by Revs. Don and Susan Dewey, Co-Regional Ministers
“All of you are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 12:27
As much as we hate to let it go, summer is fading and the fall season is unfolding. As fall begins, our beautifully warm days give way to cooler ones; vacations and summer fun around the beach or pool give way to family gatherings around festive tables and beautifully decorated trees.
For us in the PSWR, fall also marks the time for Regional Assembly and the wonderful opportunity to gather with our church family around the Region. This year’s theme, WE ARE THE PSWR, focuses on the beauty, the diversity and the blessing we share as part of this Regional family of Disciples of Christ.
We would like to highlight just a few of the exciting and fun things that will be a part of this year’s Regional Assembly. In the past we have been inspired and challenged by outstanding speakers/preachers who represent the wide diversity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from National leaders and speakers, like our General Minister and President Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, as well as renowned preachers like our own Rev. Jose Morales!
This year, given our theme WE ARE THE PSWR, we are going to be blessed with speakers/preachers right here in our own Region! Four powerful and inspiring worship experiences are being created for this years Assembly. A key part in each one will be the “message” portion that will be done with a different panel or what we are calling “curated testimonies” at each worship service by pastors and laity from our congregations representing the diversity of our great Region.
Our scripture focus is 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 reminding us that we all have been given gifts from the Holy Spirit, though different, we are still a part of the one body of Christ. Therefore, we will hear reflections/testimonies from our speakers on four different questions taken from this scriptural text:
· What does one church one body mean to you?
· How do we honor all the different parts of the body?
· What does it mean that Jesus is the head of the body?
· How do we care for the body when different parts have different needs?
Another wonderful highlight for our Assembly will be our Bible study scholar the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon. Dr. Kinnamon will be exploring each morning the deeper understandings of our 1 Corinthians 12 passage and what it means for us as members of the body of Christ.
We are also excited to announce that there will be 40 different workshop offerings to inspire and enhance the ministries of our churches for greater witness. There will be workshops on social media, going Green, Interfaith connections, justice concerns, healthy lifestyles, Elders, Mission First and many others. In addition there will be workshops for our Spanish and Korean speaking communities at each of the four offered times. New this year will be a 4-part Camp Track for strengthening our camping program.
We are also excited about this years Children’s Assembly program and our amazing Youth Assembly program – “Disciples Go!” so please get your children and youth registered for these wonderful opportunities.
All our pastors will gather together on Friday evening for dinner and fellowship and to share in a delightful time of fun as some of our fellow pastors share their “talents” in a light hearted program of “Clergy Got Talent”.
We hope you are planning to attend this year’s Regional Assembly as we gather together as brothers and sisters in the body of Christ and as members of the PSWR (Disciples of Christ). To register simply go to our Regional website at www.disciplespswr.org and click on Events. Then scroll down to Regional Assembly, October 2016 and click on the page. If you have any questions or need help, don’t hesitate to call the Regional Church office at 626-296-0385 and we’d be happy to assist you.
We are honored to serve this Region with all its beauty, diversity and blessing for WE ARE THE PSWR!
Together on the journey,
Don and Susan
Co-Regional Ministers, PSWR