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Updated Wednesday, April 25, 2001 3:45 AM

Click here for the Sept. 29 edition in PDF format

New: Fire burns Santa Cruz Grace UMC Oct. 8: Church carries on

See link at San Jose District News links

Santa Rosa opens site number two

Youngsters enjoy singing as Darlene Garza plays the autoharp during the first worship service at Santa Rosa UMC's second site. Now held in an elementary school multi-purpose room, the worship is just across the street from property where the second church location will be built. Santa Rosa UMC photo

Here are the stories in the Sept. 29, 2000 edition Santa Rosa UMC opens second location Review's last issue marks communication transition New Stewardship resouce can help churches Small Alameda UMC succeeding with many works Communications Audit to be made available Calling all young people: Youth Event beckons 'Holy Boldness 2000' has powerful preaching Dine with the Raiders and help Fred Finch Youth Center UMC Moment: A peek at the Conference in the last century NewsBreaks     Letters to the Editor    District News Links New Videos from the Media Resource Center

Worship in elementary school extends downtown church

Interim replacement publication will be available to more readers via the internet.

Interim replacement publication will be available to more readers via the internet.

By Review Staff

After 11 years, four months of publication, and a total of more than 296 issues, the California-Nevada Annual Conference edition of the United Methodist Review ends with this issue, as the Conference transitions into improved forms of communication.

Beginning sometime in October, an interim "Newscope" style publication will become available as a temporary form of distributing Conference news and information to interested people.

Called Cal-Nevada UM Circuit, it will be published twice a month, according to Bruce Hilton, who chairs the Conference Communication's Committee's print sub-committee. It oversees the Review, and development of the interim publication.

Regarding the "Newscope" style-publication, Hilton emphasized that "it will be interim."

"Newscope" is a national United Methodist Publishing House publication, much like a digest style newsletter: Short stories contained on four pages, no pictures, but internet links.

Get the details on what's ahead in FinalReview.html.

New stewardship resource for local churches

Cal-Nevada conference leaders collaborate on 'Afire with God'

It's just in time­a resource for real stewardship, not merely fund raising. This book not only can lay a foundation for your fall stewardship campaign; it also gives your church leaders a year-round approach to stewardship as a lifestyle in response to the gospel–me, money, abilities, our whole lives included, according to its' author.

"Afire With God: Spirit-ed Stewardship for a New Century" is the latest book by the Rev. Betsy Schwarzentraub, former pastor and stewardship consultant, who is now director of stewardship development for the Cal-Nevada United Methodist Foundation. But the book also reflects the experience of three other leaders known in this Conference and throughout the UMC: Paul Extrum-Fernandez, the Rev. Mariellen Sawada and Robert Williams.

"Afire With God," out now from Discipleship Resources, says the church is a community of stewards called to a dynamic, Spirit-led stewardship of the gospel. It boldly interprets aspects of our Hebrew tradition, the Trinity and Wesleyıs means of grace, and gives loads of practical stewardship ideas that work where it counts­in the local church.

The book invites readers to see "Spirit-ed stewardship" as a lifestyle based on the activity of God. It's written to clergy and church leaders (particu"arly "inance, stewardship, nominations, church councils and retreat leaders) and to individuals seeking a wider scope of personal stewardship. With examples for year-round practical stewardship activities, it gives resources for stewardship training, retreats and study groups.

Discover more by clicking on Afire.html.

Small Alameda UMC succeeding with many works

Court Street UMC thinks ‘out of the box’ to fire up aging church

Court Street has had a congregation of around 70 (35 — 40 active) for 50+ years. "Our members have been active in the community," writes Lay Leader Tom Sartwell, "but as a congregation we had been so concerned with staying alive that we didn’t take risks. We looked at finances before we looked at what ministry needed to be done."

"God acted, so we had to," Sartwell says. "We found out our part-time pastor of ten years was being transferred. We also found that he had done such a good job of keeping his salary package low that we were unable to meet the salary requirements of even a part-time pastor on our budget. We took a leap of faith. We applied for a $20k grant from emerging congregations to become a multi-cultural congregation (for 80+ years we had been predominantly white). We also asked for a full time pastor. God (through our Conference) gave us what we asked for, and things really began to happen."

"Through cottage meetings, self-examination, more meetings, community prayer and personal prayer, God gave us both a mission and a vision — of the community and ourself:"

Click here CourtStreetUMC.html to reads the mission statement and more about a small church making an impact in people's lives.

Communications Coordinator search continues

Communications Audit to be made available for examination

A search continues for the right person to fill the new Conference Communication Coordinator position. Responsibilities include establishment of a conference-wide communication plan, public relations, and print and electronic media development.

While the search and hiring is expected to take several more months, the process of adjusting how the Conference sends and receives information is happening right now, according to Bruce Hilton, a long-time Communications Committee member who co-chairs the Communications Audit Task Force.

The audit was conducted from November 1999 through April 2000. The late start and late finish delayed presentation of results until May, which left no time to develop an understandable synopsis for presentation at Annual Conference Session, Hilton said. "We're working out how to make the results and recommendations available in the most convenient, yet cost-effective way," Hilton said.

Keep up by clicking on ComAudit.html.

Calling all young people: Youth event beckons

‘Break through... Push the limits with Jesus’ is theme

"Fix your attention on God," says Romans 12:2. "You'll be changed from the inside out." That's the message Schyler Rhodes will be presenting in the early fall climate of this year's Conference Youth Event.

The annual gathering Oct. 20 through 22, brings together for spiritual development and fun, kids who are changing into young men and women. "With our theme, he will be helping us to understand that we can break through to the world, and that we, as youth, can be would changers through the message and spirit of Jesus Christ," organizers say.

Rhodes

"Rhodes has a passion for youth and bringing them to a closer relationship with Jesus," organizers add. He keynoted the 1997 "MC National Youth Ministry Convocation, and has spoken at other Conference youth events. Rhodes now pastors Temple UMC in San Francisco, after directing the Wesley Foundation United Methodist campus ministry at University of California, Berkeley. He brings a small-town background flavored by pastoring in churches like Washington St. UMC in New York City.

Listen for cutting edge Christian music in a variety of styles from "Save Soul," the multi-talented Christian band from San Jose-First UMC. With its music, the band wants to attract young people of all cultures.

Get the details at YouthEvent.html.

‘Holy Boldness 2000’ is here

‘Powerful, prophetic and anointed preaching’ about God's plan

Powerful, prophetic, and anointed preaching will come from Rev. Dr. Cynthia R. James and Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., as Downs Memorial United Methodist Church holds its first revival of the fall season.

Set for Monday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p. m., emphasis will be focused on "Personal Renewal To Release Your Potential." Host pastor Kelvin Sauls says the theme for the four-night evangelism and discipleship celebration is "Maximize the Moment: Pursing God's Plan and Purpose for your Life" which is drawn from Philippians 1:6.

James

A former Earl Lecturer, for the Graduate Theological Union in nearby Berkeley, Rev. Dr. James' expertise and experience is proof that she is fulfilling Godıs plan in her life, and can witness that God has a plan for you in your life. She will preach October 2 and 3. "A blessing is promised," says Sauls.

The Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. is the dynamic Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, in Oakland. Smith will conclude the Holy Boldness 2000 revival preaching, October 4 and 5, also beginning at 7 p.m.

Smith

Sauls says Smith's personal theology is a testament of BOLDNESS.

"Powerful praise and worship, dynamic teaching and inspirational music from various choirs will fill every night," Sauls promises. A reception will follow each service.

Find out more here: HolyBoldness.html.

Dine with the Oakland Raiders and help Fred Finch

Coliseum dinner will honor Raiders’ team member, kids

On Tuesday, October 24, 2000, Fred Finch Youth Center will host the Third Annual Ed Block Courage Award Foundation Oakland Raiders Recognition Dinner, at the East Side Club in the Networks Association Coliseum.

The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is dedicated to providing care, support and treatment to abused children and families in crisis in NFL cities across the country.

For Fred Finch, a key provider of such services to the Bay area for more that 108 years, this new partnership with the foundation has enabled us to bring our work to the attention of many people, while continuing to provide quality care, education and programming to youth at risk.

Get connected to great food and a chance to sit with Raiders old and new by clicking on through to FredFinch-Raiders.html.

UMCom and Microsoft team for deep discounts

United Methodist churches will be able to get significant price cuts on various hardware and software items through a new deal between United Methodist Communications and Microsoft. UMCom says it's going after similar deals with other vendors in an effort to help churches make headway in the 21st Century.

For example, buying Microsoft Office2000 Premium software (this version contains Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Small Business Tools, Access, PowerPoint, FrontPage and PhotoDraw) would cost about $650 at retail, and would include one year of technical support, according to agency officials. A United Methodist entity buying the same software package through UMCom's arrangement with Microsoft would pay $92.86 and receive a year of technical support.

The agency has two goals in the partnership: to create a churchwide communications system by providing low-cost software throughout the denomination; and to provide technical support for product selection, installation and trouble-shooting.

A 24-hour-a-day internet store at http://www.umcom.org/microsoft will allow people to view and buy computer software and products with a credit card after an account number is issued. Details about the licensing agreement and obtaining an account number are available by writing techshop@umcom.org or calling toll-free (866) 521-1179. Orders can be placed at that telephone number between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST. Read the UMNS story through this link: http://www.umns.umc.org/00/sept/425.htm.

UM Publishing house refocuses, stresses Christian education materials

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The newest chapter in the story of the United Methodist Publishing House promises to be packed with action (new stores opening!), thrills (new products for ministry!) and human interest (new ways of interacting with customers!). The agency is starting a new four-year period of work with an obvious sense of excitement among top staff members, who shared big-picture vision and product specifics with their board of directors during a Sept. 25-27 meeting. Major new products that are out or will soon be available include the Disciple 4 study program, The Faith We Sing hymnal supplement, the Korean-English Hymnal, a newly updated Book of Discipline and a host of other items for people inside and outside the church. The Publishing House plans to reach more people and address more needs through new online offerings, and it is building its first new brick-and-mortar stores since the mid-1990s. At the same time, the Publishing House is making a concerted effort to listen more closely to its customers and understand their needs.

The Publishing House is addressing what it sees as a de-emphasis on Christian education in the church. During the Publishing House board's Sept. 25-27 meeting, staff executive Harriett Olson described for members the challenges facing Christian education. The Publishing House's research shows that while congregations appreciate the church's work in the area of education, they are still dissatisfied with the results, she said. They say that people still don't know the Bible, that a small percentage of local church members attend Sunday school or small-group study, and that people are having difficulty applying the Bible in their lives. The Publishing House is responding by making its materials more open and direct for class leaders, teachers and students. The materials take into account changes that are occurring in the way churches do Christian education. New initiatives include offering training workshops and designing a teaching and learning Web site, Olson said. The Publishing House will also continue working with other agencies and institutions in the denomination, and it plans on entering into dialogue with the Association of United Methodist Theological Schools, she said.

Check for more detailed versions of both stories at: http://umns.umc.org/dailynews.html

Faithful aging event in Stockton

All Methodists will find the first-ever Conference-wide "Symposium on the Art of Faithful Aging" challenging and rewarding. The Symposium will be held at Central UMC, Stockton Oct. 10-12. Through exceptional speakers, interactive workshops, discussions and creative exercises, participants will explore new ways of thinking about the physical well-being, emotional health, mental stimulation and spiritual growth of the older adults who comprise a substantial part of our congregations. Such a group of speakers who are experts in the field of aging may not be brought together again for a long time. Donıt miss this opportunity! For information call Ron Lynch at 209-466-5046.

Suspension hearing cancelled?

As the Review went to press Sept. 23, we learned that an involuntary suspension hearing set for a suspended Fresno pastor has apparently been cancelled. Set for Tuesday, Sept. 26 in Monterey, St. Luke's UMC pastor David Wainscott told the Fresno Bee it had been cancelled via a message on his answering machine. See the Saturday, Sept. 23 Bee story on-line for details: http://www.fresnobee.com/localnews/story/0,1724,197630,00.html

Selma pastor quits

Selma First UMC's pastor has resigned over issues of "liberalness" within the Conference. Rev. Raymond OıNeilıs last sermon was Sunday, Sept. 17, according to the Fresno Bee. O'Neil joined another denomination. Selma UMC listed 315 members at the close of 1999. See the Bee story on-line at http://www.fresnobee.com/localnews/story/0,1724,197627,00.html

Cokesbury West Sacramento manager to leave

After nearly three years as manager of the Conference Cokesbury bookstore in West Sacramento, Richard Harrison is leaving the post to pursue other challenges. He's made major strides toward bringing the store into the black, in part by reminding people to order through the local operation, rather than the main Cokesbury toll free number or website. Cokesbury is a division of the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennesee. A permanent successor has not yet been named.

The store serves United Methodist and Presbyterian denominations with a range of books, educational materials and items for use in church. Harrison has attempted to strengthen the store's economic health and value to the community by including Roman Catholic bibles and devotional material, along with Russian language bibles and religious publications. He emphasizes that United Methodist Christian educators can obtain high quality curricula through the West Sacramento branch, while pastors and those responsible for equipping the church will find robes, stoles, candles and holders, and much more.

On November 16, the store will celebrate its third anniversary at the 2907 West Capitol Avenue location, inside the Country West Shopping Center at West Capitol and Harbor Blvd. Open Monday through Saturday, the Cokesbury store can be reached toll free at (888) 768-0142, and by fax at (916) 371-2979.

District News

Delta District link

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/deltadistrict/default.htm

Fresno District link

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/fresno/

Golden Gate District

In this issue

Bishop Shamana makes her first preaching appearance in the Golden Gate District; Sonoma UMC gets a new pastor, replacing Ted Virts, who takes new Bishop Warner Brown's place at Bakersfield-First UMC; two South San Francisco churches merge, mull new name; recently merged Millbrae/San Bruno still deliberating on name.

Click here to go to the first electronic Golden Gate Span

San Jose District

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/sjdist

This link has been changed to one which works as of 2:25 pm, Thursday, Oct. 12. 2000.

The server to which the previous link connects was not working as of 11:40 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000

New: Fire burned down sanctuary of Santa Cruz Grace UMC, Saturday night, Oct. 8. Click this link for details:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2000/October/09/top/stories/1top.htm

A peek at Conference business during the last 100 years

"While we highly recommend all publications of our Church and pledge ourselves to do our best in their dissemination, we particularly urge that a special effort, in each charge, be made to induce our people to take our local paper, the California Christian Advocate, and that each member of the Conference hold up the hands of the new editor, Dr. F. D. Bovard, by sending items of interest from our special fields of labor, that we may all rejoice together."
Report of the Periodicals Committee to the Forty- Eighth session of the California Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sept. 12-18, 1900 at Pacific Grove, California.

Online Review generates positive rural resonance

Dear Editor,
I Took the challenge and logged on to the online UM Review and was plesantly surprised and delighted to find updated news of our Annual Conference. Up here in the Mother Lode, where the Review was routinely two weeks late, I'm feeling a bit more in touch. If this is a sample of our increased commitment to communication, I say, "Thank God!–and keep it up!"Rev. Sandra Exelby, Pastor, Jackson UMC
Dear Editor,
Iıve appreciated being able to access the Review online. Thanks for keeping us informed regarding the many ongoing stories and events in the UMC. Pat McCallister, Fort Jones UMC

Videos on the teachings of Jesus

Media Resource Center

Tapes for three different age groups are presented in the October update. One for children is from a series involving fictional characters in the time of the early church. Young people will enjoy the Beatitudes presented by their peers in a series of videos on what Dr. Robert Schuller fondly calls the "Be-Attutudes." A knowlegable Beatitudinal scholar from Jerusalem shares his wealth in a two video series for adults.

Click here to discover the NewVideos.html, with information on how the California-Nevada Annual Conference makes it easier for UM congregations to become part of the Media Resource Center and share these videos.

Annual Conference Videos available

Rev.'s Don Fado and Robert Kuyper

Videos Video cassettes of three Annual Conference sessions can be ordered for $19.95 plus shipping.

The sessions include Fridayıs "Spiritual conferencing" with sermon by the Rev. Pam Abbey, "Just Jesus!", and a reasoned discussion of homosexuality and the UMC by the Rev.'s Don Fado and Robert Kuyper.

Other tapes available include the Saturday night Ordination and Sunday morning Celebration. These three tapes will help you recall one of the most spiritual Conference Sessions in years!

See the Ordinands and Consecrands faces as Bishops Talbert and Johnson lay hands on them. It is a sight rarely seen by people in the audience. You'll get a close-up view from three cameras.

Hear dynamic preaching, sing along with some of your best-know and loved hymns.

Order forms are available online ACSVideoOrders.html, or by calling the Conference office at (916) 374-1500.

2000 Journals have been sent out

The latest Conference Journal has been mailed directly fromUMR Communications in Dallas, Texas, and should be in eager hands at churches around the Conference. The Conference office noted month that some were being returned to bad addresses for churches or others who are entitled to receive the book. A toll-free call to the Cokesbury store in West Sacramento should enable correction of the problem, and speed a Journal on the way to the correct address. (See below for details). The Journal is the Conference-wide directory. It lists all Conference agencies and staff, all churches, pastors (both active and retired), lay members of local churches, lay people involved in Conference, their addresses, phone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses.

Each church will be sent three to ten Journals, one for the church, one for each appointed pastor, and one for each Lay Member of Annual Conference. Retired clergy and surviving spouses will also receive copies. So will Diaconal Ministers, Laity who are members of Annual Conference by virtue of office, Clergy in ATEM appointments, on leave, sabbatical or disability, Youth or Young Adult delegates who requested Journals, and people who ordered them. If you have not received your Journal or need additional copies, order them from Cokesbury in the Country West Shopping Center at 2907 W. Capitol Ave., West Sacramento, CA, 96691. Toll free phone orders can be placed via (888) 768-0142, in the Capital region via (916) 371-2778 or by fax to (916) 371-2278.