Rally Sunday – September 15th
As wonderful as summer vacation is, getting back to some of our regular and favorite fall activities can also be a welcome change. Whether you traveled far from home or played around in the back yard, we hope you had a good and restful summer.
On Sunday, September 15, we will gather back after our various summer adventures and look forward to another excellent year together. The Chancel Choir will be back in full swing and the youth will meet their new Sunday School teachers. There will be information on Sunday School for children and Bible studies for adults – as well as opportunities to sign up for fellowship groups and service opportunities over the coming months. After each of the morning services, there will be special patio time with Noah’s Bagel’s & fresh fruit, and carnival games for the young and young at heart! After 3rd service, the In-N-Out Burger Truck will be on campus serving up their famous burgers. 
The meal is $5 per person and includes a burger, chips and drink. All those attending the morning services are welcome to come back to church at 6:30 to join us for dinner and fellowship!
See you Rally Sunday!
from the pastor
It actually was a quiet week in Lake Wobegon. After the conclusion of our summer camp program with another amazing Vacation Bible Camp, and the return of our senior high youth from Sierra Service Project, we’ve actually had a bit of a lull around the church campus. I had forgotten what that felt like!
Of course we used the brief respite to get some termite work done. We also got started (and hopefully finished) with the gateway and path between our parking lot and the Botanic Garden (see photo). It has been a cooperative project between us, Rolling Hills Country Day School (who are paying half the cost), and the South Coast Botanic Garden. It will be very helpful for special events throughout the year, and for many years to come. Special thanks to Tanya Finney, Superintendent of the Garden, and to Karen Shipherd, Executive Director of Country Day School, without whose assistance it could never have happened.
Soon the choir will be back in action on Sunday mornings, the children promoted to their next Sunday School classes, and with Rally Day on September 15 we will officially “launch” the Fall season. The ushers will be putting their jackets back on for the morning services, once Labor Day is behind us.
That brings me to an important subject as we move into the new season. Norm Loos has served as Head Usher for the last several years. He makes sure that we are covered for each Sunday morning, as well as for memorial services and special events over the year. When I asked Norm to pick up the mantle from Bill Biddle he agreed to serve for two years. It has been more than two years since that original term expired, and I haven’t wanted to change a thing. But it’s fair for a person to take a rest after years of faithful service, and Norm has made it clear that the time has come.
I met with many of the current morning usher team over lunch this summer, to talk about how to move forward. We believe that a rotation system will be the best answer. Some favored taking a month at a time (as the Altar Guild does). Others liked being available for a specific Sunday each month. I believe it will take some time to work it out. But we also discussed having a paid person responsible for opening up the church, turning on the lights and making sure everything is ready to go throughout the year. If that person shows up 7:30 a.m., the early shift of ushers could arrive at 8:00, with their focus on welcoming people to worship. Some favored the paid approach. Others felt we should be able to handle it with volunteers. I am open to either. I just want to make sure that we have a reliable system for this important work.
Health & Wellness
Annette Matsuda, RN, BSN, Parish Nurse
Health & Wellness Exercise Opportunities
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” I Cor. 6:19-20, New International Version
Current medical research indicates that for all ages, three facets of regular physical activity are essential for our health:
Cardiovascular/aerobic exercises, like walking, jogging, and swimming, when performed several times weekly, help protect us from heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression, and cancers. These activities increase our endurance, promote heart health, help control blood pressure, strengthen our spinal cord, and help us maintain a normal weight.
Strength or resistance training activities employed at least twice a week improve strength and endurance, decrease fat tissue, and increase bone health.
Flexibility training or stretching targets major muscle and tendon groups at least twice weekly, to preserve the range of motion we need to perform daily tasks.
If you are looking for a good program to incorporate these exercise facets, consider joining one of our classes:
- Pilates: Monday and Thursday, 7:45 am, picking up again on September 19th, in the Aldersgate Room with Gretchen Lanam, a certified instructor. $15 per session
- Core Strengthening: Monday and Wednesday, 8:45 am, in the Narthex, with Helaine Lopes, a certified athletic trainer. $8 per session on Mondays only.
- Laughter Group: Thursday, 9 am, beginning in late October, in the Mission Room with Nina Bradbury, R.N. and certified Laughter Yoga instructor. Have fun while stretching, improving balance, and reducing stress. Donations are welcome.
- Group exercise with a variety of activity videos: Friday, 8:45 am in Aldersgate Room. Volunteers lead the sessions. There is no fee.
