CBSC enews June 2009

Decision Favors Christian Schools
Children

If you have a Christian School, you may be interested in this court decision. Pacific Justice Institute announced that on April 30, the California Supreme court decided to uphold the decision of the state Court of appeals which protects private religious schools across California from discrimination lawsuits based on sexual orientation. In response to a recent case involving a Lutheran school that allegedly "discriminated" against two "lesbian" students, an appeals court decided this week that the private religious school was not a business and therefore did not have to comply with a state law that prohibits businesses from discriminating. To see the entire decision, you may click the following link. http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/E044811.DOC

TM's Executive Minister on Medical Leave

Due to physicians' orders, Transformation Ministries Executive Minister Dale V. Salico has taken a temporary unplanned medical leave. Dale's health concerns include a clot in his left lung and an aneurysm in an aorta artery right next to the aorta heart valve that is leaking. It is anticipated, at this time, that Dale will return to work at the end of the summer. Your prayers, as well as your get well wishes and notes of encouragement to Dale and Elaine, are appreciated tremendously. As per Board policy, the Executive Committee appointed Ross Chenot as Acting Executive Minister for the duration of Dale Salico's absence.

Women Getting Ready for the Fall Retreats

Women's Retreat Coordinators from several churches met up at Pine Summit for a free one-day preview and planning meeting. They met Camp Director Mike Harris, and toured the lodges and the entire property. Later, they sat down with Vicki Smith, the CB Women's Ministries Director, and her planning team, to get an idea of what to expect at retreat this year and to give input to the scheduled events. Momentum is building toward great weekend retreats for all women in attendance. The English Women's Retreats are scheduled for September 25-27 and October 2-4. The Spanish Women's Retreat is September 18-20. The cost is only $99 for the A-frame Dorms and $155 for the lodges and homes.

English Retreats: To Register call Pine Summit at 909.866.5801 or email registrar@pinesummit.com. More info? Check our web site at www.cbasc.com or email vicki.smith@cbasc.com.
Spanish Retreat: Contact Oralia Cuellar at 909.374.8533 or Fanny Arriaza at 562.716.7868 or email femenilcbsc@msn.com. Also check our web site at www.cbasc.com.

Church Construction Started in China
China

Last year, CBSC, carrying donations from many of our churches, presented a large donation toward the construction of a new church and Christian training facility in a city located in the Southern Province of China. The desolated hills have been leveled now and the infrastructure construction completed. There are over 100K Christians in the province with 307 churches scattered throughout the area. This new facility will be immediately filled and these well-trained shepherds, so badly needed, will be sent out into the Lord's harvest. Thanks to all those who helped start this project.

Hope Again's New Assistant
CB People

Vicki Lokken is now working at Hope Again! When a door didn't open for a teaching position after her move to LA, Vicki decided to fill the need as Hope Again's Administrative Assistant, working several hours a week. Vicki has skills in proofreading, filing, and creativity. What a great addition! She also leads a women's Bible study on Monday evenings while her husband, Ross, leads a men's Bible study at the same time. They are both really enjoying their involvement and sensing that they are truly making a difference for the Kingdom of God. Hope Again's Walk of Hope went very well although they did not reach their goal. Around 40 walked on May 2nd. For those of you that prayed - thank you! For those that prayed and gave - double thanks!! You can still give... just send your gift to Hope Again, 5121 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA90027 and mark it for Ross and Vicki Walkathon. 323.661.4004.

Proposition 8 Upheld
Court

No doubt you have already heard that on Tuesday, May 27th the Supreme Court of California by a 6 to 1 vote, upheld the vote of the people by which Prop 8 was passed into law to protect traditional marriage in our State Constitution. You can read the decision here, all 185 pages of it, as it appears on the Court's website. Andy Pugno, Chief Legal Counsel wrote about the victory:

First, it is important to pause and fully appreciate the enormous odds we overcame in this case. We, the people, were up against all the major national gay rights organizations, the State Attorney General, numerous cities and counties, labor unions, law professors, legislators, corporations with deep pockets --- basically the entire political establishment ---- as well as literally hundreds of lawyers working hard to overturn Prop 8. Under those conditions it is even more amazing that we ultimately prevailed in winning this case to uphold the will of the voters. We have much to be thankful for.

Second, the Court's decision to continue recognizing those same-sex couples who obtained marriage licenses prior to the passage of Prop 8 should be kept in perspective. Remember that a large number of the marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples were for out-of-state residents travelling to California --- which will not be recognized anyway in the vast majority of their home states. Moreover, if California goes as Massachusetts did after legalizing gay marriage, a substantial portion of the still-recognized gay marriages will be dissolved by divorce within a few years. In the end, only a tiny number of gay marriages will continue to be recognized. What really matters is that the vast majority of what was at stake in this case --- the right of the voters to amend the state constitution to restore traditional marriage going forward --- ultimately proved to be a complete victory for us!

Last, even as we celebrated our victory for the more than 7 million voters who approved Prop 8 at the polls, our opponents were already announcing today their intention to bring another measure to reverse Prop 8 in a future election, and to conduct a grassroots campaign in the mean time to change the hearts and minds of California voters to favor gay marriage. Also, we just learned that another challenge (this time in federal court) has been filed against Prop 8. In other words, although today was a major victory of epic proportions, the war is not over.

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