CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)                                                          AUGUST 2013

MILE MARKER #46: Lord, Teach Us to Pray
 

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." (Luke 11:1)

 

Our 2013 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada was an inspiring, life-giving and life-affirming celebration of the deepest values as Disciples! Over 4,000 gathered together in hot, humid Orlando, Florida in July from all across the country and around the world. There was a cool, fresh wind of God's Holy Spirit moving amongst us renewing and reviving, connecting and challenging us for the mission and ministry ahead as we lived into the theme: "Lord, Teach us to Pray." Highlights of the Assembly were numerous...
READ MORE.


STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE FROM DAN:  ~The Stewardship of Camp~
 
This article is coming to you live from Loch Leven's Chapman Lounge.  One of the highlights of my Regional work came earlier this year when I was invited to co-direct this summer's CYF II Camp.  The invitation was quite easy to accept when the one invited to be my co-director was my wonderful wife, Jeannie.   As I write this message, we are in the middle of Day #3 of what has already been an extraordinary camp experience.  And friends, Regional Camps are all about stewardship. There are perhaps no greater stewardship gifts than those connected with Camp...READ MORE.

REGIONAL NEWS                                           
 REGISTER ONLINE NOW!
REGIONAL GATHERING 2013

 

 

Online Registration is now available for Regional Gathering 2013 which will be Saturday, October 19th from 8AM to 4PM at First Christian Church Orange, CA. The theme is "Come to the Table of Love" and, this year, registration for adults is only $10 and anyone under 18 years of age registers for FREE!
 
Thank you to the following churches, who have
already faithfully submitted their per capita remittances for the 2013 Gathering.

 

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ANNOUNCING: PSWR YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES

My name is Justin Floyd and I am pleased to serve the region as the new young adult coordinator! In addition to serving in this role, I serve on the Young Adult Commission of the General Church.

 

I myself am a young adult, finishing my last semester of seminary at Claremont School of Theology. I am involved in activities at Disciples Seminary Foundation and serve on the Stewardship and Giving Team. I also serve at First Christian Church North Hollywood as their junior high youth minister. Through them I have learned many skills for ministry that will help me as I continue to develop into a full time minister.

 

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, I grew up in a Disciples congregation, serving as an active leader in my youth group and in our camping program. In 2010 I graduated from Texas Christian University in a BA in Religion and Sociology. My time at TCU confirmed my call to ordained ministry, and I spent countless hours learning theology, leadership development, and the practical skills for church life.

 

As the newly hired Regional Ministry Team staff person for Young Adult Ministries, I have been busy assessing the needs of young adult Disciples in the Pacific Southwest Region.

 

The first Young Adults event will be at the Regional gathering on October 19. We will participate in the regional gathering morning sessions, eat lunch together, and then do a service project. We will return afterwards for closing worship. Other events to look out for are young adult camps at Loch Leven and more mission opportunities. 

 
If your congregation has a young adult group, please let Justin know, he might come to visit! A major part of this vision is to help congregations become empowered to create and welcome young adults into their communities. 
 

 

You can follow us on Twitter @PSWRyoungadults or like us on Facebook: PSWR Young Adults.

 

We welcome your vision and support for this growing ministry!

 

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY
RESOLUTIONS + DECISIONS
GA-1327: Becoming a People of Grace and Welcome to All
Rev. Dr. Sharon Waktins on Resolution 1327: Becoming a People of Grace and Welcome to All
 
The complete list of resolutions, as well as notes on adoptions can be read on the General Church website. Below are highlights of adopted resolutions:
 
 
-Resolution 1327: Becoming a People of Grace and Welcome to All. Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins explains the key point of resolution 1327 in the above video. You can also read the pastoral letter written by Rev. Watkins after the Sense of the Assembly Resolution was passed. The letter is available in Spanish, English, Korean and French.

 

-Resolution 1333: Regarding Parental Leave (submitted by PSWR's Oliva Bryan Updegrove). 

 

-Emergency Resolution 1338Concerning the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman  
 
-Emergency Resolution 1337: Concerning the Decision of the US Supreme Court to Dismantle the Voting Rights Act. 
OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES RETREAT

The first annual PSWR Senior Adult Retreat will be held October 29-30 at Mary & Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes. The retreat will feature guest speaker Nancy Gordon and entertainment by Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes (pictured) from Days of Our Lives fame. For more information on this great opportunity for Bible Study, Worship, Fun & Games, download the event flier and registration form.
PSWR YOUTH DELEGATION AT 
2013 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
 
 

This year, the Pacific Southwest Region, with financial assistance from the Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Committee, sponsored 11 youth from across the Region to attend General Assembly in Orlando. Tristan Orozco, recently hired Regional Ministry Staff person for Youth Ministries, lead this youth delegation. He offers his reflection of the experience below. The youth delegation will be hosting a special Martin Luther King, Jr. service next year, offering their own reflection of the experience.

 

"Everyone else on the plane was half-asleep, inviting their full surrender with window shades pulled shut and cabin lights dimmed.  But I -- I couldn't turn my brain off.  I had just boarded Delta Flight #1061 with a dozen high school youth I did not know and was headed off to Orlando for my first General Assembly.  It was my second week on the job.

 

I was excited to put faces to names and to see a diverse cross-section of the Pacific Southwest Region's younger members.  I couldn't wait to engage these current and future leaders in dialogues about divergent worship expressions and differing theologies and the Disciples of Christ. 

 

And they did not disappoint.  Over the course of the week we fleshed out robust understandings of church.  We had tough conversations about the place of denomination-wide resolutions (and the balance between unity and witness), LGBTQ identity, Trayvon Martin, why only some people go to camp, and how two 17 year old young women could consume a seemingly limitless number of Pringles..." READ MORE.

 

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CONGREGATIONAL & CLERGY NEWS 
 
    


 
Filipino Christian Church
celebrated its 80th year & 
more congregational + clergy news!



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 REGIONAL NEWSLETTER UPDATES 

 

Older Adult Ministries

 Silver Linings

 

Ecumenical & Interfaith

 Come and Meet Some Cool Muslims


 Pro-Reconciliation

Church in Society
(by David Downing)

Disciples Men Ministry

Disciples Women

GLAD PSWR

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A REFLECTION ON 2013 SUMMER CAMP
from Susan Gonzales Dewey


 
I was asked recently why I think summer camp is such an important part of the regional ministry. I do believe that a week set apart from the commitments of our daily life allows our children and youth to make room for God and  to open their hearts to Jesus in new and powerful ways. Add to that a week of scripture, prayer and worship and Summer can be one of the most significant spiritual formation  opportunities of a year.
 
I want to give God thanks for the 68 Counselors which included 1 Peace Intern and 12 pastors who volunteered a week of their summer to be with our children and youth.
Thank you counselors and directors!
 
As our final camp of the summer closes on August 3 we celebrate 246 campers (eight more than last year!) representing a total of 37 congregations:
 
   
MORE REGIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS
DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS MAN IS?

 
Find out by taking the Disciples Seminary Foundation's Disciples History + Polity course Aug. 14-17. To register, contact [email protected].

RESOURCES FROM GENERAL ASSEMBLY



Resources from worship, business and Learning Tracks at General Assembly are now ready and available online for your congregation's use. Click to begin utilizing them now.

 

CONVENCION ASAMBLEA
 
 
Convencion Asamblea, Agosto 23 - 24 2013, Iglesia De Valle

Dirrecion: 6565 vesper Ave., Van Nuys ca 91411; Tel 818.786.6157 



DREAMING OF PLANTING A CHURCH?

 

Are you dreaming about the idea of planting a church? Perhaps you're already planning a launch in the near future. This summer, the Pacific Southwest Region has pulled together a series of experts with "boots-on-the ground", practical examples of four working church models that will inspire you. Click to learn more. Call the Regional Office with questions: 626.296.0385.

2013 PSWR GOLF CLASSIC

 

Register by September 3rd for the 9th Annual PSWR Golf Classic, which will honor Don Shelton! Click to read more about the upcoming event. 

 

 




PSWR PARTNERS WITH
CHRISTIAN CHURCH HOMES



The Pacific Southwest Region is in dialogue with CCH concerning opportunities to build caring communities in our region. On Friday, September 6, 2014, CCH will host their annual fundraising dinner in Oakland, CA. The keynote speaker will be acclaimed actor and humanitarian, Mr. Danny Glover. Click to read letter of invitation from Paul TurnerCCH & PSWR Board Member. Find more information on the fundraising event on the CCH website.
GENERAL NEWS AND RESOURCES
General Church
 

Deep Bible study for everyday people.

Week of Compassion responds to Oklahoma tornadoes.

Bread for the World gathering.

Association of Disciple Musicians 2013 National Conference.

Joining the conversation about immigration
Online registration for General Assembly July 2013 is now available.   


Start a local growing project with Foods Resource Bank.

Free Resources

Pastors and lay leaders can check out Dewitt Jones' DVD "Celebrate What's Right With the World" from the PSWR Office. Contact Janna Gould for details.



The Ministerial Code of Ethics has been updated and is now available in English, Spanish and Korean.


Other Events


Reunion de Convencion Noviembre 2, 9AM-12PM

 
Asamblea Nacional Hispana 2014 en Iglesia Casa de Oracion 

 

Actor, producer, and humanitarian, Danny Glover of Lethal Weaponfame, will give this year's keynote address at CCH's Annual Celebration, Friday, Sept. 6, 2013 in Oakland, Calif. More info.

 

 

Quick Links









 

Pension Fund



Sincerely,

 

 

 

Don Dewey and Susan Gonzales Dewey
Co-Regional Ministers
Christian Church (DOC) PSW Region
 
 
We believe God calls the Pacific Southwest Region
to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.


OUR VISION, to be a faithful, growing church that demonstrates true community,
deep Christian spirituality and passion for justice (Micah 6:8); and,   

OUR MISSION, to be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and
serving from our doorsteps "to the ends of the earth". (Acts 1:8)

---Pacific Southwest Regional Church Mission Statement
Regional Board of Directors; Adopted September 15, 2003