September brought a turn of the seasons and some new activities. The Inquiry Class for new member exploration and for any who are interested in knowing more about the United Methodist Church will meet again on September 23 after worship in the Joseph Room. The Choir began practice September 6 and they weer welcomed back on the 9th. Chicken lunch (don’t miss it!) will be back on October 3rd at noon.
Of course we have another opportunity to sell bratwurst at the Fairgrounds: the Draft Horse Classic September 21-23. I’ll see you there…
We also have begun a twice a month Sunday evening youth group for Junior and Senior High youth, on the second and last Sundays of the month. On the 16th we will meet from 5-7 pm (dinner included) and on the 30th we will join the Family Fun Night from 5-7 pm. Friends are welcome to attend.
Come join us for a healthy walk at the fairgrounds now that fall is here. We getstart now at 8am but move to 8:30am starting the first of October. Tuesdays and Fridays are the 2 days of the week that we meet at gate 1. We walk at our own pace and we are even able to do some chatting at the same time. We'd love to have more folks joining us so hope to see you there.
HOSPITALITY HOUSE: Help is needed with our dinner every first Saturday...we need shoppers (you are reimbursed), cooks (recipes, and experienced chefs are there), and servers (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, with others who know the ropes). Sign up in Fellowship Hall. You will be called with the pertinent details. Please contact Barbara Dean with any questions.
HABITAT LUNCH FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS: We serve lunch (for the folks who are building Habitat houses) every third Saturday. We need cookies and sandwiches. You can choose what and how much you will contribute. Sign up on the “sign up board” in Fellowship Hall. Please contact Barbara Dean with any questions.
Chicken Lunch
Our next chicken lunch will be Wednesday, October 10th at
12 noon in Fellowship Hall. The price is now $8. It remains the best deal in town! See you there!
Taize Service
Our Next Taize service
will be Weds., Oct. 3rd at 6:30pm
A Taize service is a contemplative type service which includes prayer and short repetitive refrains. It comes from Taizé which is an ecumenical community in the eastern part of France. Begun in 1940 as shelter for refugees fleeing WWII, it is now made up of over a hundred brothers, both Catholics and Protestants from various backgrounds, coming from around thirty nations. The community is a representation of reconciliation between divided Christians and between separated peoples. The Taizé community has developed a tradition of prayer including the short repetitive refrains and silent meditation that are part of the service. All are invited to attend.
CLEANING ANGELS NEED YOU
Our church has a group of spritely folk who donate part of their Wednesday mornings to keeping our church building sparkling for Sunday worshipers, midweek activities, and guests. It is an amiable bunch of folk, but mostly all are retired and many in the upper end of that age group! Younger muscles and energy would boost their powers of sustainability! Granted, younger members of our congregation tend to be working full time and do not have Wednesday morning cleaning time, but an hour here and there — whenever available — could make the difference. If you have such an hour and would be willing to donate it to a task of cleaning, please contact Carl Godfrey. You will sprout wings and a halo immediately.CRAFT COMMITTEE
The crafters will meet on Tuesday, October 2nd at 10am in Fellowship Hall. Please bring or let us know if you have crafts for the Corner Store in October. And how are your projects going for the Craft Faire Thanksgiving weekend? See you all the 2nd
CRAFT FAIRE
CORNER STORE
Sunday, October 14th and 21st
after church in Fellowship Hall
Fall items
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Youth Ministry at NCUMC
We have started a twice a month Sunday evening youth group for Junior and Senior High youth, on the second and last Sundays of the month. On the 16th we meet from 5-7 pm (dinner included) and on the 30th we will join the Family Fun Night from 5-7 pm. Friends are welcome.
PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM MEETS The Public Relations Team formed last spring has met twice recently. We are working on ways to raise the profile of NCUMC in the community and are exploring the possibility of being involved in some of the Nevada City events.
Our first project is developing a two-sided printed card capturing the essence of who we are as a church including outreach to the community. This colorful card will be distributed as a rack card outside near the front door of the church, inside the church, placed in the Chamber of Commerce literature racks, included in mailings and used as an invitation to newcomers.
The team is examining all church activities and publications and encouraging church leaders to take responsibility for publicity as a part of their planning -- including photos, newspaper articles and on-line communications. Our church has so much to offer and we need to get the word out to those who may not know the many facets of our ministry.
The church office will act as a "clearing house" for all publicity to prevent duplication of efforts. The PR Team will meet next on Sunday, November 4 at 11:30 a.m. following worship. Members of the PR Team are: Mary DeWitt, Peter Van Zant, Garret Walther, David Lynn, Carol Lynn, Bob Zuelsdorf and Louise Carter.
—Article submitted by Louise Carter
Sustainable Energy Group (SEG) has installed 41 panels on the roof of our church. The electrical ground work and the installation of the rails was quite a feat with the extreme heat of July. The SEG crew with the forklift completed the solar panel installation in one day. The inspections were passed and PG&E gave us Permission to Operate on August 1, 2018.
As the Committee for the Solar Project started in October of 2017, it was not anticipated that it would take 10 months to complete. The Project was installed, inspected and approved with an unforeseen speed. I am so grateful this beneficial project is completed. It was anticipated that the church will save 75% of the PG&E bill and reduce the carbon imprint on God’s creation.
The cost was $41,070.00 and our generous congregation raised over $21,000.00. We have signed a contract with mPOWER to pay the balance over 20 years. mPower is an agency in Placer County to assist residents of Placer and Nevada counties to be-come energy efficient. There are $3,244.25 in financing fees. The simple interest rate is 6.00% and is over $17,000.00 over 20 years. I hope to have an annual fundraiser in April and May 2019 to reduce the principal balance and the $17,000.00 in interest.
FYI...Sustainable Energy Group is offering a donation of $500.00 to the principal balance due at mPOWER for any church member who installs a solar project or who refers a solar project to install to friends and family. A signed contract with SEG is required.
—Article submitted by Gail Green
LIFE AFTER THURSDAY
It’s fall and the special decorations are arriving at the home of Phyllis and we will all have a chance to see and enjoy them when we gather for Life After Thursday on Friday, October 5th. Please bring a potluck dish to share for the gathering time or the meal, your table service and a cold beverage of choice. Phyllis will provide coffee and tea. Please call the church office at 265-2797 for more info. Plan to see you at Phyllis Smith’s at 6pm on the 5th.
