Hello Fairview! I feel as though I’ve been somewhere in between here and there for the last couple of weeks. As you can imagine my entire week leads up to Sunday morning service, and everything else sort of rotates around this central point. However, the first week of October we were in the mountains worshipping among the trees, and last week I was in Seattle worshipping with one of our American Baptist sister churches up north. And this weekend I’ll be off to Wisconsin to head to Green Lake where I will be at a conference learning more about American Baptist Life! This crazy schedule has completely thrown me off!
This past weekend I was at our annual regional meeting of the Evergreen Association of the American Baptists, USA. This was my third year in attendance, and I finally feel like I have friends there! What a feeling it is to belong! It made me wonder how difficult or easy it is for people to belong in our community. You know, they say that the reason people stay at churches is because they feel like they belong. In fact, studies show that unless a new visitor meets and bonds with 7 people, despite their relationship with a pastor, despite the mission of the church, despite the sermons –if they don’t meet and make friends with 7 people –they will end up falling by the wayside and leaving.
So, what’s it like to be a visitor in church? This Sunday I had an opportunity to find out. I worshiped at Seattle First Baptist in Washington. Originally, I thought I would be speaking at another of our sister churches, but that fell through. So, I got to be an anonymous visitor, a role I rarely get to play). During the service I sat next to a new visitor who shared with me that this was her third time at the church, and that it was the fact that they are Welcoming and Affirming Congregation that attracted her to the church. I loved the inclusive language, the hymnal, and the sermon…but the most incredible part of my experience at First Baptist, however, was the way their members lived out the principle of hospitality –welcoming the stranger! During the coffee hour conversation time I met a wonderful woman, Belle. We had a lovely conversation, and went along our way. After I went to return my coffee cup to the kitchen, Belle returned to me and told me she’d just called Virgil and Sue and invited me to lunch. “Get your stuff, we’re going to eat!” I was welcomed with open arms into their home, served a delicious meal with dessert and excellent conversation. Then, as if opening their home and feeding a stranger wasn’t enough, all four Belle, Phil, Virgil and Sue tried to figure out how to get me back to my hotel, so I could get my luggage and head to the airport –they finally decided that Virgil and Sue would drive me back to the hotel and then take me all the way to the airport! What an incredibly kind gesture! I was so moved by their compassion. What hospitality! They truly live out what it means to be an open, welcoming and affirming congregation –I hope that someone visiting would feel that way about their first visit to Fairview! Let’s be intentional about making people feel like they belong!
This Sunday is a special day, our worship intern, Rachel Bennett, will be preaching! If you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know Rachel, this is your chance to really see her shine! I am confident that you’ll find her insight refreshing! She’s a very talented young woman, a Religion major at Chapman University, who embodies our motto of living life as a thinking Christian! Come out on Sunday and support our worship intern!
Then stay for a quick forum after church by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. They’ll talk about their organization and its purpose, share guidelines for churches about what is legal and illegal, and be present to answer any questions you might have! Please give their president Stephanie Campbell a warm Fairview welcome!
See you when I get back! Don’t forget to scroll through the upcoming events—there’s lots going on this month!
The Wide, Wide World of Theology!
Belonging
by Eileen Carney Hulme
We never really slept,
just buried clocks
in the sanctuary
of night
every time I moved
you moved with me,
winged eyelashes
on your cheek returns a kiss
small spaces of silence
in between borrowed breaths
arms tighten
at the whisper of a name
all the words of the heart
the unanswered questions
are at this moment
blue rolling waves
tonight our souls rest
fragrant in spiritual essence
candle-flamed, undamaged
utterly belonging.
********
Please take a moment to read through the prayers of our community,
the prayers that matter to us, and lift them up in your hearts this moment.
If you have an a prayer request you would like to add to our list, please email or call the office 714 545-4610.
PRAYERMATTERS
We are grateful for thewell-being and many blessings among our church family. Yet keep in your prayersand concern . . .
FrenaceeSchuck, her sister VirginiaPenaand their extended family arerejoicing that their 90-year-old fatherCharlesDavishas rebounded from his critically illcondition and will be able to make his planned return to southernCaliforniain the nearfuture. Frenaceethanks everyone for their prayers andsupport!
JoanneAnguiano’s daughterAngieEstrada, who recently had knee surgery, andnow may need
treatment for her kidneys for reasons yet to bedetermined.
Libby Cowan for prayers of healing for a quick recovery.
ChristinaMoritz’neighbor Elsbetthas a brain tumor and hadanother brain scan done earlier in the year. We are hoping that the chemoworked and she will be in remission.
ForJohnEwart,KathyDeSalvo’s father,prayers to overcome the effects of strokes in the last year.
Our friend and former memberDennisGankema, who mayhave renewed concerns about his prostate
RichardGrindley’s uncle inSimi Valley, whose suddenloss of kidney function has him hospitalized and in need of prayer for recoveryto continue to operate his landscapingbusiness.
JackFord’sson-in-lawBobCampbellhas been diagnosed with terminalcancer. Please pray forBoband hisfamily for the strength and determination to deal with this condition.
Jane Philipp,who continues to struggle withback problems, prayers of rejoicing that she is getting better and continuedprayers for strength and healing.
JeffHull’suncleBillHull,whofell off a ladder onLabor Day and broke his vertebrae, is now out of the hospital and walking aroundwearing a neck brace.
JoanSullivanasks forspecial prayers for her friendCathySemar, operated onfor breast cancer.
Prayers for our new friendShirley Lenbird, wife ofVinceand mother of their sonClydis, who was struckby a car last month and suffered two small broken bones, from which she istrying to heal..
AlonzoPedrin’ssisterOliviacontinues to strugglewith physical and mental challenges arising from her MS (MultipleSclerosis).
VickiPedrin'smomAnnYoungis home after 1-1/2 months in a hospital& skillednursing facility. Continued prayers are requested as she re-adjusts tohome.
VickiPedrin'sco-workerHelenerequested prayers for her andhusbandJerry. He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and given 6 months tolive.
ErnieRansomwashospitalized last week. Please pray that they might discover the cause of herchest pains and that she will find strength to deal withit.
WayneRash’s sister-in-law Barbara Gentry,who has been rehospitalized due to a series ofmini-strokes
after returning home from legamputation surgery.
FritzTramz’swife,Carolann,who isexperiencing partial remission from her terminal cancer. Also prayers ofstrength forFritzas he cares for herat home “24/7”, including the aftermath of a fall she took the week before last.
DeniseValoff’sdear friendKelly, as she continues to seek new employment after ayear of effort and
despite health problems without healthinsurance.
The family ofDeniseValoff’s other dearfriendLori, who are grieving hersudden death of a heart attack at the age of 49. She leaves behind a husband of30 years, six children, and threegrandchildren.
The people ofthe southeast United Statesandthe people of theCaribbean,as they deal with theimpact of both current and recenthurricanes.
OurTroops,as theyperform their duties, wherever they are in the world.
Allwho feel the burdens of lifethat theburden might be lifted and God’s grace felt andaccepted.
*************
Announcements
Missed a Sunday? Catch up on your sermons by listening at home!
Just click here to listen or download now:
http://www.ocfairviewchurch.org/podcast/sermons or http://fairviewcc.mypodcast.com/
Choir is Back!
***** CHOIR TONIGHT*****
Join Sean to Sing Your Heart Out!
Whether you sing professionally or just sing in the shower, Sean will find a place for you in our church choir!
Contact Sean Burns, our Music Director, or simply join him this evening! We need you and your voice!
Email Sean at: musicdirector@ocfairviewchurch.org
Americans United for Separation of Church and State Forum
–After Church October 19th—This Sunday
Questions about what’s legal and what isn’t?
Join us after church this Sunday!
Interested in Becoming a Member? Wonder what it means to Join the Church?
Being a member of the church is easy!
All you have to do is come to a membership class and learn more about the church.
–if you’re interested please contact Marge Salmassy, Wayne Rash or hit reply to this email.
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PRESENTS
Wednesday Evenings 7pm
Fairview Community Church
Do you feel like you’ve got questions about faith, but not always sure if it is appropriate to ask those questions aloud? Well, here at Fairview we’re Living the Questions. Join in this spiritual journey that will engage your heart but let your mind lead the way! Our NEW Minister of Christian Education, Susan and her husband Tim, the scholar, will help to facilitate the journey!
Care of Creation Conference October 25th 9-3pm
Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment
Are you Green? Do you want to be? Do you feel like your faith informs your environmentalism?
You will love this conference!
This year’s keynote speaker is Bill McKibbon! And music by the Strathdees!
Register at www.ocice.org
CROP WALK – OCTOBER 26TH NOON FOLLOWING CHURCH SERVICE
PLEASE SIGN UP!
You can even walk in SPIRIT if you can’t walk in person!
Sign up at church or join our team online (or simply donate)
The CROP Hunger Walk makes a difference right here locally in our community.
Sign up online: Click here to view the team page for Fairview Community Church
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.cropwalkonline.org/site/TR/CropWalks/General?team_id=8722&pg=team&fr_id=2418&et=vpQGbJTaesXCJ8duIPyyYg..&s_tafId=6494
Halloween Here at Fairview Community Church
That’s Right –It’s Safe Trick-Or-Treating here in our brand new parking lot!
Join your Fairview Friends and Community as we celebrate the spooky Halloween holiday together
FRIDAY OCTOBER 31st
Hoping we all belong,
Sarah
Reverend Sarah Halverson
Fairview Community Church
2525 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 545-4610
http://www.ocfairviewchurch.org
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
