2015 MLK Celebration | Downey Memorial Christian Church

The 2015 Annual MLK Jr. Celebration is Sunday, January 11 at at Downey Memorial Christian Church (8441 Florence Ave, Downey, CA). You don't want to miss this unique day of events. 

REEL RECONCILIATION//
The celebration begins at 1:00PM with the PSWR Youth hosting "Reel Reconciliation", which explores what movies and media teach about justice in America. Click to download the flyer for "Reel Reconciliation"

MLK CELEBRATION CHOIR//
Lift Every Voice and Sing! You can participate in the MLK Celebration Choir. Listen to the songs below to become familiar with the music and then come to choir rehearsal on January 11 at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary at Downey Memorial Christian Church.

-None of us Are Free (Solomon Burke)
-Total Praise (Richard Smallwood)
-Freedom (Eddie James)
-I Need You to Survive (Hezekiah Walker)
-I Open My Mouth to the Lord (a cappella song) 

WORSHIP SERVICE//
The worship service will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will last until 6:30 p.m. 

2015 PSWR Prayer Calendar Now Available!

The 2015 PSWR Prayer Calendar is now available for download. Join with other Disciples in the Pacific Southwest in praying for a different congregation and unit every week. 

DHM is looking for summer interns!

Are you looking for a faith-filled adventure? Do you imagine a life beyond the mundane, working beyond cultural boundaries, faithfulness beyond the familiar? This may be the just what you’re looking for.

On behalf of Disciples Home Missions and Week of Compassion, Disciples Volunteering seeks applicants for summer interns who will serve with mission partners across the country. With a primary focus on Leadership Development, interns will host volunteer groups in mission settings, face cross-cultural issues, engage diverse groups of people, serve in hands-on mission experiences through the church, and help church groups make justice connections between the mission site and their home churches.

Each intern can expect individual supervision and opportunities for reflection on personal, spiritual, and social justice issues. Some interns may also earn college or seminary Field Education credit, with theological supervision provided through Disciples Volunteering.

A number of placements are available, perhaps including:

Disciples Volunteering Disaster Response Mission Station
Yakama Christian Mission, White Swan, Washington
Urban Spirit, Louisville, KY
Urban Mission Inn, St. Louis, MO

Preference will be given to members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or the United Church of Christ.

Applicants must be age 20 to 27 (as of May 24, 2015) and be available for placement without interruption from May 24 to August 7, 2015.

Each intern earns a stipend of $2,500, sponsored in part through DHM and Week of Compassion; lodging, travel and most meals are provided.

Please note that there is an early decision deadline: applicants completing their application and having all references submitted by Jan. 7, 2015 will be considered first for the summer placements, with interviews to take place Jan. 9 and 12. Placements will be announced by Jan. 16, 2015. If any internships remain, they will be filled from among those whose application and all references are submitted by Feb. 5, 2015, with interviews to be conducted Feb. 9 and 10. Placements will be announced by Feb. 13, 2015.

Disciples Home Missions is now accepting accepting applications for 2015 summer interns. Applications are due by February 5, 2015. 

Find more information on the DHM website.

Prop 47 passed - Now what?

PSWR's 2014 Regional Assembly unanimously approved to endorse California's Proposition 47 which the voters passed on November 4.

This ends felony sentencing for non-violent crimes such as drug possession and theft, which are now misdemeanors. This historic move provides greater employment opportunities and restores civil rights such as voting and jury service to persons convicted of these crimes. It also releases state funding to be moved from state corrections to vital budget areas such as education.

It is important to note that those who have been convicted of the crimes affected by Prop 47, must file a petition to the court to have the crime reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. Rev. Nora Jacob helps us to respond as Christ's Church to this movement. 

Young Adult Disciples are invited to apply to XPLOR!

Young adult Disciples invited to apply to XPLOR! 

The National Benevolent Association (NBA) of the Christian Church (Disciples), in partnership with several Disciples churches and regions, is now receiving applications for young adults interested in applying for the NBA XPLOR 2015-2016 year. Watch the video below for a look at the XPLOR program:

What is NBA XPLOR? XPLOR is a faith-based, 10-month, congregationally hosted residency for 21- to 30-year-olds, who want to explore lives of care and service.

What does an NBA XPLOR Residency involve? Residents live under one roof within a diverse community of peers where they engage in communal and personal spiritual practices ranging from prayer to simple daily meals together. They care for and learn from others in community-service internships, and they relate to their host congregation. This communal lifestyle is not typical in our culture and yet it is designed to help residents recognize and practice a deeper connection with the people they encounter.

What does a typical week of Residency look like? A Residency week makes time for all facets of the internship experience: Four days of learning/experience in the service site, weekly Sabbath time set aside for personal and collective spiritual reflection, free time for personal care (grocery shopping, laundry, entertainment, and rest) and about six hours a week serving with the host congregation.

In 2014, XPLOR welcomed 12 young adults to live in intentional community and service at three XPLOR houses across the U.S.: St. Louis, Missouri; Hiram-Manuta, Ohio; and North Hollywood, California. More information (including videos from each Resident) can be found atwww.nbacares.org/xplor. Read more.