First United Methodist Church of Torrance

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Thank You For Your Service!

March 9th, 2010 · Pastor Bob

Dear Friends,

Three individuals have decided to step down from roles that they have fulfilled over several years. I wanted to take a few moments to acknowledge their tremendous contributions over the duration and express our collective appreciation to them.

First of all, after 20 years of handling our payroll, Linda H. has decided to discontinue. If you can imagine calculating salaries, making sure to figure in the proper deductions or withholdings, issuing checks every two weeks, producing tax documents for the various employees each year, filling out forms, and dealing with Worker’s Compensation numbers, what an enormous amount of time that requires! I’m simply amazed and in awe of Linda’s faithfulness over this period of time. It requires being on top of deadlines at least every other week for 20 years! What an enormous task!

Subsequent to her leaving the role, and considering our current situation with the complexities of tax laws, with our irregular need for scheduling substitutes, factoring in part-time hours, etc., we have decided to hire a payroll company to do the job.

Duane and Lori C. are the other individuals who have decided to step down. Together they have done the Financial Secretary job. For 10 years they have kept track of individual giving, assigned giving envelopes, tabulated totals for reports, and provided giving statements each year. They’ve also compiled statistics of pledgers, non-pledge givers, and have provided valuable information regarding the overall stewardship programs. Having statistics of decreases, increases, with accurate projections involving budgeting, forecasting programming, and staffing, they have been a significant resource for us. Not to mention all the other aspects that they have assisted with regarding our finances, Annual Conference forms, the Endowment Committee, and the Sanctuary Renovation Project.

Even in the midst of cancer, Duane has battled through to provide what we have needed. His calculations, projections, and detailed analysis have been crucial to us in so many ways that I can’t even explain.

We will truly miss the services of these three people. When I think about it, they have carved out many hours and chunks of their lives all in the service of Christ and the church. To them we owe an overflowing expression of gratitude for sharing their skill and sacrifice. May God continue to bless them and provide for them as they shift to a different aspect of the journey in serving. Next time you see them, please take some moments to thank them and offer words of appreciation and admiration.

– Pastor Bob


Sermon: The View from the Rear View Mirror

March 7th, 2010 · Audio, Jonathan

Jonathan Tarman
bible_blue.gif Reading: Isaiah 55:1-9
bible_blue.gif Reading: Mark 10:13-16
22:49 | 13.6 MB | Play Sermon


EarthTalk: Finding Healthy Snacks For Kids

March 7th, 2010 · EarthTalk

Healthy Snacks

Christine Steendahl of Kid Approved Meals stresses the importance of teaching kids which snacks to eat and which to avoid early in life so that they can sidestep obesity and other health problems altogether. Fruits, nuts and dry cereals, for example, are good alternatives to chips and other junk food.

EarthTalk®
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I see a lot of “healthy snacks” being marketed for kids that list “natural flavors” but don’t identify them. Should I use these products? — John Stein, Methuen, MA

Beloved food writer Michael Pollan recommends steering clear of foods that advertise their green attributes on their label. According to his line of reasoning, why give a child a fruit roll-up when you can give him or her a piece of fruit? Only processed foods need to advertise what’s natural about them, whereas an apple speaks for itself, providing wholesome nutrition without the need for marketing hype.

But most of us depend on the occasional packaged or processed food, so choosing between the lesser of two evils sometimes has to be the way to go. If a product lists natural ingredients on its label—anything from real fruits, vegetables and nuts to cereals, grains and other healthy foods you can recognize without a food dictionary on hand—it’s probably better than a food reliant on artificial flavors and sweeteners.

“One way for your kids to enjoy healthy snacks is to get them started on naturally sweet foods,” says Christine Steendahl of Kid Approved Meals, which sells menus and shopping lists to parents looking for guidance in meal preparation. “Since most kids crave sweets…naturally sweet foods such as fruits are perfect,” she says. Real bananas, oranges, apples, cherries, strawberries and other fruits are popular with most kids. “You can mix in yogurt or even make a fruit smoothie with some milk and a drop of chocolate or other natural flavors,” Steendahl suggests.

“One thing to recognize about children is that if they try enough types of natural and healthy snacks, they will find one that they enjoy,” says Steendahl. “The problem is that many times parents give up trying to find the snacks that their kids like and settle for popular junk foods instead.” She stresses the importance of teaching kids which snacks to eat and which to avoid early in life so that they can sidestep obesity problems altogether. Nuts and dry cereals, for example, are good alternatives to chips and other junk food.

According to California-based pediatrician and author William Sears, who markets his own line of healthy kids snacks called Lunchbox Essentials, parents should make sure that any snack foods they give their family members provide both fiber and protein, which give the feeling of fullness, and taste good as well. He adds that parents should learn to read labels so they can tell which products contain hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup—all of which should be avoided.

As a last resort for especially finicky kids, parents can find packaged snacks that might look like junk food but are actually healthy and nutritious, including certain brands of fruit roll-ups and granola bars. Look in the snack aisle of your local natural foods market for such items, and don’t be afraid to ask store personnel for recommendations. It’s important to take your child’s nutrition seriously. Whether he or she ever realizes it, you are setting patterns that will enable them to live healthier and longer lives.

CONTACTS: Michael Pollan, www.michaelpollan.com; Kid Approved Meals, www.kidapprovedmeals.com; Dr. Sears’ Lunchbox Essentials, www.drsearshealthykids.com.

SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php. EarthTalk® is now a book! Details and order information at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalkbook.

Image source: Tree & J. Hensdill, courtesy Flickr


EarthTalk: Electronic “e-waste”

March 6th, 2010 · EarthTalk

e-waste

The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition reports that 70 percent of the heavy metals in U.S. landfills are from discarded electronics. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that Americans trash two million tons of unwanted electronics each year -­ six times the amount they recycle. Pictured, e-waste in Ann Arbor, Michigan readied for recycling.

EarthTalk®
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I work for an office equipment company selling copiers, fax machines, computers and printers. Each year new models come out making old ones obsolete. As a result, we have loads of trade-ins with nowhere to go. What can we do with this old equipment?Jeff P., Worcester, MA

Electronic waste, or “e-waste” as it’s called, is a growing problem in the United States and abroad, as obsolete or broken computers and other electronic equipment are taking up increasingly precious amounts of landfill space and potentially leaking hazardous substances into surrounding ecosystems.

The nonprofit Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition reports that 70 percent of the heavy metals in U.S. landfills are from discarded electronics—even though the e-waste itself accounts for only two percent of the trash by volume. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that Americans trash two million tons of unwanted electronics each year—six times the amount they recycle. To make matters worse, U.S. companies often ship old equipment to poor nations whose landfills and incinerators are ill equipped, subjecting already struggling populations to lead, cadmium, beryllium, and other contaminants.

So what can be done? If your old units still work but have merely been eclipsed by newer models, then by all means donate them to a needy cause that will either put them to good use or resell them to help fund their programs. You’ll earn a tax deduction for a charitable donation and, by keeping the equipment alive, prevent the manufacture of new units and thus, if ever so slightly, reduce the footprint of your operations.

But not every charity accepts old equipment, and no one wants to spend all day calling around to find one that does. A good place to look, then, is Goodwill, which will accept your equipment and then sell it through any one of its 1,500 retail stores across the country. Proceeds fund programs to help the disabled, illiterate, homeless, and those on welfare by providing job training and placement programs. The Salvation Army runs similar programs and also typically accepts donated old office equipment.

Another option is to donate your equipment to needy schools, either directly or via a service like iLoveSchools.com, which helps teachers find free supplies and equipment for their classrooms. The National Cristina Foundation also matches donated technology with needy schools and nonprofits. Also, the website GreatNonprofits.org maintains a list of charities in need of various types of office equipment. You can also offload equipment via Freecycle, a free service that helps find homes for unwanted stuff.

While finding a new home for your old gear is preferable, recycling is also an option. Recyclers harvest parts from old equipment that can be reused or resold. Several websites, including My Green Electronics, E-cycling Central, and Earth911, list electronics recyclers across the U.S. Some of these vendors will charge a small fee to recycle an item for you; others may do it for free. Also, Office Depot, Staples and some other stores will take back used electronics—even if not purchased there—usually for a small fee.

CONTACTS: Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, www.svtc.org; Goodwill, www.goodwill.org; Salvation Army, www.salvationarmy.org; iLoveSchools.com, www.iloveschools.com; National Cristina Foundation, www.cristina.org; GreatNonprofits.org, www.greatnonprofits.org; Freecycle, www.freecycle.org; E-cycling Central, www.ecyclingcentral.com; Earth911, www.earth911.org; Office Depot, www.officedepot.com; Staples, www.staples.com.

SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php. EarthTalk® is now a book! Details and order information at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalkbook.

Image source: George Hotelling, courtesy Flickr


Our Lenten Journey

March 2nd, 2010 · Pastor Bob

Dear Friends,

We now find ourselves in the middle of the Lenten season. When we think of Lent, we think of Jesus being solitary in the wilderness for 40 days tempted by the devil. It’s a time of prayer, fasting for some, reflection, self-denial, and repentance.

Like the previous years, I’ve given up solid food for dinner and I plan to give the money that I would have spent for those meals to either a hunger project that our Outreach Committee endorses or to the Haiti relief efforts. If you are doing a meal fast, I invite you to consider the same.

But this year during the first two weeks of Lent, the Winter Olympics are going on. The Olympics seem contrary to Lent. The games are a world wide community celebration of artistry, beauty, and athleticism. The Olympics invite friendly competition to test human skill and measure individual and team will. It seems like it’s quite the opposite of contemplation and silent reflection.

The Olympics also represent adventure and journey. I love to take in the interest stories, to follow the dramas as they unfold, to witness the overcoming of obstacles, and to cheer on triumphs and victories. So I’ve been staying up to 11 pm every night. It’s a different contrast to the usual spiritual disciplines.

When Jesus was in the wilderness, I’m sure he was attuned to the landscape, the creatures and critters, and the temperature and weather. He didn’t have technology and the commercial world to distract him. He was without the conveniences of bottled water, energy drinks, or vitamins. But Luke 4 shows that Jesus relied on the word of God.

But to borrow from the sport imagery, for 40 days Jesus was in an athletic marathon of faith. He was engaged in a battle with the devil. These 40 days tested him, it called him to summon his best resources, it forced him to live fully for the moment. May we find the courage, strength, and will power to battle through our Lenten discipline and may we draw on God’s word to strengthen us as we march through to Jerusalem and Holy Week.

— Pastor Bob


Sermon: Spiritual Disruptions

February 28th, 2010 · Audio, Pastor Bob

Rev. Bob Isip
bible_blue.gif Reading: Luke 13:31-35
15:50 | 9.5 MB | Play Sermon


EarthTalk: How much electricity will plug-in hybrids use?

February 27th, 2010 · EarthTalk

Hybrid Car

According to the blog Futurewheels.com, electric cars and plug-in hybrids (those that have been converted by owners) currently average about two cents per mile to recharge, while gasoline-only cars average about 10 cents per mile to refuel. Pictured: a Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid demonstration program vehicle at the 2010 Washington, DC Auto Show.

EarthTalk®
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: When the plug-in Prius is released, how much electricity will it use? Will my electric bill double if my Prius is plugged in each night? Or will the increase be minimal? Also, will all this recharging put a strain on the existing electricity grid? – G.C. Marx, Colorado Springs, CO

It is difficult to pinpoint the answer to this question right now since Toyota has not yet released its much anticipated plug-in hybrid, but most analysts believe the increase in your electric bill from overnight charging will be minimal. According to the blog Futurewheels.com, electric cars and plug-in hybrids (those that have been converted by owners) currently average about two cents per mile to recharge (electric rates vary greatly by region), while gasoline-only cars average about 10 cents per mile to refuel.

Plug In America, a California based network of electric vehicle and (self-converted) plug-in hybrid owners, estimates the cost to charge a typical plug-in hybrid overnight to be less than a dollar. So while your electric bill might go up $30/month due to recharging, your gas bill will decrease by somewhere between 80 and 100 percent depending on your driving habits and what you were driving beforehand.

Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that regular hybrids cost between $2,000 and $10,000 more than their gas-only counterparts, and that plug-in hybrids will likely cost even more due to their larger, better batteries and other more advanced technologies. It would take years and years of gasoline-free driving to make up the sticker-price difference between a plug-in hybrid and an equivalent-sized gasoline-fueled car. So while plug-in hybrids will help the environment, they’re not so much about saving money—unless you drive thousands of miles a week, in which case you’ll recoup your costs in fuel savings in a few years.

As to strain on the existing electricity grid, most experts agree that plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles, even in the unlikely event that all of us switched over to them eventually, wouldn’t compromise the ability of utilities to provide power, given that they are already scaled up to handle peak loads during heat waves when everyone runs energy-hogging air conditioning.

Furthermore, most of us would charge our cars overnight—typically a slow period for utilities otherwise and during which they could generate much more power if customers wanted it. A 2007 study by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that off-peak electricity capacity could fuel the daily commutes of nearly three-quarters of all cars, light trucks, SUVs and vans on American roads today if they were plug-in hybrids. Plug In America adds that many utilities are upgrading local electricity distribution systems to accommodate plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles “just as they do when residents add more air conditioners and TVs.”

So if you’re interested in taking the plug-in hybrid plunge when the cars become available, don’t worry about increased electric bills, as overall you’ll be saving gobs of cash at the pump. And given the popularity of the current hybrids on the road, enough of us might go for the plug-in versions so as to reduce the cost disparity with traditional cars—meaning we could “save green” in more ways than one.

CONTACTS: Future Wheels, www.futurewheels.com; Plug In America, www.pluginamerica.org;

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, www.pnl.gov.

SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php. EarthTalk® is now a book! Details and order information at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalkbook.

Image Source: Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz, courtesy Flickr


Sierra Service Project

February 23rd, 2010 · Jonathan

Dear partners in service,

I am pleased to announce that this summer some of our youth and I will have the opportunity to serve the community of Los Angeles by attending a Sierra Service Project. Sierra Service Projects invite young people to experience the life-changing power of Christ’s spirit through acts of service through repairing the homes of those in need. The Sierra Service organization is committed to creating community and teaching selfless service by reaching out to those in need. They offer both middle school and high school service projects, and I would have liked to take both groups this summer, but due to time constraints, one high school trip was selected. Each high school youth in our church was offered the opportunity to go and serve. This summer, Andrew W., Alex W., Adam W., Wylie L., and I are seizing this opportunity to spend the week of July 11 – July 17 serving in south Los Angeles. The south Los Angeles site is an exciting urban immersion experience that takes place in the local neighborhoods. Along with approximately one hundred other youth, we will repair homes for four days during the week. The service experience is enhanced by a day of touring the city, visiting social service agencies, feeding the homeless on Skid Row, and spending an evening at the beach. We will be housed at Vermont Square UMC, a facility with men’s and women’s locker rooms.

The cost per participant is $305, which goes to pay for the supplies that we will use for service during the week. Each participant has already made a deposit of $50 for the service trip from his own personal funds. This leaves our group with a total balance of $1,275 ($255 per person) to be paid by June 1. We will be hosting several fund raisers to help cover this cost. Those attending will pay any unmet cost.

Our first fund raiser is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 — the STONE SOUP SUPPER. Please refer to the information about the Stone Soup Supper elsewhere in this newsletter. Please attend and support our youth. If you feel led to donate to the cost of our trip outside of a fundraiser, checks can be sent to the church office; made payable to Torrance FUMC with “Youth Fund” written on the memo line.

In Jesus’ love, Jonathan Tarman


Sermon: The Most Important Question

February 21st, 2010 · Audio, Christopher

Christopher Carter
bible_blue.gif Reading: Mark 8:27-37
19:32 | 12 MB | Play Sermon


Class Offered: Stick Close to God

February 21st, 2010 · Christopher

lampBeginning the week of March 7, Pastor Chris will offer a 6-week class on personal spiritual growth using Patricia Wilson’s book, When You Come Unglued…Stick Close to God. This class will be contemplative in nature, and although scripture will be discussed, the purpose of the group is to help each participant deepen their sense of connectedness to God. Perhaps you’re feeling the need for some spiritual growth. You may be successful in your career and happy in your relationships (or not), but you still have a sense that there must be more to the Christian walk than what you have experienced. It’s sort of a nagging feeling. If this sounds like you, then you are invited to sign up for the class and to find out the meeting days by calling the church office, 310-328-3242.

— Chris Carter