Sunday, January 15, 2012

English Ministry News and Notes for 1-15-12

*Happy Human Relations Day! HRD is one of six Special Sundays in the UMC. The purpose of the day is to call "the Church to recognize the right of all God's children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other." The UMC began marking this special Sunday in 1972. We observe it on the Sunday closest to Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday in honor of his life, ministry and legacy for social justice and equality between peoples.
Your Human Relations Day offering supports vital community ministries that teach and advocate for justice, especially among people struggling to survive in the margins of society through ministries like the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program, Community Developers Program and UM Voluntary Services Program. Thank you for giving generously.

*We Welcome the Rev. Israel Alvaran Today! Rev. Alvaran is a United Methodist clergy from the Philippines Annual Conference and works on economic justice and immigrant rights concerns in the Bay Area. Until recently, he served as interfaith and community outreach organizer for a statewide organization, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice. He has served in various ministries: as pastor, university and youth chaplain, and seminary instructor. Rev. Alvaran finished the MDiv. and MTh. degrees at Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines, and a DMin degree at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.

*Do You Love Lent? Worship? Both? You are invited to imagine the season of Lent together at our worship planning retreat, Saturday, Jan. 21st, from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided so please RSVP to Aeri or Pastor Emily.

*We Celebrate Laity Sunday Next Week. We will hear from our outgoing and incoming Lay Leader and EMC Chair and celebrate the ministry that we have ALL been called to through our baptism.

*Small Group Ministry Celebration & Lunar New Year Potluck - We will worship in parallel on Sunday, Jan. 29th at 9:30 a.m. with our CM brothers and sisters.  Following worship, we will hold our annual lunar new year potluck.  Please bring a main or veggie dish to share.  No desserts, please!

*Have You Signed Up for Hospitality Yet?  If so, thank you!  If not, grab a friend and please do so today!