Breaking Bread, February 2024

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations;
    I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.
    Selah                        – Psalm 46: 9 - 11a

Last year, December was a rough month for me, and still, it seems we are all amid a season filled with illnesses. Like so many others, I had to be treated several times over for flus, and common colds. I tried to push my body beyond its limits and warnings. I’m grateful for the skills of the physician and her voice that asked me, do you need me to write a note for you to take some time off?  I smiled and said, thank you, no that’s not necessary. I hear you loud and clear.

According to the New Interpreters Bible, these two words, Be Still, are heard by contemporary readers as “a call to meditation or relaxation when it should be heard in the light of (verse) 9 as something like “Stop!” or “Throw down your weapons!” In other words, “Depend on God instead of yourselves.” Because of the state of our world, we might do well to share this notion between warring nations and within some of our very own national politics. Although, there is so… much to do and our needs are growing. I must confess it has been hard for me to just stop! I wonder about others, pastors, and leaders, is this too a challenge for them?  How about you? Please don’t worry, I am doing well and becoming healthier. Too, we have some upcoming plans to announce to “be still” and “stop” for just a period. More information to come, very soon.

I find it curious that Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day meet on the same date, this year. It has been recommended by some faith leaders for those who celebrate Valentine’s Day to choose another day, before or during the weekend. I can share, as always, our congregations and clergy have been planning creative news ways to begin the upcoming season of Lent. Harbor Christian Church, Newport Beach entitles their service, “Roses and Ashes” between 3pm – 6pm and First Christian Church, North Hollywood has two “drive-thru services” between 12 pm – 1 pm and another at 5:45 pm. A spiritual experience, indeed, where some might only find in a drive-thru coffee in the morning. I name just a few, please visit more of our congregations on docpswr.org for a service near you.

“This season engages us in the process of confronting who we are by nature, who we are by God’s purpose and redeeming action, and what we can become by divine grace.” (Stookey, Laurence Hull, 1996, pg. 88). It is my hope whether it be in the practice of just being still, stopping, or confronting that which holds us from the beauty of all we can become in the life of Jesus Christ. Whom in which, we can depend on and allow ourselves to give way to the matchless love of God. May Jesus be your center more and more each day. 

With hope, gratitude, and prayers,
Richie

Breaking Bread, October 2023

The War and Crisis in Israel / Palestine

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” 
– Martin Luther King, Jr. (Washington DC Address, February 1968) 

Disciples and the UCC were among Twenty-Seven Christian Churches and agencies to address a letter to Congress about the ongoing war in Israel / Palestine. Find the letter here (published October 12, 2023).

“It is our hope and prayer that the leaders and people of Israel and Palestine will find a way to come together in the spirit of cooperation, love, and justice, with the goal of achieving a just and lasting peace for the benefit of all involved. In the meantime, we extend our support and prayers to all who are affected by the ongoing violence, and we continue to hold onto the belief that peace, compassion, and justice will ultimately prevail. May grace and love be with all God's children in this difficult time.” 
– Rev. B.J. Barlow, Associate Regional Minister, PSWR and Pastor, First Christian Church, Ontario

A Great Summit and Gathering 

What a Pastoral Summit! Our Pastors, Chaplains, Clergy and Retired Clergy joined together for a couple of days (October 12th – 13th), just before the Regional Gathering. It was a time of great recreation, fellowship, rest, refreshment, and sessions for the soul. We trust those who were able to attend felt appreciated and valued for their ministries. Instruction and support came by way of Joselyn Spence and Sarah Serrano, Mental Health, and Wellness Initiative at National Benevolent Association. The Summit’s grand finale was a performance by the Leo Powell and Friends band. Leo’s Dad, Drew Powell and Trudie Kirkland helped to entertain, sing, and bring us a spirited experience. All the band are members (including John Dixon and Matt Carmody) of First Christian Church, North Hollywood, each made the night beautiful and special, indeed. Too, we received event support from Greg Kirkland and Erin Zavala.

What a Regional Gathering! Words cannot express enough our deep heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the long list of PSWR Disciples and partners who made the celebration of our covenantal relationship so special. Our Regional Gathering Worship Experience was amazing. We were led in a morning guided meditation by Rev. Dr. Christy Newton, Executive Director, Disciples Seminary Foundation and were blessed with a keynote sermon by Rev. Yolanda Norton, Founder and Director of the Global Arts and Theology Experience. We experienced a wonderful array of workshops including two in Spanish led by Rev. Dr. Esther Robles, Education Coordinator, Obra Hispana, Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries.

We are glad for the scholarship of Rev. Dr. Aizaiah G. Yong, and Dr. Sharon Jacob who offered us a session considering the scripture and reflection on our Regional Gathering Theme, With All (Matthew 22:37 NRSV).

Amid these times of war around the world, difficult loss, distress, challenges, and struggles we do not lose “infinite hope.” “…Hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” - Romans 5:5 NLT 

Highlights of the day can be viewed through photos and videos on our Regional Gathering webpage.

With gratitude, prayers, and infinite hope,

Richie

Breaking Bread, September 2023

 Interesting times

News outlets following Hurricane Hilary, hours before its land arrival downgraded its strength and noted the last time a tropical storm made landfall in Southern California was in 1939. A state of emergency was declared for our readiness to support response and recovery. People were warned by local officials to stay off the roads and avoid non-essential or unnecessary travel. Using the latest weather’s forecasts, our congregations responded in a myriad of ways and best served their community’s needs. During the tropical storm, a 5.1 earthquake shook the Los Angeles area, and built the growing concern for wildfires. State officials were quoted as saying, “it’s certainly interesting times.”

While, two weeks ago, these events were pale to the images in our minds and hearts from the wildfires that devastated Lahaina, Maui.  Having now been reported as 100% contained (Hawaii News Now) since the blazes began on August 8, 2023. Understandably, there are growing questions and concerns about the local and state’s officials’ warnings, support, response, and recovery. This article is not to directly raise a juxtapose between each state’s efforts in their warning systems of disasters. Let’s hold in tension there is a vast difference between each state, economically. We can be proud of response and recovery efforts from all-around toward the common interest of our sibling.

The PSWR has three congregations on Oahu, unaffected directly. But, still affected, as the Aloha spirit connects, grows, spreads and shares in our siblings’ needs. We do well to continue in our prayers for them. Also, we don’t forget all the good we must and can do in response. I’m grateful for the covenant we share with these and those ties that bind us to one another. We can continue to support these response and recovery efforts with donations to Week of Compassion, our relief, refugee, and development mission fund. As it has faithfully done for years, it works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world.

I would be remiss to not acknowledge, amid these disasters, there are stresses, anxieties, and concerns our pastors and clergy are navigating. I am so proud of the congregations who are taking notice, encouraging, and supporting their pastors’ sabbaticals. I know we all need to do more to care for those who support/s and lead/s the church and humanity, in these, “certainly interesting times!” May our statement of faith encourage and empower us, “In Christ’s name and by his grace (as) we accept our mission of witness and service to all people (including our pastors and clergy).”

Hope to see you at our upcoming Regional Gathering.

With hope, gratitude, and prayers,
Richie

PSWR's Church in Society Committee: "Where's Your Church?"

“Where’s your church?” It’s an innocent question, usually prompting a geographical answer such as “At the corner of Moorpark Street and Colfax Avenue.” While that’s a standard answer, we in the PSWR’s Church in Society Committee take the prepositional phrase “in society” very seriously: we recognize we are called to be the church, the living Body of Christ, beyond the walls of any building. 

Our 2021 MLK Scholarship Awardee Jaimyon Parker, a Graphic Design major, created our CIS logo with input from our Committee: 

The benevolent blue wings of the Holy Spirit support a Green urban environment framed subtly with a cursive “CIS” (like eyeglasses to watch over us) while lifting up the DOC Chalice, all demonstrating our active, Spirit-led involvement in the world outside the church walls. 

We achieve our mission by overseeing the annual PSWR Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration (set for 21 January 2024), the MLK Jr. Scholarship, and the Disciple of the Year award. Additionally, CIS receives and reviews applications, then awards the PSWR Reconciliation and Camile Christian Church grants every year. CIS also promotes the Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, every April. (See below for links.) 

This past year, our MLK Scholarship recipient Keshun Elijah Valentine of Abundant Life CC and a freshman member of a suburban college football team, faced some direct racial discrimination on campus from older folks in the area. In his scholarship application, he wrote: "I believe that this scholarship award can push me to further my education at this school and show the [suburban] community . . . that black men could succeed and perform at a high degree at a University such as [this]." We in CIS very well know the maxim of American poet Walt Whitman from “Song of the Open Road”: 

(I and mine do not convince by arguments, similes, rhymes, 
We convince by our presence.) 

Keshun’s integrating presence beyond his church’s geographical home helps the campus transform and overcome racism, and we are proud to support him. 

One of our Reconciliation grants went to BeLOVED CC, pastored by Rev. Dale Suggs, and helped support this important 3-part series: 

In addition, after receiving a CIS Camile CC grant, Rev. Dr. Linda Barkman wrote: 

“Thanks to God’s grace and to the Camile Christian Church Grant, the Christmas gift bag project for the women incarcerated at the California Institution for Women (CIW) prison in Chino, California, was a total success. Nine hundred sixty bags were delivered to the prison on Tuesday, December 20th. It has now been confirmed by correspondence from current CIW prisoners that the bags were actually distributed prior to Christmas, and that there were a sufficient number for each and every woman who was incarcerated at CIW on that date. 

“Approximately fifty volunteers participated in the December 17, 2022, bag stuffing event. . . . [T]his year each bag also contained a Christmas postcard on which a handwritten message of care, hope, and respect had been individually written by a volunteer.” For many of the incarcerated women, this was the ONLY Christmas greeting they received, and CIS helped make it possible. 

As you can see, the Church in Society Committee takes our outreach mission with delight as we spread the Gospel guided by the Holy Spirit, upon Whose wings we find support. So, where’s your church? We answer, “Wherever the Holy Spirit is present.” 

For full information, applications, and submission dates, use these links: docpswr.org/grants-scholarships 
https://advocacydays.org/ and cis@docpswr.org 

Breaking Bread, June 2023

“Responding to our need/s, building, and finding time for retreat along the way.”

In this short article, I wanted to share with you a few pictures of my presence in a variety of places on behalf of our region. You might enjoy these smiling faces of students, much like in your congregations preparing for graduation.  I was glad to attend the Disciples Seminary Foundation’s Certificate of Ministry Studies Program graduation held at Iglesia de Sun Valley.

Grateful for the many invitations to visit and preach in our congregations. I’m pictured here with Pastors Isay Alvarez and Tania Vargas, Primera Iglesia Discipulos de Cristo de Vista.

There are more capital improvements happening at Loch Leven Camp & Retreat Center, Mentone, CA. We continue in a spirit of gratitude for the many donors who continue to support our legacy.  We’re excited and looking forward to another great summer camp program, this year!

There is so much to share and capture for you. We’ll write more robustly, next month. Here is one more photo, a time for retreat.  Hope you too, can find time for a retreat and rest.  More to come.

We continue to invite us all, more earnestly, to prayer for each other.  Here is our prayer calendar: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53279756e4b07a87f2c725f8/t/6398b98e4478a078ef24ab88/1670953358264/2023PrayerCalendar.pdf

Let us prayerfully, “Arise, Anew.” 

Blessings,
Richie