See you this Sunday!

Happy Thursday, Church!

What a Pentecost we experienced last Sunday. I hope that something in our short time together resonated with your spirit and that you left knowing that you are empowered by the same spirit who created the world. How cool is that? Thank you to everyone who made our time together meaningful.

As you read this edition of the BUZZ, I will be in Los Angeles for the Annual Gathering of the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ. Because of both my health and my mother’s health, I have not been able to attend for two years. I am anxious to reconnect with my clergy peeps around the conference. I will share your dynamic, radical love to all.

This coming Sunday, we are taking a long journey back to the book of Exodus. I encourage you to read through the 33^rd chapter of Exodus. If you are using BibleGateway, which is the link provided, you can read it in a number of different translations. Read a couple of them and see how they differ and how they are the same. You might be surprised.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus 33&version=NRSVUE

As most of you know, beginning Monday morning, June 1^st, I will be on sabbatical. I am so grateful that we are a church that stands behind the need for their pastor to not only take a break, but to set aside time for personal study, reading and searching out new possibilities for our future together. The word, “sabbatical” comes from the word Sabbath and Shabbat. All three terms refer to rest. You remember that in the Genesis creation story, God rested on the 7^th day … the Sabbath. Our Jewish siblings observe, shabbat—a sacred 25-hour period dedicated to spiritual renewal, family connection, and stepping away from the pressures of daily labor.

The focus for my sabbatical is a journey to a new paradigm for the small church, new ways to think about what we do, how to do it with limited number of people and how we should possibly adjust our mission/vision statements to be more appropriate for us as a small congregation. I covet your prayers during the next three months. I cannot imagine not being here. We are so blessed with leadership who are prepped and ready to take the wheel.

I must say, I am a bit jealous, as Rev. Brandon’s sermon series promises to be amazing. “The Summer on the Mount.” You know how much I love the beatitudes. Please give Rev. Brandon all your support, love and prayers. This will be a wonderful time for all of us to regroup, rethink and open ourselves to God’s possibilities. Thank you, church for allowing me this time away. I love being your pastor—even when I am not here physically.

Holding you close and lifting you high!

Pastor Greg

Many Tongues of Worship

On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrated the gift of the understanding of many tongues. It’s a symbol of unity in diversity. We don’t know exactly how the miracle occurred. Maybe the disciples spoke in many tongues that were present at that Pentecost festival. Maybe they spoke their own language and the miracle was in the hearing and understanding anyway. Maybe they spoke in some heavenly language and it was translated by the Spirit for the hearers. Maybe it was some combination or just a metaphor by the author to tell us something.

A take away from this Pentecost story every year for me, though, is the translation of truth for all those who need it. The inclusion of all people in the work of the kingdom no matter their language or background. The inclusion of all in the worship of God and declaring God’s wonders. We likewise come from many religious, cultural, political, gender, sexual etc., backgrounds, but we come together and worship every Sunday merging together the beautiful, various tongues we have in a cacophony of unified yet diverse worship of God. What a beautiful thing.

Pastor Brandon

Since 2013, Give OUT Day has helped hundreds of LGBTQ nonprofits raise millions of dollars! This year, Give OUT Day is June 4. Organizations will be fundraising throughout Pride Month (June).

In recognition of Give OUT Day, please consider donating to PFLAG San Diego County. They offer support, education, and advocacy to LGBTQ+ persons, their families, friends and allies. PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.



Please make your donation directly at: https://pflagsdc.org/donate/

Books & More

Author Lynda Rutledge tells a story that is part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late.



Everyone is welcome to join this wonderful group of ladies every Tuesday in the Fireside Room at 10 a.m.

May is EDS and HSD Awareness Month



Have you heard of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD)? I only learned of these conditions when doctors began to suspect I might have one and, indeed, I do. Once considered quite rare, we are coming to understand that many more people are impacted by EDS and HSD than originally thought. 

The pathway to diagnosis and treatment for these conditions can be long and difficult. I hope that as awareness and understanding spreads, that pathway might be made a little easier. 

If you'd like to learn a little more about EDS or HSD, click on one of the links below:

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder - https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-hsd/


Until next time,

dez

pronouns: they/them
dez@ccpucc.org