Page 8 - Dinuba Sentinel 3-1-18 E-edition

A8| Thursday, March 1, 2018 Back Page The Dinuba Sentinel
Lions hold speech competition
HNobody is perfect
ello? Anyone out Lent. It’s a time of reflection seems much faster than trying there? on our journey of faith and a to do it yourself. Sometimes Yes, I’m speaking time for us to draw closer to they will look in places you
Speech contest winner Daisy Pineiro's message was on setting positive examples for kids.
Contributed
“Everything a teen sees they will copy, so why not teach them integrity and civility?” This was the message first place winner Daisy Pineiro delivered at the Dinuba Lions Club speech contest. Both Daisy and second place winner Ayleen Aguilera spoke about the importance of adults setting positive examples for kids. “When there is no honesty in an adult,” Daisy said, “we are going to think it’s OK” to act the same way. Ayleen proposed that “we must treat others the way we want to be treated.”
The Lions Club Speech Contest was started in 1937, with a goal of
encouraging students to develop their public speaking skills and confidence through research, speech drafting, and public presentations. Participants must prepare a speech of no less than five minutes and must show increasing skill in the delivery at each successive level. Students win prize money starting at the local level. If they win at the top level, the prize money jumps to $10,000. The topic for this year’s contest series is: “Integrity and Civility Play What Role in Today’s Society.”
Both Daisy and Ayleen are students in Robert Martin’s Speech and Debate class at Dinuba High School. When asked why he teaches this
subject, Mr. Martin replied: “I teach speech and debate because I believe in the power of student voices. The world needs to hear what they have to say, and I love helping to instill in them a sense of self-confidence.”
By winning first place at the local level, Daisy moves on to the Lions Club zone contest. As Lions Club First Vice President Tim Conklin presented Daisy with her prize check and certificate, he told her: “Hopefully, you will win there and make us all prouder.” Dinuba Lions Club President Dave Ysusi concluded the local contest by telling contest participants: “It’s very encouraging to hear the way that you think. It gives us hope.”
Valentine's celebration at St. Michael's
Contributed
A Valentine’s celebration was hosted at St. Michael’s by volunteers Isa Irvine and Kirsten Carver to residents and guests. They served 200 tamales, refried beans, organic strawberry lemonade and orange punch, cake for 100 people and peanut chocolate fudge. Valentine’s chocolate boxes were given as prizes. Maria Nava made fresh corn tortillas by hand. The Young Generation Mariachi Band entertained the guests.
Contributed
paper.
I just wanted you to know
pobody’s nerfect. I mean, nobody’s perfect.
Sometimes we let the weirdest things get in the way between us and God. The idea that you are not worthy of God’s love is one of them and if that at all describes you, I hope you’ll reconsider. Just maybe, you are worthy. I know you are, but maybe you’ll believe it, too. I had a friend who thought her life was so messed up she would never go to Heaven. Apparently, she thought all the people in the Bible who messed up and were forgiven were better than she was. But that’s not so. God loves her as much as he does me and you. And that’s a lot.
If you’re not familiar with it, this time of the season leading up to Easter Sunday we call
why they always have Filet-O- Fish specials at McDonald’s in February? That’s why. It’s a long story, but it has to do with Lent and the sacrifices we make during this time to help us focus on Christ. I hope you will take some time between now and Easter to do the same – to reflect honestly on your own journey of faith and explore what might be missing.
The fact that you’re reading a section called “Pastor’s Corner” at all means you’re searching for God in some way. So I want to invite you to come and seek God together with us, because when you’re part of a community of people all focused on the same thing, you can accomplish so much more than doing it by yourself. Ever lost a set of keys at home? Having a bunch of people search always
Pastor's Corner
to you. The one holding this God. Maybe you’ve wondered
completely ignored or thought impossible and voila – there it is. The same goes for faith. Sometimes we’re looking for Jesus in all the wrong places but someone else might be able to tap us on the shoulder and say, “See? He’s right over there.”
The bottom line is – you are loved by God and he wants to hear from you. Don’t worry about “being worthy” because truly none of us are. The church isn’t a place for nerfect people – I mean perfect people. It’s a place of healing for those who know they need help.
Craig Yoshihara is the pastor of Palm UMC. More information about Craig and the church he serves can be found on www.palmumc. org. Palm UMC can also be found on Facebook under PalmUMCDinuba.
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