Shepherd of the Valley UMC

Shepherd of the Valley UMC P. O. Box 1805 Indio, CA 92202 THE DATELINE Official Newsletter for Shepherd of the Valley UMC

1 Jan Woodward 21 Connie Johnson, 2 Rev. Lynn Reece Rev. Cal White 5 Walt Mulcahy 22 Tom Curth 7 Jack Bourquin 23 Brenda Cohagan, 9 Cyndi Poe Patti Curth & 13 Brooke Ancheta Michelle Gruber 16 Dale Dodge 26 John Person 18 Julia April Parsons & 27 Melissa Pryor Catherine Warne 28 Matthew Hernandez 20 Rose Harris 30 Carolyn Daniels

May 2017 IF INTERESTED IN SULMMER CAMPS; PLEASE NOTE OUTREACH COMMITTEE THE DEADLINE FOR CAMP REGISTRATION IS JUNE by Sheila West 19TH. FROM THE PASTOR The time will soon be here for school supplies and Backpacks! Greetings in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ! Again, this year the Outreach Committee is encouraging the congregation to support our efforts to provide Backpacks for the Enclosed in this newsletter you will find a letter and information sheet Indio Boys and Girls Club. This is an annual project for the from our Bishop Grant J. Hagiya regarding questions raised over Outreach Committee and our Congregation. Bishop Karen Oliveto’s election last July. I invite you to read the material and then hold the Judicial Council and all concerned in We continue to ask your help for the CV Rescue Mission and prayer. Additionally, I invite you to pray for one another as we, the “Bridge Team” and the “Barrels” On the first and third Sunday of church, seek God’s will as we serve. If you have questions please the month. Your help with these ongoing projects is always contact me by phone at 760-534-1019. needed and appreciated. Next meeting of the Outreach Committee is on Sunday, May 21st. Speaking of prayer, I invite you to continue to hold our congregation in prayers as we embark of our C3 (Capital Campaign Commitment) projects. The unanimous vote of support at the recent special charge conference was uplifting and encouraging. Already pledges and Please be aware, the third Tuesday of EACH contributions are coming in and that is something for which we all month is street cleaning day. NO PARKING is should be thankful. Now we have much work to do. You will be permitted on Deglet Noor from 8:00 AM to 12:00 hearing more about this in the future and will be offered many PM. Violators WILL BE ticketed. opportunities in which to be supportive. As your pastor, I am inspired by your generosity and commitment to excellence. LOST AND FOUND I wish to offer a word of thanks to ALL (I cannot name you all) who made the Holy Week celebrations so special. The Worship If you think you lost your keys, jewelry, water Committee did a wonderful job in preparing the sanctuary to set just bottles, anything in church please check the lost the right atmosphere for worship. Our music director coordinated all and found box located in the Narthex. of the music and it was truly outstanding. I would like to offer a special thank-you to the chancel choir and bell choir for their many hours of practice. Your performances made our Holy Week All church members please remember to contact the church office celebrations memorable. 760-347-1046 with any name, address or email changes. You can email us at [email protected] with any changes. Let us not leave the Easter celebration behind in the sanctuary. Let us remember to carry the light of Christ into the world. Pay attention to the daily opportunities God is placing before you to show people how much God loves them.

I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. (Jeremiah 29:11 CEB) THE BRIDGE TEAM Blessings, Pastor Lynn DONATION BARRELS: SUNDAY, MAY 21

DELIVER TO BRIDGE: SATURDAY, MAY 27 For the past three months, we have fed 39 to 40 people. Your [email protected] [email protected] donations are such a blessing to all. Easter came before our visit [email protected] in April, but we still brought dyed eggs and candy to those who Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Risen Savior, Jesus. came to our table. I write to keep you informed of an important matter involving the Western WHAT IS NEEDED? Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. It is important to Your grocery sacks for the to-go items. keep you apprised of developments in the questions raised over Individual servings of non-perishable foods: Bishop Karen Oliveto’s election last July. Canned meats - tuna, chicken, Vienna sausages, ravioli Snack crackers, fruit or applesauce cups, Chips, cookies Batteries, AA, Just after she was elected by the Western Jurisdiction AAA, C, D and 12V cube. Conference, the South-Central Jurisdiction asked our denomination’s top court, the Judicial Council, to rule on the Hygiene items of all kinds- we are asked for Band-Aids, validity of her election. The Judicial Council will hear arguments Antibacterial soap, razors and feminine hygiene products. As the in the matter when it meets in Newark, N.J. on April 25, 2017, weather warms up, hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are needed. with a ruling expected within days. This process is outlined in our Book of Discipline. If you feel called to serve Under the Bridge, please join us. On delivery Saturday, the team meets at McDonald’s parking lot on The bishops of the Western Jurisdiction believe that Bishop Jackson at Avenue 42 at 7:30 a.m. and then caravans to the Oliveto’s election and assignment to the Mountain Sky Area is Dillon/86S underpass. We arrive at 8:00 and then the fun begins. valid. It is our prayer that the Judicial Council will confirm this position. Nonetheless, we know there are several potential Diana outcomes. We know the ruling will have implications for the 760-772-2845 home entire denomination, but Bishop Oliveto and the Mountain Sky 562.547.4688cell Area will be affected most.

Below this letter is information prepared by the Western Jurisdiction about this matter. We ask pastors and church leaders to make this letter and the accompanying information available to congregations as soon as possible. After the ruling, THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH we will provide more information and guidance for our churches LOS ANGELES AREA and leaders. California-Pacific Conference PO Box 6006 (Street Address: 110 S. Euclid, Pasadena, CA 91101) Pasadena, California 91102-6006 No matter what the decision is, we know some among us will 626-568-7312 • 1-800-244-8622 not agree. Some will feel hurt. Some will feel distanced from the church. That is why we must be in prayer for one another and Grant J. Hagiya Gail Kendall Martha Villalta Resident Bishop for our church. We ask you to pray for Bishop Oliveto, the Administrative Assistant Secretary Cabinet and conference leaders of the Mountain Sky Area, members of the Judicial Council, and all who will participate in WORSHIP COMMITTEE the hearing on April 25, 2017. The Worship Committee’s next meeting will be on Thursday, May We do not believe agreement, even on major issues like this, 4th at 10:00 AM in the Adult Classroom. has ever been a requirement for loving each other and remaining one family in Christ Jesus who, in the week of his death and resurrection, prayed that we may be one. (John UNITED METHODIST WOMEN by Margie Schriener 17:21)

Although the Council’s decision could have significant UMW will be having their annual Taco Salad Luncheon implications on our life together, we have faith that the on Sunday May 7 following church services. Tickets will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children with a maximum of Resurrection of Jesus is what most determines our future. The $25.00 per family. Come have a taco salad with your favorite United Methodist Church, and its predecessors, have faced toppings, chips, salsa, dessert and beverage and enjoy fellowship many challenges and disagreements in the past and has lived time with your brothers and sisters in Christ. UMW will be dark to witness to the grace of God in Jesus Christ through our until September following the luncheon. Have a good summer! distinctive Wesleyan voice we offer the world. We know God will see us through this time as well.

Bishop Grant J. Hagiya

Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop FINANCE COMMITTEE by Rich Parsons The United Methodist Church We’ve completed the first quarter in good financial shape – through March 31st all bills have been paid, our apportionments are 100% and we have a small surplus. Starting the year on Finance continued. sound financial footing is good news – it hasn’t always been this way – it’s important because, as you know, our financial accounting experience conduct our audit, and we in turn will do challenges grow in the late Spring and Summer months. Thank the same for them. Both audit teams will generate reports of the you, all, for your generosity. results of these financial audits. We will inform you when these audits take place and audit reports, of course, are available for After worship on Sunday, April 9th, many of you stayed in the review by any congregation member. sanctuary for our Church Charge Conference decision regarding the C-3 initiative (Capital Campaign Commitment) that was Finally, another update on our Scholarship Foundation: presented to the congregation in Fellowship Hall the previous Applicants must be a member of Shepherd of the Valley UMC, or week. The purpose of this meeting was to decide what action our their parents must be members. Applicants must be high school congregation would take with this campaign – move forward or graduates or have a GED equivalent. Verification of enrollment in not. Pastor Lynn again summarized the C-3 work and a motion a college, university, trade or vocational school must be provided. was made to support this three year, $150,000 campaign. It was We have a well-funded scholarship foundation – please don’t miss thrilling to see the overwhelming support from the congregation on the opportunity to take advantage of it. Applications must be this initiative – everyone that voted did so in the affirmative. We received no later than April 30th. are now embarking, together, on a 3-year campaign dedicated to maintaining and improving the property entrusted to us from God. individual. They were directed to the Western It’s our commitment to communicate consistently and regularly Jurisdiction and its process to elect a bishop in with you on our progress, including the finances raised, where the July 2016. Bishop Oliveto was an elder in good money is being spent on our ‘high/medium/low’ project list and all standing as a candidate for the episcopacy, and obstacles and achievements. We thank you for your inspirational was eligible for election. Her status as an open, support. married lesbian was known at the time. She was elected by an 88-0-12 vote on the 17th ballot and In recent years, our church has conducted internal annual audits consecrated by the full College of Bishops. of our financial records, reports, check registers and all activity related to the church’s finances. The Pacific Annual Conference has tightened their rules regarding financial audits and Shepherd of the Valley is also adding a layer of security. Beginning this year, we will be conducting an audit “exchange” with the Palm 2. What is the Judicial Council? The Judicial Council is the highest judicial body or court of The United Methodist Church. Its nine Springs United Methodist Church. Palm Springs will have members are elected by the General Conference. They are from members with financial and the U.S. Europe, Africa, and the Philippines. They follow rules of procedure, in some ways reflecting U.S. judicial processes, that are Continued set out in the Book of Discipline. They act on appeals, questions of law, requests for declaratory decisions, and whether acts by official bodies of the church conform with the Book of Discipline. About the Challenge to Bishop The Judicial Council meets twice annually. 3. What is the status of the case? Representatives of the South-Central Oliveto's Election Jurisdiction and the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops, and a number of other interested parties, have filed briefs in the matter. The Judicial Council will hear two hours of oral arguments on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in Newark, N.J. at the beginning of its Spring 2017 meeting. It 1.What is the case involving Bishop Karen Oliveto? is expected to issue a decision in the matter at the end of its meeting in Just after she was elected by the Western April 28 or shortly afterwards. Jurisdictional Conference, and as they were 4. What are the potential outcomes? It’s difficult to predict exactly what the Judicial Council will do, but there is a range of possible scenarios preparing to adjourn after their own election of for its decision. The Judicial Council could: Accept the argument of the bishops, delegates in the South Central Western Jurisdiction that it has no jurisdiction in this case because Jurisdictional Conference, meeting in Wichita, church law gives authority to determine the credentials and Kansas, voted to ask The United Methodist qualifications of pastors and bishops solely to annual (regional) Judicial Council “is the nomination, election, conferences and jurisdictions. consecration, and/or assignment as a bishop of o Determine that the questions of law posed by the South Central The United Methodist Church of a person who Jurisdictional questioning the legality of Bishop Oliveto’s claims to be a "self-avowed practicing election are moot and hypothetical. The South Central homosexual" or is a spouse in a same-sex Jurisdiction covers eight states, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, marriage lawful under The Book of Discipline of Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Decide in favor of the South-Central Jurisdiction’s petition and nullify the United Methodist Church.” Bishop Oliveto’s election and her assignment as the bishop to the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area.

It is important to understand that the questions of o While not nullifying the election it instead requires the Western law raised to the Judicial Council aren’t Jurisdiction to conduct some sort of review. That could include complaints against Bishop Oliveto as an requiring the Western Jurisdiction to examine Bishop Oliveto’s ministerial credentials, to decide if she is eligible for election. It Mountain Sky Area and the Rocky Mountain and may or may not retain jurisdiction to oversee this process. Yellowstone Conferences? It is premature to speculate what could happen. There are many options that could come out of o Decide to do nothing, and defer action until the completion of the the Judicial Council’s decision. The Western Jurisdiction has Way Forward process being undertaken by the Council of Bishops. offered a strong case to support Bishop Oliveto’s election and her service as the bishop of the Mountain Sky Area. 7. How will churches in the Western Jurisdiction learn of the 5. What is the Way Forward process? The 32-member outcome of the Judicial Commission on a Way Forward emerged from the impasse Council’s deliberations? First, each annual conference over The United Methodist Church’s positions of human will report on the April 24, 2017 Judicial Council hearing. sexuality that dominated much of the 2016 United Methodist Several bishops from the Jurisdiction will be present. News General Conference in Portland Ore. Proposed by the Council about the hearing will be posted on each Western of Bishops, the commission is examining every paragraph in Jurisdiction conference’s social media sites, and the the Book of Discipline related to human sexuality. It is working Western Jurisdiction web site and social media sites. As to develop options for moving the church forward in ways that soon as the Judicial Council releases its decision, the balance cultural contexts and theological understandings while jurisdiction’s conferences will post the news on their social retaining its unity as a denomination. Its results are expected media sites, and the Western Jurisdiction will post the result to be presented to a specially called session of the General on its web site and social media sites. Information will also Conference in 2019. be posted for congregations to use across the jurisdiction. 6. What happens if Bishop Oliveto’s election is nullified? Does that mean she will no longer be the bishop of the May 2017 Please keep in mind the calendar is subject to change. SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 10:00 AM Growth & 7:00 AM Men’s Bible 10:30 AM Son Reflectors Support Group Study 9:00 AM Prayer & Care 10:00 AM Worship Group Committee 2:00 PM MAP Team Mtg. 10:30 AM Growth & Support Group

Communion Sunday 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 8:20 AM Choir Rehearsal 10:30 AM Son Reflectors 10:00 AM Growth & 7:00 AM Men’s Bible 9:00 AM Sunday School Support Group Study 10:00 AM Worship 9:00 AM Prayer & Care 11:15 AM UMW Taco Salad 10:30 AM Growth & Group 7:00 PM Worship @ Luncheon Support Group CVRM 4:30 PM C3 Campaign Mtg.

Mother’s Day 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 8:20 AM Choir Rehearsal 10:30 AM Son Reflectors 10:00 AM Growth & 7:00 AM Men’s Bible 9:00 AM Sunday School Support Group Study 10:00 AM Worship 9:00 AM Prayer & Care 11:15 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Growth & Group 11:30 AM Finance/Trustees Support Group 6:00 PM Boy Scout Troop # 337

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 8:20 AM Choir Rehearsal 10:30 AM Son Reflectors 10:00 AM Growth & 7:00 AM Men’s Bible 7:30 AM Go to the Bridge 9:00 AM Sunday School Support Group Study 10:00 AM Worship 9:00 AM Prayer & Care 11:15 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Growth & Group 11:30 AM Outreach Support Group

28 Memorial Day Holiday 29 30 31 8:20 AM Choir Rehearsal 10:30 AM Son Reflectors 10:00 AM Growth & 7:00 AM Men’s Bible 9:00 AM Sunday School Support Group Study 10:00 AM Worship 9:00 AM Prayer & Care 11:15 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Growth & Group 11:30 AM Ad. Council Support Group