CottonwoodCourier August2021 - Messages for a Church in Transition
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Cottonwood Courier August 2021
Messages for a Church in Transition
“In Christ Together for the World” = Our Purpose
Tom’s Corner:
Dear members and friends here at Cottonwood,
As I said in my letter that I recently sent you, it has been a privilege and blessing
to serve you as your interim pastor for the past two years, and as always, the
two things that we can always depend on in this life are God’s unconditional love
for us and change. That being said, the time has come for me to make that
change or transition from active full-time ministry to retirement.
It goes without saying this has been one of my most challenging and unusual
interims in my entire career. When Covid hit I didn’t have a clue as to what to
expect or even do for that matter? I fumbled along with everyone else trying to
figure out how to do church differently and make it work. By God’s grace and with your help we’ve
made it together. I believe God has sustained us thus far, and will guide this church into a brighter
future in the coming days, weeks, and months. I know there have been a few bumps along the
way, as there always are in each of the interim calls that I’ve served in. In fact, each of the 10
churches I have served in over the past 25 years have all been different, challenging, and trying
at times for parishioners and for me. Nonetheless, God has been the glue that has held them
together so that they can continue to share the love of God in Jesus Christ for all humanity and
creation.
At this point we all need to be praying daily for the PNC and the hard work they have been doing
for well over a year now. I know God knows the right person who is already selected to be your
next called pastor. Try to be patient until the Spirit leads the PNC and ‘you’ to call him or her here
to Cottonwood.
My prayers and thoughts go with you as we both will be moving in new directions in this journey
called ‘life’ in God’s good creation.
God’s grace, mercy, and blessings always be with you,
In Christ’s Service,
Rev. Tom Holslag - Interim Pastor (PCUSA)
Join us for Pastor Tom’s Final Sermon
On August 8th at 10:00am Pastor Tom Holslag will be preaching his last sermon before heading
into a well-deserved retirement.
The Session and Congregation are grateful for his over 25 years of ministry and the two years he
has given us as interim Pastor and we wish him well as he steps forward into his next journey. As
a retirement gift, Session and the people of Cottonwood are allowing Pastor Tom to commence his
retirement early on August 9th with full salary in accordance with his notification letter.
Please join us in the garden after the Sermon for some light refreshments and a chance to say
goodbye!
Page | 1
Pastor Nominating Committee
Let's be honest, the PNC updates are hard. Because the process is designed to be highly
confidential, there aren't a lot of specifics that can be shared. So much can change so quickly in
the life of candidates, as we've already experienced.
Rest assured that the PNC is still hard at work, following God's call and listening for the Spirit's
guidance. We are reviewing new candidates, as well as conducting Zoom interviews with more
serious prospective pastors. This process takes patience and prayer (a lot of both), while we search
for who will be the next pastor, with the gifts to serve Cottonwood today, and into the future.
We are very encouraged, knowing that he/she is out there and God will lead us to one another
in his perfect timing. We feel God at work among us. Thank you so much for your patience and
fervent prayers.
Session
Submitted by Jody Good, Clerk of Session
• Session met on Thursday, July 15, 2021.
• Elder Rick Urbom opened with prayer and gave a devotional at 7:00 a.m.
• Meeting was held in the Fellowship Hall.
• Elders in attendance: Jody Good – Clerk, Ron Hunter, Nadine McAlister, Kristin McElwain,
Steve Sands, Rick Urbom, Mark Zaba. Rev. Tom Holslag moderated.
• Minutes were approved from the June 3, 2021 & June 27, 2021 Session Meeting.
• Reports from church committees were received.
• We approved the use of the building for non-profit community use.
• Plans and options were discussed in regards to opening of church nursery.
• We discussed the dire need for volunteer Ushers and Tellers. If any member is interested
in helping, please contact the church office.
• Outdoor Worship Service and packaged Communion Elements were discussed.
• Rev. Holslag submitted his letter of resignation.
• The Treasurer’s Report was presented:
MONTHLY FINANCIALS
June 2021
Income Month of June Year to Date
Actual $20,469.01 $126,096.14
Budget $16,744.04 $200,926.94
Expenses
Actual $25,361.50 $156,779.42
Budget $28,377.34 $340,528.10
Net (Income minus expenses)
Actual -$ 4,892.49 -$ 30,683.28
• Please continue to financially support the church. We look forward to increased giving.
• The next Stated Session meeting will be held on August 19, 2021.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Page | 2
Sunday Worship
AUGUST WORSHIP SCHEDULE: There will be one worship service each Sunday at 10 a.m.
• Worship Services will be held in the sanctuary on August 1, 8, 22 & 29. If you are unable
to attend in person, worship services on these 4 Sundays will be live-streamed on YouTube.
• On August 15 (third Sunday of the month), worship service will be held in the area
surrounding the SOUL Garden.
• We will celebrate the sacrament of communion a week later than usual on
Sunday, August 8 during 10 a.m. worship in the sanctuary.
Mission and Outreach
Operation Hydration – Rescue Mission of Salt Lake
“As I write this, many parts of Utah have seen day after day of record-breaking temperatures. At
the Mission, we call it Triple Digit Danger (extremely high temperatures), which are creating life-
threatening situations for our homeless friends.
“And as we all bake this summer; many people have asked me about how Utah’s record heat is
impacting the homeless community and what the Rescue Mission is doing to help. One thing I
want everyone to know is that the need is real. It is humbling to see men and women crawl under
parked cars downtown to find some shade. It’s humbling to talk with people whose lips are
blistered and peeling as they express their appreciation for a bottle of cold water. “
The above was written by Chris Croswhite, Executive Director of the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake,
in their July 2021 “Rescuer” newsletter. Cottonwood Presbyterian Church has an opportunity to
assist in efforts to protect those experiencing homelessness, by donating the following for the
Rescue Mission’s “Operation Hydration”:
• Bottled water
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm with SPF (sun protection factor)
• Wide-brimmed hats
The Mission Committee donated 45 cases (1800 bottles) of bottled water to the Rescue Mission in
July as part of Cottonwood’s support of Operation Hydration. The donations collection table is
located in the west hallway near the Crossroads Food Pantry donation carts, with donations
accepted through August.
Page | 3
THE GOLDEN CELERY COMPETITION
2021 Golden Celery Completion
Thank you to everyone who helped with the bagging of rice for the Golden Celery Competition.
1763.1 = total lbs. for the week of July 18th (1,368.1 lbs. of bagged rice and 395 lbs. of food
from the shopping carts).
Our final food donation to Golden Celery was 197.5 pounds giving us a total for July of 2499.3
pounds.
Deacon Digest
The human race is constantly on a quest for wisdom. This explanation of wisdom comes from the
Introduction to Proverbs in "The Message" by Eugene H. Peterson.
"Wisdom" is the biblical term for this on-earth-as-it-is-in-heaven everyday living. Wisdom is the
art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves. Wisdom has to do with
becoming skillful in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our money and
conducting our sexual lives, going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating
friends kindly, eating and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions within ourselves and attitudes
toward others that make for peace. In matters of everyday practicality, nothing, absolutely nothing
takes precedence over God."
Thelma Wells in The Women of Faith Daily Devotional identifies wisdom from James 3:13,17.
"Show wisdom by your good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from
wisdom. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,
considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
Susan Middleton, Deacon
Small Groups
Adult Small Group Study
Mondays at 7 p.m.
Most meetings are via Zoom, with occasional in-person outdoor gatherings.
The group is studying Brian McLauren’s
“Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It.”
Questions? Please contact Sue Martin.
Page | 4
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Knowing someone is praying for you is so powerful.
Please consider joining the small group who meets on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the
Pergola for forty-five minutes of quiet meditation and prayer.
Cottonwood Women
Prayer Shawl Group
Monday, August 2, 1:00 p.m. in Room 1
Do you know how to knit or crochet or do you want to learn how? Come and share your time and
talent and make prayer shawls for CPC and for hospice patients. Yarn can be provided. Contact
Barbara White with questions.
Presbyterian Women
Mark Your Calendar & Join August 5 and September 17-18
This is your opportunity to participate in a PW Churchwide Gathering without
traveling, managing luggage, or being away from home.
The Churchwide Gathering is ONLINE, Thursday, August 5, 2 - 4 p.m. MDT
The Online Churchwide Gathering Event will be held on Zoom and
also livestreamed on Presbyterian Women’s Facebook page. Zoom’s
capacity is limited, but the livestream on Facebook is open to all.
Go to PW’s Facebook page.
The online event will include plenary and worship. During plenary,
Irene Pak Lee—associate pastor at Stone Church in Willow Glen,
California—will offer a keynote.
You’ll also hear from PW/Horizons Bible study authors, present and
future!
• Merryl Blair, author of What My Grandmothers Taught Me:
Learning from the Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of
Jesus (2021–2022 study)
• Carol Bechtel, author of Celebrating Sabbath: Accepting God’s
Gift of Rest and Delight (2022–23 study)
• Olive Mahabir, author of Sacred Encounters:
The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of
Luke (2023–2024)
You’ll hear about programs and resources that Presbyterian Women cherish, and see messages of
hope and thanks from individual Presbyterian Women, PW groups and PW’s ministry partners.
During worship, Rev. Diane Moffet will preach and Austin College will provide music. Communion
will be celebrated as we Rejoice in Hope, newly confident in God’s promise to guide and support
us, and our PW community that strengthens us.
PWP of Utah Fall Gathering – September 17 – 18
IN Person at Wasatch PC
Watch for details in the September Courier
Page | 5
SAVE THE DATE
Women’s Bible Study
CIRCLE 4 will start meeting again in this fall!
Tuesday, September 21st at 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Pastor Jeff Silliman will be leading us through the Horizons Bible Study Guide –
“What My Grandmothers Taught Me”.
Study guides will be available in September. If you would like to join the group,
please contact Gloria Faris or the church office.
Cottonwood Men
MEN’S GOLF meets every Tuesday (weather permitting)
Mick Riley Golf Course, 421 E. Vine St., Murray
Please be at the golf course by 2:30 p.m.
No reservations necessary!
Just show up for a fun time of golf and fellowship.
Questions? Contact Jack Van Klaveren.
Life at Cottonwood
WELCOME TO COTTONWOOD
New Member ~ Shayna Harlow
Home is where I hang my hat. I have lived in 8-10 different states as an adult for work. This is
my second time in Utah. Because I wasn’t raised in the church, I have attended a variety of
denominations throughout my travels across the country.
My professional career started in Kansas City MO where I was a police officer. I left to pursue my
degree in engineering and have been working in various engineering disciplines for the last 20ish
years. I currently work for a robotics company as well as have a website where I make and sell
handmade dog collars and occasionally other items-too many hobbies to count!
I live with my 2 dogs, Sgt. Friday and Natty, in Herriman.
Page | 6
Surprise Visit from Stephanie and Roland
Stephanie Melton and Roland Baez’, our Whitworth University summer interns from 2018, made a
visit to Cottonwood. They interacted with the kids during the rice bagging service project on July
18th, and then with the youth on Monday night, July 19th at the youth hang-out. They got ice-
cream and then went to Murray Park to play games & catch up. They enjoyed lunches and dinners
with some of our members and stayed with Randy and Dorothy Urbom at their home. It was such
a gift to Cottonwood when Roland and Stephanie spent the summer of 2018 and then again when
they came for a visit in July 2021. They promised they would visit again next summer.
Baptism in the Garden
Victoria and Samuel Greeff were baptized
during our July Outdoor Worship Service
in the beautiful setting of our SOUL
Garden.
With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome
them into Christ's church; for we are all
one in Christ. We promise to love,
encourage and support them, to share
the good news of the gospel, and to help
them know and follow Christ.
Page | 7Stella and Peter are Back from Young Life Camp!
Frontier Ranch is in Buena Vista, Colorado nestled into the foothill of mount Princeton.
Young Life camp was an amazing experience for Cottonwood youth, Stella Hegngi and Peter
Onuoha. There was always something going on, moving from one activity to the next. But not only
was there a multitude of activities but the staff had a genuine desire to get to know kids on a
deeper level. Stella and Peter are thankful for the experience to view their relationship with God
and see where it is taking them. Thank you to Cottonwood for supporting our youth in this
meaningful endeavor.
Announcements & Messages
A NOTE FROM COTTONWOOD’S FINANCE COMMITTEE
Thank you to our loving and caring congregation for your financial support.
Summertime gets busy for all of us and sometimes it is easy to forget to continue
your financial support to Cottonwood. If you are behind on your pledge, it would
be a great gift to Cottonwood to catch up on your giving.
TELLERS NEEDED: Tellers are needed to count the Sunday offering after worship
services. If you are available one Sunday each month to help out, please contact
Nadine McAlister or the church office.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: 2nd quarter giving statements are available upon
request. Contact Desta Aure or the church office.
Page | 8A MESSAGE FROM BUILDING AND GROUNDS
The Building & Grounds Committee would like to remind everyone that the church
does NOT need any of your used furniture, rakes, file cabinets, etc.
Our church is NOT a dumping ground for your used “stuff”. Unless you have
permission from our committee, please take your unwanted items to Goodwill,
Savers, Deseret Industries, or other charitable organizations.
Thank you. If you have any questions, please contact Rick Urbom, Elder, Building &
Grounds, 801-560-4152.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We are looking for additional volunteers for Time with the
Children on Sunday mornings during worship. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your
life experiences and spiritual understanding with the Kids of Cottonwood. It would amount to
about 4-6 times a year that you would be called upon to help out. If you would like to help in this
capacity, please contact Diane Golladay or the church office.
CALLING ALL MUSIC-LOVERS! We would love to have more singers and ringers, and you’re
all invited to join us! You do not have to be able to read music to join either group.
We will start rehearsals again in September at a new time
• Bells will rehearse on Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45pm.
• Choir will also rehearse on Wednesdays, starting at 6:00pm.
Questions? Contact Kathy Fisher at coolcanadianeh@yahoo.com Come join in the fun!
Aug 1 Lee Ann Barton Aug 17 Karen Jurgens
Aug 2 Gloria Faris Aug 19 Stella Hegngi
Aug 5 Doug Kirmer Aug 20 Jaden Calkins
Aug 6 Judy Sweitzer Aug 21 Ron Owsley
Aug 7 Vicki Kuhn Aug 21 Dalyn Thomas
Aug 7 Braxton Hawkes Aug 22 Nancy Kuhn
Aug 8 Lee Flynn Aug 22 Kristin McElwain
Aug 9 Tom Barton Aug 23 Colleen Alter
Aug 9 Pamela Johnson Aug 24 Rev. Tom Abbott
Aug 12 Bobbie Ivey Aug 25 Betty Hurlbut
Aug 14 Rev. Jeff Silliman Aug 26 Clavis Fonguh
Aug 15 Dorothy Crockett Aug 26 Mary Ensz
Aug 15 Judy Van Klaveren Aug 31 Deb Abbott
Aug 15 Sally Hoffelmeyer-Katz Aug 31 Colby Su
Aug 16 Dick Saurer
Page | 9SOUL Garden
Farmer’s Market
Every Sunday Morning from 9 – 11 am.
We have a great selection of tomatoes, along with squash, carrots, cabbage and lots more. Plan
your menus around all the fresh produce you’ll find each Sunday morning.
Page | 10August 2021
What to Expect at Cottonwood?
❖ Sunday Worship Services:
❖ August 1 – 10 a.m. Worship Service
❖ August 8 – 10 a.m. Worship & Communion Service
❖ August 8 – After Worship Rev. Tom Holslag’s Retirement Goodbye
❖ August 15 – 10 a.m. Worship Service in the Garden
❖ August 22 – 10 a.m. Worship Service
❖ August 29 – 10 a.m. Worship Service
❖ August 2 – Prayer Shawl Group
❖ August 5 – PW Churchwide Gathering Online
❖ Every Monday – Adult Small Group
❖ Every Tuesday – Men’s Golf (weather permitting)
❖ Every Wednesday – Prayer Group
❖ The Weekly Newsletter is emailed each week.
❖ Deacons are diligent is staying in contact with their care list and willing to offer
a helping hand if needed.
What can you do to help?
❖ Continue to pray for our church family & friends.
❖ Continue to reach out frequently to others by email and telephone,
inquiring about their well-being, establishing new patterns of greater
connectedness.
❖ Continue to offer Christ’s kindness and compassion, grace and tenderness to
everyone with whom you contact.
❖ Continue with your financial giving.
Cottonwood Presbyterian Church
1580 E. Vine Street, Murray, Utah 84121
801-278-4619
www.cottonwoodpres.org
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