News & Notes

SESSION update

Please join us for an important Congregational Meeting on September 7th immediately following the service.

In January the Session began the search for an Interim Pastor. We have interviewed four pastors and have sought the Lord for direction. The purpose of an Interim Pastor is to prepare the congregation for a new pastor. If there is healing necessary he/she helps us work through that. Then the process of building our vision statement and goal setting begins. While conducting our search a couple of the pastors we have interviewed have indicated an interest in being considered for a Designated Pastor position. The designated position is for 2 years with the same ministry focus, yet it leaves the door open for the person to be considered for the permanent pastor position, where an Interim Pastor cannot be considered. Two candidates have expressed the desire to be considered as a Designated Pastor. Two candidates have expressed the desire to be considered as a Designated Pastor and both of these candidates would have been a good fit for our church family.. We now want to consider this position which will allow us to keep options open for a possible fit for our permanent pastor position.

Monday, August 25 at a special called Session meeting, the elders voted to change the position from an Interim to a Designated Pastor. In making this decision we now enter into a little different process. The recommendation for the change in the position to a Designated Pastor must now come to a vote before the congregation. If this change is approved, we will then form a Designated Pastor Nominating Committee (DPNC) made up of two elders, a deacon and four members from the congregation. The nominating committee in anticipation of this motion passing, is prepared to present a slate of names as a recommendation to the congregation for a vote to establish this DPNC. In accordance with the Book of Order nominations will be open from the floor.

Your Mayflower Session

Building & Grounds

March 19 2008 08:22 pm

Tree Removal and Trimming

Caretaker of Facilities, Jerry Robinson, looks over the plans where two large trees were removed from the 14th St. side of the building. The trees were removed on Wednesday, March 19th. Two other trees were trimmed on the 13th St. side of the church building near Central Ave. Much thanks to Jerry, Rollin Haas, and the services of Gabilan Tree Service of Salinas.

You can look forward to seeing some of the wood in a future fund raiser

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Children

August 29 2008 12:15 pm

Recently I was reading an article from Willow Creek Church in Chicago that started out with the simple phrase “It’s about the JOURNEY.” The following is a small excerpt from the article.

“As you begin to serve you will discover
God leading you through a process
that uncovers or reveals your gifts. In
1 Corinthians 12:7 Paul describes this
revelation this way, “To each one the
manifestation of the spirit is given for the
common good.” The word “manifestation”
means the Holy Spirit will reveal or make
himself known to each believer. This revelation
or empowerment is called a spiritual
gift. The gift is actually the Holy Spirit Himself
working in and through you.
…..God wants to reveal Himself to you.
The question is not “What can you do for
God?” but rather “How does God want to
work through you to impact the lives of others?”

When I read this I was reminded that regardless of what you think your gifts are when you roll up your sleeves, jump in and serve you never know what might be revealed. The article went on to say that “Spiritual gifts are revealed to you by exploring ministry opportunities, evaluating how the Holy Spirit worked through you and the impact you had on others. As you serve, look for the spiritual impact on others that you cannot attribute to your own efforts and talents.” Why not take a risk, jump in and serve.

There are so many ways to serve within the church. Selfishly I want to encourage everyone to jump in and serve in children’s ministry, spend a month rocking babies or playing with pre-schooler's. Maybe you will realize you enjoy how much energy the kids give you and that being there and loving them is showing them Jesus in a tangible way. However as I selfishly say that, there are millions of ways to serve around church. You could sit and answering phones, help organize supply closets, help with publicity for events, help with fellowship hour, the list goes on and on. It doesn’t matter where you serve just that you are willing to allow God to work through you and impact the lives of others.

Mark Your Calendars Now!
The Harvest Carnival will be Sat. Oct 25th, join us and help plan this great outreach event.

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Congregational Life

January 6 2008 09:33 pm

Join this close knit, fun team who's goal is bringing the family together and we are always welcoming new help. From cookies on Sunday mornings to the Christmas dinner and church picnic there are many ways to serve.

Are you a wiz at creating fliers? Can you decorate? Mind getting dishpan hands? Then jump in and join the fun of bringing Mayflower together! Come join us and remember many hands make for light work!

Want to know more? Talk to Sue Gunter, Lois Harbert or Sharon Bohrman.

Hey, men...you're welcome, too!

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Deacons

August 21 2008 04:38 pm

The summer is winding down and soon the schools will be in full swing. It has been nice to continue the small groups throughout the summer. It is always such a busy time for many with vacations and keeping the kids busy and out of trouble. I am sure glad that God does not go on vacation. It is comforting to know that He works 24/7. I am looking forward to September when routines are back and kick-off Sunday helps to get us more centered.

Being a Deacon is similar to working in the health care profession….we want to be able to fix everything. As much as our heart would love to help in every situation it is not always possible. When issues arise that are out of our control we always share that with another Deacon and must give it over to God. Small acts of kindness can make a huge difference in a persons life. Covering a person with prayer can have amazing results. Many times we do not see results immediately but God does hear our prayers. I am more convinced of that than ever. Loving God and loving others is the most important thing in life.

May we continue to learn, grow, and build that strong foundation and fellowship with each other, so when the difficult times arrive…. and they will…we can love, pray, and support each other. Thank-you for your generous love and support.

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Mayflower Men

August 31 2008 02:40 pm

Monthly Men's Breakfast is the 1st Saturday of the month: 7:30 AM at the Church. Next Men's Breakfast is Saturday, Sept. 6th at 7:30 a.m.
Hope to see you there!

Looking for a few good men

Interested in helping out for next year's Men's Retreat,the Men's Breakfast, or other areas of service? Exercise your gifts! Contact Rollin Haas if you're interested.

Tuesday Night Men's Group

First meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 7pm at Mayflower Church.
Locations will rotate afterward, and will be announced after the kick-off mtg.
The group will discuss "Walking With God", by John Eldredge
Contact: Kevin Little, Greg Young, or Tom Buell

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Global Partners

January 6 2008 10:11 pm

International Habitat for Humanity—COSTA RICA
Again, I am asking for your prayers while I travel to and from Costa Rica during January 17th - February 3rd to be part of a building team with Habitat for Humanity International. I also ask for you to pray for God to work powerfully in and through my life and the lives of the other team members, especially those who are not believers. My sister, Dionne being one of them. My new mantra is . . . "they will know us by our love." Thank you for your care and prayers, Kristie Mellinger

On Tuesday, January 8th, 7:00 pm at the Buell's home will be our first informational meeting about our upcoming Guadalajara Youth Missions Trip. The trip will be held on July 17-24. If any of you youth have an interest in going (grades 8- 12 as of this coming summer), you need to attend this meeting to become part of the team. Initial deposit of $100 is due January 27th! If you have any questions, please ask either Diane Williams or Amy Buell. We're looking forward to a great trip!

February 3rd visit with Linka and Drew Parlee Linka and Drew Parlee have been in the States on furlough from their teaching ministry in Serbia the last part of this past year. They are looking forward to time with us in early February just before they return to their seminary work. Our global outreach team would like to hear any ideas you have for helping connect our missionaries with our church family. Our global partners send newsletters and we try to have them available, but they don't seem to do the job of making a connection. So many people are over-loaded with good things to read already. If you do have a little time to read, please see news from our missionaries in the fellowship hall. Letters are available to read there or to take with you. A short note or short email responding to one of the families would be very welcome. Please check in with one of us about guidelines for writing and where to write.

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Local Outreach

August 31 2008 03:02 pm

Parish Nursing (PN) Family Community Nursing (FCN) Health Ministry Team

"And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick.," Luke 9:2
The next dates for the Blood Pressure Clinics have been set! Be sure to come on: September 21
Qs? contact Shirley Granstrom or Lynn Kraft

Local Outreach Project Team Needs Your Help

The Local Outreach Project team is currently without a leader or firm team. A few long-time faithful servants have continued to care for the homeless women at the Dorothy's Kitchen and Shelter in Salinas, as well as the homeless men of the I-HELP organization, who are fed and housed at Mayflower 2-3 times per month

Please pray about becoming part of this team. YOU DO NOT need to commit to a leadership position. Service on any level is blessed and appreciated. If you'd like to be part of the local solution or would like more information, please call Kristie Mellinger via email or phone in the church office.

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Music Ministry

August 21 2008 04:26 pm

Wow! What a blessing it's been for me and my family to join everyone at Mayflower in worshipping God. It's been a "whirlwind" right from the start (January). And now that summer is here I finally have a moment to stop and reflect on the past several months.

First of all, I truly consider it an honor to be able to participate in leading this group of Mayflower believers in times of worship. What a joy to stand amongst people you don't know, and yet, still feel the freedom to openly express words and prayers, songs and melodies of worship to our savior, Jesus. Isn't it interesting to think that some day we'll all be kneeling and bowing together, right next to millions of saints dating back to the beginning of this world, and worshipping the one and only true God?!!! Wow! Kneeling next to King David... bowing next to Mary... raising our hands in worship with Abraham... looking at Jesus with eyes of adoration next to Mother Teresa... everyone focusing all of their praise on Jesus.

In the mean time... these past few months... :) In this time of transition, many have commented to me about how "smooth & seamless" things have been. It seemed that many were intending those words as a complement to me. But, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect those words to our Worship Team. Everyone (Did I say "everyone?") EVERYONE involved (singers, musicians, choir, audio/visual techs) have been so cooperative, understanding and supportive of me as I have stepped in with my own style/personality to start our worship journey together. Because of their warm, accepting, patient and grace-filled hearts, it has been a wonderful time for me. They are the true reason for the "smooth & seamless" transition. As I have had time to get acquainted with most of them, it is obvious that they truly know the reason why we do what we do... to honor JESUS!

Back in January, at our first rehearsal together, the first thing that I did was to share a couple of key verses that have always been the foundation for what I do. Keeping them continually in front of my eyes, ears and heart helps keep my attention on Jesus and the gifts/ talents that He has trusted me with in their proper perspective. Those verses are well known!

Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

I can remember when I realized that worship was more than singing and playing songs to God. But really, everything that we say, everything that we think, everything that we do (including singing and playing to God) is our act of worship. Relating to our family/friends/neighbors/strangers, following the laws of the land, how we drive, what we do with our money, what we do with our time etc... EVERYTHING falls under the worship category. And then... to do it ALL with all of our heart, with all of our soul, with all of our strength, all of our might... unto Him.

That is what I try and be mindful of as we prepare and rehearse music for a Sunday morning service. My prayer is that all who have gathered together sense the freedom in the Spirit to join us in worshipping God with "all that is within them!" For He alone is worthy of our praises!

I pray that we all worship God... together... in Spirit and in truth. I pray that our acts and words of worship be pleasing to Him who has saved us from a life apart from Him... and that we all rejoice in who He is, and what He has done, what He's doing, and what He's about to do in this world and in our lives. I pray that the believers at Mayflower make gathering together in His name a very special time of honoring our Lord... every time... with all of our hearts!

Again, it is an honor to be here and worship with you!

Blessings!
Gene Short, Music Director

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Small Groups & Classes

September 17 2007 07:24 pm

Mayflower Church is a church of small groups.  Below is a list of small groups that are open for you to get 'plugged in.'  Please contact the office (373-4705) for more information.  Find a small group that's of interest to you and join us!

Group Topic/Name:Day/TimeLocationGroup Leader/POC
Women's Groups:   
Daughters of the King
"The Attributes of God" Summer Series		 Starts June 17, Tuesday evenings, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Mayflower Church Kelly Harper
"Celebrating the Creative Spirit" (Knitters Unite!) No meetings during Summer Lisa Naylor's home Contact Lisa Naylor for Sept. reminder
"The Case for Christ" (book study) Thursday mornings, 9:00-11:30 Mayflower Church LeeAnn McClenahen
Ladies Walking Fellowship Last Saturday of each month, meet at 9:00 a.m. Lover's Point, Pacific Grove Stacey Nightingale Mahaney
"Captivating" (book study teenage girls) Sunday evenings, 7:00-800 Mayflower Church Trish Roth & Holly Blackwell
Men's Groups:   
Men's Study/Support Group 45+ Thursday evenings, 7:00-8:30 Various homes Ed Blight or Jerry McKneely
Men's Study/Support Group Tuesday evenings, 7:00-8:30 Tom's Home (Marina) (contact Church for location) Tom Connors
Prayer & Share Group Thursday mornings, 6:15-7:30 Mayflower Church Gary Williams
Mixed Groups*:   
Sunday Bible Study: Deuteronomy** Sunday Mornings (1st service), 9:00-10:00 Church Library Led by Chris Olsen
Study/Support Group (Minor Prophets)** Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 Mayflower Church Gary & Diane Williams
"Spirit-led Intimacy with Christ"** Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 Jerry & Andi Robinson's home Roger & Beverly Newell
Wednesday Night Discipleship** No Meetings During Summer Mayflower Church Phil & Kathryn Koontz
"Hearing God's Voice" (book study) Friday, 12:00 p.m. Naval PostGraduate School Joe Blau
"Ragamuffin Gospel" (book study) Friday evenings, 7:00-9:00 Fike's home Dennis & Camille Fike
Singles & Couples Fellowship Group (50s & up) 3rd Friday evening of the month only for Summer (June, July, Aug.), 7:00-8:30 Various homes Phyllis or Dick Stebbins
"Hearing the Voice of God" (book study) Monday evenings, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Martin home Mike and Leslie Martin
Super Seniors Fellowship Group (70s & up) Wednesday afternoons, 2:30 pm Mayflower Church Library Lois Harbert
Music Ministry Group   
"Nurturing the Worshiper's Spirit" Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30 Mayflower Church Bill & Deborah Warne
Soaking Prayer Group   
"Soaking in His Presence" On Summer Break Mayflower Church Michael Martin
*Mixed Groups = men, women, singles and couples, all together.
**Childcare is provided at the church as follows:

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Mayflower Women

August 31 2008 02:55 pm

The Mayflower Women's Retreat

is fast approaching. We will again "retreat" at the Mount Hermon Retreat Center in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains on January 30th—February 1st, 2009!

An Evening of Worship for Women

The women of Mayflower Church invite all women desiring "More of Him" to an evening of worship and prayer!
Please join us on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH 7:00 pm Mayflower Sanctuary
Contact Kelly Harper

CREATIVE SPIRITS

is back and will begin officially on Saturday, September 13th, (always the 2nd Saturday of each month), 10:00 a.m. to noon at the home of Lisa Naylor. This is a wonderfully fun time of devotion, creativity, food and fellowship for our ladies.
Bring a friend!!
If you'd like to be on the mailing list so you're informed of the upcoming meeting dates, please contact Ruth Buell or Lisa Naylor.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

Fall 10-Week Series Schedule
"LIVING BEYOND YOURSELF - Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit"

Sept. 16   Introduction– Part One
Sept. 23   Introduction—Part Two
Sept. 30   Love
Oct. 7   Joy
Oct. 14   Peace
Oct. 21   Patience
Oct. 28   Kindness/Goodness
Nov. 4   Faithfulness
Nov. 11   Gentleness
Nov. 18   Self-control

Meeting on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Mayflower Sanctuary
Contact Kelly Harper

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Youth

August 8 2008 04:04 pm

Hey all,

This is just a friendly e-mail to update parents of Mayflower students.

Gleaning with the Jr. High students went very well this week. We were able to pick pears to donate to the local food bank. The students had a good time while serving in their community.

For the High School students Spirit West Coast was a blast. There were many great musicians and speakers at the festival. It was encouraging to see people committing their lives to Christ.

For all of those who participated and gave prayer support we thank you. As summer winds down and school starts back up, please continue to pray for guidance and direction for all of the youth at Mayflower.

In Him,
Adrian Moyer
Youth Pastor

Please Note: High School and Middle School Students interested in participating in field trips and other off-site activities must have a completed and signed consent form on file.

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