CottonwoodCourier March2021 - Messages for a Church in Transition - Cottonwood Presbyterian Church
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Cottonwood Courier March 2021
Messages for a Church in Transition
“In Christ Together for the World” = Our Purpose
Tom’s Corner:
February was an interesting month and now we find ourselves heading into
the month of March. Things just seem to keep on changing with each and
every new day. That by the way is what I plan on talking about at this
writing – ‘change’.
As we all can attest to, the past 12 months has presented us with a plethora
of ‘change’ to navigate and deal with. Most people would say, that much
of that ‘change’ has been very negative because of the pandemic and the
2+ million world-wide deaths that have occurred as a result, and I couldn’t
disagree with that perspective either. And yet on the flip side here in
America, ever since the new administration has taken the reign in
Washington, the ‘news cycle’ seems considerably quieter and saner, even
with all change that continues to happen. My point being is this – that
‘change’ is neither all good, or all bad, it just is. In fact, it often depends on one’s perspective of
how one chose to see things, that is – Is the glass half full or is the glass half empty when it comes
change or life in general?
Hopefully as followers of Jesus we will always chose to see the glass as half full. Because if we
can’t see it that way, then where is the hope that we say we have as being one of His followers.
So again, I say embrace ‘change’ even if it might seem a little risky, because Jesus is always there
whatever path one might chose to take. Now embrace and have a blessed Lenten season even
with all the change that will happen once the congregation here at Cottonwood eventually calls its
next called pastor sometime in the coming year.
God’s Blessings to you and your loved ones,
Rev. Tom Holslag – Interim Pastor (PCUSA)
Pastor Nominating Committee
The PNC continues to work hard and prayerfully, listening to the spirit of God,
as we review new candidates weekly. The congregational survey, taken last
summer, continues to be a guide in looking for a pastor with the many gifts
that will serve God's mission for Cottonwood today and into the future. Because
the Presbyterian church uses a "called pastor" approach rather than an
"appointed pastor" approach, it can take a while. A "called pastor" approach
means that both the Cottonwood PNC and the candidates listen to God's spirit to discern the
calling. We are thankful for Cottonwood's patience, and ongoing support through your devoted
prayers. We feel God at work among us!
Page | 1
Session
Submitted by Jody Good, Clerk of Session
• Session met in the Fellowship Hall and by ZOOM teleconference on Thursday, February 18,
2021. We opened with prayer at 7:00 a.m.
• Elders Present: Elvis Fonguh, Jody Good – Clerk, Ron Hunter, Linda Kramer, Nadine
McAlister, Kristin McElwain, Steve Sands, Rick Urbom, Mark Zaba.
• Rev. Tom Holslag moderated.
• Minutes were approved from the Session Meeting of January 27, 2021.
• Reports from church committees were received.
o Worship Committee reported on the status of resuming Sunday Worship Services.
o Building & Grounds reported on the new security system, which is now operational.
▪ All exterior keys are now inoperable.
• We moved to apply for a PPP loan for staff salaries and overhead.
• The 2019 financial review was received.
• The Treasurer’s Report was presented
MONTHLY FINANCIALS
January 2021
Income Month of Jan. Year to Date
Actual $24,898.31 $ 24,898.31
Budget $16,744.04 $200,926.94
Expenses
Actual $17,915.53 $ 17,915.53
Budget $28,377.34 $340,528.10
Net (Income minus expenses)
Actual $ 6,982.78 $ 6,982.78
• Please continue to:
o pray for ill members
o watch out for home-bound members
o financially support the church. We look forward to giving increasing.
• Our next Stated Session meeting will be on March 18, 2021.
Finance Committee
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Thank you to Eddie Alter and David Primeau for reviewing the 2019
financial records. Upon their recommendation, the Finance Committee is requesting (3) three
volunteers to work together in reviewing the financial records on a quarterly basis.
If this is something of interest to you, please contact Nadine McAlister, Elder of Finance or the
church office.
Page | 2
Lenten Study Group (via Zoom)
If you are interested in joining a study of “Entering the Passion: A
Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week,” by Amy-Jill Levine, please contact Sue
Martin (801-209-3062, or suesmartin@mac.com), or call the church office.
Levine is an author, professor, and biblical scholar. In this book, she
explores the biblical texts surrounding the Passion story and shows us how it
raises ethical and spiritual questions for the reader and how we all face risk in our Christian
experience. The book is available in paperback on Amazon for $13.19, or on Kindle for $9.39.
The group meets on Mondays at 7 p.m. If you have questions about how to connect with
Zoom, give Sue a call.
Deacon Digest
This month’s message is "Keys to Freedom" by Barbara Johnson from "The Women of Faith
Daily Devotional".
"Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart." - Proverbs 3:1
Consider these keys for living an effective life, liberated inside and out:
1. Free your heart from hatred. 6. Give more.
2. Free your mind from worry. 7. Exercise daily.
3. Free your home from clutter. 8. Laugh out loud.
4. Free your life from hurry. 9. Rest.
5. Expect less. 10. Pray without ceasing.
And finally, remember whose you are. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17
Building and Grounds
The Building & Grounds Committee is announcing that seven (7) exterior doors now have new
locks installed. As a result of this new building security improvement, the old keys marked either
F-1 or B-1 will no longer unlock any of the exterior doors.
Many church members have now received new Main Door Access Control System cards or key
fobs. If you need a new building access card, please obtain one from Becky during regular church
hours.
Each white plastic card has a unique serial number assigned to it. When you visit the church at
the main west entrance, you will see a new card reader below the intercom and camera system
to the right side of the door. Until you receive a new card, it will be necessary to push the gray
button on the intercom and Becky will verify your identity and open the door for you to enter.
Please note that if you still have the F-1 key, it will open the lock on the glass door next to Room
1 and this will continue to allow access into the church office area and the Elder and Deacon
mailboxes. We thank you for your cooperation.
Rick Urbom - Elder, Building and Grounds
Page | 3It’s Scholarship Time!
Members of Cottonwood Presbyterian Church who fit into any of the following categories may be
eligible for a scholarship. Cottonwood offers two scholarships: the HFT Scholarship and the
Cottonwood Presbyterian 25th Anniversary Scholarship. Eligibility and selection criteria for the
two are slightly different.
o Graduating seniors who will be attending seminary or a school of higher learning,
vocational, or technical school
o Student already in college as an undergraduate
o College graduate wishing to continue education at graduate level
o One who has been away from studies for period no more than 5 years who wishes to
continue his/her education or make a new start
Please contact the church office for an application.
************************************************************
In addition to Cottonwood’s scholarships there is also one through Church Women United
The Esther Williams Scholarship
for College-bound and college enrolled Christian Women.
Scholarship ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION Requirements
o Eligibility Female High School and College Students
o GPA 2.3 at the time of application
o Residency Salt Lake/Bountiful Utah Area
o Christian Church Member Involvement in Church Activities
o Personal Statement 2-Page maximum to include:
o Statement of need (describe o Church activities
financial situation) o Career goals and future plans
o Mission projects or community
service
o 2 Letters of Support
o One letter from your Church Leader, and one from a teacher or college faculty
o Scholarship Amount $300.00
o Due Date June 1, 2021
o Scholarships Released: August 2021
o Contact Cottonwood Presbyterian Church for application.
Cottonwood Women
Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Utah
Spring Gathering via ZOOM
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Time: 9:40 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Theme: “When I look into your face, I see my Sister”
Mark your calendar; Newsletter and details for registration will be forthcoming.
Page | 4CHURCH WOMEN UNITED
A multi faith gathering of Christian Women
Mark your calendar and plan to attend CWU’s Human Rights Celebration 2021
• When: Friday, March 12, 2021 (2nd Friday)
• Time: 9:30 a.m. - Morning
• Where: ZOOM (via an internet device)
• Pre-Registration Requested: You are invited to a ZOOM meeting
o March 12, 2021 09:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
o Register in advance for this meeting:
• https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUodO6prjwvH9w3r1qR_u8ppKbHjnztRMJC
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about
o
joining the meeting.
o Contact Kathy Horvat at 801-502-0708 with any ZOOM concerns.
• Theme: “Becoming One in 2021 – Experiencing Hope at the Table”
• Bible Study & Meditation: Small group Discussions
• Award Recipient: Mary Daniels
• Community Outreach: Volunteers of America
o Checks Payable to Church Women United, designated for VOA;
Mail to our Treasurer:
Desta Aure
10227 Hickory Point Dr
Sandy UT 84092
• Offering: Used for CWU National Programs:
o Checks need to be made payable to: “Church Women United” and mail to
Treasurer, Desta Aure
This is a wonderful ecumenical gathering and an opportunity to learn and grow spiritually
and personally. Hope to see you there.
SOUL Garden
The Annual Meeting for the SOUL Garden has been cancelled for this year due to the pandemic.
Applications for the 2021 Garden season have been emailed to all current members and mailed to
those without internet.
The applications must be completed and sent with a check to: Marshall Smith, 1536 E Village 3
Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84121. Questions can be directed to Marshall Smith, Garden Chair, at
801-259-2299.
The applications and payment for the 2021 Garden plot fee must be received by March 1, 2021.
After that time, plots will be given to people on the waiting list for a garden plot.
It’s ALMOST spring! Time to get our hands in the dirt again!
Page | 5Mission and Outreach Below are examples of the handmade thank you notes Mission received from all of the ladies at Valley Phoenix. With the congregation’s donations and those of friends of our Church, gift cards in the amount of $2,115.00 were purchased for all the mothers and their children. The cards were given to them on December 18, 2020 and they were very much appreciated. Page | 6
Messages & Announcements
March 14, 2020
Daylight Saving Time Starts
Sunday, March 14, 2021, 2:00 AM clocks
are turned forward 1 hour to 3:00 AM
THE EASTER BUNNY’S WAVES/NO HUGS event in front of the church between 10:00 a.m. and
12:00 noon on Saturday, April 4.
COURIER DEADLINE: Friday, March 19, 2021 – Please e-mail your articles to
office@cottonwoodpres.org or bring to the church office by 12:00 Noon on Friday.
COTTONWOOD CHURCH DIRECTORY: Is your church directory outdated? Contact information
changes often in our directories. Therefore, if you need a new directory with current information,
please contact Becky in the church office.
********************************************************
Mar 1 Ellie MacMillan Mar 12 Karen Nielsen
Mar 3 Joyce Trapman Mar 15 Bruce Ratzlaff
Mar 3 Becky Bringard Mar 16 Irma Randall
Mar 4 Taylor Schwab Mar 20 Dakota Stewart
Mar 9 Cliff Leaver Mar 21 Oziel Paul
Mar 9 Penny Calkins Mar 22 Jerry Stephens
Mar 11 Diane Golladay Mar 27 Steve Sands
Mar 12 Sharon Cavagnolo Mar 29 Randy Urbom
Missing your birthday?
If your name is missing from the monthly birthday list or listed incorrectly,
please contact the church office.
We would love to include you in our birthday wishes.
Page | 7From Cottonwood’s Parish Nurse
How Do You Keep in Touch with Friends?
Cherie Paulson, RN, BSN
1. Connect via social media. Social networks such as Facebook may not be a substitute for real
friendships, but they can help you keep in touch with people you don't see very often and even
reconnect you with friends you haven't seen in years.
2. Make a regular commitment.
3. Be good at remembering.
4. Apologize for losing touch.
The most important habit of friends that are good at networking is that they actually care about
us. These friends are there for us whether we are up or down. They will reach out to us and ask
if everything is going okay with no intention of gaining something for themselves. They are
ready and willing to put in work for little-to-nothing in return. These friends are keeping in touch
with us because they genuinely want to know about our lives.
Staying in touch with friends should not be a chore; rather, it should be exciting and desired. We
should want to bring our friends along in our journey, but more importantly to follow them in
theirs. Every relationship is a building block for success and happiness. It is important to
cultivate each one. Being able to adopt a few key steps with our important contacts will naturally
lead to joy within ourselves and our friends.
Some people just don't understand why they should keep in touch with friends/relatives/loved
ones even if they do care about them. This may be due to: The amount of emotional closeness
they can stand: if they are naturally quite emotionally distant with people, they won't try to keep
in touch, unless it's necessary. Losing touch with old friends can feel tragic. Maybe even
shameful. It feels like you've left a garden untended and it's withered from neglect. But in
reality, it may be more normal than you think. Strong family ties and supportive friends can help
you deal with the stresses of life. Friends and family can make you feel included and cared for.
They can offer different views from whatever's going on inside your own head. They can help
keep you active, keep you grounded and help you solve practical problems. “Stay in touch”
implies regular contact, whereas “keep in touch” implies occasional contact.
“Stay in touch” means you are already in touch and want to continue that connection, whereas
“keep in touch” can be used for existing and new connections. Friends are important. So
important, in fact, that it's been proven that friendship can extend life expectancy and lower
chances of heart disease. Friendship helps us survive. ... Friendship ignites the part of the brain
that makes us feel good, which makes us want to keep hanging out with our friends.
Page | 8It can be remarkably hard to stay in touch with all of your friends, even people who mean a
great deal to you. If one of you moves or you both get busy with your separate lives, you may
simply stop crossing paths. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to bridge any distance,
whether literal or metaphorical, and keep in touch with friends.
Use your phone as a telephone. Make the call! Whether you’ve been meaning to do so for a
while now, or the thought just occurred, follow through on the desire to get in touch with
someone by giving them a call. Let your friend know you’re wondering what they’re up to, and
give them a quick update on your life.[1]
• Know that it doesn’t have to be a long call to be meaningful. Just the sound of one
another’s voice will likely be enough to bring a smile to each of your faces, whether from
the next neighborhood or across the continent.
• Schedule a call. If you or a friend can’t speak for long, or you can’t connect on the first
try, shoot them a text offering to schedule a call later that day.
• Get in the habit of keeping up with a far-off friend by maintaining monthly calls at
specific times and dates.[2]
• If you or a friend are particularly busy, set up calls during daily commutes.
Get on FaceTime or Skype. Video calls are even better, as they allow you to keep in touch
visually as well, and simply provide a greater feeling of togetherness, no matter your actual
distance. Several video chat applications are especially easy to use, as well as freely
available.[3]
• FaceTime is limited to Apple products, but is literally as easy to use as it is to make a
call – the button for FaceTime shows up automatically during your call.
• Skype is also easy to use, though you must install the program on your phone, tablet, or
computer and set up a free account. You can also make audio calls and send text
messages through Skype, anywhere you have internet access.
Make group calls with Google Hangouts. Google Hangouts will allow you to video chat with up for
ten friends at once. Try to set a standing weekly or monthly date and time to catch up with a
group of friends consistently.[4]
• Using the text messaging feature, propose themes for each call and plan to wear
costumes or share relevant viral videos.
• You can also use the text-messaging feature to simply remind one another of an
upcoming call.
Shoot them a text. Texts are a great way to send someone a quick note, wise-crack, or simple
“thinking of you” message.[5] Don’t let the majority of your communication with an old friend
happen through texts, but texts are a great way to let someone know about something that
reminded you of them.
• Text internationally with Whatsapp. WhatsApp is a smartphone application that costs an
initial installation fee, but will allow you to send and receive international texts – as well
as video and audio messages – for free!
Page | 9• Note that calling, video-messaging, and e-mailing are all better mediums with which to
engage in more nuanced or meaningful discourse.
Send an email. While lots of email accounts allow chatting with other users that are online, don’t
hesitate to send along a good old-fashioned electronic letter. Emails benefit from the potential
intimacy and breadth of an actual letter, and you can send them literally whensoever you
please.[6]
• To take advantage of the extra communication capabilities allowed via email, respond to
one another’s emails right in the body of their text.
• Use a different colored font, and respond to each of the sentences or paragraphs in a
longer email to enjoy the feel of an ongoing conversation.
Write your friend a letter. You may be thinking: that’s not social media. In fact, letters are the
original form of social media, though the phrase has come to be associated with virtual and
fleeting forms of contact – none of which have even begun to approach the depth and gravitas
that can be conveyed in a tangible, handwritten letter.[7]
• Start by conveying why you’re writing. A simple, “Hey! I’ve been thinking about you and
wanted to write to touch base about each of our long and winding paths through life.”
• Ask a few questions specific to their lives, particularly about things you know that they
enjoy.
• Update them a bit with a few things in your realm, particularly anything you’re
especially proud of or are looking forward to.
• Make it fun. Include a drawing, hard-copy photo, or scrap of concert poster you wish
you could have attended together – or did attend together in the past!
Facebook stalk your friends. “Stalk” is used here with in an attempt at humor – the point is, take
advantage of the opportunity to catch up on the happenings in a friend’s life via their Facebook
posts.[8] Tossing a “like” at a photo or comment that sticks out will bring you to their mind, too.
Commenting is even better.
• By browsing your friend’s wall, you’ll automatically have things to talk about next time
you see them.
• Make notes on your phone of things you want to ask them about next time you get the
chance. Or, better yet, use your phone like a phone and call them – you already have an
opening conversation in mind!
Use Instagram and Pinterest. Photo-based social media platforms can be a great way to stay in
touch with friends too. With both Instagram and Pinterest, you can quickly and easily share
images of the things you see while searching the web, other peoples’ profiles, or even real
life.[9]
• Use Instagram if you’re into taking pictures of latte art, interesting sidewalk formations,
or the book you’re reading. You can simply post photos to your feed, or send them as
direct messages to a friend.
Page | 10• Leaning towards those slightly more home-décor-minded, Pinterest has been compared
to sitting around and ripping pages out of magazines with your friends.[10]
• Whatever platform you choose, remember to emphasize the “social” potential by @- ing
or #-ing or simply direct messaging your friends that you think would be interested!
• When sending images directly, include a note about how much better it would be to
experience whatever you sent together “IRL”!
Jump on the Snapchat bandwagon. Appearing with overwhelming force, Snapchat has become
the go-to social media weapon of literally hundreds of millions of humans. Some of them are
your friends. Keep in touch with them and their day-to-day moments of snappiness by
downloading this free photo and video messaging app on your phone.[11]
• Add text and rudimentary drawings to your messages to be extra social.
• Send messages to a few select friends or everyone on your contact list!
• Know the distinguishing feature of Snapchat: you’ll only see each other’s “snaps” for a
few moments.
• Snapchat is especially fun for wild, zany, and otherwise nonsensical discourse.
Get creative with other online platforms. Aside from the smartphone apps you’ve probably
already heard of, and all the other methods of sending messages back and forth across the web,
there are other, more creative ways to interact online as well.
• Check out Miniclips.com, which hosts a bunch of multiplayer games you can challenge
your friends to play with you.[12]
• If you have different schedules, you can always see who can get the highest score in a
single player game and update each other about new achievements.
• Use Spotify to setup a shared playlist that you and your friends can all add music to.
You’ll learn what they’ve been listening to and vice-versa.
• When you discover a new artist that they added to a shared list, shoot your friend a text
to tease them (politely) for finally developing an appreciable taste in music.
Don’t rely too heavily on the online realm to keep in touch. Excessive internet use – including, if
not primarily, the use of social media – can have detrimental effects on your health,
productivity, and happiness.[13]
• If you’ve recently upped your time online and are experiencing greater loneliness,
staying up later, and missing class or showing up late to work, you may be spending too
much time online.
• Stick to non-instant messaging tools – such as email – instead of live chatting, if your
productivity or happiness may be taking hits from your time using social media.
Acknowledge any unintended distance by addressing it. Most friendships go through challenging
times, especially when you begin to see each other less often. Keep a friendship going by
articulating the fact that you want to keep in touch, even if your individual situations will require
a different approach.[14]
Page | 11• Make time to communicate. You can even add an alarm to your phone or calendar to
remind you – though you’ll likely end up looking forward to reacquainting with one
another each chance you get.
• Apologize for being out of touch. State that you regret the distance that has grown
between you, and that you intend to be better about staying in touch moving forward.
• Everyone gets busy from time to time. Don’t be the person that uses being busy as a
reason not to keep in touch – even when it’s a valid point, it sounds disingenuous.[15]
• Be direct, and trust that your friend wants to get back in touch too. Try something like,
“Hey! I know it’s been a while, and I apologize for my role in that – can we meet up
soon?”
Meet up. If you’re within an easy bike, train, or drive of one another, make plans to meet for an
evening together, or even the occasional day trip.[16] You’ll both be looking forward to it, and
planning ahead will make it more likely to actually happen!
• If you’re having trouble getting together at the spur of the moment, plan ahead, even a
month or so beforehand.
• For further trips, plan further in advance.
• You may be limited by distance and expense, so you may not be able to visit far-off
friends as often, but with planning and saving, you can definitely still make meet-ups
happen!
Hold an annual reunion event. Whether with one friend or an old crew, make a tradition to meet
once a year. You can always meet at the same place, rotate between one another’s current
hometowns, or go somewhere different every year.[17]
• If you’re hoping to bring a bunch of friends together, have everyone pitch in and rent a
space that is somewhat centrally located.
• Alternatively, have the most-centrally-located person host to reduce traveling and
housing costs.
• Even if only for a weekend every year, seeing one another will greatly help you keep in
touch.
• It doesn’t have to be anything special – simply spending time together can be incredibly
enjoyable and rewarding, not to mention fun.
Send invitations via snail-mail. You don’t need a computer to keep in touch with your friends.
Letters and hanging out are both far more personal – and one can even help facilitate the other.
Whether simply for a dinner next week, or that annual friendship soiree in the sun, send hard-
copy invitations.[18]
• Include all the important details in the invitation, as well as the contact information for
whomever is organizing the event.
•Encourage recipients to post the invitation somewhere they’ll see it, both as a reminder
of the time and date, but also to increase excitement. There’s nothing like looking forward
to seeing one another to ensure yet another good time together.
Page | 12March 2021
What to Expect at Cottonwood?
❖ March 7 – Online Worship and Communion Service
❖ March 14, 21 – Online Worship Services
❖ March 28 – Palm Sunday Online Worship Service
❖ March 19 – Deadline for April Courier
❖ Rev. Tom sends out weekly encouraging messages as God continues to “show up” in our
midst!
❖ The Weekly Newsletter is emailed each week.
❖ The church building remains closed except for church committee meetings in the
Fellowship Hall only, music team practices and church staff.
❖ 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 have contact.
❖ Continue with your financial giving.
“Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has a purpose in you being there.
Christ who indwells you has something he wants to do
through you where you are!
Believe it and go in his grace and power.”
Page | 13Cottonwood Presbyterian Church
1580 E. Vine Street,
Murray, Utah 84121
801-278-4619 ~ www.cottonwoodpres.org
Elders Serving on Session
Class of 2021
Nadine McAlister – Finance
Steve Sands - Nominating
Class of 2022
Elvis Fonguh – Mission
Linda Kramer – Administration
Rick Urbom – Building & Grounds
Mark Zaba – Vision & Outreach
Class of 2023
Ron Hunter - Worship
Kristin McElwain – Member Care
Julie Speck – Discipleship
Our Ministry of Care
Board of Deacons
Class of 2021
Heather Bowen, Richard Bowen, Susan Middleton,
Deb Nelson, Esther Onuoha, Sana Paul, Karen Sands,
Blandine Simo, Donna Switzer
Class of 2022
Pat Kristensen, Roy Kristensen,
Carol Salazar, Jack Van Klaveren
Parish Nurse
Cherie Paulson
Support Guild
Esther Onuoha, Blandine Simo
Page | 14You can also read
