JANUARY 2019
SECOND MONDAYS MUNCHIN’ LUNCHEON
Monday, January 14 – Noon
Each month a group of us gather at a local restaurant to enjoy each other’s company. We choose restaurants that are relatively inexpensive and reasonably quiet so we can hear each other well. Our monthly meeting of mouths and minds will take place on Monday, January 14th at noon. Join us at Sahara Middle Eastern Cuisine, 2226 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, 91107 (626) 795 6900 Hope to see you there!
LUNCHES FOR THE HOMELESS
Wednesday, January 16 • 4pm
Union Station Homeless Services Sack Lunch Project
Here’s a way to be of service through your beloved church! Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in L.A. County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. Union Station is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We are looking to be of service to Union Station by helping out with their programs that provide food for those in need. Our mission will be to provide sack lunches. We will come together at the church kitchen third Tuesday of the month to make the lunches, which will then be taken to the station for distribution. Please let Marcia Albrecht know if you can help prepare the lunches (all food will be provided and in the kitchen). You can email her at: mla2575@aol.com.
FOOD FORWARD
Saturday, January 19
Food Forward was recently awarded a commendation from the US Environmental Protection Agency, alongside myriad national food suppliers and purchasers like Wegmans, Disneyland, MGM Resorts and UC Davis, for the environmental impact resulting from our food recovery work in 2013-17.
One of the things we LOVE about [FF’s] UCLA partnership is that it is manned and woman-ed by students who are feeding other students. What many people don?t realize is that there is a high percentage of students who experience food insecurity. Current estimates show this number to be roughly 20% at UCLA, with students choosing to buy books over food. Food Forward’s program gives these folks a hand by creating an eco-system where the UCLA community can help its own who are struggling to make ends meet.
Watch for SMCC Picks
Watch your email for announcements on future picks with Food Forward. We look for available activities on the third Saturday morning of each month and will pass that info on to you so that you can join the effort. There is a quick registration on the Food Forward site that allows you to sign up for a pick of your choice and lets Pastor Donald know that he has volunteers. www.foodforward.org
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES GROUP
Saturday, January 26
Everyone is welcome to join in this time of quiet, guided meditation, convening at 11 a.m. on December 22nd in the narthex and moving into the sanctuary. Together, we light our candles and invoke the Spirit of Gentleness into our midst. Come enjoy a quiet half hour for your soul in this special Christmas themed timed together.
All are invited to join us in this loving time.
SPIRIT & THE SCREEN
On Hiatus this Month
ANNUAL MEETING-Sunday, January 27
Review of 2018 and Looking Ahead for 2019
Join us for our most important meeting of the year as we give our thanks to those who have given so much of themselves to our church throughout the past year and vote on our budget for the New Year. Bring a dish or two to share and join in the fun and the fellowship.
We will have both our worship service and our meeting in Crist Hall, the site of our original church. To allow you time to read the budget and report well in advance of our vote, the Annual Report will be distributed the Sunday prior to the meeting. The budget will be available two weeks prior.
Report contributions should be sent electronically to Kim in the office by Friday, January 11.
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ONGOING MISSION PROJECTS
SAN MARINO POLICE DEPARTMENT PROJECT
Right now, thanks to your generous donations, we have plenty of everything we need for this project. Please watch this space for when we will need to replenish and THANK YOU!
BRING IN YOUR PENNIES AND PULLTABS
A penny coin means as much to us now as it did years ago. Saving your pennies to give to our Penny Jar for the Ronald McDonald House in Pasadena helps the many families who come to stay there while their child is in the hospital.
You can also “PULL” for the Ronald McDonald House by collecting tabs of all sizes from soda, cat and dog food, food cans, tennis ball canisters, etc. One tab on its own may not be worth much, but if we all “pull together” we can make a difference.
J. SEYMOUR FAMILY CENTER PROJECT
HELP US COLLECT FOR THE HOMELESS: We continue to seek items throughout the year for the Jeff Seymour Family Center in El Monte who provides for the homeless and their children.
Baskets are available in the narthex for your contributions of:
- new packages of diapers (all sizes)
- baby wipes
- feminine hygiene items
- travel sizes of: deodorant, antibacterial wipes, cream/lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc.
Nothing in large packages, please as most recipients have no place to store such items.
LIZ CAMERON FOOD PANTRY
Every day children and their families go hungry, right here in our own community. By supporting our neighborhood food bank at La Casa by donating food items to our food pantry, you are helping to solve this problem! Food donations go directly to families who otherwise might not have enough to eat.
Ongoing requests:
- beans and rice (in smaller bags – NOT large quantities)
- bags of pasta and boxes of cereal (regular sized boxes only, please)
- canned proteins (tuna, chicken, ham, etc.)
- pasta sauce