Over the past 6 years our Pumpkin Patch has grown to be a beloved tradition both in our church and in our community. This year I feel the Patch held special significance for us all because it was very emotionally uplifting. Hosting the Patch gave our church members an opportunity to come on campus again and be part of a church activity and it gave our interim ministers an opportunity to meet some of our church folk face to face. It also gave the neighborhood a very needed and enjoyed fall tradition for which we received many heartfelt thanks from all who visited our Patch.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Pumpkin Patch this year with donations to purchase the pumpkins, working a shift and/or buying a pumpkin. All efforts definitely succeeded in meeting the needs of our church family and serving our community. It was a greater pleasure than usual for me to be the Pumpkin Pastor this year.
During this past month the question of, “are we having our annual Pumpkin Patch” has been asked by many people and has been discussed thoroughly by church leadership. In September, after a lengthy discussion the Cabinet decided to cancel the Pumpkin Patch due to Covid-19 related health concerns, primarily safely unloading the pumpkins off the truck.
This decision was entirely motivated by the desire to be good public health stewards and not from lack of desire to have the Patch. Church leadership recognizes that in addition to being a fundraiser, the Pumpkin Patch has become an important and anticipated event for both the church and the community. In wanting to continue a beloved tradition the Cabinet has approved a proposal to self-fund and “Adopt our Pumpkin Patch.”
This year, instead of the Navajos in Farmington provid-ing us with 1,200-1,500 pumpkins to offload and sell, we will be purchasing approximately 500 pumpkins from Tanaka Farms in Irvine. The Farm will deliver the pump-kins in boxes on pallets and the farm’s delivery crew will unload them off the truck. We would then need to un-pack the boxes of pumpkins and arrange them in the patch. The order will cost approximately $2,500. This price includes a 20% discount for nonprofits and a deliv-ery fee of $150.
We are asking the Church of the Foothills family to help “Adopt our Pumpkin Patch” with a donation of $25 or more. We are already feeling the love for the Patch with 2 church members already committed to a donation of $500. If you are interested in supporting the Patch by making a donation, please contact Pastor Kel or the church office.
I agree with the sentiment that the Pumpkin Patch has become a loved and valued tradition. I am thrilled that we once again making the neighborhood feel like fall by providing a very need light and life for both the church and the neighborhood….time to break out the orange hair dye.
As the State begins to slowly reopen, the question of having an outdoor worship service was raised to Cabinet and a committee to explore the question was formed. The committee created the following proposal and presented it to the Cabinet in June.
When the church can meet all State and CDC requirements the committee is suggesting hosting an outdoor service sometime in August. The service will be held on a Sunday morning from 9:15 am – 10:15 am, to avoid high temperatures, and there will not be fellowship time afterward. It will be held in the courtyard and the attendance will not exceed 50 people including the morning worship team.
All worshipers will be asked to :
Be mindful of attending only if they are in good health Temperatures will be taken upon arrival, above 100.4° will regretfully and out of abundance of caution, be unable to attend Masks must be worn Physical distancing will be maintained Online reservations must be made Worshipers need to bring their own chairs Childcare will not be provided Bathrooms will not be available during the service Worshipers are invited to bring their own drinks, but food will not be allowed on the cam-pus
The Cabinet approved the proposal and will be reviewing the possibility of having an August service during their July meeting. If you would be interested in attending or assisting with an outdoor worship service please contact Pastor Kel or the church office.
“When someone asks for your shirt give them your coat as well.” Matt 5:40
Chloe Pichon lived this scripture this week by taking our food collection drive for Western Service Workers into her neighborhood. Chloe created a flyer informing people about the church’s food drive and asking them to participate with donations. She passed out approximately 200 flyers and had a wonderful response.
Her neighbors were happy to participate and donated approximately a carload of food which Paula and Chloe took to Western Service Workers.
Thank you to Chloe and Paula Pichon for your great work and loving hearts.
“Prayer is talking to the universe, mediation is listening to the universe”……… “Music is the prayer the heart sings”
Music, Prayer, and Mediation are three aspects of worship that we will be bringing together as part of our Lenten journey this year. Singing is one of the most essential elements of worship. Short songs, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character. Using just a few words they express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God.
Beginning Sunday, March 8th and carry-ing through until Palm Sunday, April 5th, Meditative song will be part of our Sunday morning prayer time with the hope that it will open and deepen our spiritual connection and create opportunities to hear God’s still soft voice.
Lent is a season of personal reflection when we are encouraged to look within and identify and release any elements and aspects of ourselves that do not serve our greater good. In our walk, we will draw strength and encouragement from each other as we share in prayer and song.
Creating and sustaining balance of body, mind and spirit is something I have been very mindful and in need of this past year. In striving to achieve internal harmony, I have drawn from my experiences as a holistic healer and have found help in the tranquility and centering energies in the healing modalities. Thanks to a suggestion from Maureen and Jim Rosenquist I had an opportunity to experience an evening of Sound Healing at Chapman University.
Sound healing is an ancient modality which may use the power of voice, and/or sacred instruments such as Gongs, Singing Bowls and Medicine Drums. The purpose is to induce a state beyond mere relaxation to promote deep inner healing. In sound, we create a sonic environment that allows the receiver to enter into the deep resonance with the Self. It is not a passive state as the participant is encouraged to set an intention and simply be the witness to the unfolding of the moment.
I had a wonderful experience which was enhanced by the fact that the healing session was provided by one of our very own church members, Jody Theissen. She has been conducting sound offerings over the past decade throughout the southland. A trained musician, she has been featured at several Universities specifically for her sound healing meditations. Grounded in the ancient wisdom teachings of the Buddha and other spiritual masters, she employs meditative techniques such as breathing exercises and postures focusing on a deeper understanding of what it means to be fully present, awake and alive.
Jody utilizes various instruments in her practice which includes, gongs, Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls, drums, rattles and tuning forks. Skilled at the harmonium, she also works with sacred mantras and empowers others to find their voice thru song and word. Her approach emphasizes empowering each person to fully incorporate the practice and power of deep listening into daily living so that not only do we learn to listen to each other, but learn to hear our inner wisdom voice.
I invite anyone who is interested to join me at Chapman University on Monday February 10th at 7pm for a peaceful evening of sound therapy. I also invite you to stay after church on Sunday March 28th as Jody takes her show on the road and will be leading a sound healing experience in our chapel after church.
