Two weeks ago, October 18-19, 2024, over 400 Disciples from throughout the Pacific Southwest Region and beyond, came to celebrate our Regional Assembly at the Disciples Ministry Center and First Christian Church, Fullerton, CA. We enjoyed the presence and keynote speaking of our General Minster and President, Rev. Terri Hord-Owens, who encouraged us in our shared future and announced the ongoing church-wide work. We learned our General Assembly will work to foster a new way of being and culture, resolving to: Listen. Learn. Discern. Decide. Act. We had a Bible lecture on Matthew 22:39 from the Rev. Dr. Eric C. Smith, Associate Professor, Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO. We raised two special offerings (over $1,000 each) for our General Ministry partners: Global Ministries and National Benevolent Association. We had inspiring workshops, music, enjoyed meals, snacks, visited with vendors, and met for regional business with an assembly action approving the recommendation of my re-election to serve as your Regional Minister for a second term (2026 – 2031). There is more information, and wonderful photos on our post event webpage, http://www.disciplespswr.org/ra2024. Continue Reading | |
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Don't Give Up: A Prayer For Our Country
9 Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. 10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith. – Galatians 6: 9 – 10 CEB
It might be clearer, today, there are some strong differences and divisions in our U.S. politics as well about the vision of a shared future. There are some who are invigorated and many others who have become exhausted. In the letter to the Galatians, we find a reproach or encouragement to “not get tired of doing good.” On all sides of its Greco-Roman world and still today, amid the US political spectrums, we’re to “work for the good of all…and especially for those in the household of faith.” We will continue to advocate that our social systems in the U.S. serve everyone, not just a select group or chosen few. Whether you or I are part of the household of faith or not, these texts call us to work together until a harvest is available for all. Let us continue in the work and ministry of Jesus Christ, who gave his life and resurrection for all. Our Regional Ministry, Board, Staff, Leadership and congregations “will not give up,” we will be here in prayers and re-committed to the work, advocacy, mission, and ministry until the promised yield has been made real for all.
Continue Reading
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Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President, invites you to join Rev. Yvonne Gilmore and the Church Narrative Project Team for the Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR) Church Narrative Project experience on December 13-14. It will feature seven storytellers from across the region in a live Story Hour as a part of the Transformative Community Conferencing experience with Rev. Dr. David Anderson Hooker. Join us for this Advent moment. Together let’s listen, learn and shape the future in which God is calling us!
The Church Narrative conferencing model is engaging the whole church in a shared process of transformation not just an invitation to learn about transformation. We hope everyone will participate in the process and learn how to facilitate it in their ministry setting. The process will answer a question of faithfulness: “When we as a church are manifesting the full power of our witness, who/what will we then be?”
Friday, December 13, 2024
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7 to 8:30 pm StoryHour
8:30 to 9 pm Transformative Community Conferencing begins with Dr. David Anderson Hooker
Saturday, December 14, 2024
9 to 12 noon Transformative Community Conference (TCC)
12 to 1 Lunch
1 to 3 Transformative Community Conferencing
Register today at this link. Download the event flyer here. Learn more about the Church Narrative Project at https://disciples.org/churchnarrativeproject/.
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The Pacific Southwest Region will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a special event on Sunday, January 26, 2025. The annual event will take place at the Disciples Ministry Center in Fullerton. This year’s theme is “"Doing the Work of Justice: God's Righteousness Made Real." It is based on the scripture from Isaiah 56:1(CSB-Christian Standard Bible): This is what the Lord says: 'Preserve justice and do what is right, for my salvation is coming soon, and my righteousness will be revealed.
Featured at this year’s MLK Jr. Celebration will be Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Founder of HopeBuilds and Former Associate General Minister from United Church of Christ. Also included in the event will be a presentation of the annual “Disciple of the Year” award.
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We are excited to announce the dates for the 2025 Loch Leven Summer and Winter camps! Registration will be open soon, view more information on our camp website.
Campers will learn how to activate their own faith in their everyday lives through games, meaningful worship, and group activities. Our camp ministry team is working hard to create a program that will explore Disciples faith practices and equip young people with tools to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.
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Registration is now open for the 2025 Youth Leadership Symposium.YLS is a six-month program that prepares youth to lead in local congregations and supports them in designing and implementing their own project for their home Church. This is not a leadership team, but rather a leadership lab where High School age youth can explore their gifts, receive wisdom from other leaders, and imagine new possibilities for their local congregation. Participants attend in person through "Pod" locations in their geographic area, or from home via Zoom. For more information about the YLS program, click here.
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NEWS & EVENTS FROM OUR MINISTRY AFFILIATES | |
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New Disciples Women Coordinator: Rev. Dr. Miseon Choi
Dear PSWR Disciples Women,
I am honored and excited to introduce myself as your new coordinator for the Disciples Women’s Ministry in the Pacific Southwest Region. My name is Rev. Dr. Miseon Choi, and I am eager to begin this journey with you as we continue to grow and support one another in our faith and ministry.
As a coordinator, my primary goal is to listen, learn, and serve our community of dedicated and inspiring women. I am committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity, collaboration, and spiritual growth. Together, we can strengthen our bonds, share our diverse experiences, and work towards fulfilling the mission of the Disciples Women’s Ministry. Continue Reading
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Disciples Seminary Foundation is engaged in evaluating its certificate programs (formerly CMS/DMS) and envisioning the future of its educational offerings. This new DSF Certificate Program plans to offer courses in Spanish, Korean, and English. To assist in this process, DSF has appointed a task force, which is assessing the financial sustainability, academic goals/outcomes, and accountability to partners (specifically the six Disciples regions in the West, racial-ethnic constituency groups, and DSF partner schools). The focus of the new Certificate Program is to expand the program’s reach, to create a program that is beneficial to people from diverse backgrounds, and to meet the needs of a changing church.
Continue Reading
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GRANT WRITING 101 WEBINAR - BILINGUAL
NOVEMBER 19, 2024
5 PM PST ONLINE WEBINAR
CEUs Available
The National Benevolent Association and Obra Hispana are partnering to offer a Grant Writing 101 webinar. This bilingual webinar will provide you with the essentials to grant writing. This is a free resource, but you must register in advance. Learn more here.
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Anote en su calendario: el martes 19 de noviembre a las 7:00 p. m., hora del centro, la Asociación Nacional de Beneficencia (NBA) y Obra Hispana se asociarán para ofrecer un seminario web sobre cómo redactar propuestas de becas. Este seminario web bilingüe le brindará los conceptos básicos para redactar propuestas de becas. El seminario web es gratuito, pero es necesario registrarse con anticipación. Register aqui.
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Greetings Fellow DOC Musicians!
Come sing in Carnegie Hall with other Disciples Musicians!
As the Music Minister at First Christian Church in Orange, CA we have the privilege of spearheading a fantastic opportunity for other Disciples churches – a performance in Carnegie Hall! Our 30-voice Chancel Choir had great success performing Elaine Hagenberg’s Illuminare last Spring for our congregation and were asked to present it with MidAmerica Productions for a Carnegie Hall Performance.
We are inviting YOU to join us! Imagine a work of beauty, grace, and openness, with 100 Disciple voices and full orchestra on stage in one of the most famous halls in the world. Learn more
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CLERGY CAPTIONS AND REGIONAL NEWS | |
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CLERGY CAPTIONS
Please pray for the friends and family of Adonna Bowman who passed away on August 26th. Adonna served as the Executive Director, Office of Disciples Women for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Continued prayers are requested for Rev. Soriliz Rodriguez and family upon the passing of Rev. Dr. Francisco Ramos in October.
Junsoo So will be ordained on November 9th at 4:00 pm at Casa de Refugio .
Braeden Storkersen will be Ordained on December 7th at 11:00 am at Missiongathering. (see invitation below)
Sandra Roberts will be ordained on February 1st at 3:30 pm at University Christian Church.
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Photo: Susan Richardson and Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano welcome Global Ministries Global Ministries Partner-in-Residence Dr. Nibedita Pramanik (center), upon her visit to the Pacific Southwest Region. Dr. Pramanik serves as the Director of Evangelical Hospital Society in Khariar, India | |
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December 5: Disciple of the Year Nominations
December 31: MLK Scholarship Applications
January 31: Reconciliation Grant Applications
Visit our website at docpswr.org/grants-scholarships for more information
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GENERAL CHURCH NEWS AND RESOURCES | |
We believe God calls the Pacific Southwest Region to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
OUR VISION, to be a faithful, growing church that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and passion for justice (Micah 6:8); and,
OUR MISSION, to be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps "to the ends of the earth". (Acts 1:8)
Pacific Southwest Regional Church Mission Statement
Regional Board of Directors; Adopted September 15, 2003
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Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pacific Southwest Region
626-296-0385 | www. docpswr.org
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The Disciples Ministry Center is located at 115 E. Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832 and serves as the location for the Regional Office of the Pacific Southwest Region.
It is currently closed to the public.
You can contact the Regional Office by phone at (626) 296-0385.
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