Domestic Violence Resources

Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence are painful parts of our collective cultural landscape; 1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men, and 1 in 3 teens experience Intimate Partner Violence in their lifetime. Every 9 seconds a woman is beaten. Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence is not just expressed as physical abuse. It is also thriving as alternative forms of control such as financial, psychological, emotional, sexual, and spiritual. Individuals are suffering in silence and in plain sight. As agents of the church, we can break the normative silence and offer a way forward that imbues personal agency and resurrection.

As a survivor of both domestic and intimate partner violence, Courtney Armento, M.Div. has been driven to devote her practice to providing education, resources, support, and healing for current victims and survivors of domestic violence. She recently co-authored a resolution on violence in intimate spaces, known as GA-1928 or A Call To See and Respond to the Crisis of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence for the Disciples of Christ Christian Church. 

To learn more about Courtney or to access a variety of resources pertaining to domestic violence, visit her website here.

Training and workshops for church leadership regarding domestic violence can be found here.

Breaking Bread

PSWR Disciples,

In honor of African American History month, I lean upon the thoughts of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his book Strength to Love. He writes, “in the inevitable moments when all seems hopeless, (we) know that without hope (we) cannot really live, and in agonizing desperation (we) cry for the bread of hope. And there is deep longing for the bread of love.” He goes on to name many of our other societal needs, the bread of freedom and the bread of social justice. Having already traveled the geography of our region, from Honolulu to Las Vegas to San Diego to Los Angeles to Lompoc (coming soon to Bakersfield),  I’m renewed by the witness of our congregations who work hard to provide and supply their surrounding communities with bread in its many forms. 

Under the banner of these challenging times, where our communities’ needs increase and our breads might seem not enough, I’m convinced it is where we can become our most innovative, creative and resourceful.  As we come closer to Lent, we remember the words of Jesus, in Matthew 4 “one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” What new ways is God helping us to meet the needs of our neighbors and communities? Let us continue to work helping our neighbors with bread, but much more than bread. May we help them to find love, freedom, hope and social justice. I pray above all we all hold onto hope. We know like the psalmist (121) all too well, that our help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. If we choose to practice this season of Lent doing without something in order to connect anew.  I hope this effort might reveal or uncover new ways, resources and mission/s we might be able to share with the world. As individuals, congregations, communities and as a region. Let us always bring others the bread of life.    

During this month, may we find time to celebrate the art, poetry, music, contributions and accomplishments of African Americans. You’re invited to attend our upcoming MLK Lecture featuring the Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas, Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Homiletics, Director of the Phd in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric Program, Christian Theological Seminary, “Martin Luther King Jr. and the Art of Black Preaching” on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 1:00pm at McCarty Memorial Christian Church, Los Angeles. 

With Hope,

Richie

Nominating Committee Seeks Recommendations

Dear Friends In Ministry,

The Nominating Committee of the Pacific Southwest Region is writing to all pastors, lay leaders and members.  We are asking you to discern two things.  First, who are the current and proven leaders that you know?  Secondly, who are the people you know that are developing their leadership skills?  The Nominating Committee humbly requests your recommendations on these two points.  We are seeking persons who can serve on committees and as chairs of those committees that express the diversity that represents the entirety of the PSW Region.  We are cognizant that some may be hesitant to lend leadership to positions at the Regional level, and we on Nominating Committee receive that concern with sincerity.  Perhaps, we may be able to offer our perspective of how Regional leadership has blessed our lives.  In the coming weeks, we will be sharing our stories of how serving has increased our faithfulness to God, multiplied our leadership and discipleship skills, grown greater wholeness in our local congregation, and developed surprising friendships.  We look forward to sharing with you.

In service of God’s reign that is for all people,

PSWR Nominating Committee
Cathy Losee – chair
(cell) 951.768.9356
catherinelosee@gmail.com

Cathy’s story

What I love about the PSWR are the lasting and surprising friendships that have blessed my life.  Since January 2018 I have had the opportunity to make good friends, and to dialogue across many differences and find unity in that strength.  In my own life, I have really learned how to be more whole because of the surprising friendships, and this has drawn me closer to God.  I have more awareness, understanding, respect, and joy of cultures, customs, ways of living and ways of being faithful to God.  Thank you for reading my short story of how the PSWR and being in PSWR leadership has blessed my life.

In Gratitude,
Cathy Losee

Regional Young Adult Ministry Serves UrbanMission, Pomona

When the Church joins forces to serve the community, wonderful things happen! On Saturday, December 21, Regional Young Adults gathered to serve with the community in Pomona at UrbanMission. Our group mulched the community garden, organized the community food pantry, and sorted through toys for local children donated to local families. We also enjoyed fresh vegetables from the garden, amazing pasta (shout out to Na’Keya Haslett), and apple cider for dinner. We played Christmas charades with our Regional Minister, Richie Sanchez, and shared Christmas gifts to celebrate the season.

There was a clear spirit of partnership, and the connection with our UrbanMission family grew significantly. We extend appreciation to Revs. Nora Jacob, Al Lopez, and, especially, to Stephen Patten for the hospitality, coordination, space, and time given so that we might have the privilege of serving together. THANK YOU!

If your ministry is interested in hosting a mission project and fellowship for young people in the PSWR, please reach out to Associate Regional Minister, B. J. Barlow, to schedule a date. See below for a slideshow of more photos from the day.

BREAKING BREAD

Happy New Year!!

We have lived, learned, dimmed or brightened, and still a step back or two may be needed to review our year.  In its depths we might have gained wisdom, and from its heights, reasons to express gratitude for all of its best.  Thankfully, whether it was filled with lots of mountaintops or valley lows, it can now be accepted as last year. The gospel of Matthew 2 (NRSV) offers us the story of a few, culminating their searching with a vital question and a life changing Epiphany.  In our time, we might do well to orient our searching, journeying and sacred efforts with this same question, “Where is the child?” In this new year, it is my hope that our collective work and ministry will continue working to ask this question, faithfully and tangibly.

When I take a step back in review, our short three months together have offered so much beauty and still important learnings (lifelong).  I’ve been in our congregations and with clergy, witnessing the sacred efforts that are bringing about new life in the midst of a hurting world.  We are blessed in this region with astounding diversity.  I believe we can and will discover new ways in relationship to lead our congregations and regional ministry into a weaving made of love.  We will do this by looking at our reality, addressing challenges of our world, living out our call to love one another and sharing our faith, the very basis of our existence.  I believe we’re even more beautiful when we can welcome, share and celebrate the sacred in each other working in and all around us.  I’m thrilled about all that is being done.  I know we have only just begun!  

It is in the book of Lamentations; we will find that the Holy One’s graces and “mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”  If last year was a lament or challenge, why not approach this year, month and day facing our challenges with the expectations of new mercies and grace? If it can be seen with our own actions alone, then this new year can present for this world, tangible and faithful activity. Our Holy One’s grace is as before, here for you and I, never coming to an end.  Before us, the Epiphany, with excitement about the newness that is here and is still to come.   

Let’s stay in care and prayer for each other.

Blessings,
Richie