“…love one another, as I

have loved you.” John

13:34

You’ve heard it so often in

church settings, maybe

TOO often. It may have

lost some of its power, or

at least, some of its shine.

But this is not a little

wisdom saying, it is

nothing less than a

command of Jesus to his

would-be followers.

How exactly do we

comply? What does it

mean to “love” the people

who call Centennial their

home? Yes, there are

those we love, but

perhaps, more that we

“like.” Some perhaps, who

don’t make that list!

Others, we don’t know at

all, regardless of how long

we have shared this

space. So what does it

mean to “love” ALL?

I think we could spend a

whole year exploring that

question… and we will!

2017-2018 program year

brings with it your Church

Council Goal of putting

our focus on our love for

one another. We do this

because together we are

building The Blessed

Church. You may recall

that in a congregational

survey taken in 2015, you

named these as the

foundational building

blocks for that sacred

work: Love of God, Love

of One Another, and Love

for our Neighbor. At my

suggestion, the Council

approved a focus on each

of these for one year.

My great hope and

expectation is that with

each of these yearly

emphases we will invite

the Holy Spirit to take us

where we have not gone

before: Each heart deeper

in our walk of faith with

God, our hands and feet

more deeply engaged

with one another and the

community around us,

and our congregation in

wider partnership with

others who enrich our

world with God’s mercy

and compassion.

Please plan now to be

present for our New

Year’s Day celebration. It

is will be all about loving

one another! Rather than

our traditional service of

worship in the sanctuary,

we will take advantage of

the unusual holiday on

Sunday morning by

celebrating a Moravian

Love Feast in the

Fellowship Hall together.

Amid music, prayers,

scripture and sharing

about our hopes for

Centennial’s future, we

will offer ourselves as one

Church to the God of the

Future.

May God light our

common path into Jesus’

Way in 2017!

Faifekau/Talatala/

Pastor Renae

The Pastor’s Perspective

The Centennial

STAFF

Pastor:

Renae Extrum-

Fernandez

Director of Music

Ministries:

Rick Schlosser

Hand Bell

Director:

Loretta Fransham

Pre-School

Director:

Denise Tessman

Office Manager:

Sonja Hazzard-

Webster

Administrative

Assistant:

Vilimaina

Koroi

Centennial United Methodist Church

5401 Freeport Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95822

916.452.4477

centennialumc.com

GOALS

JANUARY

LOVE

MEMORIES

MERCY

MIDNIGHT

CELEBRATE

COMPASSION

CONFETTI

FEAST

FELLOWSHIP

FIREWORKS

NEIGHBOR

PARADE

PRAYER

RESOLUTION

WISDOM

Page 2 The Centennial

S N J U C E V R W F W J T C F

M E A A X O O R I E I S H V E

D L I A N B M R L P S R G T L

Q J Z R H U E P R B D J I S L

W B V G O W A A A Z O A N N O

R B I L O M Y R U S M P D E W

M E R R C E E P Y U S L I B S

N Y K E R Y H M U M V I M T H

T S C O N F E T T I K T O U I

S R G R L O V E D A R A P N P

A O N F E R L T E B U N Q S A

E G K R C M V J N H A O L Y H

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Word Search

Page 3 The Centennial

A Man Called Ove by

Fredrik Backman is what

we are reading to discuss

in January. This

international bestseller is

centered around a 59 year

old man who is considered

a curmudgeon. It was

adapted into a successful

stage production in

Sweden and is a feature

film in the United States,

recently shown in

Sacramento. So if you did

or did not see the film,

read the book. We will

discuss it on Monday,

January 9, at noon. We will

meet at the home of Callie

Smith.

Bring your sack lunch and

join in the discussion.

From Shirley Manning:

Dear Centennial Family,

Thank you so much for the calls, cards, visits, meals and wonderful support following my recent surgery.

The road to recovery has been lightened by your care and concern. Healing is happening, and I thank all of

you for your part in it.

With gratitude,

Shirley Manning

UMW Book Group—January 2017 Selection

From Maryke & Richard Walsh:

UMW,

Our family thank each of you. A few of you were able to visit Mom at Eskaton, and we are thankful. One of

the cards had a handkerchief enclosed and Mom just loved it. The card was signed from UMW. Your kind-

ness uplifted Mom each day as she had her handkerchief at her side table.

Warmly,

Maryke and Richard Walsh

Thank You. Gracias. Vinaka Vakalevu. Malo Malo `aupito.

From Pamela Knox:

Dear Pastor Renae and Members of Centennial,

Thank you so much for your support during my convalescence. Your cards, calls, and prayers were greatly

appreciated. In fact when the doctor remarked about how fast I was healing I believe 100% it was because of

the many prayers that were prayed for me. Thank you also for the loving hands who crafted my prayer shawl.

Every time I look at it or use it I feel truly blessed.

Page 4 The Centennial

Towel oh Towel! Where for

art thou?

The kitchen in the Fellowship

Hall yearns keenly for its dish

towels. If you have kindly

taken some home to launder,

please heed this call and re-

turn them to the kitchen.

Let’s Whisper.

CUMC’s office staff love to

see you when you visit the

office, but sometimes we are

on the phone, and compet-

ing voices makes it hard to

hear our callers. We appreci-

ate your mindfulness!

Our human compassion

binds us one to the other—

not in pity or patronizingly,

but as human beings who

have learnt how to turn our

common suffering into hope

for the future.

Nelson Mandela

Catch All Corner

parents can talk their own

elementary age kids

through the same issues by

starting with a basic

discussion of what’s fair and

unfair, and what it means to

be part of a community, with

questions like, ‘ What does it

feel like to be excluded?

What can I do to help other

people feel included? ‘

By middle school, McEvoy

Spero says kids can wrestle

with Kings statement that “

Life’s most persistent and

urgent question is, “ What

are you doing for others?”

And parents can help kids

answer that question not just

by asking their kids, but by

asking themselves, what they

are doing for others. “ Our

young people are watching

us ”she says.”

In high school, kids are

ready to “get into the

complexity,” McEvoy Spero

says: how to fight like king

did to defeat the three

interrelated evils of war,

racisms, and poverty. Older

kids can start asking not just

what they can do to help, but

what they can do to create

change. And they’re old

enough to turn to King’s

writing like “The Drum

Major Instinct” or the

famous ”I Have A Dream“

speech.

At any age, it’s important to

help students remember that

King wasn’t a legend, but a

person, just like them. “ If you

put someone on a pedestal,

you can’t really be like them”

Carson says. “ But if you

realize that he was a human

being just like the rest of us,

who was caught up in a great

movement and did

extraordinary things, then

people begin to understand

that they can do

extraordinary things too.”

Adapted From Time: Carey

Wallace, January 19, 2015

By Brenda Cunningham

Before he was assassinated in

Memphis in 1968, Martin

Luther King Jr. led a

movement that had won

many victories, but the issues

of justice and peace he

fought for are still with us.

What are some concrete

ways to talk with kids about

King and his legacy, not just

on Martin Luther King Day,

but in ongoing

conversations?

Clayborne Carson, founding

director of the King Institute,

professor of history at

Stanford University, and

author of Martin’s Dream,

suggest parents look at

King’s childhood. The civil

rights leader clearly describes

the injustice he suffered in

his autobiography.

Andrea McEvoy Spero,

Director of Education at the

Martin Luther King Jr,

Institute at Stanford

University, suggest that

FOR THE FAMILY: How to Talk to your Kids About Martin Luther

King Any Day of the Year

“At any age, it’s

important to help

students

remember that

King wasn’t a

legend, but a

person, just like

them.”

Page 5 The Centennial

By Michael Cunningham

In 2015 the UMC Council of Bishops

wrote a pastoral letter on racism. A

few of the powerful statements

contained in the letter are as follows:

“The evidence is overwhelming that race still matters,

that racism is woven into institutional life and is

problematic to communal health. This reality impacts

every area of life – in the church and in the world.

As bishops of the Church, we cast a vision for a world

community where human worth and dignity defeat acts

of xenophobia and racism. We acknowledge that silence

in the face of systemic racism and community fears

serves only to make matters worse.

We commit to lead, model and engage in honest

dialogue and respectful conversation and invite people

of faith everywhere to join us.

We renew our commitment to work for a Church that is

anti-racist and pro-humanity, believing that beloved

community cannot be achieved by ignoring cultural,

racial and ethnic differences, but by celebrating diversity

and valuing all people.”

The letter challenges us both individually and collectively

as the local body of Christ, the church, to prayerfully

embark on a journey to fully realize Centennial’s vision

of being “a church that embraces diversity.”

The question was where and how to begin. In late

summer of this year we were made aware of an

upcoming event that was presented through our Annual

Conference.

The Annual Conference sponsored a 3 hour guided

(facilitated) conversation that addressed racial issues at

personal, systemic and institutional levels. The

workshop was facilitated by Pastors Sun Hee Kim and

Dale Weatherspoon. The main objectives of the

workshop were to raise awareness and offer tools to

address issues and organize programs locally that help

to dismantle racism in systemic ways in order to

encourage implementations within local churches

Seven members from Centennial attended the

workshop. During the workshop we had the opportunity

to meet as a team and discuss what this might mean for

Centennial.

Based on follow up discussions with the workshop

facilitators the Church Council has approved moving

forward with Centennial convening a workshop for

church leadership and lay members. The workshop

would replicate the one held in West Sacramento,

but be tailored to our needs.

In addition to the guided conversations, the workshop

would also incorporate cultural competency skill

building. Our goal is to create a safe place for a

conversation on race, racism and racial justice to take

place. It is hoped that it is both a learning and sharing

experience that we can all benefit from. Most

importantly, it will be designed to increase our

understanding and appreciation for the value of the

diversity we are blessed with having within our

congregation. In order to ensure that there is sufficient

time for cross sharing and skill building the workshop

will be 5 hours in length.

Based on the church calendar and what would work best

for the Fijian Language Ministry, April 30th, has been

selected as the date for the workshop. It was felt that

having the workshop on a Sunday afternoon would yield

the greatest turnout and accommodate competing work

and personal schedules. On April 30 there would not be

a separate Fijian Language service. Instead there would

be a joint service that would be fully integrated with the

Fijian Language Ministry.

Following the morning service there would be a

multicultural potluck luncheon. The workshop would

take place immediately after the multicultural potluck at

1:00 PM.

The Racial Justice and Cultural Competency Workshop

Fetu'u Niu January 19

Nola Wainiqolo January 20

Carol Hironaka January 25

Mary Castro January 28

Winfred Manuleru January 28

Irene Sadler January 28

Tina Boladau January 30

Kelly Lem January 31

Aliti Viriviri January 31

There are two great days in a

person's life - the day we are born

and the day we discover why.

William Barclay

Today you are you! That is truer

than true! There is no one alive

who is you-er than you!

Dr. Seuss

Hengi Fonua January 1

Connis Kimball January 1

Ralph Buell January 3

Marian Sheppard January 3

Emily Lau January 5

Barry Kwan January 6

Maina Koroi January 7

Samuel Ratliff January 9

Thomas Wallace January 11

Dave Roberts January 12

Fine Kula January 13

Anthony Sakakihara January 13

Grace Taumoefolau January 13

Steven Ashe January 15

Joe Green January 19

Zak Kazee January 19

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Page 6 The Centennial

It is essential that all members of

Centennial attend

the workshop. Without the

support and attendance of the

staff, church leadership,

committee members, and lay

members the ability of Centennial

to fully reflect our vision of being

“a church that embraces diversity”

cannot be fully realized.

We are excited about what this

might mean for Centennial and

request prayers that the Holy

Spirit provide the

direction for the upcoming

workshop.

In the coming months you will be

hearing more about plans for the

workshop.

Workshop: Racial Justice and

Cultural Competency cont’d

By Michael Cunningham

In December we focused on Standard

3 of the ten standards for culturally

proficient ministry. Standard 3

addressed who and how we recruit,

retain, and promote staff and lay

members that volunteer and serve in

leadership capacities within our

church. Standard 4 addresses how we

ensure that both staff and lay

members receive ongoing education

and training in culturally and

linguistically appropriate service and

ministry.

Standard 4. We provide ongoing

education and training on providing

culturally proficient ministry.

Hiring diverse staff and having a

diverse congregation and church

leadership does not automatically

guarantee

that we are

providing

culturally

competent

and

linguistically

appropriate

services and

ministries.

On going

staff and lay

member education and training are

also crucial to ensuring culturally

proficient cross-cultural interactions.

We represent different countries of

origins, English language proficiency,

social and economic standing, degree

of acculturation, and comfort levels in

cross-cultural settings.

It is incumbent that staff participates

in ongoing certified and/or

accredited education or other

training in culturally competent

service delivery. This training should

be based on sound educational (i.e.

adult learning) principles, include pre

and post training assessments, and

be conducted by appropriately

qualified individuals. Training

objectives should be tailored to the

particular functions of those being

trained and the needs of our church

and the specific populations that we

serve. Education and training should

include, but not be limited to, the

following topics:

Elements of effective

communication among staff and

lay members of different cultures

and different languages,

including how to work with

interpreters.

Strategies and techniques for the

resolution of racial, ethnic, or

cultural conflicts.

Building God’s beloved

community where everyone is

valued and every gift celebrated

by relating across racial, ethnic,

and cultural differences

The effects of cultural differences

on styles of worship, roles and

functions of clergy, staff, and lay

leadership, music, Bible study

and discipleship, and ministry for

children and youth.

The impact of poverty, race and

racism, socioeconomic status,

white privilege, ethnicity, and

sociocultural factors on

engagement in multicultural and

racial settings, such as our church

The effects of cultural differences

among members and staff on

satisfaction with church ministries

and activities

The effects of cultural differences

on discipleship and evangelism

services and ministries

The inclusion of social and racial

justice activities and ministries.

Working with and benefiting

from cross cultural clergy

appointments.

Developing and applying

awareness, knowledge, and skills

for racial equity, embracing

diversity and inter-cultural

competency.

These topics should be part of an

annual staff, leadership, and lay

member development plan based on

an annual training and education

needs assessment.

Next month we will focus on

language assistance for church

services, materials and activities.

Embracing our Diversity: Culturally Proficient Ministry

Ongoing staff and lay

member education

and training are also

crucial to ensuring

culturally proficient

cross-cultural

interactions.

Page 7 The Centennial

Centennial United Methodist Church

5401 Freeport Blvd.

Sacramento CA 95822

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We are many—one in

Christ… a church that

embraces diversity.