February 25, 2010
Dear Friends,
It’s another e-bulletin, sent every other week with info on upcoming events and some good news. This issue’s good news comes from Kyle Logan, SCMC Children and Youth Minister. As always, please send us your good news…we can never have too much! Don’t forget to share this widely…it’s GOOD NEWS! And thank you for all you do in the service of God's people.
- Good News: “That’s Why I Became a Youth Minister”
- El Segundo Celebration Service – February 28
- Unity in Our Community Planning Teleconference
- LEADS – New Testament with Tony and Charmaine Chvala Smith
- Visit from Susan Skoor
- Women's Retreat: “Tuning In: Getting in Touch with the YOU God Intended”
- Caretaker Needed: Echo Valley, Montana
- Young Adult Retreat in the Rockies
- Upcoming Events
Good News: “That’s Why I Became a Youth Minister”
There are moments in a teacher’s life when a student of theirs has an “Aha” moment and they finally understand what you have been working on. These moments are joyous, often prompting the teacher to remember why he or she wanted to be a teacher. I have had those moments before when working with students while teaching, but this past month I experienced something much more significant.
I have been meeting with a few Senior High scattered throughout the mission center each month for a weekend retreat we call Journey Takers. In months past it seemed like our gatherings were more surface level as the youth were developing relationships and starting this journey together. It wasn’t until our meeting in January that I saw them ready to go deeper. There was a desire there to know more about the scriptures and what they meant in their lives. There was a bond forming among the youth from different corners of the Mission Center...a bond that ordinarily may not have formed. Most of all, there was a yearning to reach out and truly live out the message of the church by proclaiming Jesus Christ and bringing about communities of love, joy, hope and peace. As I watched them develop a mission statement and plan the worship for that Sunday, I saw in each of them the spirit of God and an earnest desire to live the message of Christ in their daily lives.
What was more of a surprise was experiencing the youth at Junior High snow camp. At camp it was apparent that the youth took to heart when we said God is here waiting for you. All of the youth jumped into every activity and connected with each other on a much deeper level than ever before. There was a trust among the youth that allowed them to open up, without a worry of being judged, and share what was on their hearts. In the past while working with Jr. High, serious times were filled with giggles and movements of uneasiness. But this time was different. When challenged, the youth took some personal time to reflect on who they were as individuals with prayer and journaling. There were silent moments of tears and a yearning to figure out who God really is and what mission God was calling them each to do. The spirit in each of our youths is beautiful.
When moments like these come along somewhat unexpectedly I think about the doubts I have had about whether the youth I work with hear the message of Christ. But then those thoughts all fade away and I am amazed at how God works in each of us. The spirit of God is strong in our youth.
El Segundo Congregation Celebration Service
All are invited to share in a service of celebration and remembrance with the El Segundo Congregation this Sunday afternoon, February 28, at 3:30. Former pastor and longtime area resident Steve Shields will be here and share ministry along with Reverend Elizabeth Morse, Rector of St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Parish, where the El Segundo Congregation has met for the last several years. Join us at 361 Richmond in El Segundo for a time of memories and rejoicing for the life of a congregation whose presence has been felt far and wide and certainly among all of us. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service.
Unity in Our Community Planning
Please join the next UOC Planning Team teleconference Thursday, March 4 at 7PM. Just put on your comfy shoes (or no shoes at all) and participate by calling toll free 888-296-6500 and, when prompted, enter the guest code 466380 followed by #. This year’s event is planned for Covina to help with the launch of our new congregation Welcome Home. We need all of our congregations! (Pastors, if you haven’t already, please designate someone from your congregation to join our team)
Visit from Susan Skoor
Apostle Susan Skoor will visit our mission center the first week of March. We have scheduled several meeting locations throughout our area to enable folks throughout SCMC to connect with Susan during that week. Please check the schedule below and plan to attend one of these activities:
- Wednesday, March 3 – Hemet-San Jacinto Prayer Service – 3PM (719 E Main, San Jacinto)
- Saturday, March 6 – Sharing with our Apostle – Ventura Congregation – 9:30 AM (1848 Poli, Ventura)
- Saturday, March 6 – Sharing with our Apostle – Temple City Congregation – 2:00PM (9468 Broadway, TC)
- Saturday, March 6 – Sharing with our Apostle – Orange Congregation – 6:30PM (395 S Tustin, Orange)*
- Sunday, March 7 – preaching ministry – Gardena Congregation – 11:00 AM (16424 S Western, Gardena)
- Sunday, March 7 – World Conference Delegate meeting – 3:00 PM – Temple City (9468 Broadway, TC)
* a sandwich meal will be offered for a nominal fee
All are welcome at any of these events and pastors, financial officers, high priests, evangelists, and seventies are especially encouraged to attend.
LEADS – New Testament with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith
Our fourth course in the LEADS series promises to be a treasure trove of scriptural study and understanding. New Testament scholar Tony Chvala Smith, together with his wife Charmaine Chvala Smith will be our instructors for the course on the New Testament on February 27-28 at Temple City (Center for Christian Ministries – 9468 Broadway, Temple City). Course fee is $20. Most important is the preparation for the weekend which begins this week. The class will take place Saturday the 27th, 8:30AM-6PM and Sunday, the 28th, 8:30AM-2:00PM. You can download a registration form and the course preparation expectations at www.cofchristla.org/LEADS. For more information, contact Carol Kostura at kostura@socal.rr.com or 714-974-3726.
Women’s Retreat – “Tuning In: Getting to Know the YOU God Intended”
Women of both Southwest International and Southern California mission centers will gather at Buckhorn March 12-14 for a weekend of renewal and reconnecting. With special guest Carol LeBeau, longtime San Diego news anchor, the 2010 Women’s Retreat will feature the theme: Tuning In: Getting to Know the “You” God Intended. For more information and to register, go to http://cofchristla.org/womensretreat.htm. Register by March 1 (mailed forms must be postmarked by this date) and save!
Caretaker Needed: Echo Valley, Montana
From the Inland West Mission Center:
Experience the amazing outdoors of beautiful western Montana! The Echo Valley Campground Association Board of Directors of the Inland West Mission Center is accepting applications for a Resident Caretaker. Echo Valley Campground is located 25 miles west of Helena on Hwy 12 between Avon and Elliston, adjacent to the Little Blackfoot River. Caretaker responsibilities include property maintenance, mowing, camp liaison, pre-and-post camp property inspections, and other general duties. Carpentry, electrical and/or mechanical experience is highly desirable. Youth Worker Registration will be required. The successful applicant is expected to reside onsite during camping season (May-Sept.). An all-season furnished home and small monthly stipend is provided. Echo Valley Campground is located in a scenic mountain valley that is reminiscent of old Montana with fishing, hunting, sight-seeing and hiking close by. Shopping is within easy driving distance at Helena or Deer Lodge. Send letter of application and resume to Walter McIntosh at wmac@usadig.com, or mail to 7122 Lance Street, Shepherd, MT 59079.
Young Adult Retreat in the Rockies
The Rocky Mountain Mission Center invites all of our young adults to the Rockies Young Adult Retreat and Vision Project, May 28-30, 2010 at Peaceful Valley Ranch in Lyons, CO. President Steve Veazey and Young Adult Ministry Erica Blevins Nye will be the special guests. For more information go to www.cofchristrm.org or on Facebook: ROCKIES Young Adults.
Upcoming Events
- February 27-28 — LEADS – New Testament Studies – Tony & Charmaine Chvala-Smith – Temple City
- February 28 — El Segundo Celebration Service – 3:30PM
- March 3-6 — Apostle Skoor Visit – see details above
- March 7 — World Conference Delegate Meeting – Temple City – 3:00 PM
- March 12-14 — Women’s Retreat – Buckhorn
- March 26-28 — Youth Hunger Challenge
- April 10-17 — World Conference
- April 24 — Unity in Our Community
- May 22-23 — LEADS – Mission and Evangelism – Kris Judd – Temple City
Terry A. Read
Community of Christ
Southern California Mission Center President
909-606-8636
909-631-0499 (mobile)
tread@cofchristla.org
www.cofchristla.org
All rights reserved.
Community of Christ, Southern California Mission Center
PO Box 4077, Huntington Beach, CA 92605-4077
