Palm Leaf Church of the Palms September 2016

Connect with God, find community, make a difference!

We are an Open and Affirming church—You are welcome here!

New members! We welcomed new members this month. Above, Eona Schulz (left) talks

with Debby Stinton at the new member orientation and dinner. For more pictures, see inside this issue.

Church Sponsored

Estate Sale Thursday and Friday

September 1st and 2nd 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Fellowship Breakfasts resume

The Kick Off Fellowship Breakfast will be on Tuesday, September 13, at 8 a.m. in King Hall. Our famous Chef George Wall (currently “the one-armed wonder”) will be

preparing a magnificent breakfast you won’t want to miss. The meal will be accompanied by Part II of the Michael Gentry Indian Art Slide

Show designed by Moderator Eona Schulz. Michael Gentry dedicated his life to art, specializing in painting Indians and frontier life. He received many awards and his art

was even displayed in the White House. His earlier painting efforts were the result of years spent studying and painting wild animals in Africa, Canada, Mexico and

the US. From these intense studies, he was able to portray particularly stunning, muscular paintings of horses. His figures are representations of living legends,

presented in accurate cultural settings.

Half Cherokee himself, it was the Native American that captured his interest most powerfully, leading him to live on four

reservations at different times during his painting career. Please sign up in the Narthex to attend this first of many tasty and informative breakfast meals planned

from September through May. These breakfasts are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month and we look forward to seeing you there.

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Pastor Paul’s message

Developing a vision for the future A staple at church camp each year is

something called a “trust

walk” which is another way of trying to get kids to see without their eyes. Permit me to explain.

One kid gets blindfolded and is led through the wilderness guided only by a partner’s voice. With phrases

like, “Take two baby steps to the left” and “Take four giant steps straight ahead,” the kids navigate through the rocks, trees, and shrubs. It’s as comical as it is scary.

Once the kids get the hang of that, I usually try to complicate things by making some loud noise to distract the kids. Some kids can’t handle the assignment and try to

sneak peeks. Others flat out refuse to be put into such a vulnerable situation. The kids who do try often stumble and extend their hands groping out to find

some sense of security. “I didn’t like it,” one youngster offered. “It’s scary going where you can’t see.” Another didn’t go very far, adding, “I was afraid I was going

to fall, so I kept taking baby steps to be safe.” I can relate, can you? We grownups don’t like the venturing into the unknown

wilderness, either. And like those campers, we often take timid steps so we won’t fall. We’ve a reason to be cautious: We’re blind. We can’t see the future. We have

absolutely no vision beyond the present. I can’t tell you with any certainty that I will live long enough to finish this article. (Whew, I made it!) Nor can you tell me

you’ll live long enough to read it. (hope you do). It is in our blindness that you and I are called to ministry. And like those campers

Continued on page 4.

Pastor Judy’s message

Just keep moving down the road! We’ve all heard the saying that if you want to make God laugh, make plans. Well,

I had planned to be at Church of the Palms for a long time. I think I recently heard God chuckle at that! I hate to leave; I will miss you all

terribly. And, like both Len and Jim, I will not be seeing you for a while. Our UCC practice requires it so.

This is a very special, loving church. We have our differences, for sure, but we laugh and work together in harmony.

We’ve welcomed new members and seen some old friends move away. Life is like that, continually changing, moving, and unfolding.

The Prophet Isaiah says God is continually unveiling something new. And so, I need to keep moving and responding to God’s call. I don’t know what I am going

to--only that it will be recovery and a return of strength. Meanwhile, I will keep you in my prayers, think of you often, and wish for the

best for each and every one of you. My wish for this congregation is that you continue to travel together with harmony, diversity, and energy. Pray

together often and pray for each other. God bless you all; you are all children of God.

Go with God!

Pastor Judy

God is sill speaking Do not remember the former things, or

consider the things of old, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

--Isaiah 43: 18-19

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Alert: Part II of the Church of the Palms Rummage & Bake Sale is upon us! Now is the time to go through your

closets and storage areas and make a donation of those items that have served you well but now need to have a new life with a new owner who has been looking

for just such an item. Bring your donated items to the church beginning Monday, October 17 through Wednesday, October 19.

There they will be sorted, priced and staged for the Rummage Sale which begins on Thursday, October 20 through Saturday, October 22.

If you need to have an item picked up prior to Monday, October 17, please contact John Durbin. If you will be baking something for

our wonderful bake sale, please plan on filling out the Bake Sale sign up sheet which will be available in the Narthex beginning on Sunday, October 2.

We will be accepting all donated items at this time but the actual sale of items for the October includes: Christmas/holiday/toys

Small electronics, cameras, hand tools Jewelry Crafts, Pictures Medical equipment

Sports equipment DVDs/CDs and office items Housewares Furniture

And, of course, we will be having our bake sale and food services. There will be a meeting for as many volunteers who can make it on

Wednesday, October 21 at 10 in King Hall. Like always, we need lots of help and

we would love to have you be involved.

Here comes the October rummage sale!! if you can help or have questions please contact one of the members of the Rummage Sale coordinating team (John Durbin ~ Board of

Mission and Outreach, Pat Durbin ~ Board of Evangelism, Judy Jondahl ~ Board of Stewards). Why are these three boards so involved?

Board of Mission and Outreach – 20 percent of the proceeds go to Mission & Outreach. Board of Evangelism – During the Rummage Sale we welcome hundreds of community

members into our church and demonstrate what extravagant Christian love and kindness is all about. Board of Stewardship – We are to be

stewards of all of our possessions. So, if something you have is languishing in a closet, give it new life and donate it to the rummage sale.

Update on Elizabeth Workun Last Thursday, I brought my mother to her great Banner Boswell Acute Rehab team

(pictured above). She met her new primary care doctor who makes house calls. Seems like a good woman who will explain everything to the woman who runs the

group home. I think it is important for the woman in charge of her care to get direct info from her doctor rather than from me, and I think the doctor needs to see what

Mom deals with in her environment. Joyce Stoffers

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Cosmic Christian Circle news

Come join us on the first and third Tuesday of every month for in-depth discussions. The Cosmic Christian group will be discussing the book Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine.

September birthdays

09/01 Darlene McShane

09/01 Marie Bock

09/04

09/04

Ruth Emanuel

09/06

09/06

Erika Salzman

Mary Whitlock 09/09

09/10

Shirley Fackleman

Nathan Whitlock 09/12 Jan Eckstein

09/14 Delores Krull

09/15 Arloa Hymans

09/18 Joni Babbitt

09/19 Kay Shaddox

09/19 Shirley Jesberg

09/20 Young Miller

09/22 Myron Masny

09/23

09/23

Pat Waterman

Michael Whitlock 09/29 Elaine Fox

09/29 Cynthia McShane-Powers

09/30 Robert Brickley

09/24 Sue Kooiker

Join us for tea and crumpets! The Board of Music and Fine Arts is

planning a trip to the English Rose Teahouse in Carefree on Saturday, September 17th. Sign up sheets for the church bus are

in the narthex. Don’t miss this trip into the past! And, if you have one, wear your best go-to-church hat!

Lydia Circle meeting Lydia Circle will meet again on September 14th at 1p.m., in the Board Room. They will discuss past business and make plans for a project for the coming

year.

All women of Palms are cordially invited to attend. Refreshments will be

served.

Pastor Paul, continued from page 2 In the wilderness, we can take baby steps, we can cheat (by peeking), we can

just sit still and do nothing by refusing to participate. Or, we can take four giant steps forward. Guided just by God’s voice, our

senses alive and aware in a world with thousands of distractions, we can choose to step out in faith. What is our choice? We are not taking off this Fall until our

winter friends arrive! We are praying, and meeting, and gathering. We’re taking some giant steps into the unknown future! We’re going to

walk among the rocks, trees, and shrubs! Thus, we may stumble, but if we do, we shall get up and take another step...and another and another.

One final thought from the seeing-with-your-eyes-closed department. I usually ask the campers how they could hear their guide’s voice when I was trying to

distract them by making some crazy noise. One answer came back: “I just concentrated and listened as hard as I could.”

That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to concentrate and listen as hard as we can to God and take a step! We’ve talked the talk, now, we’re called to walk

the walk!

Shalom, Paul

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New members, new friends at Palms!

Bob and Millie Carlson of Sun City, sponsored by Jim and Inis Clark.

From left, Joyce Spaulding, Donna and Jerry Rosebery, Bonnie Tweedy and Ruth Emanuel. In background, Judy Jondahl. Joyce and Roy sponsored

the Roseberys. Bonnie Tweedy sponsored Ruth.

Above, Ruthie Whitlock and Paul L. Whitlock, sponsored by Chuck and Jan Eckstein.

Pastor Paul’s parents, Mary and John Whitlock. They were sponsored by Chuck and Jan.

Pastor Paul Whitlock,

sponsored by

Chuck and Jan.

Also joining the church was

Debbie Stinton,

from Peoria. She was sponsored by Linette Stenberg who was not able

to be at the session. Debbie’s

pictured with Eona Schultz.

Wendy Whitlock, of Mesa,

sponsored by Jan and Chuck Eckstein.

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Services in January Lord’s Day Service each week at 10 a.m.

Fellowship, King Hall at 11 a.m.

For bus pick-up: Call Mary at 623-583-2254

by noon Friday for Sunday pick-up

Week

Sunday, September 4: Scripture will be Luke 14:25-33. Pastor Paul will be preaching. On a week when many of us celebrate with family, we get this reminder. Wow! Paul will focus on Luke 14:27 and examine whether Jews, Muslims, and Christians worship the

same God.

Sunday, September 11: Luke 15:1-10, these are familiar parable stories of Jesus. A parable is a form of allegory in which one states a truth but disguises it so that the meaning is not quickly obvious. Its meaning is to be deduced, and when you finally do get the point, you have a great “aha” experience. So, what is Jesus trying to tell us in

these stories?

Sunday, September 18: Jim Alexander will be preaching on 1 Timothy 2:1-8. We will come to understand that opportunity abounds as we pray for each other.

Sunday, September 25: Pastor Paul will be preaching from Luke 16:19-31. This story is about a rich man and Lazarus. An oddity in this passage is that the rich man had many

regrets. How do we live life with no regrets? Come and find out.

Get a jump on The Jump Start Tuesday afternoon study & discussion resumes on Tuesday, September 13.

What is “Jump Start Bible Study” you ask? Simply put, it is the reading and discussion of the Scripture passages used for Sunday worship services.

Participants receive the study materials on or before the Tuesday prior to the Sunday in which the Scriptures are referenced in the Sunday morning

worship service. The materials come from the lectionary which is a pre-selected collection of scriptural readings from the

Bible used for worship, study and/

or theological discussions. The discussions focus on how we can apply these Scriptures

to our daily lives today.

The Jump Start Bible Study group, which meets weekly, begins with a brown bag snack/dinner and fellowship from 4 to 4:30

followed by Bible study and discussion from 4:30 to 5:30. All are welcome to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Mindy Case or John Durbin. To receive the

Jump Start Bible Study materials please send your email address to Pat and John Durbin at jst4us21@cox.net.

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We express our sympathy to the family and friends of Nancy Kline. Her memorial service will be Saturday, September 10th at 2 P.M. in The Chapel

of the Church of the Palms. Nancy’s husband Bruce Kline was the Associate Minister here from 1998-2005.

We express our sympathy to the family and friends of Helen Ernest. Helen passed away in her sleep August 25th 2016 . She was a member at

the Palms from 1990 to 2016. No service is planned at this time.

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We are an Open and Affirming church

The Church of the Palms, United Church of

Christ, welcomes all people into the full life and ministry of our church regardless of age, race, gender; personal, mental or physical ability; sexual identity or

orientation; ethnic, cultural or religious background; marital, social, economic or legal status or life history.

We believe that God loves all people and offers us gifts in our diversity. We affirm families and relationships built on love, respect, responsibility, and trust.

Palm Leaf is a monthly newsletter from

the Church of the Palms that makes it easy for you to keep up with opportunities,

events, and friends at church.

Articles deadline: 15th of each month

You may submit an article or information for an article by:

Email: office@thepalms.org

Phone: 623-977-8359,

Or drop it off at the church.

Office Staff:

Pastor Paul A. Whitlock, Senior Pastor Deborah Martin, Secretary

Grief and loss workshop to begin meeting

A workshop about grief and loss will begin Friday, September 9th at 9 A.M. After Labor Day and then on

Mondays, September 12, 19, 26. The workshop will be taught by Dr. Mary Leiker an educator of 40 years and a hospice volunteer for six years.

She is also the author of the book, Just Behind the Door. Loss is not only difficult but nearly incomprehensible as we move through

a fog of daily existing. Loss is the one thing in life that we face without previous training or understanding. There is no proven road map for

grieving but there are ways to help us move toward the grace of a deeper understanding. Questions such as "Why did this

happen?” “Where is my loved one?” “Will I ever see them again?" often roll around in our minds and can cause us to be both mentally

and physically exhausted. It takes time to heal which can be helped through discussion and active listening techniques. We can help each

other heal when we take the time to connect with others who have lived through a similar journey. Having experienced losses in my

own life, including my 36 year-old son, I have learned that everything happens for a purpose as difficult as that is to believe.

Participants in this class will experience a greater sense of peace knowing that, as my son has told me many times, “All is as it Should Be.”

First, Friday, September 9th at 9 A.M. and on Mondays 12, 19, 26 also at 9 A. M. Join us!

--Dr. Mary Leiker