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| The Christian Caller January 20, 2017 |
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Julie's Jar
~~Grateful~~
Thanks to the generosity of two Regional committees of the church, I can attend a continuation education program. The Committee on Leadership and Committee on Ministry both have budgets which include a line item for scholarships. I am grateful. I wanted to attend a program offered by the Center for Engaged Compassion, located at Claremont School of Theology, but thought I did not have sufficient funds in our professional expense account to cover the costs along with other expenses throughout the year.
Thanks to Rev. Susan Gonzalez-Dewey, one of the co-regional ministers, I was encouraged to apply for scholarship funds. Rev. Gonzalez-Dewey also helped shepherd by application. I am grateful.
The scholarships fund two-thirds of the total cost of 2 retreats, travel, lodging and food. The retreats are to be held at a retreat center in Northern California. The Center for Engaged Compassion offers a certificate in engaged compassion for those who complete a course of study. One course is offered in Southern California on a weekly basis for a number of weeks. The other is a retreat format: 2 retreats with online work in between.
There are several reasons the retreat format was my choice. One is that this format brings together people from around the world, from different religious faiths and perspectives. The interfaith quality of such an experience was not part of my seminary education. We live in a time in which I believe it is critical for religious leaders to have greater understanding and yes, compassion for our neighbors who come home to God on a path that is different from the one we walk.
I began reading the book for the course,
The Way of Jesus: Compassion in Practice.
The earlier version is simply
Practicing Compassion
. The first book is addressed to an interfaith audience.
The Way of Jesus: Compassion in Practice is the basis of our Lenten journey this year at First Christian Church Pomona. Already, parents at Logos have taken the book home after choosing it as a topic to study and work on together. I am grateful.
Compassion is one of the hallmarks of the Christian life. It takes intentionality and practice to welcome this gift of the Spirit. It is my hope that you will participate in some way at church in growing this gift in your life. Opportunities will be yours through worship, through small group study and conversation, and through individual reflection and practice. The more we grow this gift, the more we are the leaven in the dough that transforms the communities in which we live: church, home, neighborhood, city, country, and yes, even the
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A Message from Mike and Julie
The season of Epiphany is in large part about the ministry of revealing Christ to
the world. It is about how we, as followers of Jesus, make him real to other people. It is our hope that worship in the season of Epiphany leads you to a greater confidence in sharing the light of Christ in ways that empower you.
We began with recognizing we all need experiences of coming home to God. Both of us shared personally how this is for us through the story of the prodigal son. What follows is an outline for the rest of the season.
Jan. 29 Coming Home to the Great Physician - Guest Preacher Dr. Bernard Hardy
Feb. 5 Gratitude for God's Welcome - Stories from the congregation.
Feb. 12 Gratitude Expands Our Generosity - We begin to discover and deepen our spiritual gifts. We are able to be "light of the world and salt of the earth"
Feb. 19 Come and See: Inviting Other People into a community that:
- practices coming home to God,
- is grateful for the spiritual gifts we receive when we come home to God,
- responds in gratitude for the gifts God gives with growing generosity
- invites other people to come home to God and have their light turned up
Feb. 26 Come and See - Inviting other people into the way of Jesus: the way of compassion.
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THANK YOU
Our congregation received a lovely "thank you" letter from Inland Valley Hope Partners for our participation in their 2016 Christmas Adopt-a-Family program. With all the generous support of community friends, 154 families were blessed with a Christmas they won't soon forget.
We also received "thank you" notes from the two families we sponsored. Their notes and photos are shown below.
Family #6 wrote: On behalf of my three kids, I want to thank you from all of our hearts. You have made our Christmas so happy. May God bless you and may you never need anything else and be blessed always. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Family #8 wrote: Merry Christmas and thank you for the gifts. God bless you always "Angels" from Heaven.
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Dr. Bernard Hardy Preaching Jan. 29
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The Elders of the church had a conversation with Dr. Hardy last year about end of life issues. As the conversation unfolded, it became apparent that they wanted Dr. Hardy to come preach and have a conversation with more of us about the doctor-patient relationship and how to encourage that relationship to be productive and beneficial. After worship, we will gather in the fellowship hall for light refreshments and conversation.
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DID YOU HEAR?
We have a great prayer conference planned! Don't miss this great opportunity to reconnect with your sisters, learn new and innovative prayer practices and be filled by the word! I hope to see you all soon. February 11, 2017 at First Christian Church of Riverside.
Register now at http://www.disciplespswr.org/disciples-women-1
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Help Needed
When Jesus appointed seventy-two workers to go to every town, he
gave them
specific instructions (Luke 10). He gave one particular instruction about
healing the sick. Perhaps you may have been called to help with the sick.
CalCare Hospice is needing volunteers to help with our patients. If you
have a few hours that you can give to help those whose journey is coming
to an end, then please contact us. Instructions provided.
Some needs include:
* Friendly companionship for patients in nursing homes, their homes or in
a hospital settings.
* Respite care to give a family caregiver a much-needed break.
* Transportation to appointments.
* Pick-up and delivery of medications.
* Pet care
* Administrative Volunteers
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CHURCH CALENDAR
**=Non-Church Activity
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If someone should be added to this list, please let the church
- 22nd ~ Charles Kurtek & Alicia Martin
- 23rd ~ Mel Adams
- 30rd ~ Bea Ross
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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Ed Ross
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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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China & Seth Isler
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The Charlie Weaver Family
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Annette Anderson
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Eloise Williams
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Jake, Marie, & Elaine Tillinger
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Evelyn Lepire & Family
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Gary Paulson
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Nancy DeWolf & Family
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Shirley Ewing & Family
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Martin & Kathleen Strudwick & Family
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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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