THE WINDOW

Claremont United Methodist Church

October 16, 2019

Claremont United Methodist Church invites you and friends to

Church-Wide Halloween Fall Festival Sunday, October 27

5-7 p.m. in the West Parking Lot ~ Near the Preschool Mural

Come join the FUN! We need ALL of you to make this party AWESOMELY SPOOKTACULAR! The more, the merrier!

Bring yourselves, or your family, or your friends! Wear your costume (or

NOT) and join the FUN!

TRUNK or TREAT!!! All you need is a bag of candy or other goodies (see ideas below) and your car!

(no children needed in order to attend)

Park your cars in the West Parking Lot by 4:45 p.m. Open your trunk and share goodies with the children

Your goodies may include wrapped candies,

small trinkets that the kids will enjoy (pencils, erasers, small Halloween items, etc.)

FUN, FOOD, and GAMES!!!

COSTUME PARADE!!!

BOUNCE HOUSE!!!

Contact Sara Swift Tharpe or Rev. Martha for more information.

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Rev. Karen’s Kaleidoscope

Frank talk about money.

When I was a student journalist at North Texas, every Friday morning we would gather in the campus newsroom and our professors would share with us what they thought went well and what they thought could be better about our daily campus newspaper. The meetings were called “Slash” – which may give you a clue to the content! One week they told the sports editor that one of his stories was well written, but they could not tell by reading which team and sport it was about. The very next Friday, the sports editor published a story that had this first sentence: “Women’s basketball.”

I began this newsletter article, “Frank talk about money,” because I wanted there to be no doubt that I hope to address some of the difficult topics that arise in the midst of a stewardship campaign.

Talking about money can be painful. It can open challenging places within us and remind us of difficult times in our past and in our present. This is true for us as individuals and it is true for us as a faith community.

What gift can we bring?

I am aware that in this church and in others I have served in or been a member of, the most valuable gift some give is time and service. At stewardship time, these generous givers can feel left out or overlooked. I see you. I value you. If you did not give so generously of your time, the church’s budget would be higher. Beyond that, though, hundreds and thousands of people would be without your ministry and service. Thank you.

How much can we bring?

I am aware that within many congregations, including this one, many people are on a fixed income. When there is talk about giving more, you may feel saddened. One thing I value about the concept of giving a prayerful percentage of our income is that it rises and falls as our resources do. I have had such years myself. The greatest drop in my financial giving to my church came the year I left the newsroom and entered seminary. (Those were also the only three years that I stopped saving for retirement, so my giving to myself dropped in those years, too.) There are many different reasons for fixed income, and it is one of the more challenging places to be in life. To all of you on fixed income who give your time or resources, thank you. I see you. I value you.

How much more can we bring?

I am aware that always in congregations, some of you are having your best financial years ever. You do not talk about it, but you give thanks for it. These are the times, when we

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consider what part of that increase we want to invest in the ministry and mission of both our church and other worthy organizations. The truth is that those of us who have the spiritual practice of giving are not just generous in church, we are generous elsewhere. In years of abundance, we have the privilege of discerning how much more we can give. Thank you. I see you. I value you.

Why should we give anything to the greater United Methodist Church?

I am aware that, like me, many of you are challenged by the current devastating debates in the United Methodist Church that will either lead to a hopeful and fully inclusive resolution in May or will lead to a divided denomination. (Plans for consideration submitted to May’s General Conference include the possibility of one church or several new denominations.) So why give until that is decided? For me, being part of a church like Claremont UMC that is inclusive to everyone and continues to grow in living into how to achieve that welcome so that it is more and more wide and more and more authentic, spurs my own giving. I want to give to a church that I see as a beacon in this dark time within our denomination. You may know that just as we are responsible to pay taxes in our civic lives, our church gives a portion of our income to the greater church. Our Conference here in California has provided an alternative fund for churches to give to that keeps those funds from going to the most discriminatory areas within our church divide. And, I know, for some of us even that is a challenge for many reasons. I am appointed within this system and working within this system in the hope that fully inclusive clergy and congregations can continue to make a difference in many lives. So, I give knowing some of my money goes places I may not like, just like some of my taxes go to part of our country I would like to see change for the better. As you consider whether you can give at all, I see you. I thank you. I value you.

Thank you, all.

Every person I have talked to is giving of themselves in meaningful ways. That is one of the true treasures of this faith community. Thank you. As we consider together what we value and build and approve a balanced budget that reflects those values, please prayerfully consider what you are able to give of your time and your finances, and, as always, your prayers.

In Prayer and Care, Rev. Karen

Rev. Karen’s main resource for her Stewardship sermons is this book, Integrating Money and Meaning, which you can find at: https://www.amazon.com/Integrating-Money-Meaning-Practices-Heart-Centered/dp/1733732209.

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As members and friends of Claremont UMC, we support the church with our prayers, our

presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.

Unwillingly Absent

We list all temporarily or permanently homebound persons and their caregivers who are a part of Claremont United Methodist Church. This reminds us that they are a part of this church, and would be here if they could.

Dixie Allen, Myrtle Atkins; Jeanne Avera; Merrell Baker; Jean Bogus; Leslie Brewer; Jay Carlisle; Sue Carlisle; Savannah Chalifoux; Elizabeth Clarke; Betty Cramer; Lila Haage; Dave Harshman; Dorothy Hartzler; Jim Jeffery; Orion Morrison; Pat Pruden; John Regan; Joan Roth.

Our Prayers... Please Remember: To publish someone on the public prayer list, she/he needs to give consent to be published. Remember to keep the church office updated on your loved ones on the prayer list, (909) 624-9021 or churchoffice@claremontumc.info. Thank you.

New to the Prayer List

Richard Allen (from Laura & Bob Fukada) Jean Bogus Vivien & Dick Bruner & Family Tom Coburn (Kimball Coburn Sr.’s brother) Ruth List (Jean Bogus’ sister)

Rev. Guillermo Navarette (Missionary in Tijuana) Ray Rincon (Pete Rincon’s cousin) Steve Smithers (Lottie Lilley-Coles’ friend) The SoCal Fires Howie Yeager The Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago; Canada, United States of America (World Council of Churches Countries of the Week October 20-November 2)

CUMC Members

Eliza Alejandro Abraham Alobaidi & Family Myrtle Atkins Elizabeth Clarke Mili Dawai & Family The Haage Family Anne Harrington (surgery recovery) David Harshman Andy Hubbard Laura Lilley-Coles Lisa Poe Joan Roth Lynn Smith Robert & Bill Willsey & Family

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Our Presence…

10/6/19: 220 10/13/19: 176

Friends and Family of CUMC Members

Alannah (Savannah Chalifoux’s daughter) All Who Are Angry Dana (Mary Kraus’ sister) Elizabeth (Leslie Biglin’s daughter) Margaret (Mary Johnson’s sister) Al & Shirley Arnold (Dwight Vogel’s college friends) Silvina Campo (Jackie Campo-Poe’s mother) Pamela Check & her Cats (Laura & Lottie Lilley-Coles’ friend) Children locked in horrid camps at the Border Paul Clark (close friend of the Vogel Family) Lois DeLaVega (Jean Bogus’ friend) Dios es Amor (CUMC’s sister church in Tijuana) Nelda Hays (Paula Hui’s cousin) Will Henderson (Thom & Cheryl Armstrong’s friend) Hope, Joy, & Love for All Natalie Hugins (friend of Tammy Baer, Susan Holstrom, & Sharon Estrada)

Improved Relations between Races Rosemary Jespersen (Sharyn Landers’ friend) Leaders of All Nations (cease from violence & hate) Sarah McAfee (Ward McAfee’s sister) Military Members Jean Monga (Julia Barrett’s friend) Pastors & Laity in Churches & Conferences not supporting an Inclusive Gospel

Peace: on earth, in the hearts of our leaders, among all peoples Peacekeepers in Israel & Palestine The People of Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, & Liberia

People Who Fall Debra Schell (Jean Bogus’ niece) Mark Stevens (Lottie Lilley-Coles’ friend) Kathy Wells (Nancy Goodman’s cousin) All Facing Deportation The Homeless & Hungry Those Struggling with Addiction, with Finances, with Mental Health

Victims of Hate Crimes and Violence The World

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Adult Ministries Corner

Reading the Bible Together, a weekly Bible study led by Rev. Karen and Rev. Martha, meets Wednesdays from 9:45-10:45 a.m. in Room 2. All are welcome, whether a beginner with the Bible or a seasoned veteran! Speak to Rev. Karen or Rev. Martha if you have any questions.

LIFE GOES ON DISCUSSES “NO CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE” ON OCTOBER 20 Part of the human experience is facing death, dealing with loss, and working our way through grief that at times can threaten to overwhelm us. We grieve from all kinds of losses: death of a loved one, as caregivers for a loved one with chronic illness, our own serious illness, divorce, even loss of a job. We need the comfort and support of our faith community at these times. Life Goes On responds to this need by offering support, comfort, and objective information in a safe and confidential setting. Life Goes On will meet on October 20 at 11:00 a.m. in the Round Building discussing “No Chance To Say Goodbye.” The series will continue on the third Sunday of each month. If you would like to be part of Life Goes On or if you’d like more information, please contact Rev. Martha Morales: (909) 624- 9021 or marthacumc@gmail.com. All are welcome.

“Men’s Enrichment Group” gathers on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning of each month for fellowship, individual sharing, and devotional study. We meet at the convenient Mt. San Antonio Gardens, where breakfast is available at 8am. Study books are available. Would you like more information? Get an invitation card from one of us,: Abraham Alobaidi, Al Smith, Bill Beck, Carl Williams, DarEll Weist, Dave Harshman, Dick Tipping, Ed Kania, Frank Cookingham, Harold Unland, John Regan, Ron Harrington, and Thom Armstrong. We’re happy to share our experiences.

Book Study Group: meets next on the fourth Monday of October, the 28th, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 2. The book this month is Eleanor: A Spiritual Biography by Harold Ivan Smith. Annabel Unland will lead discussion. All are welcome! Contacts: Peggy Williams & Wilma McLeod

CUMC Preschool Angel Bins Update Hello Everyone, Many of you know that The Preschool has partnered with Angel

Bins to collect shoes for micro-entrepreneurs in South America, Central America, and Africa who repair and resale these shoes as a way to support their families. If you’re like me, you have shoes in your closet that you will never wear again! We would love to take

them off your hands and out of your closet! We are accepting men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes; dress, athletic, boots, sandals, slippers, ballerina shoes, etc. If in doubt, just bring them! Our goal is 20 boxes for the Angel Bins and we have 16 so far. There is a box for the shoes outside of

the CUMC front office. If you prefer, you can bring them to the preschool or call us, and we will pick them up. We will be collecting through October 24th. Thank you for your support!

The Preschool ~ 624-8223

Our Gifts, Service, Witness…

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Claremont United Methodist Women to host Cal-Pac Annual Meeting Friday and Saturday, October 25-26

Over 200 women will gather at Claremont UMC Saturday, October 26 for the Annual Meeting of Cal-Pac United Methodist Women (UMW). The Women’s Chorus will sing in the Opening Celebration at 10 a.m. and Rev. Jan Wiley will be the morning speaker.

We will need the help of many women during the weekend – hosting a training event lunch in the round building Friday, bringing muffins, coffee cake, fruit, and juice for Saturday morning during registration, helping hand out prepared lunches and serving drinks on Saturday, etc.

We are looking forward to hosting so many women at are church! Opportunities to commit to help will be coming out soon! ~ Susie Holway, Claremont UMW

The Missions Connection The Missions Commission is sponsoring another pilgrimage to the Border this coming Sunday, October 20. There is shared communion at The Wall at 1:00 p.m. led by the Rev. John Fanestil of the San Diego UMC along with the Rev. Guillermo Navarette on the Tijuana side. A memorable experience! We will leave from Claremont UMC at 10:30 a.m. and return to Claremont by 4:30 p.m. If you would like to go, please contact Joe De Roulhac jderoulhac@msn.com.

~ Al Streyffeler, Missions Commission Chairperson

All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 3 during worship, 9:30 a.m. All Saints Sunday is a day where we remember the saints in our lives. During worship, we’ll read aloud the saints who have died between November 1, 2018 and November 1, 2019. We will honor and remember not only those

who were a part of this church family, but also loved ones you lost in the past year. Please contact Jessica in the CUMC office, churchoffice@claremontumc.info, or (909) 624-9021, with the name of your loved one who died between November 1, 2018 and the present by Wednesday, October 30.

Sincere Thanks! I’d like to just say thank you to Carl Williams, Ed Kania, and Gerry Loritsch, who covered the church office for me while I was on vacation at the end of September. I am truly grateful for their willingness to step in and cover for me. It’s a big job, and I feel good knowing I leave my office in their loving and capable hands! I would also like to thank Sharon Estrada and Edith Richardson for their extra work last week on helping me get the first Stewardship letter in the mail! ~ Jessica Johnston, Church Administrator

Daylight Saving Time Ends… Sunday, November 3 at 2:00 a.m. Set your clocks BACK 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday night!

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Equipping for Renewal 2019

Saturday, November 16 from 8:00 AM - 3:15 PM Location: Church of the Good Shepherd - Arcadia (400 W Duarte Rd, Arcadia, CA 91007) Cost: $15 including light breakfast and lunch ($20 on site - cash or check only) Registration Deadline: November 12

This event (formerly East District How-To Workshop) offers training for administrative and ministry functions in the local church and how they benefit the whole ministry of the church. The event includes two practical workshop sessions and a keynote speaker, Rev. Alan Fadling, President and Founder of “Unhurried Living” and author of The Unhurried Life. Rev. Fadling will also have a breakout session with clergy.

Schedule includes: o 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Registration & Breakfast o 9:00 AM: "Unhurried Leaders Equipping for Renewal" by Rev. Alan Fadling o 10:25 AM: Panel Discussion with moderator Rev. Karen Clark Ristine o 11:15 AM: Morning Workshop o 12:15 PM: Lunch o 1:00 PM: Afternoon Workshop o 2:45 PM: Closing Workshop

The workshops are sponsored by the Greater San Gabriel Valley Mission Area. Childcare is available with pre-registration and by request. For a full list of workshops, including some course descriptions offered in Chinese by Rev. Tom Tseng or Rev. Dr. Chin Cheak Yu, visit: www.calpacumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2019-East-District-Training-Conf-flyer.pdf. Register online at https://calpacumc.formstack.com/forms/easttraining1119.

Looking for New Ways to Serve? We’re on the lookout for some Sunday ushers! Ushers welcome worshipers, hand out worship bulletins, guide as you find a place to sit, coordinate passing the offering plates, and stay to make sure things are tidy after worship. We have FOUR open usher slots: two for the Sundays of December, April, and August; AND two for the Sundays of January, May, and September. If you are interested, please contact CUMC’s Office Administrator, Jessica, (909) 624-9021 or churchoffice@claremontumc.info. THANK YOU to ALL of our ushers, especially our substitutes!

Third World Gifts and Handarts

Sunday, November 10 following the 9:30 a.m. worship service, during coffee fellowship, Sue Fenwick will once again bring crafts from around the world to purchase. Plan on doing your Christmas shopping as you purchase gifts that will help those in third world countries. Sue comes to us from Third World Gifts & Handarts, a nonprofit organization in Orange, California. (https://thirdworld.gifts/welcome/)

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Annual Thanksgiving Boxes

For many years, Claremont UMC has generously provided Thanksgiving dinners for families in need in our community. We have done this by filling boxes with all of the ingredients to make a Thanksgiving dinner and included a $25.00 gift card to Stater Bros. so the family could buy their own turkey. These Thanksgiving boxes have been distributed to families through the Beta Center, which is one of the food banks operated by the Inland Valley Hope Partners.

Each year, we have exceeded our goal. Last year, our goal was 100 boxes, and because of your generosity and that of the families of the Preschool at Claremont UMC, we were able to provide 124 families with a Thanksgiving dinner.

This year we are once again going with a goal of 100 boxes! You may pick up your box and shopping list in the Narthex on Sunday, November 3.

Return boxes to the Narthex anytime, but no later than Sunday, November 17.

Each box will have two 3x5” cards attached. One card will be the grocery list of what is needed for each box. The other card will have printed on it the information needed to identify who donated the box and if a gift card is included.

You can choose to provide a box of groceries, and/or a gift card. Some families go together in filling a box. Some prefer to buy a gift card only.

Our own Preschool at Claremont United Methodist Church participates in a Scrip program and has $25 Stater Bros. gift cards available. Gift cards purchased through the Preschool’s Scrip program benefits the Preschool.

If you would like to buy a gift card, please make a check out to CUMC for $25, and on the memo line, write “Thanksgiving Gift Card.”

This is a perfect time to invite your children and/or grandchildren to go shopping with you. It is a great way to teach children about giving.

If you are unable to shop or would just prefer not to shop, we will do it for you. The cost to fill a box is approximately $25.00. Just let us know on the day you sign up. Please make a check payable to CUMC for $25, and on the memo line, write “Thanksgiving Box.”

If you would like to do both a box and a gift card, please make the check for $50.00 and note that on the memo line. God bless you and thank you for your continued support!

~ CUMC’s Homeless/Hunger Committee

Charge Conference for Claremont United Methodist Church Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. HERE at Claremont UMC in the Round Building Our District Superintendent, the Rev. Melissa Roux MacKinnon, presiding This is an ALL-CHURCH Conference. All are welcome to attend. All members of

CUMC have voice and vote. If you are a committee/commission chair, or a leader of a group that usually submits a written report for the charge conference booklets, please turn those in “camera-ready” to Jessica in the CUMC office by Tuesday, November 5, churchoffice@claremontumc.info, or drop off a hard copy. Thank you!

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The deadline for the

October 30 issue of The Window is Sunday, October 20.

Help GREEN CUMC Receive The Window online! Email

Jessica: churchoffice@claremontumc.info.

Photos by Terry Givens

Unless it’s clip-art, an official book or movie poster, or otherwise noted, Terry Givens takes and shares all of the pictures of CUMC’s worship, campus, and events that you see in each issue of The Window. We are SO grateful to Terry for this special ministry that enhances our newsletter! Please join the CUMC staff in saying thank you, Terry!

Office: (909) 624-9021 Fax: (909) 624-7308 Toll Free: 1-844-251-6335

churchoffice@claremontumc.info www.claremontumc.net

CUMC warmly welcomes you to worship and fellowship.

Sunday Worship Service 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School Classes Children 9:50 a.m.

Youth and Adults 10:45 a.m.

Youth Group Sundays, 4-6 p.m. during the schoolyear

CUMC Clergy and Staff

Rev. Karen Clark Ristine ~ Lead Pastor x224 Rev. Martha Morales ~ Minister of Education & Caring Ministries x231

Jessica Johnston, M.Div. ~ Church Administrator x222 Genaro Cordova ~ Facilities Engineer

Jeri Bollman, M.S. ~ Director: CUMC Preschool, 909-624-8223 Sara Swift Tharpe, M.Div. ~ Director of Youth Ministry

Jared Pugh ~ Director: Sanctuary Choir Katie Franklin Ledsinger, M.A. ~ Organist; Director: The Circuit Ringers,

CUMC Kids Choir, & Youth Chimes Marie Soltero and Elizabeth Slater ~ Nursery Attendants

Mateo Mamea ~ Sunday Custodian Leeann Nabors ~ The Clinebell Institute, 909-447-6329, 909-451-3690

Located in the California-Pacific Annual Conference: Rev. Dr. Grant J. Hagiya ~ Resident Bishop

Rev. Melissa Roux MacKinnon ~ East District Superintendent

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Claremont United Methodist Church 211 W. Foothill Blvd. Claremont, CA 91711