FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
8th & D Streets … PO Box 248
Ramona, CA 92065

CHANGING LIVES: A couple of weeks ago the youth group went to Forest Home, Lake View.  At the camp there are a lot of fun games we played. We had the "mud bowl", field competition, and the lake competition. My experience at Forest Home was life changing. On Wednesday night at the camp we had a worship experience and that was the first time that I really discovered that God cares about me and will guide me through all of the tough times that come up in my life. And I also found that there are broken pieces in my life that I have to give to God to deal with instead of me trying to fight everything myself.  During the worship experience there were different stations that we went to, one station we completely let God take over the broken pieces in our lives, another station the campers wrote down psalms that related to a moment in their life, and the last one we went to was a station in which we read other people's experiences with God and wrote down ours. That last station was the most emotional for me because I hadn't felt God's presence in my life until that night. Forest home is an amazing camp and I can't wait to go back!   Submitted by Chelsea Volk

FROM THE PASTOR The action adventure television series of the 1980s “The A-Team” resurfaced in the box office this summer. As with many things in our culture these days, the fads and trends of the 80s are making a comeback, for better or worse.  I’m sure some of you will recall the characters who made up this motley crew. Their leader Lieutenant John “Hannibal” Smith had plans that were often unorthodox but very effective.  Templeton Peck (referred to simply as “Face”) served as the team’s appropriator of vehicles and other useful items.  H.M. Murdock was officially “mad” and yet served quite well as the team’s pilot on missions.  And of course finally there was B.A. Baracus (played in the T.V. show by good old Mr. T himself) who brought the muscle to help the team accomplish their purpose.  Which was…?
     The A-Team, although often misunderstood as mercenaries by the other characters in the show, always sought to help the oppressed and acted on the side of the good.  It was the combination of their diverse and unusual talents, together, that made them a force to be reckoned with.  In a similar fashion I feel honored to join the auspicious leadership team here at the First Congregational Church of Ramona! 
     Sue Trukken and Floyd Ellison bring extraordinary talent to the music and sacred arts ministry at our church.  Our worship services are filled not only with numerous choirs and a variety of songs, hymns, and instruments, but they also have a quality that moves our spirits as we join together each week in celebrating our risen Lord.   Wes Ellis is a young man with an unusual depth of character serving our youth.  His knowledge and heart for connecting people with Christ far exceeds his age, and I am fully confident that wonderful things lie ahead for his ministry.  Amanda Ellis (his other half) has just begun serving with us as our interim Sunday School Director.  She brings to the table a background in childhood education, a gentle, approachable presence, as well as the passion to continue making our Sunday School program a fun and phenomenal place for our children.  Patty Mussen (is she our B.A. Baracus?) continues to lead a dedicated and well-trained staff for our Congregational Children’s Center.  And then of course there is Joanne Glaudini—where would the church be without her!  At the center of the activities of this lively and growing congregation, Joanne faithfully serves our church as communicator, coordinator, facilitator, artist, and just a downright caring individual.  This “A-Team” is diverse.  It is talented.  And it is just the tip of the iceberg. 
     In truth, each and every one of us makes up this team called the Body of Christ.  The Apostle Paul reminds us, “there are varieties of gifts… and varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone” (I Corinthians 12:4-6 italics added).  We all bring something to contribute to being the church. Diverse gifts, yet to accomplish one collective purpose—changing lives!  May God continue to bless our efforts.
Sincerely,
Rev. David Auten

INTRODUCING AMANDA ELLIS!
Hello church family! I am honored to currently serve as our Interim Sunday School Director. For those of who don’t know me yet, my name is Amanda Ellis and I have been attending this church for about 2 years and have since been involved with the Sunday school program as well as the Jr. high and High School ministries. Over the past 8 years I have been involved in Sunday School programs at various churches, volunteering and working with children from the nursery to the high school. My hands on experience has been a blessing in preparation for this position, as well as my education.  In 2008 I graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a major in English and a minor in Biblical Studies and have since completed 24 units in Child Development classes. It is so wonderful to me that at this time I can combine two of my greatest loves: my knowledge of child development and my deep passion for God and the church. I am so excited to see where this time together takes us, as we lay a foundation for a vibrant Sunday School program that encourages children and their families to seek God and grow in the knowledge of His word. My vision is that, as a community, we come together to love and nurture the families who come trough our doors, and support those programs that also work towards that goal.

SERVING THROUGH THE SACRED ARTS:
The Sacred Arts ministry is very active in this church and is a wonderful way to spread the Good News in our church family and our community.  Please consider joining one of these groups that interest you or your children. Children’s choirs (Minor Miracles, Heaven Bound) have their first rehearsal on Wednesday September 1 at 3:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m..  Sue would love to work with the Youth to have a chorus again, if you  are in sixth grade or above and would like to sing, please let Sue or Wes know of your interest. Chancel Choir and Gospel Choir rehearsals  Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. respectively, the Bell Choir rehearses on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. We’ve recently received a VERY generous gift of real bells (not bell plates) and would love to have some more men join us to ring those heavy bass bells!  Rehearsals for instruments will be on an as needed basis depending on the season and the piece.  The full rehearsal schedule is printed on the enclosed calendar. Take on something new and see how God can work through you!

BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB
The Women’s Fellowship Brown Bag Book Club will kick off our fall discussions with the book “Embrace: Strangeness, Mediocrity and the Living God” by Pastor David.  We meet on September 5^th at 11:30 in Pilgrim Hall.  The book is available for check out in the Church Library, or for purchase at Christian Treasures Bookstore here in Ramona.  Please feel free to join us for this discussion even if you don’t want to make it a habit, just pack a lunch and plan to join us!

YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES’ OKTOBERFEST:
Dust off your lederhosen and make your way to the Drake’s home for the next Young Married Couples’ Gathering.  Melissa and Kevin will open their home to the group on September 11 beginning at 5:30 p.m.  They’ll be getting  a head start on fall events by enjoying an Oktoberfest theme.  RSVP to Melissa Drake 789-3747 and she will let you know the particulars.

SUNDAY SCHOOL GEARS UP FOR A ROUSING KICKOFF
As you can see from the newsletter cover, we’re really excited about Rally Day!  Please join us on September 12 for a kickoff pancake breakfast in Pilgrim Hall from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m..  Then meet your teachers for a special time with all your new classmates.  We’re really looking forward to a year of fun and spiritual growth. Amanda is actively seeking Sunday School teachers and substitutes – speak with her if you are interested or sign up after church on the 5.  See you in Sunday School!!!

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP AND STEPHEN MINISTRIES CO-HOST TEA
All women attending First Congregational Church are invited to welcome Ms. Carol LeBeau on Sunday afternoon, September 12 at 3:00 p.m.. She will be our special guest, sharing a message on the importance of friendship at our Almost Autumn Tea. Stephen Ministries and Women’s Fellowship will high-light two upcoming Fall events. Please be sure to let us know you are planning to attend by signing up on the Narthex Board. Come, and please wear your name tag!

WIDOWS’ FRIENDSHIP GROUP
This month the Widows’ Friendship group will be meeting at the Oaks Grill at the Country Estates Club for lunch on September 14.  We can all meet at noon at the restaurant, but please call Rosemary Taylor at 789-5697 to put your name in for the reservations. 

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP PRAYER BREAKFAST  All the men in our church family are invited to attend our “Fall Gathering” prayer breakfast on Saturday, September 18 at 7:00 a.m. in Pilgrim Hall.  Please join us for fellowship, a time of reflective devotions and a wonderfully cooked breakfast.

HONORING STEPHEN MINISTRY
On Sunday, September 19, Pastor David will be recognizing and honoring our Stephen Ministry Program.  Stephen Ministry began in our church with our first training class in Spring 2002.  Since that time we’ve trained 43 members of our church in 6 training classes as Stephen Ministers,  and have provided long term, distinctively Christian Care to 42 hurting members of our congregation and community.  Our Stephen Ministers have also helped our pastors, both settled and interim, with hospital visits and were invaluable comforters during the fires that ravaged our community in 2003 and 2007.  You can be a part of this exciting and fulfilling ministry. A new Stephen Ministry Training class begins September 13.  Please contact Alison Jones at 760-789-4470 to let her know you’re interested!

CORAZóN DINNER AND AUCTION: September 18
Please join us for a wonderful Saturday evening, as we raise the funds for our Fall 2010 home-build in Mexico and for the children whose education we sponsor! We will have a fellowship time beginning at 4:30 p.m. and items will be on display for the silent and live auctions.  Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. with the live auction following at 6:30 p.m.. Tickets are on sale after worship on Sunday mornings and at the Church Office during the week.

CAST YOUR BREAD UPON THE WATERS: A Mission Moment
        Included in our annual budget for mission are two UCC-related organizations, Pacific School of Religion and Pilgrim Place.  Pacific School of Religion (PSR) was founded by Congregationalists in 1866.  Located in Berkeley, California, it is part of the Graduate Theological Union, a group of Bay-area seminaries that give students shared access to all their resources.  PSR is the only UCC-related seminary on the West Coast.  Although many UCC ministry students attend non-UCC schools, our annual budget support for PSR helps provide a strong connection between seminary and church.  Thank you!
        Pilgrim Place, located in Claremont since 1915, is a senior community for those who have served in religious or charitable organizations.  Many residents are retired clergy or missionaries and their spouses. Pilgrim Place offers a full range of independent and assisted living and skilled-nursing care.  It holds the annual Pilgrim Place Festival in November (for 62 years in 2010!), featuring crafts, food, children’s activities, a drama, and an art museum.  Our church’s annual budget support for Pilgrim Place helps to enrich the lives of those who spent their working lives in religious and charitable service to others.  Thank you!

A NEW YEAR BEGINS
The Congregational Children’s Center begins its new school year on September 1.  The Preppie Class (preK) is almost full.  We have several openings in our Butterfly Class (2.5 years – 3 years).  If you or your friends are interested in fall enrollment in our Christian Preschool, please see Patty Mussen at the Children’s Center Office or call 760-789-3329.

SEPTEMBER YOUTH  FELLOWSHIP HAPPENINGS

Junior High will have regular meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Building on September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. 

High School will have regular meetings at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Building on September 12, 19, 26. 

All Youth  have two activities to share this month.  On the 19  we’ll have a POOL PARTY!!! We’ll meet at about 12pm at a location TBA and we’ll play in the pool until 5pm.  This would be a great event to invite your friends!!! Then, on the 24  we will all gather to have a bonfire from 6pm – 9pm (location TBA).

Events with the community
     The 4th of September, the entire community will join together at Ramona Oaks Park from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. to pray for the youth of Ramona as they begin their school year and athletic activities.
      See You at the Pole: This is a national event where students meet before class at the flagpole of their school to pray together.  Students at OPMS, RHS and MVA will meet in the morning at their flag pole.

OCTOBER 9TH …OUR ANNUAL HARVEST FAIR
Women’s Fellowship, for decades, has hosted a wonderful day of homemade soup and pie luncheon fare, baked and canned goods, terrific raffle baskets, and a day of visiting in Pilgrim Hall. This year, again, we would encourage you to consider a rental table space for your craft items, jewelry, or paintings.  Your participation … offering baking, stirring soups, making jams, jellies, cakes, cookies, garden produce, and then having lunch and enjoying the day will make it all a success.  Your support will help Women’s Fellowship order some round tables for the Hall.  Contact for the kitchen is Roberta Glaudini, baked goods and jams are in the capable hands of LaBelle Haeger and Sandy Fansher, check with Susan Ruputz for rental table spaces. Are you thinking about what type of basket you would like to create for the raffle, a sign up sheet will be available soon.  … And don’t forget the Youth Group Car Wash, a good game of checkers, and the ‘guess’ jars!

The Show must go on
The Lamb's Player Theatre in Coronado is bringing back the joyously, hilarious "Smoke on the Mountain" Bluegrass Gospel musical for an additional two weeks. The performance we have chosen for our group to go to is Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2 pm.  As season ticket holders we are delighted to pass on our special "2 for 1" ticket prices to you. The cost for each ticket is $24.00. Don't miss this fun outing. Call Nancy or Phil Harding at 760-789-1635 for more info and reservations.

    Harvest Fair – Oct. 9th
    CCC Butter Braid Sale – Oct. 10th
    Men’s Prayer Breakfast – Oct. 16th
    Youth Sunday – Oct. 17th
    Corazón Home Build – Oct. 23rd
    Scholarship Donut Sale – Oct. 24th
    Cantata Rehearsals begin - Oct. 28th
    Election Day – Nov. 2nd
    Change your clocks back – Nov. 6th
    Thanksgiving Day – Nov. 25th
      First Sunday in Advent – Nov. 28th

 Click here to see the Monthly Calendar.
Use the back button on your browser to return to this page.

Church E-mail Address:
Church Office= office@fccramona.org
|
Sunday Schedule
9:00 A.M. Worship Service
10:15 A.M. Worship Service
10:15 A.M. Sunday School

…Child care is provided
…a fellowship time follows the morning services

Top of Page