Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ, Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

News from the Community   Help Support Our Mountain Schools The Loma Public Education Fund (LPEF) will be hosting its annual Gala on October 1st, 2022! In honor of our 20th Gala, the theme this year will be “Roaring 20’s”. The Gala is our primary annual fundraising event, and you won’t want to miss it! Each year families, friends and community members come together to enjoy an afternoon and evening celebrating our strong community. There will be dinner, music, dancing, as well as a live and silent auction. Early Bird Tickets to the Gala are on Sale Now at https://www.lpef.org/ ! If you cannot attend but would like to support, you can bid on fabulous silent auction items the evening of October 1 st . Information on silent auction bidding can be found at https://www.lpef.org/gala . Thank you for always supporting our mountain schools! ___________________________________________________________ Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ 25100 Skyland Road                    

 Before After Change is in the air! You have probably noticed a few changes around the Food Pantry last month as we work to make the pantry integrate into Skyland's operations.  We are working to winterize the pantry next and hope we can do that by October before the rains come. Outside Pantry The front porch has been cleared and we are working to get the pantry winterized before the rains come.  There are two refrigerators and two metal shelves on the left front side of the church below the handicap ramp.  We chose this spot since it is the least sunny, easiest to access and would not require us to add a driveway between the church and the shed.  That area is too steep for disabled people to use.  New Shelving The two new metal shelves are up and running. They were paid for from the Mission Board budget. They even kept things dry with our tiny 5 minute recent rains. Inside pantry The garage clear out looks great!  The Trustees are working to update the shed. When this job is compl

  Skyland Community Church                           Minutes of the Council Meeting on August 21, 2022 Attendees : Reverend Melanie, Reverend Patricia, Anne Evans, Jan Parker, Gerald Alonzo, John Heyes Members not in attendance : Jackie Seymour, Shannon Edwards Call to Order : John Conkle opened the meeting at 1:05 p.m. Opening Prayer : given by Reverend Melanie Behavioral Covenant : read by John Conkle Review and Approval of Minutes : Gerald moved to approve the minutes of the June 19 meeting, Anne seconded, and the minutes were approved unanimously. Gerald moved to approve the minutes of the July 17 meeting, Patricia seconded, and the minutes were approved unanimously. Treasurer’s Report: Gerald highlighted the following details: ·        Pledges are $1,500 below budget for the month; however, income is close to expectations. ·        There are no unusual or unexpected expenses. ·        $38,000 from Wells Fargo checking and savings accounts has been invested in UCC’s Cornerstone Fun

  Note from your Treasurer for first two months of our ’22-‘23 fiscal year. Pledge income is $704 less than budget. Offerings are $1,044 less than budget. Hall rental is $10 more than budget Expenses are $4,399 less than budget.   We now have online “Donations” item on our website, “skylandchurch.com”, as a convenient way to support our mission outreach and operations. You may also mail your pledge and other donations to Skyland Community Church P.O. Box 245 Los Gatos, CA 95031-0245   Here is a summary of our operating finances as of Aug. 28 for our 2022-2023 fiscal year. Gerald Alonzo, Treasurer ___________________________________________________________ Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ 25100 Skyland Road                            Los Gatos, CA 95033          Get directions phone: 408-353-1310 USPS mail: Skyland Church P.O. Box 245 Los Gatos, CA 95031-0245 Website   skylandchurch.com

  Giving through our Vanco Mobile app is an easy and convenient way to donate to our church.   It only takes a moment to set up an account: 1. Download the free Vanco Mobile app from the  App Store (for iPhones) or Google Play (for Android phones). 2. Find our church just by searching for "Skyland". 3. Select Skyland Community Church. 4. Log in if you have an account or Sign Up. 5. Select the Give button at the bottom of the screen. 6. Enter the amount you would like to donate. 7. Select the "Give to" and choose which area for your donation. 8. Select "Frequency" and choose your option. 9. Select "Payment method" and enter your information. 10. Select the "Give $xx.xx" at the bottom of the screen. Thank you for your generosity! You will receive an email receipt for your donation directly from support@vanco.com  ___________________________________________________________ Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ 25100 Skyland Roa

  Beginning September 1st, 2021, Rev. Melanie's days off will be Tuesday and Saturday . She will generally work from home on Thursdays. If you would like to meet with Rev. Melanie in person or via Zoom, the best way to make sure you find her present and available is to make an appointment with her via phone or email. Please plan to wear a mask if meeting in person. You can reach Rev. Melanie at: Church office (408)353-1310 (leave a message) Email: revmelanieweiner@skylandchurch.com ___________________________________________________________ Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ 25100 Skyland Road                            Los Gatos, CA 95033          Get directions phone: 408-353-1310 USPS mail: Skyland Church P.O. Box 245 Los Gatos, CA 95031-0245 Website   skylandchurch.com

  Good Morning Friends! Members of the Trustees and Missions Ministry Teams! Recently we have returned to having a Coffee Hour in Whitaker Hall after Sunday Church Services. Almost everyone who attends church on-site enjoys a few minutes of conversation and catching up over a "cuppa som'thin." It's not a big production. The first Sunday of the month will include a Bring Your Own (BYO) Bag Lunch after church. After a discussion at the recent Council meetings, we agreed to ask the main Ministry Teams to take over set-up and clean-up of the coffee hour on a monthly basis. The Deacons have taken care of the past two months. It is your turn now!  Here's how it works: 1.     About fifteen (15) minutes before church: set up just a few chairs(3-4), some cups (10), fixings for tea and coffee, and  bring some cream or creamer . (Gerald gets there early and makes the coffee.)  2.     About 30 minutes after church: leave the chairs for AA on Monday evening, do a bit of cup an

  Skyland Community Church                               Minutes of the Council Meeting on July 17, 2022 Attendees : Reverend Melanie, Reverend Patricia, Anne Evans, Jackie Seymour, Jan Parker, Shannon Edwards, Gerald Alonzo, John Heyes Members not in attendance : John Conkle Call to Order : Patricia opened the meeting at 1:03 p.m. Opening Prayer : given by Reverend Melanie Behavioral Covenant : read by Gerald Review and Approval of Minutes : As the minutes of the June meeting had not been seen by all members, it was agreed to defer approval until the August Council meeting. Treasurer’s Report: Gerald noted the following details: ·        At the end of FY 2021-22, total income is “a little shy” of the budget. ·        Total operating expenses are less than the budgeted amount by $1, 224. ·        Gerald is finalizing records so that Brian can do the annual audit. ·        A large donation will cover the required county inspection of the elevator. Old Business : Coffee hour responsibili

  Mountain Jam Returns! Mountain Jam returns on  August 20th  to the  Gazebo playfield  so save the date!  Since 2013, Mountain Jam is a free family musical festival and picnic that benefits the Loma and CT music programs. There’s lots to see and do including hands on musical instruments for young children and teens, games, arts and crafts displays and great food.  The climbing wall and jumper is a favorite.  Of course, Mountain Jam brings together top bands from the area for your entertainment.  Bring your furry friend and enter the “Dogs are Welcome” contest.  See all the details at:   www.SantaCruzMountainJam.org      If you or your kids would like to  volunteer with any of the many fun activities  the day of the event, or if you have sponsorship or auction item ideas, please contact us:   www.SantaCruzMountainJam.org/contact   For the 3 rd  consecutive Mountain Jam, Skyland Community Church contributes in several ways remaining a valued partner for the success of this event.  Your

    "It is in vain that you rise up early    and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;    for he gives sleep to his beloved." (Psalm 127:2) I write this as the last, well almost last, task I will do for Skyland Church before I go on vacation for nine glorious days.  I will spend some of those days "camping," at Mt. Lassen (quotation marks because we will have a tent cabin instead of a tent) and some of them sitting on the beach watching the waves and sitting on the porch enjoying a novel and some tea. Rest is important to our physical and spiritual health.  Whatever rest looks like to you, whether it is camping or a nice hotel or home, whether it is near the water or the mountains or in the city, whether it is with family or friends or on your own, take the time to set down the obligations and checklists that sometimes fill our days to bursting and do something, or do nothing, in a way that restores your body and your spirit. Peaceful blessings, Rev. Me

  Note from your Treasurer for first months of our ’22-‘23 fiscal year. Pledge income is $114 above budget. Offerings are $356 below budget. No Hall rental income. Expenses are $1,549 less than budget.   We now have online “Donations” item on our website, “skylandchurch.com”, as a convenient way to support our mission outreach and operations. You may also mail your pledge and other donations to Skyland Community Church P.O. Box 245 Los Gatos, CA 95031-0245   Here is a summary of our operating finances as of July 30 for our 2022-2023 fiscal year. Gerald Alonzo, Treasurer ___________________________________________________________ Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ 25100 Skyland Road Los Gatos, CA 95033 phone: 408-353-1310 USPS mail: Skyland Church P.O. Box 245 Los Gatos, CA 95031-0245 Website   skylandchurch.com

  Results of the Ministry and Ministerial Assessment   Thank you for your participation in the Minister and Ministerial Assessment of 2022. There were many thoughtful responses and ideas expressed in the assessment. Gratitude and appreciation were mentioned for the many things the minister, the ministerial teams and the leadership did well in the past two years. There were also suggestions for ways to improve and an indication of the type and amount of involvement participants of Skyland church were ready to do next.   We heard from approximately three-fourths of those who received the survey and could be expected to respond. Jackie and Paula analyzed the results and Jackie presented them to the Council. The following are the analysis of the results by assessment category excerpted from the Council minutes written by John Heyes: A.       Worship Service – a.      Asked to identify aspects of services that members like, 78% named sermons, and 65% music. 30% mentioned the church