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| The Christian Caller February 17, 2017 |
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Julie's Jar
~Barriers & Breakthroughs~
"I want to say how inspired I am by your heroic stories." Those were Mike's words of reflection as we went around the circle. Over 30 people gathered to have a conversation. The frame of the conversation was simple: what are the barriers to housing, what made it possible to obtain housing and what you change about the way things are?
We live in "the world as it is" but are called to live into "the world as it should be" according to our values as people who follow Jesus. Members of our Core Team hosted the event, leaders from other ICON (Inland Communities Organizing Network) participated and over 20 current and former residents of Our House shelter led the conversation.
Our Core Team has hosted four of these dinners and house meetings. This last one intentionally included leaders from other ICON institutions who want to work together to do something to reduce homelessness. All our ICON institutions do something to help people without shelter: providing food, supporting Hope Partners shelter, housing people without shelter in churches in inclement weather, and more. We have yet to work on preventing homelessness and reducing the number of people who experience it.
We are beginning the work of prevention and reduction. ICON has skill sets to bring; community engagement and leadership development are just two. A group of leaders from across our organization met Feb. 15
th to begin the work of developing a strategy, an action plan. What are the plans our cities have for addressing homelessness? Where is the resistance to implementing these plans? What about Measure H on the ballot in March? We hope to be an effective voice in changing the conversation around homelessness in our communities. We plan to develop the relational power to bring the values of our institutions to the tables of decision making.
We are just getting started. Perhaps you have a passion for compassion for people who are without shelter. Let me know if you would like to be part of this journey.
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Notes form Special General Board Meeting February 12, 2017
The General Board met in a special meeting to discuss and vote on three items that needed to be addressed before its scheduled meeting in March.
The first item was a new parking agreement with the San Miguel Foundation which operates a non-profit medical group. The foundation is setting up a new medical office at the corner of Park and Garey Avenues and needed more staff parking for their city use permit. They approached the church asking if they could enter an agreement for 12 parking spaces on our alley side during week days from 9 to 5. They agreed to give the congregation $250 a month for the use. The General Board voted to enter this agreement and to use the money for parking lot maintenance.
Second Item: The church has been asked to host this year's Regional Gathering for the Pacific Southwest Region of our denomination. After must discussion, the board voted to host the event under the leadership of Ginger Eckeard as the chair of the hosting committee. This will be a big event for our congregation with nearly 400 people in attendance. A planning committee is being organized for the event on October 15th. As the date approaches, your help will be needed. It is hoped everyone will find a way to participate in some way in helping the congregation host the Gathering.
Final Item: The board voted to move $17,000 from the Christian Church Foundation into our general checking to pay for the roof and plumbing repair and to strengthen the church's cash flow position. The roof over the west of the Fellowship Hall was repaired and the primary water heater for the kitchen was repaired.
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News from the Child Development Center
January 26th & 27th
We enjoyed snow day! The children enjoyed using their social skills as well as their problem solving skills to see what could be used as a sleigh.
They made snowmen and had a snow ball fight! It
was a fun two days here at First Christian Church CDC. We were even featured in the newspaper!
Upcoming CDC Events
Next week we are having new carpet installed in the classrooms.
Tuesday, February 28th is Mask Day! We will celebrate Mardi Gras by making fun and colorful masks.
Friday, March 10th is Grandparents Day! The children get to show off their favorite parts of school with their grandparents.
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Thank you from Heifer International
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Compassion in Practice: The Way of Jesus
Our Congregational Lenten Journey
Thanks to input from a number of people, the schedule of classes is set.
Sundays March 5-April 9: A light lunch will be served and a free will offering taken to cover meal costs. Small groups will meet for 60-75 minutes after lunch. Group leaders: Mike Fronk, Julie Roberts-Fronk
Wednesdays February 22-April 5 10:00-11:15 am. Conference Room
Wednesdays February 22-April 5 6:30-7:30 pm. This included parents at Logos. If you would like to join us for dinner, simply call the church office in the morning.
Books for the class are $12
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March 1st at 6:00 PM
The author of our Lent Study, Dr. Frank Rogers, is our keynote speaker for Ash Wednesday. Dinner is served at 6 pm and worship follows at 6:40. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. This season of Lent we are intentionally taking up Compassion in Practice as the way of Jesus we choose to follow. During worship, we will remember the wilderness experience of Jesus as he prepared himself for public ministry. Young children will then go on a pilgrimage outside the sanctuary to engage the story of Jesus in the wilderness. Dr. Rogers will lead us in reflection and practice, as we consider the journey on which we are embarking.
Dr. Rogers is a professor at Claremont School of Theology and Co-Founder of Center for Engaged Compassion. He has degrees from Anderson College (BA) and Princeton seminary (Masters and PhD). His research and teaching focus is on life-formation that is contemplative, creative, and socially liberative. A trained spiritual guide and experienced retreat leader, he has written on the interconnections between spirituality, social engagement, and compassion. He is the author of three books - a novel, a description of the CEC's Compassion Practice, and an exploration of the role of the narrative arts (storytelling, drama, creative writing, and autobiography) in the formation of well-being in teenagers and abused and marginalized children.
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CHURCH CALENDAR
**=Non-Church Activity
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February & March Birthdays
If someone should be added to this list, please let the church
February
- 16th ~ Ron Gorsuch
- 17th ~ Michelle Murillo
- 18th ~ Beth Thies
- 22nd ~ Hilda Faulkner
- 26th ~ Angelique Lazier
- 26th ~ Ryan McCallister
- 27th ~ Hazel Goss
MARCH
- 8th ~ Jan Akin
- 11th ~ Jenna Flaig
- 13th ~ Margie Isaacson
- 16th ~ Angela Ross
- 19th ~ Ernest Newborn
- 25th ~ Cristina Kurtek
- 26th ~ Rod Parrott
- 27th ~ Ginger Eckeard
- 28th ~ Beverly Burton
- 30th ~ Tom Reed
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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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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Ross Family
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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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