FROM THE PASTOR                                                                                             

General Conference is an extraordinary gathering of United Methodists from around the world, 1000 delegates strong, with equal numbers of laity and clergy elected by their annual conferences, to represent the whole of the church.   Extensive plans for 4 years later begin even as each quadrennial meeting ends.   Gathering this year in Ft. Worth, Texas, April 23-May 2, General Conference will be a time of study, worship, wrestling with legislative issues, struggling with language and policy that best reflects the best of the church and our ministry as United Methodists.   There will be some great moments, and some painful moments, there will be fine decisions and poor decisions.   It is, after all, a gathering of humanity, seeking in the Wesleyan tradition to ‘go on to perfection', but certainly not obtaining it!   Many more people will be present as observers and advocates around multiple issues, which impact the church and its life in the world.

Subjects at hand include discussion and decisions such as:

•  developing a new hymnal for the UMC

•  whether the increasingly global UMC (30 % of delegates are from outside the U.S.) should be restructured, with the US a central conference, where quadrennial meetings will address US issues, and with General Conference reflecting more international issues.   This is a major change, and will be an important topic.

•  Addressing (to quote UMC news sources) “very hard, very painful” work of cutting ministries and shifting resources while building its denominational budget.   Sounds familiar!

•  Building program in the national church around four areas of focus: — leadership development, congregational growth, global health, and poverty.

•  Looking at 1500 pieces of legislation submitted by United Methodist individuals, groups, churches and agencies.

The General Conference is the only UMC body that can set guidelines, structure and policy for the UMC.   It is our Congress in the UMC system.   The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions reflect the decisions of the General Conference.

One issue important to our church, as a Reconciling Community, is the conversation around the church's acceptance of ‘all people as precious children of God', without limitations on membership, ordination, and other rights of the homosexual community.   This has been an ongoing issue, with much of the church divided regionally.   The Western Jurisdiction has always been the most open, accepting and inclusive.   The witness the West brings is very important.

Out of the storm of Katrina, which destroyed the historic UMC Gulf conference center, fallen trees have been transformed into the communion table, lectern and other items for the General Conference.   (see article page 7)

Alan will be attending, as part of the National Urban Ministry network, of which he is a member.   He will be monitoring issues around the urban church and its needs, and doing some lobbying.   Similarly, many others will be in attendance raising their concerns.   The Bishops of the UMC are present, and take turn presiding, but have no vote in the deliberations.

It's an important part of United Methodism, and you can keep track of all that is happening by linking to gc2008. umc .org for the next several weeks.   Here's a wonderful example of what it means to be the ‘connectional church.'   Keep our connectional church and the General Conference in your prayers.

Rev. Linda Pickens-Jones

Caring for the Most Vulnerable

Many women do not have swaddling clothes with which to welcome their child into the world. Layette kits provide basic supplies for their baby's needs.   UMCOR Supply Kits help to care for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis. They also help to sustain everyday life by providing basic necessities to people who lack ready access to essential supplies. These kits provide vital support for the work UMCOR does throughout the world. By donating kit supplies or financial gifts to purchase the supplies, you make a direct, tangible difference in sustaining people's lives.

During the Month of April, the Campbell United Methodist Women will be collecting the items and assembling layette kits to send to UMCOR.

 

Kits contain the following:

6 cloth diapers

2 t-shirts or one-piece body suits (“onesies”)

2 baby washcloths

2 gowns or sleepers

1 cardigan style sweater

2 receiving blankets

2 diaper pins

We would love to have your help in creating these kits so we can support as many in need as possible.

If you would like to assemble a complete kit or items for us to use in a kit please drop them off in the Fellowship Hall lobby by May 1st - look for the gift-wrapped box. Each kit is valued at $35- if you would like to make a monetary donation please drop off in the office. Checks should be made out to CUMW. Note that it is for UMCOR kits.  

~Janine Payton

CROP WALK

Don't forget that this years South Bay Crop Walk is Sunday, April 27.   You can help stamp out hunger locally, nationally and internationally by signing up to participate as a walker or sponsoring a walker.   For more information you can contact Trisha Cullen at 408-448-2449 or visit the CUMC CROP website at http://tinyurl.com/yo799t .

  All three youth groups will be walking this year.   Middle and High School youth will meet at 11:45 at church to share rides. The youth will then eat lunch together at the site before walking. Bring your own lunch and drink.

 

The 4 th and 5 th grade youth are invited to bring their parents to walk as a family or you can join the Knepps to walk together as a youth group.   Contact Greg or Melinda Knepp for more information at 408-257-3577.

Newcomers and Visitors—A Friendly Hello!

Membership and Church Growth Committee is anxious to make sure we don't miss anyone being welcomed on Sunday morning.   Our ‘going into church' greeters do a fine job, but church growth studies show that after the service is a very hard time for visitors unless they are very outgoing and long time church folks.   In fact, even folks who have attended our church for some time still find breaking into the coffee hour crowd a difficult thing.

So—what can we all do?

• When you leave church, before you spend time with any of your usual group of friends, find someone else to say hello to and share a few words with .   You can talk about the service, the music, something that struck you about the sermon or the biblical reading, some activity in the week that is coming up—whatever works for you!   Some churches call this the “5-minute Rule”—take 5 minutes before you meet up with your closest friends!
• Watch for visitors, and greet them.   Say your name.   Sometimes, if you don't know if they are a visitor, you can then say “Are you new here or just new to me?, or something like that.   We're all afraid we'll welcome someone who has been around for a long time—so don't worry!   You don't have to overwhelm them or corner them.   Just greet them, share a cup of coffee together, and introduce others.
• Sign up to be part of the new team of “Hosts”, who will spend about 15 minutes after each service, to greet folks and be available for any needs.   They will help the pastors follow-up with someone who is new after greeting the pastors.   You will have a simple badge which says “Host” to identify you, to wear along with your own name tag.  
• Volunteer to be part of the coffee hour hospitality .   It is a really important part of greeting and welcoming people.
• Volunteer to be part of a monthly ‘newcomer coffee' between services , by bringing some goodies and/or being in the room for conversation.

 

If each of us took up this habit of hospitable greeting, what a difference it would make in the return of newcomers and the real sense of ‘welcoming' in our church.

Contact Sue Giles ( jsgiles@pacbell.net ) or Rev. Linda ( lindapickensjones@earthlink.net )   if you are interested in serving in some way with our ministry of hospitality.

 

 

FROM THE RECONCILING COMMITTEE

The Reconciling Committee is planning for our church to participate in the San Jose Gay Pride Parade this year.   The parade will be in Downtown San Jose, on Sunday, June 15 at 11 a.m., though as participants, we will gather in the staging area at 10 a.m.  

It's a short parade, just a few blocks, so it's an easy walk.   All are welcome, and we want to share our message of “All Welcome” with the larger community. We hope as many of the church community as possible can participate.   Though this time may be in conflict with worship services at the church campus, remember, the Church is not a building, the Church is the people. And so wherever we gather, we are the Church.  

Look for details and sign-ups in the coming weeks!

http://www.sanjosepride.com/

~Michael Schlager, James Creer

 

UMC 101

The next UMC 101 class for newcomers, long timers and anyone in between who wants to know more about the United Methodist Church will begin Sunday, May 4 th from 10:30-11:30 a.m . and continue for seven classes, through June 22.   New members will join on June 29.   For more information contact Rev. Linda Pickens-Jones, lindapickensjones@earthlink.net ,   or call the church office at (408) 378-3472 ex. 13.

 

Foundations of Christian Faith

A new short-term class on Christian basics especially designed for those new to church and Christianity, or for those who are returnees, after a lifetime of absence since childhood, is being considered.   If you are interested in taking part in such a class, the time for the class will be arranged for the participants' schedules.   Please contact Rev. Linda Pickens-Jones ( lindapickensjones@earthlink.net ) or Cheryl Olson ( cherylolson2@earthlink.net ) for more information.

 

Campbell Care-A-Vaners at Citrus Heights
Elaine and Eugene Hill represented Campbell United Methodist Church in March
working at the Citrus Heights UMC near Sacramento.  Not counting Dulac, this was our
first outing of the year.  There were 14 in attendance counting 4 from Carson City,
Nevada.  

There were several small jobs, and a couple of major repairs.  We replaced the casters on
a moveable island in the kitchen, repaired floor and ceiling tile in the kitchen, replaced
floor tile and sink in the bathrooms, and painted several outside doors.  The rainy side of
the building had some wood replaced, windows caulked, and paint.  The major items
were preparing and painting a large storage shed, replacing a broken window at the
entrance to the sanctuary, and pulling weeds.

Eugene was elected to work 16 feet up on the window which measured 10 in x 58 in.  His
biggest challenge was finding the supplies in the week that we were at the church.

Elaine chose to pull weeds.  The patch selected was on a slope and measured 10 feet by
120 feet.  The weeds from this patch completely filled the dumpster, and uncovered some
lovely springtime flowers.  Pastor Shim Habte joined us for luncheon meals, and did his
share of the work by jumping in the dumpster and compressing the weeds, and using a shovel to cut weeds along the front of the church.

Rain came on the evening of our last day there.  It was nice to go to sleep knowing that we did not have to work in the mud the next day.

                                                                  ~ Elaine Hill

FROM THE HEART   

 

Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers for Easter that the Rhoades brought to us. We so appreciate the prayers that our congregation has continued for our family throughout the years. It is hard to walk in the room and see the flowers without putting a smile on my face because of their beauty.

      ~ Patty, Eric, Nathaniel and Heather Henderson

Thank you so much to all of you who remembered me with phone calls, cards and most of all, your prayers, as I healed from my accident.   Also special thanks to Dennis Nikkel who delivered the beautiful Easter plant.   It is a privilege to have our ministers and church family to turn to when aren't doing well.   Blessings to all of you!

                                                           ~ Bertie Meehan

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the lovely hydrangea plant that was left at my door.   I was sorry I didn't get to personally thank the person that brought the plant, but it takes me a little bit of time to get to the door, and when I got there, the person had left.   I've been enjoying the plant ever since!   Much love,     ~ Myrta Egan

   

Dear UMC, What a pleasant surprise to receive a beautiful white azalea plant from my church via Carol Griffith!   I certainly didn't do anything to deserve it, but thanks a million!   Love,

                                                             ~ Eiko Shimizu

Dear Campbell UMC, Thank you so much for the lovely azalea!               ~ Bobbie Brown

Dear Church Members, It was so nice to have a visit from Darlene and Ray Dyer this week.   They brought a beautiful white azalea plant from the Easter Sunday service, and I wish to thank them and the church for sharing its beauty and for the love extended.   ~ Shirley Gilman

Dear Friendship Committee, Thank you so much for the beautiful white hydrangea.   I enjoy its beauty every day.   It was nice of you to think of me, and I enjoy the visit from Connie Wellington.

                                                     ~ Marge Thompson

 

Thank you to Bread Ministry!

It was a number of years ago that the legendary Margaret Powell started delivering her welcoming bread to church newcomers.   She would visit each home, and with her indomitable spirit graciously greet people and welcome them to the church.   Many returned, including folks like the Norris family.  

For many years the ministry has included   newcomers who leave an address, receive a gift of fresh baked bread, hung on their door with a note, or delivered hand to hand.   Sometimes the office even got phone calls of thanks.

But as the years have gone on, it has been sometimes difficult to get people to deliver bread.   And more importantly, so rarely were people home that it was hard to do the personal greeting that is so important.   In addition, as the culture of being a ‘friendly neighbor' who is actually a stranger has changed.   We've sometimes wondered what happens to the bread after it is received.   The majority of those who receive the bread do not return to the church for another visit.

Therefore, the Bread Ministry has been suspended for now.   It may be picked up again if we feel it is the best thing to do.   Other plans are under way, including a monthly welcome coffee time especially for visitors and newcomers between the services.

We give thanks for this wonderful ministry, and the commitment of so many.   In the last year our bakers and deliverers have included Angelikka Carter, Kay Hemp, Carol Griffith, Elizabeth Schultz, and Caroline Buehner.   Thank you so very much for your faithfulness and warm greetings, as you have been able, at our visitors' homes.   We give thanks as well for the witness of our sister in Christ, Margaret Powell, and we know she watches over us as we discover new ways to welcome those in search of a spiritual home.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!

 

Janice McClanahan, Sherry & John Finzel, Holly & Ian Selden

 

Please Keep Your Pledges Current!

A Message from Stewardship and Finance

We are starting to fall behind on our finances for 2008.   It is normal for us to run a slight deficit at the beginning of the year and then catch up at the end of the year.   But our deficit (Actual Income – Actual Expense) has grown to $22,000, in spite of the fact that we have kept our Expenses $13,000 below budget!

   

If you are up to date on your pledge, Thank You!   If you are behind, please catch up!   Electronic Fund Transfer on a weekly/bi-monthly or monthly basis is a great way to stay up to date.   Forms are available in the Church Office.

 

 

ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE

 

A GIFT FOR EVERY OCCASION - A GIFT FOR EVERY SEASON

Gifts to the Endowment Fund are a great way to remember family, friends or people who have been important in our lives.   As the season changes to spring and summer, this brings many opportunities to honor people through charitable gifts.   In the next few months we will celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day, Children's Day, Memorial Day, and graduations.   In our daily lives there are many special occasions that one can celebrate such as the birth of a child or a grandchild, wedding anniversaries, or a retirement.   These are excellent times to honor and celebrate people we love with a generous gift to the Campbell UMC Endowment Fund.

A gift of any size makes a difference—just find an opportunity to make a difference.

~ Terry Johnson,

Chairperson the Endowment Committee

Let's Get A Good Thing Growing!   Please consider our new CUMC Endowment Fund in your gift planning.

Please put the following date on your calendar!

April 26, 2008 There will be a Living Trust Seminar led by Richard Dayton will be in the Fireside Room at 10:00am.   Anyone wishing to attend please e-mail Terry Johnson at: 

t-j.johnson@comcast.net .

 

 

BOOK GROUP

The Book Group's next meeting

will be on Monday, April 28, at

4 p.m. in the Fireside Room.

We will be talking about Alan

Brennert's "Moloka'i", which

tells the story of the leper colony. The back cover reads: "Alan Brennert draws on historical accounts of Kalaupapa and weaves in traditional Hawaiian stories and customs. "Moloka'i" is the story of people who had much taken from them, but also gained an unexpected new family and community in the process."

This will be our last meeting until September 22.

 

Church in Society events

Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m.:   Creek Clean Up, OKA Pond

Palestine/Israeli Forums: Sundays in June at

9 a.m. in the Chapel

June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22

   

Survivor Babylon

 

What do you get when you cross the faith of Shadrach,

Meshach, and Abednego with the 'worship-me-or-else' decree of a rapping King Nebuchadnezzar?   And add to the mix seven furnace Keepers speaking with British accents, and an unenthusiastic herald named--what else--Harold?   You get Survivor Babylon!

Come enjoy the children's musical, Survivor Babylon, on Sunday, May 2, 2008 at both the 9:00 and 10:30 service.

 

A UMNS Report
By Woody Woodrick*

Juanita Franklin remembers the sound of chapel chimes carried on ocean breezes echoing among the tall trees at Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, Miss.

It's a special memory of a special place, and she'll likely never hear it again. Gulfside, a historic United Methodist conference center whose entrance was across the street from the Gulf of Mexico, was literally wiped off the map in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina.

However, something of the spirit that moved through those trees will be kept alive when the 2008 General Conference, the denomination's top lawmaking body that meets every four years, convenes April 23 in Fort Worth, Texas. The meeting's communion table, altar rail, baptismal font, lectern and a table have been crafted from trees salvaged from the 64-acre Gulfside property, which served as a retreat center and meeting place for African-Americans before the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

"I thought it was the most marvelous thing I had heard when I heard it from (Bishop Hope Morgan Ward)," said Franklin, 75, who lives in Foxboro. "Having been there during the time of the tall and beautiful trees, it's sort of like having a great-grandchild. Having all the old memories of days when the chapel was there, and when you got up in the morning they played the chimes and it reverberated through the trees, it's a marvelous thought."

 

    

CONNECTIONAL GIVING

Connectional Giving Supports People – People who serve others in the name of Christ on your behalf because you cannot be there.

 

  “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”

  John Wesley

 

 

Campbell united

Methodist church

1675 Winchester Boulevard

Campbell, California 95008

Mailing Date: April 16 2008

Next Newsletter DEADLINE: April 29, 2008