At the Young Adult Retreat this past weekend, one of the games was to much the "baby" picture to the adult staff. I was 100 percent sure that this was a picture of my friend or her daughter. As the answers were announced, I was shocked to hear that I was completely wrong! As a matter of fact, the little girl pictured here is ME!! Yes, I didn't even recognize myself!

That's pretty sad! But, in the spiritual realm, this is not a bad thing. When we don't recognize who we were before, it's a testimony to how God changes us from the inside out. When you are a completely new person in Christ, it's an awesome thing!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Major Shoshannah

It’s finally that time of the year again for our SAY Rally! We are excited to announce that our rally will be at Camp Redwood Glen, February 17th. All kids from 6-18 are welcomed to join this event. So, join us for this great event!

This year’s theme is “Ocean Commotion”, and we are going to dive into Noah’s story. Check out one of our theme songs for SAY RALLY! “Rock The Boat”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTRpP83lS0w

Golden State SAY Rally Details

• Location: Camp Redwood Glen(3100 Bean Creek Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95066)
• Ages: 6-18
• Cost: $10 per person
• Date: Feb. 17th, 2024
• Registration Deadline: Feb. 9th, 2024

General Schedule

10:00am - 10:30am Registration open

10:30am - 12:00pm SAY RALLY Main Session

12:15pm – 1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm - 3:00pm Free time Activities

Sharing with you a new initiative for 2024 from Territorial Headquarters…4 in 24!

Every unit/church is encouraged to enroll -

• 4 New Senior Soldiers in 2024
• 4 New Junior Soldiers in 2024

What are Senior Soldiers? Believers, who are at least 14 years old who understand and agree with what the Salvation Army believes and wants to officially call The Salvation Army their "home church" as a member. We encourage you to take the classes when they are offered in a couple weeks time to first learn about what we believe.

What are Junior Soldiers? Youth who are between the ages of 7 - 13 who also take classes to learn the basics about what the Salvation Army believes and also want to officially call The Salvation Army their "home church" as members.

This is just the basic definition. You'll learn more about what being a "Salvationist" or Salvation Army soldier means during the course of the Salvation Army 101 Class.

The FOF Weekend event registration will be closed on Feb 1st! Please read through for key details.

Dates: February 9-11, 2024 (check in starting at 4pm and the event will conclude at 1:00pm on Sunday)

Location: College for Officer Training at Crestmont (CFOT). Lodging will be at CFOT and possibly a nearby hotel if we have a lot of people registered.

Delegate Requirements:

• Age: at least 18 years of age to early 50’s (age of eligibility for officership).
• Regularly attends and participates in Corps programs
• Strongly considering future officership
• Endorsed by their corps officer and division

Registration Fee: $45 per person (paid by the delegate at registration) on events.usawest.org

Attached you will find the fliers for FOF retreat 2024.

Registration: events.usawest.org

Travel: Golden State Division has decided that the cost of transportation is on delegate’s responsibility. The lodging will be provided by CFOT and the fee is included in the registration fee.

We are all focused on the upcoming holiday season, but I wanted to give you a bit of information regarding the upcoming Territorial Congress:

• Date: June 13-16, 2024
• Location: Pasadena Convention Center
• Theme: Testify!
• Visiting Leaders: General Lyndsay and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
• Mission Statement/Scripture: Teach, Train and Motivate Salvationists to tell the Story of Jesus more often, and to more people, through words and actions. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
• ARC Command will be receiving their own travel subsidy for current beneficiaries. Those who have graduated and attend your corps can be included in your non-officer counts.

Registration is now open, and the registration website also has links to the hotels that we have negotiated room rates for. We encourage everyone to register and book rooms early. PLEASE note Retired Officers must book their hotel room directly through Major Nancy Dihle. https://events.usawest.org/

The Ordination and Commissioning ceremonies will take place as part of the Friday night opening celebration session of the Congress, with the appointments being given out in the final meeting on Sunday afternoon. What an exciting way to start the Congress!

Meals

Registration at the congress includes 5 meals for the entire family. This will be a wonderful time for fellowship.

There is a goal of sending 200 delegates (no officers or retired officers included in this count) from the Golden State Division. There will be a subsidy available of $350 per delegate for the first 200 delegates. We are still working out details regarding the subsidy and how it will be distributed.

As more information becomes available, it will be shared. Here is the link to an article on The Landing about the Territorial Congress: https://usawest.sharepoint.com/sites/NewFrontierChronicle/SitePages/General-to-attend-2024-Congress-in-Pasadena.aspx

If you're a Salvationist with a passion for art, this is for you! The theme is "Testify" – teach, train, and motivate others to share Jesus' story through their words and actions. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope

that you have."

To enter, submit your original artwork that represents your ideas and thoughts on the theme. All submissions must be the original work of the participant, and open to Salvationists of all artistic abilities across the Western Territory.

1 Winner per category will have their art featured on an item sold during Congress, June 14-16, 2024.

Each winner will also receive a $50 Amazon gift card! Entries are due by April 7, 2024.

Email submission must include your name, age and Corps/Division

artcontest24@usw.salvationarmy.org

Creating Artwork for the “Testify” Theme

If you're a Salvationist with a passion for art, this is for you! The theme is "Testify" – teach, train, and motivate others to share Jesus' story through their words and actions. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope

that you have."

To enter, submit your original artwork that represents your ideas and thoughts on the theme. All submissions must be the original work of the participant, and open to Salvationists of all artistic abilities across the Western Territory.

Your artwork may be hand-drawn or digital but must include The Salvation Army red shield. It should be no larger than 8 1/2" by 11", and submitted in JPEG, JPG, PDF, or PNG format. Only one entry is allowed per person.

Categories:

Adults 20+

Teen 19-13

Children 12 below

Please help us keep you informed by signing up for the Remind App. Simply follow the directions. The goal is to touch base with a newsletter once a week and avoid 25 responses to a group text. This is a secure way for us to do this. Text to: 81010, Send the message: @chkhc6.

Feel free to share the info. Thank you in advance.

Sunday:

• 9:30 AM Sunday School for Youth and Adults
• 10:30 AM Worship service
• 11:00 AM Junior Church
• 12:30 PM Potluck & Fellowship (3rd Sunday unless scheduled otherwise)

Wednesday:

Illuminate Youth Schedule

• 4:00 PM Troops Youth Character Building Program
• 5:00 PM Music Instruction: Singing, Timbrels, Drumming, Solo Practice
• 6:30 PM Dinner for All
• 7:15 PM Adult Bible Study/Youth Drama

Friday:

• 5:00 PM Teen Youth Group (Monthly - Dates vary)

• 7:00 PM Women's Fellowship - Ladies Night Out (Monthly - Dates vary)

Email: shoshannah.ruwethin@usw.salvationarmy.org
Website: siliconvalley.salvationarmy.org
Location: 3090 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408.247.4588
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSASantaClaraChurch