This weekend, our family engaged in a corn hole tournament and we took it seriously! Every time a bean bag landed on the top of the wooden board, it earned one point - three points if you were able to get the bean bag in the hole. The first person that reached 21 points exactly would be the winner. Sounds easy enough - except there was a twist. If you or your challenger matched points - it would cancel out the points earned and you'd have to keep going. Also, if you went over 21 points, you lost points and had to gain points again. It's hard to explain here ... anyone up for a corn hold challenge?

Playing frustrated us .. I mean kept us on our toes. Whenever we thought we were ahead .. someone could take away our forward momentum and zero our points out. Or maybe we earned too many points and had our scores drop just seconds from a win. Players thought they might win and ended up losing. Those who were far behind could catch up. Some .. like me .. didn't make it past four points and were knocked out of the competition the first round!!

Was there a point to this ramble? Yes, I want a rematch! There's no real spiritual lesson - except live life with people. We may have ups and downs, but we can be there for each other. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Major Shoshannah

** This Sunday, June 4:

- Recognition of College Graduate (Elaine)

- Recognition of 5th grade promotions (Brianda, Kadyn, Ella)

- Praying over Summer camp staff (Alex, Janae, Jene, Lukas)

- Praying over Service Corps participants (Brynne, Rhys)

** Corps Council on Zoom Monday, June 5, 6 PM. **

Commissioning is a large Salvation Army event focused on the ordination of new Salvation Army officers. Those being commissioned as Lieutenants will then be assigned to a Salvation Army corps/church. It's a very exciting time. We encourage you to tune in on Facebook or Youtube with the links below. Who knows? Maybe God might be calling you to be a Salvation Army Officer in the future!

During this weekend, again the youth will be participating in the Encore.

Watch Commencement, Saturday Evening and the Sunday Meetings Online at www.facebook.com/newfrontierchronicle or www.youtube.com/tsawestvideo

We hope to have over 100 kids per week at our beautiful Camp Redwood Glen in Scotts Valley, near Santa Cruz. Our divisional leadership as shared three requests:

1. Pray for our summer camp ministry. Please pray that we are able to hire the staff we need and that each child is given a wonderful and safe experience at camp.
2. Refer people over 18 – we need camp counselors as soon as possible. The first group of kids arrive on June 12, so refer anyone to apply today: https://www.tsaredwoodglen.org/summerstaff
3. Volunteer – we need anyone over 18 who is willing to serve for at least one week of camp. Officers, staff, volunteers are welcome to email Captain David Kim with your availability and capacity for service (please indicate area for serving: counselor, craft house, dining hall, etc.). david.kim@usw.salvationarmy.org Please speak to your supervisor for permission to work for a week at camp.

• All must complete Protecting the Mission training, background check, and be cleared for work with minors.

Women’s Ministries Projects Updates

Zimbabwe & Botswana Territory

Project 1

Whilst we had sent 3 proposals, the money was sent to use for Women’s Empowerment & Capacity Building. We did not want to choose one over the other, so we stretched our funds, and with the practical support of our DDWM’s, we were able to accomplish all three project ideas. They are:

1. Capacity Building & Leadership Development

2. Life Skills training for expectant Mothers

3. Enhancement of Children's Ward – Howard Hospital

As noted in our project proposal, our Territory sees Women’s Ministries as being crucial in terms of Corps growth in our Territory. However, due to the absence of training and development for a long period of time, we decided that it was time to actively seek to strengthen and empower our women Officers and Local leaders to work and lead effectively within their Divisions and Districts.

The kind donation from the USW Territory allowed us to conduct Regional Women’s Empowerment and Capacity building seminars, with the theme ‘Holy Women Empowered to Lead’. This project will strengthen our approach to ministry and leadership, empower our women Officers and local officers and build capacity for them to be better equipped to engage in Ministry.

The Women’s Ministries department visited several regions in the Territory and by clustering our women leaders, we were able to conduct leadership seminars in almost all Divisions and Districts. The aim of the seminars was to spiritually strengthen and empower women to lead in ministry at Corps level, Divisional level, and Territorial level.

Seminar Content:

Keeping with the aim to empower women and build their capacity through training and information sessions, we were able to offer sessions as follows:

· Holiness and Confidence in Leadership

· Holiness and Conflict Management

· The Leaders Spiritual Gifts

· Strategic Planning for Leaders

· The Role of the Holy Spirit in Leadership

· Accountability and Transparency in Leadership

· Bible study, prayer sessions, and worship was also an integral part of the seminars

Who benefited?

The seminars were open to all women Officers, women leaders and potential women leaders within the Salvation Army in the Territory. The attendances were overwhelming with an estimated 2000 women delegates.

Women from all areas felt encouraged, uplifted, equipped, and empowered to lead. Many testified to the fact that, not only were they spiritually uplifted, but they were better able to contribute to leadership on the local level as a result of what they learned from the sessions.

Women’s Ministries Project

Zimbabwe & Botswana Territory

Project 2

Life Skills Training with Expectant Mothers

Project Description

As noted in the Project proposal, Women form the majority of Zimbabwe’s population and they are responsible for the welfare of the family and they take this issue seriously. In consultation with Physicians at Howard Mission Hospital, the unfortunate reality is that, many young expectant mothers are not fully prepared to take up the role of providing for their child/children due to lack of life skills.

According to current research women are much more dependent than men on ‘non-wage income’ which they direct towards basic household needs. The non-wage sources of income include subsistence farming, sewing, gardening and sale of small livestock.

The Salvation Army WM Department through the outreach team of Howard Mission Hospital offered Life Skills training to expectant mothers in the rural catchment area serviced by the hospital. This training will prove to empower expectant mothers and put them in a better place to provide for the family through non-wage income sources.

The life skills training project has two components; catering/cooking skills, and gardening skills. The gardening skills component began with a class of 9 expectant mothers. They are learning how to grow organic tomatoes. The mothers are learning how to grow vegetables without using too much money on seedlings.

The catering/cooking skills class will provide similar life skills and build capacity within the expectant mothers. At this point 2 stoves have been purchased to aid in the practical lessons on cooking and baking.

Project Goals

The aim of the project is to enable and empower expectant mothers to build funds for themselves by learning life skills such as sewing, gardening, and baking.

The Outreach team at Howard Mission Hospital have the personnel to teach the life skills and space to accommodate the practical component of the life skills program. Ie. Classroom, gardening area, etc.

Beneficiaries…

This project benefits expectant mothers who are not employed and have lack of resources to meet the basic needs for sustainable living.

The project also benefits the family and provides the needed funding for basic necessities and even savings to send children to school etc.

Women’s Ministries Project

Zimbabwe & Botswana Territory

Project 3

Children’s Ward Play Area

Howard Mission Hospital

Project Description

Thanks to the kind generosity of the Women’s Ministries in the USA Western Territory, Howard Mission Hospital created a much-needed play area in the Children’s Ward at the Hospital.

The children’s ward play area project commenced with the painting of murals on the walls of the ward. Toys have also been purchased and will be placed in the play area once it is completed. The Children’s ward should be complete by the end of April. The Children’s ward will prove to be a bright cheerful area for children who have to stay in hospital.

Project Goals

The aim of this project is to provide psychosocial support through interactive play which will help children to manage the stress, fear and anxiety related to their hospital stay, and the uncertainty connected to their current reality, i.e HIV, Malnutrition, or from being orphaned.

Beneficiaries…

As noted in our proposal, first and foremost, the children will benefit from such a project. They now have a bright cheerful place to stay while in our hospital. This will also lessen the anxiety of parents who have to care for children in hospital. Having a space where they can play and interact with their children will benefit both child and parents/caregivers.

Hi church! This is a wonderful opportunity for you to help families on July 15. Hoping that many of you will register, this event fits one of the greatest needs for underserved families w/school-aged children!

Description:

Back-to-School Shopping Chaperones will assist underserved children in our local community, helping at least one child “shop” for new uniforms and clothing for school using a Student Profile listing any colors, sizes for that child. Children K-12th grade will be matched w/Shopping Chaperones will be matched with a child (optional to help another), the amount per child is $100-$150 and will vary per grade, (more info later.)

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023,
• Time: Arrive between 6:15am-6:30am/end time 10am
• Address: Old Navy Westgate Mall, 1600 Saratoga Avenue, SJ, CA 95129 (meet outside)
• Mandatory Orientation: 6:45am. If you are late, you may be re-assigned to alternate area.
• Check-In: Use your personal Confirmation Number & bring DL, ID or Student ID (w/pic).
• Event ends at 10am: Shopping Chaperones and child, must at least be at check-out counters.
• Store opens to the public @ 10 am

If you register, will receive notification and respond w/a Confirmation Number that you will need to remember and use that day, during check-in. Age Requirements do apply (refer to link). Shopping Chaperones agree to follow detailed instructions sheet and follow mandatory orientation, (at least 15 minutes) before event starts.

**Parent aren’t allowed in store unless child is “special needs.” More info will be emailed once volunteers register and are confirmed by Volunteer Coordinator. Questions go to: liwayway.gimenez@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Santa Clara Corps Link to Register:

https://volunteer.usawest.org/OpportunityDetail.aspx?ID=7366

We are pleased to announce that Cadets Maria and Nick Carrillo and their two children, Joel (11) and Manuel (7) have been assigned to Santa Clara for their Summer Assignment from June 14 to July 30, 2023. Their first Sunday with us will be 18,. We are excited to have an addition to the family for the summer. They will be blessing to us and this church will be a blessing to them. Keep them in your prayers.

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 (2nd/3rd Sundays)

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