Newsletter

JULY 2010 BELLFLOWER FIRST UNITED METHODIST Summer Issue

Fellow Followers: Farewell!

The unchanging reality of life is change. Whether we like it or not, whether we do something or nothing, change comes. Most of the time, it comes when we least expect it.

Effective August 1, there is a change in pastoral leadership at Bellflower United Methodist Church. I am appointed to serve Grace UMC in Long Beach after four years of challenging yet fulfilling ministry with you. To serve as your new pastor in temporary capacity is the Rev. Ted Hampton, a retired pastor who has done a number of short-term pastorates in the Long Beach District.

As a United Methodist pastor, my appointment to a parish is one year, subject to renewal or change by our bishop every year. This system is what Methodists call “itinerancy” where every clergy is willing to go where he/she is sent. Clergy go where their gifts and graces are matched with the needs of a particular church or ministry setting.

You may ask, “Why is the next pastor only an interim one?” Is there anyone available right now who fits our church needs and profile? Interim pastorate for Bellflower UMC should be seen as a blessing not a bad thing. During a temporary period of six to eleven months, this congregation can have a time to ‘breathe’ and transition into a new era of growth and development. This transition can also be used to clarify and solidify your core values and mission as a congregation. In doing so, the lay leadership will be able to determine the qualities and skills the congregation wants the next spiritual leader to possess in order to move Bellflower to the next level of congregational nurture and development.

As I reflect further on pastoral changes, I am reminded of Isaiah 43:19 when God says, ‘I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you perceive it?’” Despite and through the unexpectedness of new appointment in Bellflower, God is doing a new thing!

God is reminding you and me that change may be scary and stressful but we must not forget who really is in control. We should not also forget who our real leader is. No matter how charismatic the personality, how powerful the preaching, how effective the teaching, how inspiring the worship, how visionary the leadership or how sensitive the pastoral care, UMC pastors are only interim leaders. Our itinerant system emphasizes and makes it clear that the sovereignty lies in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Leader we follow, bearing in mind that no matter whose face is in the pulpit or in the church office, we are eventually hoping to see Christ and to experience and be reminded of God’s presence, power and providence.

Another new thing God can create in Bellflower is for lay members to realize and claim finally their responsibility as the holders of the vision. Pastors will come and go so laypeople must be the ones to ensure that the core values of the church continuously are expressed lived out and nurtured through the different ministries, programs and projects in and beyond the church. The main role of any pastor is to equip laity to become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and to enable them to fulfill their membership vows of regular presence in worship and fellowship, passionate prayers, faithful financial giving, active service and fruitful witness.

Finally, let me express my sincere gratitude for your prayers, understanding and support to my pastoral ministry for the past four years. I ask for forgiveness for all my mistakes in words and actions. If I hurt you by my inactions and bad decisions, please forgive me.

As you have respected and cared for me, I hope you will also show your care and respect to your new pastor. Please extend your utmost support to his leadership.

Yes, there will be a change in our pastoral relationship after July 31. I will no longer be your pastor yet I will always be your brother in Christ. I will remain a fellow follower of Christ.

Sincerely,

Pastor Nestor

A Message Regarding Disaster Response

Plan, Prepare, Practice....

According with the Resolution passed at Cal-Pac Annual Conference each church in the Conference must have a Disaster Response Plan in place. I volunteered at our leadership training on July 10th to make certain Bellflower UMC takes steps to be in compliance. The Red Cross has been contacted and a representative will come tour our campus, and make suggestions on how we can be prepared should a disaster happen while our buildings are occupied. We will also discuss how our property could be used for the community in a disaster. We will also include ongoing communication with the fire station across the street, and the Long Beach District Disaster Response Coordinator.

We all say we know what to do in a disaster...but are we prepared. Could you take care of your family and possibly your neighbors if there were an earthquake today and no Emergency Responders could reach you for three days? This means no running water, no electricity, no gas, no land lines and quite possibility no cell phones.

At the end of this article will be a form. Please fill it out and return it to the church office where the information will be filed until needed. Make copies to keep in your car, wallet, and at home.

Plan your emergency actions in advance: Try to remain calm. Panic in a major disaster can lead to falls or heart attacks. Each family member should know what their part will be in case of an emergency. Remember to tell your children what plans you have made.

Prepare for major disaster in advance. In the event of a major disaster it may be two days or more before you are reached. In Southern California we think earthquake country and from preschool through high school, at the grocery store to the Internet we have all been shown various basic supply kits. Are we prepared? Whether you make your own, or buy one that is "prepackaged" the two most essential items are: water (one gallon per day, per person) and medications. If you are a pet owner, remember to include extra water.

Practice emergency situations, let children be leaders at times. It will serve two purposes (1) they won't be as frightened in an emergency, and (2) should you be hurt or unresponsive they will be the ones who are in control. Does your child know how to let a ladder down from an upstairs window, turn off the gas meter, electricity, or water at the line to your home?

Name:___________________________________

List all members of household: ________________

__________________________________________

_________________________________________

*Out of state contact person and their information:

Name:____________________________________

relationship (family/friend)

__________________________________________

Address:__________________________________

_________________________________________

phone:: ____________________________________

(*information to be used for emergency only)

Summer Camp 2010

Registration forms are now available for

Long Beach District Summer Camps 2010

Elementary Camp July 25 – July 31

Jr/Sr High Camp August 8 - 14

Contact Sione Tuipulotu or Paul Kaho

Scholarships available

Vacation Bible School Coming

August 9-13, 2010

We are excited to offer VBS to our community.

We will be hosting this event in the evenings 6:30pm -8:30pm.

We need the entire congregation to help make this a success. Please contact Paul about how you can help with VBS.

CHURCH COUNCIL

Will meet Tuesday August 3^rd at 7pm

Thank you for being a blessing . . .

To everyone who served as

greeters, liturgists, and ushers

during the month of June.

Leadership

We need your Help in a variety of areas: We are looking for servant leaders (volunteers) to lead our congregation so as to transform our hearts as well as our neighborhood.

Christian Education

Teach Children’s Sunday School

Teach Youth, Young Adults

Teach Adult Sunday School

Sunday School helper/substitute

Help with Vacation Bible School

Be a driver for outings

Host a home Bible study

Membership Care

Make calls to homebound members

Provide transportation to Worship

Hospital visitation

Office Support

Answer phones

Filing

Mail preparation

Folding, stuffing

Prayerfully consider sharing in the ministries of Bellflower First United Methodist Church.

Contact Paul in the office.

FIREWORKS

Thanks to all who helped in the Booth

In partnership with

Childhood Disease

Research Foundation

We have a blue drop off box

For clothing and shoes.

Long Beach District Festival

Saturday August 21

11am-3pm

At Los Altos UMC

5950 East Willow St.

Long Beach CA 90815

Contact lbdistumc@cal-pac.org

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

On Saturday October 23^rd

our Choir will perform

at Glendale First UMC

as part of the Annual Fall UMW Event

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Friday 9am-1pm.

Please contact Paul Kaho 562 866-2551

or email: bellflowerumc@aol.com

To place prayer requests and announcements in the Sunday Worship Bulletin. Also, to place your events on the calendar.

August Newsletter

We need your assistance in producing a monthly newsletter at Bellflower UMC.

Please submit your announcements and articles.

The deadline will be Wednesday July 28th.

Please call the office or send your prayer requests, announcements and other information

to Paul (562) 866 2551

or email bellflowerumc@aol.com