Santa Clara Clarion

We thank God for His blessings this past month and a half. Every song sung, sock wrapped, dance performed, bell rung, accordion played, bucket hit with a drum stick, and every brass note played has been unto His throne. We pray that the community that we've encountered at the stores, performances, and through the pantry have felt the love of the Lord and have been encouraged. Thank you to this church family for getting involved in ministry to the church and for the church. You are all an inspiration!

I remember as we prepared for pantry the week before Christmas God taught me a simple lesson. The plan was to hand out socks and beanies at the registration. As people waited in line, we'd have hot chocolate and marshmallows as a treat. My only job was to pick up the hot chocolate and cups. Feeling proud of myself, I grabbed the supplies, and got back to the church with plenty of time to spare. That was until I realized that Nesquick needed milk to taste right!! So, I rushed back to the store to look for a hot chocolate that only needed water to mix.

I found it - Nestle, on the top shelf and there were only three containers left. As I reached, I quickly found out that I was too short. So, I pulled out my wallet and tried to hit the containers closer to me. It was a challenge. Finally a customer close by asked if I need help. He grabbed them so easily and handed them right over. Do you know where I'm headed with this? .....

Probably not. The lesson is still coming. As I rushed to get into line to pay, I realized at the entrance to the store was the same hot chocolate I struggled to grab. In plain sight, easy to reach, and much more than the three I grabbed at desperately. I needed to slow down, keep my eyes open, and the provision would have been seen so easily. (Remember this is also my second time to the store.)

As we continue into this next year, will you join me in slowing down, keeping our eyes open, and seeing what God is revealing to us? I love the song, I'm in His Hands. The lyrics are: I'm in His hands, I'm in His hands, whatever the future holds. I'm in His hands. The days I cannot see, have all been planned for me. His way is best, you see I'm in His hands.

Major Shoshannah

This is an amazing opportunity through Project Glimmer for high school girls to be a part of an amazing leadership/empowerment academy and earn $500 for participating! Don't miss out on this super cool opportunity for youth everywhere in any division/territory.

Project Glimmer Empowerment Academy

A 6-week academy focused on goal-setting, presentation skills, and self-reflection. The results demonstrate increased self-confidence, fueling early ambition and vision for an empowered future. At the completion of this program, you will walk away with a plan and new set of tools and knowledge that will move you towards goal setting, self confidence, and financial literacy.

Dates:

o Monday, January 29th: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST / 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

o Monday, February 5th: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST / 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

o Monday, February 12th: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST / 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

o Monday, February 26th: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST / 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

o Monday, March 4th: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST / 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

o Monday, March 11th: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST / 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

Participants will receive a $500 stipend at the completion of the program (contingent with attendance, having your camera on during meetings, and completion of intersession assignments).

This will be held virtually, via Zoom

How to apply:

Open to current and incoming female identifying high school 10th, 11th, or 12th graders that are able to attend all of the above dates

Application

Deadline: January 19th

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 class.

online worship event that the Cadets are planning to livestream as a World Service Fundraiser. We are hoping that Command Leaders will support our Cadets in this fundraising effort by spreading the word and sharing this event information to corps and ministry units throughout the divisions. The Cadets are working on another flyer that will include streaming links and a QR code for the donation page. Meantime, please help us with sharing this information by forwarding this to Officers in your command.

Thanks for supporting our Cadets and helping them to meet their World Service goals.

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

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

• 2:00 PM Arrival/Open Gym
• 2:30 PM Welcome - devotions
• 2:45 PM Snacks
• 3:00 PM Troops
• 4:00 PM Brass, Drums, Piano, Hula, Art
• 5:00 PM Parent Pick Up

6:30 PM Young Adult Fellowship at Ruwethin's house

Thursday:

• 5:45 PM Intermediate Brass
• 6:30 PM Family Night Dinner
• 7:15 PM Adult Bible Study/Youth Choir

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