Faith Community

Moving forward with a new Fellowship Hall

On Sunday, October 4th at 2:00 p.m. there will be a Congregational Meeting presented by the Building Committee to update you on status of the new Fellowship Hall building project.

The committee has worked diligently as a team and in conjunction with the architectural firm of Alcorn and Benton to create the plans that matched what the congregation said we wanted in our building. The time has arrived for you to provide
direction to the Building Committee on how to proceed from here.

The Building Committee will present for consideration options on how to move forward and what moving forward actually means. Hopefully, by the time you read this, you will have received either by mail or electronically more detailed
information about the specifics of the proposals we are asking you to consider.

I can tell you that unless the congregation votes to simply stop
this project, the project is going to require additional funding. The Building Committee recognized that reality and recommended that a third capital campaign be initiated. The
work on establishing that capital campaign committee, though in its infancy, has begun. If you have questions about the capital campaign committee, an interest in being on it, or ideas for it, please contact Gary Jaus.

Originally, the Fellowship Hall was the worship space. Once the current Sanctuary was built, the Fellowship Hall became the place where we did the Lord’s work. The Youth Room, meals for the community at-large, Easter breakfasts, Men’s Group
Meetings, Women’s Group meetings, Bell Choir rehearsals, Bible studies, receptions and other events have all been a part of the history of the Fellowship Hall.

The Building Committee has spent years working on this project and we’ve always understood that the building is important but what happens inside the building is more important. The Fellowship Hall was our shelter as we collectively served the Lord and with the Holy Spirit touched people’s hearts. It is our
hope we can continue to meet the needs of the community in a new shelter as we continue our servanthood to Christ.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Mathew 6:19-21 (NIV)

For any questions regarding the new Fellowship Hall building project, please contact Gary Jaus by phone or email:

Food Ministry supported by dedicated volunteers, grocery store chain

No one seems to know exactly when the church started picking up food donations from Trader Joe’s grocery store, but it is believed to be about 30 years ago.

Information suggests it was initiated by Arlene Johnson who was looking for food donations for use for the Thursday night dinners and sandwich ministry being done by the church. She had contacted several different markets and found that Trader Joe’s was willing to donate their outdated and over stocked products. Arlene made arrangements to have someone pick up these items
everyday of the week.

Tuesday was the day Arlene had picked for herself along with another helper. I am primarily aware of Tuesday as that was
when my wife Judy TenHulzen began helping. The food was sorted through by them along with the help of Denise Abell-Hove who took items to the church for the sandwich ministry and Thursday night dinners. The remaining items were taken to
God’s Extended Hand for use at their mission outreach program.

In this June 2017 photo, Arlene Johnson makes tuna and
chicken salad sandwiches as a part of the Sandwich Ministry.

Eventually, two cars were not enough to handle all the excess food and that’s when Judy began using our pickup truck. When
Arlene could no longer manage the process, Judy was then looking for help and I would take time off from work to assist. When Judy could no longer work due to her medical condition, I was tasked with this job and needed help. Occasionally one of my grandsons and/or son Jeffrey would fill in. I would soon enlist
the help of LeRoy Shigley who became a permanent helper.

Our average weekly load is between 20 to 30 boxes plus bags of bread and pastries. One day we had over 55 boxes and we had to make two trips. The most I ever put on the truck was 45 boxes with bags of bread tucked behind the seat. The average number of miles driven during a year is about 1,950. The average yearly
monetary value of the food donated by Trader Joe’s is nearly one million dollars.

Editor’s Note: Additional food donations from Trader Joe’s also comes in on Thursdays and is distributed to families and individuals in need on Friday mornings by L.C. Hall and a team of dedicated community volunteers. Occasionally, other businesses also donate food items. Our food ministries feed more than 10,000 San Diegans each year.