"The Weekly Window"

Rev. Karen on Vacation

Dear CUMC friends in faith,

Rev. Karen in on vacation through Sunday, April 11. She will return to work on Monday, April 12. Rev. Martha is available for any pastoral care urgencies, and Jessica is available for any non-urgent needs.

Also, this Sunday, we graciously receive a gift from our California-Pacific Annual Conference and Bishop Grant J. Hagiya. The Conference has provided us, and all local churches in our conference, with a wonderful worship service for this Sunday, April 11. They created this service for the Sunday after Easter to allow worship teams and clergy time off this week with their loved ones. Participants include clergy and laity worship leaders and musicians from throughout our conference. The video will be available on our own YouTube page, and we will send out that information as usual on Saturday morning.

Your clergy and worship team offer our gratitude as well as our prayers for you and yours this Second Sunday of Easter. May we all continue to feel the new life and hope of the Resurrection.

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

The Men's Enrichment Group

The Men’s Enrichment Group continues to “meet” for fellowship and devotional study via Zoom the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Join us as we study Reading John for Dear Life by Jaime Clark-Soles. The next Zoom gathering is Wednesday, April 14 at 8:00 a.m. You are invited and welcome to join in with us. For more information, contact Carl Williams or Ron Harrington, or email info@claremontumc.org.

Stephen Ministry During the Pandemic

During the pandemic, Stephen Ministers have been using primarily the telephone to continue their caring ministry. Normally in person visits allow the care giver to notice many nonverbal behaviors of the care receiver (facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, etc.), which can reveal much about the person’s mental and emotional state. Using the telephone in caregiving requires more careful listening to the vocal characteristics of the care receiver’s speech. A high pitched voice may indicate anxiety. A monotone, hesitant, slow delivery could be associated with sadness or depression. Rapid paced speech often shows a level nervousness or frustration. Sighing can signify impatience or exasperation. Paying attention to these clues can help fill in what the care giver cannot see.

Listening is the key to effective Stephen Ministry. This is especially true when caregiving is done by telephone. Every act of caring and understanding begins with compassionate listening. If you need an understanding listener, or if you are interested in training to become a Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Martha Morales, or email prayers@claremontumc.org.

~ Al Smith, CUMC Stephen Minister

To learn more about Stephen Ministry, see the video below, starting at the 50:35 minute mark to hear Al Smith and Lee Rawley share about the special caring ministry of Stephen Ministers.

Disclaimer: When you click the video, and it opens, an ad will most likely start. After a few seconds, you should be able to skip the ad, and then you'll hear Rev. Karen lead into Lee and Al.

April "Life Goes On" Gathering

Part of the human experience is facing all kinds of challenges, dealing with loss, and working our way through grief that at times can threaten to overwhelm us. Life Goes On responds by offering support, comfort, and objective information in a safe and confidential setting.

Life Goes On meets in April via Zoom on Wednesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. The Zoom link will be sent out that week. April's discussion is on "Healing Together" led by Al Smith this month. Each gathering begins with prayer and a short presentation, followed by small group discussion of whatever feels important to the participants. All are welcome!

Life Goes On continues on the fourth Wednesday of the month through the spring. You may drop in as your schedule allows. If you have questions, please contact Paula Hui. If you need Paula's contact information, email the church office, info@claremontumc.org.

Happy April Birthday!

Please contact the church office if we accidentally failed to list your birthday (or if we have it incorrect), and please accept our apologies! We missed a birthday!! See the addition below (on April 26).

2--Haylee Coburn
3--Jennie (Briggs) Benedict
3--Robert Davis
4--Ashlyn Belcourt
4--Eric Di Pietro
4--Linda Kronseder
5--Dana Bailey
5--Andrew Martin
6--Emma Dowd
6--Carole Molloy
7--Moon Young Kong
8--Scott Combs
10--Christine Rincon
10--Claire Turner
12--Avery Hernandez
13--Ed Richardson
16--Jean Makunga
16--Lee Rawley
16--Sung Sohn
17--Gabriel Cordova

18--Erik Morse
19--Jane Burtis
19--Helen Dwyer
20--Beth Connor
20--Ron Harrington
20--Finn Myers
20--Claire Myers
21--Molly Morales
22-Cameron Couper-Cheung
22--Chloe Nicoll
24--Clara Ivey
24--Martha Morales
25--Willie Schlick
26--Rev. Karen Clark Ristine
26--Ruth Combs
27--Dixie Allen
27--Nathan Reichwald
28--Shepard Conrad
28--Olivia Delgado
29--Colin Domonoske

A Musical Meditation from Katie

This week's musical meditation is the Easter hymn, "The Day of Resurrection" from The United Methodist Hymnal No. 303. Click HERE to hear and meditate on this special hymn.

~ Katie Franklin Ledsinger

We Are Praying For...

If you have someone you would like Claremont UMC to keep in prayer, and list on our prayer list, please email Jessica, prayers@claremontumc.org. Please indicate whether they are to be listed on the public prayer list, or kept private.

Please pray for these dear ones on our prayer list, HERE.

Paul Minus Memorial Service

A memorial service for Paul Minus will be held this Saturday, April 10, at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Rev. Barbara Troxell will officiate the service. If you would like the Zoom link, please email Jessica in the Clarmeont UMC office at info@claremontumc.org. Our prayers are with Jean Minus and her loved ones.

Claremont UMC's Stephen Ministers are: Al Smith, Lee Rawley, Mary Beck, Arnaldo Rodriguez, Paula Hui, Henry Jefferson, Annabel Unland, and Rev. Martha Morales.

Claremont UMC Website and Links

https://claremontumc.org/events/
https://claremontumc.org/donate/