The Christian Caller

March 10, 2017

Julie's Jar

~Beginning Again~

I determined to explore the writings and life of Howard Thurman more fully, more deeply. Mike took a class on his life and writings and many of his books are in our personal library. I've been reading Ph.D. Dissertation ABOUT Dr. Thurman while reading one of his books, The Creative Encounter.

It turns out, I read The Creative Encounter at some point; my writing is in some of the margins. I do not recall reading all of the book, but according to my underlines and comments in the book, I have. The writing style is dense so I find myself re-reading parts and still not completely having the words intersect with my mind.

How I wish I could take the words in, digest them, ruminate upon them so they become part of my own thinking, helping me navigate my own spiritual life a bit more ably. The spiritual life is very often about beginning again. I remind myself of this as I read a page with words I've underscored or drawn a star next to.

Prayer is one avenue for beginning again our life with God. Prayer is not an end itself, but a way inward that leads us outward and inwardly again. Prayer begins and nurtures the infinite loop of Christian discipleship. Dr. Thurman writes:

" Prayer...means the method by which the individual makes his (sic) way to the temple of quiet within his own spirit and the activity of his spirit within its walls." (The Creative Encounter, 34.)

Your spirit has activity all its own. Prayer is an opportunity to explore that activity with the loving companionship of God. It always leads to action of some sort, which the individual may or may not choose to engage. This is the freedom we have. Of course, the more we allow our spirit its own activity in the loving gaze of God, the more animated our own faith will become.

Jesus' faith was fully animated by this spiritual work. We claim to want to be more like him: O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, grant that I may seek thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly. (Prayer of Richard of Chichester) Faith is a choice.

If you are ready to begin again, start with prayer. Begin by making your way to the temple of quiet in your own spirit. Let the loving gaze of God guide you and show you the activity of your own spirit within this habitation. This invitation comes with a warning; it will animate you for the ministry to which you are called, to which you have given yourself at your baptism. This invitation also comes with the assurance that God will never leave you or forsake you.

Meet the GMP Nominee

The General Board voted to forward the name of Rev. Teresa (Terri) Hord Owens to the 2017 General Assembly as the nominee for General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

A Disciple since young adulthood, Hord Owens is currently dean of students at the University of Chicago Divinity School and pastor of First Christian Church of Downers Grove, IL.

Search Committee Chair Jackie Bunch reviewed the process for the General Board before the members of the board had the opportunity to meet Hord Owens in small groups and in the plenary. Of more than 40 people recommended last summer, nine were screened in accordance with the executive search process. Four were then interviewed in person in October by the search committee. Just prior to the General Board meeting, three candidates were interviewed by the Administrative Committee to determine which candidate to recommend to the board.

Rev. Owens is widely sought after as a preacher, speaker and workshop facilitator. Her ministry and intellectual interests include a theology of reconciliation, cultural intelligence, developing inclusive and multi-cultural congregations, and the mentoring of youth and young adults. She is married to Walter Owens, Jr., with whom she will soon celebrate 30 years of marriage. They are the proud parents of an adult son, W. Mitchell Owens, III.

Ordination of Werner Tillinger a Spirit Filled Event

Thank you to everyone who worked, organized and prepared our congregation for the Ordination service for Werner Tillinger. We expressed incredible hospitality to everyone who participated and attended. Those expressions of hospitality opened the door for the Spirit of God as well who, through us and that worship, touched the hearts of everyone who came.

People who have never been to First Christian Church of Pomona expressed deep appreciation for the whole package: the welcome, the generosity of spirit and food, the worship experience. It took many hands and hearts to do this good work. Werner was and is deeply appreciative (and you will hear from him later). Your pastors are immensely proud and grateful.

If you were there, you know that the Spirit showed up. If you were in church on Sunday morning, you know that something has changed. Maybe we had our own Pentecost! If you were not in worship Sunday morning, you will want to check out Mike's sermon on the website. He'd prepared a sermon on the Prodigal Son and preached instead The Good Samaritan. His co-worker in the vineyard claims it is one of his best sermons ever. God is faithful to us in all our varied circumstances!

You're invited...

Journey through Grief: Bereavement Support Group

Grief can be a lonely road. VITAS Healthcare ^® of the San Gabriel Cities is pleased to offer this group for adults seeking support after the loss of a loved one. We offer a safe environment where everyone can share feelings, discuss fears, learn about the grief process and gain strength for the journey. To provide the most benefit to the group, new members will not be permitted to join after the second meeting. These sessions are free and open to the community.

When: March 29 ^th -May 3 rd

Wednesdays

3:00pm-4:30pm

Where: First Christian Church

1751 N. Park Ave Pomona, CA 91768

RSVP: Space is limited. Please call, Erica Welty,

Bereavement Services Manager @ 626.974.2045

UPCOMING EVENTS

Compassion in Practice: The Way of Jesus

Our Congregational Lenten Journey

Class Schedule

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

Easter is Coming!

We are now collecting Easter Eggs and goodies for our Easter Egg Hunt that will follow the worship service on Easter Sunday.

If you have any donations, please bring them to the church office.

Easter Lilies go on sale on March 26th for $10.

Be on the lookout for the Lily order form in the Entry Way.

Easter Morning there will be a continental breakfast before worship.

We hope to see you there!

CHURCH CALENDAR

**=Non-Church Activity

March 2017

March Birthdays

If someone should be added to this list, please let the church

o ffice know at 909-622-1144 or [email protected] .

MARCH

8^th ~ Jan Akin

11^th ~ Jenna Flaig

13^th ~ Margie Isaacson

16^th ~ Angela Ross

19^th ~ Ernest Newborn

25^th ~ Cristina Kurtek

26^th ~ Rod Parrott

27^th ~ Ginger Eckeard

28^th ~ Beverly Burton

30^th ~ 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.

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.

HOMEBOUND & convalescing

Hilda Faulkner	Janice Newborn	Lois & Rhodes Thompson
Bob & Jackie McCallister

ONGOING PRAYERS

Elizabeth Akin	Sue Hunter	Jose Mendiola	Lucy Hyde
Carolyn McKee	Laura Zivnak	Gary Paulson	Bret Wiley
Cindy Koskan	Ron & Martha Gorsuch	Tim Reed	Stan Adams
Diana Tillinger	Nicole Brooks Rios	Sandy Toppen	Harry Pearson
Nelson Mann	Lorraine Rogers	Kovacs Family	Robin Priede
Phil Smith	China & Seth Isler	The Charlie Weaver Family
Annette Anderson	Eloise Williams	Jake, Marie, & Elaine Tillinger
Evelyn Lepire & Family	Ross Family	Nancy DeWolf & Family
Shirley Ewing & Family	Martin & Kathleen Strudwick & Family

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

Contact Us

First Christian Church Pomona

1751 N. Park Ave.

Pomona, CA 91768

(909) 622-1144