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| Rev. Dr. Julie Roberts-Fronk, Pastor Rev. Mike Fronk, Pastor The Christian Caller July 21, 2017 |
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Julie's Jar
A guiding value for Christians is found in the saying of Jesus from Matthew 25:45, "when you did it to the least of these, you also did it to me". This phrase is one of the most foundational for Christians, guiding our response to pain of the world we believe God wants to address. The "least of these" can be anyone who is made vulnerable by life's circumstances, regardless of how those circumstances came about. This value is what stirs up most of my felt responses when I learn of the suffering of others. The cost of pollution is one of those issues that agitates my spirit because it literally makes people, our water, our soil sick. The cost is usually counted as collateral damage, the cost of "doing business". But who pays the costs, in days lost to work, school and life as in pre-mature death? The cost is usually born by the most vulnerable.
Recently, I learned that 4-17 tons of coal dust is lost in transportation on every train carrying coal. Yes, EVERY train transporting coal spreads between 4-17 tons of coal dust depending on the amount being carried, wind conditions and more. Coal is transported via open car rail. I wondered, "Why can't it be covered?" when the narrator said, "It can't be covered because of the danger of combustion." Right, it might blow up. That would be bad too.
I wondered where all that coal dust goes as trains traverse cities, neighborhoods, deserts, and the open plains. No one is required to protect the people, the plants and animals that are involuntary affected; there is no recourse for them. Who speaks for the least of these?
We are a Green Chalice congregation. That means we do all we can on our site to walk more gently on God's good earth. It also means we develop our own capacity to speak for the least of these adversely impacted by the abuse of the environment that support all life. Sometimes, the least of these are even us.
People from different faith traditions collaborate to advocate for the least of these impacted by our own misuse of Creation. Georgia Interfaith Power and Light is one example. Our own Green Chalice ministry is another. Advocacy means speaking up and speaking out in public, about public policies that both help and hurt "the least of these". The ministry of Jesus was and continues to take place in public and is especially an expression of Good News when we take that ministry out into the public.
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Hands On Mission Opportunity
Is having safe water important to you? Then you might want to be part of a project on water quality in the vicinity of Upper San Jose Creek (USJC) which runs through parts of west Pomona on its way to the San Gabriel River.
Clean and Green Pomona
(of which Julie Roberts-Fronk is a member), has agreed to assist with a research project of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
On Tuesday, August 8
th
from 4-6 PM at the Pomona Library, a training is being held for
Clean and Green Pomona
. If you are interested in helping in some way, large or small with this hands-on mission project, contact Julie. If you are unable to attend August 8
th
but are interested, there will likely be other opportunities. 
The Water Board seeks the help of community groups/non-profits to identify "potential non-filers", meaning locations in the USJC watershed that should have filed for storm water permits (MS-4: the Municipal Sewer permit and IGP: the Industrial General Permit), but haven't.
The purpose of this pilot study is to see whether, when all such locations are permit-compliant, it affects the water pollution levels in the area. The Water Board would especially love to have people from the Pomona area community helping with the USJC study because the largest number of identified sites are in Pomona.
The other areas that are part of the USJC watershed are La Verne, Claremont, San Dimas, Diamond Bar, Walnut, West Covina, City of Industry and some land in unincorporated LA County.
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Rev. Rafael Reyes Preaching Sunday July, 30th
Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5-12
Sermon Title: "A Little Wisdom Wouldn't Hurt"
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Compassion Practice Update
Want some practical tools to live the way of Jesus, the way of compassion? Want to live from a more grounded, less reactive center? Want to learn practical ways of developing self-compassion and compassion for people you like and people who irritate you? Consider participating in two upcoming events.
August 20th after worship, Pastor Julie Roberts-Fronk will lead practices that open us to the possibilities of transformation God's compassion can bring. The sessions will include conversation and two practices. A practice can be a guided meditation, a quiet activity, writing, etc. There will be a variety in order to appeal to different learning styles.
August 20: Self-Compassion - paying attention to and having empathy
for our own suffering.
Look for a new Compassion Practice course coming in the Fall.
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ICON Housing Luncheon
Do you know someone experiencing pressures related to housing? Save August 27
th for a Conversation!
Most of us can answer, "Yes" and some of us might even say, "I'm experiencing those pressures." Our Core Team is planning an all congregational conversation for August 27
th
after worship. The purpose of this gathering is to connect with each other through our stories. This is part of a larger effort in ICON (Inland Communities Organizing Network) which is beginning to develop strategies related to the housing crisis. That work begins with all of our institutions learning what is actually happening for their members.
The housing crisis goes well beyond the under housed people who live on our streets. This effort began with the work of our own Core Team and now includes all the other ICON institutions. There is a deep desire to bring our collective power to address what we can do to help address this crisis. In order to do that, we have some more learning to do. Your participation is needed as we move forward in this venture.
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Worship In August
The Program Cabinet collaborated to focus on worship in August. The overall theme is "Listening to God". As we continue to discern the movement of God in our own lives and in the life of our congregation, it is hoped that this focus will provide continuing foundational practices for this shared work. Worship will be more blended, intentionally incorporating new and varied ways of engaging our faith through music, reflection, and activity.
The weekly themes are as follows:
Preparing to Listen
What is God saying to you, in your life? How do I listen?
What is God saying to our congregation? How do we listen as a community?
What is God saying in our time? How do we listen as communities?
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CHURCH CALENDAR
**=Non-Church Activity
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Birthdays
If someone should be added to this list, please let the church
JULY
- 23 ~ Ed Burton & Kathleen Eames
- 30 ~ Frances Shorrock
August
- 11th ~ Bob Smith
- 21st ~ Susan Hardesty & Dee Wiley
- 23rd ~ Morgan Sly
We'd love to wish you a happy anniversary here in The Caller!
If you would like to have your anniversary listed,
contact the church office.
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| CELEBRATIONS AND PRAYER CONCERNS 
We join together in prayer for our community and our world. Please let us know if you would like to add someone to the list or if someone should be removed. We review the list quarterly and will give you a call if it is unclear if someone should stay on the list. Please let us know if someone has inadvertently been removed. |
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HOMEBOUND & convalescing
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Hilda Faulkner
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Janice Newborn
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Lois & Rhodes Thompson
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Bob & Jackie McCallister
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ONGOING PRAYERS
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Elizabeth Akin
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Sue Hunter
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Jose Mendiola
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Lucy Hyde
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Carolyn McKee
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Laura Zivnak
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Gary Paulson
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Bret Wiley
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Cindy Koskan
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Ron & Martha Gorsuch
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Tim Reed
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Stan Adams
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Diana Tillinger
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Nicole Brooks Rios
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Sandy Toppen
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Harry Pearson
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Nelson Mann
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Lorraine Rogers
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Kovacs Family
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Robin Priede
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Phil Smith
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Amber Kovacs
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Moore Family
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Robert Vazques
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Malori Lane
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Ashlynn McCaw
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Tammy Mayes
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Onelia Cruz
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Donna Ruddiman
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Connie Saenz
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Lily Lane
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Wanda Sodoma
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Joe Zivnak Family
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Yani Davis
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Paris Reed
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John Miller
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Annette Anderson
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Eloise Williams
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The Charlie Weaver Family
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Evelyn Lepire & Family
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Ross Family
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Jake, Marie, & Elaine Tillinger
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Mike White Family
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Kathy Lin Family
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Shirley Ewing & Family
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Martin & Kathleen Strudwick & Family
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Carey Smith
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About First Christian Church Pomona
We are an active, informed, progressive Christian community worshiping and serving in Pomona, CA. Our congregation is a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Denomination.
All are welcome to worship, take Communion and serve the world with us.
| Join Us for Bible Study:
9 am Sunday |
Join Us for Worship: 10 am Sunday |
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