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TheTheTheThe CornerstoneCornerstoneCornerstoneCornerstone Rolling Hills United Methodist Church

26438 Crenshaw Blvd. Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

October 1,October 1,October 1,October 1, 200 200 200 2009999

Let’s Talk Turkey You think we’ve gone bonkers, don’t you? But it’s true – countdown to T-Day is upon us! Our annual

Thanksgiving dinner is scheduled for Saturday, November 21st at 6:30 p.m. Here are the details per

our Turkey Talk Host, Doug Kemps:

Before we talk turkey, let’s talk music . . .Under the direction of Chuck Dickerson, the gospel group Jubilant Voices of Holman United Methodist Church will fill Wesley Hall with beautiful music for the evening program. The 35-voice choir was first lead by Chuck in 1993 and continues to prosper and grow since its founding. In 2003, the choir won the McDonald’s Gospelfest with an inspired performance at the Shrine Auditorium under current director Melida Skeete-Smith. Greeting you with a hot cup of apple cider at the guest check-in that evening will be Rita Guiton, Phyllis Goetz, and Carolyn Melvin. Doug Kendle and his crew will be preparing the turkeys on the Weber kettles during the day on Saturday and Suellen Fung and her crew will be preparing the traditional mashed potatoes, corn bread dressing, string beans, cranberry fluff and cranberry sauce. The Jr. and Sr. high youth will be our servers for the buffet line.

Doug Kemps and his crew will transform Wesley Hall into a festive room adorned with corn stalks and autumn leaves, squash and pumpkins. If you would like to help set up on Thursday, November 19, at 8:15 p.m., or during the day on Friday, or help prepare the food on Friday or Saturday, please call Doug at 310-544-3240 or Suellen Fung 310-541-8191. Everyone is welcome to help! Donations of $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for kids under twelve will cover the expenses and raise funds to help our kids attend the Sierra Service Project next year as well as donations to the Heifer Project and our Missionaries. Last year we raised $2,400 to help the causes - what better way to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving! Paid reservations will be taken on the patio between services starting Sunday, November 1st!

from the pastor Some people say that southern California doesn’t have seasons, but I’m not

one of them. No, the leaves don’t turn colors and cover the lawn. Our winters are blissfully free of freezing rain, sleet and snow.

But those of us who’ve grown up here, or made it home even for just a few years, have learned how to read the signs. For me, the Santa Ana winds ARE the fall. I remember trick-or-treating so many years as bone dry leaves scuttled along the sidewalks. It always seemed like there was electricity in the air. And when I worked at the church in Pacific Palisades more than twenty years ago, I knew it

was winter when I could look out over Santa Monica Bay and see Catalina Island. In the summer there was too much moisture in the air. So there are seasons – all four of them – in southern California... for those with eyes to see. Some of us don’t need to be hit over the head to notice that it’s January.

The seasons are God’s way of helping us keep time in our lives. Their colors and smells shape our memories from childhood on. So we come to another fall season. The kids are back in school. The glow of summer vacations begins to fade, although some of us are just now getting away – taking advantage of the less-crowded nature of October destinations. It is a wonderful time of the year.

Around the church we’re up to lots of good and important things these days. You expected something different? October began with World Communion Sunday, and with the recent natural disasters in the Philippines, Samoa and Indonesia, we want to remember our relationships with fellow Christians (and others) around the world. We know that the compassion of God extends to them through this time of loss and destruction. We have the opportunity to contribute to humanitarian efforts in each of those places through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). If you would like to do so please make out a check to RHUMC, marking “UMCOR” and any of the three regions on the memo line. If you wish to contribute to all three, just write “UMCOR.”

We also look forward to our annual Celebration Sunday on October 25, when we give thanks for God’s generosity in our lives and look with hope to our mission in the coming year. We’ll share our usual wonderful brunch after each of the morning services, and dinner after 3rd service. More information to come!

We also want to prepare for All Saints’ Day, November 1. Each year we remember those members and friends of our church family who have gone to be with God since this time last year. We include in our prayers not only church members, but our extended family as well. Please call or email the church office if there is someone you would like to have included. Please share their full names, and the date of the death (if you know it).

God is with us all the time, throughout the year, but we give thanks for the gifts of the fall, and for the joy of sharing it together. Grace and peace,

Family Ministries

Family Ministries will be offering the 5 week parenting class “Parenting from the Inside Out” beginning October 13. The class will meet from 7 – 9 PM on Tuesday evenings through November 10. This class is based on the book Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper

Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive by internationally acclaimed child psychiatrist Daniel Siegel, M.D, and early childhood educator Mary Hartzell. A copy of the book is included in the registration fee, which is $90 per parent or $170 per couple. Scholarships are available. The class is

appropriate for parents with children of all ages, and will include topics such as: How parents’ awareness of their early experiences promotes a healthy attachment

with their child

Flexibility as the cornerstone of compassionate relationships with your children How to tune in to your children’s emotions and your own Reconnecting with your children after anger or hurt Understanding your child’s inner world Family Ministries will also be sponsoring the next Sandcastles session, on Sunday, October 18, from 1 – 5 pm. This nationally known program helps children ages 6 – 17 process their feelings and the experience of their parents divorce. It also helps parents to better understand what the children are experiencing and how to be helpful. While children participate in group activities, parents attend their own class focusing on co-parenting skills. Adults and children come together for the last half hour of the program. Sandcastles has been attended by over 150,000 children nationwide. After featuring Sandcastle founder M. Gary Neuman on her show five times, Oprah called it her “most important program of the year.” Registration for this program is $125, or $60 for one parent attending without children. For more information or to register for either of these programs, contact the family ministries office at 310-377-6771 x 105 or familyministries@rhumc.org.

Phil Gerlach Named Senior High Leader

We couldn’t have asked for a better job match than Phil Gerlach leading our youth group. He is a Freshman English teacher at Narbonne High, has worked with Sierra Service Project and its east coast branch, Applachian Service project, AND holds a Masters of Divinity degree – a match made in, well, you know. Phil earned his first college degree in English and History from the University of Nebraska. He went on to Boston College for his M. Div. and also met future wife, Ann. The Gerlach’s have been members of RHUMC since 2005 and have two daughters, Maggie and Clara. Phil has worked for “Teach for America” in Compton and has served as a MESA advisor for the Compton Unified School District where his student team won the National MESA Engineering Design Competition in 2006 and 2007. There’s more . . . he is a Board Certified teacher, which allows him to teach in any of the 50 states, but we’ll do our best to make sure he stays in California for a long, long time.

SAVE THE DATE (S)!! Date #1 – Sunday, October 11 @ 2 p.m.

“Second Sundays at 2” Presents BRASS PACIFICA

Featuring Jason Foltz leading musicians on trumpet, trombone French horn and tuba. Free-will offering suggested

Date #2 – Friday November 6, 7:30 p.m. for

PRIMA DIVAS Jan Bunker’s great ensemble of voices, piano and violin

Blending classical, Broadway & cabaret for a wonderful sound. Adults - $20 Children under 12 - $10

FAITH IN ACTION

Faith in Action presents books and supplies to Roosevelt Elementary School

Principal, Christopher Lund

Our Faith in Action summer book and school supply drive for Roosevelt Elementary School in Long Beach was a wonderful success. On September 1, we delivered over 525 boxes of crayons, 350 composition books, 110 binders and 1700 dry erase markers as well as another 10 boxes of other school and office supplies. We also purchased over 50 new science related books they had requested and donated another 15 boxes of gently used books of various sorts. The aggregate retail value of our contributions was over $5000. We could not have achieved this wonderful result without our church family's help and support. We ended up assisting Roosevelt because that is where one of our church members performed the student teaching needed for her credential. The VBC team incorporated this project into the week of Vacation Bible Camp. We received many donations of both goods and money from church members. Many of our youth and their parents assisted with sorting and labeling all of the donations. All together we were able to help over 1000 children with much needed books and supplies. Well done everyone!

Basketball Update If you would like to be sent reminders/updates regarding our schedule via email, please forward your email address to John Kwan at john@rhumc.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan Our basketball schedule for October is:

Thurs., Oct. 1st, 6-8 pm Sat., Oct. 3rd, 2-4 pm Mon., Oct. 5th, 6-8 pm Thurs., Oct. 8th, 6-8 pm Sat., Oct. 10th, 2-4 pm

Mon., Oct. 12th, Cancelled Thurs., Oct. 15th, 6-8 pm Sat., Oct. 17th, 2-4 pm Mon., Oct. 19th, 6-8 pm Thurs., Oct. 22nd, 6-8 pm Sat., Oct. 24th, 2-4 pm Mon., Oct. 26th, 6-8 pm Thurs., Oct. 29th, 6-8 pm Sat., Oct. 31st, 2-4 pm

SAVE THE DATE!

Our Chancel Choir will present what promises to be a fun Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 20 in the Sanctuary. The concert will open with The Southeast Symphony performing Variations on The Nutcracker Suite featuring portions of the original Nutcracker score as composed by Peter Tchaikovsky, and variations on the Nutcracker as arranged by Duke Ellington and orchestrated by Jeff Tyzik. The Choir will then present Part I of Messiah by George F. Handel featuring Soprano Xiaobo Su, Tenor Kalil Wilson, Bass Roberto Gomez, and The Southeast Symphony. These concerts have been very well attended lately. So we encourage you to make your plans now to attend . . . and arrive early!

Children’s Ministries

Kid Zone After School Program in Full Swing

We are well into our first month of the Kid Zone After School Program for 2009/2010, but there’s still room for you! For more information, contact Lisa Williams at 377-7302.

Acolyte Appreciation & Training

We recognized our 2008/2009 Acolytes on Sunday, September 27th for their service in the previous year. We trained new acolytes for the upcoming year right after the 10:00 a.m. service that same day. If your child couldn’t make the training but has interest in serving, please click or call me at lisa@rhumc.org, or 310-377-6771, ext.

106. Acolyte duties are open to all kids in 4th through 8th grade. Lisa Lehman, Director of Children’s Ministries

CREATIVE PUNS (We hear the groans already)

“The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.” “I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then, it hit me.” “The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.” “A backward poet writes inverse.” “A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.” “Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, ‘You stay here – I’ll go on a head.’ ”

Club Maintenance

Our crew worked mostly on a number of door-related problems. Other jobs included cleaning of some Pre-School rain gutters, filling in an offset in a

sidewalk and finishing the painting of door fames in the Sanctuary. Those participating were Jim Showalter, Oren Sheldon and Clarence Fung. The next work event will start at 8:30 am on Saturday, October 17. Call the church

office if you would like to join the “fix it” team – 310-377-6771.

Give a Greater Gift . . . The UMW Presents Annual SERRV Mission Sale Choose a beautiful hand-made or hand-grown gift for a loved one and give the gift of opportunity to the artisans and farmers who produce them as well. UMW presents our annual SERRV Mission Sale. For over 60 years the non-profit SERRV has worked to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. Peruse their lovely Fall/Holiday catalog and place your order soon! There are several ways you can participate: 1. Visit our UMW SERRV table between services one Sunday in October and look through a catalog to place your order. 2. Borrow a catalog from the Church office and make your order. 3. Pick up a UMW order form and look through the online version of the Fall/Winter SERRV catalog at www.serrv.org , BUT PLEASE DO NOT ORDER ONLINE AS UMW WOULD NOT GET CREDIT FOR THE SALE – JUST ORDER FROM CHURCH SOURCES. Please turn in your completed order forms and checks for total order payable to RHUMW (not RHUMC) NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 31 in order to guarantee free shipping and handling and to ensure your order arrives before the holidays. Orders and payment (checks to RHUMW) can be turned in at the UMW SERRV table Sundays in October or placed in the UMW SERRV envelope in the church office. If you have any questions about your order, contact Mary Larson at 310-257-1710 or Susan Deo at 310-373-9826. (We will offer one last opportunity for placing orders on November 8th during the UMW Mission Market. Free shipping and handling and deliver by the holidays will not be guaranteed at that time, however.)

We Give Thanks

"We Give Thanks" is an occasional series celebrating those who selflessly give of themselves.

We give thanks for bread ministries--Part II. On the first Sunday of every month our congregation celebrates communion with delicious home-baked bread rather than crackers. This special touch truly adds to the depth and meaning of "breaking bread" in remembrance of Christ. Pauline White has been making this unique communion bread for us for over 20 years. How did she get started? She was charged with buying the crackers for communion and didn't like the product so she decided to make her own bread. There is no special pan--she just kneads the dough and shapes it into the round loaf we see once a month. It is truly a labor of love from which we all benefit. Thanks, Pauline, for this very special gift.

Welcome to Our New Bundles of Joy! We are pleased to announce the arrival of the newest babies in our congregation: Katherine Michelle, daughter of Julie and Larry Manth and granddaughter of Tom and Betsy Coleman born on September 9. Sebastian, son of Naomi and Oliver Stokeld, first grandchild for Pilar and Ed Ruddell, born on September 4. Gregory III, son of Melissa and Greg born on August 16 Riley Grace and Payton Christopher, twins of Michele and Brian Lampshire and grandchildren of Carolyn and Wayne Oberparleiter who arrived on July 4. Ella Simone, daughter of Mia and Jeff Bolin and granddaughter of Bev and Gary Bolin, born on June 30. We welcome each one and congratulate their families. Best Wishes to all!

All Saints Day November 1st

If you have lost a loved one this past year – from November 1, ’08 through October, ’09, please submit that

person’s name and date of loss to the church office by the week of October 26 for inclusion in the next Sunday’s

Bulletin. Prayers of Intention will be recited at each service.

Brown Bag Luncheon A Health & Wellness Program

A HEALTHY WAY of EATING

A program presented by Mandy Graves Hillstrom, PhD on Friday, October 23 at 11:30 in Aldersgate Room

Managing Hypertension Through a Healthy Lifestyle. We all know that to improve blood-pressure is about limiting salt in the diet. Or is it? Come learn new information about how lifestyle, diet quality and other nutrients can also help. The session will provide hands-on exercises and guidance to help get you on the right track.

Mandy Graves Hillstrom, EdD, RD,CDE is a Registered Dietitian with 13 years of experience helping clients and patients modify their lifestyles to achieve better health. She is a

Certified Diabetes Educator and recently earned her doctorate in education from USC. Currently, Mandy is on the nutrition faculty at California State University Los Angeles and is training future generations of Registered Dietitians. Mandy enjoys reading research and translating those findings into achievable and practical steps that will help people be the healthiest they can be. Bring your lunch (with or without salt) and enjoy learning some new ways to deal with old habits.

Dawn Unity Group Launches 9th Season

The Dawn Unity Group will begin the ninth season of its “Interfaith Discovery Series” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5845 Crestridge Road,

Rancho Palos Verdes.

“The Binding of Isaac” will be discussed by Rabbi Charles Briskin, Temple Beth El; Prof. Amir Hussain, Loyola Marymount University; Rev. Dr. Reinhard Krauss, St. Luke’s Presbyterian

Church, and President Maurice Lam, of the host church.

JOIN US FOR BRUNCH OR DINNER ON OCTOBER 25th BECAUSE IT’S

CELEBRATION SUNDAY!

Brunch will be served after 8:30 and 10:00 services and dinner will be provided after 3rd Service that evening. Let’s celebrate another year of giving generously to our church and community

programs. An invitation will follow soon.

Directory Updates Hannah Barry – New e-mail address hannah90274@gmail.com Louise Thrift – New e-mail address lbthrift@gmail.com

Jennifer & Tom Adams 4202 Calle Mayor, Torrance, CA 90505

Jenni & Zack Miller 104 N. Smallwood Dr., San Pedro, CA 90731

Larry & Carolyn Garrison 2001 Mount Shasta Dr., San Pedro, CA 90732

Friends Elsewhere Pilar & Ed Rudell (as of October 31) 3635 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 Ed’s Cell – 310-707-5504 / Pilar’s Cell – 310-907-0019

John & Phyllis Theilman Future address TBA John Cell - 817)-874-3245 Phyllis Cell - (817)-360-3331 2009 Church Directories are available in the Narthex and church office. Please take a moment to add the following information to your copy. If you have changes to your entry, please update Amy at Amy@rhumc.org.

Kid & Mid Zones

What a great start to the school year. Kid Zone and Mid Zone are in full swing. In addition to working on homework during the week we are busy getting ready for some exciting extracurricular activities that you will not want to miss.

Does your child DREAM of being a ballerina or a tap dancer? If the answer is YES, then dance classes at Kid Zone is the place to be. Classes start at 2 year olds and go all the way up to middle school. It is not too late to sign up so stop by the office, visit our website www.rhumc.org/kidzone or call the office for a brochure. Be a part of Mid Zone University - this program is offered to all middle school kids, you do not need to be a part of Mid Zone to attend one of these great classes. Activities range from creative writing, cooking, sports and theatre. Classes are on Monday & Friday’s. Stop by the office for a brochure. SAVE THE DATE – Wednesday, October 28 will be our annual Halloween party. Everyone is welcome to join us for carnival games, costume contest and great food!

World Community Day

Sponsored by Church Women United Palos Verdes Peninsula South Bay Unit

“Piecing Earth Together”

Guest Speaker – Kent Meyer Director of Beacon Light Mission, Wilmington

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 10:30 a.m. First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes

28 Moccasin Lane, Rolling Hills Estates Suggested donation - $5

RSVP to Eileen Tabares – 310-377-2794

Jr. High Youth Position

RHUMC is seeking an engaging and energetic individual to develop and advance a junior high youth program. We are looking for a person who is growing in his or her own life. This person is able to build relationships with both youth and their parents. He or she has the capability to encourage a sense of connection and a feeling of family and community. This person can help youth to explore and discover their own faith journey in a safe and caring environment. He or she is able to develop leadership within the youth program by working behind the scenes to help individuals advance their own gifts. He or she is adaptable and able to adjust to the needs of the group. This individual is a self-starter who seeks out opportunities to make things happen. We are looking for someone who has the capacity to build teams and to discover and develop volunteers, who can deliver the key objectives that support a mission with youth and families. Youth related events will include many one-time and short term, as well as two or three ongoing activities. The individual will work in conjunction with other youth ministries/programs within the church (Mid Zone; Faith in Action, Sunday School, etc.). The ability to manage a youth budget and plan and organize events will be necessary. The position is part-time, approximately 10 hours per week. If you are interested in applying or finding out more about the position, please contact John Kwan at the church office or Steve Johnson at 310-265-9330.

ROLLING HILLS UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S ANNUAL SALAD POTLUCK

Each year all of the Rolling Hills UMW Circles join to share great fellowship, friendship and food. This year is no exception. On Monday, October 12 at 6:30 PM we will meet in Wesley Hall. All of the women of the Church are invited to participate in a Salad Potluck . Whether you are already a member of a Circle or not, we hope you will join us and learn more about UMW - what we do and the many Missions we support. This year our program is very special. As our guests and speakers, we will have Barbara Campbell, a teacher, author and Deaconess and Betty J. Letzig, a Deaconess and long time staff member of the National Division of the General Board of Global Ministries. Along with sharing many of their personal experiences, they will present a program entitled “Church Tourist In Korea”. We have also invited the UMW of Walteria United Methodist Church to join us for this event. Beverages and dessert will be provided by the RHUMW Board so just bring a salad to share and join us for a fun and informative evening. Child care will be provided but we will need to know in advance how many children to expect. Also, please bring each child a sack supper or snack.

Compassion, Community and Hope – Your Gifts at Work in 2009

Our congregation’s operating budget for this year totals $1,179,084.

Your generosity helps us carry out God's mission in the world.

Our Worship Life $353,725 (30%) In worship people discover God's grace for their lives. It’s where we share the humor, struggle, and drama of the gospel with each other, where we lift our hearts in prayer and song, and wonder at the mystery of God’s love. Some of us are life-long Christians. Others are worshiping for the first time in our lives. All are God’s children. This year we celebrated the good news of Christ's resurrection with more than 1000 people at one of our Easter services. Each Sunday some 450 gather at one of our three services for worship. A wide and wonderful variety of music deepens and strengthens our life together. We know we are blessed.

Congregational and Community Care $247,608 (21%) The different ages and stages of life bring challenges and joys. Our pastors and staff help

couples prepare not only for the wedding day but to help them build a strong and healthy marriage through the years to come. Our parenting classes serve the wider community, making a difference in the lives of dozens of families each year. In times of loss we offer encouragement and hope to families through memorial services, giving thanks for the lives of loved ones. Those who are ill can count on the help of pastors, parish nurse, and other caring church staff, as well as the resources of the Prayer Partners and Prayer Chain. We are there for each other in times of need.

Local and World Outreach $200,444 (17%) Helping our neighbors cope with disasters is a part of our

calling as the body of Christ. Some of our most important work takes place far from home, where we cannot see the direct results of our efforts. Our giving to projects around the corner, across the country or on the other side of the world touches people we will never know. We support ministry education and training in this country, overseas missionary work and disaster relief, as well as building relationships with partner churches from South America to Siberia. We are there for the world.

Our Mission with Children and Families $377,307

(32%) The lives of children and families are the central mission of our congregation. Each week we help over 150 children and youth learn lessons they will carry with them the rest of their lives. This year's Vacation Bible School again served over 300 children and their families. On Wednesdays 50 junior and senior high youth take part in Logos, having fun and growing in faith. Our Kid Zone and Mid Zone programs offer high quality after school care for children from kindergarten through 8th grade, and provided an exciting range of camps during school vacations. This year we served over 1000 children through Kid Zone camps alone! We are here for God’s children.

_____________________________________________________________________________ Senior Pastor Jonathan Chute Music Director Chuck Dickerson Assoc. Pastor John Kwan Organist/Pianist Althea Waites Assoc. Pastor,Family Ministries

Diane Rehfield 3rd Service Ensemble Patti MacLeod

Children’s Ministries Lisa Lehman Admin. Secretaries Maureen Banasky Kid/Mid Zone Director Lisa Williams Michele Nelson Jr. High Youth Admin. Asst. to Pastor Amy Haizlip Sr. High Youth Phil Gerlach Asst. Secretary Carol Berthelet Preschool Director Myra Ghabrial Treasurer Robin La Tourette Parish Nurse Marian Komori Bookkeeper Nicole Zakman Custodian Miguel Portillo Facility Manager Gene Koester Technical Director Roger Maddaford Church Office Phone 377-6771 Fax Line 544-4123 Resident Bishop Mary Ann Swenson Web Site www.rhumc.org District Superintendent Kathey Wilborn

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOURS 8:30 & 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday -Thursday 9 – 4:30

Friday 9 – 3 Next Cornerstone deadline is Monday October 19

www.rhumc.org