Breaking Bread, August 2020

May the peace of God be with you.

Like so many of you, we have been watching and learning about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it is impacting our communities, locally and globally. You may have seen the posted statement of compassion and care concerning the coronavirus outbreak on behalf of Disciples Ministries. It might come as a shock to you, these are the same opening lines we wrote in our breaking bread back in March. They are still present-day; except fast-forward you will find more than just a statement, it has been coupled with an outpouring of responses and generosity. Our region has experienced vital ministry, missions, worshipful work and shared financial gifts from all of our Disciples Ministries and partners.  We would like to say thank you to all of them.    

These efforts, which are exceedingly more than we could ever ask are in large part because of the faithfulness and generosity of congregations from across the life of our Church. When we give to Disciples Mission Fund and support special offerings, we make it possible for many Disciples ministries (including our own) to work and respond in our communities, locally and globally. This month, I would like to highlight the vital work and ministry of Week of Compassion. In the past, I have served this ministry as an Advisory Committee member and have traveled to see first-hand some of our Church’s response, happening all around the world. Also, domestically, within our region, during this pandemic, Week of Compassion has provided 178 households from 27 congregations with Household Solidarity Grants for Income Loss and 2 feeding ministries with COVID-19 Relief Ministry Grants. Whether in our region, across the nation or globally there are many unmet needs being caused by this pandemic.

In the face of this pandemic and with existing needs, we are inviting Disciples to “Grow Your Compassion” with a designated offering to Week of Compassion for COVID-19 Relief. Information about Week of Compassion’s COVID-19 Response is available on their website, with a full page of resources available for worship and offering promotion. Among the resources are multiple worship elements in PDF and video formats, including a call to worship, a pastoral prayer, and offering and communion invitations. They also have two full sermons available as videos for streaming or download, as well as children’s activities and sample social media posts. 

Our Regional Ministry team has continued to work in finding more ways to help and support our congregations. We’re keeping our congregations and clergy in prayers and at heart. Please pray for your pastor and be kind to each other as well. In the past months, we have invited several mental health professionals to help our pastors (on Zoom) refresh and develop some of their own knowledge and skills on grief and trauma. An article I came across describes that, “The grieving process in the age of COVID-19 is a continuum that we may all experience for years to come, even when the virus is ultimately defeated to the extent that life can return to some semblance of normalcy.”[1] I can imagine what you might be thinking, years?  Normalcy?  We have lots of ministry and care to plan, prepare and provide. Please let me conclude with some words of encouragement and another invitation. 

We are called to assembly (Hebrews 10: 25 NRSV). Our congregations are marvelously finding ways to safely stay together, connect, study, fellowship, worship and celebrate (online, by phone or have taken to the outdoors with recommended precautions). I am grateful for all of our Clergy, who have allowed love and creativity rise in their leadership to serve our congregations. As I have listened to varied efforts, inevitably, I’ll hear we had dreamed about this and are learning more and more about this new way, each day. Our congregations and pastors have pushed themselves beyond quests for perfectionism into the realm of possibilities, service and newness in ministry. We draw our inspiration, strength and confidence from all of you. Thank you for being the Church in the midst of a pandemic. We, too, are called in to an assembly and are working to celebrate this together in a new way.  Our Regional Assembly is themed “a New and Living Way” based on Hebrews 10:20 NRSV.  We hope you will make preparations to join us and invite PSWR Disciples from far and wide (there is no travel needed). 

With prayers and an unwavering hope in Christ, who prepared for us a (new) way forward.

[1] https://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/covid-19-and-the-grief-process/medical-allied-healthcare

Loch Leven Update - August 2020

Hi Friends,

We are so grateful for all those who have already shown love to Loch Leven during these strange times. We simply cannot do without the creative and generous support of so many. Vista La Mesa Christian Church, Chapman University, First Christian Church of Ontario, Orangethorpe Christian Church, and First Christian Church of Fullerton have all been quick to respond with generosity and care.

A team of hard working clergy (led by Pastor Layne Beamer) normally spends the summer building homes in Tijuana but this year (because of travel restrictions) they have chosen Loch Leven as an alternative project. Between now and October they will be repairing bathrooms, rebuilding the bridge across the creek, stabilizing storage space, replacing siding on buildings, and doing so much of the hard work that we just haven’t been able to manage on our own.

We celebrate the generosity of Mike Christman and others who faithfully and fully support our camp. Kenny and Marlene Urban Funk, who run Camp Wrightwood just up the mountain from Loch Leven, spent the afternoon weed whacking the bushes and clearing the road that leads to the pool (Did you know that there are tons of olives and chokeberries along that road!?). So many are doing a lot to take care of our camp, but we need your help, too!

Emilio (our Maintenance Manager) could use volunteers to move and chop firewood, clear debris, open trails, haul items to the dump, sand benches at Inspiration Point, re plaint flowerbeds, and so much more! The office could use your help sorting mail, answering phones, receiving packages, and organizing volunteers. Do you know someone who can help with running telephone wire, replacing windows, or building a picnic table? If so, we need their help, too. If you or your family can spare a few hours, we would gladly welcome you. We aren’t quite ready to have folks stay the night, but our hope is that with lots of help, we can create safe space soon for family units to enjoy the cabins, too. 

Finally, one of the most helpful ways to SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR LOCH LEVEN is by making a financial donation. All of the projects mentioned above have expenses that are difficult to cover this summer. Unfortunately, we also had several major leaks in our water lines, the sewage line in the Maintenance Manger’s house has failed, and the truck used to haul supplies up and down the mountain has burned out completely. These expenses have caused significant strain on our ability to meet day to day chores. 

Please consider how you might lend help. You can mail a check to the Regional Office (Memo: Loch Leven Gift) to 115 E. Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832, donate online, or email our Acting Camp Manager (bjbarlow@docpswr.org) with your ideas. Thank you in advance for your support and ongoing prayers. We thank God for our camp families and can’t wait to see you again soon!

On the Journey,
Benjamin J. Barlow
Associate Regional Minister, PSWR
Acting Camp Manager, Loch Leven Camp and Retreat Center

Breaking Bread, July 2020

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

Christ’s Church is Always Moving Toward Wholeness

As the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee (EIRC), a joint ministry of the PSWR and Southern California Nevada Conference (SCNC) of the United Church of Christ (UCC), our call is to be a knowledge base and resource for PSWR and SCNC congregations looking to connect to compatible ministries beyond the denomination. As leaders in our churches, we are called to have congenial relationships with the other Christian churches (ecumenical) and other faith groups (interfaith) in our respective communities.

As we have experienced collective trauma this year, first with COVID 19 which saw our congregations ordered out of our buildings and into our homes and onto the internet; and then with the murder of George Floyd by four police officers in Minneapolis; it is more important than ever to engage with our neighbors. Whether it be your next door neighbor with whom you arrange mutual care or the congregation down the street with whom you share community ministry or the interfaith group that serves as the faith presence at government meetings.

As we start to adjust to a new way of being the church, I encourage you to reach out to the EIRC for resources that connect your community to compatible ministries located in other denominations and faith communities around you. If you already do this work in your context, the EIRC wants to hear your stories. Email your inquiries and/or newsletters to rene.joseph.martin@gmail.com and someone will get back to you. You can also reach out  directly to members of the EIRC:

Rene Martin (Co-Chair)
Dennis Short (Co-Chair)
Michael Kinnamon
Jeff Utter
Marcia Hoffman
Sally Welch
Elsa Seifert
Yvette Hernandez-Beccera
Mandye Yates

This month we are sharing the newsletter<https://www.grnewsletters.com/archive/ncc_newsletter/NCC-Newsletter-Seeing-Hope-771240005.html> for the National Council of Churches<https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/>.

In it, you will see what our partners in Christ are doing at the national level; being the church God calls us to be. 

Breaking Bread, June 2020

May the peace of God be with you. 

These days are bringing to our Region (and nation) many challenging moments, some which are unfathomable, and others not lived before in our lifetime. We may be in great pain or concern for the here and now. There are many more questions that swirl about our church, society’s current state, and the future. In these times, we do not lose hope, drawing our strength from the promises and peace of Christ. In Hebrews 13:5, we hear the promise “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 

No matter the challenges, we know love will win as it always does. Our prayers will sustain, carry, and move us on to courage. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Hescehel has famously been quoted as saying, “When I marched in Selma (in 1965), my feet were praying.” Amid the civil unrest, may the usurped troubles we see not drown out the cries we hear from our sisters and brothers of color. Let us work that justice not be elusive for some and made real for everyone. Let us live into the truths, that “there is no distinction… the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.” (Rom. 10:12).  I invite us all into a season of prayer for our Region (and nation), whether that might be with your feet in a march or in our secret place/s with the Lord.      

Please let me share with you these important sentiments, sent to me from one of our beloved past Regional staff, who served our ministry, faithfully and with dedication from almost 40 years ago.

I write this quick line to express my thoughts and concerns for you in the life and ministry of our Regional Church.  Without question, your commitment to the ‘call’ of ministry and your skills of leadership equip you for a wholesome and abiding ministry.  

Given this, the measure of your witness is met with chaotic turbulence in which we live.  The church faces decisions never captioned before.  In best of times, Regional Ministry is complex – but now it is layered with unexpected involvements that the church must address with compassion and fruition.  It’s difficult!

I am grateful for you and I express concern for you in these days many intersections and uncertainties.  Do take care of yourself, be healthy and find fulfilling blessings in each day’s landscape.

Thank you for your gifts, concern and cares for us.  With the help of God.  These things we will do, together. 

Blessings,
Richie

Below is a webinar sponsored by Church West Insurance Services coming up on Tuesday, June 2nd @ 11 am PDT.  Participants will need to register here.

Before We Gather: Reopening Your Worship Service

There have been plenty of guidelines provided by state, local, ministry & legal resources lately. However, there hasn't been much provided in the way of actionable plans that you can use to model a plan for your ministry. We've looked at the guidelines for California and will be providing you with a plan you can use through this first stage.

All attendees will receive a model program for you to tailor to your ministry for reopening.