January 19, 2011
Dear Friends,
It's another e-bulletin, sent every other week with some good news and all of the info on upcoming events in our Southern California Mission Center. This edition's good news comes from Linda Read, Planter and Pastor of Welcome Home in Covina. Please send us your good news…we can never have too much! And thanks for all you do in the service of God's people.
- Good News: “Blessings are Outside the Church!"”
- SAVE THE DATE: Joyful Noise Workshop in Southern California - June 2
- SHAMROCK "Cloning" Event - January 28
- LEADS: Community of Christ Scripture – February 25-26
- Sharing in Ministry
- Upcoming Events
Good News: “Blessings are Outside the Church!”
Wednesday have become my favorite day. It seems like every week I have a new story of blessings, suffering, and gratitude. They feed my spirit and show me God’s presence is alive and well out in the world. Don’t get me wrong, Sundays are great, but Wednesdays…are definitely best. On Sunday we run all about, getting ready for church. Things have to be prepared – the chairs in the sanctuary along with the hymnbooks and Bibles, the food for our meal, the worship center. We want everything to be in its place, the space tidy and comfortable so that each one feels welcomed and appreciated and that they belong there for worship, fellowship, and feast. All is good.
Aah but on Wednesdays worship and ministry look quite different. While hospitality and food is still essential and the preparations must be made, worship happens when we pile out of the van into a parking lot or neighborhood park and Sheila, Scott and I share small plain brown paper bags with our neighbors - bags filled with sandwiches, chips, a piece of fruit, a granola bar, sometimes a homemade brownie, a bottle of water and those beautiful clean white socks. This is where we see the face of Jesus in the tired eyes and grateful smiles of our Love Lunch friends also known to us as "friends without homes."
This week our friend Gloria and her tiny dog “Bobby” were waiting for us to arrive as always, the two of them laying in the grass by the Arrow Motel. Milk Bones were on hand for Bobby and a lunch for Gloria along with two other friends, Juan and Robert. She smiled when she saw us, and got up to greet us. Gloria told me that she had saved me something. When she returned from her bundle of possessions she presented me with 2 shiny quarters. “I just want you to know how much seeing you all means to me and to us. This is for your ministry,” she said.
I thought about refusing. How could I take the 50 cents that might be all she had to spend on dinner, or all she had for hot coffee to warm up when the temperature drops. I looked into her kind and weary eyes and thanked her. It’s not everyday that you actually meet the “widow” and receive her “mite”. I felt humbled and convicted. How often do I squander such a small amount or spend it without thinking. I learned a lot about gratitude that Wednesday.
At Welcome Home, we have two congregations. One is on the inside – about 20-35 of us depending on the Sunday – and the congregation on the outside – 36-50 precious souls that bless me every Wednesday.
A special thank you to all of you individuals and congregations that share with us to help make Love Lunches happen. God bless each of you and the ministries that you provide on God’s path, especially outside your church buildings!
SAVE THE DATE: Joyful Noise Workshop in Southern California – June 2, 2012
Please mark your calendars now for Saturday, June 2 when we will host here in southern California one of the five Joyful Noise Workshops that herald our church's new hymnal, due to come out in 2013. Hymnal Coordinator Lauren Holly and High Priest Quorum President and worship expert Jane Gardner will lead the workshop and familiarize us with the new hymnal's musical styles, worship planning techniques, theological content, and more. We are working out a location and will pass along information as soon as possible. For now, just reserve this date and stay tuned!
SHAMROCK SHAMROCK "Cloning" Event
No, this is not a controversial new senior health care seminar. The "cloning" is of SHAMROCK – a mini-seminar on how to replicate this important ministry in your congregation. Participants will receive a how to including a handbook of resources on more effectively caring for, advocating on behalf of, and receiving ministry from our senior members and friends. Join the enlightening day of Fellowship, Food, and in-Formation on Saturday, January 28 at 10AM in Temple City – 9468 Broadway. For more information contact Denise Leichter – at either deniseleichter@cofchristla.org or 310-403-9973.
LEADS: Community of Christ Scripture – February 25-26
Come and share in this exploration of our unique scriptures as led by Mark Euritt. Mark is a scripture scholar and serves as Assistant to the Apostle for the Caribbean/Mexico/South Central USA Mission Field and also President of the Caribbean Mission Center. We will delve into Restoration scriptures with three primary aims:
- 1. to understand the historical contexts in which these scriptures originated and developed during the time frame of 1822 to the present;
- 2. to appreciate the various usages to which these scriptures have been put during the course of the church’s development to the present time;
- 3. to become aware of problems and issues pertaining to each of these indigenous scriptures arising from the current missional imperatives of the Community of Christ, in the setting of its emerging multi-cultural population.
Cost is only $20 (not including free will offering for Saturday lunch and snacks). To register and get the reading assignment, contact Tonia Cooper not later than February 19 at tonia@cofchristla.org or 714-847-5731. Location: Temple City – 9468 Broadway; Saturday and Sunday, February 25-26. Don’t miss this great class!
Sharing in Ministry
During first quarter of 2012, SCMC Staff will share in ministry…
- Denise Leichter – La Nueva Esperanza en Cristo, Ventura
- Terry Read – Ventura, Santa Barbara, Costa Mesa
- Ryan Sharp – Burbank, Costa Mesa, Santa Barbara, Temple City
Upcoming Events
- January 28 — SHAMROCK "Cloning" Event – Temple City
- February 3-5 — Junior High Snow Camp – Buckhorn (FMI: Kyle Logan – klogan@cofchristla.org or 909-562-9308)
- February 17-20 — Senior High Snow Camp – Buckhorn (FMI: Kyle Logan – klogan@cofchristla.org or 909-562-9308)
- February 25-26 — LEADS: Community of Christ Scriptures – Temple City
- April 20-22 Women's Retreat — Buckhorn
- June 2 Joyful Noise Workshop — Upland Congregation
Terry A. Read
Community of Christ
Southern California Mission Center President
909-606-8636
909-631-0499 (mobile)
tread@cofchristla.org
www.cofchristla.org
All rights reserved.
Community of Christ, Southern California Mission Center
PO Box 1330, Simi Valley CA 93062
