Sonora United Methodist Church Newsletter

​​​​​October 2026

 

Women’s Fellowship

 

Greetings All and happy Fall.

​ Our busy season has some date changes. Sonora Chamber of Commerce is actually holding Trick or Treat Street on Saturday, October 24th not the 31st as we originally expected. We have changed our rummage sale date to Saturday, November 14th so we won't be holding events two weekends in a row. I've posted some donation requests on the nurture board and hope to have the rest up next Sunday. Please sign up to donate or help as you are able for this fun community outreach. Lorraine will be here for decorating and setup on Friday the 23rd.

 

​We will meet at church to cook for Beans and Rice on Saturday,  October 10th at 9:30 am. We are in need of a few back up helpers who may be available occasionally. The menu is decided ahead of time and each of us, if able, signs up to bring some of the ingredients. Anyone who needs reimbursement can turn in receipts to Janice Samuels Johnson so she can track expenses for the Beans and Rice account. We always have a good time cooking and visiting together while doing something for this faithful outreach program. 

 

​We'll meet on Saturday, November 7th at 10:00 am for the final sorting for the rummage sale. Please try to have any donations to the church by then. Setup will be on Friday, November 13th with the sale on the 14th. Thanks to all who have already donated and helped with our first sorting. 

 

Many blessings, 

Karla Wasson

Scripture readings and sermon titles for October

Oct 4: World Communion Sunday

           "Storage Wars"

           Philippians 3: 4b-14

 

Oct 11: "The Party You Can't Control"

             Matthew 22: 1-14

 

Oct 18: "What Is Your Brand?"

             Matthew 22: 15-22

 

Oct 25: "Stay In Your Lane"

            Matthew 22: 34-46

 

Shalom, Pastor Kevin

 

 

​​​     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: 1:30 pm Qi Gong free exercise class

Qi Gong is an easy version of Tai Chi, done standing or sitting and is wonderful for stretching and balance. ​​​​​​

​    

Fridays:  2 pm  Bible Study using the Upper Roomdevotional booklet.  

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

 

October 10: 9:30 Meet at church to cook for Beans and Rice dinner

​See the  Women’s Fellowship article  for more information.

 

October 23: 1 pm. Friday. Setup for the annual Trunk or Treat and hot dog dinner. See the donations board in the Hallway between the Fireside room and the Sanctuary, for needed food items and help needed. Decorating the Haunted Hallway will begin at 10 am on that Friday. 

 

October 24: During Treat Street, 4 pm to 5:30 pm

Trunk and Treat, Slightly Scary Haunted Hallway, Free Hot dog supper.

If you want to watch the children in their costumes go by, bring your car, decorate the trunk and hand out  candy. We have some decorations to share.

 

November 7: Saturday  10 am:  Sorting of Rummage sale items.  Please have your donations to the church by that time.

 

November 13: Rummage Sale setup.  Moving items from the top floor to the basement will begin at 10 am and displaying items will be that afternoon. 

 

November 14: Rummage Sale:  8 am to 2 pm

Multi family sale in the church fellowship hall. Items are not priced.  ​​​​​You can donate what the item is worth to you. 

 

 

​Beans, Rice and Jesus Christ 

 

Dear Church Family,

     Autumn greetings to you each!  Hope you are all doing well as we begin a new season.

      BRJC has  exciting news.  Three of our BRJC  volunteers have decided to give  generous monthly  donations.  I am so excited.  We want to provide healthy and tasty meals with plenty of protein, grains, veggies, fruits, and salads.  And we like to offer each person who would like, a peanut butter sandwich and a piece of fruit to take with them when they leave. With increased income we will not have to cut corners so tightly.  We will still offer modest meals with  casseroles and soups, but we won't have to skimp.  Hallelujah!  

​One volunteer offered a nice grill to BBQ meat in the church parking lot. Every couple of months, Lonny  likes to donate meat and BBQ it for the people. Quite an amazing treat for us all!  Another way to let people know they are special and valued,that they are indeed sons and daughters of our Mighty Lord and are precious in His eyes. Also fun, and encourages fellowship. 

​ In addition, we are working on being more efficient and thrifty, and are  having monthly staff meetings to increase healthy communication.  Finally, the staff is going to start  praying with each other  before we serve. We have always prayed with the people before they eat.  And throughout the meal we pray for anyone who would like prayer. Now the staff is increasing prayer to keep our focus on our mission, to do His will in His way.  A new season and  new changes for BRJC.

 

 May God bless you all!

Alice Mansfield

 

 

From Lorraine Vogt, Church Council Chair

 

​On Sunday, September 25, we held our annual Charge Conference meeting, chaired by the District Superintendent, Rev. Mary Maaga. This is the annual (multipage) report to our church and to the California Nevada Annual Conference from our various committees and church officers.

 

​We approved  the Pastor’s Compensation for 2027, and elected  or reelected our officers.  Our Trustees are Joshua Campbell, Dan Townsend and Chairperson, Sally Bredehoeft. Roberta Clapham will continue both as Staff-Parish Relations chairperson and Finance Chairperson We have 34 members, and mourned the loss of Roger Francis, who was a member for so many years.  As the major change in our volunteers I am including the report of our new Lay Leader.  if you wish to see a copy of the full Charge Conference report, please let me know. (lorrainev63@comcast.net).  I give thanks to and for all our volunteers.  After the Charge Conference, Peggy Florence volunteered to help Lynn Whitlach with the very busy and complicated  Treasurer’s position.  We will confirm this at the next Church Council meeting on October 25.

 

Lay Leader Report - Janice Samuels Johnson

 

Previously our Lay Leader had been incapacitated due to a long illness and unfortunately,  for this reason she  resigned from this position. Therefore, in June of 2026, I was formally elected as Lay Leader of Sonora United

Methodist Church.

 

As a Lay Leader, I assist Pastor Kevin with certain responsibilities such as :  visiting the sick in the hospital, making  calls to our congregation, sending cards of encouragement, helping with preparation of Holy Communion, being a liturgist, and filling in when no one has been able to, and other similar things.  I like to think of these honorable duties as

"filling in the gap".

 

I look forward to how God will lead our church in the future  and how I can best serve Him as Lay Leader.

 

Submitted by:

Janice Samuels Johnson 

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

We do not have any birthdays listed for October.  If you wish to have your birthdays celebrated by your church family and you haven’t seen your birthday listed in the newsletter, please let Lorraine know (lorrainev63@comcast.net)