How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Over the last 3 months our junior high youth have been going through the confirmation process. They have learned about the history of the church, what it means to be a Christian and more specifically what it means to be a Methodist. They have tackled topics like salvation, grace, sin and the meaning of the sacraments of baptism and communion. They have listened and asked questions. They have shared their insights with each other. They had one more thing to do. They were asked to write their own belief statement which were then going to be compiled to make a class credo.

As they turned in their faith statements to me and I began writing their class Credo, two things stuck out to me as I was reading them. The first was their wisdom, insight and honesty that they had. These statements weren’t easy and required some critical thinking, and I could tell they had spent some time really thinking about their answers. It was apparent that this was important to each and every one of them.

The second thing that really stood out to me was in some way or another they all felt that church was a safe place. They expressed that it was a place where all were loved for who they were. I realized how lucky these youth are to be a part of Community UMC because unfortunately, not all youth have this kind of experience. There are many churches that do not allow them to be who God has created them to be. They don’t feel as if they can ask questions, have doubts or make mistakes. Here at CUMC our youth feel this is a place where they can ask questions, try out new things, make mistakes and most importantly they can be the person God created them to be. As one confirmand said, “It is a place where you are never judged and can feel at peace.” What a wonderful gift this church has given them. You have all shown them how a church can be the church.

When our youth are confirmed, the congregation vows to “surround these persons

with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God,

and be found faithful in their service to others.” As their youth leader, my heart is filled with gratitude that you all faithfully live this vow out with your actions and commitment to our youth. Our youth are truly blessed to grow up in this community.

Gracious God, thank you for the adults of who nurture the children and youth of this church. With their love and support they have created a safe place where they can grow in their trust in You. Be with us as we guide and support each other in our faith journeys and as we work together to bring your light into this world. Amen

Full of gratitude,

Marty

If you missed the confirmation Sunday, you may view it on youtube.  Below you will find our class Credo.

Confirmation Class 2021 Credo

We believe in God as someone who is always there, even when we feel like we are alone. We believe God is everywhere on earth and in heaven. We believe God is the father of Jesus and all things living and dead. We also believe in God’s timing and plan. We believe God gives us free will and God is forgiving of our mistakes. We believe in God‘s unconditional love for all. We believe God sent his son down to Earth to die for every single one of us. We believe God is our Savior and the one who created everything and eternally loves us. We believe God cares for everyone always.

We believe in the Creator who created the earth and the universe in seven days. Who created life and humanity as well as the most simple rock and the most beautiful sunset. We believe in the Creator who created all the wonderful things we enjoy today. We believe in a Creator who loves what they have made and who will continue to care for all their creations.  We believe in the Creator who created enough love for everyone and who created each one of us to be our own unique special person.

We believe in Jesus, the Son of God, the child of Mary and the flesh and blood of God. We believe in Jesus as a teacher and messenger who taught the world how much God loves us all. We believe in Jesus the healer who helped people and cured illnesses. We believe Jesus is the king of both Heaven and Earth, and he is the only perfect human ever created. We believe in Jesus and his mission to be God’s hands and feet. We believe in Jesus who died for us (after his followers sold him out) so that our sins could be forgiven. We believe Jesus believed in us and showed love to everyone.

We believe in the Holy Spirit who helps us, watches over us, calms us and reminds us that God is always with us. We believe the Holy Spirit is God and from God, a variation of the Spirit of God. We believe the Holy Spirit does miraculous things. We believe the Holy Spirit is the voice in our heads that guides us to make the right decisions. We believe the Holy Spirit is found in the wind, fire, and all of God’s creations. We believe the Holy Spirit let’s everyone know they belong and are cared for. We believe the Holy Spirit is what gives us life and breath and fills us with the power of God.

We believe that the Bible is the history from where our beliefs start and the stories in it can inspire us and guide and teach us how to live every day. We believe the Bible is the story of God and a way to hear about the good that God has done in people’s lives. We believe the Bible is full of wisdom, a source to be interpreted and a way of prayer. We also believe it is God’s direct message to humans, proof of Jesus’s existence, an important book to read to learn about Jesus’ sacrifice and a good true history book of love.

We believe that the church isa sacred place where Christians learn and teach about God. We believe the church is a community where you make new friends with similar beliefs and where you worship God and interact with one another to get closer to God. We believe the church is awesome but has made some bad choices that have hurt some people. We believe the church is a place to grow, explore and learn what your faith means to you. We believe the church is a place where you are safe and feel loved. Where you are never judged and can feel at peace.

We believe that Christians should live their faith by going to church and trying to learn more about God. We believe that Christians should pray, help people when they need it and be kind to others. We believe Christians in the Holy Trinity. We believe Christians should live their faith by learning from their mistakes and looking to God for support and direction. We believe Christians should share the word of God through acting like Jesus. We believe Christians should do what is right and should be accepting, patient and showing love to everyone around them.

We believe that salvation is always there, and you can trust in it.  We believe we can be saved and or helped whether we feel we deserve it or not. We believe that salvation is for everyone and because God loves us. We believe salvation is living a happy life and understanding how much God loves you. We believe salvation is from Jesus dying on the cross. We believe salvation is the deliverance from sin, deliverance from sin’s consequences and forgiveness. We believe everyone is worthy of salvation.

We believe in God, the Holy Trinity, community, and our faith. We believe Jesus is the king on Heaven and Earth and that we should live for Jesus since he died for us. We believe in every individual’s ability to be a light of God, that all people should be treated equally, and we should treat others how we would want to be treated. We believe that Hell is not a place but more of a feeling or headspace because it doesn’t make sense for God to love us unconditionally and then send us to eternal torture. We believe that everybody can trust God. We believe love is love and you can be who you want to be. We believe God is our Creator who loves us, and that God’s love is for everyone.

Cooper Briski

Rachel Dakin

Abbie Dakin

Abby Garcia

Lizzie Hooper

Ben Hooper

Amelia Pham

Steven Taylor

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

As Christians in the Wesleyan and United Methodist tradition, we are a people who seek to combine head and heart; truth and action; Spirituality and Science. We work out our personal relationship with Jesus in a community of care and accountability. We humble ourselves that we might glorify God and show love to all of God’s children. Because of this, we understand that our God-given rights allow us to fulfill our God-given responsibilities.

Jesus had a special place in his heart and ministry for the poor, the marginalized, the forgotten, the lost, the fearful, and the vulnerable. The Apostle Paul, in discussing the freedom we have in Christ, reminded the Corinthians that they must use care that their freedom does not bind or harm someone else, especially the “weak”: those folks whom Jesus most deeply loved.

Throughout this time of Pandemic we have followed the science-based guidance of Federal, State, local and church leaders. We have worn masks, cleansed our hands and surfaces, and distanced ourselves from one another. We have done this not out of fear, but out of care for one another. As we have followed the guidance in reopening we have stayed “one step behind” out of an abundance of caution, taking into consideration the most vulnerable in our community. Indeed, we have paid special attention to those most vulnerable.

Just because we CAN do something it doesn’t mean we MUST do that thing.

Because we all have followed wise counsel, and because so many have now been vaccinated, we will soon be able to resume more of our pre-pandemic activities. One year ago on Pentecost we established a new baseline and said that we would celebrate each time we were able to add something (re)new(ed) to the list of things we can do. In January we declared that this would be a year of Jubilee.  

As restrictions are lifted, both the CDC and the State of California are setting guidance which distinguishes the vaccinated from the unvaccinated. There is some talk of “Vaccine Passports.” But the table of the Lord is open to all, and we will not be asking for proof of vaccination to enter the house of God.

Those who are unable or unwilling to be vaccinated are among the most vulnerable in our midst. Children under age 12 cannot yet be vaccinated. Many of those who choose not receive the vaccine are doing so out of fear and all are expressing their own vulnerability. We want to educate these, and encourage these to be vaccinated when the time is right. (Some may never be vaccinated; but we only need 70-90% vaccination or infection survival to achieve “herd immunity.”) In the mean time we will protect them and help them to protect each other. Many who have been vaccinated are still practicing extra caution, both for themselves and for others, including the unvaccinated.

We will continue to provide grace and empathy, even as we celebrate renewed liberties. We will seek to exercise our freedom without causing another to stumble.  With that in mind, here are the things we CAN do in the coming weeks (unless something changes):

Beginning May 23, 2021:
The Choir Returns to Worship!!
            All choir members should be fully vaccinated.
            Choir members will be masked for rehearsal and outside performance.
            Inside performances will be pre-recorded.
Fellowship and Coffee time returns!! After the 9:30 service.
            Masks may be removed while you are seated outdoors and drinking.
We can sing out loud outside (9:30).
All congregants will continue to be masked and distanced (all services)
Worship leaders will remove masks when speaking so as to be understood by hearing impaired.
Indoor attendance limit increases to 50%. So up to 100 inside.
No reservations required.
8, 9:30, and 11 AM services will continue to be streamed.

Health Screening will be discontinued.
Children will continue to enter through a separate entrance.
Sunday School will continue outside.
Weddings, Funerals and other Cultural Gatherings may be conducted outdoors or indoors, with spacing and masks.
Church Groups may meet on campus. Hybrid gatherings will continue.
            Groups are encouraged to meet outside, but may meet inside subject to 50% capacity limits.
            Masks and distancing required.
The Office is open with limited hours of operation.

Beginning June 20: 
The Choir Returns to Indoor Worship!!
The 8 and 11 AM services will be predominately live.
The Outdoor 9:30 Service will be mask-optional.
We can sing out loud inside (8:00 and 11:00).
Attendance limits are fully lifted.
8, 9:30, and 11 AM services will continue to be streamed.
Sunday School classes may choose to move inside.
Hugs and Handshakes may be offered to each other.
Church Groups may meet indoors with masks optional.

Beginning July 6:
Community Partners (non-church-related groups) may meet on campus.

September 12:
Our long-delayed GRAND REOPENING and REDEDICATION OF THE SANCTUARY
All services will be held indoors.
All Covid-related restrictions removed.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! Amen!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
For everything there is a season, and a time for every ^[a]purpose under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

On Friday, April 30 my family was blessed to be able to attend at the reopening of the Disneyland Resort and was at Disney California Adventure.  I won’t go into the long story, but we were at Disneyland the last day it was opened March 13, 2020 and we wanted to be there when they were allowed to be open again.  Disneyland has a special place in our family memories, as it does for many of you.

I was somewhat caught off guard by the many emotions I felt while coming back to the park.  I, like many people, was happy and excited just to be in the parking structure! People were honking their horns in a good way expressing their happiness. There was anticipation and excitement in the air as we went through the health and safety checks. When walking to the parks from the parking structure, there is no tram service right now, I was just so happy to be on the property and when I saw the line of cast members waving and welcoming us “home” the tears of joy started flowing.  It truly was a magical day.

This scripture verse has always been near to my heart for it speaks of the cycles of our lives.  I also love the song Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds, so I hear that in my head as well as I read this scripture. Our world has been on a cycle that none of us wanted or expected to be on, now that we are starting to move out of that cycle, we are all experiencing a lot of different emotions at different times, and that is all ok.  We are not all in the same place in venturing out, and that is ok.  We are always in different places in our lives.  What we need to remember is that God is with us every step of our journey.  That all the emotions that we might be feeling right now because of our world opening up again from joy, sadness to anxiety and fear are all valid, real, and necessary. God gave us those emotions for a reason, to help us to live life to the fullest and to protect us while doing so.  May we all give each other grace and understanding as we open up our lives again.

Gracious and Loving God, We thank you for the gift of life. We thank you for the gift of your grace and love.  Help us to be able to live our lives according to how You would live them, by showing your joy, love and grace to all of Your creation.  We are blessed to be in relationship with You, help us to act like it.  Help us to live more fully into the ways that Jesus taught us. And let us never forget that You are with us during all the ups, downs, joys and sorrows that make up our lives. Amen

Grace & Peace, Suzanne

“Happy are those
   who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
   or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
   and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
   planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
   and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.”
— Psalm 1:1-3 NRSV
We have reopened our facility for worship. Our classes and small groups are meeting in-person and in “hybrid” gatherings (both online and in-person). In a few weeks our community partners in ministry will begin to meet on campus. And we have already begun to book weddings in our renewed Sanctuary! This last piece means that I will soon be privileged to engage in some pre-marital counseling.
I enjoy getting to talk with people who are about to join their lives together in a covenant with God. While most of what I do is ask questions and encourage them to find their own answers, I do sometimes share some advice. One such tidbit is: “Try to find something good each day to share with your partner. Find some way to compliment or congratulate them. It is best if this is something they feel is important, or something they have been working on. And when you hear that compliment, receive it graciously; hear it and know that you are loved, valued, and appreciated.”
Jesus said, “…seek, and you will find…” (Matthew 7:7) He was talking about our relationship with God, but this advice (and that of the Psalmist) is just as important for our relationships with each other and with the world. We pay attention to discover that for which we are looking, and block out information which doesn’t confirm our pre-decided beliefs. If we want to be upset with someone, we will find something wrong with them. If we look for the good in another, we will find that as well.
And looking for the good is a much happier occupation of our time.
Grace to you, and Peace,
George
God whose grace complements and love perfects us, may these move through us to others. In our words and deeds help us to comfort, encourage, and uplift each other. Fill us with the happy business of finding and celebrating the good in those around us. Do not hid from us that which harms or tears down, but allow creativity and hope to meet in us so that we might, in community,  persevere and overcome. All of this we ask in the name of your child, our Savior, Jesus. Amen.

²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

The first night we had our puppy, I didn’t sleep a wink. I was listening on a baby monitor for any signs that she may need to go out. She slept like a rock, but I was up every couple hours sure that she needed to go to the bathroom and determined to set her up for crate success.

The next night was a little bit better. I only woke up three times and insisted she go out each time just in case. Every time, she immediately ran back to the door because the grass was wet, and she wanted to go back to bed.

By the third night, I was finally calm enough to just see how things went. And they went perfectly. She slept until the merry hour of 6:00 am. Then, she went out, did her business, and peacefully cuddled up with the family.

Every article I read said that puppies weren’t supposed to sleep through the night until they were at least 16 weeks old, and at a mere 10 weeks, Chloe was doing it. By every literal interpretation of every puppy guide, something was horribly wrong. She must not be growing enough, have enough nutrition. Maybe the rescue we got her from had her aged wrong, and we were missing all the appropriate milestones of her real age setting us up for a lifetime of misery with a dog that isn’t properly socialized, anxious, and constantly nipping at everyone’s heels.

This by the book interpretation created a whole lot more anxiety that it was worth. Turns out, Chloe is fine. She’s perfectly well adjusted, doing all the normal puppy things, and getting ready to go to puppy camp to sort out any training challenges.

I couldn’t help but notice, though, how taking an article as absolute truth caused me to miss the abundant joy that I wasn’t stuck in a newborn nightmare again with a living being that needed care every couple hours around the clock.

Printed words have abundant power. Power to persuade, inspire, confuse. Almost always there are at least two sides to every story, and the actual truth lies somewhere in the middle. The real story is at the conjunction of what we’ve read, how we interpret it, experiences we’ve had, and how we place feelings to it.  That’s why a literal interpretation of anything – a news story from the perspective of one outlet, a Biblical reference taken out of context – can cause a lot more harm than good.

As good critical thinkers, people, and Christians, we must take everything we hear and read, as an opportunity to grow our own experience, filling in the gaps and seeking more information. Indeed, that’s the only way we will be able to truly see, love, and accept all of our neighbors as God would have us do. 

Blessings,
Emalee Sugano

Lord, may we strive to seek your truth, not relying on any one source or reference; but seeking answers from multiple sources, people, and frameworks. May we recognize that our way is not always the best way (or even the right way), and strive to find Your way in all that we read, say, and do. Amen.