유산에 대한 존경과 미래 건설

여러분은, 태평양 서남 지방 제자회의 활동적인 멤버로서 오랫동안 지켜지고 있는 너그러움에 대한 전통을 이어가고 있습니다.  그 너그러움은 여러분의 지방회가 다른 어떤 방법으로 대치될 수 없는 훌륭한 프로그램들, 봉사들, 사역들, 그리고 자원들을 제공하는데 선봉에 설 수 있도록 해 왔습니다.

태평양 서남지방회는, 사람들의 삶에 좋은 영향을 주기 위해 더 나은 변화를 향해 나아 가는 지역 교회 사역들을 향상시키면서 지역사회의 중요한 역할을 수행하고 있습니다.  태평양 서남 지방회의 지속적인 지도력과 너그러움은, 믿음의 공동체의 지속적인 발전에 기여해 오고  있으며, 모든 사람들에게 영향을 미치고 있습니다. 

우리 중 많은 사람들이 지방회가 우리들의 삶에 직접적인 영향을 주는 것을 목격하기도 했고, 또는  우리 지방회의 노력들과 결실을 바로 확인할 수 있는 매우 실질적인 지방회 사역에 함께 하기도 합니다.  반면, 여러분 중 많은 사람들은 단지 지역 교회와 신앙 공동체를 통해 우리 지방회를 경험했을 것입니다. 

여러분은 여러 행사들과 활동들을 통해 지방회 사무실의 최신 소식들을 접하거나, 지방회 사무실이 지도력 향상을 위한 지역 교회 발전 또는 프로그램을 지원하는 도구가 되어지는 것을 보았을 것입니다. 

그러나 태평양 서남 지방의 모든 개인들의 삶들에 지방회 교회들이 어떻게 영향을 주고 있는지, 또는 여러분의 기부가 매우 개인적인 차원은 물론 넓은 범위에서 어떤 변화를 주고 있는지에 대해 분명하게 이해하지 못할 수도 있습니다. 

우리는 이에, 지방회 사무실에 보내진 기금으로 인해 직접적인 영향을 받는 사람들에게 여러분을 소개함으로 유산에 대한 경의 (Honor The Legacy) 캠페인을 착수 합니다. 

여러분은 그들을 만나고, 그들의 이야기를 듣는 기회를 가질 것이며, 태평양 서남 지방회가 우리 지역 사회에 얼마나 특별하고 중요한 역할을 감당하고 있는 지 알게 될 것입니다.  우리는 지방회 전체의 진실한 변화를 이루어가며, 개인과 그룹들을 도움으로써 함께 우리의 미래를 이루어 나갑니다. 

여러분과 같은 개인과 교회들이 지방회로 보낸 너그러운 선물과 기부금은, 다양함과 온전함을 추구하는데 사용될 뿐만 아니라, 새로운 프로그램을 지원하고, 시설을 개선하고 교회의 리더십을 키우는데 기여하게 됩니다.   더 나아가, 당신은 지방회 스텝들이 당신의 선물의 영향을 최대화하기 위해 어떻게 분투하는지, 그리고 지방회 사무실에 기부되어지는 모든 기금들이 어떻게 책임있게 다뤄지는지를 알게 될 것입니다. 

저는 오늘, 특별 헌금을 제외한, 태평양 서남 지방회가 모금한 모든 기금들이 곧바로 프로그램과 태평양 서남 지방회의 지도자들의 미래를 세우는 데 쓰여지고 있다고 자부심을 가지고 말합니다.

그래서 여러분이 여러분의 선물에 영향을 받은 사람들의 이야기를 들을 수 있는 매달 발행되는 eNews와 DisciplesPSWR.org/Give 에 가입하시길 원합니다.  

여러분의 헌금은 지방회 전역에 걸쳐, 젊은이들, 사회 문제 원인자들, 목회자들, 교회 지도자들, 여성과 제자회등 다양한 그룹의 삶을 변화시키고 있습니다. 

감사합니다.

Sarah Bartczak
PSWR Giving
sarahb@disciplespswr.org

Honrar El Legado, Construyendo El Futuro

Como miembro activo de la Región Suroeste del Pacifico de los Discípulos, usted forma parte de una larga y generosa tradición. Esto le permite a su Región estar a la vanguardia de proveer una programación única, servicios, ministerios y recursos que no podrían ser realizados de ninguna otra manera. El PSWR tiene un papel crítico en la comunidad, mejorando el trabajo que están haciendo las iglesias locales y van más allá para impulsar un mayor cambio, para impactar las vidas de las personas que viven en el Suroeste del Pacífico. El continuo liderazgo y generosidad de nuestros contribuyentes del PSWR han ayudado al éxito de nuestra comunidad de fe y a todos los que son impactados por ella.

Muchos de nosotros hemos visto nuestras vidas impactadas directamente por la Región, o estamos involucrados en un ministerio donde podemos ver nuestros esfuerzos regionales, y dólares, en el trabajo de una manera muy tangible. Sin embargo, muchos de ustedes experimentan nuestra región sólo a través de su iglesia local o comunidad de fe. Usted puede ver actualizaciones de la oficina regional sobre eventos y actividades, o puede ver que la Oficina Regional es una herramienta para que las iglesias locales desarrollen liderazgo o programas de apoyo. Pero puede que no esté claro cómo su Iglesia Regional está impactando vidas en todo el suroeste del Pacífico, o cómo su regalo o aportación puede marcar una diferencia con un amplio alcance, así como a un nivel extremadamente personal.

Estamos emprendiendo una campaña para Honrar El Legado que nuestra Región ha construido a través de la presentación de aquellos que directamente han sido impactados por los fondos dados a la Oficina Regional. Tendrá la oportunidad de ver sus rostros y escuchar sus historias, y ver de primera mano cómo la Región PSWR tiene un papel único y crítico en nuestra comunidad. Juntos estamos Construyendo El Futuro a través apoyo a individuos y grupos, mientras que afectan el cambio real en toda la región. Los generosos regalos a la región provienen de iglesias, donaciones e individuos como usted, que apoyan nuevos programas, mejoran las instalaciones y contribuyen al liderazgo de la iglesia, así como becas para fomentar la diversidad y la integridad.

Además, aprenderá sobre ejemplos de cómo su personal regional se está esforzando para maximizar el impacto de su donación y ser responsable de todos los dólares que llegan a la oficina regional. Estoy orgullosa de decir que hoy, fuera de las ofrendas especiales, cada dólar recaudado por el PSWR va directamente al programa y la construcción del futuro de los líderes del PSWR.

Así que únase a nosotros cada mes en su eNews y en DisciplesPSWR.org/Give para escuchar historias de las vidas que están siendo tocadas por sus donaciones. Sus dólares están marcando una diferencia en la vida de un grupo diverso de jóvenes, causas sociales, ministros, líderes de iglesias, mujeres y discípulos en toda la región.

Muchas Gracias,

Sarah Bartczak
PSWR Giving
sarahb@disciplespswr.org

Honoring the Legacy, Building the Future

As an active member in your Disciples Pacific Southwest Region, you are part of a long and generous tradition. This allows your region to be at the forefront of providing unique programming, services, ministries and resources that could not be filled in any other way. The PSWR is able to have a critical role in the community, enhancing work local churches are doing and going beyond to drive greater change, to impact the lives of people living in the Pacific Southwest. Our PSWR supporters’ continued leadership and generosity have contributed to the long-standing success of our community of faith and everyone it impacts.

Many of us have seen our lives directly impacted by our region, or are involved in a ministry where we can see our regional efforts, and dollars, at work in a very tangible way. However, many of you experience our region only through your local church or faith community. You may see updates from the regional office about events and activities, or may see the region being a tool for local churches to develop leadership or support programming. But it may not be clear how your regional church is impacting individual lives throughout the Pacific Southwest, or how your gift can make a difference with a broad scope as well as on an extremely personal level.

We are embarking on a campaign to Honor The Legacy our region has built by introducing you to those directly impacted by funds given to the regional ministries. You will have the opportunity to see their faces and hear their stories, and see first-hand how the PSWR Region has a unique and critical role in our community. Together we are Building the Future by supporting individuals and groups, while affecting real change throughout the region. Generous gifts to the region from churches, endowments and individuals like you, support new programs, facility improvements, and contribute to church leadership, as well as grants to encourage diversity and wholeness. 

Further, you will learn about examples of how your regional staff is striving to maximize the impact of your gift, and be responsible stewards of all dollars that come to the regional ministries. I am proud to say that today, outside of special offerings, every dollar raised by the PSWR goes directly to program and building the future of PSWR leaders.

So join us each month in your eNews and at DisciplesPSWR.org/Give to hear stories of lives who are being touched by your gifts. Your dollars are making a difference in the lives of a diverse group of young people, social causes, clergy, church leaders, women and Disciples throughout the region.

Thank you,

Sarah Bartczak
PSWR Giving
sarahb@disciplespswr.org

Mile Marker #90: New Life Blooms

By Don and Susan Dewey, Co-Regional Ministers

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

~John 11:25-26

Last month’s Mile Marker talked about the Urgent Church, those that are in serious decline and need to make significant changes or will soon die. This month, living into our Easter season, the focus is on places of new life and resurrection. We will look at three congregations where new life is happening and flourishing.

The first is at Community Worship Center in Gardena. This congregation, born out of the remnant of the former Fuente de Vida Disciple congregation, began just two short years ago. As both the First Christian Church of Gardena and Fuente de Vida congregations were coming to end CWC was emerging.

Under the pastoral leadership of Ruben del Pilar and his wife Cindy, this new congregation has grown and flourished from a handful of potential members to now well over 150 attendees on any given Sunday! Through support from the Region and from various members with time and labor, they have almost completely remodeled the once drab and outdated Gardena facility into an alive, vibrant and welcoming church facility.

Our Regional Board recently held their March meeting at the Gardena facility and were given an informative tour of all the things that have been transpiring on the campus and the various ministries being conducted there. We celebrated the exciting new life happening in Gardena with CWC’s ministry!

The second place of new life is at Casa de Refugio in Covina, under the co-pastoral leadership of Francisco Ramos and Soriliz Rodriquez. Following the closing of Covina Christian Church over three years ago, a new church start was planted through our Region’s New Church Development ministry.

In just over three years this congregation, that began with the Ramos family, now has grown to average 60-70 in worship. They have been actively engaging their community with food pantries, special dinners, Vacation Bible School programs and much more. They have also hosted several Regional events and been active in our Region’s Convención.

Through support of the Region many improvements on the Covina facility have taken place as the congregation continues to grow and serve. We are excited about the wonderful new life in Covina!

The third place of new life is still emerging. Last month we witnessed the closing of First Christian Church of Bellflower. After 95 years of ministry in the Bellflower community the congregation made the decision to close its visible ministry.  Also housed there at FCC Bellflower was our Disciple ministry Iglesia Discipulos de Cristo under the pastoral leadership of Angeles Coronado.

With the decision to close, Pastor Coronado’s congregation was told they would need to relocate since the Bellflower congregation was giving their facility to a non-Disciple mega church for expanding its ministry. Pastor Coronado began to look, though unsuccessfully, for a new home for the church’s ministry. Fortunately, the Region was in the midst of taking over management of our Baldwin Park facility that had not had a Disciple congregation meeting there for over 9 years.

The Region has been in the process of restoring and remodeling this facility and has now made it available to Iglesia Discipulos de Cristo for a re-birth of its ministry.

Pastor Coronado’s congregation, now renamed Casa de Fe (House of Faith), has already begun engaging the community of Baldwin Park, offering worship in the local park, meeting with community officials, and hosting gathering events as the facility is undergoing remodeling.

There is much excitement and enthusiasm among the members of Casa de Fe of Baldwin Park for this new beginning in their ministry.

There are also several other new congregations emerging around the Region as continued signs of new life!

A new congregation in Riverside, Iglesia Nueva Vida (Church of New Life) was launched on Easter Sunday! Q ministry, designed around the 12-step model, has begun a new ministry in the Torrance area. Another is WOW church (Walking on Water), this ministry is focused on an inclusionary ministry for persons and families with Autism.

Each of these ministries are reminders that the Holy Spirit is still moving in and through lives to create places of healing, hope, love, grace, and community here in the PSWR!

Certainly there are many other signs of new life emerging around our Region and perhaps your congregation is a place where exciting new things are happening as well. We celebrate these and all the places where God’s Spirit of new life and resurrection are happening.

We ask that you pray for these pastors and their congregations as these places of new life continue to flourish and grow. We also ask that you will hold in your prayers all our congregations as each are seeking to be witnesses of the Good News of the Risen Christ!

Together on the journey,

Don and Susan

Co-Regional Ministers, PSWR

News from the Hatchery LA

Hatchery LA is a project of the PSWR committed to raising up new leaders and church planters through an innovative praxis-based educational program. One of our students, Nathanael Welch has created an initiative to help focus on the particular needs of people with disabilities. He is now in his second year of the program and recently gave an update on the progress of his project and we thought it would be great to share it with you.

It’s hard to believe that just one year ago I was getting ready to host my first ArtWalk and pop-up gallery.

My goal last year was to help raise awareness and visibility for people with disabilities and the challenges they face. I decided the best way to try and accomplish this was through a combination of art, storytelling, and community.

So last March I met with a group of people with disabilities and their friends and families to figure out a way to make this happen. The solution: ArtWalks.

ArtWalks are events where persons with disabilities are invited to take pictures of the things they find beautiful and interesting in the world, from their perspective. For our first ArtWalk we hiked through a great little park in Long Beach. We had a great group of people who really enjoyed the chance to take pictures and make some new friends in the process.

Two weeks after this we held a pop-up gallery in a local coffee shop. The pop-up gallery is meant to showcase not just the artwork, but the artists themselves. The hope is that not only will the art gallery make their work and perspective visible, but that they themselves will become visible as well.

Far too often people with disabilities are ignored throughout society. They are effectively made invisible - including in the church. My hope was that these ArtWalks would help to correct this by raising awareness among the nondisabled about the lives of people with disabilities through art and creative self-expression, build networks of people who share similar experiences, and to empower communities to make positive change towards valuing every member.

One year later we’ve made amazing progress. I have been privileged to speak at a number of DOC regional churches, including Mission HillsLA with Ryan Pryor and Mission Hills Christian in Pasadena. After hosting several more ArtWalks locally, I wanted to give communities across the country the tools and confidence to do this on their own. So I hosted several webinars to try and spread the word. At the beginning of March we had 7 communities and churches across the country agree to host ArtWalks in their neighborhood. I have committed to working closely with each group, providing them with the tools and resources they need to make it a success.

These are easy, fun, and meaningful experiences for everyone involved. My dream is that by this time next year we have an explosion of interest in not just ArtWalks, but in the lives of people with disabilities across the country. If you want to get on board and host an ArtWalk in your community, or learn how, you can visit www.differentunited.com or email me at nathanael@hatcheryla.com.

You can learn more about my story and why I do ArtWalks at:http://www.differentunited.com/our-story

For more information about the innovative opportunities at HatcheryLA: hatcheryla.com