11 minute read
Southern California Conference
El Monte Vietnamese church has maintained a large presence in its community by opening its doors seven days a week between Sabbath services and by hosting the Vietnamese Adventist Heritage School, which provides tutoring for students Monday through Friday and a language school on Sunday. Although these services are not available in person during the pandemic, the congregation remains accessible to their community and continues to be a safe haven for those in the surrounding neighborhood who are facing financial difficulties at this time.
The church has set aside a monthly budget to help 200 families with food. They have also partnered with a local bakery that provides 100 free baguettes each week and with local grocery stores that give discounts on rice and noodles.
Pastor Vinh Nguyen and his team of volunteers reached out to families
PHOTOS: VINH NGUYEN
By Araya Moss
from their after-school program. Volunteers purchase rice, seaweed, bread, and ramen noodles to distribute every two weeks. In some cases, they have even helped families with rent payments. “We look for families of single-parent households to deliver food to,” said Nguyen. “We know the children; we know which families have parents who have lost their jobs.”
Nguyen has received positive feedback from this outreach, noting that one mother was particularly grateful for the El Monte Vietnamese church because no one else sought
Nguyen shares a message on Facebook Live.
to donate food or money for rent as they had.
In addition to this outreach, the church has learned how to reach new people and remain connected with active and non-active members, using a tool that wasn’t previously utilized as thoroughly as it is now: online evangelism. Livestream worship services in Vietnamese and English are hosted on Facebook Live. Members who don’t use computers can call in and listen to these Sabbath services. Additionally, Nguyen connects with members through Zoom Bible study groups and 5-minute recorded devotionals.
Throughout this experience, Nguyen has realized how important it is to educate, train, and motivate people for different methods of online evangelism. “I constantly seek God for direction in how to reach people through social media,” said Nguyen. “More people are on social media than ever before. I need to learn what the needs of the people are so that I can reach them.”
“Evangelism still continues,” added Nguyen, “but in a different way.”
(Far left) The Nguyen family gets together for song service for an online worship service. (Left) Nguyen and his team identify families in need by asking if they know anyone else who needs help in their neighborhood.
Women’s Ministry Gathers for a Social-Distancing Fellowship Tea
By Kris Stevenson with Araya Moss
Unusual times produce unusual adaptations. Instead of mourning the cancellation of their traditional spring fellowship tea, Santa Clarita church’s women’s ministry group had the bright idea to host a social-distancing version.
“I was grieving the loss of the tea when I realized we could do it in a new way,” said Kris Stevenson, Women’s Ministry co-leader. “Even though we’re in quarantine, we need something to look forward to and a way to connect with each other.”
For more than a decade, the fellowship tea has attracted 60 to 100 ladies a year who have enjoyed the special festivities. Each tea features fancy tea attire (including a hat), fabulous home-baked treats and specialty teas, and a devotional by a guest speaker.
This year’s tea, held April 26, included all of these things, but it was packaged in a new way. The 18 guests met on Zoom, each one dressed in their tea attire, including the hat, although many omitted the high heels. Every lady was responsible for her own tea cuisine and place setting.
“It was great to see ladies enjoying fellowship with one another with elegant place settings, afternoon treats served for one, and fancy attire—even if we couldn’t enjoy each other’s company in person,” remarked Naomi Smith, Santa Clarita church member.
After a welcome and introductions, there was a quiz about tea, with a prize for the lady who got the most correct answers. Each guest was responsible for their own set up, which allowed them to showcase their place settings and share the history of the items that they had displayed. Some of these items included a traditional Japanese tea service, a samovar, and china that came from China before World War II. Many items had been carefully collected over the years from thrift stores and yard sales. There were prizes for the best attire and the best place setting. Guest speaker Sherrell Lewis finished the event with a devotional, encouraging everyone to continue to trust God during these difficult times.
The exciting thing about a virtual tea is figuring out ways to incorporate both familiar and newer elements of the gathering. Typically, the planning process for the tea is labor-intensive
Santa Clarita church spring tea in 2019.
and requires different people to shop, bake, advertise, decorate, set up, clean up, etc. This time, planning involved only advertising and arranging for gifts and prizes, which were dropped off at homes afterward. One bonus was that guests from far away were also able to attend. One presenter from Northern California shared her beautiful watercolor paintings with the group.
“The virtual tea provided an opportunity for ladies to be creative in their own homes,” said Nelly Castellanos, Santa Clarita church member. “Some even prepared new food ideas for our next tea. We didn’t let COVID-19 take away the joy and fellowship that our tea provides.”
This spring, Women’s Ministry co-leaders Stevenson and Karen Walsh decided to host the annual fellowship tea virtually.
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CALENDAR
Central California Conference
Stay Connected: Engage with the various ministries throughout the Central California Conference by going to CentralCaliforniaAdventist. com or as listed below.
ABC Christian Books and
Health Foods can be found on their website clovisabc. com, Facebook at ABC Christian Books & Health Foods, or on Instagram @abcbooksandhealthfoood.
Children’s Ministries offers podcasts and countless other resources on Facebook at ChildMin.Info and online at https://www.childminchat.com/.
GLOW Literature Ministries
can be found on their website glowonline.org, Facebook at GLOW – Giving Light to Our World, or on Instagram @glowtracts.
Health Ministries can be found on Facebook at CCC Health Ministries or on Instagram @ccchealthministries.
Hispanic Ministries can be found on Facebook at CCC Hispanic Ministries or on Instagram @ccchispanicministries.
Life Hope Centers can be found on their website lifehopecenterscentral.com, Facebook at CCC Life Hope Centers, or on Instagram @ lifehopecenterscentral.
Prayer Ministries can be found on Facebook at CCC Prayer Ministries or on Instagram @ cccsdaprayerministry. There are a few weeks left of the 100 days of prayer; join us today.
Young Adult Ministries can be found on Facebook at CCC Young Adult Department or Instagram @cccyoungadults_.
Youth Ministries can be found on Facebook at Youth Evangelism Department or Instagram @ youthevangelismdepartment.
La Sierra University La Sierra celebrates
graduates. La Sierra University will honor its 2020 graduating class with an on-campus drivethrough celebration on June 21 and with a commencement ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 13. These events will have limited participation and involve health and safety measures due to the ongoing pandemic. The university is providing details to the senior class.
Summer classes. La Sierra University summer session is open for registration. Classes begin June 22. To find classes and register, visit https:// lasierra.edu/summer-program/ summer-courses/.
2020 Fall Quarter. Instruction for La Sierra University's Fall Quarter begins Sept. 21. For information about admissions and 120+ bachelor and graduate degree programs, visit https://lasierra.edu.
Learn about
#LaSierraTogether. La Sierra University has been gathering together online through stories of students' experiences, videos, games, and activities. Visit https://lasierra.edu/ together/ and join the fun. For up-to-date information on the campus's operational responses to the pandemic, visit https:// lasierra.edu/covid-19/.
Northern California Conference
Get the news: Engage with the Northern California Conference by subscribing to the NCC’s weekly emailed news source, “Northern Lights.” Sign up: nccsda.com.
Hispanic Ministries: Don’t miss these programs in Spanish, June 4-13, from 7-8 p.m. “10 Dias en el Aposento Alto” and “Clamando Por El Espíritu Santo.” Info: Hispanic Ministries, Coordinator Roman Leal, roman.leal@nccsda.com.
Prayer Ministries: Join the NCC Prayer Line every Thursday morning from 7-8 a.m. The hour includes a short devotional and the opportunity to pray with people from around the conference. Call: 916-637-8111, use code 669648#.
Youth Ministries: Join the online NCC Youth Group, hosted by Youth Director Eddie Heinrich and NCC youth pastors, every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Info: eddie.heinrich@ nccsda.com.
CLASSIFIED
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California Adventist Federal
Credit Union, your "One Stop Finance Shop." Serving our Adventist Community for over 65 years with financial products and services, along with wealth building education. Please visit our website at www.SdacreditUnion.com for updates on all that CAFCU has to offer. Call our office and speak to our friendly staff or manager for additional information: 818-246-7241.
SDA Immigration Attorney. We handle family and employmentbased immigration cases for clients throughout the United States and around the globe. We also provide free immigration law seminars for churches and other groups. Please contact Jason Mustard at 831-249-9330 or Jason@surowitz.com.
SDA Realtor: Let us help you sell your property or buy the ideal home here in gorgeous northern California. Rural properties abound. Perfect for families and retirees. Jerry Kea, Realtor, 707- 888-9613, email: thomaskea.tk@gmail. com, CA BRE Lic#02080864, TREG INC, dba The Real Estate Group.
TN/GA Realtor. Specializing in buying or selling affordable homes in the Collegedale, Chattanooga, North Georgia or surrounding areas. Howard Karst, Realty Specialists of Ooltewah, is your best partner for experienced professional service. 301-332-8471 or tsrak@msn.com.
For Sale
Adventist Books: Looking for new Adventist titles to encourage and grow your daily walk? Visit us at www. TEACHServices.com. For used Adventist books, visit www. LNFBooks.com. Authors: If you’re interested in having your book published, call 800-367- 1844 for a free evaluation.
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home, 2.5 acres, fruit trees, gardens, large attached carport, in-ground pool, large storage building, 2,000 sq. ft. metal shop, 16 ft. tall RV carport, additional 6 carports, children’s playground, 40 ft. trailer (for grand mom, guests, or renter). House has 2 master BDRMs; 4 BDRMS, 3 baths; an 18x20 ft. office (or extra bedroom), walk-in pantry, and more. Only $650,000. Call Curt, 559-273-8271.
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AT REST
Barron, Norman Earl – b. March 26, 1948, Clinton, Iowa; d. Feb. 6, 2020, Auburn, Calif. Survivors: wife, Susan; daughter, Sarah Shenefield; three grandchildren.
Benton, Marna Jean (Hooper)
– b. Aug. 31, 1954, Scotia, Calif.; d. March 28, 2020, Etna, Calif. Survivors: husband, George; daughters, Susan, Sharon; mother, Lila Hooper; father, Omer Hooper.
Botnik, Iris Eloise – b. Feb. 2, 1927, Wayne, W.V.; d. April 1, 2020, Burbank, Calif. Survivors: sons, Bernie, Sam; daughters, Lisa Rosenbloom, Susan; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one great greatgrandchild.
Bryan, G. Edward – b. Jan. 5, 1934, Duluth, Minn.; d. Mar. 2, 2020, San Marcos, Calif. Survivors: wife, Karen Curtis; three
