May 2014

437 W. SAN BERNARDINO RD. COVINA / COVINAUMC.ORG/ 339 -7386
MA Y
201 4
Grace Notes
Seeds and Soil
Perhaps because I have always enjoyed gardening, the Parable of the Sower has held a special place in
my heart. The parable is in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew 13:1-9, Mark 4:1-9, Luke 8:4-8) and a
version even makes it into the Gospel of Thomas (9). You probably remember the story.
The Cotton Patch version of Luke has it this way:
Now when a crowd of people from all over had gathered around him, Jesus gave them a
Comparison: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he planted, some seed fell on the path where
they were walked on and the birds came and ate them. Some seeds fell on rocks, and though they
sprouted, they dried up from lack of moisture. Still others landed in the middle of the briar patch, and
the briars choked them out. And others fell on rich dirt and yielded a hundred times over” He
finished by saying, “Give this careful consideration.“
“…here’s the meaning of the Comparison. The seed are God’s ideas. The ‘path’ seed represents
ideas that are heard by people who let the Confuser come and snatch the ideas from their hearts,
without ever acting on them or being helped. The ‘rock’ seed are the ideas which, when heard, are
gladly received – but by people who have no deep roots. They live by them for a while, and when
time for testing comes, they chicken out. The ‘briar patch’ seed are the ideas which are heard by
busy people and are choked out by the distractions and money-making and pleasure-seeking of life, so
the ideas just never mature. The ‘rich dirt’ seed are the ones which lie in the hearts of brave and
good people who, when they hear ideas, hold on to them and patiently spread them.”
This spring many seeds are being planted.
The young “Godly Play” Sunday School (10:30am) ministry has taken root and is engaging children in
hands-on learning. On Sunday morning (9:30am), youth are engaging in the amazing “Nooma” video
series. Our new Director of Student Ministries, Tori Nevens has met with youth and parents and is
off to a fantastic beginning. Summer camps for children, youth, and young have been announced. A
new worship expression called, “#Friday” is an experience designed by and for young adults. In the
fall, a financial series aimed to help people live in financial health is being planned by Lois Ingham.
Stephen’s Ministry has taken root and begun to branch out by hosting special evenings with
remarkable presenters. Their first was a powerful evening with the Reverend Douglas Edwards
discussing “End of Life Issues.” All of these things in a soil tilled by those who have come before.
Let us keep these new ministries in our prayers that they may fall on, “rich dirt.”
Pastor Floyd
BBQ Fundraising Event - Val Schempp
It all started with a meeting of the women of the church organized by Lora Lee Russell.
The luncheon finished with a challenge: what can you do to help our church? Five of us
volunteered to form a fundraiser committee. And on April 12th, the whole church came
together to raise some money for the budget. Chuck wagon BBQ was held in Dougherty
Hall, catered by Ribs To Spare, with 150 tickets sold, 18 baskets to bid on and over $2200
raised.
Committee members were: Lois Ingham, Judy Esquivel, Pat Cole, Debbie Quon and Val Schempp.
All baskets were donated by: Jamie Caridi, Elton & Margaret Chatfield, Donna Clayton, Pat Cole, Gary & Lois
Ingham, Michael & Earlene Kelly, Rod & Jan Perryman, Prayer Shawl members, Scott & Karen Rickerd, Lora Lee
Russell, Rob & Val Schempp, David & Sandy Wulf, Jack’s Hair & Nails, Eddie Kao DDS Family Dentistry, K-9 Adventures with additional donations from Santa Maria Group and Strategic Communications LLC.
Servers: Robert Esquivel, Gary Ingham, Ricky Quon (also sound) and Rob Schempp.
Volunteers were Sharon Brunett, Pat Cole and team who helped make wind chimes and candle holders, Lisa Cook,
Cynthia & Lisa Hutchins, Earlene Kelly, Floyd McKeithen, Tori Nevens, Maria Teresa Parsons, Dona Reed, Gale
Thompson and Marjorie Vail.
Special thanks to our dance teachers: Sandy Michelsen and Minnie Lee and to Don & Barbara Baker for donating the
ice cream.
We all enjoyed the fellowship of our church members and guests and appreciate all contributions. THANK YOU!
For working together to the benefit of CUMC!!
More photos on facebook
https://
www.facebook.com/
covinaumc/
I want to thank everyone for the warm
welcome to Covina UMC. I am so happy
and excited to be here as the new Director of Student Ministries. I have had the
opportunity to meet many of the youth
and youth families over the last week and
I am looking forward to meeting all of
you as well. Thank you all for allowing me
to be a part of your family.
Blessings,
Tori
SURF Announcement
May 17 (Saturday) Beach Clean Up
May 18 (Sunday)
Metrolink Trip to
California Science Center
Community Service Day—Embracing Covina
Covina UMC, Covina Assembly
of God, Christ First Baptist
Church and First Presbyterian
Church of Covina are going all
out to be more like Jesus by
embracing our Covina
community with practical love
in action through the
Community Service Day on
May 17th, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There are variety of service
projects from which you could choose to participate.
These projects give us the opportunity to be like Jesus
by serving others through singing, sharing, cleaning,
painting, fluffing, packing and scrapping.
GOLD and SILVER
FUNDRAI$ER
Thank you to all who brought in their unwanted
silver or gold and got cash for it. West Coast Gold
Parties Inc. donated 20% of the entire sale to the
General Fund of Covina UMC - $631 !
Start looking for those silver or gold broken jewelries
and turn them into cash. Watch for the next date.
Projects for Community Service Day: Downtown
Covina, Serenity Foster Care, Hygiene Kits (for seniors
and other who have limited physical mobility only),
McGill House, Rowland Convalescent Hospital, Masonic
Home in Covina, Barranca School, Lark Ellen
Elementary School, Covina Park, and Edna Park.
If you would like information on the different projects
and would like to participate, please see Debbie Quon
at 339-7386 or email dquon@covinaumc.org.
Calling all Church Family. On Saturday, May 10,
help us beautify our church by cleaning the surrounding, do some gardening, and so on.
You don’t want to miss the fellowship!
LIST FOR HYGIENE KITS NEEDED ON
COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY:
Travel sizes only please. Facial tissue, razors, combs,
soaps (body wash gel or bar soap), wash clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hand lotion, hand sanitizer
and deodorant.
There will be a drop box in the narthex and in the church office. Deadline
will be Friday, May 16th.
Ruth Circle will be meeting on Thursday, May 15 at
6:30 p.m. for fellowship. They are supporting two projects for the month of May. They are the Hunger Stopper and the Community Service Day, project “Hygiene
Kits” for the homeless and needy families living in
Covina and the San
Gabriel Valley.
For more information, please contact Virginia Gollery,
Chairperson, at (626) 912-4784.
Come Celebrate
The SPPRC would like to invite
you to a celebration to honor
Pastor Cook. After many years
of dedicated service to CUMC,
Pastor Cook has decided to
retire. Please join the SPPRC in
thanking Fred for all he has done
for our church family. We will be
having a salad bar luncheon on
June 15, 2014 at 11:30.
Please help us make the celebration special by signing
up to contribute a part of the salad bar. A sign- up
sheet will be located in the church office so come in
or call the church office.
For additional information, call Laura Cashion at
626 331-3794.
“There are many things out of our hands,” said
the Rev. Doug Edwards speaking at the Stephen
Ministry meeting.”
Five Wishes is a way of controlling some things
in a person’s life if you become seriously ill. Five
Wishes is the first living will that brings together personal, emotional, spiritual needs as well as medical wishes.
Five Wishes lets a person say exactly how they wish to be treated if they become seriously ill. It helps a person and family to:
 Talk with family, friends, and Doctor about how you want
to be treated when you become seriously ill
 Family will not have to guess what you want
 Family members will know exactly what you want
If you would like more information, speak with a Stephen Minister or visit Aging with Dignity’s website - agingwithdignity.org
Birthdays
May 1
May 3
May 7
May 9
May 11
May 14
May 17
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Dennis Shellman
Sara Williams
Anthony Ziino
Sabrina Graham
Alice Williams
Devon Cook
Gracie Dugan
Romina Eugenio
Antonio Huerta
Joanne Nelson
Mary Scott
Carol Kopman
Michi Miyada
Evelyn Payne
Ray Allen
Rudy Coronel
Mary Pearson
Donna Reed
Susan Eugenio
Steve Kopman
Amy Aragon
Connor Pierce
Katie Wright
Bob Moller
Traci Rodriguez
Ken Vail
Kiley Brooke Huerta
Rakesh Newton
Richard Aragon
Ray Wilson
Covina UMC L.E.G.S.
(Ladies Empowered by God ‘s Spirit)
May 24 - Saturday
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drop off your E-waste
San Bernardino Parking Lot
For help, call church office at
(626)339-7386
Anniversaries
May 6, 1967
May 11, 2001
May 26, 2012
May 27, 2012
Mike & Judy Black
Destry & Lisa Cook
Michael & Melissa Gran
Ryan & Christina Kluver