October is Domestic VIolence (DV) Awareness Month

GA-1928, A Call to See and Respond to the Crisis of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence~ We Voted, We Adopted, July 2019 at GA, Now What?

October is Domestic VIolence (DV) Awareness Month, and it is a perfect time to support and engage Resolution GA1928. Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (DV/IPV) are holding over 12 million people hostage in toxic relationships. Businesses lose over 8 Billion dollars a year as a result of Domestic Violence. The dynamics at play in an abusive relationship are not logical, the dynamics are layered and complex. The complexities around abuse are not taught in seminary. The co-authors of the resolution are passionate about affecting the normative cultural landscape where abuse hides and thrives. They have designed a blueprint for action around the strategy of creating safer sanctuary space for those whose lives are ravaged by abuse.  There are three major steps:

1. Become educated about abuse specific dynamics and educate your community, especially youth and young adults, take the 5-hour educational offering to understand the complexities and nuances of abuse. It is too easy to harm others with well meaning remarks. (CEU’s available, and a 20% discount is offered to PSWR leaders)

2. Take action to bring resources, workshops, and prayer events to your community. Please add DV resources to your church website, Tethered1.org, offers a template to get you started.

3. Stay aware and engaged, become a safer space to those in your midst, you create space when you preach on abuse, visit sojo.net for sermons.

1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men, 1 in 3 teens will experience Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence in their lifetimes. Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence are cyclical and are repeated intergenerationally. Essentially, there is no end, unless we equip, empower and educate youth and young adults. We have the ability to free future generations.

Due to the deep cultural embedded reality of shame and stigma around abuse,  Silence makes Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence the best kept secret. The CDC deems this insidious violence “A Public Health Crisis.” Currently, Covid is one pandemic fueling another, Abuse. We, as Christians, have the power and capacity to reduce this violence in our lifetimes! The statistics prove there are people suffering in silence in plain sight in our communities. Often folks feel this topic is too controversial and would rather look the other way. We are asking that you move from a place of courage to face the silent crisis that relegates victims to the hidden margins. In that courageous space, you could save hundreds of lives through education alone.

Jesus came, that we may have life, and have it more abundantly, not shrink under the violence of oppression.

Read more about how to respond to the crisis of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence, on a recent blog post for the National Benevolent Association.

Loch Leven Update - October 2020

Few things can describe the roller coaster ride we’ve been through over the last several weeks, and yet, we have been blessed beyond compare by the hard work and dedication of so many who protected our camp from the El Dorado fire. It did spread onto our property, burning vegetation across Inspiration Point (the crosses still stand!) and down near the creek. Sam’s Peak was burned and our water tower was scorched causing significant damage to the roof and wooden structure.  Fortunately, no other damage to the property has been reported. We continue to be amazed by the masterful work of our firefighters. We thank God for them and for so many who worked hard to keep people and places safe during this entire ordeal. The recovery process will be a long one as we truly won’t know the impact of the heat damage to trees and other wildlife for a few years.

Moving Forward
Temporary/Contracted support staff will be hired in the coming months to assist with big project repairs and maintenance. We are also inviting small groups to engage in retreat style stays at Loch Leven beginning in November (we are unable to provide programming for groups and meals will be an extra charge upon request only). All those who would like to have a retreat at Loch Leven will be held to the CDC guidelines of appropriate social behaviors during a pandemic. Our hope is that camp friends will volunteer to assist with camp clean up, small work projects, and gardening to promoting healing for Loch Leven. You can begin scheduling a work day or retreat at Loch Leven after October 26th. Visit our website starting October 16 to find more details about pricing and availability. An online form will be available to sign up for dates to visit. A member of our Loch Leven team will contact you to coordinate details and to plan any work projects with which you are interested in helping.

We have been spending every available minute working to recover from COVID and the El Dorado Fire. We are tremendously thankful for the outpouring of support, the patience extended to our very small staff, and for the prayers of so many. Although at times the journey has tested our strength, we see in notes of encouragement and contributions from so many that God is with us and we will make it through it… if we do it TOGETHER!

Please continue to SHOW YOUR LOVE TO LOCH LEVEN by giving financial gifts, offering work projects, building fundraisers at your church/community, and whatever other ideas you may have to help Loch Leven become more vibrant than ever before. Thank you in advance!

Breaking Bread, October 2020

PSWR Disciples,

May the peace of God be with you.

Did you know that this is Pastoral Appreciation Month? I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our PSWR Clergy and Pastors. Amid this pandemic, many pastors have championed and led their congregations from the inside out. Pastors have continued to pray, watch over and help us in all times of uncertainty. They have helped make mission, ministry, studies, meetings, worship, concern and care available and accessible in new and meaningful ways. Who could imagine that such a challenging time would launch these new ways of being the Church? Thanks to their boldness and creativity we are very alive in Christ. Please let me encourage our congregational leaders to find some special way to thank and recognize our pastors. How about a few extra days off for relaxation, refreshment and rejuvenation? Here is some help to make this time off possible from our General Church partner, National Benevolent Association.

National Benevolent Association is helping to celebrate our pastors with a sermon series: “For Such a Time as This.” Their October sermon series offers “prophetic voices from the NBA community that will inspire you to think critically and act justly while also giving our pastors deserved time off from preaching during Pastoral Appreciation Month! Here is the link with more information: https://www.nbacares.org/care-resources/oct-2020-sermon-series We’re proud to share that one of those voices comes from among one of our very own, Rev. Dr. Young Lan Kim, her sermon is titled: “To Break Down the Barriers.”  We all are looking forward to its release next week.  Way to go, Dr. Kim! 

We hope you’ve already made plans and registered for our upcoming Regional Assembly (October 16 – 17, 2020). The Regional Assembly planning committee has worked hard to provide opportunities for Disciples of many ages, to become inspired, learn and reclaim “The New and Living Way.” This year, you’ll be able to join the assembly from the comforts of your own home, office, church and/or virtually, from anywhere. We have invited preaching from some of our prevailing Disciples voices, Rev. Chanhee Heo and Rev. Yolanda Norton.  If you haven’t taken the time to register, please do so now and let us celebrate together, our beautiful unity in diversity. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at Regional Assembly.

Please don’t forget to “Show your Love” for Loch Leven.  Wildfires continue to be a concern for many others in California and neighboring states, let us continue to be thankful and prayerful for all those who fight fires. 

Please remain safe and well.  

Blessings,
Richie

Breaking Bread, September 2020

May the peace of God be with you.

This past week, “dozer lines”[1] became a new term for my vocabulary and one more reason to give thanks.  We are thankful to God for the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, firefighters, volunteers, and countless others who were able to hold back a spot fire that threatened our Loch Leven Camp & Conference Center, the city of Mentone, and our sibling UCC’s Pilgrim Pines Camp & Conference Center in Yucaipa. There is much to still be in prayer–the El Dorado fire, Bobcat fire and many other fires that continue to burn. Still, in our time of need, the dozer lines that were created by bulldozers and hand crews using tools years ago served its purposes.  We give our thanks to the many heroes, who built this way and worked hard that we might endure.  

We have seen how Disciples in the PSWR and from afar have shown love, concerns and care for Loch Leven.  We begin with our gratitude for Rev. Layne Beamer (former pastor of FCC, Whittier) and friends who used their summer to help make a few improvements around the camp. I would encourage everyone to “Show your Love” for this beloved place. In the wake of the wildfires, there will be many more hands needed and efforts to help us restore these grounds. If your memories and joys of Loch Leven are plentiful, please follow its Facebook page for updates, and consider one of the many ways you can help this camp endure for years to come.

You have just read how a dozer line was made in the forest in order for these holy places to continue forth.  In these times of unprecedented challenges, wildfires, civil unrest, pandemic, economic difficulties and so much more, we might yet hear a voice, as one from the prophet Isaiah (43: 19 NRSV): “I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert.” In a time of trials and adversity our eyes opened, and collective work might find new ways for life in abundance. We are called to together, to share and piece these new ways. Our upcoming Regional Assembly (October 16-17, 2020), will provide opportunities for Disciples of all ages to become inspired, learn and reclaim the new and living way for us all. You can join us from the comforts of your own home. We will hear from some of our prevailing Disciples voices, Rev. Chanhee Heo and Rev. Yolanda Norton. Please register and let us celebrate our beautiful unity in diversity.

We are looking forward to seeing you, there.  Please remain safe and well.

Blessings,
Richie

[1] https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/10179/dozers.pdf

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