English Ministry News and Notes 5-11-14

• Exciting Sunday School Series Started Today! Don’t miss the exciting series examining the early church community as found in Acts and what we might learn for our community today. The series is lead by Rev. Sandhya Jha of East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO).
• Let’s Keep Praying! You are encouraged to include our VIM Team and trip in your daily prayers.
• Celebrating Housing Sabbath – Next Sunday, May 18th, we will remember and celebrate the importance of affordable housing, our common values of shelter for all persons, and respect for our neighbors, and also appreciation for having a home, a place to belong. We welcome Rev. Sandhya Jha of EBHO as our preacher.

Dear Ones ~

Our Kumi Mission Team is busily preparing for their upcoming trip. We, as the Home Team, can support them in many creative ways. Listed below are a few projects that need many hands to complete.

If you have a little bit of time after worship and fellowship hour, we would greatly appreciate your helping hands. We will be working to complete these projects in the next three Sundays.

1 - Collect cardboard egg cartons (not plastic) for planting seeds. We need many, many of them. Bring them to church and give to me.

2 - Someone to transfer videos to DVD and copy DVD for educational lessons. (There are approximately a dozen of these).

3 - Sort, label and organize the various children's books for the school library.

4 - Ask your dentist for a donation of toothbrushes. We need as many of them as possibly available, but do not need tooth paste. Bring them to church and give them to me.

5 - If you have the gift of printing neatly by hand, we need Helping Hands to print 550 names on a rainbow banner. See Becky for this project.

6 - Assemble mini-slate boards, glue 12" by 12" pieces of cardboard with slate-like material for use as a chalkboard.

Thank you for being a part of the Home Team. - Burt, Home Team Coordinator

Reflections on Hymns from The Faith We Sing

This reflection is hymn #2242, Walk With Me.

You are invited to first read the words of this hymn.

How many times have we been asked to do things we don’t really want to do, but feel we "ought?" Someone has suggested that we reach a state of mature integrity when we can say to ourselves, "No more ‘shoulds’."

But that’s only part of the story, because we know there are tasks that are truly ours. There is a distinction, and we probably don’t always make the right choice. But as the stories in this hymn tell us—stories of Moses, of Peter, of Mary—the closer we feel to God, the more likely we are to know what is right for us. So it was for Moses, who tried to dissuade God: "I am not a leader. I am not an eloquent man." So it was for Peter, who tried to divert Jesus from his holy calling and ended up a leader in Christ’s church. So it was with Mary, who wondered how she, who wasn’t even married, could be given the great honor of bearing God’s Son.

And so it is with you and me, if we discern that a role we would rather avoid is really God’s will.

And how did these historic figures—and how do we—summon the courage and strength to carry out a God-given mission? By staying close to God. "Walk with me," God urges, "I will walk with you." And we do, and God does, and as God’s people we are able in faith to support one another, and our hearts overflow with gratitude for the blessing we really weren’t sure we wanted at all.

English Ministry News and Notes 5-4-14

• Great Thanks for each who made last week’s baby shower so special!
• Camping Fund Special Offering Today! Your generous donations will go towards enabling our young people to attend summer faith forming opportunities. Thank you!
• Let’s Keep Praying! You are encouraged to include our VIM Team and trip in your daily prayers.
• New 4 Week Sunday School Series Starts Next Sunday! Don’t miss an exciting series examining the early church community as found in Acts and what we might learn for our community today. The series will be lead by Rev. Sandhya Jha of East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO).
• Over three plus years ago, Lake Merritt UMC invited CCUMC to partner in the Food Pantry Ministry. CCUMC enthusiastically responded. The experience of serving has enriched each of our spirits. However, it has become apparent that participation has decreased among our members. Through prayer, discussion and discernment, CCUMC has decided to relinquish our partnership. We encourage those who wish to continue to participate to do so. No sign up is necessary. Just inform Leslie Christopher, Coordinator, at lgallaway@aol.com. Please continue to hold the Food Pantry Ministry in prayer as LMUMC continue this vital ministry.

Dear Ones ~
Our Kumi Mission Team is busily preparing for their upcoming trip. We, as the Home Team, can support them in many creative ways. Listed below are a few projects that need many hands to complete.
If you have a little bit of time after worship and fellowship hour, we would greatly appreciate your helping hands. We will be working to complete these projects in the next three Sundays.
1 - Collect cardboard egg cartons (not plastic) for planting seeds. We need many, many of them. Bring them to church and give to me.
2 - Someone to transfer videos to DVD and copy DVD for educational lessons. (There are approximately a dozen of these).
3 - Sort, label and organize the various children's books for the school library.
4 - Ask your dentist for a donation of toothbrushes. We need as many of them as possibly available, but do not need tooth paste. Bring them to church and give them to me.
5 - If you have the gift of printing neatly by hand, we need Helping Hands to print 550 names on a rainbow banner. See Becky for this project.
6 - Assemble mini-slate boards, glue 12" by 12" pieces of cardboard with slatelike material for use as a chalkboard.
Thank you for being a part of the Home Team. -Burt, Home Team Coordinator

A Farewell Note

Beloved Community -

Time has gone by ever so quickly, hasn’t it? I remember sharing the news with you that Steven and I were pregnant at the Christmas candlelight service. At that time, we couldn’t quite imagine what was ahead. Yet, the time has come to say – a temporary, God willing – goodbye. I will begin my maternity leave on Monday, May 5th, and on July 1st, the Bishop has appointed Rev. Brenda Walker to be your pastor. This means that we all – you and I – are entering into a time of transition and change. It is my great hope and prayer that we will journey through this time in much the same way we have all the transitions of the last 5 years – grounded
firmly in God’s grace, united in love and vision, and open to how the Spirit leads us forward.

As I leave, I want to first say an enormous, heartfelt “thank you!” I have been blessed again and again by being your pastor these past 5 years. Starting as your Associate Pastor and transitioning to the Lead Pastor, there has not been a moment in which your solid support and genuine care has not been extended to me and to Steven. You have forgiven mistakes I’ve made, allowed me space to experiment and try things on, laughed with me, and cried with me. Together, we have done our very best to seek after God and God’s kingdom and to embody God’s call here in Oakland Chinatown. I have learned an incredible amount along the way and give thanks for all the ways you have shaped and formed me as a pastor. I am humbled, I am proud, and I am so grateful.

Please do note that while I am on maternity leave (May 5th – June 30th), our able lay leaders with our pastoral team (Meina and Pui Fong) will work together, with you, to ensure that ministry continues to flourish and needs are met. In case of pastoral emergencies, please do contact Jane Yin, SPRB Chair (510-582-4368, janepyin@gmail.com) and/or Meina (510.452.1020, meinako12@gmail.com).

On July 1st, my appointment to CCUMC will end and your new pastor, Rev. Brenda Walker will begin her time here. I am excited for you and for Pastor Brenda, knowing that surely it is God who has lead her here. I am certain that you will do amazing, inspiring work together, and will be eager to hear how God continues to call you forward. I will be holding you and her in God’s light and care. Out of respect for our UMC protocols and in support of Pastor Brenda’s leadership, I will not be in contact with you during this year. However, Pastor Brenda has already welcomed me to return on occasion so that you might see the babies! I look forward to those times of reunion.

A final word: it has been a great joy for me to journey with Meina as she has discerned her call to ordained ministry. This past March, she submitted her request to our District Committee on Ordained Ministry to be accepted into the candidacy process. We are eagerly awaiting to hear word of her first interview and of next steps. Meina has demonstrated herself over the last 2 years to be a compassionate and gifted pastoral leader. CCUMC has been blessed to have her serve here. I urge you to give all of your support to her as she walks the long journey ahead. We look forward to her becoming our Associate Pastor soon!

In gratitude and with hope, Emily

English Ministry News and Notes 4-27-14

Covenant Relationship Sunday Special Offering - We invite your generosity in supporting each of our 3 covenant relationships: with Rev. Joseph Chan, Marilyn Chan, and with YCVM. This is an annual commitment we've made for this quadrennium (2013-2016). We look forward to our relationships growing!

*We're Showering the Babies and Parents Today - All are invited and welcomed to join in the joyous celebration of Pastor Emily and Steven's twins following worship.

*Camping Fund Special Offering - We will be taking a special offering next Sunday, May 4th. This fund supports youth who are interested in attending summer camps and other faith formation opportunities. Last year, we sent 5 kids to camp thanks to you!

*Let's Be Faithful in Prayer! - A prayer calendar was shared 2 weeks ago to lift up and remember our Volunteers in Mission as their preparations wind down and the departure date draws near. Please be faithful in holding them in prayer each day! If you need a copy, please connect with Burt.

*Looking Ahead: Pastor Emily's last day at CCUMC will be Sunday, May 11th. You are invited to share any questions, concerns, or reflections with her prior to that time!

Covenant Relations Sunday at CCUMC by Burt Yin

Today has been designated Covenant Relations Sunday for our church community.

Beginning November 2013, our church decided to be in three covenant relationships with three missionaries. Through this special partnership, each missionary is provided with financial, spiritual, and emotional support. It is through these dynamic relationships that we as a church and the missionaries pray for each other and communicate regularly.

Two of our missionaries, Marilyn Chan and Pastor Joseph Chan, from Cambodia, are with our United Methodist Church, General Board of Global Ministries. A third missionary is Silver Omakenyi, Director of Youth and Child Visionary Ministries, Kumi, Uganda.

More information about each specific missionary will become available during the coming months, lasting through the rest of this quadrennium, 2016.

http://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Chan-Joseph

Additional Information:

• Make an online donation to: Joseph Chan #12903Z.
• Missionary Support Code: 12903Z
• Track Gifts for Current Year. For previous years, please use Online Gift Tracking and enter 12903Z for "Project Number.”

- See more at: http://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Chan-Joseph#sthash.9pJ8jy7Z.dpuf
http://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Chan-Marilyn-Sovann

Additional Information:

• Make an online donation to: Marilyn Chan #12904Z.
• Missionary Support Code: 12904Z
• Track Gifts for Current Year. For previous years, please use Online Gift Tracking and enter 12904Z for "Project Number.”

- See more at: http://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Chan-Marilyn-Sovann#sthash.c1JIRQuq.dpuf

English Ministry News and Notes 4-20-14

*Happy, happy Easter! Thank you for being here to celebrate the joy of Easter and the grace of Cyrus and Jacinto's confirmation. You are warmly invited to continue celebrating in the Annex (next door) following worship!

*Next Sunday, Apr. 27th, we celebrate Covenant Relations Sunday! We welcome our Covenant Relations Team - Burt, Sylvia, and Steve - to share the invitation to build deeper, more intentional relationships with our mission partners: Rev. Joseph & Marilyn Chan serving in Cambodia, and Youth & Child Visionary Ministries (YCVM) in Uganda. This will be a special offering Sunday for the work of Covenant Relations! Please give generously! Worship begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. in the Annex followed by Pastor Emily & Steven's Baby Shower. All are welcome!

*We're Beginning An Exciting New Series: "Communities of Compassion in the Book of Acts & Today" with the Rev. Sandhy Jha. The series will engage our own joys and struggles of building community with what was happening in the early church. Together, we’ll explore what we might learn from those early founders of the Church for our communities today. This is a 4 week series that begins May 11th - June 1st at 9:30 a.m. Don't miss it!

*Great thanks to those who brought beauty into our worship space with lilies and flowers! James Yu, Ulander Pang, C K & Mabel Lee, Linda Woo, Donna Louie, Elsie Wan, Ben Lang, Leo & Helena Lin, Kwok Kuen Cheung, Suk Ling Lam Woo, Lin Kam Huey, Anna & David Wong, Lucy Zhou, Veronica & Roy Cheung, Ursella & Cloud Cheung, M/M Ying Zhu, Feng, Meina Ko, Xiong Hong, Mei Huei Lee, Richard & Adrienne Fong.

*Please Note: Church Secretary, Theresa Leung, is on vacation now through Apr. 30th. She will return to the office on May 1st.