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

Loch Leven Update - August 2020

Hi Friends,

We are so grateful for all those who have already shown love to Loch Leven during these strange times. We simply cannot do without the creative and generous support of so many. Vista La Mesa Christian Church, Chapman University, First Christian Church of Ontario, Orangethorpe Christian Church, and First Christian Church of Fullerton have all been quick to respond with generosity and care.

A team of hard working clergy (led by Pastor Layne Beamer) normally spends the summer building homes in Tijuana but this year (because of travel restrictions) they have chosen Loch Leven as an alternative project. Between now and October they will be repairing bathrooms, rebuilding the bridge across the creek, stabilizing storage space, replacing siding on buildings, and doing so much of the hard work that we just haven’t been able to manage on our own.

We celebrate the generosity of Mike Christman and others who faithfully and fully support our camp. Kenny and Marlene Urban Funk, who run Camp Wrightwood just up the mountain from Loch Leven, spent the afternoon weed whacking the bushes and clearing the road that leads to the pool (Did you know that there are tons of olives and chokeberries along that road!?). So many are doing a lot to take care of our camp, but we need your help, too!

Emilio (our Maintenance Manager) could use volunteers to move and chop firewood, clear debris, open trails, haul items to the dump, sand benches at Inspiration Point, re plaint flowerbeds, and so much more! The office could use your help sorting mail, answering phones, receiving packages, and organizing volunteers. Do you know someone who can help with running telephone wire, replacing windows, or building a picnic table? If so, we need their help, too. If you or your family can spare a few hours, we would gladly welcome you. We aren’t quite ready to have folks stay the night, but our hope is that with lots of help, we can create safe space soon for family units to enjoy the cabins, too. 

Finally, one of the most helpful ways to SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR LOCH LEVEN is by making a financial donation. All of the projects mentioned above have expenses that are difficult to cover this summer. Unfortunately, we also had several major leaks in our water lines, the sewage line in the Maintenance Manger’s house has failed, and the truck used to haul supplies up and down the mountain has burned out completely. These expenses have caused significant strain on our ability to meet day to day chores. 

Please consider how you might lend help. You can mail a check to the Regional Office (Memo: Loch Leven Gift) to 115 E. Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832, donate online, or email our Acting Camp Manager (bjbarlow@docpswr.org) with your ideas. Thank you in advance for your support and ongoing prayers. We thank God for our camp families and can’t wait to see you again soon!

On the Journey,
Benjamin J. Barlow
Associate Regional Minister, PSWR
Acting Camp Manager, Loch Leven Camp and Retreat Center

Breaking Bread, July 2020

May the peace of God be with you.

These are strange days for many of us, locally and globally. I pray for our clergy, congregations, region, all of the Church and our world every day. In our “Breaking Bread” last month, we read from one of our beloveds that “regional ministry is complex.” Indeed it is, and more so today. This could be said for your current context and experience as well, in the community and our world. 

Our complexities are growing from a host of safety concerns, these dangers whether related to the pandemic or from horrid behavior(s) in our society, or from the notable health and wealth disparities. All are crushing. I am reminded by Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 4, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”  The Apostle concludes the thought in verse 10 by affirming there is “life in you.”  

We do have life and more so abundantly. We are alive in so many ways, beheld by each other with eyes of great promises and possibilities. Our hope is in realizing a more perfect unity, our faith is in the One who makes this possible, and our love is for each other…every day as a Region and more so, a God’s beloved family. This does not release us from the challenges and hard work ahead, but we can expect better and our best. 

I was honored to preach, recently, based on Matthew 10: 40 – 42 NRSV and said the following: “In these days of civil unrest, for those of us who can accept we have been privileged and have been empowered, can do well to give that cup of cold water (Jesus’ refers to in the text), cooling the temperature and desert of another by daring or acknowledging that black lives matter.” Amid this pandemic, in the news has been an increase of threats and rants against Asian-Americans. In addition, our Latinx population continues to suffer from a broken immigration system. Our regional leadership was asked about our efforts to change these narratives.  We know ourselves to be a Pro-Reconciling Anti-Racist church, and this work is an imperative in the hopes we share to realize a more perfect unity. 

Our Regional Moderator, Rev. Dr. Norm Williams and I, have convened three regional committees, Church in Society, Pro-Reconciling Anti-Racism, and Ecumenical Interfaith Relations to discuss intersectional work for our collective voice. Many plans were created, and these efforts will continue to unfold in the weeks to come.  I shared it is not my practice to sign-on to letters or statements with organizations that I am unfamiliar or have no relationship. Although, I believe in the importance of our voice and more so in are our communities’ actions. We are present in many ways – through clergy, congregations, and have supported the work of the Poor People’s campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.     

Here is the College of Regional Ministers recent statement to the Church:  https://disciples.org/congregations/college-of-regional-ministers-letter-to-the-church/. 

Here is a joint statement from our General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens and Minister of Reconciliation, Rev. April Johnson: https://disciples.org/congregations/we-need-to-be-the-church-we-say-we-are/ 

I was glad to be invited by Revs. Michael and Julie Roberts-Fronk to take part with a 1,000 other faith and community leaders from the California Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) and Inland Communities Organizing Network (ICON) on Zoom with state legislators to call on Governor Newsom to do much more for essential workers during the pandemic. Resulting in the expansion of the Cal EITC for ITIN filers. 

I was glad to be invited by Rev. Dr. John Tunstall to visit a community dialogue hosted by 2nd Call (a community-based organization) with the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, Michael R. Moore (pictured below left). 

I am proud to be a member of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders who hosted our very own Rev. Eddie Anderson, Pastor of McCarty Memorial Christian Church, to present his work with the Black Lives Movement and the People’s Budget (pictured above right). 

Let me share that this regional work, in my eight months, has been a very busy walk and we are responding to some growing needs. There is so much more. But, for now, please stay hopeful, in prayer, safe and well.

Blessings,
Richie