OUR JULY & AUGUST SUMMER CALENDAR
SECOND MONDAYS MUNCHIN’ LUNCHEON
Mondays, July 9 & August 13
The Lunch Bunch meets at noon for a meal and fellowship on the second Monday of each month. All are welcome. Please join us.
On July 9, 2018: The Peach Cafe
141 E. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia, CA 91016 (626-599-9092) at noon.
On August 13, 2018: Merengue Bakery & Cafe
417 S. Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016
(626-358-5650) at noon.
FOOD FORWARD
Saturdays, July 21 & August 18
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
Fruit picks are available for both July and August. You can utilize the Food Forward site to select the date and pick of your choice from local backyards to the Huntington orchard. Check it out: www.foodforward.org
Links will be included in About our Folks for SMCC-specific picks in our neighborhood.
LUNCHES FOR THE HOMELESS
Wednesdays, July 18 & August 15 • 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.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES GROUP
Saturdays, July 28 & August 25
Light for the Path
Join us for guided meditation, meeting in the Narthex at 10:30a.m. and proceeding into the sanctuary under the leadership of Pastor Donald. This summer we will meet on July 28th and August 25th.
All are invited to join us in this loving time.
LEAP OF FAITH
Wednesdays, July 25 & August 29
Our Bible Study program, LEAP of Faith will meet in the Wonder Room with Pastor Donald on July 25th and August 29th at 5pm.
SPIRIT & SCREEN IN JUNE
Saturday, July 28th
The Shape Of Water
Summer’s here, and it’s time to hit the pool! Get ready to dive into Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water. Last year’s Best Picture winner at the Academy Awards, The Shape of Water is a period fantasy about a most unusual interspecies romance. Prepare to be ensorcelled by its eerie charms. Join us for dinner and discussion along with a viewing of this haunting film at the home of Susan Jakubowski (just a short trip away from San Marino UCC) on Saturday, July 28th, at the start-time of 5:30p.m. Important: RSVP to Susan if you need directions and so that we can be sure to have a good seat and enough food for everyone.
The Shape of Water is rated R for nudity, violence, and language—in other words, this one’s an Adult Swim.
5th SUNDAY POTLUCK
Sunday, July 29
Your Leadership Team wants to be sure you remember that our next time of fun and fellowship will be coming up this summer as we have another 5th Sunday Potluck celebration on July 29th.
Bring a dish or two to share and enjoy a delicious time together in our Fireside and Dining rooms.
PILGRIM PINES SUMMER CAMP
Beyond Belief – The Universe of God
This year’s camp will really come together in community as we explore “The Universe of God” Our summer theme will engage our campers in building friendships and enjoying God in nature and challenging themselves and each other while having fun. The Universe of God is designed with God and community as our core value. Our daily themes and activities are designed with opportunities to share the love of God and love and compassion for each other and creation. There will be family groups, music, campfire circles, folk dances, field games and more in a bountiful mountain camp which offers peace and a safe space. Our volunteers are filled with the spirit and willingness to put a little love in your heart
Junior Camp is the biggest camp around! Pilgrim Pines can host up to 50 juniors, entering 4th through 6th grade, in their very own camp. Our Juniors get to start the day with an early morning Polar Bear Dip. They collect beads to commemorate hikes, dances, learning about environmental justice, the talent show, Vespers service, dressing up for the Theme Dinner and many more challenging and fun camp experiences!
Jr. Highers can build the signature Pilgrim Pines Community by forming long-lasting relationships with other campers. They learn how to express themselves and form personal and unique opinions on what faith and justice mean to them. Those entering 7th and 8th grade are able to brave some of the toughest rites of passage at Pilgrim Pines! Campers hike, climb the 40-foot wall, participate in the low ropes course, sleep out under the stars, and sing and dance at campfires.
Sr. Highers are free to be themselves, participate in small group discussion times, swim, hike, act in the talent show, relax with other campers their age and are encouraged to take initiative in camp activities, leadership and worship. Those entering 9th through 12th grades or just graduating high school are the only age group able to select a camp week to fit their fancy.
Volunteer Counselors are the backbone of our camping program and are screened and trained in accordance with safety policies. A diverse group of people work with campers in cabins and during program time. Many have training in CPR, first aid, and experience working with people who have special needs. Our counselor to camper ratio is 1:5, one counselor for every five campers. Junior Counselors are ages 16 and 17 and volunteer in the cabins with an adult counselor after completing a weeklong special training session.
More details as well as forms can be found on their website: www.pilgrimpinescamp.org If you need help obtaining forms or have questions, feel free to contact our church office: (626) 292-2080.
DID YOU KNOW that when you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to San Marino Congregational Church UCC?
Bookmark this link!
Amazon Smile and support us every time you shop.
ONGOING MISSION PROJECTS
FRIENDS IN DEED
Back to School Supply List 2018-19
We’re gearing up to prepare next year’s students for the coming school year. You can help by picking up some supplies to contribute to the drive and have them at the church by Sunday, July 22nd.
- 3 Ring Binders – 1″- 3″ (Prefer with Clear View pocket on front)
- Tab Dividers for Binders
- College ruled notebook paper (this is used more commonly than the “Wide-ruled” paper)
- Wide ruled notebook paper (early grades will use this)
- Spiral notebooks
- Copy paper (for printing on computer)
- Composition Notebooks, hardcover
- Pens; red, blue and black
- Pencils, including #2 yellow 6-sided for younger grades; mechanical pencils Erasers
- Pencil-top Erasers
- Zipper pouch for pens and pencils (3 holed to go in binders)
- Dry Erase Markers
- Colored Markers (NO Sharpies or Permanent Markers)
- Highlighters, all colors
- Colored Pencils and sharpener (must hold shavings)
- 24 Colors Crayons (prefer Crayola Brand)
- 2 Pocket Folders (prefer poly folders)
- Student scissors (such as Fiskars)
- Rulers (metric & customary)
- 3″ x 5″ index cards
- Glue Sticks (many schools prefer the sticks to bottles of glue)
- Tissue/Kleenex – small packages that fit in school bags
…………………………………
SAN MARINO POLICE DEPARTMENT PROJECT REJUVENATED
Local Service Project Back in Service
A couple of weeks ago I announced in church that it looked like we were not going to continue making bags for the homeless to give to the San Marino Police Department for distribution. Many of our supplies on hand were disbursed to our other projects.
Recently, we were approached by Officer Wu to resume the project and that they would like 20 bags a month.
The supplies needed are:
- 16-ounce bottles of water
- A protein source such as tuna or protein bars
- Fruit cups such as applesauce or mixed fruit
- A snack such as granola bars or cheese & crackers
- A “sweet” such as Rice Krispy Bars or packages of cookies
- Napkins
- Extra large brown bags (like the ones for Union Station)
There will be a box in the Narthex for collection of these items. You can add things like solar blankets, blankets (not too large), and sweaters & jackets. We will start making the bags on the Union Station day in July, which is July 18. Thank you so much for helping us restart this project. -Pat Bell, Moderato
…………………………………
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. A container for your pull tabs can be found in the Narthex.
…………………………………
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, and 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
- boxes of cereal (NOT the larger sizes)
- canned proteins (tuna, chicken, ham, etc.)
- pasta sauce
…………………………………
If you like to be ACTIVE in your missions, you are also invited to join us on a fruit pick for FOOD FORWARD, which happens nearly every third Saturday of each month. Pastor Donald leads most picks and provides a link for you to sign up on line and join other church members, friends and outside volunteers to help pick fruit from backyard trees (or even some orchards) that is donated to local food banks.
…………………………………
Or you can participate in making lunches for our friends at Union Station Homeless Services. Currently, we are meeting at 4pm on the third Wednesday of every month in our big kitchen. We make sandwiches and stuff bags and have a fun chat at the same time. It’s a great way to make a big difference by only giving about a half hour of your time.