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 todeal
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 youare 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 5th at 11:30 in Pilgrim Hall.The book is available for check out in
the Church Library, or for purchase atChristian 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 gettinga 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 BREAKFASTAll 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 Youthhave 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
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