THE BELL RINGER - cumcfairfieldca.org

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.



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



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!!!!



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]



mailto:[email protected]

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.



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.



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.



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



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