Meet New Bookkeepers Keith and Zulima Clark-Hoyos

by | Nov 20, 2020 | Monday Morning Reflections, News

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Meet New Bookkeepers Keith and Zulima Clark-Hoyos

Keith and Zulima Clark-HoyosPlease join the Presbytery of San Gabriel in welcoming Keith and Zulima Clark-Hoyos of Church Training Center to assist us with our accounting now that Twila is retiring. Keith has served as the Executive Associate Conference Minister for the United Church of Christ

with responsibilities for Finance, Administration and Communication. He has also served several nonprofit boards including Pilgrim Place, Disciples Seminary Foundation, Angel Interfaith Network and St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care. He has a M.A. in Ministry, Leadership, and Service from Claremont School of Theology and his undergraduate work was in Church Ministries and Business Administration at Simpson

University. Zulima, born in Colombia, earned her MA in Senior Management from The Nueva Granada Military University and her undergraduate work was in industrial engineering.

Keith and Zulima will be at our Presbytery meeting November 17th, and Keith will offer a training session on managing church finances during WinterFest. His session will be the evening of February 4, 2021.

 

Hope Lives

by | Nov 16, 2020 | Monday Morning Reflections

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Hope Lives

But his servants approached and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

2 Kings 5:13

I don’t know if you’re familiar with the story of Naaman and Elisha. Naaman was the military commander of Aram, which is in today’s Syria. The violent history of Aram and Israel was demonstrated in the presence of a Hebrew slave-girl, forced to serve Naaman’s wife. When Naaman is struck with leprosy and cannot find a cure, it is this slave-girl who mentions a prophet in Samaria (the northern kingdom of Israel) who can cure him.

The geopolitical turmoil is shown when Naaman’s services are requested of the King of Israel, who fears that the request is some sort of trap. But the prophet, Elisha, invites Naaman to come see him.

The request came with a load of riches, and when Naaman comes to Elisha, he arrives with his great horses and chariots. Elisha doesn’t even come out to greet him, but sends a note to go wash seven times in the Jordan River.

Naaman is incensed by this. He wants special ritual like he’s used to, performed personally by the great prophet. He doesn’t know why this local river is so much better than the great rivers of Syria. He is so offended by the simplicity of the cure that he initially refuses to comply. Again, the servants come to the rescue, and convince him to try, and he is healed.

This morning we hear the good news that another pharmaceutical company has achieved stellar results in their trials for a COVID-19 vaccine. This is thrilling, so much better than what we could have expected, even when these companies and the government have dedicated billions of dollars into this cutting-edge research in vaccine technology. This is the much-needed light at the end of a very long tunnel. The only problem is, we are still in that tunnel, and many of us will not see the anticipated benefits of the vaccine for several months.

Like Naaman, we Americans tend to look for solutions that are spectacular, technologically sophisticated—and expensive. For whatever reasons, we can’t imagine that something as simple and mundane as washing—or wearing a mask and keeping your distance—might also be helpful.

Last week I was in a Zoom meeting with representatives from across the PC(USA), and I was shocked to hear stories of COVID-19 spreading through their churches, as they have been worshiping inside.

In one presbytery, several pastors have been tested positive and in one church a full one-third of the members were infected. While I have heard from a few pastors how frustrated our members are that we cannot worship inside, these reports remind me how thankful I am for the strictness of the rules in Los Angeles County, and the patience and adaptability you are showing as you continue to find ways to worship and care for each other safely. I am thankful, because as a disease expert back east stated, if it weren’t for the biggest states like New York and California controlling the virus as well as we are, things would be much worse for the entire nation.

I know that your pastors are working their well-worn creative muscles to find ways to mark the holidays in a special but distanced way. Though I am a hermit by nature, even I am getting restless, and I am most concerned for people who are most isolated, because social contact is also needed for emotional and physical health.

But there is hope, and with God’s help we are resilient. I ask that we all be modern-day Naamans, and continue to follow the simple methods offered to protect us—wear your masks, keep your distance, stay in your home or outdoors, wash your hands. Use whatever way you can to safely reach out to those who are feeling isolated or at risk during these cold months. And look ahead to future holidays, when we can look back and give thanks for being able to survive these crazy times.

One way to reach out is to help our churches who are serving their community through food pantries. At our presbytery meeting tomorrow evening, our offering will go to the food pantry of Iglesia de la Comunidad. Anyone can give now—you don’t have to wait until the meeting, or be an attendee at all! Just go to https://sangabpres.org/donate/ and specify that you want to give “to Presbytery Offering” in the drop-down menu.

And, of course, I do hope to see many of you via Zoom tomorrow. We will remember the servants who have gone on to glory, and reflect on this year, as well as approve the funds and elect leaders for our ministry in 2021.

This strange time won’t last forever. Let us hold fast to our faith, and our love, and our health for some more months, so that we can again gather and sing and hug and know that our Lord has brought us through. And in these quiet months, may you feel all the more clearly the blessed assurance of the loving and healing presence of Jesus our Lord.

In Christ’s peace and love,

Wendy

 

The Hard Work of Hope

by | Nov 10, 2020 | Uncategorized

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The Hard Work of Hope

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may last for a long time. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.

Jeremiah 32:14-15

I’m aware that the events of this last week—or at least what we think might have happened last week— may be seen in opposite ways. Some may see it as the end of a nightmare; some may see it as the end of the promise of America as we’ve known it.

The one thing I hope we can agree on is that we cannot continue hating each other as much as seemed evident these days. The one advantage of electing someone with Joe Biden’s length of public service is the number of people, including people who opposed him, who have experienced his desire to listen, to compromise, to seek common ground even with people who disagree with him. Even his choice of Vice President symbolized his willingness to put divisions behind him, as other candidates would not have forgiven Kamala Harris for her dramatic criticism of him during a debate.

But the reality is that most of us don’t forgive that easily. Even as the results of Election Day—or Election Season—started to take form, and Biden started to express his hopes for reconciliation, many of us started to wonder whether reconciliation was possible, and what it would take. For myself, I was reminded that reconciliation does not usually evaporate in an instant. Reconciliation takes hard work, and to be a people of hope, we must be people of perseverance.

Even as we hear the great news of the possibility of a vaccine being tested as 90% effective against COVID-19, we must remember that it will still take several months into 2021 before the benefits of the vaccine will take full effect. And it will take who knows how long for us to see each other not as a political enemy or a threat to our individual existence, but as a fellow compatriot.

Whenever I wonder how long we need to walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I recall the story of Jeremiah making a land purchase. Consider it: in the midst of a conquering empire taking control of your country, having been told by God that your nation will be occupied and your people exiled for a lifetime, you are now told to go buy some traditional family land and tuck away the deed for a long time. Who does that?!

It’s an act of sheer faith for Jeremiah to obey God’s word, the promise that eventually—after decades of suffering, but eventually—the people of Israel would be restored. And through those decades of suffering, Jeremiah would attempt to offer hope to his people—not always perfectly or joyfully!— but faithfully.

As we reflect on this time in our own nation’s history, the phrase I heard that has stuck with me is deep listening.

Can we listen deeply to the perspectives, the fears, the values of others, especially those others who see us as the downfall of our nation? Can we make room in our own perspectives, fears, and values to consider the possibility that the others are not so wrong, and we are not always right? And at least for us Christians, can we listen deeply to each other, even—especially—to those who differ from us, remembering that no one of us, no single group of humans, has all the wisdom, but only together do we learn more of our infinite God?

As the results of the election have come in, it occurred to me that perhaps God showed that wisdom by revealing a nation that is not easily lumped in one side or the other, that our people are not easily lumped together in just one of two camps. Commentators are trying to interpret what it means that people would vote for a Democratic President, yet increase the number of Republicans in Congress. Those who assumed that Latins would flee from President Trump had to be reminded that the people with roots in Latin America are not easily categorized as one voting bloc. As much as people on either extreme wanted it, there would be no repudiation of liberal or conservative views, no vindication against the “enemy,” no partisan triumphalism. Instead, we have to realize we are more complex than that, and we have to listen, not just assume; we have to come to know, not just categorize.

Even as we listen deeply, we also have to know that the road isn’t totally clear. The sign of true relationship is when someone feels safe enough to share their own hurts, their own anger, their own questions about what we did or didn’t do when they were at risk. But our ability to stay on the path of relationship, even through times of challenge, will enable true healing to happen. We must not give up, or avoid the pain that sometimes comes with new life.

Last week, Sonnie Swenston-Forbes informed us of the death of Rev. Donn Crail. Rev. Crail was pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin Park, and then retired to be Director of the Lazarus Project, the first ministry of the PC(USA) to offer words of Christ’s grace to gay men. Sonnie wrote, “No one was a stronger advocate for LGBTQIA+ people as a pastor and then as the Director of the Lazarus Project – the first inclusive ministry of the PCUSA. The blessing is that his son and [daughter- in-law] were able to travel from their home in Switzerland to be with Donn as he transitioned on All Souls Day.”

Any of us who have advocated for people on the margins of society—whether they be homeless, refugee, disabled, mentally ill, or people of another race or sexual identity—have felt the pain of the people they love. Jesus gave his life for, and still feels the pain of, the people he loves. May we have the faith to risk a life of faithfulness and hope, even when it does not come quick and easy, so that we—and many, many more—will know the freedom of the people of God, deeply and forever.

In Christ’s peace,

Wendy

 

Saints

by | Nov 2, 2020 | Monday Morning Reflections, Uncategorized

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Saints

Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

James 2:17-18

Tomorrow is Election Day, and it seems that’s all anyone can talk about. But amidst all the wonderings and fears of this interesting time, I remember that this Halloween would have been my mother’s 100th birthday. (Yes, I am old, though not that old, as my mother was almost 40 when she had me.)

Those who know about my family know something about my father. He had the intelligence, the voice, and the presence that his students and fellow community and church members appreciated.

As a pastor’s kid, he learned and showed me what it meant to be a servant leader. How many people who was profiled prominently by the Los Angeles Times had the humility to sit at the edge of his chair so he wouldn’t disturb a sleeping cat?

Those who know about my family know about my father, but those who know my family know that my mother was the powerhouse among us. When I was in seminary, I joked with my mother that she would be the most frequent sermon illustration in my preaching. While I don’t actually name her, I can look back and see how she, and her life, shaped my understanding of faith in indelible ways.

During these unusual times, I have had the opportunity to talk about anti-racism more than ever, and as I reflect on what I’ve learned, I noticed that many of the foundational lessons of my life came from my mother. As the son of a Presbyterian pastor who networked well with the majority culture, my father grew up in relative privilege; for instance, he and his siblings were educated at Occidental College (remember when it was a Presbyterian school?), and my grandfather had the knowledge and wherewithal to send his children out of the reach of the World War II internment camps. While my father was somewhat protected from the abuses of racism, my mother personally experienced the many ways that Japanese women have suffered from the divisiveness of her country in her lifetime.

My mother’s father was a medical doctor, but a century ago, a Japanese doctor was limited to serving Japanese patients, who were so poor they would sometimes pay him in produce. So when he died, my mother’s family was left without financial resources. My mother grew up in Pasadena, which even then was racially diverse. I found a remarkable school picture of her that shows how the Japanese were placed somewhere in between the Blacks and the Whites. They weren’t Black, and they were not White. And when World War II came along, my mother’s family was sent first to sleep in the horse stalls of Santa Anita Racetrack, and then to barracks at Gila, Arizona.

My mother lived through many hardships, and overcame them through grit and determination, but also through the faith and fellowship and healing and leadership and service opportunities in the church. Her compassion and her strong sense of justice were borne out of this hardship, so she found a great partner in my father. They dedicated their lives to service to God and all people through the mission of the church. Her circumstances did not give her the platform to speak her truth and her wisdom in a public forum, but her works certainly showed her faith for all to see.

While I have often felt my mother didn’t get the attention she deserved for her wisdom and her labor, she is not unique. As she taught us, we take God and the concerns of the world seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. As we celebrate All Saints Day one day late (or Dia de Muertos, which extends to today), we all know people who have been an inspiration and guide, a model and a challenge, a comfort and source of empowerment that shape who we are as disciples of Christ.

As we enter into this week of change and anxiety, may we keep the perspective of the ages, remembering ancestors who faced much more hardship and uncertainty than we do. As we enter into this month of Thanksgiving, may we remember and live out our gratitude, for the privileges we enjoy, and the sacrifice of our families to provide for us. As we look ahead to the season of Advent, may we remember that even in the dark, still night, we are never alone, as Jesus Christ came into this world to be one with us, to love and heal and teach us, and ultimately to save us.

As we recall the saints who came before us, as we anticipate the saints who come after us, may we consider and take responsibility for those who look to us as models and teachers of the faith. And through this week, may we as a nation live into the ideals that we profess, and seek the path of peace. I am reminded of the first General Assembly I attended, in 1996, which marked one of the most tense decisions made in recent decades in the Presbyterian Church. Before the vote was taken, the Moderator John Buchanan told the Assembly that no matter which way the vote came out, there would be people of faith who would be hurt. Such is true this week.  I pray that we find ways to know and share God’s grace throughout this time.

In Christ’s peace,

Wendy

 

 

Crumbs

by | Oct 27, 2020 | Monday Morning Reflections

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Crumbs

She came and knelt before Jesus, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”  And her daughter was healed instantly.

Matthew 15:25-28

We seem to be settling into this new normal for a while. Any hopes that we are over the pandemic evaporated when I woke up today to see that California just reported a daily increase of over 50% in Coronavirus cases over last week. (Yikes!)

A big part of that new normal, of course, is meeting through various communications technologies. So last Tuesday I started the day with a phone meeting, then I participated in a Zoom meeting, then a Zoom meeting, then a Zoom meeting, then another Zoom meeting, then one last Zoom meeting.

Since I never had to leave my desk, I was able to bounce from meeting to meeting so quickly I could participate in more than I would have, back in the old “Flintstones” days of driving from place to place. (In retrospect, though, it was just a little bit tiring!)

But all of the meetings were extremely productive, and I was grateful to be in every one of them. During one of the meetings, we reflected on scripture following a lectio divina (“divine reading”) practice, and the passage that was read three times for us to contemplate was Matthew 15:21-28. With the first reading, we were asked to reflect on a word that resonated with us. With the second reading, we considered an image, and I can’t even remember what we were told with the third (though usually, I ask what God might be saying to you at this moment).

For me, the word that jumped out was “crumbs” and as I considered this revolutionary moment in Jesus’ ministry, I thought of today’s world, when marginalized people also start with crumbs in our effort to gain equity. I thought of the strategy that I have adopted and advised to other Asian women, to be very careful and patient about catching the little chances we get to make an impact. (To those of you who think I have more than enough respect accorded to me, that is probably true now, but this came after 50 years of being ignored, dismissed, pushed down or out, or derided for being more or different than what a conveniently passive Asian woman is imagined to be.) I wondered if this approach is still relevant, and worried that too many people just settle for the crumbs.

The second image that came to me has been repeated many times in recent days—the image of so many people waiting in line for 15 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, even 6 hours or more in order to vote. I think especially of African-American people who speak of the many challenges in their lives, and the ways the system works against them, and yet they vote. They remember the many people, most famously Representative John Lewis, who suffered bloody physical harm for the sake of full voting rights. They put their faith in the belief that their one little vote, gathered with many other little votes, can add up to significant change. And as I saw the images of people standing in lines that seemed to go forever, I recalled the many images from new democracies around the world, when oppressed people would wait for hours on that special day when they are allowed to participate, in some small way, their new-found right of self-governance.

Apparently, I am not the only one, as Jim Wallis wrote on October 14th:

Texas and Georgia are trying to suppress the early vote by cutting polling places. But the lines keep growing with record turnouts. Reminds me of the first free election in South Africa.

I remember the 2012 election, held after the 2010 Citizens United case which allows corporations to give unlimited funds to their chosen candidates, when we were reminded that even the richest man in the country still only has one vote, the same as you or I.

As we seek to be God’s hands and heart on earth, let us take the crumbs of each and every vote to speak the truth that God reveals to us for this world. As we consider our call as Christians, let us remember that Jesus did not retreat from speaking God’s will for justice and dignity for all to religious, military, and imperial authorities. As we respond to God’s claim on our life, may we give all of ourselves—not just an hour on Sunday morning but our time, our treasure, our talents, and also our ability to making all systems of the world tuned towards God’s realm, be they educational, judicial, economic, health and food, global, or political.

Some of us have the power to hire and promote people; some have platforms from which to speak God’s truth; some have financial assets that can empower mission and restorative justice; some have nothing but a vote. Like that foreign, desperate mother of a sick daughter, daring to approach and then argue with the famous healer named Jesus, let us take whatever crumbs we can, to gain whatever justice and mercy God wills for all peoples. And as we do so, may Christ say again, “Great is your faith!” And may we all know healing for this earth.

Now go out and vote!

Peace,

Wendy