FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
8th & D Streets … PO Box 248
Ramona, CA 92065

WELCOME FIESTA FOR THE AUTEN FAMILY
Please place the evening of August 7th on your calendar as "busy" and come to a Welcome Fiesta for David Auten and his family. We will gather in the church picnic area at 6:00 p.m. and enjoy a catered Mexican dinner.  We are asking for donations to help offset the cost of the party.  Tickets will be available after church on Sundays and in the office during the week until July 30th when we are required to have our numbers in to the caterer.  Suggested donation is $7 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.  We would like this to be open to everyone, so if you have any questions, please call the church office.

 

 

REPORT ON SPECIAL MEETING
          On July 27, 2010 a special meeting of the Congregation was held for the express purpose of approving the Search Committee’s recommendation of candidate Rev. David  Auten to become our settled pastor.  A quorum was confirmed, 148 were in attendance (quorum being 85) and the meeting was called to order at 11:14 a.m., in the church sanctuary by Moderator Vickie Burch, David Keyser gave the opening prayer.  Hal Mortier proceeded by giving an over-view of the search process and the activities that took place to see us to this meeting today.  The Search Committee was given an enthusiastic round of applause in thanks for their diligence and hard work.  Vickie then called for a motion to call Pastor Auten to be our settled pastor.  It was moved and seconded; the floor was open for discussion. 
          Questions were posed regarding his financial experience, preaching style, ideas for assisting the Youth Program. These concerns were addressed by the Search Committee members.  Comments were made from the Congregation regarding his evident Godliness and care and concern for the congregation. 
          There being no further questions, Vickie requested a show of hands for those in favor of the call. There were no hands opposed.  Motion was passed unanimously.  Pastor Auten and Erin were called in and received a welcoming round of applause.   Vickie Burch said a few words in closing and David Keyser gave the closing prayer.
            The meeting was adjourned at 11:44 a.m.
            Respectively Submitted,
            Joanne Glaudini
            Clerk of the Church

A Note from Pastor David
     My wife, Erin, and I recently celebrated our eleven-year wedding anniversary.  We both couldn’t believe it.  It seems remarkable that we have been together for eleven years already, plus the three years we had been dating since meeting our senior year of high school.  That was when we first fell in love. 
     We had second-period psychology class together.  Erin was a straight-A student who hung out with a good bunch of friends who were similarly focused on doing well in school and planning for the future.  At the time I had just returned to high school after being expelled for a six-month period.  Needless to say, my aspirations were substantially lower than Erin’s and my sights were focused on more immediate things — like the pretty girl sitting a few rows over from me in psychology class.  Little did I know that Erin would come to play a pivotal role in my salvation experience, awakening me from the slumber of my apathetic existence to gradually become something more than I ever imagined I could or wanted to be.  And as those of you who were at church on June 27^th know from the message I shared that day, it was God’s love above all else that helped to bring about that transformation in my life.  Not love in any abstract sense, but love known concretely and incarnationally through real people in my life who cared, like my wife.  Ever since falling in love, with Erin and ultimately with God, I have never been the same. 
     I have to admit:  I have also begun to fall in love with this church.  How could I not?  This is a church clearly focused on the very same thing Jesus was focused on—changing lives.  Your passion for ministering to the needs of people in your community is as plain as day.  Corazon.  YABS.  Stephen Ministry.  Sacred Arts.  Vacation Bible School.  Dynamic Worship.  In His Steps.  All of these expressions of God’s love testify to your commitment to be the hands and feet of Jesus here today.  God’s love is concrete.  It is relevant.  And it is more than evident here among the good people of the First Congregational Church of Ramona.  It will be my honor and my joy to join you as your new Senior Pastor.  My prayer is that our common passion would be to see God continue to grow our church, and to change lives, in amazing ways far above and beyond what we can expect.  His love enables us to dream big dreams.  As Solomon put it long ago, “Love is like a blazing fire, a mighty flame of Yahweh; many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers wash it away” (Song of Songs 8:6-7).  May the love of Christ rule supreme in our hearts together. Blessings,
Rev. David Auten

PASTOR DAVID’S ARRIVAL SCHEDULE
Pastor David and family are planning to arrive in Ramona the week of the 19^th.  They will take that week to settle into their rental condo in the Estates and Pastor David will be in the office beginning Monday July 26^th and his first Sunday in the Pulpit will be August 1^st.  We plan to have an All Church Gathering to welcome the Auten Family early in August (tentatively the evening of the 7^th).  Please watch for specific details in the bulletin insert page and plan to pass the word to your family and friends.

A FINAL WORD I am writing this Search Committee thank you letter a week ahead of Candidate Sunday knowing it will not come out until a week or so beyond that day.  I am going to assume completely that we are celebrating the selection of Pastor David Auten as the new settled pastor of FCC Ramona and are anxiously awaiting his negotiated starting date in late July… so welcome David, Erin, and family!  What a blessing you are all going to be for our Congregation. 
     When we had thought about a year ago that we were finished with our search I thanked our committee via this Newsletter venue and we all know what happened shortly thereafter.  Since I am not superstitious in any way shape or form I am going to go ahead and gamble on trying this again before the actual start date of our selected pastor…however, I may not change my socks until Pastor David shows up and officially takes the helm. 
     Our committee was dedicated beyond words and I will not be able to say enough about them in this brief note.  Each opted to continue on last June when leaving would have been a very viable and understandable option.  We only lost Rachel Dean to college or she would have stayed on as well.  Needless to say we missed her… but Dustin Hager replaced Rachel and did an admirable job.  What a sweet soul this young man is.  His input was invaluable and he kept us laughing with his light sense of humor and positive life outlook.
     I appreciate our very experienced Pastor Search team and their contributions, so thank you so much to:

·         The Dean of Pastor Search, Larry Haeger…
·         Our Chaplain and “Jack” of all Church Projects, David Keyser…
·       Jeri Biddle and her endless administrative work at meetings and at home…
·         Judy Gust with her guiding influence and professionalism…
·      Lila Cassidy kept us moving along and motivated continuously to reach the final goal…
·         The keeper of our website hits and watchdog for young families everywhere, Rob Gibson…
·         Meredith Schuler brightens up any room, but was especially good for the group’s spirit throughout the process…
·         Tom Jones, what a capable Moderator we are in store for next year.  Thank you for your help along the way Tom…
·         And speaking of capable Moderators, how blessed are we to have Vickie Burch as our leader and what a great asset she was to the Pastor Search team.  She is a phenomenal lady!
·         I can’t forget Joanne, she only thinks she is not on our committee, but what would we have done without her? 

     Thanks to all of you for your patience, dedication, and giving spirits.  I think you have answered your call (at least for this part of your life) very well…and I suspect Pastor Auten and his family is the “Fruit” of your hard work, fruit the Congregation will enjoy well into the future.  It was my pleasure to a part of this great team! 
     Thank you  ~Hal Mortier 

IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
Pastor Steve came to us at a time when we were grieving the loss of a pastor that  we had only just begun to know. He guided us and strengthened us in ways we didn’t even know we needed.  His ministry with us has been a wonderful blessing to our entire church family.  But now it is time to say goodbye, as Pastor Steve and his family move to Columbia, Missouri to begin his term as Senior Pastor at Columbia United Church of Christ.   Please come and give Pastor Steve a warm “Thank You” for all he’s helped us to do over the  last year and a hearty “good luck” send-off to his new calling.  July 18^th is his last Sunday with us and we would like to say goodbye in the fashion for which we’re known – by having a huge FEAST! We’ll gather in Pilgrim Hall after the 2^nd service to share in a Salad Luncheon and present Steve with a few gifts and our warm thanks.  Please sign up, for a Salad or Dessert in the Narthex.  Care Ministry will provide the service and drinks.  A fun time will be had by all!!!

FROM THE INTERIM PASTOR
     I’m writing this before events actually happen, but with full confidence that things will go as God desires, as Rev. David Auten visits on June 27.  So, what next?  I hear deep sighs of relief from many corners!  And there should be – you have traveled a long way, with unexpected detours, since Alex Dreese retired.  But be aware that you have not yet reached “the promised land.”  Nor will you arrive there, for a long time yet to come. 
     The anonymous author of the Letter to the Hebrews speaks, in chapter 11, about faith.  But rather than define faith, he (or she?) tells stories about our spiritual ancestors, and how they showed their faith.  And what is really important, I believe, is a line repeated twice, in verses 13 and 39:  All of these died in faith, but without having received what was promised.  That is, we never quite arrive; we are always on the journey.  You have called a new pastor, but he’s still 3000 miles away.  And once he arrives in town, you will still have lots of work to do.
     Why is that?  Why can’t we “get there” and finally bask in the sun, glory in having “made it”?  The Letter to the Hebrews says that our faith ancestors “did not receive what was promised…so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.”  In other words, we’re all in this together.  “We” don’t get to arrive by ourselves, but only when others are brought along with us.  And that’s true for us as individuals, and for us as a congregation.
     As you travel on this new stage of the discipleship road, walking and talking with your new pastor and learning about each other, remember that you are not alone on this pilgrimage.  Others are on the path with you, perhaps part of different groups but traveling also in the same direction.  And others may be ahead of you or behind you.  Still others may be on the sidelines right now, watching, wondering.  It is our task and our calling not to travel in isolation from others, but continually to invite others to join us.
     So don’t ask, “are we there yet?”  Instead, enjoy this still-unfolding journey, and open your eyes (and hearts) to the wonders that are waiting around the next bend, by the grace of God.
In hope,
Rev. Steve Swope

THE WIDOWS FRIENDSHIP GROUP is craving beef! For our July 13^th meeting, we will be headin’ out west to the Boll Weevil and rustle up some vittles at high noon.  We’ll just meet right there at the restaurant, but you can share rides with each other – or offer a ride to someone who doesn’t drive!  Call Rosemary Taylor (789-5697) by noon on the 12th so that she can arrange for a reservation.  Watch the Bulletin Insert Page in August for information about that month’s get together.

CHOIR REHEARSALS ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!
      It may seem like the beginning of summer, but before you know it we’ll be right back into the swing of things.  So, put these dates on your calendar now before you decide to take a last minute vacation! Chancel and Gospel choir rehearsals for the new season begin on August 26^th, 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. respectively. Before that we will have a choir kickoff party at the home of Lila Cassidy on August 21st at 5:30 p.m.  Place it on your calendar today!
      Bell Choir members will pick up their rehearsal schedule beginning the 31^st of August.  Children’s choir (Minor Miracles and Heaven Bound) will have a kickoff party and first rehearsal on September 8^th.  It sure would be fun to have a Youth Choir again!  Please let Sue know if you’re 7^th grade or above and would like to participate.  If you have any questions, please contact Sue Trukken at 787-0132 or the Church Office!

2010 VBS WAS A SUCCESS!!!
Our High Seas Expedition June 21-25 was a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School for more than 100 children and crew leaders.  Games, dramas, movies, crafts and songs were all a part of each day.  Thank you to Karrie Walker and her incredible group of station leaders, crew leaders and volunteers.  The talent and generosity in our church family is amazing.  Our High Seas Expedition was THE place to be!

MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST
We’ll be taking a break in July as people will be on vacation, but we’ll right back at it on August 21^st at 7:00 a.m. in Pilgrim Hall.  All the men are invited to join us for a wonderful breakfast and a great time of devotion.  We hope you can make it!

CAST YOUR BREAD UPON THE WATER: A Mission Moment Over the past few months many of the Mission Board members have been asked why we are still  building  two homes in Mexico through Corazon each year, when there are so many needs right here in Ramona, California, USA. Perhaps we on the Mission Board have taken too much for granted, thinking that everyone is aware of all our missions, who and where they help. Perhaps we have been going along on automatic pilot, thinking all the congregation knew that our missions reach out in widening circles to help all of God’s people. First our own in the congregation and locally here in Ramona are served in designated items covered in the mission budget totaling over $9,000. Additional funds for local programs, like the Food and Clothes Closet and the Ramona Senior Center are generated through Crop Walk and other special contributions during fires and other disasters. Then we serve those in need through the United Church of Christ, Church World Services, and special Christian ministries on both national and international levels. Corazon is one of those international ministries in which we have participated for many years, with the Congregation’s Mission budget funding the first build each year and the annual Corazon dinner and auction funding the second build. All of the missions are reviewed and approved by the Mission Board and the Board of Trustees each year. And, yes, there have been long discussions and some belt tightening over these past three years as we continue to attempt to reach out and help others in His name. We welcome your comments, ideas, suggestions, and, even better, your participation on any of our missions or the Mission Board.  
Jerry Cannon, Mission Board

Everyone's Job, Everyone's Joy!   The opportunity and responsibility for doing ministry has been given to all Christians.  When was the last time you heard someone say, "That is the pastor's job," when referring to some aspect of ministry? Ministry is not just the job (or, better yet, the opportunity) of the clergy.  The upcoming Stephen Ministry training class is a chance to be trained and equipped for caring ministry. Talk to any of our Stephen Ministers; they will tell you what a joyous privilege it is to share Christ's love with others.   A new class is forming and will begin in the fall.  Contact the church office or Alison Jones 760-789-4470 for more information.

MISSION BOARD HAPPENINGS
The Mission Board is currently soliciting exceptional items or services to be auctioned off at the upcoming Corazon Dinner and Auction Night. The festivities are planned for September 18, 2010.  If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Bill Godwin or any member of the Mission Board. And please save September 18th for a fun filled evening while enjoying the best Mexican food in Ramona.  This will be the Mission Board's annual Corazon fund raising event. We will have a silent Auction, live Auction and more.  Information will be forthcoming.   Also, please save October 23^rd to travel to Mexico to build a Corazon home. Remember, U.S. Citizens entering or leaving Mexico need a U.S. passport. If you do not have a passport, it is recommended that you apply early to avoid delays. 

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP HAS PLANS  AHEAD!!! Many rejuvenating Summer plans may be crowding your calendar, but please be sure to mark the date of Sunday, September  12^th.  Women’s Fellowship and Stephen Ministries have joined together to provide for Carol LeBeau as our guest and speaker at 3:00 p.m. at our Almost Autumn Tea.  Ms. LeBeau, recently retired long time anchor of San Diego’s  ABC Channel 10 and presently a spokesperson for Palomar-Pomerado Hospitals, will share a very important message.  Look to sign-up beginning in August to attend and also offer your specialty tea sandwiches. Better yet, join with two or three other friends to create a lovely tray of these treats.  On the 12^th we’ll be sure to enjoy Ms. LeBeau’s message and a delightful afternoon  gathering of friends.  Also, please circle Saturday, October 9^th.  It’s our annual  Harvest Fair.  Look for more about both events in the insert page of your Sunday church bulletin.

ADULT FELLOWHIP NEWS: An adult fellowship gathering had been planed for the month of July but has been postponed a bit.  Many people are on vacation that month and there are some extra potlucks and events happening with the “Hail and Farewell” of our Pastors.  Please keep your eyes peeled for our next date in a long line of get-togethers.

Youth Activities

JULY
Junior High will have regular meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Building on July 1^st, 15^th, 22^nd and 29^th.  Special activity for the Junior High this month is on the 16^th we’ll have a Pizza and Movie Night in the Youth Building from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Bring Your Friends!!!

High School will have regular meetings at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Building on July 11^th, 18^th and 25^th.  Special activity for the Senior High this month is a Beach Trip on the 20^th.  We’ll meet in the church Parking at 9am, we’ll go down to the beach and we’ll be back at the church at 5:30 p.m. (before dinner).  Drivers’ needed!

All Youth  have two activities to share this month.  On the 13^th Wes and Amanda will share their wedding photos and stories with some of the people that matter to them most… YOU!  We’ll meet in Pilgrim Hall at 6:00 p.m.  Please bring a salad, an entrée or a dessert!  All youth & parents are invited!

On the 23^rd all youth are invited to a bonfire from 6-9 p.m.  We’ll have sodas, s’mores and hot dogs.  Location is TBA.

AUGUST
Junior High will have regular meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Building on August 5^th, 19^th, and 26^th. 

Senior High will have regular meetings on August 1^st, 15^th, and the 22^nd.  The 29^th we will participate in YOUTH UNITED at the Mainstage Theatre with other area youth groups.

All Youth are invited to participate in the bonfire gathering from 6-9 on August 17^th (location to be determined) and a Pool Party from 10am to 3pm on the 24^th (location to be determined).  Look for more details in the August issue of the Parent link.

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL!
Even though it’s summer, Sunday School is still going strong.  The summer curriculum began the first week of June and continues through August.    If you might be interested in helping teach during the summer, please mention your interest to Karrie Walker, or call the church office.  This is a great opportunity for you to reach out to our church’s younger folks and help introduce them to the love of God. Thank you so much for your support of Sunday School and our youth programs. 

Looking Ahead
Sept. 6^th – Labor Day: CCC & Church Office Closed
Sept. 8^th – Children’s Choirs’ Rehearsals Begin
Sept 12^th – Rally Day
                Women’s Fellowship “Almost Autumn”
Sept 18^th – Corazón Dinner & Auction

 Click here to see the Monthly Calendar.
Use the back button on your browser to return to this page.

Church E-mail Address:
Church Office= office@fccramona.org
|
Sunday Schedule
9:00 A.M. Worship Service
10:15 A.M. Worship Service
10:15 A.M. Sunday School

…Child care is provided
…a fellowship time follows the morning services

Top of Page