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PSWR Disciples,
May the peace of God be with you.
"18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the mighty waters, yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." – Psalm 77: 18-20 NRSVUE
As many across the nation are enduring an almost unbearable rise in temperatures these past few months, we can’t help but think about the heat, the changing climate, and the world around us. Some of us can’t wait until the summer is over. Can you believe only three weeks remain? Maybe you are like me and are wondering where the summer went. So many people I encounter during these times are living with whirlwind schedules. If you live on the West Coast, you might have some experience with earthquakes, trembling, and shaking. We're also hearing more and more about it happening around the world. Sudden, unpredictable actions and changes in the environment can arise, which are (for the most part) beyond our control. Continue Reading Article
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Our Regional Church is pleased to announce that Ms. Julissa Segura has been hired as Front Desk Receptionist, effective Monday, August 10, 2026. Julissa is bilingual (English and Spanish) and brings strong front-desk administrative and client relations experience. Rev. Richie Sanchez, Regional Minister, shared, “Julissa brings our office a multiple skill set, client relations experience, a spirit of service, and care for others. I am confident that PSWR Disciples will enjoy a seamless experience of care and hospitality when calling and visiting our office.” Please join us in celebrating Julissa in her new role.
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Congratulations, Ms. Judith Ramirez!! Our Regional Church is pleased to announce that Ms. Judith Ramirez, effective Monday, August 10, 2026, has been promoted to Operations Assistant. Rev. Richie Sanchez, Regional Minister, shared that in her first few months of service, “Judith had made an immediate impact in our offices, events, supporting meetings, and committee work. The Operations team is grateful for the skill set she has brought and her roll-up-your-sleeves, get-the-job-done spirit.”
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Congratulations, Mrs. Michel Johnson!! Our Regional Church is pleased to announce that Mrs. Michel Johnson, effective Monday, August 10, 2026, has been promoted to Operations Lead. Rev. Richie Sanchez, Regional Minister, shared that in her more than a decade of service, “Michel has acquired a high level of managerial, administrative, and coordination experience to provide leadership and care for the Regional Church Operations Team. Our Operations team is grateful for her love for the Church, many gifts, dedication, and caring spirit.”
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Our Regional Church is pleased to announce that Mrs. Yun Kyong Lee has been called to serve as Regional Coordinator for Faith Formation and NAPAD ministries, effective August 11, 2026. Mrs. Yun Kyong Lee has begun her process with the Pacific Southwest Region Committee on Ministry to serve as a Commissioned Minister. She is also looking forward to being welcomed into the Apprentice Track process as an Ordained Minister. Yun Kyong is bilingual (Korean and English) and brings elementary classroom teaching experience, as well as a Master of Arts from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC. In her roles, she will coordinate faith formation activities/programs and develop educational opportunities for grades 4K-5 for congregations (such as DHM Children Worship Wonder and Welcome, etc.). She is also being called to support our PSWR NAPAD congregations and provide care for NAPAD clergy in the regional and national setting (as needed).
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN for our two-day event Regional Assembly, filled with worship celebrations and a variety of educational opportunities for all ages. Keynote guests, specific workshop topics, event scheduling, and other details will be announced closer to the event. Childcare for infants through age 5 and kids programming will be offered both days; youth programming (grades 6-12) will be offered on Saturday only.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE for information about becoming an exhibitor, the hotel block discount at the Fullerton Marriott, where to eat in Fullerton, kids/youth programming, and more!
VOLUNTEER
If you would like to volunteer at the Regional Assembly, please contact the Regional Office (626) 296-0385 or reception@docpswr.org.
REGISTER TODAY! Registration will be $50 for adults and $10 for all youth ages 5 to 18. It includes Friday and Saturday admission, dinner Friday, and lunch Saturday. In addition, there will be a continental breakfast on Saturday morning, and closing reception Saturday afternoon. Childcare for under 5 years old is free and guaranteed for those who register by October 11.
A Saturday-only option is available for adults for $40. Click here to register.
| | We celebrate and give thanks to the directors, counselors, musicians and keynoters who volunteered their time to put on three impactful and memorable weeks of camp "In the Wilderness" at Loch Leven Camp & Retreat Center this summer. We also celebrate our partnership with Christian Church in Arizona and the blessing it is to work together for the youth in our regions! | | NEWS & EVENTS FROM OUR MINISTRY AFFILIATES | | |
RECOGNITION: BORDER DIGNITY PROJECT
Over the past ten months, the Border Dignity Project has grown from a vision into a living ministry of hope, compassion, and solidarity. Through a strong partnership with CESFOM (Centro Scalabrini de Formación para Migrantes/Scalabrini Formation Center for Migrants) and alongside other organizations committed to social justice in Tijuana, the project has expanded opportunities for migrants through educational programs and professional job training skills. Together, we have accompanied people from many walks of life, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, Haitian families, and migrants from across the Globe, with the mission of affirming their dignity, nurturing their gifts, and helping build pathways toward a more hopeful and stable present-future.
On June 20, CESFOM joyfully celebrated five years of serving the Tijuana community. During this special anniversary gathering, CESFOM honored the Border Dignity Project as one of its valued sponsors and trusted ministry partners. This recognition is a testament to what can happen when communities come together across borders, cultures, and experiences to embody justice, hospitality, care for one another, and human dignity. Continue reading article
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Registration is now open for The Pastoral Leader: Spirituality, Ethics, & Justice, beginning October 5 and part of the DSF Certificate Program. Learn more and enroll at dsf.edu/dsf-collective.
| | CLERGY CAPTIONS AND REGIONAL NEWS | | |
In Memorium
It is with sadness that we share the passing of Rev. Robert "Bob" Hasty on August 8th. Rev. Hasty served over half a dozen churches in the PSWR and was a member at First Christian Church, Fullerton. He also taught at several West Coast colleges and universities. His Celebration of Life will take place Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 3:00 pm at First Christian Church of Fullerton, 109 E. Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832. A brief reception will follow the service. Cards of condolence can be mailed to his wife Barbara Hasty at 630 The City Drive South, Unit 231, Orange CA 92868. Please pray for Rev. Hasty's family and to all who knew and loved him.
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East Whittier Christian Church Celebrates 60 Years
Sixty years ago, this temple opened its doors as a Disciples of Christ congregation in Whittier. In 2003, that legacy took on new life when Pastores Alfredo and Carmen Lopez brought a Spanish speaking ministry they’d begun in a Huntington Park living room to this very building — and today, under the leadership of Co-Pastors Carmen, Siobhan, Yvette and Gabriel, that same mission continues and grows.
Join us as we celebrate 60 years of God’s faithfulness at East Whittier Christian Church/Iglesia Cristiana del Este de Whittier on September 13th at 1:00pm. We’ll gather for worship, hear stories from across generations, and stay for food, music, fellowship, and a silent auction. This is a celebration of where we’ve been and where God is still taking us — come be part of it!
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Ordination Anniversary Celebrations
We celebrate the following clergy as they complete another year of ordained ministry. We are thankful for their acceptance of God’s call to serve.
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July Ordination Anniversaries
Rev. Dr. Ed Linberg - 65 years
Rev. Karen Davis - 38 years
Rev. Greg Davis - 38 years
Rev. Donna Campbell - 25 years
Rev. Heather Barfield - 24 years
Rev. Perry Spencer Jr. - 21 years
Rev. Clint Collins - 16 years
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Hall - 16 years
Rev. Juan Amaya - 9 years
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August Ordination Anniversaries
Rev. Gary Curtis - 54 years
Rev. Tom Harshman - 43 years
Rev. Elfleda Tate - 38 years
Rev. Barbara Williams - 23 years
Rev. Michael Lehman - 16 years
Rev. Tyler Whipkey - 13 years
Rev. Tim Burnette - 8 years
Posthumously, Rev. Mary Jo Bradshaw would have celebrated 19 years of ordained ministry in August.
| | September Ordination Anniversaries | | |
Rev. Wayne Long - 59 years
Rev. Michael Fronk - 41 years
Rev. Marcia Hoffman - 35 years
Rev. Young Jun Yang - 32 years
Rev. Dr. Hillary Wright - 26 years
Rev. Rebecca Littlejohn - 25 years
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Rev. Dr. Nathan Hill - 18 years
Rev. Isay Alvarez - 18 years
Rev. Jenny Crosswhite - 14 years
Rev. Al Lopez - 11 years
Rev. Ronnie Taylor - 7 years
Rev. Julia Davis - 5 years
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Proclamation Project Preaching Retreat Scholarship Opportunity
The Leadership Development Committee of the Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR) is pleased to offer scholarship support for PSWR clergy who plan to attend the Proclamation Project Preaching Retreat, taking place November 9-11, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The Proclamation Project Preaching Retreat is designed to encourage and equip Disciples clergy through preaching, worship, learning, and fellowship. This retreat provides a wonderful opportunity to grow in your preaching ministry, strengthen your leadership, and connect with Disciples pastors from across the church.
Scholarships are available to help offset the retreat registration fee. Scholarship funds will be distributed after the retreat, and reimbursement checks will be mailed by the PSWR Regional Office upon confirmation of attendance.
Eligibility: Applicants must be clergy serving within the Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR) and planning to attend the Proclamation Project Preaching Retreat.
Application Deadline: September 15, 2026
Click here for retreat Information and registration
Click here for the scholarship application
If you have any questions, please contact the PSWR office.
| | The Anti-Racism Education Training dates and registration are posted on our website. The upcoming renewal training will be offered September 26, 2026 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm in Fullerton. Boundary Training options are also available on our website. | | |
These Scholarship and Grant deadlines are approaching:
Clergy Continuing Education Grants from Disciples Home Missions (DHM)
(Application period September 1 through October 31)
Vision Fund Grant (October 1)
Other grants and scholarships are available on an ongoing basis and can be found at docspswr.org/grants-scholarships.
| | GENERAL CHURCH NEWS AND RESOURCES | | |
NEW MINISTRY HANDS AND FEET:
CONNECT WITH YOUR ADVISOR TODAY
Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF)’s Building and Capital Services Advisors are the hands and feet of our ministry.
Not only do they serve hundreds of faith communities across the United States and Canada by providing them with advanced financial support and planning services, they also partner with communities in some of the most challenging times of church life.
For DCEF, a strong Advisor team means it is better prepared to help places of worship thrive, transform, and serve more readily. So, it is pleased to announce that it has expanded our Advisor team. Please welcome Minister Rick Branch Jr. and Rev. Landon Wilcox to its staff. Read more
| | Did you know Older Adult Ministries and Silver Chalice have become a denominational ministry? Their growing numbers of individuals and congregations indicate great relevancy and interest in this vital ministry. Have you signed up to receive their free e-newsletter? Follow them on Facebook here. Pass the good word along to others in your church and community! |
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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
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Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pacific Southwest Region
626-296-0385 | www. docpswr.org
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The Disciples Ministry Center is located at 115 E. Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832 and serves as the location for the Regional Office of the Pacific Southwest Region.
It is currently closed to the public.
You can contact the Regional Office by phone at (626) 296-0385.
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