New Disciples Women Coordinator: Rev. Dr. Miseon Choi

Dear PSWR Disciples Women, 

I am honored and excited to introduce myself as your new coordinator for the Disciples Women’s Ministry in the Pacific Southwest Region. My name is Rev. Dr. Miseon Choi, and I am eager to begin this journey with you as we continue to grow and support one another in our faith and ministry.

As a coordinator, my primary goal is to listen, learn, and serve our community of dedicated and inspiring women. I am committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity, collaboration, and spiritual growth. Together, we can strengthen our bonds, share our diverse experiences, and work towards fulfilling the mission of the Disciples Women’s Ministry.

I am thrilled to have had my first official Women’s Ministry event take place on September 12th at First Christian Church of Orange during their women’s luncheon gathering. This event marked the beginning of what I hope will be a series of meaningful connections across our region. As I step into this new role, I am excited to connect with your churches as well, to listen to your needs, and to work together in empowering Disciples Women throughout our community. 

One of my immediate focuses will be to connect with each of you, understand your needs and aspirations, and explore how we can best support one another. I believe in the power of open communication and mutual support, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.

As we embark on this journey together, I encourage you to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. I hope that, through our collective efforts, we can create a vibrant, nurturing, and empowering community that reflects the love of Christ in all we do.

Thank you for your warm welcome and for entrusting me with this important role. I am deeply humbled by this opportunity, and I look forward to walking this path with you.

With love and gratitude,
Miseon Choi

Disciples Women’s Ministry Coordinator
Pacific Southwest Region

Breaking Bread, November 2024

Regional Assembly Recap

Two weeks ago, October 18-19, 2024, over 400 Disciples from throughout the Pacific Southwest Region and beyond, came to celebrate our Regional Assembly at the Disciples Ministry Center and First Christian Church, Fullerton, CA. We enjoyed the presence and keynote speaking of our General Minster and President, Rev. Terri Hord-Owens, who encouraged us in our shared future and announced the ongoing church-wide work. We learned our General Assembly will work to foster a new way of being and culture, resolving to: Listen. Learn. Discern. Decide. Act. We had a Bible lecture on Matthew 22:39 from the Rev. Dr. Eric C. Smith, Associate Professor, Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO. We raised two special offerings (over $1,000 each) for our General Ministry partners: Global Ministries and National Benevolent Association. We had inspiring workshops, music, enjoyed meals, snacks, visited with vendors, and met for regional business with an assembly action approving the recommendation of my re-election to serve as your Regional Minister for a second term (2026 – 2031). There is more information, and wonderful photos on our post event webpage, http://www.disciplespswr.org/ra2024.

Shared Future

In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus is recorded as saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”  We must pause and give thanks for the leaders of our Regional Assembly’s Children’s program, Rev. Tanya Lopez, Pastor and Mrs. Muriel Bourke, Moderator at Downey Memorial Christian Church, Downey, CA.  Our Regional Assembly theme, “Love your neighbor as yourself” came alive in our children, they helped us to see and experience “Love in Action” for our neighbors, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  They planned a service project, collecting non-perishable food items and crafts for our Eastmont Community Center, Los Angeles, neighbors. One of the “Marks of a Faithful Region,”(1) is enabling congregations to do things together that cannot be done alone. We were able to see the amazing things our congregations’ children can do when united around one common cause - Love.  This beautiful demonstration and presentation can be seen during our Regional Assembly’s closing worship service on the Disciples PSWR YouTube Channel. 

We know “the Gospels tell the story of Jesus, each from a different perspective.” While, the three Gospels written seem to have translated word for word the cited scripture listed above. Each perspective and context provide more to learn about and understand. How do we hear a story and engage in the narrative? What about our own stories? How do we engage in each other’s narratives? This is precisely, why I am so excited to welcome the Church Narrative Project to the PSWR. 

On December 13-14, 2024, at the Disciples Ministry Center we will host the Rev. Dr. David Anderson Hooker, who will lead us in a facilitated process of interaction and dialogue. The Church Narrative Project has traveled throughout our denomination in over a dozen regions, already.  We are blessed to have their availability to visit with us in just about six weeks. Please read more about the Church Narrative Project on: https://disciples.org/churchnarrativeproject/. One of the guiding scriptures Dr. Hooker engages in the process is Luke 17:21 (NRSV) “nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” Amen.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve our region and church into: “A Shared Future.”

Blessings,
Richie  

(1)  https://cdn.disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/06162554/MarksofaFaithfulRegionalChurch2007.pdf

Don't Give Up: A Prayer For Our Country

9 Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. 10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith. – Galatians 6: 9 – 10 CEB

It might be clearer, today, there are some strong differences and divisions in our U.S. politics as well about the vision of a shared future. There are some who are invigorated and many others who have become exhausted. In the letter to the Galatians, we find a reproach or encouragement to “not get tired of doing good.” On all sides of its Greco-Roman world and still today, amid the US political spectrums, we’re to “work for the good of all…and especially for those in the household of faith.” We will continue to advocate that our social systems in the U.S. serve everyone, not just a select group or chosen few. Whether you or I are part of the household of faith or not, these texts call us to work together until a harvest is available for all. Let us continue in the work and ministry of Jesus Christ, who gave his life and resurrection for all. Our Regional Ministry, Board, Staff, Leadership and congregations “will not give up,” we will be here in prayers and re-committed to the work, advocacy, mission, and ministry until the promised yield has been made real for all.

We have selected the following from Christ Church Uniting, Kailua, HI and it’s Pastor, Rev. Kate Hogue Moment of Meditation (November 4, 2024):

This benediction and prayer of protection for your spirit, based on a prayer by Steven Charleston, Native American Theologian and former Episcopal Bishop of Alaska:

When others hate, may you love.
When others curse, may you bless.
When others hurt, may you heal.
When others divide, may you unite.
When others rage, may you calm.
When others deny, may you affirm.
You are a servant of the light.
You need not be afraid of darkness.

God strengthen you to carry on with your work and faithfully live who you are in Christ:
Love for stranger, love for enemy, love for neighbor.

Amen.

Blessings,
Richie

Choir Opportunity to Sing in Carnegie Hall

Greetings Fellow DOC Musicians!

Come sing in Carnegie Hall with other Disciples Musicians!

As the Music Minister at First Christian Church in Orange, CA we have the privilege of spearheading a fantastic opportunity for other Disciples churches – a performance in Carnegie Hall! Our 30-voice Chancel Choir had great success performing Elaine Hagenberg’s Illuminare last Spring for our congregation and were asked to present it with MidAmerica Productions for a Carnegie Hall Performance.  

We are inviting YOU! Imagine a work of beauty, grace, and openness, with 100 Disciple voices and full orchestra on stage in one of the most famous halls in the world. We are hoping you can join us.

You can join in one of two ways:

1. Getting your own hotel

2. Staying the same hotel as we are!

If you choose 1 – please read through this “Full Residency” pdf. If you choose 2 – please read the information in this “Concert Only” pdf. Note these packages do not include transportation. This is a once in a lifetime event for many, and we are proud to try and spearhead this unique idea. Please consider joining us!

We would love to have your full choir, just a balanced smaller group or you as an individual that wants to share the stage with us. All we ask is that you are able to learn the music (we can help) and that you are familiar with the classical voice style.

Feel free to reach out with any questions. While deadlines are approaching, we love to work with you. Please reach out. My information is below.

- Dr. Brian Dehn. 714-928-9097
Music Director, First Christian Church, Orange

Disciples Seminary Foundation Re-Envisions Certificate Program

Disciples Seminary Foundation is engaged in evaluating its certificate programs (formerly CMS/DMS) and envisioning the future of its educational offerings. This new DSF Certificate Program plans to offer courses in Spanish, Korean, and English. To assist in this process, DSF has appointed a task force, which is assessing the financial sustainability, academic goals/outcomes, and accountability to partners (specifically the six Disciples regions in the West, racial-ethnic constituency groups, and DSF partner schools). The focus of the new Certificate Program is to expand the program’s reach, to create a program that is beneficial to people from diverse backgrounds, and to meet the needs of a changing church.

Many exciting ideas have emerged so far, including the possibility of establishing a DSF Lay Leadership Academy that would house all DSF’s educational programs — including its Certificate Program. We are also in discussions with our educational affiliates to see how we might partner with them. The new certificate program will offer courses in leadership development, spiritual formation, entrepreneurial ministry, community organizing, biblical studies, theology, chaplaincy, ethics, etc., as well as the trainings that DSF extends on behalf of its regional partners, including boundaries trainings, anti-racism/ pro-reconciliation trainings, Disciples History and Polity classes, CEUs, etc.

Our goal is to launch the new DSF Certificate Program in the fall of 2025. As we continue our process, we ask for your prayers and support. 

www.dsf.edu