Breaking Bread, October 2021

Why a Regional Gathering

“Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on…” – Hebrews 10: 22 – 25 (MSG)

We are one of thirty-one regions in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Overall, there are many parts of our regional manifestation that is the same. It is easy to recognize there are differences in our geographic territories, numbers of congregations, social and cultural celebrations. This is just to name a few. But there is one more uniqueness we have that I have not seen throughout our other sister regions and that is the existence of a Regional Gathering.

I have been asked by our gathering planning team to share a few thoughts on why this event (and theme). Our Region, like so many others, on the even years enjoys an assembly, it is where we come together, convening our congregations’ delegates for the purposes of conducting business, worship, education, fellowship and serving as a witness to the world. On the off years, we grew in need to stay connected with each other and wanted more opportunities to join in greater relationships, learning, celebrating and unity. Due to the pandemic and public health concerns we chose a virtual celebration.

Last year, our planning committee understood our call to embrace and embody “the new and living way.” This year, we thought about the hardships many of our BIPOC communities are facing, and the challenges our congregations and clergy are finding in responding to our changing culture, difficult conditions, and limited resources. What came to mind was the pericope of Joshua and this crucial time in his leadership. This is not an easy narrative, filled with complexities and still prime for our time as PSWR Disciples. It has not been easy these first two years of our journey. Sin embargo, estamos “Siguiendo El Camino.” However, we are “Continuing on the Way.”

I would like to thank the many volunteers, talents, gifts, and efforts that came from our congregations. Our Region is filled with a beautiful array of diversities in culture, languages, music, worship, social and theological perspectives and much more. Many of these will be reflected in this upcoming Regional Gathering, October 15 – 16, 2021. It has been shaped together with you at heart and in mind.

We are reminded again by the author in Hebrews to become “inventive… in encouraging love and helping out… and spurring each other on.” We are adding some new (to us) technical touches in our virtual Regional Gathering to help us understand, enjoy each other, and continue our building in relationships, learning, celebrating and growth in unity. Please register and attend to help witness our strength and to support the many efforts of our congregations. We are working and praying for a wonderful Regional Gathering.

Blessings,
Richie

Level 2 Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Training

Pastors of the Pacific Southwest Region,

The Committee on Ministry is excited to announce LEVEL 2 Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Trainings. It is our sincere prayer that as each of us continue to faithfully engage issues of racism and injustice in our world, we will see growing impact in our churches and all across our region. See below for a description of the training, or click HERE to be directed to the Clergy Training webpage for training dates/times. Please contact Michel Johnson at mjohnson@docpswr.org with any questions.

Level 2 training is for clergy who have taken the Level 1 training in the Pacific Southwest Region and need to renew their Anti-Racism training requirements as established by the Committee on Ministry. Sandhya Jha and David Bell will provide both training and coaching for the social-historical analysis of racism. (Bios below)

Level 2 training will help participants hone their analysis of institutional racism and look at their own organizations' governing documents to dream of how those documents can be more intentionally anti-racist. Participants will need to bring with them their own church or nonprofit's governing documents (bylaws), since the majority of the day will be practical application of anti-racism analysis. Please note that a review of institutional racism will be included at the beginning of the training, so it's okay if it's been a while since you covered that part of the content.

Rev. David Bell is the Minister for Indigenous Justice of Yakama Christian Mission.  David and his partner Belinda lives in the Toppenish Creek Valley of the Yakama Nation.  As minister of YCM for the last nineteen summers, David has transformed the mission’s patriarchal structure to one which recognizes its racist/colonist roots.  This recognition brought about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Repudiation of the Christian Doctrine of Discovery in 2017 along with a call for action-based Indigenous justice.  For the better part of two decades David has led anti-racism trainings and promoted earth and indigenous justice.

Sandhya Jha serves as founder and director of the Oakland Peace Center, a collective of 40 organizations creating access, equity, and dignity for all in Oakland and the Bay Area.

Raised in an interracial and multi-faith family and witness to the sometimes subtle (and sometimes obvious) ways that racism and xenophobia show up in our society, it is not surprising that Sandhya’s career has been marked by work to effect public policy change (working in the office of Congressman Thomas C. Sawyer from Akron, Ohio), religious liberty and an alternative voice to the religious right (at

The Interfaith Alliance) and around the issues of housing for all (at East Bay Housing Organizations) as well as her work to build what Dr. Martin Luther King called Beloved Community (at the Oakland Peace Center).

ANTI-RACISM TRAINING BACKGROUND:  Fifteen years as an anti-oppression trainer and consultant, primarily with non-profits, youth organizing groups, universities and faith/interfaith organizations.

My most recent book, Transforming Communities: How People Like You are Healing Their Neighborhoods is being taught in community colleges, universities, seminaries and graduate programs for social justice, social work, criminal justice and urban planning.

HOW I UNDERSTAND ANTI-OPPRESSION:  Some consultants in the arena of cultural competence or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are committed to fostering healthier interpersonal relations. I believe that is important. The reason I engage in anti-oppression is that I believe our individual and interpersonal work best thrives in an environment where institutional and systemic justice are explicit goals of the organization. In other words, justice creates the best container for kindness, compassion, and empathy. Therefore, my work with any organization will prioritize and support institutional/organizational practices and policies of anti-oppression, while also including cultural humility, anti-bias, and community issues. 

Breaking Bread, August 2021

This Way or That Way

May the peace of God be with you.

Let me express deep gratitude to all the region for an outpouring of cards, letters, emails, and phone calls that extended prayers, care, and sympathy during the passing of Jasmine’s father.  This generosity continued and overflowed to include special efforts by our regional clergy, staff, and leadership.  Our Regional Moderator, Rev. Dr. Norm Williams was firm for my focus to turn toward my family’s well-being.  Once more, I am grateful for all the understanding and patience as we continue to improve our response times and availability.    

It is hard to believe that almost a year has passed since our Regional Assembly.  Amid pandemic, we were already responding to multiple changes and challenges in mission and ministry.  Our congregations began discovering and embracing “the new and living way” for their communities.  While we are still in a pandemic, there has been a lot learned and gained.  Also, we have had many painful losses and change.  This year’s Regional Planning Committee challenges us to consider our parts in “Continuing on the way.”

Every day, like many of our pastors, our regional staff is searching, learning, and considering ways to encourage new forms of mission and ministry.  All our congregations are unique, and a one size fits all model will not work (as if it ever has worked for us with one way).  We do know for some it can be this way and still for others that way.  What we should work to avoid is losing patience with the new and returning totally to what was before the pandemic.  We need to keep a healthy sense of the congregation, working to keep this “new and living way” by “continuing on the way” that lies ahead.

One thing I would like to ask our readers to consider, our pastors have continued to provide us care and leadership amid one the most difficult times in ages.  Please consider writing or emailing a note of gratitude and if you’re a congregational leader, why not suggest the church board provide extra paid time off for some rest and renewal?  If you’re a CC (DOC) Clergy person, please consider a new service designed with you in mind provided on behalf of the Pension Fund for your better health.  For more information please visit: www.pensionfund.org/learntolive.

Please continue to keep in prayer our regional clergy, staff, and leadership in these difficult days of transition and changes.  We continue to keep you, our pastors and all our congregations, here and across the wider church in prayers as well.

Blessings,
Richie

Breaking Bread, July 2021

Connection and Re-Connection

Last year, the pandemic put limitations on Independence Day festivities and disrupted travel plans / modes of all kinds. There are traveling agency predictions and news reports of people traveling at an increase greater than pre-pandemic levels. There are plenty of social media stories, and photos of families being reunited in-person, sometimes having been a part for more than two years. I think we can all feel the power of these important lost connections being re-connected.

I can’t resist the question to some, to those who might have lost connections in their faith and / or with their faith communities. Are you planning to reconnect? I pray you’re considering a restart. I have witnessed a host of our congregations and clergy working their hardest to open the physical doors of the church, as safely as possible. Many are taking great efforts for those of us who might have grown weary from disconnection and need to find several ways to stay connected whether in-person or virtual. Please remember there is / are still COVID-19 restrictions and safety concerns to adhere and consider.

This summer is filled with opportunities for connections if you are looking for some time of hope and healing.  National Benevolent Association is sponsoring a webinar on July 14th with panelists (including our very own – Rev. Cisa Payuyo) “Tending to Our Spiritual & Mental Wellbeing After Crisis & Trauma.” Don’t forget to consider the special presentation from Project IMPACT and the PSWR African American Convocation Mental Health First Aid training course, limited in class space. “This summer Disciples can go deeper, learn what they can do locally, and connect with the ministries that resonate most deeply.” Consider a summer series Facing Brokenness - Conversations of Healing sponsored by Disciples Justice Ministries beginning July 11th. Disciples from across the United States and Canada will celebrate a Virtual Gathering on Saturday, August 7th under the text Romans 8:31 – 39 and theme: Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Amen. You’ll need to register for this event. These are a few of so many ways for you to connect and reconnect with faith and / or your faith community this summer.  

One of the “Marks of a Faithful Regional Church”[1] is gathering as a Regional Expression of the Church. Our Region will continue to thrive, with congregations working side by side in covenantal relationships, celebrating together our life and expression as part of the whole Body of Christ. Let us continue to remain faithful and safe in our summer filled with connections. Too, we’re excited about our upcoming Regional Gathering, please save the date October 15th - 16th offered virtually and with in-person opportunities. Stay Connected!

Blessings,
Richie

[1] https://cdn.disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/06162554/MarksofaFaithfulRegionalChurch2007.pdf

Breaking Bread, May 2021

Shifting

My first lessons learning to drive a car, came from family and friends. Somehow, I knew it was insufficient for this great undertaking and enrolled in a driving school to learn from a professional. The driving instructor was helpful, patient, intentional, and really good. Even, with all of these lessons, I failed my first driver’s license test using a car with an automatic transmission. It’s a long story, but I decided to test again, this time passing with flying colors using a car with a manual transmission. You might have a few notions on how this would be possible.

This past year and a few months, we found the church “shifting” from the inside (behind closed doors) to the outside (online or the outdoors). It was paramount to find a new way or model that could hold the most important parts of who we are and can continue to become for our mission, our communities and the world. I believe for congregations who are still braving new ways, it was and is less about the frills and more out of concern for the experiences of others. We brave these new models for those of us who can go sometimes “overlooked or ignored.” (Mt. 25:40 MSG)  I/we have seen new ways in the sharing of the gospel, lessons of inspiration and faith. There have been new approaches, events and activities for people to commune and learn. How many times have you seen a cooking demonstration with faith components? Amid the very hard parts and difficult experiences in this pandemic. We have seen grace abound and generosity and creativity and many of our congregations thrive. If this is a test, we are grateful to see many of our congregations thriving and passing it with flying colors. 

As a region of congregations, I encourage and pray for our congregational leaderships to reflect deeply about the kinds of experiences or lessons learned amid this pandemic. I imagine some of us are anxious to return back to “normal.” Some of us may want to drive again with a model that has an “automatic transmission,” if you will. In humility, I will offer that this current time and era will require some extra efforts, patience, intentionality, and some really good manual shifting to meet the needs of our world.

One of the “Marks of a Faithful Regional Church”[1] is enabling congregations to do things together that cannot be done alone. You are not alone! Our region will continue to thrive, with congregations working side by side in covenantal relationships, being counted faithful with support and care. We are here to enable, serve and pray for you as we work together in God’s mission for the world.

Blessings,
Richie

[1] https://cdn.disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/06162554/MarksofaFaithfulRegionalChurch2007.pdf