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| Rev. Dr. Julie Roberts-Fronk, Pastor Rev. Mike Fronk, Pastor The Christian Caller July 6, 2018 |
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Julie's Jar
More than 800 people who were unsheltered died on the streets of Los Angeles County last year. There is a deeply held assumption that people living on the streets "choose" to live there. Do they choose also to die there? Two unsheltered people died near our church.
The people we see living on the streets represent only about one-third of all the people considered to be without shelter. I wonder how many we see now were once themselves the "hidden homeless". Our Core Team at the church learned firsthand from Our House shelter residents that most of them became unsheltered due to a medical emergency, a change in employment or substantial living cost increases (rent, etc.) without any change in wages. Many of the people whose stories we heard were employed and without shelter.
What of the people we do see living on the streets? Why are there so many now and do they really "choose" to be on the street? Do all of them have the capacity to make such a choice?
There is a subset of those living on the streets who suffer with mental illness. Many of these people lack the ability to do more than try to find a place to shelter themselves overnight. The ability to handle day-to-day business of living lies beyond their reach.
Many of us are aware of changes in state law in the 1960s that closed psychiatric hospitals and sent patients back to their communities. These hospitals were closed in favor of community based residential and out-patient treatment. It was a good idea, but it was also an unfunded idea. The idea never received political or financial support. 50 years later we are in the middle of a housing crisis and still not funding help for people who cannot find shelter for themselves beyond a cardboard box.
If we say that people on the streets "choose" to live there, then it gives us a pass on having to do anything to alleviate their suffering. It makes it easier to not fund solutions because we can blame the victim for their choice. But this is a public health crisis and it is in our self-interest to alleviate their suffering and prevent the spread of preventable and communicable diseases. (Remember the cholera and Hepatitis C outbreak in San Diego?)
The Housing Action Team of ICON (Inland Communities Organizing Network) continues to develop relationships in order to alleviate the suffering we see and the suffering about which we hear in our own institutions. On August 6, 7-8:30 pm a workshop will be held at FCC Pomona to determine some specific and immediate actions we might take together to contribute positive solutions to the threat of displacement so many people are facing. We are working to develop the political will to amplify the voice of "Yes. Let's!" in order to transform the landscape of "Not in my backyard."
ICON institutions are doing this work out of our shared values to seek the well-being of people and improve our communities. We share a commitment to the common good and to being a neighbor. As Christians, we know this is the way in which we demonstrate love. The lawyer asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" and Jesus told the story we now call "The Good Samaritan". Who is our neighbor today and can we love our neighbor as we love ourselves?
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Director of Music Begins July 15
th 
The Personnel Committee is pleased to announce that Dr. Vernon Snyder has agreed to be our Director of Music, beginning July 15
th. Dr. Snyder is currently an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona teaching Introduction to Music, Class and Private Piano. He has directed choirs and played the organ at various congregations, including United Methodist, Lutheran and Roman Catholic. He is currently the Chapel Musician at Claremont School of Theology.
The Personnel Committee, (Tom Reed, Peggy Kovacs and Linda Church) met with Dr. Snyder and concurred with both pastors that we wanted to have him meet the choir. The rehearsal with the choir went exceedingly well and the choir is delighted Dr. Snyder has accepted the offer. Dr. Snyder brings a high the level of musicianship and commitment to the community life that music can foster in a congregation.
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Office Administrator Change
Congratulations to Beth Parker on her new full-time job with Claremont School of Theology. Beth will be working in the Business Office full time which, sadly for us, means that she can no longer be our office administrator. We have appreciated her service with us these last 3 years. Because her new employer wants her to begin as soon as possible, her last day as office administrator will be July 13. (Yes, that's Friday the 13th.)
There is a candidate from our last search that is qualified and available. Rafael Reyes will begin orientation during Beth's week. Rafael is a member of the congregation and well qualified to step in. Rafael is in the process of writing his PhD dissertation, serves as an elder currently and has preached on numerous occasions. The Personnel Committee and pastors are very pleased that he is currently available.=
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The beginning will be here before we know it for many local children. With schools starting as early as August 6th, we at Hope Partners would like to get a head start helping low-income families provide their school-aged children with the required school supplies. You can help! FCC will host a school supplies drive. You can simply add a few of these basic back-to-school items to your own shopping list. This way you can help ensure a local at-risk child starts the school year with the supplies they need to succeed. Some common back to school necessities include:
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Pens & #2 Pencils
Spiral Notebooks Folders with Pockets 3-Ring Binders Box of Crayons/Colored Pencils Planners |
Calculators
Highlighters Backpacks Loose-Leaf Notebook Paper (College Ruled) Copy Paper Index Cards |
Together, we can make a world of difference for a child in need this school year. You can leave your donations in the box in the entry way designated for school supplies on Sunday mornings, or you can bring them to the church office during the week between 9am and 1pm Monday through Friday.
The beginning will be here before we know it for many local children. With schools starting as early as August 6th, we at Hope Partners would like to get a head start helping low-income families provide their school-aged children with the required school supplies.
You can help! FCC will host a school supplies drive. You can simply add a few of these basic back-to-school items to your own shopping list. This way you can help ensure a local at-risk child starts the school year with the supplies they need to succeed. Some common back to school necessities include:
| Pens & #2 Pencils Spiral Notebooks Folders with Pockets 3-Ring Binders Box of Crayons/Colored Pencils Planners |
Calculators Highlighters Backpacks Loose-Leaf Notebook Paper (College Ruled) Copy Paper Index Cards |
Together, we can make a world of difference for a child in need this school year.
You can leave your donations in the box in the entry way designated for school supplies on Sunday mornings, or you can bring them to the church office during the week between 9am and 1pm Monday through Friday.
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Summer Bible Study with Amy-Jill Levine
The Old Testament
It's actually good news too
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine is an engaging teacher of all things biblical. Known for her work as a New testament scholar, she is also a presenter on one of The Great Courses, a video series of learning. Dr. Levine presents the material for the course on the Old Testament.
Each session is 30 minutes long and gives understandable information about the biblical text. Julie Roberts-Fronk will facilitate each session. If you've ever said, "I wish I knew more about the Bible," this is your opportunity to hear and able guide make it sensible and accessible. The Bible is our book; let's know it more deeply together.
Sessions will be held on the following Sundays at 9 am in the conference room.
July 8 Adam and Eve
July 15 Murder, Flood, Dispersion
July 22 No Class
July 29 Abraham, Sarah and Hagar
August 5 Isaac
August 12 The Jacob Saga
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Reiki Share July 28 2-4 pm Conference Room
Reiki promotes stress reduction and relaxation; people experience deep calm, reduction of pain and for some, spiritual wellness. Many people report feeling a reduction of stress when practicing Reiki, especially over time. A "Share Event" is a great way to get introduced to Reiki and also for people with Reiki experience to practice and connect with other Reiki practitioners. Julie Roberts-Fronk leads the event, beginning with a brief introduction which includes a guided meditation. The rest of the time is spent in the practice of Reiki, giving and receiving for those who are interested. Wear comfortable clothes. Reiki is given through gentle touch or simply holding the hands over the body.
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Compassion Practice Course
How do we strengthen our hearts for the work of being the compassion of Christ in the world? The Compassion Practice is one way to increase our capacity for self-compassion and compassion for other people. This way of radical compassion is the way of Jesus.
Julie Roberts-Fronk will lead this course in September. Six of the twelve
practices will be covered in this first course. It will be launched with a mini-retreat on Sept. 1, 10 am to 2 pm. The second half of the course will be taught over a period of three weeks: Wednesdays, Sept. 5, 12 and 19, 7-8:15 pm. You may sign up by letting Julie know you want to participate. Because of the nature of this course, plan to attend all sessions. Registration forms will be available in July and will close August 18.
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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
JULY
- 7 ~ Lucy Hyde
- 8 ~ Linda Church
- 17 ~ Jessica Ellis
- 23 ~ Ed Burton & Kathleen Eames
- 30 ~ Frances Shorrock
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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Bob & Jackie McCallister
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ONGOING PRAYERS
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Annette Anderson
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Jan Akin
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Martha Gorsuch
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Rick Larson
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Bret Wiley
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John Miller
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Marcy Morales
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Robert Vazques
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Carey Smith
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Julio & Edwin Torres
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Nelson Mann
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Robin Priede
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Cindy Koskan
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Kovacs Family
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Nicole Brooks Rios
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Ross Family
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Eloise Williams
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Laura Zivnak
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Nini Mejia
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Stan Adams
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Gary Paulson
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Lily Lane
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Onelia Cruz
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Sue Hunter
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Harry Pearson
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Lorraine Rogers
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Paris Reed
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Tammy Mayes
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Jose Mendiola
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Sandra Strother
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Jeremey Brown
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Jake Sullinger & Family
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Evelyn Lepire & Family
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The Charlie Weaver Family
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Linda Doss & Family
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Chris & Kim Greeley
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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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