The session met this month and did a lot of hard discernment. We talked about the responsible ways to save for the future while still encouraging ministry in our present. We talked about how to improve our music ministry in a way that challenges the many members we have who do have musical talents to use them... This may mean reorganizing how we do music ministry or how we think about it. And finally, we talked about how to train better leaders. Ruling Elder Lydia Frias provided the session with what is now our approved method for training Ruling Elders-Elect prior to their examination and ordination/installation.
- Teach the beliefs of the church and how these affect our service and lives
- Sovereignty Of God
- Centrality of Scripture
- Centrality of Grace
- Centrality of Faith
- Discipline - personal and corporate
- How to do a one on one visit
- Visit at least 5 members
- Investigate and understand the needs of the congregation
- Do this through individual visits and through at least 2 committee meetings.
- Prayer - how to do it, especially publicly
- Identify what God wants for my life and share that with the session
- Basics of the Book of Order
- Basics of the Book of Confessions
- The committee structure
- The budget
But we will need your help. The first steps in training are visiting... so we need folks that are willing to be visited. We recognize that there is no responsible method to discern God’s will for our congregation if we do not know our congregation... so be patient with us as we improve our visiting talents.
Especially lift in prayer Patty Martinez and Doug Abernathy as they enter into this training process.
Please note: anyone else is also welcome to join in this training process, especially those already ordained as Ruling Elders.
Buildings and Grounds
We are excited that the electrical lines are installed for the third projector to be placed in the fellowship hall. The lights and fans have been installed and are working in the women’s shower. We are doing research on the handicapped entrance and how much it may cost to replace this older unit. We are also getting bids on putting jasmine ground cover on the hills that are hard to mow. Finally, we are happy to report that we got all of our fire extinguishers inspected and they are good for the next 6 years. Go Church!
Christian Ed
We had a great fall festival and are doing well incorporating an increased attendance in Sunday School. We will be working to organize our items in the blue room soon. If you are interested in helping Astrid in the classroom, please speak up. We are a Godly community when we work together.
Evangelism and Mission
We had 7 folks walk in the Jingle Bell Run the first Saturday in December: Rev. Lindsay, Rev. Andy, Berna, Estela, Robert C and his two grandkids. Great job! More than $150 was given in support of the Arthritis Foundation through their registrations and other donations.
Garden Weeding Day will be December 8th, Saturday, at 8 am. We will be covering each bed with newspaper and mulch. Tacos for any volunteers.
C3 - Coffee to Community College - is doing great in its ministry. George and Vickie R., Robert C., Robin O., Rev. Lindsay, Susie Sanchez (and Susie Marie), as well as some others all chip in and help make this possible. We have contact with about 20 students or community folk every week, and many are “regulars” who are getting to know us and we are getting to know them. Look for their prayer requests in our weekly prayer list.
Fellowship and Care
Advent Decorating Day is the first Sunday in December and is a potluck. Please stay and fellowship as we decorate the church!
Trine House is coordinating a team to go out caroling this year. Please speak with her about your availability, interest, and where you would like to go.
SAP
We continue to work on the transition from one to two treasurers. We welcome Alonso Rodriguez as our second treasurer. Eventually, our goal is to have an income treasurer (Sam Frias) who will handle all offerings, and an expense treasurer (Alonso Rodriguez) who will handle all expenses. Since Sam F has been a one man show for so long, please be patient as we work out the transition together.
Worship
It’s that time of year again... at least this year our pastor is not on maternity leave!
Special Advent Services: December 2, 9, 16, 23. Each will have interactive sermons that help us meditate on how the coming of Christ personally affects us. The 23rd, being the closest to the Longest night of the year, will include a special moment of prayer for healing and hope (and perhaps communion) for all who have experienced different kinds of loss. Thanks to Lana B., Vickie R., and Susie S. for their help!
Christmas Eve Service: December 24th, 6:30 pm. If you have any special music or a special presentation to include, please let Rev. Lindsay know before December 9th as the service order will be finalized before the 16th.
New Year’s Eve Party and Service: December 31st, starting at 8 pm, Worship at 11 pm. Board Games, pot luck, and more! Worship service to include our year end slide show. Please submit your pictures to Rev. Lindsay electronically prior to December 16th as these slide shows take a while to put together.
Hide Lock Take
As much as Gethsemane’s neighborhood is lower crime than it once was, we still live and worship and serve in a city where many are desperate and make poor choices. Some have had things taken from their unlocked cars recently. So, please do the basic safety reminder: Hide your belongings. Lock your doors. Take your keys. And we should add, pray for those who are so lost as to commit these crimes.
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