We Welcome our PSWR Youth and Young Adult Specialist: Rev. Siobhan Lopez

As we seek to provide meaningful programming and support for all people in the PSWR, I am delighted to share that Rev. Siobhan Lopez has joined our team as a Youth and Young Adult Ministry Specialist. This is a 10-month part-time position with a hope to build into the future.

Shobie has been actively engaged in the recent growth of the Youth/YA ministries in the PSWR while also serving East Whittier Christian Church, Disciples Seminary Foundation, and numerous committees throughout the years. She brings extensive experience in youth programming, dedication to pro reconciliation/anti-racist ministries, and specific skills to build upon what so many in the PSWR have worked hard to establish for young people.

Shobie will be focusing her time as the Youth/YA Ministry Specialist to rethink and structure ministry during these unique times. She will be working to engaging young adults in leadership and preparing events that empower the voice of young people in the PSWR.

I am excited that Shobie will be sharing her gifts, knowledge, and pastoral spirit. There is no question that her vision for authentic ministry is what is needed as we seek to do good work in supporting local congregations. Most importantly, she understands and appreciates the need to address how difficult the pandemic has been for young people.

Shobie is an answer to prayer for us, and she will most certainly be a breath of life for our region. Please join me in showing Shobie a warm welcome and lots of support as she gets started this month.

On the Journey,
Benjamin J. Barlow
Associate Regional Minister

Breaking Bread, February 2021

PSWR Disciples,

Happy New Year!

I took some time off during Advent and a little bit more.  Our regional work and ministry continued thanks in large part to our regional leadership and staff and all of you.  Thank you for the gift of rest.  Our region is always a reality of more than one, its beauty, meaning and power come from God through all of us.  We’re always in the best of hands.  I hope you were able to find peace, love and light in our days of Advent.  I imagine these would have looked and been experienced, more differently than ever before.  Although, the glory of the season is that it builds time and space for the Light of the World.  I know we need this Light for our way forward more than ever. 

We have had a lot happen in the past few weeks.  On January 6th, our world could see with disbelief and dismay an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.  Only to find days later, January 22nd, on the same steps, then California Senator, Kamala Harris as the first woman, African American and South Asian American sworn in as Vice-President of the United States.  It was a time of great inspiration and meaning, working to overcome and overshadow the grappling of our nation’s long problem of racism.  On this same day, we heard from a young heroine poet, Amanda Gorman, remind our nation’s conscience, and say, “We’ve braved the belly of the beast – We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace – And the norms and notions – or what just is – Isn’t always just-ice – And yet the dawn is ours.”  Indeed.  I’m encouraged by the work of our regional ministry committees, Pro-Reconciling Anti-Racism, Church in Society and Ecumenical Interfaith Relations Committee who meet regularly to help us become better. 

On January 31, these three committees and many, many more leaders throughout the region held a special online event.  It helped us to remember and celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr.  It featured a beautiful program, music and a special keynote address by Rev. Dr. Alvin Jackson.  Please watch it now on this YouTube link. Dr. Jackson called us to remember (paraphrase) that while Dr. King grew to become our nation’s conscience, Dr. King was an echo of a voice from One (Jesus) who came from before us all.  Even, in the face of our current trials we can “surely” count on the promises of God to carry us in the same ways done before unto the day we can all declare, “we are free at last.”  It was a needed Word for our time!  

This time is filled with many struggles, for our congregations, lay leaders and Clergy who are longing to “demonstrate true community” and reclaim a “passion for justice.”  I would note that it is difficult to realize these longings without working toward a deep/er Christian spirituality.  I hear “echo” of the words of 1 John 4: 18 - 19 NRSV, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us.”  I do realize we are in a pandemic.  However, what our society needs is more caution, concern, cooperation, intentionality in all of our doing (wearing a mask as required) and more love for each other than ever before.  Less fear. 

I wonder if we are giving each other grace enough to accept the same reality.  We are in a pandemic.  Its results have caused unimaginable pain and it is still ongoing.  We must not give in to the temptation to quickly return to a normal and operate as if nothing is happening.  We have yet some time before normal can be seen or experienced.  Even, if it will be a new normal.  Please pray for all of your siblings in the Church, in this Region and especially for your sisters and brothers at Iglesia Fe, Esperanza y Amor Christian Church as they grieve the passing of their beloved pastor Taurino Rivera.  As we look to the hills for our help.  (Psalm 121)  Amid these difficult and troubled days, in the words of Amanda Gorman, “there is always light - If only we’re brave enough to see it - If only we’re brave enough to be it.”  Thanks be to God for all of you!  

With Light and Love,
Richie

Giving or Investing?

by Rev. Cheri Metier, Chair and Richard Follett, Incoming Co-Chair,
Church in Society Committee, PSWR 

As we approach the end of 2020 (would it EVER get here?), our thoughts can also turn to end-of-the-year giving.  For those of us who give major portions of our income to various churches and secular charities, we are reminded that the Internal Revenue Service may not need the money as much as those whom we choose to help directly with our donations.

In that spirit, we in the Church in Society Committee wish to remind you that donations made by December 31st can be written off on your taxes when you file them next year.  Why should we give Uncle Sam our money when we can select worthy recipients ourselves?

The Church in Society Committee has several grants and a the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship that are awarded every year. These are funded by generous gifts of legacy congregations, individual donations and the collected offering at the annual MLK Jr. celebration.

When we give to support the MLK Jr. scholarship, we’re actually investing in the future of our Christ’s Church.  One of the ways to think of this is “pay it forward”—we’re paying now for fruits of the spirit later on.  So, we in CIS ask you to prayerfully consider your end-of-the-year giving, click on this link: PSWR Give, and designate your gifts as you wish. Please specify “MLK Jr. Scholarship” for your gift to support PSWR college students.

The IRS won’t miss the funds, and you’ll be paying it forward in ways you may not even realize.

Click here for a complete list of all scholarship and grants available to the Pacific Southwest Region.

Breaking Bread, November 2020

May the peace of God be with you.

“…When we meet to break bread.” – Acts 20:7 NRSV

I return to this verse for its voice in our time and journey, together. We began Breaking Bread on October 1, 2019. The fact is our region has been practicing in this fuller and more sacred experience dating back to 1868, with the life of our “oldest congregation with a continuous relationship,” First Christian Church, San Bernardino. We can hold long before to this practice in the life and witnesses of the Disciples of Christ (big D and little d). Let us take a second to recognize our more than one year of breaking bread and regional ministry. Thank you for your confidence, this honor and call to serve as your Regional Minister. 

In our last eight months, as a result of the pandemic, meeting to break bread has been really different in each of our communities. Some congregations have not met in person since the month of March, as a “safe” return is not easily possible or advisable (keep consulting your local health departments). Many of us are grieving the inability to meet in the same ways. But we have and will continue to break bread together, thanks to the many media platforms and technological mediums available. If the newer approaches are still not easy for for you, please don’t stop the good old newsletter, email, phone or conference call to keep breaking bread.

As Thanksgiving and Advent approaches, I imagine these times of celebrations will all be planned and experienced differently for many of us. However, in light of what is being called one of the most divisive presidential election cycles we’ve seen in recent history, I hope it is useful for us to consider “how therapists talk to their family members with different political views.” The five following italicized paraphrased recommendations come from the same entitled article written by Brittany Wong. 1. Try not to match snark with snark. 2. Manage your expectations about what you’re going to accomplish. 3. Be quick to disengage if things get too heated. 4. Remind yourself that your goal is to educate and listen, not argue. 5. Know that if you speak civilly, you’ll likely get spoken to civilly. Brittany goes on to say, “When (she) gets into arguments with (her) sister, (she tries) to communicate through body language and I-statements so that (she) can hold (their) discordant beliefs and (their) relationship at the same time. (Her sister) then usually follows (her) lead, since (they) both value the relationship.”[i]  

I think there lies a good start, first for each of the sides or views to value the relationship. If we value the relationship with a family member, we will work to find some common ground, and not forget 1 John 4 “to love one another.” I hear some of our sisters and brothers who can say, what about someone’s privilege that comes at my oppression? There lies a collective opportunity and our goal, to become educated about one another’s context(s) and to help those on opposites sides or views to learn in dialogue. I came across an author who writes, “God is not restrained by (the) artificial boundaries” that we create. I accept that there are some real differences to challenge and overcome. As PSWR Clergy and Lay leaders, I hope it is one of our collective goals to help take “people from where they are to where God wants them to be.” As Disciples of Christ, we have been blessed with a long time in the Pacific Southwest and upon the earth. There have not always been agreements on everything. Praise God!  We are still here. Let us continue to work toward keeping our families at the table and breaking bread, together in new and living ways.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings,
Richie

P.S. I hope you enjoyed Regional Assembly this year!

[i] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/therapists-family-political-views_l_5f5a74bec5b62874bc1a1bc8

Schedule a Retreat at Loch Leven!

We are excited to share that Loch Leven is now taking reservations for small group retreats! This means that families, friends, and small church groups can begin requesting a quiet stay overnight by logging in to our NEW webpage and filling out a request form. No reservations will be taken over the phone, but a member of Camp Ministry Committee or LL staff is committed to contact you within three days of your online request.

Here is how you book your retreat:

1. Visit www.lochleven.org

2. Select on “Retreats/Events” tab and click “Group Retreats”

3. Check out rates and other details

4. When ready, click “Book Your Retreat”… that’s it!

We have streamlined how reservations are received and can’t wait to have you book your stay. If you have any questions or would like help with the online form, please do not hesitate to contact the Camp Manager at bjbarlow@docpswr.org or the Chair of Camp Ministry Committee at pswrcampministry@gmail.com.

Our gratitude continues to grow for those who are investing in Loch Leven! Several churches have already reached out to give what they can to ensure Loch Leven is available for generations to come. We truly need the support of all churches in the PSWR to find a way forward. The El Dorado fire and COVID-19 have delivered a powerful blow to our operations and maintenance needs. If you are looking for ways to give, please consider scheduling a work day by visiting www.lochleven.org. Of course, any financial contribution given is greatly appreciated and very much needed. Visit our website and select the “Give” tab to make a donation online.

Thank you in advance for your support. Together, we can show our love for Loch Leven like never before. In times like these, sacred spaces like Loch Leven are very much needed. Please help as you can, and know that any support you give will make a BIG difference as we rebuild a place to renew your spirit.