have right now that is the deepest essence of who you are.
Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms
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Coming in October, a two-session study of Shane Claiborne & Chris Haw's new book