February 2026

           Sonora United Methodist Church Newsletter

From Rev. Kevin Campbell,

I understand that Sonora UMC has a tradition of celebrating February as Love Month.  We have hearts decorating the fellowship tables. There are special treats to be shared. In a way, we do this because of Valentine’s Day. The church has, for many generations, celebrated sweethearts and couples with weddings and anniversary services. It is a nice way to fill in the gap between Epiphany and the start of Lent. This year, we can recognize that it is going much deeper. I hope it is our way of remembering who we are as Children of God—loved and beloved. One of the hymns and campfire songs I loved growing up is “Pass It On.” The words remind us that God loves us and, more importantly, that we are to pass that love on to others.  Remember the words:

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.

That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it; you spread his love to everyone; you want to pass it on.

 

What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding, the birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.

That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it you want to sing, it’s fresh like spring, you want to pass it on.

 

I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I’ve found; you can depend on him, it matters not where you are bound.

I’ll shout it from the mountain top (God Loves You); I want my world to know; the Lord of Love has come to me; I want to pass it on.”

 

Maybe as we celebrate Love Month, we will creatively find ways to pass on the Love God has shown us. Maybe send a note to someone lonely, ill, or recovering. It could be a random act of kindness. It might just be listening to the story of a friend or a stranger. It could be a shared meal. However, we do it, let’s pass on God’s love.

 

Scriptures and Sermon titles for January:

 

Feb 1: "Why Are We Blessed?"

            Micah 6: 1-8

            Matthew 5: 1-12

 

Feb 8: "You Are the Light"

            Matthew 5: 13-20

 

Feb 15: Transfiguration Sunday

              "Star Quality"

               2 Peter 1: 16-21

 

Feb 22: 1st Sunday of Lent

              "When Guilt Is Good"

               Matthew 4: 1-11

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

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

 

Saturday, February 14, at 9 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

 

Saturday, February 21, at 11 am, Memorial Service for Martha Weathers at the Cowboy Christian Church, all the way at the end of Peaceful Valley Road.  If you wish to carpool, meet at Sonora UMC at 10:30. Martha made it known that she wished we would wear red clothes - nothing dreary or sad.

 

 

Dear Friends of Beans, Rice, and Jesus Christ,

 

Dear Church family,

          Beginning this month of January 2026, I have the honor of once again coordinating Beans Rice and Jesus Christ.  Janice Samuels Johnson, who was in charge, has stepped down so she has more time to be a Lay Servant and Lay Speaker. Janice will continue to be an integral part of the program, managing finances and preparing and serving dinners.

 

          Looking back, December was an exciting month.  Our total number of meals given was approximately 225.  Being the month of December, and Christmas being on a Thursday, we served Christmas dinner on the actual day.  The menu included ham, homemade macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, a rice dish, root veggies, ambrosia, green salad, rolls, cakes, and pies.  After dinner, we gave gifts of socks, hats, gloves and candy.  We also gave a few blankets and Bibles.  Perhaps the most popular gifts were the $10 gift cards to Wendy’s.  There was great excitement about those.  A heartfelt thank you to those who contributed prayers, money, decorating, and/or gifts.  Also, thank you to the wonderful volunteers from the church and the community.  You helped to create a joyful time and were a great example of Jesus’ love.  God bless you all.

 

Love,

Alice Mansfield

BRJC Coordinator

 

 

Women’s Fellowship

 

          Greetings All, 

We had a good meeting this past Saturday, with a nice meal provided by Lynn's sister, Laura. Ideas were shared, and some dates were penciled in for upcoming activities. Lynn proposed having a community talent show hosted by the church, with tickets being sold in advance. This promises to be a fun, entertaining community outreach as well as a fundraiser. It would take place either in March or June. More details will be posted.

 

We are planning another rummage sale for May 30th. As you do your spring cleaning, keep in mind any gently used items you could donate. Household goods, kitchenware, jewelry, books, movies, music, etc., are always good sellers. Collection and sorting days will be announced. 

We are continuing our monthly cooking

Sonora UMC Birthdays and anniversaries 2026 (starred names are members)

Amelia

Campbell

2/13

Jamie

Campbell

2/15/94

Janice*

Samuels Johnson

2/21-

Everett

Lopez

2/29/16

Willie

Florence

2/23

 

 days for Beans and Rice and Jesus Christ on the second Saturday mornings. 

We may also host a tea fundraiser sometime in the early fall. This could include a bake sale as well. 

 

I received an email from Samaritan's Purse that shared the total worldwide collection number for the shoe box gift boxes. There were 12,205,900 gift boxes collected for Operation Christmas Child!

Our next meeting will be on Saturday, April 25th, at 11:30.

 

Blessings to all and Happy Valentine's Day! 

Karla Wasson 

 

Birthdays

2/13 Amelia Campbell

2/15 Jamie Campbell

2/21 Janice Samuels Johnson

2/29 Everett Lopez

2/23 Willie Florence

 

 

From Lorraine Vogt, Church Council Chair

 

          It has been a hectic January.  It is the end of one budget year and the beginning of another.

          We have a statistical report due in the middle of February that covers who attends the church, new members, the number of people who have died, finances, etc. It runs 12 pages.

 

          We have a slightly different Fund report due February 1st, that Lynn Whitlach, our Treasurer, and Roberta Clapham, our Finance Chairperson, are working on.  This is for another committee of the Greater Methodist church.

 

          Our Rental at 44 Norlin Ave, next to the church, has had major plumbing issues.  Billy Underwood, our Maintenance person, discovered that the gutters were in desperate need of cleaning and that the roof might need to be attended to immediately. It is hard to see the gutters 3 floors up.

 

          Winter’s Gutters and Chimneys cleaned out our church gutters. Kerr roofing is going to give us a bid for the flashing around the bell tower, which seems to be leaking, and for a new roof on the office/Sunday School part of the roof.  Thank you to Joshua Campbell, Pastor Kevin, and Trustee Chair Sally Bredehoeft, who have worked on this project.

         

          We have also spent time evaluating our technical equipment, as there is a possible grant for which we are applying.  Lynn Whitlach, Dan-Joe Lopez, Peggy Florence, the Pastor, and I have been writing the proposal. Our technology is way behind what would make it easier and faster to do all these reports, etc. It will also make the worship service easier for people to access. This is due January 30.

 

          A sincere thank you to all of you who supported the ministries of Sonora UMC last year with your donations. We hope that you will prayerfully consider continuing your support.  Please consider filling out and returning the pledge card included in the individual donation report we just mailed to you.

 

          We are joyous when, as a congregation, we can meet together, sing hymns, and listen to an inspiring sermon.  We thank God that we have issues that we need to attend to and that will make us grow in our God-given talents.  We are especially joyous to be able to work together to serve this congregation and community that we love.