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The Cornerstone Rolling Hills United Methodist Church

26438 Crenshaw Blvd. Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

March 3, 2011

6th Annual Rolling Hills United Methodist Children's Auction Donation round-up! We've started gathering lots of wonderful items to raise funds for our fabulous children's programs. Contributions of all kinds are welcome – tickets to music, theater or sporting events, vacation cabins, gift certificates, delicious dinners, you name it! As always, 100% of the proceeds go to our Preschool, Kid Zone/Mid Zone, and other RHUMC children's programs. Last year these funds helped create "Imagination Island," the new grass play area in the back parking lot. The auction has provided funds for new tricycles, new furnishings, and new equipment for the preschool as well. Gifts to the auction are tax deductible (Tax I.D. 95-6114597). Also, please mark your calendars for the evening of April 30th, 2011. Invitations will go out soon. We look forward to seeing you at the Children's Round-Up Auction! For further information contact the church office, 310-377-6771.

from the pastor

Over the next few Sundays we will move into Lent, one of the sacred seasons of the year. Lent began as a time for preparing new Christians coming into the faith, deepening their relationships with God and with each other, as they approached their baptism. It came to be seen by the whole Church as a time of renewal, as God’s people walk with Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem. Along the way he will encounter resistance and opposition, and show courage and compassion in the face of challenges and threats. Christians have looked to his example over the centuries when we have faced our own trials and temptations. Our Lenten season begins with the Ash Wednesday Prayer Vigil, which takes place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 9, and continues with our evening service at 7:30. The Ash Wednesday service is a wonderful way to mark the beginning of this season with reflection and prayer, readings

from scripture and music by our choir. We hope you will be able to come. This year, as we move toward Easter, we will also be helping to make one of the most important decisions for our congregation’s future. As you know, we approved the new facility proposal at our Church Conference on Wednesday, February 4. We endorsed a giving campaign to help make that vision real. Over the coming weeks we will be inviting the generosity of the church family for a project that will serve our whole community over the next fifty years. The campaign committee has planned a series of gatherings, to be held in homes throughout the congregation. There will be a total of 25 events – mostly dinners – with about 25 people expected for each. You will be invited by the host family directly, and can look forward to a time with delicious food and good friends. There will be a brief background presentation on the project, and time for questions as well. We will provide a brochure that describes how the

new facility will strengthen our congregation’s mission and outreach. We will also invite you to consider making a generous gift over the coming three years. If you are not able to attend the gathering to which you are invited, we will be holding three meetings at the church as well. These are in the later weeks of the season, and will also be warmly hosted by church families. Members of the building and campaign committees will be available at each gathering, and I will be attending all of them. I look forward to the time with you.

Grace and peace,

Family Ministries

In the month of March we will continue with our series of FREE PARENTING CLASSES for parents of pre-school aged

children. We had a good time in February exploring the wonders and difficulties involved in parenting three year old children. We will discuss 4 year old children on March 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. repeated on March 16 from 9–10:30 a.m., and finish with 5 year olds on April 19 at 7 p.m. and repeated at 9 a.m. on April 20th. We like to think that each of our children is unique, and they are, but there are also unique characteristics of each age group as children grow through the pre-school years. In young children, 6 months can make a big difference in behavior, and in what parenting skills are helpful. Join Diane Rehfield, one of our associate pastors and the director of the Family Ministries program, for a special time to focus on the delightful and difficult aspects of each age. Diane is a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child counselor, and the mother of three adult children. There will be time for discussion between parents, since sharing tips with those who are going through the same stage is always helpful. Childcare will be provided if requested in advance. Email Diane at familyministries@rhumc.org to sign up.

Book Talk First-time novelist Michael David Lukas will discuss his “The Oracle of Stamboul” in the sanctuary on Sunday, March 6, from 1-3 p.m. Lukas, who has just completed a national book tour of this historical novel that centers on the end of the Ottoman Empire, is the grandson of member Betty Lukas. Refreshments will be served after his discussion, and books will be available for signing. All are welcome and please feel free to bring a friend. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION CLASSES … are coming!

The Rev. Juan Aguila, M.A. and marriage and family therapist, is joining with Nina Bradbury, retired nurse practitioner and spiritual leader, to offer knowledge on deepening a relationship with God through meditation. Classes will be held on Sundays, March 27, April 3, and April 10 at 11:15 a.m. in the Health and Wellness Office. The first session will include an introduction to the concept of Christian Meditation. The next classes will be devoted to the actual practice and the physical, mental and spiritual well-being that can follow. All are welcome!

Children’s Ministries Preschool Registration 2011-2012 It is time for registration for the 2011-2012 school year. It is highly encouraged that you enroll at your soonest eligible opportunity, as many of the classes will fill up before open enrollment. Refer to the following dates to register your child: February 28th to March 4th Church members and Preschool Committee Members March 7th to March 11h Currently enrolled and returning families March 21st to 23rd Waiting List since March 2010 March 24th Open Enrollment

Valentine Cookie Bake: Thanks for a Great Response! The children created 53 boxes of hand decorated Valentine treats for people near and far to remind them that our thoughts and love are with them this holiday season. This includes college students, the recently bereaved and the homebound in our congregation and friends and family thereof. Thanks to our Sunday School Staff for their help in making the cookies and cards. Sunday School Practice for Special Mother’s Day Choir The Children of the Sunday School have a special additional gift for their moms this year. They will be performing a song with chimes before Children’s Time on Mother’s Day. Each service will have its own group simply based on the service you attend that day. We will be rehearsing during Sunday School beginning April 3rd. If your child wants to participate, just make sure they attend at least one Sunday during the month (but even more is even better!) of April and early May to prepare.

Kid Zone Spring & Summer Offerings for Children in 2011!

Mark your calendars now for Spring & Summer camps offered by Kid Zone this year. Spring Camp begins the week of April 4th. Registration is now being accepted. Summer Camp/Vacation Bible Camp registrations will be available soon, along with a colorful information brochure. Contact Kid Zone at 377-7302 for more info.

Lisa Lehman, Director of Children’s Ministries

Letter of Thanks … Dear Reverend Jonathan: I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to your wonderful congregation for their generous donation of food and other necessities to benefit our Circle of Life AIDS Food Pantry. It warms my heart to know that an entire community unites to help feed our families in dire need. Our nation’s financial dilemma has affected every citizen, but none more than those who already live below the poverty level.

Please extend my gratitude to your kind and compassionate flock, and especially to Bill Graves, who coordinated this effort. I know that you are the shepherd who guides them, and for that, we are all blessed.

Peace and Goodness, Alma L. Martinez, President/Founder

Club Maintenance Replacing failed Sanctuary light bulbs, delivering boxes to storage, installing additional closet

shelving, relocating framed pictures in the Office, oiling the furniture in the Meditation Garden, cleaning the Patio fountain and sump, adjusting a Pre-School door and painting some wall in the Office were the main accomplishments of the Club Maintenance crew in February. Those who participated included Richard Yasuda, Jim Watkins, Julian Szieff, Jim Showalter, Oren Sheldon, Don Pedersen, Dave Larson, Gene Koester and Bill Bails. Our March work date is on the 12th, starting at 8:30 am. Please join those participating and help us to get this kind of work completed.

Save the Date! On the evening of Wednesday, April 27, at 7p.m., Dr. Thomas W. Phelan will be returning to RHUMC for a

talk on "Surviving your Adolescents." Dr. Phelan is an internationally renowned expert and lecturer on child discipline. He is a frequent guest on radio and television. He is also the author of 1-2-3 Magic: Effective

Discipline for Children 2 - 12, and spoke on that subject here several years ago. This time he will be speaking to parents about getting through those years when your offspring is no longer really a child, but not yet an adult

either. It promises to be a very informative and helpful evening. Look for more information in the next Cornerstone.

ROLLING HILLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Sunday, March 13, 2011 – 2:00 p.m.

Second Sundays at Two

presents

Classical Music Electric Guitar Ensemble

Los Angeles Electric 8

The Los Angeles Electric 8 is an electric guitar chamber octet of eight classically trained

guitarists directing their training and musical curiosity towards the electric guitar, an instrument usually reserved for rock. They reclaim classical music for the electric guitar, revealing the

instrument's enormous potential in the world of art music. The 8's founding principle is to showcase the variety of rich sounds made by electric guitars and vacuum-tube amplifiers. They draw from and adapt a variety of art music including organ works, string arrangements, wind

ensembles, and Indonesian gamelan pieces. The members hold graduate degrees and doctorates in classical guitar from UCLA, CalArts, CSUN, Northwestern University, and California

Polytechnic State University Pomona.

Free Admission—Donations Appreciated

Job Opening Administrative Secretary Maureen Banasky is planning the “next phase” of her life and has decided to retire from her position with this church. The Staff Parish Relations Committee is accepting resumès from qualified persons who have excellent written and verbal skills; enjoys working with people and is comfortable with multi-tasking and flexibility; is proficient with both PC and Mac software; able to supervise staff; work well with church committees, among other responsibilities. The work week is Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 5:00. College degree preferable. Please fax your resumè to 310-544-4123, or submit in person to the church office.

Basketball Update “I f a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky?”

- Stanislaw J. Lec

Our basketball schedule for March is:

Thurs., Mar. 3rd, 6-8 pm Sat., Mar. 5th, 2-4 pm

Mon., Mar. 7th, 6-8 pm Thurs., Mar. 10th, 6-7:30 pm Sat., Mar. 12th, 2-4 pm

Mon., Mar. 14th, 6-8 pm Thurs., Mar. 17th, 6-8 pm Sat., Mar. 19th, 2-4 pm Mon., Mar. 21st, 6-8 pm Thurs., Mar. 24th, 6-8 pm Sat., Mar. 26th, 2-4 pm Mon., Mar. 28th, 6-8 pm Thurs., Mar. 31st, 6-8 pm If you would like to be sent reminders/updates regarding our schedule via email, please forward your email address to John Kwan at john@rhumc.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

RHUMC Hosting Dawn Unity March 8th @ 7:30

“Evolution and God” will be the topic discussed on the Dawn Unity Group’s Interfaith Discovery Series on Tuesday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m. in our sanctuary. The Book of Genesis shared by the four panelists’ traditions tells the ancient story of creation from its point of view while scientists in many fields study how the universe and the flora and fauna of earth have evolved. Are they in conflict? How are they reconciled? Panelists are Jonathan; Rabbi Charles Briskin of Temple Beth El; President Maurice Lam of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; and Msgr. David Sork of St. John Fisher Catholic Church. The group will explain the perspectives of their faiths. Bob Rothman, Chair of Dawn Unity, will be the moderator. The free program will be followed by cookies and a chance to talk further. Please call 310.833.7008 for more information.

Sierra Service Project (SSP) Our Junior High SSP will be traveling to Coarsegold, CA (one hour northeast of Fresno) to work with the Chukchansi Tribe. The dates for Jr. High SSP are July 24 - 29, 2011. We have 16 slots available with 4 adults chaperoning the group. Youth entering 7th and 8th grade in the Fall of 2011 are eligible to go. 36 service hours credit is available for this trip - which can be applied to the 2011-2012 Presidential Volunteer Service Award (after that, only 14 more service hours are required to achieve the award!). Our information meeting/sign-up will be Sunday, March 6th at 4 pm in our Youth Lounge. Please bring your checkbooks for a deposit if you are planning to sign up. Our Senior High SSP will be traveling to two sites this year. One site will be to Susanville, CA (80 miles from Red Bluff, CA) and we will be working on the Susanville Indian Rancheria. The other site will be to Tsaile, AZ (northeast Arizona) and we will be working on the Navajo Reservation. The dates for both sites are the same - July 30 - August 7, 2011. We have 40 slots available with 9 adults chaperoning the group - roughly half going to one site and the other half going to the other site. Youth entering 9th grade in the Fall of 2011 to graduated 12th graders are eligible to go. 60 service hours credit is available for this trip - which can be applied to the 2011-2012 Presidential Volunteer Service Award (more than halfway to receiving the award!). Our information meeting/sign-up will be Sunday, March 6th at 4 pm in Wesley Hall. Please bring your checkbooks for a deposit if you are planning to sign up. Reservations to a particular site is on a first come, first serve basis. For more information about SSP, please visit their website at www.sierraserviceproject.org

Junior & Senior High Ski Trip

We will be having our second annual ski/snowboard trip at Mountain High Ski Resort on Saturday, March 12. We will meet at the church at 7 am and return by 7 pm. Costs: $120 - includes lift ticket, transportation (bus rental), lunch and snacks/drinks for the ride home $150 - includes lift ticket, 2 hr. lesson, transportation (bus rental), lunch and snacks/drinks for the ride home. Equipment Rental - If you need to rent equipment, they can be rented at Sports Chalet (21305 Hawthorne Blvd., #205, Torrance, CA). $28 for skis, boots, poles. $40 for snowboard, boots, helmet. Please RSVP by March 6th - And, if you would like to be an adult chaperone for this event, we would be happy to cover your lift ticket, transportation, and food! Let me know if you are interested.

Think you know what's happenin' at Kid Zone? This Spring Break, April 4th through the 8th, come and Shake it Up in the Kid Zone cafe where kids carry out

God's recipe. Each day we will don our chef hats and aprons in order to celebrate biblical festivals that reveal ingredients

for being a follower of God. Details are as follows:

Vacation Bible Camp is from 9:00 – Noon; Cost: $60 Full Day Camp 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Cost $170 Lunch & Games Noon – 1:30; Cost $50 (please bring a sack lunch) Early & Late Care - 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.$30/wk 4:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. $40/wk

To dine with divinity...contact the office for further details and to obtain enrollment forms.

Summer Employment and Jr. CounselorsSummer Employment and Jr. CounselorsSummer Employment and Jr. CounselorsSummer Employment and Jr. Counselors We at Kid Zone are blessed with great families to serve and amazing staff to help do it. Last summer we began a new venture utilizing several junior counselors who earned volunteer hours and are now one step closer to a Presidential Service Award. This year we are adding another step in our summer hiring process that we hope makes both volunteering and employment easier and less time-consuming...

Prospective Employees (must be no less than a Fall in-coming sophomore in HS)--If you are interested in working either an AM or PM shift during the summer camp season, please submit your resume including your reply to How can you

make a difference in the lives of children? to kidzone.lisa@gmail.com by March 18th.

Prospective Jr. Counselor (must be no less than a Fall in-coming freshmen HS; eligible for volunteer hours and the

Presidential Service Award)--If you are interested in volunteering as a Jr. Counselor, please submit your 5 paragraph essay to kidzone.lisa@gmail.com by March 18th with the following:

• Name and age

• Describe why you think you would make a good Jr. Counselor?

• Favorite subject in school?

• What weeks are you available?

• Hobbies? Sports? Etc.?

• What special qualities would you bring to camp?

• Favorite vacation and Favorite Book

Save the date…Summer Camp June 13Save the date…Summer Camp June 13Save the date…Summer Camp June 13Save the date…Summer Camp June 13----August 6August 6August 6August 6

“A Lifetime of Helping”“A Lifetime of Helping”“A Lifetime of Helping”“A Lifetime of Helping” Toberman’s Annual Gala Dinner/AuctionToberman’s Annual Gala Dinner/AuctionToberman’s Annual Gala Dinner/AuctionToberman’s Annual Gala Dinner/Auction

““““No matter how good you get, there’s always something further out there” –Bill Walton

I am very excited to announce that Toberman Neighborhood Center (TNC) will be honoring basketball sports legend Bill Walton for his lifetime achievements in sports and academics at our annual Gala Dinner/Auction. The special evening will be held Saturday, April 9th at the Manhattan Beach Marriott. Guest emcees for the evening will be Lakers’ announcers Stu Lantz and Joel Meyers with a special tribute to his dad by Luke Walton.

Silent Auction Opens at 6:00 p.m. Dinner/Live Auction & Awards Ceremony – 7:30 p.m.

$225 per person or $2000 per table of 10

Supporting this event will enable TNC to continue providing services desperately needed to strengthen families by developing life skills that will raise them out of poverty and into self-sufficiency – empowering them for a

lifetime! This has been the mission of Toberman Neighborhood Center, a United Methodist Mission Project, for over 100 years. We currently fulfill over 18,000 annual requests for services, and the demand is now greater than ever. Please call 310-832-1145, e xt. 119 to reserve your tickets or for more information. Patty Koester, Board Member

Senior Pastor Jonathan Chute Music Director Chuck Dickerson Assoc. Pastor John Kwan Organist/Pianist Althea Waites Assoc. Pastor Diane Rehfield 3rd Service Ensemble Patti MacLeod Children’s Ministries Lisa Lehman Admin. Secretary Maureen Banasky Kid/Mid Zone Director Lisa Williams Jr. High Youth John Kwan Admin. Asst. to Pastor Michele Nelson Sr. High Youth Phil Gerlach Asst. Secretary Carol Berthelet Preschool Director Myra Ghabrial Treasurer Robin La Tourette Parish Nurse Marian Komori Bookkeeper Nicole Zakman Custodian Miguel Portillo Facility Manager Gene Koester Technical Director Geoff Graue Church Office Phone 377-6771 Fax Line 544-4123 Resident Bishop Mary Ann Swenson Web Site www.rhumc.org District Superintendent Kathey Wilborn

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOURS 8:30 & 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday -Thursday 9 – 4:30

Friday 9 – 3 Next Cornerstone deadline is March 21

www.rhumc.org