Kids Connection for May 2019

May 8, 2019

​In Sunday School this month, children have an opportunity to express gratitude for God's forgiveness, remembering how Jesus forgave the woman who washed and anointed his feet. Also gratitude for God's love, by learning to listen as Martha did. The kids can further express their gratitude for God's grace by praising and thanking God, in the same way as one of the lepers did again and again, and by learning to welcome others as Jesus did with Zaccaeus.

Teaching Sunday school in April were Sue Kremser and Peggy Ciolino and we thank them for always being prepared. Peggy made it possible for Sue, Marilyn and me to sing with the choir at Easter.

Easter was, as usual, a special Sunday at GPC. Noella helped by handing out Bulletins, Linda prepared a lively version of The Run Away Bunny for the children, all ages were successful in finding Easter eggs and then we enjoyed a delicious brunch. I want to thank all the generous people who took and filled the hundreds of eggs that were hidden for the children and also Kaylie Grant who came early and helped me with hiding them.

Please put June 2ndon your calendars as we will present Bibles to 5th graders and celebrate our Sunday school teachers and Ashley Adams. Spring is lovely this year; I hope you are finding some time to enjoy

 We are blessed with the so far gentle rain and mild temperatures.

      -Alison

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Photos from Spring Cleaning 2019

April 8, 2019

​A bunch of GPC-ers gathered on Saturday, April 6, to spruce up the church grounds and meeting rooms. A good mix of friendly conversation and hard work. And some pretty good food, too! The photos here are by Mary Ellen Kestel and Marilyn Gross

Mary Ellen & Jeannie escape from the trash can

​Into the bin!

Jeanne & Alison nurturing plants

The hole-digging crew

​Look what I found!

​Lynn and George at rest

Jim hefting mulch

Alan shows how it's done

​Ernie shovels air

​Heavy Machinery

​Break Time!

Eduardo with a Spear

​Vacuuming the library

Sunday School room team

​Down in the dirt

Lunch!

Emergence of the Succulent Garden

April 8, 2019

Work on our lovely succulent garden began in 2018, headed-up by Lynn Kirby,  Alan Scholl,  George Emory,  Eduardo Villa, and Norma Shinoda. We also thank everyone else who helped out with the huge amount of loving work that went into this garden. ​

​Here is a video of the "emergence" of the garden​.

Our Beautiful Succulent Garden

April 8, 2019

​Work on our lovely succulent garden began in 2018, headed-up by Lynn Kirby, Alan Scholl,  George Emory,  ​Norma Shinoda, and Eduardo Villa. We also thank everyone else who helped out with the huge amount of loving work that went into this garden. The photos below are by Mary Ellen Kestel.

A video of the "emergence" of the garden is ​below the photos.

​For a 3-minute video of the "emergence" of the garden, from its beginnings in 2018, click the video icon.

Kids Connection for April 2019

March 30, 2019

The first April Sunday school lesson considers lost things, sheep and a prodigal son, and how God will search them out and welcome them home. Next we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the crowds who welcome him, followed 5 days later by his arrest, crucifixion and amazing forgiveness from the cross.  Easter Sunday brings the resurrection and joy we can share with others. Finally some of the disciples see the risen Christ; their eyes are opened.  Where might we see Jesus?

Marilyn Gross taught Sunday school for most of March and we thank her.

Spring began with the equinox on the church calendar so Easter is late this year, April 21.  I’ll be asking for people to help with filling eggs for the annual Easter egg hunt.  It will be held on the back lawn again.  I might also need help hiding eggs before church as Ben isn’t here to organize that anymore.  Stay tuned!  Come to our wonderful Resurrection service and stay for brunch afterwards.

The Nursery looks bare just now but I’m assured by Ministerios Betel that it is temporary -- they held a garage sale with some of the old equipment and will be purchasing more soon with the proceeds.  Ashley will be glad!

After due consideration, which included a variety of factors, our church has decided to cancel the Villa Music and Performing Week for this year. The presentation dates we chose were a conflict for all the GPC children and most others who might otherwise join us. We are disappointed but realistic. We’ll consult with our new pastor and see what he/she envisions for music-education projects going forward and hope we can coordinate on a time that works for everyone next year.

This is a time for prayer and close community as our hard-working PNC searches for a new pastor and our future direction. ​We offer our gratitude to all those helping out ​while this takes place.
We wish you many blessings and a Happy Springtime!
Alison

Coffee Helpers are Needed!

March 29, 2019

​​Please consider volunteering for the Coffee Corps! You only need to be available one Sunday a month, or even every other month. Duties include arriving by 9:10am to prepare the coffee; serving the coffee on the patio after worship service; and putting the cups into the dishwasher afterward. Training is provided. Please contact Marsha Martin by email, or at (805)967-1146.

Help Design our new Pergola

February 28, 2019

​​We have some straight treated logs for an entry pergola at the Shirrell sidewalk into the Succulent garden area. ​Would you would like to help design a 4ft X 6 ft width, 8 ft tall pergola structure to greet our visitors who are wondering how to access the property?  You design, Alan will construct. See Alan Scholl for more details.

An Update about our New-Pastor Search

February 25, 2019

Goleta Presbyterian Church is seeking a new pastor to lead our church into the future. Our new pastor will be a strong spiritual leader with a vision that will help our church confirm and identify church mission and vision. We pray for a pastor who can generate new ideas, be creative, compromise, and understand the complexity of working with a variety of people. We pray for someone who has a deep spiritual and intellectual faith that’s demonstrated in their preaching and everyday lives. GPC has a strong fellowship and looks forward to our next pastor becoming a part of our community and actively participating in our lives.

The congregation elected the GPC Pastor Nominating Committee in June 2018. Since then, the 9-member committee has been working through the steps outlined in the Book of Order to find our next pastor. This process is purposeful and intentional. It is meant to help our congregation create separation from our previous pastors, consider our identity and future, and come together to embrace our next steps as a community. Please pray for the members of the PNC as they discern God’s will and find the pastor that is called to lead our congregation.

Latest Update:

The PNC has posted a completed Ministry Information Form (MIF) on the Presbyterian Church (USA) website. This form describes our church and the qualities we seek in our preferred candidate. The PNC is now accepting and reviewing Pastor Information Forms (PIFs). A PIF is essentially a pastoral candidate’s resume, outlining their background, training, strengths, and theological beliefs. We anticipate reviewing many PIFs in our search to find the pastor God has called to serve our church.

Farewell and Mahalo to Charlie Campbell, our Interim Pastor

February 25, 2019

​Sunday, February 24, was our last Sunday with our Interim Pastor, Charlie Campbell. Charlie is always recognizable by his Hawaiian shirts -- so for this Sunday, the entire congregation dressed in Hawaiian shirts in his honor. Mahalo, Charlie, and we wish you all the best at your new church in Diamond Bar -- where he will be the permanent pastor.  

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