Breaking Bread, November 2020

May the peace of God be with you.

“…When we meet to break bread.” – Acts 20:7 NRSV

I return to this verse for its voice in our time and journey, together. We began Breaking Bread on October 1, 2019. The fact is our region has been practicing in this fuller and more sacred experience dating back to 1868, with the life of our “oldest congregation with a continuous relationship,” First Christian Church, San Bernardino. We can hold long before to this practice in the life and witnesses of the Disciples of Christ (big D and little d). Let us take a second to recognize our more than one year of breaking bread and regional ministry. Thank you for your confidence, this honor and call to serve as your Regional Minister. 

In our last eight months, as a result of the pandemic, meeting to break bread has been really different in each of our communities. Some congregations have not met in person since the month of March, as a “safe” return is not easily possible or advisable (keep consulting your local health departments). Many of us are grieving the inability to meet in the same ways. But we have and will continue to break bread together, thanks to the many media platforms and technological mediums available. If the newer approaches are still not easy for for you, please don’t stop the good old newsletter, email, phone or conference call to keep breaking bread.

As Thanksgiving and Advent approaches, I imagine these times of celebrations will all be planned and experienced differently for many of us. However, in light of what is being called one of the most divisive presidential election cycles we’ve seen in recent history, I hope it is useful for us to consider “how therapists talk to their family members with different political views.” The five following italicized paraphrased recommendations come from the same entitled article written by Brittany Wong. 1. Try not to match snark with snark. 2. Manage your expectations about what you’re going to accomplish. 3. Be quick to disengage if things get too heated. 4. Remind yourself that your goal is to educate and listen, not argue. 5. Know that if you speak civilly, you’ll likely get spoken to civilly. Brittany goes on to say, “When (she) gets into arguments with (her) sister, (she tries) to communicate through body language and I-statements so that (she) can hold (their) discordant beliefs and (their) relationship at the same time. (Her sister) then usually follows (her) lead, since (they) both value the relationship.”[i]  

I think there lies a good start, first for each of the sides or views to value the relationship. If we value the relationship with a family member, we will work to find some common ground, and not forget 1 John 4 “to love one another.” I hear some of our sisters and brothers who can say, what about someone’s privilege that comes at my oppression? There lies a collective opportunity and our goal, to become educated about one another’s context(s) and to help those on opposites sides or views to learn in dialogue. I came across an author who writes, “God is not restrained by (the) artificial boundaries” that we create. I accept that there are some real differences to challenge and overcome. As PSWR Clergy and Lay leaders, I hope it is one of our collective goals to help take “people from where they are to where God wants them to be.” As Disciples of Christ, we have been blessed with a long time in the Pacific Southwest and upon the earth. There have not always been agreements on everything. Praise God!  We are still here. Let us continue to work toward keeping our families at the table and breaking bread, together in new and living ways.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings,
Richie

P.S. I hope you enjoyed Regional Assembly this year!

[i] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/therapists-family-political-views_l_5f5a74bec5b62874bc1a1bc8

Schedule a Retreat at Loch Leven!

We are excited to share that Loch Leven is now taking reservations for small group retreats! This means that families, friends, and small church groups can begin requesting a quiet stay overnight by logging in to our NEW webpage and filling out a request form. No reservations will be taken over the phone, but a member of Camp Ministry Committee or LL staff is committed to contact you within three days of your online request.

Here is how you book your retreat:

1. Visit www.lochleven.org

2. Select on “Retreats/Events” tab and click “Group Retreats”

3. Check out rates and other details

4. When ready, click “Book Your Retreat”… that’s it!

We have streamlined how reservations are received and can’t wait to have you book your stay. If you have any questions or would like help with the online form, please do not hesitate to contact the Camp Manager at bjbarlow@docpswr.org or the Chair of Camp Ministry Committee at pswrcampministry@gmail.com.

Our gratitude continues to grow for those who are investing in Loch Leven! Several churches have already reached out to give what they can to ensure Loch Leven is available for generations to come. We truly need the support of all churches in the PSWR to find a way forward. The El Dorado fire and COVID-19 have delivered a powerful blow to our operations and maintenance needs. If you are looking for ways to give, please consider scheduling a work day by visiting www.lochleven.org. Of course, any financial contribution given is greatly appreciated and very much needed. Visit our website and select the “Give” tab to make a donation online.

Thank you in advance for your support. Together, we can show our love for Loch Leven like never before. In times like these, sacred spaces like Loch Leven are very much needed. Please help as you can, and know that any support you give will make a BIG difference as we rebuild a place to renew your spirit.

Church in Society Committee (CIS) Encourages Voting!

The Church in Society Committee of the PSWR (CIS) encourages EVERYONE who is eligible to vote in this year’s election do so. Of course we believe your voice and vote should be cast in every election, but this one is of upmost importance. We urge you to prayerfully consider your vote for President, US Congress, CA Congress, local positions and all legislative propositions and measures. Which candidates most reflect God’s nature? Who and what would Jesus likely vote for? Let God’s Spirit lead you in this civil duty. You can find information on the issues and candidates from your local Registrar of Votes (usually in many languages) or start HERE (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections) at the California Secretary of State to check your voter status (registration), to register to vote, election information and more.

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!