Major's Minute
Only the very blessed have seen how bad my eyesight really is. My glasses are still thick with special lenses. I can't see much of anything without my contacts in. So, the transition from taking my contacts out has to be quick to my glasses so I can see.
One night this past week, I was getting ready to go to sleep. Going through my nighttime ritual I started by taking out my contacts. But I had a little hiccup. I thought I lost my contact in my left eye. I tried to grab it out and couldn't feel it. Afraid that it somehow moved to a random part of my eye I had to ask Celestine to come and help me. After looking like weirdos shining the camera light into my eyes, poking around, and not finding anything, we then looked to the bathroom floor. There we found a contact. But, it looked substantially smaller than my right contact. So, small that I thought it was someone else's contact. But, with no other option, I put that contact in my solution to clean it over night.
Amazingly the next morning, I went to check and saw that the small contact had become large again. My understanding is that the minutes left out the night before dried up the contact enough that it shriveled up a little. But, when soaked in the contact solution over night, it became clean, and restored to be used the way it was meant to - restoring my sight.
Quick reminder for me, when I'm not actively where I'm supposed to be - in the Word, with the Lord, in fellowship and not doing what I'm supposed to be doing - living, loving, serving the Lord, I get dry and shriveled up. Praise the Lord, that when spending time with Him, He can restore me to fullness and to right relationship and function. He is a good good God.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:5-8
**We are updating our volunteer files. We'll be asking current and new volunteers to complete the volunteer packet. We will also be giving you instructions on how to get additional fingerprinting (now required by law) for those who work with youth. You will not need to pay for anything. We will guide you on how to get this done.**
NOVEMBER:
- Monday - Nov. 11, Veteran's Day office closure
- Saturday - Nov. 16, Red red kettle ringing begins
- Sunday - Nov 17, Thanksgiving Potluck, See Rich Serrato.
- Wednesday - Nov. 27, Community Thanksgiving meal, 11 am - 1 pm or until meals run out
- Thursday/Friday - Nov. 28-29, Thanksgiving Office Closure
Winter Term Registration is now open!
Hurry! Hurry, and sign up! Space is limited!
School for Leadership Development Winter Term Registration is now open to ALL Employees! Soldiers and Volunteers!
Dear Western Territory Officers, Employees, Soldiers and Volunteers!
Many reached out and appreciated the idea of opening the SLD classes to employees! ! We are excited to announce that the School for Leadership Development (SLD) is now also extended to all Soldiers and Volunteers!
Join with the others and take a flexible 6-week online course through the School for Leadership Development (SLD). The SLD expands education to all officers, staff, soldiers, and volunteers in the Western Territory to further develop leaders in The Salvation Army.
See the School for Leadership Development newsletter sharing the classes and course descriptions that will be available next Winter Term, in January 2025. Please take advantage of this great opportunity to learn. The deadline for registration is Friday, January 17, 2025.
Winter Term Canvas online training will be on January 22, to January 25, 2025, to give you a chance to familiarize yourself with Canvas Learning System.
The online classes will begin January 27 to March 9, 2025. We are grateful for the instructors who take time to prepare and teach these classes.
Registration for Young Adult Retreat 2025 is now open!
Theme: Chosen and Called
Date: January 24th-26th, 2025
Ages: 18-35
Location:
Zephyr Point Conference Center
660 Hwy 50
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
Registration and Payment Deadline:
Friday, January 10th, 2025
Each delegate is responsible for their registration fee, meals traveling to/from the retreat, as well as any free time activities/spending. However, young adults actively involved will receive additional financial help if requested. Please let Majors Ruwethin know if you need help.
Registration Link:
https://forms.office.com/r/dvw4qwNdAA
Young adults are called by God and chosen for a purpose greater. It is important for each to understand that their true identity is found in Christ, who is the foundation of everything. As each grows in faith, we pray that they step confidently into their God-given purpose, knowing that they are part of a much larger story—God's story.
Scripture: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9
This year's conference theme, "At The Table", invites you to engage in meaningful conversations, share your story, and collaborate with fellow youth leaders and officers from across the territory. Together, we will explore how to invite others to the table of youth and young adult ministry.
Registration Link: https://events.usawest.org/Events/EventDetails?id=412
📅 Dates: January 27th - 31st, 2025
📍Location: Mt. Hermon Camp & Conference Center, Scott's Valley, California
🎉 Theme: "At The Table"
$$ Registration Fee: $250 (Will be billed to the division/corps after the event), /$125 delegate fee
What to look forward to:
Corporate worship, interactive workshops, and dynamic speakers who will bring practical teaching and spiritual insight about youth and young adult ministry. There will also be opportunities to network with fellow youth leaders outside of teaching times.
Who can attend:
Officers, staff, and volunteers currently in youth ministry, or those who wish to get more involved. Hearing the same message and learning the same things as a team helps enhance your strategy when you get back to your Corps. Don’t have any youth at your corps? This event is still for you. Don’t have a paid youth worker? This event is for you too! The Territorial Youth Leader's Conference is your opportunity to be inspired, empowered, and equipped to lead with purpose and passion.
The Future Officers’ Fellowship retreat is a time for individuals considering full-time ministry as officers in The Salvation Army to come away for the weekend to prepare their heart, mind, and soul for this calling.
This will be a valuable time together as God speaks and confirms in their hearts His calling on their lives. The schedule will include opportunities for classes, interaction with CFOT staff and cadets, and time for discovering what officership looks like.
The FOF Weekend event registration will be open through Feb 3rd! Please read through for key details.
Dates: February 14-16, 2025 (check in starting at 4pm and on Sunday the 16th we will be done after lunch- 1:00pm)
Location: College for Officer Training at Crestmont (CFOT). Lodging will be at CFOT and possibly a nearby hotel.
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
Registration: events.usawest.org Delegates will need final endorsement.
Travel: For FOF, 2025 the cost of travel and meals will be the divisions/corps/delegate responsibility. This is up to the discretion of the division. More details to be determined.
Cadet Care Package
Cadets Brenden Armendariz and Kiara Armendariz along with their daughter, Irene (3 years old) are from our Golden State Division. Both Brenden and Kiara are officers children who have answered the call to become officers themselves. They left their home in Modesto and are dedicated to follow God wherever He leads. Although, they are committed, they are in their first few months of training away from the familiar. Would you help us, as a church to send off a Care Package to them? We will be setting up a bin to collect items for them and will send a care package at the beginning of November.
What you can gift?
*A signed card by you
*Gift cards ($25)/seasonal items
*Toiletries
*Family items
*Something for Irene
* Be creative
Cadets will enjoy receiving support & packages from us. If you want to send items directly and throughout this year, please send them to:
College For Officer Training at Crestmont
Cadets Brenden and Kiara Armendariz
30840 Hawthorne Blvd (Room #320)
Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275
General Schedule
Sunday:
- 9:30 AM Small Groups for All Youth and Adults
- 10:30 AM Worship service
- 11:00 AM Junior Church for kids 1 - 5 grades and Nursery
- 11:45 AM Potluck & Fellowship (3rd Sunday unless scheduled otherwise)
Wednesday:
- 5:45 PM Beginning Brass Band
- 6:30 PM Dinner for All
- 7:15 PM Adult Bible Study/Youth Chorus
Thursday:
- 7:00 PM Young Adult Volleyball Fellowship
Friday:
- 6:00 PM Teen Youth Group (Monthly 1st Fridays)
Saturday:
- 8:00 AM Second Saturday Sons Breakfast (Monthly)
- 10:00 AM Second Saturday Sisters (Monthly)
The Salvation Army - Santa Clara
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