Come  to Christ Lutheran on Sundays  in March at 11:15 for  a series of six classes titled Faith and Public Policy. Location: 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA.  831 688-5727  www.aptosChurch.org
The classes on Faith and Public Policy  follow  Christ Lutheran’s  10 am Worship service and  time for  Coffee, Food and Fellowship.
Pastor Dale will lead  the discussion sessions based on online lectures and suggested readings by Jim Wallis, President and Founder of Sojourners.
Class 1 is titled  Introduction.  Class 2 is titled  Poverty (Part II) of Jim Wallis’ online lectures.  Class 3 is titled Immigration.  Class 4 is titled Race and Religion.
For information on the online classes available through Jim Wallis:
Start small in changing the world? Â Garden plots are available at Aptos Community Garden, an outreach of Christ Lutheran Church. Â Spade that dirt! Â Turn that soil! Â Make beautiful vegetables and flowers.
Christian saints John and Charles Wesley are remembered and discussed today, Â Friday, March 3, Â 5:30 pm at St. John’s in Aptos during evening prayers.
During March 2017  different dynamic duos  — Christian saints linked in ministry — will be remembered and discussed at St. John’s in Aptos, CA during the Friday 5:30- 6:00  evening prayer service.
Methodist preachers John and Charles Wesley are linked together in ministry.
Charles Wesley  wrote over 6,000 hymns including Hark the Harold Angel Sing.
Charles Wesley  is remembered March 2 in the Calendar of Saints for Evangelical Lutherans,  March 3 in the Episcopal Calendar of Saints and March 29 in the Order of Saint Luke calendar.
There’s quite a few  owl  box homes  waiting for owl families in the Aptos CA area.
Aptos Community Garden put up a barn owl home a couple years ago.  Coastlands Church in Aptos put  up three owl boxes a year ago. And there are other owl boxes in Aptos waiting for owls.
Ideas how to ‘hoot’ for barn owl  hoots? Moss Landing has a new owl family growing.  Complete with video to watch them grow:
“At dusk, the large owl with the heart-shaped face stretches her wings, taking a much-needed break from sitting on her brood of eight eggs. Throughout the evening, her mate brings her loving gifts of field mice and voles. And anyone with an Internet connection can now watch this wildlife romance in action.
“Live streaming from an infrared videocamera shows what’s going on inside the owl box 24/7.  If the links don’t work go to YouTube and search under:  owls moss landing Ca
This is a live feed from inside a nest box where two wild barn owls have taken up residency. The female, named Lotte, is currently brooding a clutch of 8 eggs.The first one hatched February 4th. The especially large owl box was designed, built and installed by Humane Wildlife Control. Video streaming by TerraFox Networks.
“We’ve had such a positive reaction to the owls,†said cafe chef and owner Kim Solano. “It’s so uplifting — such a privilege to see them up close.â€
“And with egg hatching imminent, the Haute Enchilada has decided to host a special event Feb. 11 that includes a special presentation on the owls, light appetizers and perhaps even a glimpse of the owls at twilight.
“The new residents — named Teco and Lotte, a play on tecolote, the Spanish word for owl — took over the box soon after it was installed by the husband-and-wife team of Duane Titus and Rebecca Dmytryk, who own the local company Humane Wildlife Control.
“Lotte has laid an above-average clutch,†said Dmytryk, who notes that barn owls are cavity nesters, and if they can’t find a hollow tree or barn to nest in, will attempt to make a home in inadequate places — palm trees, for instance, where the babies are in danger of falling out.
“Because hollow trees are not as plentiful as they used to be, due to human intervention, barn owls are happy to find the owl boxes and move in.
“It’s all part of the effort to make the Haute Enchilada complex a more sustainable venture, said Solano. The restaurant strives to serve only sustainable seafood, natural and free-range meat and poultry, and locally sourced organic produce whenever possible.
“The Haute Enchilada also distributes paper straws rather than plastic to help reduce plastic in landfills and oceans; the staff uses eco-friendly cleaning products; and the property has its own beehive, maintained by Carmel Honey Co.
“Last year, Solano was concerned about rodent problems on the property, which includes the cafe, a studio and art gallery, and the Social Club, an event venue. She contacted Titus and Dmytryk, who then built and installed the box, which has been painted in bright colors by Solano’s artist husband, Luis Solano.
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“Why is it important to provide a home for owls? Aside from the rodent control aspect, it’s a way to help these magnificent birds survive. Their numbers are beginning to decline, due in part to loss of habitat.
“There are a few conditions, though, for inviting in barn owls to your environs. If you install a box, you need to give up using poison to control mouse, rat, gopher and ground squirrel problems, because owls that eat the poisoned rodents could sicken and die.
Also, keep in mind that nothing keeps every rodent away, but the owls do keep them in check.
“It’s mostly about control. You’re not getting rid of all rodents,†Dmytryk said. “It’s a process.â€
“People interested in barn owl boxes can also build their own, although Dmytryk cautions that not all the plans available on the Internet are adequate for barn owl needs. Boxes should have a minimum floor size of 29 by 24 inches, an entry hole that’s 5.5 by 4.5 inches, and an entry hole at least 14 inches off the floor, so that the babies can’t get out before they’re ready to fly.
To get on the waiting list for the Hatch Party on Feb. 11, call 831-760-0952 or email hauteenchilada@gmail.com. The cafe is also planning an Earth Day fundraiser for March 19 to celebrate earth-friendly sustainable practices, with an art auction and costume contest. Proceeds will be donated to The Last Plastic Straw program, which is aimed at reducing single-use plastics.
Do you have questions or tips about sustainable living around the Central Coast? Send them to Kathryn McKenzie at kathymckenziewriter@gmail.com. Follow Kathryn McKenzie at www.facebook.com/kathrynmckenziewriter.
Come on now!  Does God through Jesus  and the Holy Spirit actually heal?
Can someone – Jesus –  help your  aching back?  Do people actually  get healed today — like the healing that happened to Saul  healed of blindness  by a lay person?
Ananias — a lay person heals Saul of blindness                     Acts 9:17
Does the laying on of hands with Christian pray help? Â Find out ….
Michael DeArmond addresses those attending the six week  series  ‘Who do you say I am?’ held 2/1/2017 at St. John the Baptist in Aptos, CA.
Michael  tells  some of his spiritual journey.  And, he describes remarkable, immediate  physical healings which  he has witnessed. On himself  — through prayer and the  laying on of hands — and  the healing of  another.
Next meeting  is Wed. Feb. 8 from 7 PM- 8:30 PM.   A 15 minute Personal Story is  followed by time for individual reflection on portions of the Gospel of John. Groups of five at a table  share their thoughts.
Contact adbooks@aol.com for more information.
Joanne Peterson
Joanne Peterson shares her story next week.
The Feb. 2 meeting started with readings from the Gospel of John including: Â
John 3:1-21New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.â€
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]â€
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?†Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!â€
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit.7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.â€[d]
9 “How can this be?†Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,†said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e]14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f]15 that everyone who believesmay have eternal life in him.â€[g]
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
Who Do You Say I Am?  continues on Wednesdays at  7:00 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Aptos.  Address:  125 Cantebury Drive.  email Alliee DeArmond at adbooks@aol.com for more info.  Please SHARE  info with friends.
Late PM Prayers at St. John’s:  You can’t pour from an empty cup.  Take care for yourself first.
 To be or not to be a Sanctuary City.  Did voters vote?
Which CA cities  are Sanctuary Cities?  Santa Cruz, Watsonville – they are Sanctuary Cities.  What about Scotts Valley?  Capitola? Can residents in Aptos, CA vote?
 In general, do  voters get to vote to be or not to be a Sanctuary City?
Below is a Letter published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2016:
“Listening to President Trump’s inaugural address was most inspiring. As the mother of a United States Marine officer I know that now there is now a man in the White House who really cares about our military, our veterans, families and keeping this country safe. I am ashamed that on leaving office Mr. Obama released 233 drug dealers. How does that make our children safe?
Oh, but I forgot, Santa Cruz is a sanctuary city so this release does not worry its residents.”
— Linda Eberhardt, Scotts Valley
So — is it  time to end sanctuary cities?  In 2017,  there are about 300 canctuary cities — up form about 70 in 2011.
Remember Kate Steinle —  who was murdered while walking with her father  in sanctuary city San Francisco.  She was murdered by  by an illegal who had been deported multiple times.
 Let’s say to sanctuary cities:  “If you refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, you will lose your federal funding.â€
Nine attend Bible study First Baptist Church, Aptos, CA
The bible study is based on Entrusted, by Beth Moore, Study of  the book of 2 Timothy.
Questions? Â Please connect:
http://www.aptosbaptist.church/contact-us
*  Tuesdays, 1/10/17 – 2/14/17 *  1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Books are  available through the church for $12. Â
First Baptist Church of Aptos
Aptos Community Garden  831 688 5727 extension 2  needs  long term  gopher control assistance. We are located at 10707 Soquel Drive,  Aptos, CA.  Can you catch gophers?  Willing to learn?
Aptos Community Garden is an outreach of Christ Lutheran Church.   Aptos Community  Garden is on Twitter and Facebook.
Do you have general outdoor work skills? Maybe you are just starting out in the gardening business.  Maybe you  are retired and want a few hours of work. Maybe you want to learn the necessary skills?  We are open to all methods of gopher control —  except use of poisons or chemicals.
We seek  someone who wants to participate in Aptos Community  Garden —  in exchange for  gopher control.
Please call 831 688-5727 extension 2. Â Â Live near or around Aptos? Â Â #aptosia
Transparency.  People want it in government.  Also needed in the process of selecting  church leaders.
 Let people know what’s going on as it’s going on.  People want to know.  And they should be able to know.
What is needed — but not happening — to select the next Episcopalian priest  for St. John’s  n Aptos, CA?
Need transparency. Provide accurate information.  Get  real involvement of the congregation  in an  on-going basis.
So far that’s not happening at St. John’s in  Aptos, CA.
What  the head of the Search Committee  told the Vestry  [Board of Directors]  of an Episcopal church in Aptos, CA  10/26/2016:
“You, Vestry,  will get three names.  Shortly before Thanksgiving or a little after.  You will get the complete files.  You will be trained how to evaluate these three applicants.   No vestry person is allowed to talk one on one with any applicant and there must always be a Search committee  person present. No private conversations. allowed.  It’s too toxic”
Is this how the Holy Spirit works?  Give the Holy Trinity more room!  More transparency might help.  Also really accurate information.  And more  involvement by the congregation.
The Vestry  recently went on a Retreat to improve the process of communication between members of the Vestry.  And it  has worked.  Communication has improved.  The Vestry learned about “compassionate communication”.
What about “compassionate communication” with the congregation?  Or will all the issues that have been swirling around  be swept under the rug?  Hope not.
___________________
Suggestions/ Â Comments for selecting the next Rector/ Priest for St. John’s: Â
get paid background checks
Get paid background checks  — don’t just rely on telephone calls made  by church  search committee  members. Pay for  professional and reliable background checks. Know who this person is! Â
Provide the Vestry [Board of Directors] with  more than 3 names to choose  — why only provide  3 out of total pool?  Will it be 2 men or 2 women and why not provide 5 or 7?  Â
Get more involvement by the church  members  — members travel, hear and know about possible applicants.  Episcopalians tend to be a well traveled group of people.  Get names from the congregation. Listen to the congregation. Provide regular updates.  So far that is not happening. Â
Now’s the time to plant those sweet peas  for lovely flowers.  Hidden Nursery in Aptos  has what you need:  six packs for $3.99  and several varieties of seeds for $2.39.
Those lovely plants need something to grow up  on.  You can use individual sticks or  some sort of trellis.  At Hidden Nursery the least expensive trellis is $14.99.  Other ones are available.
Hidden Nursery is located at 7765 Soquel Drive #A, Aptos, CA 95003 Open 9:30 – 5:30 PM
Our current political and world situation provides an incentive for us to learn and act says Pastor Dale with Christ Lutheran Church in Aptos, CA. Â This church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
On a rainy day in Aptos CA 1/10/2016,  nine attended the  Ladies Bible Study  
Aptos Community Garden is located at the very end of Soquel Ave. -- take Freedom Exit off of highway #1 and look for the CHP office.