275 North Halcyon Road Non-Profit Organization Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 US Postage ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Permit #27 Arroyo Grande Advent comes from the Latin CA, 93420 word adventus, meaning "coming." The first season in the Christian Church calendar, the period of Advent is a time of expectant waiting in prepa- Pastor’s Wednesday Advent Study ration to celebrate the birth of Wednesdays of Advent we invite you to look at —’Christmas: Jesus, the Christ. Carols and The Good, The Bad, The Ugly’ by Richard B. Wilke which will be hymns have been written over our guide book for Pastor David latest weekly study. Meet us in the centuries, many of which the McMillen Room at 2 PM or 6 PM. All are welcome to join the we enjoy during this time of kids for a spaghetti dinner at 5:15 PM in Criswell Hall. waiting even today. Kids Night Out — ‘Under the Tree’ Advent in Greek is parousia, A new Wednesday night group will begin on December 1st to which was often used to talk study “Under The Tree” - the Advent Story. ALL elementary kids are welcome as we begin our night in the Sanctuary to be- about Jesus’ second coming. gin this special journey! Join us for Spaghetti at 5:15 PM— So Advent is a season of wait- our program will start at 5:45 PM. ing and preparation not only “A Service of Hope” Blue Christmas for the celebration of Jesus’ Not in the “holiday spirit” this year due to a loss or a change in earthly birth but for his prom- circumstance meet us on December 5th at 6:30 PM in the sanc- ised return.

tuary for a time of reflection and prayer followed by a time of Some Christians celebrate Ad- light fellowship in Criswell Hall. vent by not putting the baby AG UM Children’s Center Holiday Program Jesus into their manger scenes Visit our website at worshipweekly.com December 16th at 7 PM—Join these children along with their until Christmas morning. This families to celebrate the season with festive holiday songs sung Senior Pastor: Grande Ringers Handbell Dir.: adds to the anticipation that’s by the kids of AG UM CC—ages 1 1/2 to 5 years old. A social in Rev. David M. Burgeson Leonard Lutz a special part of the season. Minister of Visitation: Adult Ministry Director: our fellowship hall will follow the program. Please look at the Rev. J. Harold Headrick Sandra Sawyer Children’s Center Chronicle insert for more information. Ministers: UM Youth Directors: Carol and Sing-a-Long at the Clark Center Members & Friends Mike & Linda Herber December 19th at 4 PM, join our chancel choir in a community Office Admin./ Newsletter: Children's Ministry Director: sing-a-long at the Clark Center. Enjoy music and help raise Sarah Gandy-Barber Carolyn Russell-Williams Bookkeeper: Christian Counseling Intern: funds for music programs at local schools. Tickets are $10 fro Victoria Gandy Carol Gandy adults and are going fast. Call the box office at 489-9444 or buy Website Manager: Bishop: online at clarkcenter.org. See page 11 for more details. Jamie Foster Mary Ann Swenson Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Chancel Choir Director: District Superintendent: ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ to an evening Candlelight Services. Julie Walters Rev. Cathleen Coots ‘The Nativity’ will be our program for our Family Service at 6 The Lord’s Crew Director: Susan Coho PM or join us at our more Traditional Christmas Eve Service Organist: AG UM Children’s Center at 7:30 PM in our church sanctuary. We hope to see you there! Don McGuire [email protected] New Year’s Eve Quiet Holy Communion (805) 481-2223 Choral Pianist: We welcome you to join us at anytime on this evening between

Dennis Eiler 7—7:30 PM - in our church’s sanctuary for a free-flowing and Puppet People: Director: Madrigal Quaglino self-led service of Quiet Holy Communion. Mike Herber Cast~A~Net December 2010 2 Cast~A~Net December 2010 15 Dear Church Family,

The season of Advent and

Christmas bring a variety of Shepherd’s Notes.....…..…….2 emotions: joy and anticipa- December Calendar..…...... 3 tion; thankfulness and understanding; tiredness and

UM Men’s News………...... 4 Pastor David Burgeson maybe a hint of loneliness. Think back on some of News of the UMW……...... 5 your previous seasons of Advent and Christmas, haven’t some Trustees Report & Misc...…...6 been better than others? My point is life is a series of high and low David Beaman 12/3 “Feed My People”….....….....7 Arletta Capps 12/4 times blended together. Miscellaneous…...... ………...8 Kent Olsen 12/4 Help Our Community…..…...9 Thankfully there is one truth you and I can count on no matter the Dell McCracken 12/4 on The Evening of St. Nicholas Day UM Youth News.…...…….....10 time: our God always has and will remain good. God’s character Mary Whitefield 12/4 December 6, 2010 at Michael Balster 12/7 Choir & Praise Team Info….11 does no change with the seasons, He is the same now just as on Samuel Waterman 12/7 7 PM in the UMC of AG Sanctuary “Overcoming…”...…………12 that first Christmas when he sent his son, Jesus, as a little baby so Danica Leonard 12/8 Kids Page……………...... ….13 that eventually he would give his for all people, not some all! What Isabella Sloan 12/8 Misc. Small Group Info…....14 an awesome gift, God would have sent Jesus if only one of us Adeline Bottorff 12/8 Join us this evening to hear from the venerable ol' man himself. Evening With St. Nicholas...15 needed him. His life changed ours. Kathleen Ballagh 12/9 Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, will personally share his story, from

Insert Eva McClure 12/9 his birth and childhood in Patara, through his days as a leader of Tradition has been I have reflected on hymns of the Advent and Jamie Foster 12/9 AG UM CC Chronicle the Church. He will weave through the legends and stories that season, when write my thoughts in newsletters for December. One Gage Dowd 12/9 have built up around him and share some of his thoughts I chose this year is“ O Little Town of Bethlehem” written by Phillips Ben Davis 12/11 Communications regarding today's amalgam we call Santa Claus. Brooks in 1868. The message of the hymn new life. God’s people Mike Coho 12/9 Committee: waited for hundreds of years for the promised one - the Messiah - Rita-Ly Hughes 12/12 For St. Nicholas, it's all about sharing God's love. Chair: David Beaman who would save them. One beautiful evening in a small village Stan Lundahl 12/12 (in alphabetical order) Richard Duffin 12/13 Bring your friends! outside of the city of Jerusalem, eternity was changed forever. Sarah Barber, Pastor David Susan Throndson 12/13 Pause and think about that in a new and fresh way - Jesus was Sandra Sawyer 12/13 A freewill offering will be taken for the UMC of AG’s Benevolence Burgeson, Heidi Carpentier, born for you! Here I give you verse four of he special hymn. Ken Leonard 12/14 Fund which goes to help the needy of our church and in our Betty Johnson, Virginia O HOLY CHILD OF BETHLEHEM, DESCEND TO US, WE PRAY; CAST OUT Karen Brown 12/16 community. Mothes & Jerry Smith. OUR SIN AND ENTER IN, BE BORN IS US TODAY. Chelsea Bailey 12/14 Saint Nicholas will be portrayed by Jamie Foster. Layout Editor: WE HEAR THE CHRISTMAS ANGELS THE GREAT GLAD TIDINGS TELL; O Julie Burns 12/16 Sarah Barber COME TO US, ABIDE WITH US, OUR LORD EMMANUEL! Mary Green 12/17 Childcare will be provided for Kindergarten through 3rd grade, Marvin Truman 12/19 and nursery care will be provided for those younger. Proof Readers: Friends, God wants some much more for your life than you Kent Unsworth 12/20 Please RSVP for childcare by December 3, 2010 at Noon. David Beaman, Betty can even in your wildest dreams imagine. What an incredible gift Tierra Tomlin 12/20 Call the church office - 481-2692. Johnson, &Virginia Mothes. God has given us! Doug Ballagh 12/21 Photos by: Harold Bailey 12/21 Gary Hughes and A portion of John 10:10 says: “I came that they may Duncan Leonard 12/22 varied members. have life, and have it abundantly. Merry Christmas! Mary Johnson 12/23 Cyndee Rohla 12/24 Sunday 8:30 AM 10:30 AM Nursery Kids/Youth Teachers TOTAL Tom Gilliland 12/24 Eric Duffin 12/26 7th 37 143 2 22/7 5 216 Jed Moore 12/27 Nicole Baughman 12/27 14th 38 115 3 14/8 4 182 Roy Ferrari 12/28 Mike Jacob 12/28 21st 35 134 2 19/7 5 202 Harry Egan 12/30 24th Thanksgiving Eve Ecumenical Service 168 Elizabeth Alquist 12/29 Josiah Paredes 12/31 28th 41 141 0 10/7 4 203 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Cast~A~Net December 2010 14 Cast~A~Net December1 2010 2 3 34 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible 2:00 —3:30 PM cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) Adventures of Dr. “Learn the Bible in 24 Hours” Abbreviation 9 AM EOC Senior 10 AM Intercessory 3:30 PM AG UM Chess (211) by Dr. Chuck Missler is the title Legend Health Screening Prayer Group (L) CC Closed 6:30 PM Praise MMR McMillen Room 10 AM UMM Board 11:45 AM People's 4 PM AG UM CC Team Rehearse of our current Men’s Bible Meeting (L) Kitchen leave to serve Staff Development (S) CH Criswell Hall 11 AM Blue Umbrella 5 PM Grande Ringers (MMR) 5:30 PM Bottorff Study book. Every Monday at K Kitchen (MMR) 7 PM Red Umbrella Private Party 7 PM in room 215 we wel- S Sanctuary 2 PM & 6 PM (CH) set-up 3:30 N Narthex Pastor's Study (MMR) PM 5:15 PM Family Sup- 3 PM Sweet come other men who would P/S Pastor’s Study per (CH) Adelines Re- like to join in deepening their Our Adult Sunday School class Need Prayer? L Library 5:45 PM Kid’s Night hearse (S) Out (S/CH) walk with Christ. is having great discussion on Got Praise? 7 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal the book of Acts. These letters Bring it to our Prayer Chain. 7 PM UM Youth

to the church at Corinth give us Contact Pauline Castillo and Group (215) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 the tools as Christians on how she will set the chain in motion. Coffee Hour Host- 10 AM UMW 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible 2—3:30 PM we are to spread the Word of Requests can remain anonymous Finance Committee Steering (MMR) cise Group cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) Adventures of Dr. 6 PM Debtors 9 AM Sew 'n' Sews 1 PM Alzheimer's 10 AM Intercessory Chess (211) God as disciples of Christ. Every Thursday at 10AM, a 8:30 AM Contemporary Service Anon (MMR) (MMR) Care-Givers Support Prayer Group (L) 8:30 AM UMM 9:30 AM Sunday School/Bible 7 PM Men's 5 PM Grande Ringers Group (CH) 12 PM Esther Circle Breakfast at Mis- Grab a snack in Criswell Hall to dedicated group of prayer Study (MMR) Bible Study (215) 7 PM Trustees 2 PM & 6 PM (MMR) sion Inn of Pismo 10:30 AM Traditional Service 7:30 PM AlAnon (MMR) Pastor's Study (MMR) 5 PM Grande Ringers Beach feed your body and we will warriors, we call our Interces- 3 PM Music for a Sunday After- (MMR) 5:15 PM Family Sup- 7 PM Evening meet you after the 8:30 service noon Sweet Adeline’s Christ- per (CH) sory Prayer Group, meet in the mas Concert (S) with Saint 5:45 PM Kid’s Night in the McMillen Room to nourish Library to pray for members of 6:30 PM Blue Christmas (S) Nicholas (S) Out (S/CH) 7 PM Chancel Choir our souls. A new study will begin our church family and the Rehearsal in January! 7 PM UM Youth community as they lift up re- Group (215) quests given to our prayer 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Coffee Hour Host- 6 PM Debtors 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible 2:00 —3:30 PM chain, those mentioned in Staff-Parish Relations Anon (MMR) cise Group cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) Adventures of Dr. 7 PM Men's 9 AM Sew 'n' Sews 9:30 AM Mary-Martha 10 AM Intercessory 6:30 PM Praise Chess (211) worship, or on request cards. Bible Study (215) 8:30 AM Contemporary Service (MMR) Circle (MMR) Prayer Group (L) Team Rehearse We invite ANY who would like 9:30 AM Sunday School/Bible 7 PM Women of 10:30 AM Communi- 2 PM & 6 PM 5 PM Grande Ringers (S) Come for a special & joyful Study (MMR) Prayer (S) cations Com. (L) Pastor's Study (MMR) 7 PM Touch of to join in intercession and lift 10:30 AM Traditional Service 7:30 PM AlAnon 2:30 PM Preschool 5:15 PM Family Sup- 7 PM AG UM Beauty (MMR) evening of study & fellowship (MMR) up these prayers and praises Board closed session per (CH) Children’s Center with your sisters in Christ. (MMR) 5:45 PM Kid’s Night Holiday Program (S) AG UM CC to God our Father. 3:30 PM Preschool Out (S/CH) Pajama Day Board -open session 7 PM Chancel Choir

Join us from 7-8:30 PM on the (MMR) Rehearsal This non-denominational 5 PM Grande Ringers 7 PM UM Youth 3rd Friday evening of each 7 PM Finance (MMR) Group (215) month in the beautiful can- women’s group meets on Mondays at 7 PM in the UMC of dlelight of the McMillen Room 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 AG Sanctuary to pray for this Pastor’s Coffee Hour Host- 6 PM Debtors 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible of our church. Blue Umbrella Anon (MMR) cise Group cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) church and others in the com- 7 PM Men's 9 AM Sew 'n' Sews 2 PM & 6 PM 10 AM Intercessory 6 PM Family Can- You don't want to miss this -- Advent 8:30 AM Contemporary Service Bible Study (215) (MMR) Pastor's Study (MMR) Prayer Group (L) dlelight Service munity; asking God to pour out 9:30 AM Sunday School/Bible 7 PM Women of 5 PM Grande Ringers 5:15 PM Family Sup- 5 PM Grande Ringers 7:30 PM Tradi- it's like a spa for your spirit! Prayer (S) His Spirit of redemption, deliver- Study (MMR) 7 PM JOY Circle per (CH) tional Candlelight Study 10:30 AM Traditional Service 7:30 PM AlAnon 5:45 PM Kid’s Night Service (MMR) See you soon, alumni and ance, healing and salvation. Out (S/CH) Office Closed Beginning 7 PM Chancel Choir newcomers alike. Contact Susan Coho through Rehearsal For further information or the church office if you have December 7 PM UM Youth 1st Group (215) questions call Sandra Sawyer. any questions. “Christmas: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” Start your day off RIGHT and get to know your 26 27 28 29 30 31 by Richard B. Wilke. Coffee Hour Host- 6 PM Debtors 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible church family in this small group setting. Church Council Anon (MMR) cise Group cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) See you Wednesdays at 7 PM Men's 9 AM Sew 'n' Sews 5:15 PM Family Sup- 10 AM Intercessory 7 PM Game Night Fridays at 8:30 AM in the church Library. No 8:30 AM Contemporary Service Bible Study (215) (MMR) per (CH) Prayer Group (L) and Potluck (CH) 2 PM or 6 PM in the MMR 9:30 AM Sunday School/Bible 7 PM Women of 5 PM Grande Ringers 5:45 PM Kid’s Night 5 PM Grande Ringers 7-7:30 PM Quiet time like the present to get involved. Our cur- Study (MMR) Prayer (S) Out (S/CH) 6:30 PM Praise Team Holy Communion Join us for dinner at 5:15 PM 10:30 AM Traditional Service 7:30 PM AlAnon 7 PM Chancel Choir Rehearse (S) (S) rent study book is titled, Be Alive: A Study of (MMR) in Criswell Hall. Rehearsal John’s Gospel Chapters 1-10. See you there! 7 PM UM Youth Group (215) Cast~A~Net December 2010 4 Cast~A~Net December 2010 13

Submitted by Bill Weitkamp December 11 Meeting to Feature Walk to Emmaus The Walk to Emmaus weekend scheduled for February 24-27 in Ventura will be explained by Pastor David at the monthly breakfast meeting of the United Methodist Men on Saturday, December 11. The Walk to Em- maus® is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders.

A business meeting will follow the program. A spring golf tournament, charitable funding and meeting plans are on the agenda.

Please notice that December 11 is the second Saturday of the month, not our usual third-Saturday meeting day. But we will be meeting at our usual time and place, 8:30 AM at the Mission Inn, 601 James Way in Pismo Beach. Everyone is welcome at all UMM meetings. For more in- formation about meetings and other events, call Tom Egan or Bill Weit- kamp .

Helping Soldiers and Children in Afghanistan Following an inspiring talk at the October 16 UMM meeting, it was voted to donate $300 to a program that provides care packages for soldiers and village children in the far reaches of Afghanistan. Former marine Si Tennenberg described how 5,500 packages have been sent to Iraq and Afghanistan in the last four years. Each military package is shared by several soldiers.

Thank-you emails he receives describe the extreme weather condi- tions, the loneliness and the lack of basic items that men and women are tolerating. It is easy to see how even their heavy backpacks can’t provide many of their needs. Special military shirts, socks, gloves, eye drops, soap, toothpaste and phone cards are a few of the requested items. Special needs for women are panties, sports bras, tampons, fa- cial cleaning wipes, hairbrushes, Mydol, lip gloss and more. Children’s gifts include school supplies, clothing, shoes, stuffed animals and toys.

In addition to the UMM donation, members took addressed packages to the post office after the meeting and paid the $12.50 postage to mail them. Each box contains about $40 worth of supplies. But Tennen- berg said that something as simple as letters, notes or crayon drawings can be contributed and he will put them in the boxes. His email ad- dress is [email protected]. Cast~A~Net December 2010 12 Cast~A~Net December 2010 5 The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a Overcoming Discouragement community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; Part—1 to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand Ann Williamson, UMW Publicity Compiled by Jerry Smith concepts of mission through participation in the global "Lord, where do I put my hope? with a close relationship ministries of the church. that splintered owing to a misunderstand- My only hope is in you" Esther Circle ing. Or your discouragement might have Psalm 39:7 (NLT) at Carleen Minckler’s house on

resulted from frustration with your inability 12/9 at noon. When "Jim" left my office at church, I was to be the kind of person you know God elated. Our meeting had been a tough Mary Martha wants you to be. at Sally Weitkamp’s house on but productive one. As his boss, I worked 12/15 at 9:30 AM hard to help Jim understand my expec- Discouragement … such a common JOY Circle tations and where he had been falling emotion … how can we overcome it? at Patti Melsheimer’s house on short. I tried to be gracious as I spoke How can we get beyond discourage- 12/21 at 7 PM critically, and Jim received my counsel ment, and even learn from it?

with a willing spirit. Months of supervisory Go Ahead and Feel Discouraged It’s Christmas Party Time! effort seemed finally to be bearing fruit. First of all, if you want to overcome dis- An immensely talented young man, Jim The Perfect time to Join us! couragement, allow yourself to feel dis- had great potential to be an outstanding Check with your UMW Circle Chair for location and couraged. No, I don't recommend that member of the church staff. Thus I was you rev up negative feelings that aren't other information – contact information available in the encouraged by his response to our meet- there. But if you are truly discouraged, church office ing and looked forward with hope to our don't pretend otherwise. Trust God future together. Ho-Ho-Ho and Merry Christmas to all in this our Advent Season! enough to feel what you really feel.

When I arrived at my office the next As you know the hard working ladies of our church made a great suc- Some Christians think that discourage- morning, a blank envelope sat ominously cess of our Holiday Boutique held November 13th at our church. The ment itself is something about which to on my desk. It contained Jim's resignation yummy Holiday Brunch was a great hit! We’ve had many requests for be ashamed, almost as if it were a sin. letter. He was finished at the church. the egg casserole that was served…here it is: One of my favorite hymns, "What a Friend

There was nothing I could do or say to We Have in Jesus," urges: "Have we trials Mexican Souffle change his mind. and temptations? Is there trouble any- 10 eggs 1 pint non-fat cottage cheese

where? We should never be discour- 1/2 C. flour 1/2 tsp. salt At that moment I felt deeply discour- aged; take it to the Lord in prayer." Per- 1 tsp. baking powder 1 lb. grated jack cheese aged. My hope for Jim's fruitful future at haps in an ideal world we should never 1/2 C melted butter 2 small cans of Ortega chilies our church shrivelled on the vine. I felt like be discouraged. But in reality, discour- **add bacon crumbles—optional a dismal failure as a boss. Who was I to agement is a normal part of human life. think I could manage a large church Beat eggs and combine rest of ingredients. Pour mixture into a The Psalmist asked for God's help with buttered 9 x 13 inch dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. staff? Maybe I should just pack up my despair (see Psalms 42-43). The Apostle bags and find more suitable employ- In addition to our fabulous brunch, we really met our goals in sales at Paul admitted his own deep discourage- ment. the boutique. Between the brunch and the boutique sales, we ment (2 Cor. 1:8-9). If we deny our dis- grossed about $3650. Praise God! You may not have faced something just couragement and pretend we're "just like my experience with Jim, but I expect fine," we won't be able to overcome it. Thank you one and all for attending our affair. Also to those ladies you have felt the heavy weight of dis- who generously donated their time and talents to make this such a couragement. Maybe it came at work, © 2001-2010 H. E. Butt Foundation. Originally published at great success. Your help and creative ideas were not un-noticed! TheHighCalling.org as "Overcoming Discourage- as a project for which you had high ment". Reprinted with permission. God is great and the proceeds from our sales will all go to our world, hopes fell apart. Perhaps it had to do national, and local mission projects. Merry Christmas one and all! Cast~A~Net December 2010 6 Cast~A~Net December 2010 11

Due to a generous donation, the bus has been lettered. Did you see it? Tom will do a trip to Wal-Mart to buy a port-a-crib. The cabin has been finished and was dedicated. Check for pages for pictures. Some time ago, The Board stated that all posting of drives, coming events, or Tom Egan, Chair news that needed to be shared will be done so on the cork boards only. Not on the windows, walls or stanchions. Thanks for your compliance. Mike and Tom will get a lift to work on the burnt out lights. The fruit flies have finally left us! Don said that the piano needs repair and to be tuned, but who pays for this? This will be taken care of. It was reported that an electrical outlet in the kitchen is leav- ing a warm spot on the opposite wall in Criswell Hall. This will be looked into. It was also stated that the cleaning crew is not doing an ade- quate job. This also is being looked into. The Board decided to buy a real Christmas tree after Thanks- giving. Rotary Club of Arroyo Grande presents Community & Holiday Sing-Along Sunday, December 19 at 4pm For the third year in a row, the Arroyo Grande Rotary Club has assembled a group of local performers to delight the Clark Center audience! Bring the family to enjoy the talents of the Village Carolers of Studio Sing, Sing, Sing, the Nipomo High School Band, the Estero Bay Brass Quintet and the Combined Choirs from the Arroyo Grande United Methodist Church and the Grover Beach First Presbyterian Church. After numerous phone calls to the North Pole, arrangements have been made for a special appearance by Santa Claus! The danc- The praise band is a team of talented worship leaders ing Sugar Plum Fairies from DPAC - Dello's Performing Arts we call The Lord’s Crew. This Group leads our Con- Center will also grace the stage while the Grand Finale will November 2010 temporary Worship Service every Sunday during the feature the wildly popular piano man, Rudolf Budginas. Received to Date 8:30 AM service and is under the direction of Susan Net proceeds from this event will be donated to the music Coho. The team meets for practice every other Satur- $ 19,991 and arts programs of various South County schools. day of each month, unless otherwise stated. Decem- Monthly Goal General Admission Seating - $10 Adults, $5 Children/Students ber’s rehearsals: 6:30 PM on 11/6 & 11/20. If unable to $25 Family Tickets (for 6) are also available in advance only. The Lord’s Crew attend please contact director. Thank you! $ 21,179 Buy Tickets Now! Cast~A~Net December 2010 10 Cast~A~Net December 2010 7 Hello to all, Feed My People Sorry for the long delay in articles. You would think with no children in the house, we By Heidi Carpentier would have time for all kinds of things, but alas that is not the case. To catch every- one up, we had more fun and fellowship than funds from our Harvest Festival booth. As the holidays fast ap- I had the opportunity to be a part of this dedi- We took in around $400 dollars, which covered the cost (we purchased a tent this proach, many turn to a cated team on Nov. 4. I met them on site at year to have for future years). We did successfully label and pass out 3000 bottles of giving mentality. This giv- 11:40 am. After getting my name tag and a pair water. Thanks to all that donated and also helped with labeling. We really appreci- ing may take place in of food handling gloves I took my position be- ated those RVers who hung in and helped all the way to the last label. Some of our the form of tangible gifts hind the stainless steel pans of fruit. The serving youth came and hung out at the Trunk or Treat at the church which was fun for all to friends and family, cash donations to the bell line was basically 4 or 5 of those 8’ banquet ta- who attended. Our youth are all so busy with school, sports, music, robotics, and ringers outside of dept. stores, and cans of food bles that had dishes of food on them. On one video games (you know who I am talking about) that we are always glad to see in barrels outside grocery stores. side were the food servers. The other side be- came a stream of people that followed their their smiling faces. We put out a challenge to the boys in the group (who vastly out As having been a part of FUMC of AG for going plate as it was passed from one server to the number the girls) to bring a girl to an upcoming meeting and thanks to Carina, Mon- on 3 years, I have seen the generous nature of next. I would be in charge of handing out the tana, Victoria, Rachel, and Stephanie for helping to even out the ratio. We will be the people here, not just during the holidays, but fruit that day, which consisted of apples, ba- making the Peoples Kitchen meal for December, our famous enchiladas and frosted year round. One of the out-sources of this nanas and pears in varying degrees of ripeness. Christmas cookies. church’s generosity is through the Peoples Later on I learned that most of this food comes We look forward to next year. Please look for our Souper Bowl of Caring barrel start- Kitchen. from the San Luis Obispo Food Bank, which is es- ing on January 1st. We again will be collecting canned food and non perishable The Peoples Kitchen is a non-profit organization sentially a warehouse that looks much like a items until Super Bowl Sunday and all items that began in May of 1991. Our church is just back room of a grocery store. Here food is de- will be donated to the Five Cities Christian one of 18 churches and 35 teams that collabo- posited and withdrawn by organizations and Woman's Food Bank. We are planning a din- ratively support the effort of feeding a hot meal churches, such as our own, for feeding the hun- ner for our parents and youth, look for further to our south county hungry 365 days a year.* gry. details next month. As always, February The Methodist church team is headed up by means ‘Spud-acular’, more details next Pastor David was on hand to offer a prayer of Chuck and Betty Ashton. I learned more when I month. Have a joyous Christmas and Happy thanks. As the patrons of this makeshift mess hall spent some time with the Ashtons on a recent New Year. We will continue to meet during made their way through the line my mind wan- Monday morning as they were sorting and orga- the break on Wednesdays and Sundays. dered to thoughts of how does this happen nizing the food and clothes that are stored in within a country of plenty? Who were these pa- In Christ's Service—Mike and Lou cabinets within Criswell Hall. Once a month the trons? I even recognized a few of the people in team is scheduled to feed the homeless and line who I know to have jobs but come to find needy people. On that morning, previously pre- out, they do not make enough to both pay the pared and frozen casseroles are baked in bills and eat too. Upon more research of the five Criswell Halls kitchen. These casseroles have cities homeless coalition web site*, I learned that been assembled by our church members, la- the patrons of the peoples kitchen consist of a beled by the type of casserole, who assembled diverse population that doesn't just consist of it, and the date, then placed into the kitchen homeless, but also includes the working poor, freezer at Criswell Hall. After the baking is done, those that battle addictions, retirees, single the casseroles are packed up along with other moms, mentally unstable or challenged, and food items and multiple boxes of clothes, physically handicapped. No matter their back- then trucked down to the feeding site. Although ground or story, each person was gracious and this site has changed over the years, it is cur- thankful, never grabbing for more than they rently behind the Shouts of Grace Church in were offered. Grover Beach. continued PEOPLE, page 8 Cast~A~Net December 2010 8 Cast~A~Net December 2010 9

Once again have put up a Christmas tree loaded with the Christmas wishes - we call it The Giving Tree.

Each ‘ornament’ has the PEOPLE continued, from page 7 name and the wish of a child who are in Foster care and After all were served once, anyone could come for seconds or are not living with a parent(s). thirds. The official plate count of the day was 84. Leftovers were sent with those who wanted them. I reflected on the story of the Here’s how it works—Each ‘ornament’ is a tag with the loaves and fishes and how there were baskets full of leftovers When Oliver Cromwell came to power in England, Catholics name of a child and their after blessing the meal. What a pleasant thought that God does were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Tradition wish. Each tag also has a du- provide. Two days later, I found myself accepting Betty’s invita- Five Cities holds that Catholic parents developed "The Twelve Days of plicate. We ask that you tion to help them at the food bank. I arrived and found 6 famil- Christmas" to teach children their beliefs. iar faces, one of them being one of our church youth. He will Christian Women take only the original, leaving The partridge in a pear tree gain community service credits for his participation. We began the copy on the tree. This will Food Basket Represents Jesus - The partridge will sacrifice its life to save sorting apples from a huge cardboard container to smaller, allow us to check that each its young. more manageable boxes. Then we sorted boxes full of canned Give-Away on child’s Christmas wish. Two turtle doves goods and stocked the shelves with like products. Beans here, December 21, these faithful The Old and New Testaments Once you have granted the soups there, raisins, canned milk, etc. This is where those cans ladies of the Five Cities Chris- Three French hens wish, please leave the UN- that you put in the barrels at the grocery store end up. Food tian Women will be giving Faith, hope, and charity; or the three gifts of the Wise Men wrapped gift in the church also comes in from various other sources. The Peoples Kitchen away several baskets to needy Four calling birds office. Gifts are picked up gains food credits for every hour of our participation at the food families in our area. They The four Evangelists -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John regularly. All gifts must be pantry. Chuck and Betty can then return and use those credits could use your help—monies are slowly rolling in and food Five golden rings brought by 12/19/10—Thank to buy food items such as the fruit that I was serving just the donations are welcome. The first five books of the Old Testament you!! other day, or the ingredients used in the casseroles. This is a list of necessary Six geese a-laying Please contact Jan Treat or I never realized that there was such a system and intermingling items: frozen turkeys; canned The six days of creation described in Genesis DPSS with any questions. of organizations behind this whole feed the needy effort. It takes cranberries, canned yams Seven swans a-swimming Christmas blessings to all of every one of them to keep it running efficiently and consistently. (large), canned fruit (large), The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, you!! My eyes were opened to what a huge part our Methodist and canned vegetables, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord) church team plays and how it is uniquely individual in providing canned olives, canned milk, Eight maids a-milking and canned pumpkin (large); to the needs. Any donations made to our peoples kitchen The eight Beatitudes church team is used specifically by our team to meet those boxes of dressing (large); cake mix and frosting; Jell-O Nine ladies dancing needs. In the process of feeding and talking with the people, (large); chicken broth; and The nine choirs of angels - Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, the team becomes aware of other needs and steps up to meet boxed mashed potatoes. Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and them. This has most recently included a sock drive which has ‘regular’ angels; or the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, been extended through to the end of the year. Chuck is also Food donations can be left here in the Food Bank basket joy, peace, kindness, goodness, patience, gentleness, beginning a drive for hygiene products which includes soap, in the Sanctuary! faithfulness, and self-control). toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable shavers, shampoo, etc. Monies can be mailed to: Ten lords a-leaping To help the Methodist Church Peoples Kitchen team make a dif- P.O. Box 756 The Ten Commandments ference this Christmas season, approach their information table Grover Beach, CA 93483 Eleven pipers piping in Criswell Hall this Sunday. The eleven faithful Apostles Thank you for your *source: www.5chc.org Twelve drummers drumming continued generosity! The twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed