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The Church MouseJune 2014

Monthly Newsletter of Sierra Arden UCC

A wonderful comment made by a person looking for a UCC church said, “I’m looking for a church that loves me enough to discuss with me, a church that is more than simply an expression of all my preconceptions and prejudices.”

I repeat the UCC popular line, “Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here!” Yes, but, if you are worried about Armageddon and end times, you will not find us talking about that from the pulpit or in study groups here. I would say that is true of almost all UCC churches.

We are proudly a progressive church. We are known for our stands on social issues and historically for civil rights for Blacks and as abolitionists setting up schools for freed slaves. We ordained the first woman and have been supportive of suffragettes and feminists. Our missions overseas focus not on converting people to being Christians, but work on setting up schools and health care services or setting up business opportunities for people to be self-supporting. For the last 45 years we are known for being welcoming of the Gay and Lesbian community, and preforming weddings for same sex couples prior to the government ruling it was legal.

We are a unique group of people. Some of us have very little in common with anyone else in the congregation. There is always a need to respect one another’s opinions. Yet, what brings us together is the faith and the belief that we are stronger and more whole, when we are joined together through the love and compassion of Jesus.

Our church is bound together by a covenant, and by a common desire to honor and to live out the teachings of Jesus. It has always been a struggle and yet, the Christian church in all of its configurations, has survived through the grace of God, working through God’s people. It is a mutual respect between Pastor and the people, but even more importantly among all the people. Our foundation is the common belief in Jesus Christ and in his magnificent life.

When you feel like an outsider and alone, and then become a part of something greater than yourself, it changes your life. It is having a network to belong to. It is a new family.

I am nervous about having the time of our worship change. Many people find it hard to get here at ten and nowwe are changing to nine. It is going to be a challenge to our commitment to the church and to the church family. I am choosing to be hopeful when anxiety creeps in. Let us choose to be faithful, not fearful. I confess that I also have this sense of excitement about it.

We will not just be able to coast along the way. It will be a change. When I first came here the time of worship would change in the summertime because of the heat. I remember it was confusing for people and for a month or so people would come in late and phone calls would be made to the church office asking when is worship? Sometimes I would recognize the voice and say: “Hi Barbara Vincent, or Hi Tom Downey. See you soon.” Let us please have a sense of humor as well as faith with the coming changes.

I hope you will join us at 9 am starting July 27th.

Blessings,

Ginny

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Our Time of Worship Is Changing!

Beginning July 27th

Worship will start at 9AM.

Chief Bill Chasser with Rev. Ginny on Memorial Day.

Men’s Fellowship Lunch

Thursday, June 5th at 12:30Woody’s Grill and Bar

2316 Watt Ave at Country ClubAll men are invited.

Just call Martin Kloose 489-7046 to add your name to the count. To car pool be at the church at 11:30.

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Unitarians are Coming! Unitarians are Coming!

by Mike Brownall

The Unitarian-Universalist Church will begin renting from Sierra Arden on August 3, 2014. They will rent the Sanctuary, Classrooms A through C, and the nursery. In addition, they will use F-4 for service preparation and will share Mayflower with our choir as we exit for their own choir preparation.

The original plan discussed with the Unitarians called for Sierra Arden to use the Sanctuary at 8:30, and the Unitarians to use the Sanctuary at 10:00, while Sierra Arden had coffee hour in Pilgrim Hall. The Unitarians would then use Pilgrim Hall after their service.

A number of our members have said that they would have difficulty attending an 8:30 service, and some said that they would not attend at all. We started a discussion with the Unitarians about delaying our service until 9:00, and asking the Unitarians to also delay the start of their service.

This issue came up at the most recent congregational meeting on April 27, 2014. About 2/3 of those present said that they would be willing to start our service at 9:00. About half of the congregation present asked that we meet with the Unitarians to discuss this issue.

Four members of the Council met with the Unitarians on May 1, 2014. After discussion, the Unitarians were willing to delay the start of their service so that we could have a 9:00 start time. We said we would try to hold our service

to about 50 minutes to allow time for us to depart and for them to start enter the sanctuary for a 10:15 start time. La Hermosa would delay their set-up time and service to allow the Unitarians time to complete their service by 11:30, and depart the sanctuary by 11:45.

The suggestion to switch times wasn’t practical, as the Unitarians had planned to rent space for four hours, from 10:00-2:00, finishing up in Pilgrim Hall. If they started at 9:00, and we started our service at 10:30 and finished our service by 11:30, we would use Pilgrim Hall immediately after. That would mean that the Unitarians would only have use of the sanctuary and Pilgrim Hall from 9:00-11:30, which would be an hour and a half less than what had been agreed. It wouldn’t be reasonable to ask them to use their remaining hour and a half after we were done with Pilgrim Hall at 12:30. That would require them to break up their rental time, which would require their members to leave and then return. Thus, as a practical matter, their remaining rental time wouldn’t likely be used.

The church will be a very busy place on Sundays, and will present parking problems for the Unitarians and our tenants. Parking won’t be much of an issue for us with a 9:00 start, as we will be among the first to arrive. Times will be very tight, and will require understanding and cooperation from everyone.

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Church Council/Trustees Joint MeetingMay 14, 2014

Present: Mike Brownell, Ginny Curinga, Doris Dunn, Wendy Franklin, Jerry Kaminaga, Janet Kerr, Rex Miller, Samantha Peters, Sue Stegenga-Ward, Tom Tortora.

Diaconate• Sue is speaking to all parents about camp and applications. Rev. Ginny suggested all youth

should go to Cazadero.• Fund Raisers for camp/Ideas were discussed such as cookie sale and pledge-a-thons. Youth

will be approached about these ideas and plans will continue.· Sue Stegenga-Ward reported that the church has been given two basketball hoops. The

Council discussed ideas for places to put the hoops.· Rex Miller confirmed that there is $2075 available for camperships.

Mission & Outreach Board· Tom Tortora reported that Jennifer and Gregory Ingram have joined the Board and he is thrilled

to have their participation.· The Board will hold a “Tour of Italy” fundraiser dinner again this year, tentatively set for

June 21.· Tom reminded the Council that as part of our church’s outreach efforts, Sierra Arden provides

meeting space for Sacramento Bethlehem Sister Cities Program and Friends of Sabeel Sacramento Region.

· Family Promise will be here at Sierra Arden July 27-August 3. It was noted that the families will be departing on the first Sunday of the Unitarians’ tenancy, and that we will need to make sure mattresses and bedding are removed promptly.

· Tom would like to schedule another meeting with consultant Rev. Tracy Barnowe regarding church growth.

· Questions were raised about the church sign re-do. Rev. Ginny would like to have assistance on this from a church member.

Pastor’s Report· Pam’s upcoming vacation/furlough is scheduled for June 2-13. Elaine Deatherage will fill in for

Pam three days each week and will do the Sunday bulletin.

Calendar· There will be a joint meeting of Trustees and Church Council next month on June 11, 2014 at

7:00 pm.

Crab Feed· The Council discussed next year’s crab feed auction. Wendy had previously stated that she

would not be available to coordinate the auction in 2015.

Mouse Newsletter· The Council discussed whether we should resume mailing the Mouse. It was decided

that we should initiate a sign-up sheet for those who would like to receive the Mouse by U.S. Mail. (Or by picking up a printed copy at church rather than by e-mail.)

Inside Sierra Arden

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Sierra Arden United Church of Christ Board of Missions and Outreach Invites You To A Fund Raiser...

Join us for a fun and exciting Taste of Italy with Great Food & PowerPoint show of Italy accompanied by music.

890 Morse Ave. (corner of Northrop) Sacramento CA 95864 (916) 483-5501

Menu:Mediterranean Salad

Entree choice: Pasta Primavera (vegetarian) or Zesty Lasagna with Sausage and Ground Beef

Garlic Bread and Dessert

Wine Available For Purchase By The Glass or Bottle

Proceeds will fund Sierra Arden’s Community Outreach Activities for the balance of 2014, including... The Sierra Arden Neighborhood Food Closet • Family Promise of Sacramento

The Sacramento Union Gospel Mission • The True North ProjectChristmas Gifts for Underprivileged Children & Special-Needs Adults

Adults$15 each

Children age 12 & under $10 each

Saturday, July 12, 20145 PM - 8:30 PM

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Fathers everywhere,We honor you and wish to sayMay God's blessings be with youIn a special way today!

Arden BishopJerry DunnShirley KiddShirley KlooseVivian LambertJeannette NavarroBetty SawyerAlex SeimersGeorge SpencerDelores Wilcox

Happy Birthday to June BirthdaysJune 01 Ashley WestburyJune 04 Paul C. LehmannJune 11 Sue Stegenga WardJune 13 Vivian LambertJune 18 Heather McCauslandJune 20 Dolores WilcoxJune 22 Rupert JonesJune 29 Shasta Bowen, George Spencer

Midweek Prayer & Meditation

ServiceWednesdays, 6 – 6:45 pm

In Room F3 Led by Laurel Clark & Kathie Nelson

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take

between two deep breaths, or the turning inwards in prayer

for five short minutes.” ~ Etty Hillesum

All are welcome at the weekly prayer and meditation group where (through music, readings & scripture, silent meditation, and other forms of prayer) we come together to grow in faith and to improve our conscious contact with the God of our understanding. We hope you will join us!

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Sacramento’s First Annual

Pride Gospel Concert

Featuring Sacramento’s First Citywide Gospel Choir

Do You Love Gospel?Here is your chance to “Get Your Praise On”

In an inclusive atmosphere.

We Are RecruitingSINGERS - Soloists, Ensembles & Choir Members

Open Rehearsal & Sign-up May 22, 7PMAdditional rehearsals May 29, June 5 & 12

Performance - Friday June 13, 7PM2700 L Street, Sacramento

Music Directors - Jim Jordan, Priscilla Harris& Pastor Doretha Flournoy

For more information call 916-807-7305 or 916-752-8606

Sponsored by A Church for All MCC

& Pioneer Congregational UCC

We are open & affirming, welcoming ALL

Financial Summary As of April 30, 2014 YTD YTDINCOME: ACTUAL BUDGETContributions 39,527 35,663 Rental Income 28,745 28,797 Other Income 144 667 Total Operating Income 68,416 65,127 TOTAL Income 72,010 69,127

EXPENDITURES: Council Expenses 45,805 49,155 Diaconate Expenses 269 700 Trustees Expenses 22,343 18,432 Total Expenditures 68,417 68,287

NET Income/(Loss) 3,593 840

Secrets from the kitchen: Apricot Oatmeal Bars

1 C flour 1C dried apricots1C quick cook oats 3/4C water2/3C packed brown sugar 1/4C granulated sugar1/4 tsp baking soda 1/2C coconut flakes1/2 C butter 1Tbs flour

For crust, in med. bowl, combine flour, oats, br. sugar, butter, and soda. Cut in butter until mixture is course crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup of mixture for top. Press remaining into bottom of ungreased 9x9x2 pan. For filling, in a med. saucepan combine apricots and water. Bring to boil reduce to simmer 5 min. Stir in granulated sugar and 1Tbs of flour. Cook 1 min. to thicken. Stir in coconut. Spread apricot filling evenly over crust. Sprinkle top with remaining crust mix.Bake at 350 for 30-35 min. Cool in pan. Cut into bars. Makes 25 bars.

Cookies and Srevers Needed for theSacramento Union Gospel Mission

Monday, June 30th

It is Sierra Arden’s turn to provide home-baked cookies and help with the serving at the Mission. Pleasesign up in the church office or during coffee hour. Cookies may be left in the office the day before. Servers carpool from the church at 7:30pm. Tom Tortora can answer your questions.

Sierra Arden Food Closet Needs Food

Our food closet is low on food. Can you clean out your food pantry to help? Donations go a long way too. They can buy food from the Senior Gleaners cheaper than we can buy things at the grocery store. Tuna, Peanut Butter and other meats are always in demand.The food closet is open for food donations on Monday mornings and money donations can be given to Sierra Arden UCC marked food closet and we will pass it on to them. More than 200 families every month are helped from our food closet.

Summer CampRegistration forms are available online

http:www.ncncucc,org/outdoorministries

For scholarship requests please talk to Sue Steganga Ward. All requests will be presented to the Diaconate. Drivers are needed to take our youth to camp and back. See Sue for requirements.

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Sierra arden United ChUrCh of ChriSt

890 Morse Ave. Sacramento, CA 95864Phone (916) 483-5501Email: sauccoffice@gmail.comwebsite: www.sierraardenucc.com

Rev. Ginny Curinga, PastorJohn Crouch, ModeratorJanet Kerr, Vice-ModeratorElaine Deatherage, Diaconate ChairJerry Kaminaga, Trustee ChairRex Miller, TreasurerSue Tune, Assistant to the Treasurer

Sue Miller, Music DirectorPam Engle, Office Manager

Sue Stegenga-Ward, Kid’s Leader (K-8)Eileen Carey, Wedding facilitator

Elaine Deatherage, Newsletter Editor

Wherever you are on your faith journey,You are Welcome Here!

We are an Open and Affirming Congregation.

Sunday WorShip at 10 am Welcoming to All and Accessible to AllNursery attendant available during worship

The Church Mouse is a monthly newsletter of Sierra Arden United Church of Christ, Congregational