from the pastor’s pen october 2014 to the congregation, · from the pastor’s pen ... of...

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First Presbyterian C hurch of El Cajon -- Founded in 1883 First Presbyterian Church 500 Farragut Circle, El Cajon, CA 92020 (619) 442-2583 From the Pastor’s Pen To the Congregation, emory is tricky but inevitable. We cannot run away from interpretations of the past, our experiences, or the memory of others. Some memories we wish that we could erase, but they keep pushing themselves into the present to either help us or haunt us. One could say that memories are not neutral but are powerful images that affect our present state of mind. While memory creates the possibility of connecting us to self- understanding, it does not always become a friendly guide to self-identity. Memory is useful when it is connected to our present life and to the future. It can become a hindrance when memory is used to harness the past as a club to stop the process of change. When the Psalmist cries out, “Remember the Lord!” the writer is not saying I want you to return to a past history when all was right. The writer is encouraging the worshiper to remember the Lord in the present so that the future can become something positive and joyful. Memory is not an agent of nostalgia; it is an agent for self-identity and positive change. Nostalgia is a disrupter of the future while spiritual remembering is an agent of change. Churches suffer under the domination nostalgia. When this happens growth diminishes and the slow decline of personal interest as well, until indifference becomes a way of life to the very end. When memory is used to empower nostalgia it is a negative force that ends in death. But when memory is used as a source of empowerment for creating a new vision for the future, life and its vitality is celebrated. Golfers have a term for developing their swing--“muscle memory.” This is why they practice so much; they want to be able to swing without thinking about it. But before they practice the swing they must learn the proper mechanics that will support the swing they are developing. They know that muscles have a memory and therefore the muscles must be trained right to make the swing a useful tool for scoring. When it comes to the church we too must practice our faith to develop our spiritual lives to move into the future with positive change and success. Building our “muscle memory” into our spiritual insights and practices creates openness to the future in which God will continue to guide, instead of a state of nostalgia. Memory is not for discovering the past alone; it is for creating a path to the future. Steve October 2014 Pastor’s Pen 1 Church Leadership Updates 2 Christian Education 3 Circle Preschool 4 Scouting Programs 5 Mission Fair Flyer 6 Youth Ministries 7 Fellowship Opportunities 8 Deacons’ Corner 9 Service Opportunities 10 Our Church Family 11 Sunday Worship and Study 9:30 AM Blended Worship Kids’ Quest, SS 1 0:45 AM Adult Education Fall is in the air! M

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First Presbyterian C

hurch of El Cajon -- Founded in 1883 First Presbyterian Church

500 Farragut Circle, El Cajon, CA 92020 – (619) 442-2583

From the Pastor’s Pen

To the Congregation,

emory is tricky but inevitable. We cannot run away from

interpretations of the past, our experiences, or the memory of others.

Some memories we wish that we could erase, but they keep pushing

themselves into the present to either help us or haunt us. One could say that

memories are not neutral but are powerful images that affect our present state

of mind. While memory creates the possibility of connecting us to self-

understanding, it does not always become a friendly guide to self-identity.

Memory is useful when it is connected to our present life and to the

future. It can become a hindrance when memory is used to harness the past as

a club to stop the process of change. When the Psalmist cries out,

“Remember the Lord!” the writer is not saying I want you to return to a past

history when all was right. The writer is encouraging the worshiper to

remember the Lord in the present so that the future can become something

positive and joyful. Memory is not an agent of nostalgia; it is an agent for

self-identity and positive change. Nostalgia is a disrupter of the future while

spiritual remembering is an agent of change.

Churches suffer under the domination nostalgia. When this happens

growth diminishes and the slow decline of personal interest as well, until

indifference becomes a way of life to the very end. When memory is used to

empower nostalgia it is a negative force that ends in death. But when memory

is used as a source of empowerment for creating a new vision for the future,

life and its vitality is celebrated.

Golfers have a term for developing their swing--“muscle memory.”

This is why they practice so much; they want to be able to swing without

thinking about it. But before they practice the swing they must learn the

proper mechanics that will support the swing they are developing. They know

that muscles have a memory and therefore the muscles must be trained right

to make the swing a useful tool for scoring. When it comes to the church we

too must practice our faith to develop our spiritual lives to move into the

future with positive change and success. Building our “muscle memory” into

our spiritual insights and practices creates openness to the future in which

God will continue to guide, instead of a state of nostalgia. Memory is not for

discovering the past alone; it is for creating a path to the future.

Steve

October 2014

Pastor’s Pen 1

Church Leadership Updates 2

Christian Education 3

Circle Preschool 4

Scouting Programs 5

Mission Fair Flyer 6

Youth Ministries 7

Fellowship Opportunities 8

Deacons’ Corner 9

Service Opportunities 10

Our Church Family 11

Sunday Worship and Study

9:30 AM Blended Worship

Kids’ Quest, SS

1 0:45 AM Adult Education

Fall is

in the air!

M

Church Leadership Updates To God be the glory! Great things He has done! 2

First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon

Income and Expense Summary -- General Fund August 2014 Financial Report

Income Month (August) Year to Date Receipts $46,796 $258,758

Expenses Month (August) Year to Date Operations $36,870 $256,342 Missions $ 2,667 $ 21,333

Total $39,537 $277,675

Income Over (under) $7.259 ($18,917) Expenses

Ushers for October

October 5 -- Ed Magee, Lynn Magee

Wayne Cleeton, Scott Farnham

October 12 – Bill Hopwood, Jerry Hane

Wayne Cleeton, Dale Maxwell

October 19 Bob Copeland, Barbara Copeland

Dale Maxwell, Scott Farnham

October 26 -- Matt Riley, Erin McDonald,

John Fischer IV, Theresa Fox

October

Communion

Communion servers

for October 5th will include

Sue Jordan, Sharmel

McCarthy, Ron Odell, and

Judi Odell. Anne Clark will assist the pastor.

communion will be by intinction.

Greeters for October 2014

October 5 The Walker Family

Marge Lane and Jan Hopwood

October 12 The Fox Family

Linda Watrous and Chuck Goff

October 19 Sharmel McCarthy and Bob Bradshaw

George and Nancy Williams

October 26 Eileen Bessent and Bernice Vavak

Rick and Ginny Wisley

HELP WANTED: If you are willing to come to

church just 30 minutes early and linger for 15 minutes,

volunteer to be a greeter. Call Ginny Wisley.

Mission Craft Fair coming soon!!

The success of the Mission Fair depends on

getting the word out to family, friends, and neighbors

about all the great crafts, jewelry, plants, art, gifts,

baked goods, etc. that will be available for sale.

PLEASE SHARE A FLYER LIKE THE ONE ON

PAGE 6 WITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW! Of course

there will be opportunity drawings for gift baskets and

a stunning quilt created by Sharon Claar. NOTE: We

have specific needs for the following:

Jewelry boxes and old jewelry items to

rehabilitate (Elsimae Cleeton)

Plants, bulbs, and succulents (Anne Clark)

Pantry items for a bake sale (Debbie Gossett)

Books and DVD’s (Ashley Jensen)

Woodworking items

Antiques and collectibles that need new

homes. (Jan Lorentzen)

Volunteers to work at the Fair and lots and lots

of shoppers!

Becky O’Connor is the Mission Craft Fair

Chairperson this year and she will be happy to answer

your questions and direct you to the appropriate person

to contact regarding donations and volunteer needs.

NOTE: This year a new feature will be a kids’ craft

table.

The 2014 Mission Fair will be held Saturday,

October 25th from 9 AM-3 PM in Richardson Hall and

after church that Sunday until noon. The proceeds are

generally used for local mission projects.

The 2014 Mission Quilt

Last Sunday, the quilt created by Sharon Claar was

presented to the congregation. IT IS TRULY

SPECTACULAR!! Tickets will be on sale from now

until the Mission Fair for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

Support Missions and show your appreciation to

Sharon for this marvelous contribution of time,

finances and incredible stitching artistry. THE

DRAWING OF THE WINNING TICKET WILL BE

SUNDAY OCOTBER 26TH

AFTER CHURCH.

Spread the Word!

Christian Education Teaching people about God at their levels of age and interest. 3

Kidz Klub, a mid-week program for children from 4 years through

5th grade, started a new year on September 3rd. To participate, children

must have turned 4 by September 1st. We offer Bible study, chime choir,

and vocal choir plus dinner in a loving environment. Last week we enjoyed

a delightful Parents’ Night. Our numbers are increasing and it promises to

be a great season. If you know any children in this age group, pick up a

brochure in the narthex. As always we are delighted to have a great group of

teachers who minister to the children who attend. (photo from 2013-14 season)

he mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love

in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with

other local churches worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Each year, First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon has offered all of our

members the chance to pack shoeboxes full of small gifts, school supplies

and hygiene items to be shipped around the world to children in need of

Christmas joy. Since its beginning in 1993 Operation Christmas Child has

blessed more than 113 million children in over 140 nations. The shoebox

gifts that you have provided have brought joy to those boys and girls

receiving them and the opportunity to hear the

Gospel. Please stop by the church office, or check in

the narthex and pick up a brochure. Boxes are to be

returned to the church by November 16th.

Kids Quest – Fall 2014

Kids Quest is our Sunday morning

program for children 4 years old through 5th

grade. The children leave church during the

‘Passing of the Peace’ and return during the

offertory. We have a team of dedicated

volunteers who teach these classes – ages 4 through 2nd grade and grades 3

through 5. Anyone who feels called to be one of those volunteers should talk

to Peggy Dow or call the church office. We always have room for more.

On Sunday, September 28, the

Adult Ed class on the renowned

theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was

officially launched when we watched

the first DVD in a series about this

remarkable man. Bonhoeffer was

not only a theologian, he was also a

martyr, a spiritual writer, a musician,

a pastor, an

author of poetry

and fiction and a

spy. The

integrity of his

Christian faith

and life, and the

international appeal of his writings,

have received broad recognition and

admiration, all of which has led to a

consensus that he is one of the

theologians of his time whose

theological reflections might lead

future generations of Christians into

creating a new more spiritual and

responsible millennium. Famous for

his stand against Adolf Hitler and the

Nazi party, his beliefs and

convictions ultimately cost him his

life in a Nazi concentration camp.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the

most famous theologians and martyrs

of the 20th century

You can learn more about

him as the Adult Education class

meets over the next few weeks.

Those of us in attendance Sunday,

eagerly anticipate the following

segments.

What is the Church?

T

Circle Preschool Our children are our joy for today and hope for tomorrow. 4

The year is off to a super start! The

children were so excited to see their many old

friends and are busy making new friends.

Even the new children slide into the routine

with ease. The teachers feel much joy

watching them eagerly learn. What a great

bunch of kids!

Our October themes are shapes,

colors, night and day, and of course

Halloween. Thank you to everyone who wore the color of the week. We had

great participation. All classes will begin a letter of the week appropriate to

each age level soon. The children may bring in Halloween costumes for

sharing on October 29th or October 31st. Please bring costumes in a labeled

bag.

A great activity we will be

sharing is carving our pumpkins and

turning them into jack-o-lanterns. We

also will make masks and sing, “Oh,

Once I had a Pumpkin.”

We still have openings in

each class. If you know of anyone

who might be interested, please share

the word. This would be much

appreciated. Any questions? If so,

Trish Drake is available in the office

or call (619) 442-2044.

Please check our website @ www.circlepreschoolelcjaon.com for all

upcoming activities, projects, openings etc. Also, look for us on Facebook!

Oh, once I had a pumpkin, a pumpkin a pumpkin,

Oh, once I had a pumpkin with no face at all;

With NO eyes, and NO nose, and NO mouth, and NO teeth.

Once I had a pumpkin with no face at all.

So I made a jack-o-lantern, jack-o-lantern, jack-o-lantern,

So I made a jack-o-lantern with a big happy face’

With BIG eyes, and a BIG nose, and BIG mouth, and BIG teeth.

So I made a jack-o-lantern with a big happy face.

Scouting News Reaching out into the community and building leaders for tomorrow. 5

All Scouting 320 Units Looking for

a few good Scouts!

This is the time of year when our Scouting

Units hope to grow with the new school year!

Although the Open House has come and gone,

Scouting is a yearlong program and the units invite all

youth in 1st grade through high school to join at any

time! If you know of a young person who is in need of

a good time, please have him/her contact us at

Scouting320-ElCajon.org or call Lory Walker at 443-

7126. Please don’t forget that girls can join the

program at age 13 and a half!

Oktoberfest & Fire Stations…

During the month of October, our Scouting

Units will be attending the Oktoberfest held by the El

Cajon German Society and also the Fire Expo held by

the El Cajon Fire Station on Lexington. If you have

never participated in these two family fun events, come

check them out with our Scouting 320 Units!

Troop 320 Survives

Summer Camp at Big Bear!

The Scouts in Troop 320 headed off for Big

Bear Campgrounds this summer for Summer Camp.

While at camp, the youth participated in the

Wilderness Survival Merit Badge requirements. In

addition to activities such as rowing, fishing,

swimming, hiking, and biking, the Scouts practiced

their First Aid skills on and as “victims.” They also

built survival shelters and practiced orienteering skills.

They were admired by other campers in the park as

they had fun completing their challenges!

Pack 320 Fall Pancake Breakfast!

November 2, Sunday

10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon

Richardson Hall

Cost $4 each or $12 for a family of 4

All you can eat…

Menu: pancakes, eggs, fruit, juice and coffee!

See you there!

Troop and Crew 320 campout at

William Heise County Park!

Troop and Crew 320 took the opportunity

to campout at William Heise County Park near

Julian in September. Although it was quite chilly

and very windy, both units enjoyed the beautiful

outdoors and then took in a tour of the Eagle

Mining Company in Julian. This event gave Crew

320 an opportunity to share Scouting with

potential new members and gave Troop 320 an

opportunity to share outdoor skills with a newly

formed troop from Ramona. Campfire and skits

were enjoyed by all.

Our Scouting 320 Units wish to thank all those

who purchased popcorn for the annual Trails’ End

Popcorn Fundraiser! This is one of the largest

fundraisers the Scouts hold each year and the funds

received go a long way

toward helping Scouts earn

their way to Summer

Camps! If you are

interested in purchasing

more popcorn, please feel

free to place your order

with Lory Walker 443-

7126. The Scouts will sell

popcorn through October!

Mission and Outreach Fulfilling the Great Commission of the Church. 6

First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon 500 Farragut Circle, El Cajon 92020 – 619-442-2583

Mission & Craft Fair Saturday, October 25

9am to 3pm FPC’s Richardson Hall

Drawing for a Handmade Quilt Baked and Canned Food Goodies

Homemade Candy and Nuts

Plants, Succulents and Bulbs

Jewelry & Artwork

Handmade Crafts & Woodworking

Antiques, Gifts & Collectibles

Church Memorabilia

Books & DVD’s

Opportunity Drawings

Café

NEW – Kids’ Craft Corner!

There is something for everyone! Invite a friend !

Proceeds will go to local

Mission Organizations

www.firstpres-elcajon.org

Youth Ministry Nurturing our youth in programs of faith-based learning and fellowship. 7

As Halloween is fast approaching, costumes are

everywhere...from the newspaper fliers to the posters

on the ceiling at Target. I love to watch kids dress

up. They’re so excited to pretend to be someone

else. Some choose dragons or superheroes, others

princesses and butterfly fairies.

Do you ever feel like you are wearing a mask? Do you ever find

yourself pretending to be someone you’re not? Pretending to have it all

together, but in reality, your all togethers are falling apart? You would

never want people to see the real you, the person behind the mask. You

would be embarrassed if you were ever “found out.”

So….we put on our masks, go about our business, and when

friends ask how we are, we smile and declare, “Great! How are you?”

Because so many of us are wearing these perfection masks, we look

around and think that we are the only Christian who is messing up. We feel

like failures. We would never admit to needing help, let alone actually

asking for it! Instead of building one another up and encouraging each other,

we pretend that we are just fine and hide behind our masks. But, God sees

through the mask right down to the real you. He sees all the flaws and

mistakes and failures and yet loves us completely and unconditionally. Isn’t

it comforting to know how much He loves us?

Psalm 139 tells us that God searches us and knows us. He knows us

completely, from the inside out. He knows a word before it even reaches our

tongue. He is familiar with our ways. He isn’t surprised by us. He knows

every thought, every worry, every joy, and every hurt. There is nowhere we

can run from His Spirit, nowhere to escape His love, no mask to hide our

person from Him. With God, we can stop pretending, take off our mask, and

allow Him to love us. How wonderful to have a God who loves us so

unconditionally!

NEW GENERATION BELL CHOIR

The New Generation Bell Choir is primarily made up of middle school and

high school youth. Homework time is from 3:30 to 4:30. Then rehearsal

begins. To join you do not need to read music or have rung before. You

simply need to be willing to learn. Rehearsals are from 4:30 to 5:20 PM.

Many ringers remain and participate in middle or high school youth group.

YOUTH GROUP FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Our middle school and high school youth groups meet every Wednesday at

5:30 PM for an optional dinner and at 6:00 to 7:30 PM for program. Go to

facebook.com/orangeroom for more information!

COLLEGE GROUP

Our young adult group meets every Wednesday night from 7:45 to 9 PM in

the Youth Center for fellowship and Bible study, and twice a month for

social activities. The group is open to all college age young adults to age 28.

How you can help!

WE RECYCLE!

Please bring us your CRV

aluminum cans, plastic bottles

and other recyclables! Simply

leave them in the Youth Center

(or outside the door in our

recycling container) and we will

take care of the rest!

BOX TOPS for EDUCATION:

We are always collecting BOX

TOPS FOR EDUCATION that

are found on a multitude of

products. Cut them out and bring

them to the church office.

HOTEL HYGIENE ITEMS:

Save your hotel and travel size

soaps and shampoos! Bring these

to the church office for homeless

ministries.

CRAFT ITEMS:

Save felt and fabric scraps, small

wood scrap pieces from wood

projects, wine bottle corks, trays

from frozen dinners, meats, etc.

All are recyclable at the preschool

for craft projects. Also, save yarn

for the KNIT FOR KIDS

Girlfriends’ group.

We welcome you!!

Women’s Ministries Sharing together in Christian fellowship and fun. 8

Our Girlfriends’ September event, Super Friday, was a great success!

Along with lots of fun and laughter, we had the opportunity to be instructed in

some self-defense techniques that will make us safer as we go about our daily

activities.

Looking to the future, be sure to save Tuesday, December 9th for our

"Joyful Christmas" dinner and music. It is sure to be a wonderful evening! More

details will follow.

Breakfast Beauties: Next gathering for Breakfast Beauties is Tuesday, October 7th. We meet at Perry’s

Restaurant on Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon at 8:30 AM on the first Tuesday of each month. Come join in the fun.

For more information contact Irene Pash or Ginny Wisley.

Trailblazers: Join us for our weekly mall walk each Monday morning at 8:45 AM. We meet at the Charming

Charlie’s entrance to Parkway Plaza. Group leaders are Barbara Pope and Debbie Gossett. Call them for possible

additional walks during the month

Knit for Kids: Knit for Kids is still making and sending sweaters to World Vision for kids all over the world, and

baby clothes and blankets to MOMs to give to military family newborns. We also make hats for the military and

for the homeless. We look forward to seeing you at the Mission Craft Fair coming up, where we will offer many

items along with Clever Crafters. Thank you again for your support. Muriel Johnson, contact person.

Dining Divas: Thirteen of us had a great time at Black Angus on September 15th. Our next dinner will be at Bon

Giovanni’s, on Monday, October 20th. The dates for the rest of the year are November 11 and December 1. Sandy

Hood will be taking reservations starting October 13rh.

Bookies: The book we are reading for Book Club "Bookies" for October is The Chaperone by Laura Mariarty and

in November we will read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. We meet on the 4th Sunday of each month in

Bailey Hall at 4:00 PM for discussion and fellowship. We usually finish with a salad and dessert. Contacts are

Chris Locke and Nancy Williams. All are welcome. Bunco: The Bunco group is full and meeting regularly. Please contact Ginny Wisley if you have questions or are

interested in future groups.

Clever Crafters: This group has been working on some beautiful items for our Mission Fair, and they will

continue working year round. We meet on the 2nd Monday at 1:00 PM in Westminster Hall (along with Knit for

Kids) and usually the 4th Saturday at 10:00 AM in the Resource Room in Richardson Hall. The Mission Fair will

be on October 25th, so no meeting that day. Contacts are Joellen Collins and Brooke Palm..

NEW! - Calling all Quilters!: There has been interest in starting a Quilting Group at our church. After a short

meeting in September it was decided that future meetings will be on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 1 PM in the

Resource Room of Richardson Hall. So, we will meet again on October 14 at 1 PM. We hope you and any of

your quilting friends that are interested will come to that meeting and bring your sewing machine, if possible, and

all of the “stuff” that goes with it. We will have a cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler, iron and ironing board available

for everyone’s use. We will demonstrate some basic quilting techniques for those wanting to learn. Please also

bring samples of simple quilt blocks so we can decide what kind of quilt we want to make. For questions, please

contact Joellen Collins (619) 447-6329.

Women’s Ministry opportunities for Bible study and growth!

Priscilla Circle: Ladies, Please join us for a new Bible Study. We are starting this year with a new book,

Acceptance & Gratitude -- Spiritual Practices for everyday life. We will have our secret sister drawing,

lively discussions and fellowship. Contact Becky O'Connor (619) 212-9103 or Peggy Dow (619) 561-

4668 with any questions you may have. We look forward to you joining us.

Naomi Circle: We meet the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00 Noon in Westminster Hall. Bring a sack

lunch and join us for fellowship and Bible Study. The contact person is Muriel McGurn.

Deacon’s Corner To God be the glory! Great things He has done. 9

Our Board of Deacons is asking members to

share staple foods for the needs of our neighbors in the

community. We do this through Bethlehem Food

Pantry, a program operated by the First United

Methodist Church of El Cajon, which works jointly

with our Deacons to supply necessities to families in

need. The Pantry is open year-round. Through this

resource, we share God’s love. Needed items include:

Canned fruits and vegetables

Canned meats – tuna, chicken, beef

Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce

Canned ravioli and Spaghetti O’s

Soups – all kinds

Hamburger Helper

Mac and cheese

Peanut butter and jelly

Powdered milk

Instant potatoes

Powdered sugar

Canned soups

Cereals

Shampoo, antibacterial soap

Handi-wipes

Diapers—all sizes newborn and up

Please leave your donations in the narthex

each Sunday.

All-Church Food Drive

led by 320 Scouting Units!!

The 320 Scouting Units

will be organizing and

conducting the October All-

Church Food Drive to benefit

Bethlehem Pantry with basic

items to fill their shelves.

They will also assist the food

bank in filling their

Christmas Food Baskets.

Our assistance of the Pantry through our

Deacons is truly needed and appreciated. You can see

the report of our contributions in the next column. The

Bethlehem Pantry is located at 717 Grant Avenue in El

Cajon (619-401-5278). The director is Gwen Johnson,

and the Pantry is open by appointment only with

Gwen. Call Chuck Goff for more information.

The Pantry Report

July/August

Donations from FPCE

July – 39 lbs.

August – 42 lbs.

Emergency Food Distribution

44 Families

July/August Bread Distribution (Mon./Sat.)

Approximately 1910 individuals

The need is great and we thank you for all that

you’re able to provide. Thank you also to our FPCEC

(VBS) youth, who during Vacation Bible School week

provided 35 youth and 7 leaders for a two-day youth

projects event at Bethlehem Pantry. The first afternoon

they arranged the donated clothing storage area, and

the second evening served food and cleaned up during

the Wednesday Community Supper at First Methodist

Church. They served over 80 people, and Gwen

Johnson, the director, said they did an outstanding job!

Christmas Baskets Special autumn collection

September 21 – corn bread

mix, canned sweet potatoes, any kind of boxed

potatoes (mashed, scalloped, etc.)

September 28 – canned corn, gravy, bouillon

cubes, flour

October 5 – cake mixes, brownie mix,

pumpkin pie mix, cranberry sauce

October 12 – Instant dry milk, Wesson oil,

canned fruits, apple or cherry pie mix

October 19 – tuna or canned meat, spaghetti,

spaghetti sauce

October 26 – hamburger helpers, macaroni

and cheese, green beans, kidney beans, yellow

beans

November 2 – sugar, powdered sugar, olives,

pickles

November 9 – cream of mushroom soup,

broth, oatmeal

November 16 – macaroni, rice, Eagle brand

condensed milk

November 23 – peanut butter, jelly

November 30 – cereals, puddings, frosting

December 7 – pie crusts, margarine, eggs

Opportunities for Fellowship and Service 10

On August 16th Cindy Graham and

Nancy Williams (both representing Christian

Education) joined Mike and Diane French

for the monthly Adopt-A-Highway clean-up

on Jamacha Rd/Hwy 54. Thank you both

very much for once again coming out early

on a Saturday morning to participate in our

community outreach program. Your

dedication to our church, and our various

activities, is to be commended! If anyone is

interested in participating in our next

highway clean-up, we will be going out

again on Thursday, October 9th, at 8:00 AM.

(Please note, the date has been changed from

our previously scheduled date of October

18th). To sign up in advance, please contact Diane French at (619) 562-

0852 or email at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your

willingness to participate.

Join us for a church work party

November 8th, from 8:00 AM-12:00 noon, we

will have the next church next work party. We’ll be

completing some light carpentry projects. Contact Cindy

Graham (619-889-5251) if you can help.

Revenue Task Force

There was a good turn-out to the Revenue Task Force

presentation on Sunday, September 14. Information about

online giving and perpetual giving was provided to those in

attendance. Copies of that information will be available on our website

soon. Also, we will provide more information for those interested in

pursuing one of these areas.

Old eyeglasses, hearing aids, cell phones needed!

Do you have old eye glasses, hearing aids or cell

phones lying in a drawer? We have a solution to help

you clean out that drawer and help others. The Lions

Club has a mission to eradicate vision loss, and one of

the ways it works towards this end is through its Old Eye

Glasses Program. Old Glasses are collected, evaluated

and then provided to people who cannot afford them or

who do not have access to opticians. They also collect old hearing aids and

cell phones. You may place these items in the Lions Club box in the

narthex. These items will be provided to the Lions Club program. If you

have questions please see Cathy and Keith Bailes.

DID YOU KNOW??

Yes, We still send Hugs

from Home to our troops. Over

100 cool ties were sent this

summer and a box of hats will be

sent as temps cool.

Do you have extra trick or

treat candy give it to Irene Lohr

or mark it for the military and

leave it in the narthex. No, I won't

eat too much, it will be sent on to

the USS Carl Vinson for those

guys and gals to enjoy as

a Hug from Home!

What is a “Plarner??

Clever Crafters has started

a new group called Plarners. We

use plastic bags to make items

which will be used to benefit our

Missions. Some people are

crocheting or looming sleeping

mats for the homeless in our

community, and some are going

to make items such as purses and

rugs to sell at the Mission Fair.

We need all kinds of plastic bags:

grocery, newspaper, trash, bread

wrappers, etc. We also need

people to cut bags, crochet, or

loom for us. Training is available.

Our meeting is held on the 4th

Saturday of the month at 10 AM

in the Resource Room. Please

call (Linda Watrous at 619) 401-

7988 if you have questions,

would like to help, or have bags

to donate.

Thank you for your

support!

Our Church Family Sharing together as the family of God. 11

Happy October Birthday! 10/01 Martha Wright

10/03 Judith Dupree

10/06 Nanette Dall

10/07 Rita Drouin

10/08 Sue Jordan

Jennene Lehmann

10/11 Rita Daoud

Larry Scrivner

Bernice Vavak

10/12 Keith Bailes

Erin McDonald

Lesta Peisner

10/13 Marge Dosenberry

Bonnie Glenn

10/14 Lois Beland

Judith Duddles

10/18 Joan Bier

Ethel Wooster

10/20 Shelby Miller

10/21 Barbara Pope

10/22 Pat Curtis

Marlen Steins

10/23 Jan Lorentzen

Diana Macha

Kay Miller

10/25 Verna Zopfi

10/28 Blaine McAllister

10/29 Jim Henry

10/30 Bob Turk

10/31 Bond McCowan

10/31 Ron Odell

October Anniversaries! 10/01 Ben & Diane Cloud

10/08 Ron & Catherine

Harris

10/15 Jack & Avis Kearney

10/20 Richard & Andrea

Garcia

10/22 John & Barbara Ritts-

Williams

“White Cane Safety Day/Blind Americans

Equality Day”

October 15, 2014

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress was

signed into law. This resolution authorized the President of the

United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety

Day". President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the first proclamation. In 2011,

White Cane Safety Day was also named Blind Americans Equality Day by

President Barrack Obama. The White Cane is a tool that assists people with

vision loss to be independent, and a symbol of the blind citizens in our

society. White Cane Safety Day honors the many achievements of blind and

visually impaired Americans.

In North America the introduction of the white cane has been

attributed to the Lion's Clubs International. In 1930, a Lion's Club member

watched as a blind man attempted to make his way across a busy street

using a black cane. With the realization that the black cane was barely

visible to motorists, the Lion's Club decided to paint the cane white to

increase its visibility. In 1931, the Lion's Club International began a national

program promoting the use of white canes for persons who are blind. With

proper training, people using the white cane can enjoy greater mobility and

safety by determining the location of curbs, steps, uneven pavement, and

other physical obstacles in their path. The white cane has given people with

vision loss freedom to travel independently to schools and workplaces and

to participate more fully in the life of their communities.

The San Diego Center for the Blind and the Braille Institute in La

Jolla are two agencies that provide Orientation and Mobility Training to

people with vision loss. Please feel free to talk with Cathy Bailes for more

information.

Catharine and Keith Bailes, AIM Committee, Deacons

TBN Reflections: On Friday, August 15th, the TBN group had their

“Backyard BBQ and Beer Tasting” at the home of Mike and Diane French.

Mike BBQ/smoked a pork loin and made baked beans and everyone who

attended brought a side dish and their favorite beer (or other drink) to share.

As always, there was a lot of wonderful food along with a wonderful time of

fellowship. Backpacks were also collected at this event for PUM

(Presbyterian Urban Ministries) and, I’m proud to say that 17 backpacks

were collected that night! Thank you everyone for your kind donations.

PUM was thrilled with the backpacks.

October Christian Cruisers: Scheduled for October 18, we are to ride the

trolley out of El Cajon to downtown San Diego, then take the coaster to

Oceanside. Our lunch will be at Ruby’s after the long walk from the coaster

to the end of the Oceanside pier. This event will happen as long as we have

10 or more participants. Please call Ron & Judi Odell (445-6189) ASAP if

you plan to join us.

Lunch and a Movie will be on Monday, October 6th, in the Youth Room at

11:30. The movie title will be announced later. Cost $4.00, come and enjoy

the entertainment and fellowship.

First United Presbyterian Church

500 Farragut Circle

El Cajon, CA 92020

Phone: (619) 442-2583

FAX (619) 442-2588

E-mail: [email protected]

http//www.firstpres-elcajon.org

Return Service Requested

PLACE LABEL HERE

October is here!

The Church Staff

Pastor Reverend Dr. Steve Locke

Assistant to the Pastor Becky Hurt

Director of Music Jan Lorentzen

Office Manager Karen King

Organist Carol Cunningham

Music Leader Erik Lingren

Circle Preschool Director Trish Drake

High School Youth Leader Becky Hurt

Middle School Ministry Katie Rick

Committee Chairs

Administration Ed Trailer

Christian Education Judy Farrar

Congregational Life Janice Fischer

Fellowship Mike French

Outreach and Membership Gary Lorentzen

Missions Doug Flick

Personnel Wanda Feldner

Worship Support Scott Farnham

Deacons Contacts Heidi McKinley, Moderator

Becky O’Connor, Session Rep

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 27

El Cajon, CA 92020

October 5, 2014 – 9:30 AM

Worldwide Communion Sunday

October 12, 2014 – 9:30 AM

Blended Worship

October 19, 2014 – 9:30 AM

Blended Worship

October 26, 2014 – 9:30 AM

Reformation Sunday

Blended Worship