Newsletter for April 2026

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From Rev. Kevin Campbell,

The war with Iran is on all our minds. I honor and respect those who choose to serve in our armed forces. I pray for the service members who lose their lives in conflicts. We have prayed for the people, especially children, who have been killed as the war spreads across the Middle East. At the same time, I am called by my faith to object to war. An unproved attack is even harder to explain with a just war theology. I would like to share some words from Rev. Owen Burke of 1st Palo Alto UMC:

 

Christians at war, as with most religions, attempt to justify their actions by referencing holy texts, and in particular reminding the people that they are God’s chosen or God’s anointed and other similar self-serving motivations. From the most ancient of times, calling on God to deify the cause of war and ensure victory is one of religions worst delusional traditions. Brought forth to both inspire and enrage, God is wholly disrespected and misused in this way leading to further battles, death, and destruction. In addition, the long-term trauma that ensues inevitably ensures suffering and strife for generations, long after the battles are over.

 

This is not what Jesus wants or asks of us! No more is it what Muhammed or Moses desires their followers to engage in. We are not the children of a vengeful or hateful or mean-spirited God. Our God is one of peace, of grace and of justice, not one of bombs, bullets or killing drones. It’s bad enough when explosives are set, missiles launched and soldiers sent, the result of leader's cold-hearted manipulation coupled with complete lack of responsibility for war’s aftermath and human cost. But when Jesus Christ is then positioned as the reason and inspiration of these horrific activities, it is faithless in every way.

 

Jesus does not call us into war, God the father is not asking Israel or the US to bomb or kill or ruin a people, and the Holy Spirit never asks us to support or follow our leader’s ignorance, greed and arrogance into chaos and destruction. We are called to serve and help the world and one another, to serve God with humility, justice and love, not with hate, divisiveness and cruelty. 

 

Was not Jesus an extremist for love: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist for justice: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Though we may forget, God is with us, always and forever. Let us dedicate our community and selves to being faithful in the way Jesus asks us to be, respecting and caring for each other and doing all we can to make the world a better and more kind place. Love is the answer today, for it is always the answer.

 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I hope these thoughts help you sort through what is happening in our world and how Christians make sense of it all.

Shalom,

Pastor Kevin

Here are the scripture readings and sermon titles for April:

 

Apr 5: Easter

           "A New Start"

            Matthew 28: 1-10

 

Apr 12: "Unless I See"

             John 20: 19-31

 

Apr 19: Native American Ministries Sunday

            "Traveling Companion"

             Luke 24: 13-35

 

Apr 26: "The Shepherd's Voice"

             John 10: 1-10

 

Women’s Fellowship

Greetings All and Happy Spring! I think spring is my favorite season with all the beautiful flowers blooming and lots of birds singing. Signs of new life are everywhere. We even have a blue jay nest in the jasmine in our garden with 3 eggs at last count!

Upcoming for women's fellowship is our monthly Beans and Rice and Jesus Christ cooking day on Saturday,  April 11th at 9:30. I'm grateful for our dedicated group and the fellowship we share while preparing a meal.

We will have a quarterly meeting on Saturday the 25th at 11:30 starting with a potluck lunch and business. We'll then do some pre-sorting of rummage sale donations. 

Our sale is set for Saturday,  May 30th with setup on Friday the 29th. Donations of clean, usable items are appreciated; such as kitchenware, household decor, books, videos, music, games, puzzles, etc. It's very helpful to have items clean and ready to set out. We always get so many great things donated and leftovers are made available for the Beans and Rice guests. Be watching for how you may be able to help.

A future event in the works is a community talent show hosted by women's fellowship. This is penciled in for Friday, June 26th or Saturday, June 27th with Lynn Whitlach as organizer. Women's fellowship will provide refreshments for sale. Proceeds would be designated for the roof replacement. More information to come. It'll be fun to try something new.

Hope all are doing well, many blessings, 

 

Karla Wasson 

Beans Rice & Jesus Christ

 

Dear Church Family,

A special friend to many of us, Richard Anderson, peacefully passed away on March 11, 2026 at age 81 years.  He suffered from lung cancer for many years.  Richard, or Rick, as many of us called him, was a long time member of SUMC, until he moved to Modesto to teach biology at Modesto Jr. College.

 

You may be wondering about the connection between Rick and BRJC.  Rick dedicated his life and worked endlessly for political, environmental and social change.  I admired how much he actively lived his beliefs and how eager he was to share what he had—be it money, knowledge, or experiences.  In 2012, soon after BRJC began,  Rick sent BRJC  monthly checks for several years.   He not only helped support us financially, but was a great encourager.   In Modesto, Rick was part of a community group studying and making 2 videos, exploring the issues the homeless face in an effort to find solutions.  He had a heart for the homeless and hungry.  His attitudes and ideals were an inspiration.

So, as March comes to a close, we gratefully remember Rick, who served the homeless and helped us to the present point of being able to serve four delicious meals including a St. Paddy’s Day dinner to about 200 people.  R.I.P., Rick.  We will strive to continue your legacy of bringing hope, nourishment, and positive change to our fellow homeless and hungry friends.

Good bless you all.

Alice Mansfield

BRJC Coordinator

From the Sonora Area Foundation:

Sonora Area Foundation is proud to launch the You Give > We Give campaign—a $100,000 matching initiative designed to amplify local generosity.

• When you give to a Tuolumne County 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we match your donation. Sonora UMC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

• Up to $1,000 per individual or $2,000 per couple

Checks should be made payable to the Sonora Area Foundation, or digital donations can be made via credit card at sonora-area.org.

362 South Stewart Street
Sonora, CA 95370

Phone: (209)533-2596  For more information

To trigger the match, donors must note their chosen nonprofit in the check memo line or the “Additional Notes” field online.

The Foundation adds that 100% of the funds go directly to the local non-profits. No administrative fees will be deducted from the donations or the match.

• Each nonprofit is eligible for up to $10,000 in matching funds

• The campaign continues until the full $100,000 match is reached

At Sonora Area Foundation, we see every day how vital nonprofit organizations are to the health and well-being of Tuolumne County. From food security and youth programs to the arts, health services, and community development—local nonprofits are on the front lines of meeting real needs.

 

Coming Activities

 

Beans, Rice and Jesus Christ

Thursdays: Free Community Dinner every Thursday, 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

Main dish, salad, dessert and drink for anyone who wants to come.

   

Fridays: 2 pm  Bible Study using the Upper Room devotional booklet.

Good discussions about how to be a Christian in the modern world.

 

Sunday, March 29,11:30 Palm Sunday Come and wave a Palm Branch!.  Rev Kevin Campbell’s message will be “Open the gate”.

 

The annual Palm Sunday Morgan Chapel service and hymn sing will be at 3 pm. The service, (and very good cookies)  is  organized by the Tuolumne/Soulsbyville congregation. Directions: take Tuolumne Rd to Ward’s Ferry Road and travel 3 miles.  A cemetery is on one side of the road and the Chapel on the other.  If you wish to car pool, be at the church parking lot at 2:30 pm

  

April 3: Good Friday, 1-3 pm. Drop in prayer and interactive activities for personal meditation on Christ’s last hours.  You may come at any time between 1 and 3 pm and meditate at the stations at your own speed.  Short readings will be available to guide your meditations and items, such as a crown of thorns, will be there for you to experience.

 

April 5: 11:30  Easter Sunday Pastor Kevin Campbell will talk on “A new start”

 

Saturday, April 11, at  9:30 am     The Women’s Fellowship will prepare a main dish for Beans, Rice and Jesus Christ.  The dish is frozen and is used when needed.  Such a big help to the BRJC staff

 

Friday, April 24, 6 pm Tuolumne/Soulsbyville UMC is holding a Spaghetti Dinner at the Soulsbyville Church, 19982 Community Dr. Soulsbyville. The meal consists of spaghetti, bread, salad and dessert. There will be baskets and craft items for a silent auction. The cost is $10, and pre-sale tickets will be sold until April 12th.  Pastor Kevin has tickets with him on Sunday mornings. Phyllis Kuesthardt can answer your questions: (209) 536-4022.

 

Saturday, April 25, at 11:30 Women’s Fellowship  Quarterly Meeting  starting with a potluck lunch and business. We'll then do some pre-sorting of rummage sale donations. 

 

Sunday, April 26 after the 11:30 service will be our all church potluck, followed by our Church Council meeting.

 

Friday, May 29  Women’s Fellowship Rummage Sale setup Time to be announced.

 

Saturday,  May 30, 8 am to 2 pm  Rummage Sale, More details to come.

Birthdays

4/9  Lorraine Vogt

4/14  Juliet Simerley

4/19  Timar Abraha

4/22  Ronnie Hursky

4/24  Richard Halpin

4/29 Rev Kevin Campbell

 

Remember Jim Nuzum, please,  as his wedding anniversary with Mary Lou was 4/29/1961.

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