ENGAGE - Intergenerational Issue

SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2012

ENGAGE

intergenerational issueCPC Schools Receive High Marks

Best Week of Becca’s LifeA Special Friendship

Ethiopia: Showing Up and Changing LivesBuilding a Culture of Intergenerational Connectedness

welcometo the First Issue of ENGAGE

ENGAGE will tell our stories.

I can hardly wait for you to read about the Tipton and Haring families, Becca, Sadie & Amelia; Laura and Gary’s visit to Ethiopia; and Bill’s message to become an intergenerational church. So much good news!

Our Radically Engaged VISION 2020 prayer is for God to allow and empower us to excel as a transformed intergenerational community, passionately living as Christ’s disciples, with a contagious zeal for people meeting Christ and radically expressing God’s compassion and generosity.

Through ENGAGE we want to capture and communicate the stories of God’s answers to our prayer. Catch the passion? Zeal? Compassion? Generosity? You will find stories in this issue of transformed lives, people meeting Christ, CPCers and non-CPCers living their faith and deepening community. You will read of CPCers and others beginning to express radical compassion and generosity.

I trust ENGAGE will be read beyond CPC and encourage non-Christians to give Jesus a serious look.

Also, remember to attend worship this fall. Get ready for an all-church sermon/small group launch of Radically Engaged VISION 2020 for the six weeks, from September 8th-October 14th. Then, join me on my journey toward generosity through the month of November.

Prayerfully Engaged, Pastor Scott Farmer

contentsseptember • october

Moving On... A Solid Foundation .....................1

Home Away From Home ..................................2

A Leap of Faith ..................................................3

An Invitation Accepted ...................................5

Just Show Up .....................................................6

Becoming an Intergenerational Church........7

What’s Happening ...........................................9

Intergenerational Ministries Contact ............11

Ministry Resources ...........................................12

contributions:editor: Debra Princegraphic design: Dana Perry Karns

ENGAGE committee: Melissa Townley, Laura Grinstead, Julie Stevens

mission statement:ENGAGE is the magazine inspiringCPCers and the community to serve a purpose, and make a difference in the world today. It is the one magazine that shares opportunities to serve local, regional and international needs by sharing stories of people helping people and lives transformed. ENGAGE reflectsthe heart and love of Christ and His ministry to all people. This intergenerational and multicultural publication reveals to the community how CPCers live fully and joyfully by experiencing life through the lens of compassion.

6

5

The Tipton Family; Grandparents, Stan and Sherry, Parents, Jeffrey & Stephanie, and Kids, Joshua & Ryan

Three years ago our family researched, deliberated, and worried over the correct choice of a preschool for our kids, Joshua and Ryan. The final decision was Community Presbyterian Preschool (CPP). Now that the boys are entering Kindergarten, we look back knowing, without a doubt, we made the right choice!

One day when I overheard, Kaaren, the Director of CPP speaking with a new mom I wanted to shout out,‘Don’t worry. Your child will learn in a safe, happy and nurturing environment. When I was shown around the school I was impressed and have always been pleased with the boys’ academic, spiritual and emotional development. CPP is the best!’

I also wanted to tell that mom that she is in for an added bonus. Little did we know that our family was about to embark on a three year educational journey right along with the boys. Our world expanded because of all the interactions with the many adults devoted to the CPP children.There is a true community spirit with a common goal to equip our young ones.This familiar quote best describes CPP...

Some people come into our lives and go quickly. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts.

And we are never, ever the same. -Anonymous We feel that CPP is responsible for the many loving footprints that have been

placed on our hearts. We are not the same.Thank you CPP. You prepared us well!

moving on...A SOLID FOUNDATION

1 ENGAGE • September - October 2012

Community Presbyterian Preschool has been providing a high quality, developmentally appropriate program for children in the San Ramon Valley for over 50 years. Our dedicated, talented, experienced, Christian teachers have created a rich and balanced curriculum for all the students who walk through our doors.

Jennifer Haring, SRVCA Parent

As a relocated family, we were astonished how easy the transition to San Ramon Valley Christian Academy (SRVCA) was for our kids. SRVCA has been a home-away-from-home for our family. We have two SRVCA alumni and one current student. In a welcoming environment, their personalities and abilities were quickly identified. Our kids thrived in the atmosphere of praise and accountability, nurturing and respectfulness. Being new to a community, this experience was important for our kids and for us.

We attribute much of our kids’ confident communication skills to SRVCA. The school gently manages to get kids to try things, stretch their talent, and discover spiritual giftedness. Family values are affirmed. Appropriateness in attire, conversations, and conduct are enforced. We are thankful for such diligence and watchfulness.

Eighth grade graduation speaks volumes about how the teachers work diligently with the students. Teachers reflect upon each student’s attributes by sharing anecdotes and encouraging words toward their future. Our kids were immensely blessed by this tradition. Small class sizes, Christian worldview, and dedicated staff promote connectedness. This fosters learning and character. Attentiveness to the individual is key in shepherding minds and hearts. SRVCA

September - October 2012 • ENGAGE 2

homehomeaway from

“We attribute much of our kids’ confident communication

skills to SRVCA.”

is very good at shepherding, and families reap the benefits.

Searching for schools can be an uneasy experience, especially when relocating to a new community. We feel blessed to have found SRVCA, who made the experience seamless for our family by warmly welcoming us into their academic family.

The anticipation of going to summer camp was not the best experience for me. I envisioned being in a cabin with my school friends, but when I arrived, I was grouped with girls from a different school! How could camp be the “best week” rooming with girls I don’t even know? I needed a plan to switch cabins!

When we arrived, the band dressed as pirates, greeted us with a pirate song. Well, this was impressive. And, after meeting and spending a day with the girls in my cabin, I began to enjoy them with new hope for summer camp.

Old friendships were reconnected, and I got closer to those girls than I ever thought I could. Small Group time was great, a place where I could openly share. I began to love the relationships forming with the girls in my cabin.

At the Pondy Camp, the food was amazing, thanks to the chefs...who absolutely rock! Usually, the stereotypical camp food is pretty disgusting. The band was spectacular! During Christian worship, I found myself singing at the top of my lungs with my arms raised to the Lord, which I had never done before...ever. The instructors were great, too. They were full of contagious energy!

And the speaker, Jeffrey Dean, oh my gosh, he was truly amazing! (Can I get a woop woop!). First of all, his books (either the boy or girl version), are a MUST READ. Jeffrey was so engaged with the group, you could tell he was passionate about his message. Jeffrey gave up a career as a musician to be a speaker to students. Now, that’s devotion! I’ll always remember this one Wednesday evening; Jeffrey’s words were so powerful that I began to cry. He asked that those who had not given their life to Christ, stand. I was one of “those” and at first I hesitated, but then I stood.

A LEAP OF FAITHBecca Clemmons, 8th Grade

“...for the first time, I could feel the Lord within me.”


He said a prayer and asked that we join him, following his lead. It wasn’t long before I was bawling harder than I ever had. I wasn’t sad. This was a great cry because for the first time, I could feel the Lord within me. Standing in the outdoor amphitheater, singing and crying, I gave myself to the Lord. I give thanks to Jeffrey, for leading me to God!

What else at camp could match the Jesus experience? Not much but the activities at Pondy were endless. There were rope courses, the leap of faith (I made it on my first jump!), laser tag, volleyball, four square, walk to the fountain, a skatepark, a pool, paintball (my brother had huge welts on his chest, but so worth it!) and so much more. The team activities (green makes the grass grow green), were so awesome. There also were night games, running around making complete fools of ourselves, a requirement which I personally had no problem with. We also learned about teamwork in our cabins.

The plays were among my favorite at camp. The pirate performance reflected the theme of the week (leave all else behind), and the real life play showed how we can (or can choose not to) apply the lessons that God teaches. The characters were so real (my favorite was Max), their circumstances were easy to relate to my own life.

My expectations for Pondy were met and highly exceeded. If you’re a parent thinking about sending your child to camp or a student wanting to go to camp, put Mt. Hermon Ponderosa on your list and GO! It turned out to be the best week of my life, and could be the same for you too.

I love Pondy!


Vacation Bible School (VBS) is an annual event for kids K-5th grade at CPC. It’s a time when our CPC campus is pulsating with energy coming from the kids, as well as student and adult volunteers. Many who attend VBS are from CPC. Yet, there are a number of kids who are not from CPC and often, first time guests nervously show up the first day not knowing what to expect. Such was the case with Amelia who was invited by her friend, Sadie… “I was a little nervous the night before but was excited to attend with Sadie!” Both girls are 9 years old and have been friends for 4 1/2 years. Sadie thought Amelia would enjoy the VBS experience. This is what the girls had to share about the week.

“I invited Amelia to VBS because she has so much energy and she loves to have fun,” shared Sadie. At VBS the kids sing wonderful songs and learn how to use their hands to express the words and the message of the songs. Sadie knew that Amelia would love this part of the program. Both girls were assigned to the same group leaders, which was comforting to Amelia. “The Leaders were fun and nice!” exclaimed Amelia. “I really liked my leaders, Keileigh and Madi,” said Sadie. The girls met lots of new friends and connected with old friends, too. There were many favorite parts to the program, but the morning games and getting soaked topped the list! Bible stories, such as Baby Moses and the Nile River, made lasting impressions as well as singing some favorite songs like Counting on God and Superhero. After a full and engaging week, with high energy activities, the girls came away having a new relationship with God. “Everybody was so nice and fun to hang out with,” shared Amelia, “and I enjoy learning more about God and the special things he does for us.” An invitation by Sadie to her longtime friend Amelia has shaped a lifetime memory of building a relationship with God they will always remember.


An Invitation AcceptedSadie Deitsch and Amelia Perdue


Laura Taggart, MA Licensed MFT Community Presbyterian Counseling Center

Gary and I made our fourth trip to Ethiopia to teach a two week intensive course at the Evangelical Theological College in Addis Ababa on ‘The Christian Home’. Our students (pastors) come from all over Ethiopia – in the more rural, tribal areas as well as from the more urban Addis. Their interest in the course is both personal and professional. They want to know God’s intentions for their own marriages and families and also want to make a significant difference for the kingdom right where God has planted them among the poorest countries of the world. These students are deeply committed, biblically relating to their spouses and teaching their congregations.

Have we seen God at work? Incredibly, yes! We had no idea of God’s plan for us or our students. We knew nothing of the unique struggles they faced in a culture where wife beating, polygamy, HIV/Aids, prostitution, FGM are regularly practiced. Our hearts were broken learning of the students’ struggles, yet, we felt profoundly blessed by their passion for God, unencumbered by the “stuff” which derails pure faith.

What have we learned? Sometimes God simply asks us to show up . . . and trust Him who brings about change - the life changing work of the Holy Spirit.We could visually see hearts softening and faithful convictions firming; the need to love their spouse well and nurture their children tenderly toward faith. Pastors were feeling the urgency to teach their congregation to be true to the gospel by honoring and respecting their wives and children.

We never dreamed God would take us to Ethiopia to do this work. Where might He be nudging you to get engaged? Are you hesitant because you feel ill equipped? All the better. Because when you do say “Yes” and agree to just show up, He will show you what only He can accomplish through you.

just show up

Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation commends your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” What David was celebrating in these words thousands of years ago is still true today: God has done amazing things in our midst and one generation will tell another of God’s mighty acts they have witnessed for themselves. We want to see this continuing to happen in our life together as a church today, but it requires a strong culture of connectedness between generations within our church family.

As we have prayerfully sought God’s leading for the future of our church and community, the leadership of CPC has identified five ways in which we are

Pastor Bill Haslim, Associate Pastor of Intergenerational Ministries

intergenerationalbecoming an

CHURCH


striving together to become radically engaged as followers of Jesus. One of those is to become an intergenerational church. Being radically engaged with Christ and his purposes means that we need to be radically engaged with one another as the body of Christ. It means we need to live into his intentions for our fellowship and strive for the kind of unity and mutual support that scripture calls us to pursue.

One verse that profoundly speaks to this piece of our vision comes from our study of the book of Ephesians: “And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Eph 2:22) These words express God’s desire to strengthen the relational connections within our church family. This verse also suggests that there is an experience of God’s indwelling presence among us that will only be found as we truly come together in fellowship. We want to give intentional effort to reaching across our generational divisions in order to bless one another, learn from one another, and serve one another.

If you share in this desire to see our church grow more strongly connected and unified in our fellowship, please make it your personal aspiration to reach out to others in our church with whom you might not otherwise connect. If you are a student, look for opportunities to connect with some of the adults in our church you don’t yet know. Not only might you find new friendships that will offer support and encouragement, but you may also find the chance to share your faith in ways that will inspire those older than you. If you are a parent, take some time to get to know other families and their kids so that you can join in caring and praying for them as they grow up. If you are a grandparent, look for young parents that might be blessed by wisdom and care. Our intention is not to create new programs or ministries that will be called “intergenerational,” but rather to see all the existing activities in our life together infused with a new desire to build relational connections that will pull us into stronger fellowship with one another.




Occidental, CA

intergenerational ministries

contact information

Bill Haslim, Pastor of Intergenerational Ministries552.1426 ext. 292, [email protected]

marriage & family

students

children’s ministries (cpc kids)

Laura Taggart, Director, MA Licensed MFT855.1367 ext. 214, [email protected] • CARING FOR YOUR AGING FAMILY MEMBER • COUPLES TOGETHER • DIVORCE CARE • DIVORCE CARE 4 KIDS • MARRIAGE MENTORING

• WILDSIDE - Middle School Deana Dickerson, Director 552.1426 ext. 228, [email protected]

• ROCK - High School Dave Navarra, Director 552.1426 ext. 289

• EMMAUS - College Joe Stroup, Director 552.1426 ext. 290, [email protected]

• Community Presbyterian Preschool (CPP) Kaaren Slocum, Director 837.3316 ext. 231, [email protected]

• San Ramon Valley Christian Academy (SRVCA, K-8th grade) Jan Brunkal, Principal 838.9622 ext. 238, [email protected]

Sarah Scott, Director855.1367 ext. 223, [email protected]

• CHILDREN’S CHOIR - (Sonshine Singers, K-3rd grade) Nicole Patton, Director [email protected]

“One generation commends your works to another.” Psalms 145:4


Prayer RequestsPrayer Request line: 925.820.8772Or Submit a Prayer Request at http://www.cpcdanville.org/#/home/prayer-request

CPC Care MinistriesCPC Care exists to help our church family and our community by providing compassionate support in times of crisis, life transition and personal loss. We offer supportive groups and trained individuals to meet the needs of those who are hurting. Life is unpredictable, but you do not need to go through it alone. Contact Heidi Johnson, Director925.855.1367 ext. 215, [email protected].

Community Presbyterian Counseling Center375 Diablo Road Suite 109 Danville, CA 94526925.820.1467, [email protected], cpccounseling.com Dave Rohrbach and Corinne Barnett, Directors

CPCGOODWORKS.ORGSERVE ONE ANOTHERVisit CPCGoodWorks.org to find a place where you can serve and make a difference for the cause of Christ. There are opportunities at CPC, in our community, in the Bay Area and around the world!

Stephen MinistryAn Intergenerational AwarenessStephen Ministry provides hope and God’s healing in a confidential and distinctively Christian caring relationship for those who are hurting. It is never too early to plant a caring seed in the hearts of the next generation, with the tools available from Stephen Ministry. The hope is to raise an awareness of caring with the younger generation’s own contemporary ‘language’, and to serve more effectively with their peers facing challenges today. We hope that thisintergenerational dialogue will take root as we listen to God’s discernment. Your feedback and suggestions are welcome. Heidi Johnson, Director of CPC Care Ministries925-837-5525 ext. 215, [email protected]


Documents

ENGAGE - Intergenerational Issue