The California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church of Pasadena, California, United States "In Memoriam: Rev. J. Delton Pickering" for Tuesday, 15 March 2016

The California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church of Pasadena, California, United States "In Memoriam: Rev. J. Delton Pickering" for Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Rev. J. Delton Pickering was a retired member of the California-Pacific Conference.

In Memoriam: Rev. J. Delton Pickering
The Episcopal Office and The Board of Pension and Health Benefits
It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Rev. J. Delton Pickering, a retired member of the California-Pacific Conference, on March 12, 2016.
He is survived by his son, Len, and sister-in-law, Judy.
A memorial service will be held on:
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 11:00 AM
Orange Grove Village ("Community Room")
379 W. Walnut St.
Pasadena, CA 91103
Use driveway "C".
Condolences may be sent to:
Mr. Len Moreno Lugo
244 North Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
We give God thanks for brother J. Delton. Let us keep the Pickering family in our prayers.
Peace,

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
Los Angeles Episcopal Area
The United Methodist Church
---------------------
Cal-Pac Note (March '16 - 3) for Tuesday, 15 March 2016
There are certainly plenty...

*Learn more about Native American Ministries Sunday! 1) Hawaii District's "How to" Workshops include Rev. Se Hee Han, Archana Carey, and Rev. Greg Batson as leaders on March 19, 2016 at Aiea Korean UMC 2) The Spring Lay Servant School for the West District will be held for five Mondays from April 4, 2016 thru May 2, 2016at Holman United Methodist Church. 3) The Justice and Compassion Essential Ministries Team has Grants available for 2016. The Immigrant Welcoming Center Network is hosting a Gathering and Training on April 23, 2016. The Eco-Justice Task Force is hosting the Youth "Love in Motion" Retreat on May 13-15, 2016. 4) The New Ministries Essential Ministries Team is hosting Lucy Moore from England to lead Messy Church Training on April 23, 2016 (New Ministries EMT)! 5) The 2016 National Workshop on Christian Unity and the United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training Network (UMEIT) is taking place on April 18-21, 2016 *Loss Control Workshops in the West, North, East, and South Districts in April 2016
Share this Note:
ShareTweetPinForward---------------------
Cal-Pac Note (March '16 - 2) for Tuesday, 8 March 2016
As the door opens...

*Learn more about Native American Ministries Sunday! 1) Hawaii District's "How to" Workshops include Rev. Se Hee Han, Archana Carey, and Rev. Greg Batson as leaders on March 19, 2016 at Aiea Korean UMC 2) This is it: Watch the final episode of "The Committee," featuring Cal-Pac's Rev. Sarah Heath (Shepherd of the Hills, Rancho Santa Marguarita Campus) on March 14, 2016 from Chuck Knows Church, Facebook, or SOTH's Watch Party! 3) The Economic Justice Task Force is hosting a Bible Study on March 13, 2016 to reflect on economic justice as well as a"Stomp Out Wage Theft" Dance Protest at Long Beach City Hall on March 15, 2016. 4) Lucy Moore is coming from England to lead Messy Church Training on April 23, 2016 (New Ministries EMT)! 5) The 2016 National Workshop on Christian Unity and the United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training Network (UMEIT) is taking place on April 18-21, 2016
Share this Note:
ShareTweetPinForward
---------------------
March Times of HOPE 2016, A publication of Hope United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States
In this Issue:

• Pastor Brian’s Faith Works 2
• Missions Corner 3
• Youth 3
• Music Notes 4
• Easter Bunny Needs Help! 5
• Easter Party & Egg Hunt 5
• Next G.A.N.G. Meeting 5
• Sunday School on Easter 5
• Joyful Noise Children’s Choir 5
• Newsletter Deadline 5
• Welcome to Merry Hearts 6

A publication of Hope United Methodist Church
The Life ...
The Cross ... The Resurrection ...
Celebrate Holy Week
Mar. 20 • Palm Sunday • 9:00 & 10:45 a.m. Holy Week Choir, Susan Caudill, organ & Annabelle Terbetski, violin
Mar. 24 • Maundy Thursday • 7:00 p.m. Holy Week Choir, Annabelle Terbetski, violin & Elizabeth Brown, cellist
Mar. 25 • Good Friday • 7pm
Mar. 26 • Holy Saturday • 5pm SNA band
Mar. 27 • Easter Sunday 6:30 Sunrise Service with Tom Robinson & Wendy Kallen 7:00 Breakfast 8:00 Easter Praise Service with the SNA Praise Band 9:30 & 11:00 Traditional Services with Select Brass
Pastor Brian’s Faith Works:
Looking at the news today, it seems like the most important things in the world are the worse things in the world. Every insult, every atrocity, every disaster make the front page or the lead-off story. I try to be positive and find the good news, the lighter side, the humorous twist, just to survive the onslaught of shock-stories.
But sometimes a positive attitude is not enough. It is good, but it is not enough in itself. And that is where true Christian Faith comes in. Christian Faith means a growing trust in God do act more powerfully than any human evil. The work of Jesus Christ was to love human beings totally, no matter what the cost.
And so we unite with Jesus in this powerful work. Sometimes we accept perceived weakness, but we do that because we are attaching our lives to the greater power. The world says we should devastate our opponents (whether in politics, economic competition, or sports). Jesus lets us know that the real power comes in love, in humility (which is actually the opposite of humiliation), mutual support, lifting up the needy.
Resurrection Sunday (aka Easter) comes early this year, on March 27. In that positive message — Jesus was dead and now lives — we see God’s ultimate power. Jesus did the work and paid the price to conquer evil.
Jesus has driven a wedge between love and hate, between light and darkness, between good and evil. That wedge has started a fissure, a fault-line in the world’s power, which will ultimately result in a total cleavage.
Christian Faith is not just a superior rulebook, it is trusting and seeing what the dark world cannot see. It is walking according to the reality of the ultimate power. It is like getting off of your feet and onto the horse, off of the horse and into a car, out of the car and onto the plane. (Sci-Fi fans can insert the next, more powerful kind of transportation).
God bless you as you prepare to unite with the true power of God in Christ. Amen.
Pastor Brian
MISSIONS CORNER
The weekend of March 12-13, Hope members will have the opportunity to join United Methodist Churches throughout the U.S. in “One Great Hour of Sharing” which supports UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR is pres- ent in times of crisis and disasters around the world, acting as the hands of Christ in the most difficult or tragic times. One Great Hour of Shar- ing helps pay for the general operating costs of UMCOR so that it is able to direct 100% of other donations directly to specific disaster relief. Please give through the green “Special Offering” envelope in the pew and mark it UMCOR.
Hope participates in supporting UMCOR in other ways as well. In early April Hope members Cindy and Jim Gleason are leading a team of 16 volun- teers to help at UMCOR West in Salt Lake City. They will be making disaster relief kits (such as those sent when there is a hurricane, major flood, etc.), school kits, birthing kits, and organizing other supplies for distribution in both the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. Please keep our team and the recipients in your prayers!
Save the Date!!! Sunday, May 1, 12 noon, we are having our annual Mexican Fiesta/fundraising lunch to support Children of the Promise orphan- age in Tijuana. More information and ticket sales will come in April. Start your “Cinco de Mayo” on “Uno de Mayo” with us!
Finally, the March special offering goes to the campership fund which supports members of Hope going to church camp. Communing with nature and each other is a great way for us to com- mune with our Creator!
Because of Easter, the Outreach/Missions Com. is moving its March meeting to mid-month. Please contact us for the date and time if you would like to join us! — Terry and Larry Sieck, co-chr. Outreach/Missions Committee
YOUTH
The youth group has been busy, and has another exciting month ahead. In February, we had a fan- tastic Potato Bowl, and we extend a huge thank you to everyone who donated food, helped in the kitchen, and came for all the fun. We concluded the month with our first Youth Treks excursion. The youth, five adults, and two dogs explored God’s beauty at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve. It was such fun that another trek is being scheduled for April 24. We are always on the move.
March is going to be busy as well. The largest Confirmation class ever at Hope is continuing with twenty-one youths learning about their faith. Our Sierra Service Team is also gearing up for two work projects this month as they start to raise funds for this summer’s mission trip to the Navajo country in Tsaile, Arizona. Finally, you may see a few youth helping out at the always spectacular Easter Egg Hunt and Party. It’s looking to be a great spring!
For more information about our youth program, or to get involved in some way, contact youth direc- tor, Lorrie Frost, youthlorrie@gmail.com.
Adults matter in our youths’ lives
Did you know that research has shown that each child/youth needs to have five significant adults participate in their lives on a regular basis to keep them plugged into their faith? Are you one of those five for someone? We have twenty-one adults who have stepped forward to mentor youth going through the Confirmation program here at Hope. They are making a difference, and you can too. It can be as simple as taking the time to have a conversation at the Gathering Spot with one of our young people. Interested in doing a little more? The youth share dinner together on Thurs- day evenings. Sign up to bring dinner and join us. Come see what they’re engaged in and learn about this amazing next generation. It’s easy to sign up for dinner, contact Lorrie Frost at youthlorrie@gmail.com, and she’ll get you signed in, ready to make a difference through food!
MUSIC NOTES
Join Us for Holy Week, March 19-27!
Featuring the Holy Week Choir, Joyful Noise Children’s Choir, SNA Band, and guest musicians!
Mar. 19 Palm Saturday • 5pm • with the SNA Band and Joyful Noise Children’s Choir
Mar. 20 Palm Sunday • 9 & 10:45 am • with Susan Caudill, organ & Annabelle Terbetski, violin • Hallelu, Hallelujah! Joyful Noise Chil- dren's Choir and friends • Hosanna with Joyful Noise Children’s Choir • Ride On, King Jesus • Be Still and Know that I am God • Thy Will Be Done
Mar. 24 Maundy Thursday • 7pm with Annabelle Terbetski, violin & Elizabeth Brown, cellist • Mercy Still
Mar. 25 Good Friday • 7pm
Mar. 26 Holy Saturday • 5pm with the SNA band
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday 6:30 Sunrise Service with Tom Robinson & Wendy Kallen 7:00 Breakfast! 8:00 Easter Praise Service with the SNA Praise Band 9:30 & 11:00 Traditional Services with Select Brass Holy, Holy, Holy • Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal God of Glory, Lord of Love • Hallelujah Chorus
Yve Evans, Jazz Vocalist • April 17 • In Worship and at 2pm
We are very excited to have Yve Evans, pianist and vocalist, join us in worship on Sunday, April 17! She will not only sing her own arrangement of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” she will also be singing along side our Sunday morning choirs and Joyful Noise, our Children's choir! It will be a fun and worshipful experience! Then at 2pm, come back and enjoy more of Yve’s jazz and pizzazz! The concert is free and there will be a free-will offering taken. A meet and greet reception will follow the program.
Yve’s performances have spanned the globe (Canada, Japan, Germany, Spain and Italy and most recently, Iceland). Evans’s career has been a collaboration with some of the world’s most revered musicians and singers. She has demon- strated, through her recordings, her understanding of the music and her audience and how one does not survive without the other. Her seven CD’s ... all done live and in only one take the way jazz was meant to be ... translates live recording to per- formance art. There is an intangible quality in her music that gives it a life of its own; life that reaches out and touches the souls of the people who hear it.
Educated in the United States, Japan and Europe, Evans was mentored by conductor/arranger Jester Harriston, performance coached by singer/actress Pearl Bailey, taught honesty, integrity and focus by parents John and Mildred Evans and attended the UC Irvine, School of Fine Arts where she studied Opera and Theater. Comfortable in all genres, the goal of Evans performances is sharing the sheer joy and freedom that the music brings, or at the very least taking the audience on a musi- cal roller coaster ride with Yve at the helm. .
SAVE THE DATE! CCS CHOIR-FEST Is Here Again • May 21-22
CCS — Carry the Cross Through Song — brings music directors and choir singers from all over San Diego together to work with Christian com- posers and clinicians in a reading session, wor- ship, and in concert! This year, we bring back Mr. Joseph Martin and invite Mr. Brad Nix to come and share their music, artistry, and ideas. The reading session which involves singing through new and freshly written choir anthems, will be held on Saturday, May 21, 8:30-11:30. Registra- tion is $25 and includes 30 new songs for you to keep! Brad Nix will join the SNA Praise Band on piano on Saturday night for our 5pm SNA service. Hope UMC's Combined Choirs will sing some of Brad's and Joe's works at Sunday morning wor- ship, May 22. We will end the weekend with a special concert of well-loved patriotic songs, in honor of all our military and veteran men and women. For more information, contact Wendy Kallen at wendy.kallen@hopeumc.com
EASTER BUNNY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Our annual Easter Party & Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 26 at 3:30. This is always great fun for our children and a wonderful outreach event for your friends and family who do not attend Hope. However, in order to make this party a success we need donations of plastic eggs filled with wrapped candy. Please bring your dona- tions (marked “Church Egg Hunt”) to church on weekends or to the church office during the week. Thank you in advance for your help! EASTER PARTY & EGG HUNT
Saturday, March 26 at 3:30
Invite your neighbors and friends to this fun outreach event! We’ll enjoy crafts, snacks, face painting, and hear the real reason we celebrate Easter. Then we’ll have an egg hunt, giving the little tykes a head start before we let the older children out. The fun will end in time for you to attend the worship service at 5:00pm. (Kids Alive class for Preschool – 5th graders and Nursery care for infants and toddlers will be provided during worship as usual.) NEXT G.A.N.G MEETING: MAR. 13
Fourth & Fifth Graders mark your calendar with these dates of our fun youth-group; we meet from 4:00-5:30 in rooms J1 & J2 on these Sundays: March 13, April 10, May 15, June 12. Roz & Jean Roberts lead us in fun and active games as we strengthen our friendships with each other and explore our relationship with God. Each evening wraps up with pizza, so please bring $5 if you’re able. (Don’t stay away because of cost! Let Carrie, Jean, or Roz know if the pizza money is a problem for your family.) If you have food allergies, please bring dinner form home. Questions? Call Carrie in the office: 858.485.5840 x103.
Kids’
SUNDAY ON EASTER, SCHOOL
MARCH Stuff 27
Parents will want to know that classes for children Preschool – 5th grade will be offered on Easter Sunday during the 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 worship services. Nursery care for infants and toddlers will also be provided during those three services. JOYFUL NOISE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The Joyful Noise children’s choir, for kids Kindergarten – 5th grade and directed by Kathy Askins, is back to rehearsing in the Sanctuary on Sundays following the late service. Rehearsals run from approximately 11:45-12:30. Come be part of the fun as we learn the fundamentals of music and choral singing so we can perform in occasional worship services.
The deadline for submissions for the next Times of Hope is 9:00AM, Mon., Apr. 4, 2016 FOR APR. 10- MAY 7 and beyond. Submit articles to the church office or e-mail to denise.mierlot@hopeumc.com.
WELCOME TO MERRY HEARTS
The Gateway is the place to be on Tuesday, March 15th at 10:00 am. We begin with a social time complete with coffee and refreshments so kindly served by the wonderful staff, and at 10:30 am the program begins. Several of the ladies from Hope live at The Gateway and meet with us as well as others from Hope. Bring a neighbor or a friend if you would rather not come alone.
Call Norma Dahlvig or Mary Lou Flesh (we are in the directory) if you have any questions.
This is a special program on Jerusalem. What could be more appropriate in this Easter month? Mary Lou Flesh is still in Jerusalem as I write this and will return the first week in March. Some of the other ladies have also been to Jerusalem and we hope all will chime in with their wonderful memories of time spent where Jesus walked.
We finish the program by 11:30 and you have the option of staying for a lunch in the beautiful dining room, excellent service, great food and the company couldn’t be better.
Mark your calendar and we’ll see you at The Gateway, just north of the Pomerado Hospital in Poway. There is plenty of parking, take the elevator to the second floor and cross the lounge to the library on the left. See you there---------------------
Bishop Carcaño's Announcement of Associate Director of Lay Leadership and Age-Level Ministries
Let us pray for him as he prepares to come to serve Christ Jesus among us...

Announcement of Associate Director of Lay Leadership and Age-Level Ministries
The United Methodist Church
Los Angeles Episcopal Area
Minerva G. Carcaño
Resident Bishop

I am pleased to announce that Demetrio L. Beach will become our Conference Associate Director of Lay Leadership and Age-Level Ministries, effective July 1, 2016.
Mr. Beach is presently serving in Discipleship Ministries at Trinity First United Methodist Church (El Paso, TX). His primary responsibility in this position has been to help laity discover their spiritual gifts for ministry.
Mr. Beach previously served as the Director of Program and Outreach Ministries of the Upper New York Conference with a focus on camping and retreat ministries and as the Director of Youth/Educational/Caring Ministries at Bethesda United Methodist Church (Middletown, DE).
Mr. Beach has served faithfully throughout the United Methodist connection. He has the distinction of having been one the youngest conference lay leaders in the denomination. He served as the Conference Lay Leader and as Chair of the Nominations Committee of the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference. He is presently a member of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry assigned to its Division on Ordained Ministry, Racial-Ethnic Cross-Racial and Cross Cultural Lead Team, and the Culture of Call Task Force.
Mr. Beach earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from the University of Phoenix as well as an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Chesapeake College (Wye Mills, MD) and has completed courses in Christian Education, Youth Ministry, and Methodist History at Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington D.C.).
Demetrio comes with a passionate love for Jesus Christ, the church and the world. His joy for ministry with people of all ages will help us take the next step in strengthening our age-level ministries. He has also demonstrated a cultural competency that I have no doubt will encourage and model for us how to reach out to those who have yet to experience the life-giving love of God.
Let us pray for Demetrio as he prepares to come to serve Christ Jesus among us.
Peace,

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop
The United Methodist Church
Share this Announcement:
ShareTweet+1Forward
---------------------
In Memoriam: Mrs. Carrie Finkbiner
Mrs. Carrie Finkbiner was the spouse of Reverend Frank Finkbiner who is a deceased member of the California-Pacific Conference.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Carrie Finkbiner
The Episcopal Office and The Board of Pension and Health Benefits
It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Mrs. Carrie Finkbiner, spouse of Reverend Frank Finkbiner who is a deceased member of the California-Pacific Conference, on February 27, 2016.
She is survived by her children: Ron, Lynn, and Kyle.
A memorial service is currently being planned for June 2016.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mr. Ron Finkbiner
15429 N. 800th St.
Robinson, IL 62454
We give God thanks for sister Carrie. Let us keep the Finkbiner family in our prayers.
Peace,

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
Los Angeles Episcopal Area
The United Methodist Church

---------------------

Inspiring the world as passionate followers of Jesus Christ so all may experience God's life-giving love...
Our mailing address is:
The California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
110 South Euclid Avenue

Pasadena, California 91101, United States
---------------------