Pre-register here, http://bit.ly/Seguridad-PublicaHM6
Preinscríbete aquí, http://bit.ly/Seguridad-PublicaHM6
COPA: Police and Safety House Meeting // Reunión Casera de COPA Sobre Seguridad y la Policía
Confirmation Crash Course 2021!
What: Confirmation is a time for teenagers (& adults who need a refresher) to dive deeper into their faith by taking a closer look at the elements of our beliefs and owning them as their own! This is the major rite of passage where we fully accept our baptism vows for ourselves and decide to be full members of Christ’s body, the Church!
This year is a little different, as we can’t meet yet in person. Over these four weeks we’ll work out the meaning of our faith and learn more about what makes a Methodist unique.
Who: Anyone, 5th grade and up. It does not matter if you have been baptized or not! Confirmation is a choice to accept your baptism vows. If you haven’t been baptized, then you will have the opportunity to be baptized before Confirmation Sunday.
Schedule: Each Sunday session will begin at 12:00 pm via Zoom. We will have time for discussion, reading, and activities, and we will be finished by 1:30 pm every afternoon. There are 4 sessions. Here are the topics for each week:
Mar. 7 – Is the Bible true? Where did it come from?
Mar. 14 – Why do we say we believe in the “holy catholic church”?
Mar. 21 – Did the Methodist church really start because of some holier-than-thou people?
Mar. 28 – If a Methodist sings out of tune, does that mean they’re not perfect? What is Christian perfection?
Apr. 4 – EASTER SUNDAY!
Apr. 11 – Jazz Sunday for Confirmands
Please turn in page 2 of the registration form available here!
Join Partners in Caring on Feb 10!
Partners in Caring Virtual Gathering
Life Review – Reflecting and Making Meaning at End of Life
Wednesday, February 10, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Life review is an important part of bringing one’s life to a close and a core aspect of spiritual care. Join us as we explore how faith leaders play a valuable role in this process.
Neil Vargas-Gladen, Lead Spiritual Care Counselor at Hospice of Santa Cruz County, will discuss how he uses life review and legacy in his work and will share tools for helping individuals at end of life to reflect and recognize the value and meaning of their experiences. The presentation will be followed by peer-to-peer discussion groups.
Please share this invitation with others who may be interested in attending including: clergy, lay leaders, and anyone who ministers to the aging or those with serious illness.
Warmly,
Vanessa Silverstein
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Watsonville NETworX Open House // Casa Abierta de NETworX de Watsonville
Watsonville NETworX Open House Via Zoom!
Today at 6:00 pm!
Do you want to improve your life, but don’t know how or where to start? Come and learn about our program that is helping people reach their goals & get out of poverty! For meeting details and access please email the church office at office@watsonville1stumc.org
¡Casa abierta de NETworX de Watsonville a través de Zoom!
Hoy a las 6:00 pm!
¿Quieres mejorar tu vida, pero no sabes cómo ni por dónde empezar? Ven y conoce nuestro programa que ayuda a las personas alcanzar sus metas y salir de la pobreza! Para obtener los detalles de la reunión y el acceso, envíe un correo electrónico a la oficina de la iglesia a office@watsonville1stumc.org
Friday, December 25, 2020 . . . Christmas Day
“A Child is born to us . . . Wonderful Counselor…Mighty God…Eternal Creator…The Long-Expected One of Peace.” ~~~Isaiah 9:6
“Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” ~~~ Luke 2:19
We have been most fortunate in this “Shelter In Place…Covid 19 Year”, to be able to walk our dogs in our neighborhood three times a day. Each walk grants us an opportunity to experience some kind of ‘newness of life…encouragement of live with health, beauty, and grace…an opportunity of shalom’!
The ‘street art’ has been amazing; yards that have been brought back to life, bear-hugs in the window, signs that remind us to be kind, to thank one another—especially those on the front line of service, a call to respect one another in our diverse land, black lives matter, life is precious, and the amazing chalk drawings that have been created! Hopscotch…untold animal creations…and this Christmas Tree.
In the silence of that oh holy night so long ago … we remember the most amazing life that was born. In the midst of a census…a couple forged untold danger and found respite in a cattle stall. A young mother gave birth to a child who would grow up to be persecuted for his belief. Yet his parents taught him to care for all…not just for some. That night…in the midst of intolerance…love was truly born!
We celebrate that night in the midst of our own tragic circumstances. May we remember that LOVE is the greatest equalizer on earth. Without Love…life is not worth our breathing. Remember that first breath of life that Christmas night … the pain of Mother Mary…the anxiety of Father Joseph…the warmth of the Light of God. May we never forget. May LOVE ALWAYS WIN. May our fractured world find healing.
May you be touched by the light of that Christmas night … and may you reach out to your neighbors far and wide with that warm light of love. Give Thanks … Be Grateful … Let Love Guide Your Every Gesture. And be the Love of Jesus God intended you to be from the very beginning.
Prayer for Christmas (Johann Rist, 1641; translated by Fred Pratt Green, 1986) : Come, dearest child, into our hearts, and leave your crib behind you! Let this be where the new life starts for all who seek and find you. To you the honor, thanks, and praise, for all your gifts this time of grace; come conquer and deliver this world, and us, forever.
Jay P., United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz
