CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)                                                         MARCH 2014
A NOTE OF THANKS FROM REV. DON DEWEY

Dear friends,

I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who have been lifting me and my family up in prayer during my father's illness and passing. I have received numerous text, emails, cards, hugs, and prayers and each one has meant so much. It is such a comfort and joy to be surrounded by such a loving, supportive and caring community. On behalf of my family and myself I want to say THANK YOU. 
 
With a grateful heart, 
 
Don Dewey
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Don Dewey & Susan Gonzales Dewey
MILE MARKER #52: 

 Leadership

 

"Come, follow me..." ~Jesus of Nazareth

 

"Leadership has been a great need in every age of the church, a new challenge in every generation." ~Christopher A. Beeley

 

In these rapidly changing times where church attendance continues to decline and the number of persons who identify as being "spiritual but not religious" grows, it is important to again ask, "what kind of leadership is needed today?"

 

Perhaps we first need to ask, what is leadership? Here is what some experts say... READ MORE

 
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STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE from Dan Oliver ~ New Life for You and Your Congregation: Considering Sabbath Time

 

Do you know... the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis is now administering the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program, and California clergy may now apply. It's not too late for the 2014 granting cycle.

 

To explore this opportunity, go to the CTS website. Under "About CTS", click on Center for Pastoral Excellence and then find out more about the National Clergy Renewal Program (there are 2 programs one for Indiana and one for the rest of the United States). Grant applications are due April 9th. Congregations/Pastors can apply for up to $50,000.

 

Please take a moment to read the following message about an exciting possibility that may be available to you.  This message includes some unique insights from my dear friend and Northern California colleague, Dan Paul, pastor at Pacific Grove CC. This is the story of Dan's sabbatical taken last fall... READ MORE

 

REGIONAL NEWS                                           
Loch Leven Summer Camp 2014
"Come to the Table of Love"

 

Summer camp is just around the corner and registration forms are now available. In addition to our regular camps, we are pleased to announce the addition of two new camps: "Wee" Camp and Special Needs Camp.

 

"Wee" camp is a new parent/child camp for youth ages 3-6. This two-night camp will be an opportunity to give younger campers and their parents a "taste" of the camp program at Loch Leven.  Campers will experience singing, lessons, crafts, games, and much more. Please encourage anyone you know with young children to attend this exciting new camp.

 

Special Needs Camp will occur simultaneously with Mini Camp; however, other than at meal times, the two camps will run separately. This camp is open to campers in grades 2-12 with developmental disabilities such as autism, down syndrome, and specific learning disabilities. Unfortunately, because the camp is not ADA accessible, parents are encouraged to contact the camp with questions about facilities before registering.

 

Loch Leven is looking better than ever and we are extremely excited about this year's camp program. We hope to see you there!

 

Questions? Contact Kyle Griffith, Camps & Conference Committee Chair, at (619) 869-2306 or send Kyle an email.

 

More information about 2014 summer camps, including scholarship applications, camper forms and counselor forms, is found on the PSWR Camp website.

 

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FIRST PSWR YOUNG ADULT GATHERING
April 26, 2014

The first ever PSWR Young Adult Gathering will be happening on Saturday April 26, 2014 at First Christian Church of North Hollywood. The event will be a day retreat with opportunities to gather and get to know young adults from across the region, celebrate worship, and eat! The theme for the event is "Everyday Body and Soul: rediscovering ritual." Workshops will focus on spiritual practices that are relevant to young adults, networking with one another, physical and mental spiritual health, and of course, having fun.
 
April 26, 2014
First Christian Church of North Hollywood 
4390 Colfax Ave 
Studio City, CA 91604
Only $10
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YEARBOOK FORMS NOW DUE 

Attention pastors and church administrators: Earlier this month your congregation was mailed a blank Year Book Report Form. This form requests information about your church's membership, attendance, giving, ethic diversity and more. This report is part of our relationship and covenant with the General Church. Through this report your congregation, pastors and ministry are recorded so that you can be named as a recognized congregation with the General Church, either as one with full standing, affiliating or in formation. 

Year Book information helps us to understand who we are as Disciples, ethnically and geographically, as well as allows us to evaluate membership and giving. Year Book information is also vital in determining the representation of congregations at General Assembly.

Please submit your completed Year Book Report to the Regional Church Office by March 15, 2014 so we can turn them into the General Church on time! You can download a copy here, complete and mail to:

Christian Church (DOC) PSWR
2401 N. Lake Ave.
Altadena, CA 91001

If you have any questions or need assistance please don't hesitate to contact the Regional Office: (626) 296-0385.

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RECENT ACTION ITEMS 
 
The Regional Board currently meets six times per year during odd months of the year. The Executive Committee meets during the six even months of the year. In addition to standard (receipt of the Co-Regional Minister's report, review and receipt of financial reports, approval of meeting minutes and calendar additions) the Regional Board and Executive Committee took the following actions: 

The February Executive Committee:

* Authorized the Treasurer to open a new checking account at Chase Bank. 
* Authorized a fund transfer ($5,000) to replenish the Regional Minister's Discretionary Fund. 
* Approved a Region-wide service project (More details to follow shortly.) 
* Approved a Vision Fund grant ($50,000) request to fund a new water tank liner at Loch Leven. 
* Authorized a one year renewal of the line of credit ($85,000) with Church Extension. 
* Referred the development of a policy for local facility title discussions to a sub-committee. 

If you have questions concerning any of these items, please feel free to contact: 

-Rev. Pam Moore, Moderator  
-Rev. Don Dewey, Co-Regional Minister  
-Susan Gonzales Dewey, Co-Regional Minister  
-Bruce Indermill, Board secretary 
CONGREGATIONAL & CLERGY NEWS 
   

Do you ever wonder how you can be praying for the churches and ministry leaders in your Region? Find out by reading the March 2014 Congregational and Clergy News and Notes.
 
 
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REGIONAL NEWSLETTER UPDATES 

 

Older Adult Ministry

"From the Heart"

Silver Linings - March 2014

 

Young Adult Ministry

News + Announcements - March 2014 

 

GLAD PSWR

Disciples Women

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations

Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Team
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2014 QUADRENNIAL ASSEMBLY

 

 

  

Disciples Women extend the hospitality of the table to ALL sisters and invite them to join us at the 2014 Quadrennial Assembly. Quadrennial Assembly is a Disciples Women's Event which lifts up women from around the world through fellowship, worship, service, and education. It is sponsored by International Disciples Women's Ministries, Christian Church (DOC). This special event is June 25-29, 2014 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel. More information and online registration is available on the DHM website.  

 

There are many PSW women attending this event including Siobhan Lopez, Carol Warsaw, Susan Gonzalez Dewey, Michel Johnson and more!

 

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2014 FOUNDERS DAY AT CHAPMAN
March 13-15
  

Founders Day is an annual event sponsored by the Office of Church Relations, connecting students, faculty and community members with an outstanding scholar in the area of religion (Founders Education Day) and a renewal and reunion event for Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ.

 

In 2014, the Founders Education Day will be extended because of a partnership with Chapman's Department of Religious Studies. The scholar is John Dominic Crossan. Founders Day is March 13-15. More details, including a schedule of the days' events are available onlineRegistration is open now!


For more information email Kari Kempf or call (714) 997-6760.
 
  

-Former Disciples of Christ Pastor David Unoura has passed away. His services will be held at Centenary Methodist Church in Los Angeles (300 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013) at 10:00AM on March 15.

 

-Rev. George Tolman served as Senior Pastor of First Christian Church of Orange from 1955 to 1966.  He returned as an interim March through December of 1987. He died at home in Tucson, AZ on Sunday, March 2, at the age of 93. He is survived by his wife, Janet. His memorial service is scheduled for 2 PM on Saturday, March 15, at the First Christian Church, Tucson, Arizona. 

 

MORE REGIONAL NEWS & EVENTS
GET FREE ACCESS TO RICK LOWERY'S SERIES ON LENT
 
 
For a limited time, you can get one year of FREE access to Rick Lowery's Audio Lecture Series on Year A of the Lectionary. The series has started its coverage of the Lenten season and is a great resource for sermon preparation and Bible studies. To get free access, click here to register for the courseNo strings attached! Come and go in the classroom as often as you wish during the free period; hear all of the past lectures PLUS any new lectures posted in your free-access period. Post in the Class Forum or comment on threads posted by others.
No credit card will be required to register. 
TRANSFORM GATHERING 2014 
 
Translating missional into meaningful and relevant language and action for the broader culture is no small task.
 
March 27-30, TransFORM is crafting this special weekend, a conference unlike any other, to bring together pastors and activists, artists and theologians to work through the challenges faced and emerge together with solutions and training and inspiration. 
 
 
Organizations are also invited to participate as sponsors of this event. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with a like-minded, missional community. Download a sponsorship info packet.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
 
  HELM logo   

 

Higher Education and Leadership Ministries is now taking application from first-year colleges students to join the 14th class of HELM Leadership Fellows in fall 2014.

The postmark deadline for applications is April 15, 2014. More information available online.  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGN UP FOR DISCIPLES IMMIGRATION LEGAL UPDATES 
  HELM logo   

 

Did you know the Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel sends regular emails with important updates to immigration laws in the US? These emails provide helpful tips and guides for navigating immigration law. 

 

You can subscribe to these email updates online.

YOUNG ADULT CAMP
 
  

The young adult retreat scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled and rescheduled for May 30-June 1 2014 at Loch Leven. Open to all young adults 18-35. If you have interest in future events like this one, email Justin Floyd, Regional Staff person for Young Adult Ministries.

 

















FREE WEBINAR ON MAINTAINING YOUR CHURCH WITH VOLUNTEERS AND CONTRACTORS
 
 
  

The Insurance Board is offering a free webinar for church leaders entitled "Maintaining Your Church With Volunteers and Contractors" on Wednesday, March 12 at 8:00AM and 12:00 PM PST (two separate offerings). This webinar will discuss new state laws regarding use of "independent contractor" in your church and will teach what churches need to understand about independent contractors and will discuss how to use volunteers wisely. This online seminar will also cover the implications of using volunteers for seemingly "simple" maintenance projects that can be more dangerous than you think. Strategies for staying "out of trouble" will be offered. More information is offered online. Online registration is required.

 

GENERAL NEWS AND RESOURCES
General Church
 
 


Free Resources



The Ministerial Code of Ethics, available in English, Spanish and Korean.
 
 



Other News + Events
 

 

PSWR Senior Adult Retreat is May 20 and 21

 

TransformingTheChurch.org has announced its online education schedule the winter term of 2014. Registration is now open for all 12 courses.

 

Visit the CWS website for more info about hosting a special offering or assembling CWS kits.

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