Pastor Laurie and the Skyline Community Church Council invite you to take part in our upcoming retreat, entitled “Skyline 2016”, on

Saturday, January 8, 2011,
from 9 am – 2 pm,
at Skyline Community Church

Lunch and childcare will be provided

Our consultant/facilitator will be Rev. David Sandberg

The central scriptural text focuses on Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city build on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God.

Our goals is to leave with action items and teams focused on:

1) Evangelism/growth,

2) Mission,

3) Stewardship/membership, and

4) Planning for our 50th anniversary, in 2013

Prior to the retreat, we encourage you to read the following documents that have been uploaded to our website:

1. SCC Church Profile 2004

2. Constitution and Bylaws

3. Annual Reports (scan highlights from 07 – 09)

4. 2007 Visioning Retreat Notes (Dave Sandberg report and summary)

5. BBFF Master Report (2010 Church Feedback)

6. SCC Finance Meeting (minutes from recent meetings)

7. Skyline Preschool Items

To do so, simply click “Community”, within the blue column on the left hand side, then under the Community heading, click “Church Members”. (Or just click this link!)

You need a password to access this part of the site. If you do not yet have your password for the members only site, please contact Chrysalis in the Office.

Once you have logged in, you will be able to download the documents in the list provided.

Thank you for your participation and commitment!

Blessings,
Pastor Laurie and the SCC Council

At this year’s Christmas Party, Santa will teach the children about the value of giving to those in need, rather than asking for what they want for Christmas (especially material things). Children will have the opportunity to bring gifts for children to add to our Switchboard donation, or books for children at Children’s Hospital in Oakland.

During the Christmas Eve service this year, our special offering recipient will be BACS (Bay Area Community Services).

Since 1953, Bay Area Community Services has been a leader in developing and delivering cost effective services to adults with mental illness and seniors in Alameda County, CA. BACS is committed to providing effective alternatives to institutionalization and improving the quality of life for those they serve. Skyline has maintained a close connection with BACS for nearly ten years, introduced to us initially through Bob Winslow (who was on their Board of Directors).

A reminder that for this holiday season, we’ve revived our online Virtual Food Drive from the spring. Look for Skyline in the list of available groups to select from!

https://www.vfd-accfb.org/selectgroup.aspx

We ask that you go to this link to “virtually give” what used to be canned soup donations of the past…With demand at an all-time high, (1 out of 6 people in Alameda County have made use of the Food Bank!), the ACCFB has to purchase more food than ever in order to meet the needs of their 275 food pantries, soup kitchens and community agencies. For those who want to donate cash or checks, please write “ACCFB Virtual Drive” in the memo line.

For those of you who don’t know the history of Oakland East Bay Switchboard, the Switchboard got its name as a “hotline” for people seeking to evade the Vietnam War draft via asylum in Canada. The switchboard was actually started by a Skyline Community Church member, Joan Wunderleich, whom some of our longer-term members might know.

Since its founding in the 1960s, the name has stayed, but the mission has evolved to become a program for people in transition seeking food and clothing in Oakland. Particularly during these challenging economic times, the Switchboard has seen an exponential increase in demand for its services.

This year, we are focusing on providing shoes & clothing for men, women, and children, and toys for children to the Switchboard. We ask that they be either new, or lightly used and clean. Please bring your gifts to the Christmas party or to Sunday worship on December 12th. Or, feel free to bring your donations to the Switchboard during their drop-off hours, M through F ~ 10 AM to 4 PM. They are located at 1909 73rd Ave., Oakland, CA 94606. Their phone #: (510) 569-6369.

On Saturday, December 18th, we’ll be offering a Kids’ Craft Time from 10 am to 2 pm for children (all ages): Our holiday gift to you and your family, a few hours to relax, do some holiday shopping, wrap presents, or just to read a book, kid-free! During our time together, the children will help decorate the sanctuary for Christmas with their own creations and enjoy some free play-time.

Please RSVP to Beth, 541-954-8343, or by email if you plan to come and to get more details.