The Willow WordA Publication of the Willow Glen United Methodist Church

God’s Family Growing Through Caring, Sharing and Serving

June 2015In This Issue:Pastor’s Page Page 2General Church News Page 3Children & Family Ministries Page 4Christian Education Page 5Women’s Page Page 6All Around Willow Glen Page 7Joint Youth Ministry Page 8

Staff Appreciation Potluck June 7By Luke RankinPlease join us in celebrating our outstanding staff with an appreciation potluck on Sun-day, June 7, following the joint 10:00 a.m. summer service. The event will be held on the Woodhaven patio, weather permitting. Please bring a potluck dish to share. There is no way we can adequately compensate our staff for all the heart and soul that they bring to their work, but we can still express our appreciation for them. If you have ever been grateful for what these people do for God and for you, please join us on that day to say “thanks.”

See complete list of church staff on Page 3

Summer Worship ScheduleJoint Worship at 10:00 a.m. in the SanctuarySummer is a great time to connect with your friends in the “other” service and experience worship as one church family. Newcomers are often looking for a church in the summer and we want them to see your shining face when they walk in the door, so make worship attendance a priority every week that you are in town this summer.

Financial NewsThank you to those who responded to the news of our pledge shortfall for 2015. We were able to identify about $11,000 in new giving. This was money that had not been pledged during our stewardship campaign last fall, so we have cut our deficit by about a third. Ingrid Quigley and Gwyne Grubb, with the help of the Nominations Committee, will be gathering a group of folks to work on improving our stewardship. Also, be looking for instructions on how to increase your giving with-out increasing your pledge, by using escrip, Amazon Smile and umcmarket, all of which will donate a small percentage of your purchases to Willow Glen UMC if you sign up.

Jesus Is Our Living Water. Use More Jesus, Less Water!

Sunday Worship8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship

9:45 – 10:00 a.m.Fellowship Time

10:00 – 10:45 a.m.Christian Education/Sunday School

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Traditional Service

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Fellowship Time

Church StaffRebecca IrelanSenior Pastor

Susan Smith Pastor of Children & Family Ministries

Lisa Jacobs Director of Joint Youth Ministries

Lorene SheridanDirector of Weekday Ark Ministries

Robert BirnstihlOrganist & Director of Music Ministries

Tom MountsDirector, the Willow Glen Ringers

Dee DavisOffice & Facilities Manager

Karen KwonWedding Coordinator

2 Pastor’s Page

Thankful for the Changesby Alison PraisewaterThough I write this article with excitement for the wonderful changes I’ve seen at this orphanage, I also write it with hesitation. I hesitate because I know all too well the harsh judgment that someone may cast over the orphanage staff that I have begun to call fam-ily. Please know that prior to our involvement, the staff here was doing the very best they could with the little education and resources they had.

Every single time now that a solution is found for a problem, there is nothing but praise from the staff here. They are so incredibly grateful that we have brought resources to solve so many of the health issues here. I have walked away from so many conversations hearing, “This has bothered me for a long time. I am so happy we have found a way to fix it.” These issues were not being ignored – they were simply unsolvable for so long.

DiagnosisOnce our Operations Team got established here on the ground last winter, it became easier to see the health issues facing the children; issues that are all too common in orphanages all across Haiti, where co-bedding and close living quarters are the norm. And when you have 53 children and one gets sick, it is never over fast.

Thanks to the wonders of technology, photos of our children were sent stateside to our passionate group of doctors who serve on our Medical Advisory Team. Photos of heads, bellies and rashes were carefully examined, and our medical team was successfully able to diagnose these issues. A variety of skin conditions were identified, the majority being ringworm on the scalp and scabies.

TreatmentThe team got to work on a treatment plan and in January, Dr. Karina Atwell, M.D., who is a member of the medical team, came out to help implement the start of the treatment. Because the condition had been going on for so long, and the ringworm so severe, we needed a stronger medication than the typical topical cream. An oral medication was tracked down both stateside and in Haiti, and through the help of a donor, we were able to afford treatment for all 38 of the children who were in need.

For four weeks, the children knew they would get to take their pill after the evening meal and place a sticker on the chart by their name. We were able to make the event fun and one for which the children needed no reminder! Four weeks later, the appearance of the children’s scalps was amazingly improved. They no longer itched constantly, and they were much happier with their hair cut short. They enjoyed showing off their clean and healthy heads. The photos speak for them-selves! They still use a preventative shampoo twice a week to combat dandruff and to keep the ringworm at bay.

Continued on Page 7

General Church News 3

Summer PledgesEven if you are gone, bills need to be paid, so be sure that you plan to keep cur-rent with your pledges this summer. Now is a good time to arrange to have your pledge paid automatically. Go to the church’s website at www.wgumc.org, look at the left sidebar on the homepage and click on “Give” to get instructions about online payments. If you have any questions, contact the church office.

Donate School Supplies for AHUMC’s Neighborhood Kids’ FairIn mid-August of each year, Almaden Hills UMC organizes and hosts a Kids’ Fair for their local neighbors. The Kids’ Fair provides an opportunity for the neighbor-hood to come together and provide an entertaining day for children. The church provides hot dogs and an assortment of beverages and treats to snack on. They also host a game and arts/crafts area, provide a jump house and treat the children to a bird show put on by “Happy Birds.” One highlight of the day is the distribution of free backpacks and school supplies to underprivileged children.

The Building Hope team is supporting the AHUMC Kids’ Fair this year by collect-ing donations of school supplies. Please bring the following supplies to the dona-tion box in the Wesley Room by June 28. Look for opportunities to help pack the backpacks and distribute them in August. Thank you!1) Wide rule and college rule notebook paper2) 50 sheet count spiral notebook3) #2 pencils4) 24 count crayons5) 12 count color pencils6) Glue sticks7) Blue or black pens8) Erasers9) Composition books

Good Samaritan UMC Reaches $25,000 Goal for Imagine No MalariaGood Samaritan UMC in Cupertino has reached their $25,000 goal for Imagine No Malaria. This was accomplished by numerous fundraisers, led by the youth kicking off the campaign with a Double Monopoly game which helped them receive a grant from the Young Peoples Ministries and Camping ministry of the California-Nevada Conference for their contribution of raising $7,000. During the fundraising process, the church learned about the disease of malaria itself, and they continue to pray for their brothers and sisters in sub-Saharan Africa.

Worship Schedule for JuneJune 7: Pastor Rebecca preaching on the Holy Trinity. Guest organist: Richard Urbanek.June 14: Pastor Rebecca will follow the story of King David and preach a series on the power of God. This week: “The Power of God and Our Problems.” Guest organist: Barbara Brustrom.June 21: Stan Praisewater preaching. Worship led by the Willow Glen Praise Band.June 28: Pastor Rebecca preaches on “The Power of God and Our Weakness.” Worship led by the Praise Band.July 5: Kathy Benedict preaching. Bob Birnstihl is back.

Staff Appreciationfrom Front Page

Church Staff Bob Birnstihl, Organist and Director of Music MinistriesJohn Brewer, Praise Band DirectorJeanette Connolly, Bootcamp Child-careDee Davis, Office & Facilities Manager Tim Fisk, Childcare Akemi Hildebrand, Childcare Lisa Jacobs, Joint Youth Ministries Director, Fitness Director Katrina Kraynick, Assistant Youth Ministries Director, Bootcamp Childcare Karen Kwon, Wedding Coordinator Christine Lovejoy, Praise Band Drummer Tom Mounts, Director, Willow Glen Ringers Linda Russo, Bookkeeper Cayla Whitney, Bootcamp Childcare

Preschool Staff Lina Aguilar, Pre-Kindergarten & Preschool TeacherMarisa Arena, Preschool TeacherSharie Bilchak, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Christine Fall, Teacher Aide, SubstituteRosemary Gibbons, Assistant Director Ebone Holmes, Substitute Traci Kilis, Preschool Teacher Nina Paganetti, Preschool Teacher Michelle Partsch, Preschool Teacher Lorene Sheridan, DirectorTiffany Sheridan, Preschool Teacher Yen Que Tran, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

4 Children & Family Ministries

Many Thanks to Our Faithful Children’s Ministry Volunteers!Each week, I write to parents and find myself reminding them how important the lessons we learn in Sunday School are to their children’s faith develop-ment. Each week, I am reminded too just how important it is for our children to have loving adults who support and encourage their growth in Sunday School and our other children’s min-istries. We have fabulous volunteers who give their hearts and faith to our kids week after week, and continue to care for them for years to come. Take some time to say thank you to these special people who work with Sunday School, Children’s Chapel, LightShine and CrossWalk. Their love for our kids is priceless.

Jed BurkeyLaura BurnettMax ChamberlainSam ChamberlainJanissa DayritGabbie FallErica GanzGillian GrubbTeresa KossayianBecky MorganMichelle PartschKatie PenseKristen PolanowskiDrew RobertsSteve QuigleyCarolyn SchwartzRandy SchwartzMichelle Unger

Moses’ Wilderness EscapeVacation Bible School 2015June 22-26We’re creating a desert wilderness and Israelite camp for Vacation Bible School and we need your help making it fantastic!

We are looking for the following items to help us set the scene for our wilder-ness wanderings. Please take a look at the list below and let us know if you have anything we may be able to use. Contact Pastor Susan (susan@wgumc.org) with any questions. Things we’d love to borrow or have donated... • Large baskets (wicker, laundry-size)• Woven blankets• Hammocks• Fake Mediterranean plants• Rolls of fabric (solids & woven)• Thick yarn• Ribbon remnants• Large desert-dwelling stuffed animals• Inflatable palm trees

Please mark all items with your name and bring to the church office. Items will be returned in early July. Thank you!

Help Us Turn Our Campus into a Desert Wilderness Experience!

Painting and Building WorkdaySaturday, June 139 a.m. behind Woodhaven

VBS Set-up and Sanctuary DecorationSunday, June 21 12 noon-4p.m.

Mission & Service 5

Women’s Gathering PlaceWhere a woman without a home can find the support of other women, connect to vital services, and find respite, spiritual renewal, and joy when there is nowhere else to go but the street. Part of the mission of the Women’s Gathering Place is to provide an environment where homeless women can build trust-ing relationships with other women through empowerment programs that draw on members of the surrounding community. Pat Farrow found out about WGP and is offering an opportunity for the women of WGUMC to volunteer in some of the following ways: • Knit or crochet/lead crafts projects• Bake/cook with the women• Bring your music, entertainment• Teach self-help and life skills• Play cards/games• Lead exercise/Yoga/dance• Lead set up/close down• Provide a hearty meal for our (15-17) ladies There are also ongoing needs for toiletries, feminine hygiene products/Depends, new underwear (all sizes) and socks as well as lunch supplies (heavy duty plates, hot cups, sturdy forks/spoons, napkins). The Women’s Gathering Place is located at 29 North Fourth Street in downtown San Jose. A group from Willow Glen church has committed to participating on Monday, June 29 from noon to 4 p.m. Pat is hoping to form other groups to par-ticipate each month on a rotating basis. If you see a skill you could share, or just want to join with the women to share a meal and provide support, please contact Pat Farrow pattricia.farrow@gmail.com.

Building Hope in MexicoSupport our Mission Trip, July 25-August 1This summer, a mission team from Willow Glen, Cambrian Park, Almaden Hills, New Creation and Sunnyhills UMCs will be traveling to Mexico to build houses for working-class families near Tijuana. While the practical mission of the trip is to build a house, perhaps the more important mission is to build community with one another and with our neighbors in Mexico. Throughout the week, we will hammer and saw, mix cement, stucco walls, and lay tarpaper. We will frame walls, lay a foundation, and install doors and windows. Amongst it all, we will be sharing stories and activity with a family of new friends and their neighbors. We will be playing soccer in the streets, jumping rope and making crafts with the children. We will come home with new friends and a new understanding of how connected we are as people of God.

As we turn the keys over to the homeowners and dedicate their new home, we would also like to give them some gifts to warm their new home. During the month of June, we will have gift ideas displayed in the Wesley Room. Please sign up to bring a housewarming gift for our Mexican neighbors, donate supplies for our children’s activities on the trip, or help with gas expenses on our trip. All gifts and donations should be brought by June 28. Thank you for sending love and hope to Mexico with your mission team.

Women’s GroupsOpen to all, newcomers are welcome. Please call the contact listed below for information.

Heart and HandFirst Thursday7:00 p.m., WoodhavenSusan Smith

Friendship CircleThird Wednesday at WoodhavenSee bulletin for timeSue Johnson

UMW Executive Board will meet Monday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the Wesley Room. UMW is open to all women regardless of church membership.

For more information about UMW, call Patricia Madsen.

The deadline for the July/August Willow Word is June 25. Please send your

story ideas and sub-missions to

Leslie Chamberlain

6 Women’s Page

What Is Mission U? by Ruth GranforsIf you've walked past the bulletin board in the hall of Willow Glen UMC and noticed the UMW display, you will find applications to attend a weekend study at UC Davis August 7-9. Mission U is the newest name for the event, but some folks may recall it was called School of Chris-tian Mission, then later Mission Education. It used to be held at Santa Nella, California. No matter what you call it, there are still three areas of study. At-tendees purchase study books in advance and the Conference provides trained teachers who are knowledgeable about the subjects.

This year, the three areas are:1) Spiritual Growth - Created for Happiness2) Geographical study - Latin America3) Social Issues - The Church and People with Disabilities

In addition to the coursework, the ladies, gentlemen and youth partake in crafts, singing and fellowship. On Saturday night a talent show is held, featuring many of the local talents. So if you have a reading, can sing, play a musi-cal instrument, tell some jokes, or just love to ham it up, bring it with you to the event. The Davis event will also offer classes for people who speak Korean as their first language.

Registration papers with more information are on the bulletin board. The deadline for reg-istration is June 3. A shortened version of two of the studies will be offered in Spanish and English in Salinas on August 29. Be sure to register before August 12 if you plan to attend the Salinas Mission U. The cost is $40.

This year, Sparks, Nevada, is trying a new offering at Sparks UMC. Beginning on Friday July 31, at 4 p.m., they will present the same areas of study. You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations as the program continues on August 1. The cost of the course is $50. Great Northern District is in charge of this event. The deadline to register is July 15.

Scholarships are available from the District and Willow Glen UMW can help cover the cost of child/adult care if needed. Contact Patricia Madsen Pastor Susan or Pastor Rebecca.

All Around Willow Glen 7

From Pastor Rebecca Shortly after I notified you that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer, I had surgery and there was good news: they were able to remove the lump and the lymph nodes they tested showed no sign of cancer. I am healing well and have had very little discomfort. I hiked slowly for about four miles just three days after the surgery. One week later, I was able to jog carefully through the redwoods in Santa Cruz. While there, I had a most amaz-ing experience of the grace of God and felt an indescribable joy in knowing that everything is in God and God is everything I need.

I will try to hold onto that feeling in the weeks and months to come, because I will be undergoing a long and difficult course of treatment. I am still young, and I have a type of cancer that is more aggressive, so they are going to treat it aggressively. Starting on June 15, I will be having six rounds of chemotherapy, spaced three weeks apart. That will be followed by six weeks of radiation, and I hope to be finished in time to get some Christmas shopping done. But even then I won’t be done. I will continue to have infusions of one drug every three weeks for an entire year to lower the chance of recurrence. At some point, they will start me on hormone-blocking therapy as well.

While this doesn’t sound like much fun at all, I trust that God will give me the strength to endure it. Not only that, but I made a decision while jogging through the redwood trees last week. I am going to trust God to bring something good out of this cancer, no matter what happens, not only for me but for others as well. Paul says in Romans [8:28] “all things work together for good for those who love God,” and I believe that.

I am already seeing good things come out of this health crisis. Because so many of you signed up in the Wesley Room to help, we now have the beginnings of a stewardship committee and worship task force and lay people to preach when I’m not able. We will be setting up a website soon to keep you up-to-date on what’s going on and let you know more ways you can help.

As I have to step back to take care of my health, I am confident that the Spirit will empower you to step forward, and we will all grow in grace. With or without cancer, our lives are in God, and the best medicine I will get this summer is seeing God living in you.

Grace and peace,Rebecca

Our SympathyWe offer our sympathy to their families in the deaths of long-time members Opal Lewis and Virginia Knight, and to Leslie Fisk in the death of her father, Frank Bogard.

Thankful for the ChangesContinued from Page 2PreventionWe felt it was important to do more than just treat the illness. Preventing any reoccurence was even more important. After listening to the advice and recommendations from the Medical Advisory Team, the Operations Team here on the ground had our work cut out for us.

For a typical American, some of the following conditions may seem unbelievable. But just as I stated up front, when you imagine life in Haiti, I encourage you to try to think outside of what you consider comfortable and “normal”. We needed to attack the problems where they truly lay: in the beds! Children were sleeping in bed bug ridden mattresses in the clothes they had played in all day and in sheets that were rarely washed. Many of the younger boys sheets that were peed in nightly, were simply hung out in the sun to dry without being laundered.

Continued on Back Page

Willow Glen United Methodist Church1420 Newport Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125408-294-9796wgumc.org

Thankful for the ChangesContinued from Page 7ImprovementOur Operations Team, along with many Fond Blanc supporters, got right to work with Fre Theo at solving each of these problems. Volunteers washed and sanitized every sheet and piece of clothing we have in the new washing machine donated by one of our supporting churches. Sure Foundations for Haiti purchased new mattresses for every single bed in the orphanage. Next Step Ministries donated bedbug-proof covers for all pillows and mattresses, and a wonderful Board Member also donated plastic mattress covers for the little ones who still wet their beds.

When we asked for a few new sets of sheets, we received dozens! We couldn’t believe how generously our supporters responded to this crisis. Now every bed has not just one new set of sheets but TWO! And a church partner in Madison donated a new pair of pajamas for every child. No more sleeping in the clothes the kids had worn all day. Now the children get to change into clean pajamas every night! With their new clean beds and clothes, the children adopted a new attitude. They are proud of their rooms, their beds, and yep, even their new pajamas! The squeals of joy from the girls when they saw their nightgowns are one thing I will never forget!

We also realized that we needed to get the clothes out of the bedrooms. Clean clothes were getting mixed with dirty clothes and they covered the floor and the beds, and were stuffed in the corners of the rooms. New closets were built by some Next Step friends and the clothes were neatly folded and arranged by child. At first, the children couldn’t quite be-lieve how much clothing they owned until they finally saw them all organized in one place. The clothes are cleaner, nicer and much more accessible now! And the rooms are free from clutter, bugs, and those ungodly smells.

Last and certainly not least was the addition of underwear! Not a single boy in this orphanage owned underwear. Packs and packs of underwear were donated and every child received five new pairs. They were taught why it’s important to wear underwear and when to change your underwear (EVERY DAY)! I’ve never seen boys and girls more excited about receiving underwear. Superman, Transformer and Frozen-themed underwear has never been more appreciated!

ThankfulWe are so thankful for all the changes we’ve been able to make because of your support. Fre Theo is most thankful of all as he is able to rest easy knowing the children are cleaner, happier and will stay this way longer. It’s amazing to think about the small things that we take for granted and how they can make such a huge difference in someone’s life. The changes certainly didn’t happen easily. It has been a slow process and, remember, we were only given our first real authority to do anything in the orphanage in January, so we were still figuring out our own role when the health crises first came to our attention.

Here in Haiti there is no Target that we can just stop by and pick up a pair of underwear. It took a few months to gather donations and supplies and to get them out here to Haiti. But this has been a challenge that we are so incredibly grateful for. We cannot thank God enough for providing everything we need – including every single donor, like you! Thank you!