We had a wonderful Annual Gathering, and meaningful and well attended pre-Gathering events. The people who attended in person and on-line helped make our time joyful and spiritually uplifting.
Thank you:
To Ted and Vickie Firch at First Christian Church and Salesa Fa’alau for hosting our Annual Gathering and for sharing the gift of space, technical expertise, music leaders, and all of who you are with us. You embodied the gifts of hospitality and welcome and we are grateful.
- To Jim Thomas who handled registration and technical support. We are grateful.
- To Monica Cross who coordinated the workshops and to workshop leaders and participants; you helped make Annual Gathering a learning community and what was shared in Sacramento when shared in your home congregations can make the places where you worship continue to be learning communities too. We are grateful.
- To Leslie Carole Taylor, who volunteered to coordinate Annual Gathering, introduced the term “digital deacon” to us, brought us the glorious services of the catering company, “Blessed”, and who helped our event run smoothly, we are grateful.
- To Janet Chapman, Larry Love, Jeremiah Jenkins, Nadia Taveras Medina, Bentley Stewart, and Shannon Kitchens, thank you for a great panel on ministry. Thank you, Belva Brown Jordan and David Vasquez-Levy for being the bookends to the panel.
- To our General Minister and President, Teresa Hord Owens who preached and embodied the “Limitless Love of God, we are grateful.
- And to everyone who was present online and in person, who made the 168th Annual Gathering the wonderful event that it was, we are grateful.
Save the dates April 28-29, with pre-events on the afternoons on April 27 and April 28. The place and keynoters will be announced.
In my comments on my report to Annual Gathering, I shared four asks with our region. I share them again with you here:
- Pray daily for the health and strength of our Region, lifting up our leaders, committees, the people who look to us to be welcoming faith communities, and for your regional staff.
- Be present by showing up for worship in your congregation, at regional events, and in the places where people need to know that they are cared for, loved, respected, and affirmed. Be the church.
- Participate by sharing your gifts in the places that touch your heart. Is there a committee, a ministry, some place in our ministry together that you want to share your gifts? Pray about it and then let us help you match your gifts with a ministry of the region.
- Pay it forward. We are here because someone helped the church to stay in covenant with God, with the church in the United States and Canada and around the world. I understand Vy Nguyen is in Switzerland in his role as Director of Week of Compassion, meeting with other church organizations as respond to the humanitarian crisis that has come from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
We are here because there was a church to attend, a camp to show us how to know the limitless love of God, a friend or family member who said, “let me tell you about our church”, and we listened. By my count, from January through March of this year, twenty congregations, twenty individuals and families, and 3 groups have given support to Disciples Mission Fund, the Regional Fund, and the six special day offerings (Week of Compassion, Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). There is plenty of time for you and your congregations to pay forward the love of God that has been poured into you by helping to make sure there is church, a ministry, a place of safety and welcome for all who look to us to live the limitless love of God.
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Which Side Are You On?
MUSE
… a reflection on May Day!
written by Victor Emanuel Smith MA MDIV
This past May 1, 2022, I was once again reminded that around the world we look at the essence of May Day! The struggles of the Labor movement. The fight for peace, equality and social justice.
And even though May Day originated in America it is a legacy all but erased, cancelled and counted with the banned books that would teach critical race theory….
So something prompted me to search the Pacifica Archives for some substance on the subject and discovered an interview featuring Author and activist Sabina Virgo who recounts the legacy of May Day and the American Labor movement.
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DCEF Offering Technology Loans |
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Our ministry partners at Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) is offering loans of up to $50,000 for technology upgrades to help qualified congregations pivot to a stronger online presence. These loans are available through December 31, 2022 at .25% below DCEF's current rate for loans with comparable terms. Below is a link for more information. For questions or to apply, please contact the Building and Capital Services Advisor assigned to your region. Call 800.274.1883 or visit DCEF's website for contact information
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Mustard Seed Immigration Law Project |
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Leviticus 19:33-34
New International Version
33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
by Art Springs
Peggy Bristol, esq. and I are members of Tapestry Ministries in Berkeley. In 2011 Peggy passed the California state bar exam and began her ministry in social justice as an immigration attorney. The journey to assist incoming immigrants fleeing extreme abuse has been a rough road, but with her faith, dedication, and a hard working staff, many people have gained either permanent or temporary status in the United States. Many clients have been served on a pro bono or low bono basis because they have not had the finances for legal representation in court. Her service to these clients is a blessing. However, it has been extremely difficult and a strain on the law firm because even pro bono and low bono representation comes at cost.
This is where I come into the picture. I have utilized my musical background to create a fundraiser in the form of a CD entitled The Immigration Project, primarily in the jazz genre, but with some folk, blues, and chamber music as well to round out a pleasing collection of songs. The CD is due for release on May 11th and will be available on the law firm's nonprofit website, www.mustardseedimmigrationlawproject.org. Here is an opportunity for our region to engage in support for our undocumented population by helping to defray the costs of legal representation needed to bring about what we hope will be just and compassionate decisions by judges in our immigration system.
The Law Office of Peggy J. Bristol, esq. will be appreciative of any support by members of the DOC concerned with the immigration landscape in our country.
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Please keep in your prayers the family and friends of Rev. Homer Richardson who passed away on April 19, 2022 (Reported by his daughter in law, Mary Richardson). He was a long time pastor of First Christian Church San Leandro pastor. He was 92 years old. He went to PSR, and graduated about 1960. He was a pastor in Arizona until he came to San Leandro in 1968. He was there until he retired and continued to coordinate preachers until the church closed. |
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Only 3 weeks until camp registrations are due.
We can't wait to see your registration added to those already received.
CGC
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