the bell ringer - cumcfairfieldca.org
TRANSCRIPT
THE BELL RINGER
Community United Methodist Church
Fairfield, California
Table of Contents
Pastor Tom Pg. 1
Keep in Your Prayers Pg. 2
Birthdays/Anniversaries Pg. 2
SPOTLIGHT Pg. 3
Enduring Gifts Pg. 4
Advocates for the Hungry Pg. 5
CUMC Preschool Pg. 6
Christian Education Pg. 7
Finance Report Pg. 8
Thank You! Pg. 8
Team Leaders Pg. 8
UMW Pg. 9
Boy Scouts Pg. 10
Boy Scouts Pg. 11
CUMC Information Pg. 12
INSERTS:
FEBRUARY Calendar
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Community United
Methodist Church
1875 Fairfield Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
707.426.2944 Telephone
707.426.2900 Fax
Worship Time 10:30 A.M.
NEW WEBSITE
www.fairfieldcommunityca.org
Greetings To All In The Name of Christ!
Connis and I are most appreciative of the
love that was shared towards us this past
Christmas Season. Your cards, gifts of vari-
ous kinds served as a reminder of who you
all are—kind and generous. From the bottom of our
hearts, we thank you.
Thanks are also in order for the generous support you
have toward this church, in terms of service and a shar-
ing of your resources. At the end of October, we were
faced with a budget deficit of over $20,000.00, but at the
end of the year, we had a surplus of approximately
$2,000.00!
We also ended the year with more than 30 new members
received into the life of this congregation, so much so that
we showed a growth in membership rather than a de-
cline. Now we must continue our mission of making disci-
ples in the name of Jesus. We can if everyone would in-
vite someone in the spirit of Andrew, the brother of Peter.
Together, let’s make it happen.
Until then…..
See you in church!
Pastor Tom
FEBRUARY 2011
KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS: Pray for our CUMC Church Families Our Military personnel: Ruben Quintero-Farias, Scott Stallings, Eric Huber All our Homebound members Please pray for the Bish Family, as they mourn the passing of Nelson Bish. Please pray for the Harris Family, as they mourn the passing of Cathy’s Mother, Marguerite Gunther. Please pray for the Williams Family, as they mourn the passing of Bill Williams. Please pray for the Carlton family, as they mourn the passing of Betty’s brother. Healing for: Kathy Williams Erwin Jenzen Lou Hall Earline Barron Barry Wells Rachel Rochester Alfred Gassama Travis Campbell Juanita Fleming Sandra McNamara Scott Davis Amy Osada Barbee Brown Frances McKay Prince Hall Bill Meyers
Evelyn DeMoulin Jana Pearson Chloe Poquiz Ocie Buckner Jeanne Reavis Mickey Benesh Leroy Milo Harry Sadler
Linda Johnson Dennis DeToy Bryan Hall Sheila Quintana
Peggy Campbell Joe Robertson Lester Buster Jo Seed Cora Disney Marlin White
Contact: Aldean Sharp at 707.449.0447 for all Prayer Circle requests. If you have any questions about a name, please call Aldean.
Page 2
18—Jeff & Janet Willis
18—Sue Stiling
19—Chuck Branson
19—Jim Olson
20—Jeanne MacConnell
24—Marjorie White
26—Linda Johnson
27—Andrea Thompson
28—Sydney Goldfarb
28—Ed & Sue Lippstreu
1—Shane Welch
1—Harry & Eve Woodhouse
1—Jenna Wilson
2—Gene Cortright
4—Dawn Carwile
6 –Margaret Huber
6—Genie Branson
7—Joy Linquist
11—Tanner Stell
14—Betty Carlton
17—Beth Paine
17—Carol Kreisman
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org
Page 3
CUMC SPOTLIGHT IS ON
ALDEAN SHARP
By: Julie Fessenden
Aldean Sharp was born in Picher, Oklahoma, a little town that no longer exists! Picher
was a lead and zinc mining town with huge chats (mounds) of mining residue that Aldean and
her friends used as ski hills. They made their skis out of barrel staves which they tied to their
feet and then slid down the ―mountains!‖ Unfortunately, Picher is no more because a few years
ago a tornado blew the town away.
When Aldean was in high school, her family moved to Commerce, Oklahoma, where she
attended the same school as Mickey Mantle. Evidently he was a bit of a tease because when
the band was practicing their marching, he would try to steal Aldean’s bass drumsticks away
from her. She went from there to college, majoring in education and graduating from Central
State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. She put herself through college working as a long dis-
tance telephone operator, teaching in a one-room school house, and being assistant hostess in
the girls’ dormitory. Her job as a dormitory hostess meant that she could eat in the faculty
dining room and that she had her own room!
In her senior year at the university, she met Melvin Sharp, a math major, who became
her husband. They had two sons, and there are now seven grandchildren. They started their
careers in teaching in Oklahoma; he taught high school math, and Aldean taught fifth and
sixth graders. They soon decided that the grass might be greener in Colorado and moved there
where they taught for two more years before deciding that California was the place to be.
Coming to California in 1959, they soon found jobs in Vallejo and began attending the
local Methodist church. When they saw an ad for a walnut orchard on Gordon Valley Road,
they jumped at it and happily moved again. They started attending CUMC shortly afterward
in 1976. Unfortunately, in October of 1991, not long after he had retired and shortly after re-
turning from a trip back east to visit family, Mel had an equipment accident on their walnut
ranch and was killed.
Aldean enjoys the friendliness and sense of community at CUMC and feels we share the
common purpose of worshiping God. She believes in staying positive and maintaining an opti-
mistic outlook on life. She has always been very active in the church: she is a member of the
Oversight Committee for the preschool; she is on the Staff Parish Committee; and she heads
the prayer chain. She keeps busy outside of church as a member of the board of directors for
Meals on Wheels and as Resource Director for Area One of the California Retired Teachers’ As-
sociation. Area One, by the way, goes from Marin County to the California-Oregon border. Al-
dean brings a wealth of experience, a philosophy of service, and a can-do spirit to CUMC.
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org
Page 4
COMMITTEE ON ENDURING GIFTS
Now that all of the Christmas decorations have been put away for next year and
the New Year celebrations are over, it is a good time to reflect on the past year
and update our wills and trusts.
Have you experienced any life-changing events, (marriage, divorce, birth, death)
that would affect a will or trust? If so, you may have to amend your trust. If you
have made changes to any of the following, you should update the ―Schedule of
Trust Assets‖ page of your trust.
A change of banks or bank accounts
Buying a CD or cashing one out
Buying an insurance policy or cashing one out – If included on the page
Changing a brokerage account or buying or selling stocks or bonds
Buying a T-Bill or cashing one out
Buying or selling real property
This is a list of the most common reasons for a trust update but there are others
that may be unique to you.
Remember if an asset is not in the trust it might be subject to probate.
Lowell Graf, Chair
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org
Page 5
ADVOCATES FOR THE HUNGRY
“If you want OTHERS to be happy, practice compassion.
If YOU want to be happy, practice compassion.”
The Dalai Lama
The CORE COMMITTEE for the Advocates planned, prepared and served 52 adults
and seven children from MISSION SOLANO on Monday, Dec. 27 in the social hall.
Again, when we arrived, the ―table/chair‖ angel had mysteriously set up all the tables and
chairs!!!! We won’t mention any names – but we’ve heard the angel answers to the name
―STEVE HALL.‖ You don’t know how much we appreciate this, Steve. THANK YOU!!!!
Our Chairperson ESTELLA SAN JUAN prepared a delicious chicken soup, served with
warm rolls, tossed salad, ambrosia salad, ending with ice cream sundaes and various
cookies for dessert. Those helping make and pack lunches, preparing food in the kitchen,
donating food and serving were: ELAINE ELLER, STEVE HANSON, DAVE VEEN-
BAAS, BERYL INCARDONE, GINA & IAN MORROW, JEAN GASTON, SAM CATANIA,
RAE KING, DORIS YATES, STAN AND SHIRLEY DUYSEN. Good job everyone!!!!!
THANK YOU to our two ―Christmas elves‖ (IAN MORROW AND MALIK WALTON)
who carried the trays of hot soup to the tables for our guests!!!! Everyone enjoyed the hot
meal!
Each guest was given a gift bag filled with personal items as well as some candy. THANK
YOU CUMC MEMBERS for once again donating various personal items to fill the bags.
We appreciate your generosity.
PLEASE NOTE: The Advocates request any group using supplies from the church
kitchen to PLEASE replace what is used. In doing this, no one is ―caught‖ by surprise in
finding short supplies or no supplies when using the kitchen. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION!!!!
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org
Page 6
Pastor Tom spreads the Good News with
CUMC School preschoolers.
Miss Cathy with Kimberly Troung, Jason Longoria,
Giana Anselmo, and MacKenna Lynch.
We have been busy here at CUMC School! We had
the Suisun Wildlife come to our school for a presen-
tation, we had a successful Mary’s Pizza Shack Dine
and Donate, and we have opened a new four-year-
old class. We still have a few openings for this school
year and we will be opening registration for return-
ing families very soon! We do have a waiting list for
fall enrollment so call or come into the office to get
your name on our waiting list.
Spotlight on . . .
Miss Cathy
Miss Cathy was born and raised in
Napa and moved to Fairfield in 1985,
where she has resided ever since. Miss
Cathy has been working at CUMC
School for eighteen years. She has
worked with all of the preschool
classes and is currently the Two’s and
Three’s teacher, Monday through Fri-
day. “I’m a hard worker and I love
kids,” she said. Miss Cathy is a people
person and she enjoys working with
the other teachers and the parents. Did
you know that she has two daughters
and three grandchildren? Her grand-
kids Max, Maya, and Marley keep her
busy. Her hobbies include sewing and
crafts.
Fantastic News! Businessman and Phi-
lanthropist C.C. Yin donated $1,000 to
Mayor Harry Price’s choice of a non-
profit organization and Mr. Price chose
CUMC Preschool. We are very grateful
for the generous donation! C.C. Yin
owns and operates many McDonald’s
franchises in the area and he recently
opened a new store in the new Wal-Mart
Super Store here in Fairfield. Thank you
Mr. Yin and Mr. Price!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Upcoming events: 2/24 Donuts with Dad 8 to 9:30 am 3/2 Dr. Seuss Read Across America begins 3/8-9 School Pictures 3/10-11 Parent Conferences 3/19 “Bids for Kids” Dinner and Silent Auction
Page 7
Christian Education
Terry Odneal
Christian Education Update
CHILDREN’S PROGAM:
Sunday School for Children will continue to be part of the worship hour. Children through 6th
grade are dismissed for Sunday School right after Children’s Moment.
Sunday Night Camp resumed in January. This is now a ONCE A MONTH program held on the
LAST Sunday in the month:
February – 27th
March – 27th
In April, because Easter is the last Sunday of the month there will be no Camp. However, there
will be our most popular children/family event, The Easter Egg Hunt on April 23rd. This event
will include an Egg hunt, luncheon and short children’s pageant. Last year over 120 attended
this event. Hope to see a lot more this year!
ADULT PROGRAM:
―Parables from the Backside‖, an Adult Book Study held each Sunday morning starting at 9:15
in conference Room 2 of the upper building.
Men’s Fellowship and Bible Study at 9:15 in Room 13, lower building.
We are open to suggestions on how to start other Adult programs. Fellowships and book stud-
ies are not limited to Sunday mornings! Send me your suggestions! You can leave a note in my
box in the hallway, send me an email or call me any time!
Terry Odneal: 290-3326
EMAIL: [email protected]
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org
Page 8
Our CUMC Ministry Officers and Team Leaders
Lay Leader: Herman Wilson Trustee: Pastor Tom
Church Council: Stan Duysen Enduring Gifts: Lowell Graf
Finance: Andy Wedaman Fund Raising: Open
Treasurer: Mary Kermoade Asst. Treasurer: Gloria Nemson
Staff-Parish: Steve Hanson Family Ministries: Connis Kimball
UMW President: Linda Patrick Hospitality: Connis Kimball
Christian Education: Terry Odneal Welcoming: John Stallings
Advocates for the Hungry: Estella San Juan Prayer Circle: Aldean Sharp
Communication & Website: Thadd McNamara Membership: Kandy Hudson
Memorial: Gloria McBrayer Preschool Over-Sight Committee: Marilyn Zakareckis
Scouting: Terry Odneal Worship Chair: Karen Metz
Wedding Coordinator: Stephanie King & Kim Nemson
STATUS OF RENOVATION LOAN
Original Loan Amount $1,486,000.00
Payments—4th Quarter $39,205.86
Loan Status as of 12/31/10 $1,418,548.29
YEAR TO DATE CASH FLOW BUDGETED YTD
Income $365, 018.71 $370,654.00
Expenditures ($357, 928.08) $362,892.00
Gen. Fund Bal. $ 7,090.63 $ 7,762.00
DECEMBER 2010 NOVEMBER 2010
YEAR TO DATE CASH FLOW BUDGETED YTD
Income $315,965.62 $339,766.17
Expenditures ($332,597.60) $339,766.17
Gen. Fund Bal. ($16,631.98) -0-
Thank you from Mission Solano!
CUMC received a thank you letter from
Mission Solano for the $500.00 donation
that we sent to them during the holidays.
Please see a copy of the letter posted on the
Community bulletin board.
THANK YOU FROM MEALS ON WHEELS!
We also received a thank you letter from
Meals on Wheels of Solano County for the
generous donation of $500.00 we sent to them.
Please see a copy of the letter posted on the
Community bulletin board.
Page 9
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN – FEBRUARY BELL RINGER
UMW ladies have been busy as usual! On January 7th, we hosted the Church
Women United Tri-City Unit’s Annual Meeting/Potluck in our Fellowship Hall. Thanks to
Bonnie Langdon, who played the piano for the meeting, and to Jeanne MacConnell, Rae
King, Summer Singh, Vickie Santos, Dottie Almquist, Doris Yates, Margaret Lewis, and
Carol Lewis-Hinds for all their help, and to Pastor Tom for his words of welcome and
blessing.
Sisters Circle met on January 15th at the home of Rosie Aron. They worked on
their Chocolate, Spa, Gift Card, and Date Night baskets for the CUMC Crab Feed. They
enjoyed a lovely brunch and also began a study of Eve in the Women of the Bible. Next
meeting will be February 12th. See Kristin Lucero or Phyllis James for details.
Susanna Circle met on January 10th at the church. Dottie Almquist conducted a
pledge service, Jeanne passed around “Thinking of You” cards for Kathy Williams (heart
surgery and death of her husband, Bill) and for Kathy’s mother, Esther Gribble. Jeanne
served refreshments and the ladies worked on their Gift Card basket for the CUMC
Crab Feed. Next meeting will be on February 8th at 1:00 in the church conference
room.
Evening Circle met on January 25th at the home of Winn Peterson. They watched
a video and followed it with discussion; then enjoyed refreshments brought by Sally
Livingston. Money was collected for a “Surprise” Gift basket for the Crab Feed. Next
meeting will be February 22nd at 7:00 P.M. at Winn’s home.
It was decided by the UMW Board to plan for another Craft Fair/Bazaar in No-
vember 2011. Tentative dates are November 12-13. SO, EVERYONE, PLEASE START
MAKING “STUFF!”
As always, if you are not a member of a Circle, please consider joining one. The
fellowship is amazing, nurturing and supportive! Contact Linda Patrick at 446-8993.
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org
Page 10
Sunday, February 13th is All Scout Sunday
All Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are welcome and encouraged to attend All Scout Sunday on the 13th of Febru-
ary. Come in uniform! Also, if there are any children or youth involved in 4-H or Campfire, please come too!
Why Do We Support Scouting and the other Civic Serving Youth Programs?
The mission of the church is to reach out to those within the community, receive them as they are, relate them to
God, nurture and equip them, and send them back into the community in order to make the community a more
loving and just place in which to live.
With that in mind, the United Methodist Men’s Foundation established an Office of Civic Youth-Serving Agen-
cies/Scouting Ministries. The purpose of this office is to promote the use of programs across the Church and to
help local congregations understand how they might use civic youth-serving agencies as an outreach ministry
within their community.
The national Church has chosen to use five youth agency programs:
1. Boy Scouts of America
2. Girl Scouts of the USA
3. Big Brothers Big Sisters (Amachi Partnership)
4. Camp Fire USA
5. 4-H
These agencies offer a unique opportunity to minister to young people. The five were chosen because of their
Christian teachings, long-standing connection with local congregations and their recognition of the God and
Country program.
We, the Church, are endowed with certain responsibilities that allow scouting and civic youth serving programs
to become a ministry. This is what differentiates us from a civic or community-based club.
Eight Reasons why Scouting and Civic Youth-Serving Agencies is a Ministry of the Local Church
1. Outreach: The ministry of Christ revolved around the profound concept of reaching out to others.
2. Evangelism: Statistics indicate that of all the youth who join scouting through the church, 25 percent
are United Methodists, 25 percent are members of other denominations or faiths and 50 percent come
from un-churched families. Therefore, Scouting is one potential entry point for persons to join the
church, which then has the opportunity to introduce, nurture and strengthen a relationship with Jesus
Christ.
3. Intergenerational: Scouting and civic youth ministry offers opportunities for older adults as well as
youth to participate.
4. Mission: Many mission opportunities are made available through the five youth agencies.
5. God and Country Program: The God and Country Series is an age-appropriate study series that fo-
cuses on discipleship, family, and service.
6. Develop Servant Leaders: Each youth organization had inherent “building blocks” that the local
church can transform into effective ministry.
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org
Page 11
7. Intentionality: The scouting program can be an effective, intentional outreach ministry of the local
church.
8. Make Disciples: Considering one or a combination of the previous reasons, a local church may
develop a consistent list of prospects for the Lord. Nurturing children, teens, and families through
out reach and evangelism and incorporating them into the life of the church may have tremendous,
eternal results for the youth, their family and the Church.
Scouting by the Numbers in the United Methodist Church
700,000: The approximate number of service hours that Eagle Scout service projects spent improving the
nation’s streams lakes and oceans.
$47 million: The amount of money Eagle Scout service projects provided in service to U.S. communities
across the nation in 2009.
557,000: The number of Scouts meeting in United Methodist churches
6,700: The number of United Methodist churches that sponsor 11,400 Scout units.
$21,000: The amount of money raised for Nothing But Nets by Scouts attending the 2010 National BSA
Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.
1,800: The number of New Testaments United Methodist Men gave to Scouts attending the national jambo-
ree and other high-adventure camps.
Community United Methodist Church – Fairfield & Suisun
Here at CUMC we have active Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Venturing programs with BSA. We also host a
monthly Girl Scout Community Troop (Community troops are used to place girls in existing troops and/or
start new ones) and a Brownie Troop. We do not have any active 4-H, Campfire or Amanchi Partnership
programs/chapters as yet.
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org
Community United
Methodist Church
1875 Fairfield Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
Phone: 707.426.2944
Fax: 707.426.2900
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
P A I D
FAIRFIELD, CA
PERMIT NO. 66
OUR STAFF All of Us, Ministers
Thomas Kimball, Senior Pastor
Ed Goldfarb, Director of Music
Virginia Mendez, Administrative Assistant
Beverley Nettles, Bookkeeper
Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Presley, CUMC Preschool Director
Ray Muniz and Steven Hall, Custodians
CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
9:15 A.M. Adult Sunday School
SUNDAY MORNING 10:30 A.M. and
Children’s Sunday School
Join us for “Coffee Time” following
our service. This is an awesome time
to welcome our guests and
visit in fellowship.
THE BELL RINGER, DECEMBER Volume 5, Issue 2
Published monthly by:
Community United Methodist Church
1875 Fairfield Ave
Fairfield, Ca 94533
FEBRUARY 4TH—CUMC CRAB FEED
FEBRUARY 21st—CUMC OFFICE CLOSED—PRESIDENTS DAY
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.cumcfairfieldca.org