THE PETALUMAN “PUMC WELCOMES ALL TO WALK WITH US AS WE REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY WITH OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS”

June 2020

The Petaluman Is published monthly Petaluma United Methodist Church 410 D Street Petaluma, CA 94952 Phone (707) 762-9785 Fax: (707)-762-9791 E-Mail: umc.petaluma@gmail.com Rev. Eric Dale (707) 280-2670 revericpumc@gmail.com Pastor’s Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday Web Sites: www.petalumaumc.org

Petaluma Live

Open Mike Night On You Tube: http://petalumalive.org/youtube Weekly Podcast: petalumaumc.org Click on sermon link Editor and Distributor: Olivette Wright umc.petaluma@gmail.com Proof Reader: Charlotte Peterson Newsletter Deadline: June Issue: Deadline June 22

Pastors Corner 1, 2 Worship Series 2 Announcements 3 Office Managers Report 4 Birthdays/Anniversaries 4 Prayer List/Church Calendar 5 Finance Report 6

Treasurer’s Report 6 Outreach 6 SPRC 6 Trustees 7 Worship Committee 7 Coffee Schedule/Remind 8

Grace and Peace to you, Sisters and Brothers in Christ! It is with mixed feelings that I write this last of my monthly Peta-luman Pastor’s Notes to you. I am saddened at leaving, and excited about new adventures awaiting me in retirement. What a good three years it has been. Thank you all for being in ministry with me! As I write, we are getting ready to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early disciples of Je-sus on what we call Pentecost (this year May 31st), 50 days after his

Easter resurrection. The disciples had been waiting for Jesus to ful-fill his promise – of sending an ad-vocate, of filling them with power.

Waiting and waiting. Not passive-ly, not alone, but in active prayer and together. As we continue wait-

ing during this pandemic time, we have many opportunities for pray-er, although our togetherness is of necessity virtual, or with social distancing.

It is indeed a strange time, some-thing new for all of us. Many de-sire getting “back to normal” as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I do not see us doing either. I do not see us (churches, our country, or the world for that matter) ever get-ting back to how it was before, whatever you may have considered “normal.” Nor, do I see us getting back together soon for in-person worship, despite what certain forc-es in our country may be promot-ing. Safety is key, for all our mem-bers. We as a church are waiting for word from our Bishop before con-sidering in-person worship again. You may rest assured that Bishop

Carcano and all United Methodist

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bishops are in contact and cooperating with the national Center for Disease Control (CDC). The health and wellbe-ing of everyone is paramount. I would point you to an article in the May 21st Petaluma Argus-Courier (page A7) for an historical illustration of

what happened in an earlier time when people began con-gregating too early from a pandemic.

We are all learning or re-learning lessons taught long-ago. One of which is that the church is not the building, but

you and I and all the people. This may have seemed rather mundane to you previously. Today, however, there is no way around it. This is our new reality. The Word of God and the Gospel of Christ Jesus were never confined by the

walls of a building.

How do we now be church? It is a tough question. I am not sure there are immediate answers. (It is that waiting thing … or at least the willingness to experiment, to not expect everything to work, to not think things will go back to how they used to be….) I pray that you of Petaluma UMC will find what works for you, that you will continue your good works and meaningful and uplifting worship celebrations, your care for each other and for the commu-nity. It is a blessing that Bishop Carcano appointed the Rev. Schuyler Rhodes as your next pastor. He begins on July 1st. You will be well served by him. I go knowing you will be in good hands! I plan to gather on the church lawn each Sunday, listening to the Carillon music and witnessing to our community with others of you. Since we cannot have a social hour together, we will have a “Drive-by Good-bye for the Pas-tor” on my last Sunday, June 21st. More details to come! Again, thank you one and all for your sharing, fellowship, working, praying, playing, worshiping, and celebrating together over the last three years!! It has been a blessing. Yours, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to continu-ally surprise us beyond our wildest imaginings and expec-

tations,

Pastor Eric

Scriptures and Sermon Titles for June

(Included are all the lectionary readings for each Sunday. May they help you enter fully into the .story)

June 7: Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 8, Matthew 28:16-20 Sermon: “Partners with God”

June 14: Ezekiel 17:22-24; Mark 4:26-34 Sermon: Parable Power

June 21: Pastor Eric’s last Sunday Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Ephesians 3:14-21

“The Power at Work Within Us” June 28: Psalm 13, Matthew 10:40-42

Reflections by Members

Drive-by Good-bye for Pastor Eric

Chances are that we will not be worshiping in person by June 21st, for Pastor Eric’s last Sunday with us. He suggested we could have a drive-by farewell, like many schools are having for gradu-ations, and his neighbor had for their daughter’s

birthday celebration. And so, after Marilyn plays the carillon bells at 10:30, if you are not gathered on the lawn to bid him good-bye, you can drive by in your car. He will be on the sidewalk in front of the church, and practicing proper social dis-

tancing, you can wave and exchange greetings. Unfortunately, unless there is a small miracle, we will not be able to gather for a social time and a proper good-bye. We hope you will be able to participate and bid Pastor Eric a fond farewell and

all the best in his retirement.

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GIVING CONTINUES We give thanks always for the generosity of God’s abounding abundance in our lives! We give thanks to each and every one of YOU for your generosity, which makes possible the outreach, mission, and ministry of Petaluma United Methodist Church! During this time of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pan-demic we remember that even though our Sunday morning worship services are not held onsite, the min-istry of PUMC continues. We are finding ways to remain connected – by phone, by email, through this website, Zoom calls, conference calling, write a letter, send a postcard! That’s what we are about, connection. Relationships are at the heart of our church community. Indeed, relationship is at the heart of our Christian faith. Reach out to your sisters and brothers. See how they are doing. Ask if they need anything. Extend your love. Be generous! And, although we’re reminded at this time that the church is not the building, but rather you and I, the people of God, we still have expenses: a church cam-pus to maintain, lights to keep on, phones, office sup-plies, insurance, salaries to pay, commitments to com-munity missions and more. You have options for continuing your pledge or offering:

Mail your check to the church: 410 D St., Petaluma, CA 94952 or

We now have the option to Donate online!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! MAY

GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY!

You can now make a donation to our church by go-ing to our church website, petalumaumc.org, and select the

DONATE NOW link that will take you to our new Online Donation Portal. It is easy and simple to do.

After entering your name and address, you can enter your donation amount and choose from the drop down a selection from a variety of optional dona-tions. You can add multiple donations. A “Note” box may be used for any instructions or comments.

You may use your credit card or ACH bank account. If your bank is not listed, you can add the necessary information at the bottom of the screen in blue sec-tion.

You may select the option to make the fee a part of your gift. If you choose to pay by credit card, the processing cost is 2.9% + .30; by ACH, the cost is only 1% + .30.

When you set up recurring giving, you do not have to worry if you miss attending church services or when you are on vacation. It is especially helpful during our current Sheltering-in-Place.

Should you have any questions or need assistance, contact Ron Malone, the administrator of our Online Donation Portal.

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6/4 Frank Marshall 6/15 Gary Filippini 6/16 Alicia Yadraca 6/17 Michael Tallent 6/24 Karen DeLue 6/29 Cordelia Hall

6/14 Dave & JoAnn Layne 6/21 Ted & Linda Mills

OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT

Thank you to Ron Malone for the loan of the scan-ner and Ted Mills for setting it up. The scanner will enable Ron to receive the monthly bills and other

needed documentation in a more timely fashion.

Email: umc.petaluma@gmail.com Website: www.petalumaumc.org

Phone: 707-762-9785

Weekly emails from Pastor Eric As a way to help keep us all connected, Pastor Eric is sending two emails out each week: 1) on Wednesdays: PUMC Weekly Update 2) later in the week: Worship Resources We hope you find these helpful during this time of virtual connecting. Please let Pastor Eric know if you have any ideas or suggestions: revericpumc@gmail.com

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Please send extra prayers to our brothers and sisters in Christ listed below:

Family of Ken Mange Louise Lattimore Diane Peterson Cordelia Hall Millie Mc Laughlin Christine Charrier Barbara Gravett (daughter of Cordelia Hall)

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MONTHLY CALENDAR

Even though the PUMC campus is closed we encourage all groups to continue to meet electronically; via conference call, email, Zoom, Facebook, etc. Coffee Hour: Fijian Congregation (if we are-re-opened by the end of June)

6/7 Trustees Mtg. 12:00 p.m. 6/14 Worship Meeting 12:00 p.m. 6/16 Men’s Group 8:30 a.m. 6/21 Church Council Meeting 12:00 p.m.

WEEKLY CHURCH CALENDAR Church Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

9:30 a m.–11:30 a.m.

Sunday - Be sure to make use of the worship resources that Pastor Eric has sent in his special emails. Adult Bible class-suspended until further notice. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. (via podcast) Fijian Bible Study 12:30 p.m. Fijian Worship Service 1:00 p.m. Monday - Adult Bible Study class suspended until further notice. Tuesday -

Pastor—revericpumc@gmail.com Wednesday –

Pastor revericpumc@gmail.com Meditation, Fijian Bible Study, & A.A.—suspended until further notice. Thursday – Quilt Group -suspended until further notice. Again, please feel free to reach out to your group electronically.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS

. FINANCE- Sharon Sibbet NEW AND EXCITING--Please see Ron Malone’s report (pg 3) about our online donation option. A number of us have used it and found it to be convenient and easy. You can ac-cess this option at our website petalumaumc.org. Click on DONATE NOW. Donations to the general fund have increased this month over last month for which we are very grateful. The termite project has been fully funded and that account has been closed. Since there are no Trustee projects that need funding at this time, we are suggesting that all donations go to the general fund with the exception of memorial donations.

Treasurer Report-Ron Malone

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SPRC-Pat Cercos

SPRC continues to support our faith community, which means trying to take care and support our staff. Olivette is doing a phenomenal job keeping the office together as a hub of our activity in this unusual time. Marilyn Lee has given us the gift of music in our audio services and gone beyond duty playing the carillon on Sunday mornings, at our 10:30 worship time. Members and non members are gathering on the front lawn each Sunday to hear the joy of those chimes. Thank you Marilyn and Olivette for providing us with this wonderful sup-port! Pastor Eric has worked so very hard, making the audio service a possibility for us all. Despite the changes in our life routine, due to the corona virus impact, we continue to need spiritual growth and support...the Sunday worship that Eric has worked so hard to provide is much appreciated. Rob Bickmore has given Eric technical backup and we very much appreciate his work. As everyone is aware, by now, Pastor Eric will be retiring at the end of June. He has given 40+ years of service to his faith and profession. We look forwardto celebrating in some way....despite the required distancing....his service and new chapter. Eric, we so appreciate all you have done for our Petaluma community and for each of us. Blessings to you and your family as you make this transition. Schuyler Rhodes, our present District Supt., is retiring after 7 years as DS. He has answered the call to become our new pastor on July 1. We are excited about the vision and energy he will bring to us in the coming months. How wonderful that he is excited to come to Petaluma and pick up the spiritual baton from Pastor Eric. Despite the challenges the present circumstances have present-ed to us, a faith based community.....how wonderful the oppor-tunities we can now grab and move forward. Blessings to all the SPRC Committee, our wonderful staff, and the work of our Pastor who have in each and every way, are making that happen.

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TRUSTEES-Ted Mills The church campus is being put “back together” now that the painting and termite treatment have been com-pleted. Richard Hillery has been working on a sprin-kler head that was damaged during the tenting pro-cess. Small Organ - The small organ in the Social Hall is still up for sale. Church Facilities - The campus is still in a lock-down status, the only active area is the office so Olivette can still handle administrative functions. All furnaces have been turned off, with warmer weather now is the time to turn them off anyway. The outside watering has been turned off for the most part by the sprinkler controller (it monitors the weather, when rain is forecast it will not water) and Ted has manually turned watering off (Ron and Ted are wondering why we have water bills that don't reflect lower amounts).

Worship – Charlotte Peterson Services at PUMC will not be resuming until guidance and restrictions are provided by the Bishop. However, preliminary planning is being done. Com-munion procedures have been discussed and cleaning has been done. The pews, railings, books, etc. have all been sanitized by a hard working team to whom we owe much gratitude and praise. Worship will continue via podcast for now and the bells will continue to ring on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM. Pastor Eric's “Weekly Update” provided via email will also continue and keep you posted.

Outreach– Judy Hillery CE Wing Rose Garden AS a result of the termite tenting process our Rose Garden looked like a fire had gone through. Schork, the termite company, has offered to pay for the re-placement of the roses. We called Cottage Nursery here in town regarding their prices and suggestions they could offer for the soil preparation because of the fumigant used for the termites. They suggested we wait at least 2 months before planting new roses and amend and aerate the soil in the meantime. Cottage Nursery states their roses are always $38.00 per bush. The nursery at “D” and Wilson have roses at $35.00 per bush. For those that enjoy gardening there will be a large pot

at the corner of the rose garden for plantings of flow-ers of your choice. Questions? check with Olivette in the office. Although Schork will be paying for the bushes, if someone has a favorite rose or would like a special rose planted in memory of a loved one, please contact Olivette. Rummage Sale: But when ? We have so much stuff. This will be the largest rummage sale I think we have ever had. People have had time to clean and down size. I know some are holding their things because we have no more room and we thank you for that. We will let everyone know as soon as it’s possible. Craft Faire: November 23rd. This should be huge, as crafters have had lots of time to sew, knit, build, etc.. Remember the social hall has been painted and our community will get to see our beautiful space. Dine and Donate: A Dine and Donate at Don Pan-

cho’s is of course on the horizon, but we want to do it when we can all eat and socialize together.

A Christian guy named Bill saw an ad online for a Christian horse, so he went to check it out. The horse’s owner said, “It’s easy to ride him. Just say ‘Praise the Lord!’ to make him go and ‘Amen!’ to make him stop.” Bill got on the horse and said, “Praise the Lord!” Sure enough, the horse started to walk. “Praise the Lord!” he said again, and the horse began to trot. “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” he yelled, and the horse broke into a gallop. Bill was enjoying his ride so much that he almost didn’t notice the cliff he and the horse were about to go over. Bill shouted “AMEN!” at the top of his lungs, and the horse stopped right at the edge of the cliff. Relieved, Bill said, “Phew! Praise the Lord!” —Submitted by Z.S. via rd.com

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Resources: The Village Network has some great resources in their May Newsletter. Here is the path if you want to take a look: www.VillageNetworkofPetaluma.org click on News; click on News/Newsletter; click on the June 2020 newsletter

Don’t Forget : The Drive-by Good-by for Pastor Eric (see pg 2)

COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE Many of our committees are small and there are peo-ple that serve on several committees so we are joining committees for coffee hour to help reduce the burden.

Also, if you are not on any committee but would like to help please contact the office or the committee chairperson(s).*

JANUARY - SPRC Pat Cercos*, Sue Sarno*

FEBRUARY - FINANCE & COUNTERS Sharon Sibbet,* Ken Shafer*

MARCH - WORSHIIP Charlotte Peterson*

APRIL - TRUSTEES & OUTREACH Ted Mills *, Judy Hillery* & Elizabeth Bickmore*

MAY - CONGREGATIONAL CARE & LAY LEADERSHIP Nora Tallent*

JUNE - FIJIAN CONGREGATION

JULY - CHOIR

AUGUST - FINANCE & COUNTERS Sharon Sibbet,* Ken Shafer*

SEPTEMBER - SPRC Pat Cercos*, Sue Sarno*

OCTOBER - WORSHIP Charlotte Peterson*

NOVEMBER - TRUSTEES & OUTREACH Ted Mills*, Judy Hillery* & Elizabeth Bickmore*

DECEMBER - FIJIAN CONGREGATION