Monday, August 29, 2011

Pounding Our Pastor

Pounding Our Pastor David (sort-of)

It sounds painful, but it’s really not. Pounding the Pastor stems from an old tradition

also known as Food Pounding where church congregations welcomed their new pastors by

giving them a pound of something for their home. We are going to follow this tradition

of “Pounding” when we welcome Reverend David Camphouse back to our congregation. Yes,

we know he was reassigned to our congregation the end of June. But we, and he, have been

very busy doing other things like vacations, workshops, camps, etc., and David felt it would

be better to wait until September to have his ‘welcome back’ celebration.

We are asking that everyone bring a “pound” of something to welcome him. You are not
limited to, but can certainly include foodstuffs, such as a pound of flour, coffee, nuts
or chocolate chips. Feel free to also contribute nonfood items, maybe office or garden
supplies. You are only limited by your imagination! Feel free to include a note saying who
the pound is from.

As a twist on this “pounding” David has asked that the food items be donated in his name
to the “new” resource of our food pantry. Items should be new, with clear current labeling
and; should you want to give baked or cooked goods for our pantry freezer, be clearly
labeled with contents and securely packaged ready to go into our freezer. This is not an
opportunity for you to clean out your cabinets or freezer, bring the good stuff. Stuff you
would want for your family.

If you are not aware of our “new” resource of our food pantry, tours will be given on that
Sunday so you may be aware of the expanded resource we now have available for those in
need. Included in the food pantry area is our disability closet which has a

We will be presenting our “pounds” to David between and after services on Sunday,

September 18th. There will be refreshments, food and disability closet (garage) tours,

and an opportunity for you to express your appreciation to David for his work here at St.

Andrew United Methodist Church.

Again, here’s what to remember:

Sunday, September 18th, between and after services

A “Pounding” to welcome Reverend David Camphouse back to St. Andrew for another year

Bring a “food” gift for the church’s food pantry or freezer in his honor.

Thanks,
SPRC Committee

Sunday, August 28, 2011

SMSAUMC in Ministry

Matthew 10:8 reminds us of the work of the Disciples, as Jesus sent them out to do ministry.

“Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.”

Matthew 25:34-40 reminds us that the work given to the disciples is not that far from what we have been commissioned to do in the name of Jesus Christ as well.

34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

With these texts in mind, I want to say thank you to the people of St. Andrew UMC, for their faithful witness in ministry throughout Santa Maria, and the world.

Some of the ministries we named during worship on Sunday, July 24th are:
-Afghans for homebound and sick
-Ministry of presence with those who are sick (at home, in the ER or in the hospital)
-Healing the sick; by anointing with oil and prayers, laying on of hands, and through medical practice.
-Welcoming the stranger
-Returning lost sheep to the fold (bringing persons back to the church who have left or been shunned from the church)
-Clothing the naked; direct giving to persons in need of clothes, and through charitable giving with agencies like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities.
-Faithful participation in a prayer group
-Leading a Bible Study
-Offering Hope and Compassion for all persons
-Contributions of time, talents and money to the local animal shelter and the ASPCA
-Feeding the hungry, with meals provided through Meals on Wheels, delivered home-made meals, welcoming friend and stranger to our tables, contributions to the Food Bank and the Food Pantry at SAUMC.
-Reading to kids
-Donations to the Disability Closet, either through SAUMC or the Elks.
-Offering senior counseling services, for taxes, medicare, and support.
-Participation in Youth Education beyond those ministries already attached to SAUMC, like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Academy of Music, Happy Hollow Preschool and Youth Group.
-Charitable gifts to Muscular Dystrophy, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and various other organizations.
-Providing Shelter, by helping others pay for rent, and utilities.

Often we forget these ministries when we think of the ministries of St. Andrew UMC. We need not limit the ministry that St. Andrew UMC engages and enables to those ministries that are housed or sponsored directly through the giving of St. Andrew UMC.

I am grateful for this witness, and the ongoing witness each of you conveys as a result of the work of Jesus Christ in your lives. I am grateful for a church, such as St. Andrew that equips and encourages each of you to go out into the world and be ministers of the Gospel, for the Glory of God.

Thank you,

David Camphouse