RM churches

The Rancho Murieta Community Church was transformed into the Land of the Pharaohs for "Egypt: Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace," the Vacation Bible School program that began Monday morning. Children from preschool through sixth grade take part in songs, games, teamwork and upbeat worship during the week-long program. Participants will also create blankets for Operation Kid-to-Kid.

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More than 100 people attended a baptism held by Grace Community Church at Lake Clementia Sunday afternoon. Christina Rodness, a 16-year-old Rancho Murieta girl who is fighting cancer, and her mother, Carmelita Rodness, were among four who were baptized as the crowd sang "Amazing Grace." Earlier in the day, Christina gave testimony about her faith before a congregation of several hundred at the church's service in Elk Grove.

Boy Scouts Gregory Prouty, left, and Ryan Prouty receive congratulations Sunday  from their mother, Theresa Prouty, and Greg Pryor, an official of the Boy Scouts Golden Empire Council, at the dedication of the memorial courtyard they designed and built in honor of their father at St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery.

The new courtyard at St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery in Rancho Murieta is a serene place that welcomes visitors with flowering plants and benches shaded by oaks. It's the work of Troop 633 Boy Scouts Gregory and Ryan Prouty, who embarked on the ambitious project last year to earn the rank of Eagle Scout and to honor their father, who died in 2008.  Read more »

The Rancho Murieta Community Church held a picnic at Stonehouse Park on a breezy Sunday afternoon with something for everyone. The large family event offered plenty to eat and lots of socializing, plus sports and some new ways to get the most fun out of a bounce house.

"I'm Too Sexy" was the music for Steve Lacey's turn modeling an apron at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church's Mother's Day tea.  It was a charity fundraiser.  (Inside you'll find a slide show of other men in a similar predicament.)

Every mom was Queen Mum for a day at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church's Mother's Day community tea Sunday afternoon as dads donned aprons and served dainty tea sandwiches and cakes. Ham wasn't on the menu, but there was plenty of Rancho Murieta's finest on the runway as dads and kids modeled aprons for the charity auction.  Read more »

The second annual winter Teen Dance was held Saturday night at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church social hall. It attracted scores of the community's young people, who showed off the latest moves as well as the tried and true. After all, can any dance in Rancho Murieta be complete without everyone hitting the dance floor for "YMCA"? The event was put on for ages 13 to 18 by the Kiwanis Club, St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church and the Rancho Murieta Community Church.

The eighth annual Coat Dinner at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church was one of three community events that weren't dampened by Friday night's rain.  Hundreds of coats and jackets and some sleeping bags were collected for Loaves & Fishes to distribute to the homeless. In exchange for their donations, everyone received a homemade chili dinner. Also part of Friday night were the Community Church's "December Evenings" event and the Country Club's first "holiday concert."  Read more »

Nationally recognized inspirational speaker Roger Crawford will be at St. Vincent DePaul Church 4 p.m. Sunday to share his life story of faith and courage.  Featured in the original "Chicken Soup for the Soul," Roger is a professional tennis player who was named one of Sports Illustrated’s most accomplished physically challenged athletes in history.  Read more »

The eighth annual Coat Dinner takes place Friday, Dec. 11, at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church on Cantova Way. In exchange for a clean, gently used jacket, coat or sleeping bag, everyone who attends this charitable event will receive a homemade chili dinner with salad, corn bread and dessert.  Read more »

Sacramento Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigard led a crowd of about 40 in prayers to dedicate and bless the columbarium at St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery Sunday morning. A statue of the saint tops the columbarium, which is a collection of niches for the ashes of the dead. The cemetery is located on Jackson Road in Murieta South. The bishop participated in a celebration of mass at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church before the blessing and a reception was held at the church's social hall after the ceremony. Bishop Weigand retired last year from his responsibilities as bishop for the Sacramento diocese after 14 years. He presided over a ceremony rededicating the cemetery, formerly known as St. Joseph's Pioneer Cemetery, eight years ago.