Major's Minute
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Church, as we reflect on this past year, without a doubt, I'm sure there were difficult times and joyous times. As we look forward to the new year with bright eyes - there will still be difficult times and joyous times - but as in the years before God is always on the throne. Let's see what God is doing to continually draw people to Him, and how He uses our testimonies to tell of His goodness.
... I just shared these words last week. Isn't it how funny God works? Who would have known that the difficult times in our family would come so soon? As many of you know, Major Celestine and I came home sick from the Rose Parade on Thursday. As I healed, he seemed to get worse. It wasn't until Monday that he started to have visible and audible shortness of breath. Tuesday morning we determined to go the Urgent Care to finally get medicine to kick his sickness to the curb.
The first red flag was making him take a breathing treatment before they continued with his exam. To our surprise we were referred straight to the ER. Major Celestine spent Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Thursday in the Intensive Care Unit. It was a concerning time. But as I write to you now, he is out of ICU, getting better, but still on the mend in the hospital.
You, church, have been amazing. Reaching out, helping, encouraging, and most of all praying!! The song that has been running through my head is "I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. And anytime, I don't know what to do. I will cast all my cares upon you."
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
God willing, see you at church this Sunday!!
Major Shoshannah
JANUARY
11: Divisional youth chorus - 9:30 am and brass band practice - 11:45 am @ Santa Clara
15: Family nights resume, 5:45 pm music, 6:30 pm dinner, 7:15 pm study
16: Young adult volleyball resumes, 7:15 pm
19: Cultural Awareness Sunday
- January potluck
- Registration for youth rally and $10 fee due per youth
24-26: Young Adult Retreat @ Zephyr Point
27--31: Youth Leaders Conference @ Mt. Hermon
Salvation Army Youth (SAY) Rally
It’s that time of the year again for our SAY Rallies! We are excited to announce that our rallies will be at Camp Redwood Glen, February 8. All kids from 6-17 are welcomed to join this event even though they are not registered in troops. So, bring them over to this great event!
This year’s theme is “Mission: Possible”, and we are going to dive into the Full Armor of God.
Golden State SAY Rally Details
Camp Redwood Glen(3100 Bean Creek Rd, Scotts Valley 95066)
- Ages: 6-17
- Cost: $10 per person
- Date: Feb. 8th, 2025
- Registration Deadline: Jan. 19, 2025
General Schedule (Tentative)
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
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.
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.
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