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

  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 Mo...

  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 $...

  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 ...

    "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 ...

  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, ...

  Mission Board  Report- August 2022 The Food Pantry continues to feed 100 families a week with over 50 volunteers getting food outside so that it can be picked up 24/7.   The work they do is so helpful.  THANK YOU!!! We have had a great summer with families and their children who are helping us every day to prepare our pantry.  Young people bring us so much joy. We continue to receive generous support from the following organizations that give us food: A BIG THANKS TO: Campbell UCC Everett Family Farms Grey Bears Hunger at Home San Agustin Catholic Church (with the help of Second Harvest of Santa Cruz County) St Julie Billiart (via Second Harvest of Santa Clara County West Valley Community Services They provide us with perishable and nonperishable staples.  We are still looking for support for a larger variety of items for our pantry clients.   If anyone knows any new sources, please let us know.  Cheese yogurt mac a...