May the peace of God be with you.
These are strange days for many of us, locally and globally. I pray for our clergy, congregations, region, all of the Church and our world every day. In our “Breaking Bread” last month, we read from one of our beloveds that “regional ministry is complex.” Indeed it is, and more so today. This could be said for your current context and experience as well, in the community and our world.
Our complexities are growing from a host of safety concerns, these dangers whether related to the pandemic or from horrid behavior(s) in our society, or from the notable health and wealth disparities. All are crushing. I am reminded by Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 4, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” The Apostle concludes the thought in verse 10 by affirming there is “life in you.”
We do have life and more so abundantly. We are alive in so many ways, beheld by each other with eyes of great promises and possibilities. Our hope is in realizing a more perfect unity, our faith is in the One who makes this possible, and our love is for each other…every day as a Region and more so, a God’s beloved family. This does not release us from the challenges and hard work ahead, but we can expect better and our best.
I was honored to preach, recently, based on Matthew 10: 40 – 42 NRSV and said the following: “In these days of civil unrest, for those of us who can accept we have been privileged and have been empowered, can do well to give that cup of cold water (Jesus’ refers to in the text), cooling the temperature and desert of another by daring or acknowledging that black lives matter.” Amid this pandemic, in the news has been an increase of threats and rants against Asian-Americans. In addition, our Latinx population continues to suffer from a broken immigration system. Our regional leadership was asked about our efforts to change these narratives. We know ourselves to be a Pro-Reconciling Anti-Racist church, and this work is an imperative in the hopes we share to realize a more perfect unity.
Our Regional Moderator, Rev. Dr. Norm Williams and I, have convened three regional committees, Church in Society, Pro-Reconciling Anti-Racism, and Ecumenical Interfaith Relations to discuss intersectional work for our collective voice. Many plans were created, and these efforts will continue to unfold in the weeks to come. I shared it is not my practice to sign-on to letters or statements with organizations that I am unfamiliar or have no relationship. Although, I believe in the importance of our voice and more so in are our communities’ actions. We are present in many ways – through clergy, congregations, and have supported the work of the Poor People’s campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
Here is the College of Regional Ministers recent statement to the Church: https://disciples.org/congregations/college-of-regional-ministers-letter-to-the-church/.
Here is a joint statement from our General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens and Minister of Reconciliation, Rev. April Johnson: https://disciples.org/congregations/we-need-to-be-the-church-we-say-we-are/
I was glad to be invited by Revs. Michael and Julie Roberts-Fronk to take part with a 1,000 other faith and community leaders from the California Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) and Inland Communities Organizing Network (ICON) on Zoom with state legislators to call on Governor Newsom to do much more for essential workers during the pandemic. Resulting in the expansion of the Cal EITC for ITIN filers.
I was glad to be invited by Rev. Dr. John Tunstall to visit a community dialogue hosted by 2nd Call (a community-based organization) with the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, Michael R. Moore (pictured below left).
I am proud to be a member of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders who hosted our very own Rev. Eddie Anderson, Pastor of McCarty Memorial Christian Church, to present his work with the Black Lives Movement and the People’s Budget (pictured above right).
Let me share that this regional work, in my eight months, has been a very busy walk and we are responding to some growing needs. There is so much more. But, for now, please stay hopeful, in prayer, safe and well.
Blessings,
Richie