Vickie Lee Jones and Maurice Stallard near Louisville, Kentucky.  In Pittsburgh, Joyce Fienberg. Richard Gottfried.  Rose Mallinger.  Jerry Rabinowitz.  Bernice and Sylvan Simon.  Daniel Stein.  Melvin Wax.  Irving Younger.  And Cecil and David Rosenthal.

After multiple acts of hate were perpetrated last week, focus has been put again on the persistent scourge of anti-Semitism.  The people of Israel have faced persecution throughout their history, including at the hands of those claiming to worship Jesus Christ.  Yet they have managed to praise God and enact compassion even in the midst of tragedy.

As a Presbyterian, I was always encouraged to respect all people of faith, but there was a special affinity for the Jewish people, as most of our Bible is Jewish, and Jesus was, of course, a Jew.  But I also recognized the sites of these two very recent hate crimes, as Louisville has been like my second home as the site of our denominational headquarters, and the killer apparently attempted to enter a predominantly African-American Baptist church before going to a nearby store and killing Ms. Jones and Mr. Stallard there.  So hatred is not restricted to any one faith.

I recognized Squirrel Hill as the home of a new church that was one of the inspirations for the 1001 New Worshipping Communities movement.  Vera White, the first coordinator for 1001, started on this path while on staff of Pittsburgh Presbytery, when two graduates of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a PC(USA) seminary, approached her for advice.  They had realized that though Squirrel Hill was well-known as a strong Jewish community, it had become an eclectic but well-educated mix of cultures and traditions, 40% of whom were not connected to any faith community.  They started meeting with eight people, and their efforts grew into what is now the Upper Room Christian Community (aka Upper Room Presbyterian Church).

Apparently Squirrel Hill has been a welcoming place on many levels.  Not only have they welcomed people from other backgrounds into their neighborhood, the Tree of Life synagogue supported HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.  It seems that the attack on this particular synagogue may be partly based in their support of HIAS, whose mission since 1881 has been to welcome and assist refugees, first from persecution in Europe but over the years assisting refugees wherever they are, which has included refugees from the Vietnam War, and now in camps and cities from Kenya to Ecuador.  HIAS’ very mission seems to have incited a convergence of hatred towards Jews (and Jewish compassion) and refugees, as depicted in conspiracy theories about the caravan of refugees fleeing Honduras and other Central American countries.

The people of Tree of Life present some of the core lessons of God’s will for all of God’s people—and Jesus’ warning that the world hates those who follow God’s will to heal this broken world.  But again, in spite of all, we are called to praise our Lord for loving us and giving us a place in God’s plan of salvation, at global, local, and personal levels.

On a personal level, I have been most inspired by David and Cecil Rosenthal, brothers who were the unofficial greeters to all who came to worship at Tree of Life synagogue.  Diane Rosenthal, their sister, said “I imagine they probably greeted this guy,” referring to the man who would kill them.  They had developmental disabilities but lived independently, and were fixtures in the community and especially at the synagogue, where they found belonging, love, respect, faith, and purpose.  What a joy, to be doorkeepers in such a house of the Lord!  My prayer is that God swept in and instantly took David and Cecil and all the martyrs of hatred to God’s loving embrace.

Just last week, I was part of a consultation with Presbyterians across the denomination to determine the best approach to eradicate racism.  I have always considered racism to be the best demonstration for me of original sin—that is, sin that is carried from generation to generation, such that we are broken even before we can do anything to protect ourselves from it.  We are born into a society that is infected with racism at its foundation, and so it can only be an act of God to save us and cleanse us of this sin.  As such, just like other ways the world has warped us (consider greed, revenge, gossip), our reliance on God’s help to be healed of these worldly ways is the very demonstration of discipleship.

I have often thought that God’s kingdom will come when Abraham’s children—Jews, Muslims, and Christians—find a way to live in peace in the Holy Land.  It occurs to me now that God’s kingdom would also be revealed in the diaspora of the world, including in the United States, when anti-Semitism is eradicated from the hearts of Christians, anti-Muslim rhetoric is turned into words of welcome, and the forces of violence and vengeance are dissipated from all of us.  I share a story from Martin Buber’s book Tales of the Hasidim:

An old rabbi once asked his pupils how they could tell when the night had ended and the day had begun.  “Could it be,” asked one student, “when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it’s a sheep or a dog?”  “No,” answered the rabbi.  Another asked, “Is it when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it’s a fig tree or a peach tree?”  “No,” answered the rabbi.  “Then when is it?” the pupils demanded.  “It is when you can look on the face of any woman or man and see that it is your sister or brother.  Because if you cannot see this, it is still night.”

I pray that we can all find ways for Christ’s day to come to light, in all our churches, and all our communities.  I can suggest Gregory Ellison’s Fearless Dialogues which was introduced by the Office of the General Assembly.  I also lift up Voices Rising, published by First Pres Pomona’s own Bree Devones Hsieh and Servant Partners Press.  Voices Rising is a compilation of the stories of many women of color in mission, finding their place in the evangelical movement as the unique children of God they are.  You can learn more and order a copy at http://www.servantpartnerspress.org/voicesrising/

I will be away—really away, in Japan—until November 19^th.  Have a happy Presbytery meeting on November 10^th!  At the November Presbytery meeting, you will be asked to adopt the 2019 slate of leaders and budget, and we are moving the necrology to the November meeting.  As usual, if you have questions, please contact Twila French, and she will either help you or find someone who can.  Let us give thanks for Twila as well, as you will hear that she is planning to go part-time in July next year, so our budget for 2019 will include Twila continuing part-time as our Presbytery bookkeeper, as we seek a new administrator and associate Stated Clerk to start next summer.  I am always grateful for Twila, but am especially grateful that she will not leave us entirely, so we can continue to benefit from her dedication and organizational memory as we seek an additional partner in ministry.

Blessings, and thanks for making your churches a place of welcome and love,

Wendy

Time seems to be moving quickly these days.  After what seemed like an endlessly hot summer, we are now looking ahead to the final Presbytery meeting of the year, which is planned for November 10 at First Thai Presbyterian Church.  That’s less than three weeks away!

At the November meeting we try to have a budget for the coming year, and a slate of nominees for Presbytery officers and committees.  We are on track for this, and we will be moving the necrology to November.   We have done this in January in past years, but it works nicely as we can have a “Communion of the Saints” service closer to All Saints Day, as we remember not only the pastors who have passed away this year, but also we give an opportunity for other church leaders to be remembered as well.

The 2019 budget will look somewhat different, as the Presbytery now uses property more actively to support several of our churches, and the Presbytery mission.  In addition, there will be a change in the Presbytery staff, because—take a breath—Twila will be going to half-time in July of next year.  The plan will be for her to focus on bookkeeping, which has grown in volume and complexity with the additional properties.  Come this spring we will need to look for someone to serve as Administrator and Associate Stated Clerk.  We are grateful that Twila will continue to be with us, so she can provide her expertise and organizational history for the transition.

What does this mean for your church?  The Presbytery Executive Commission (PEC) will be recommending to the Presbytery that the apportionment of Shared Mission Giving will be $69 in 2019.  This is $1, or 1.5%, more than last year, even though GA’s per capita was raised $1.22, and inflation is running around 4%.

This is not because the Presbytery is making a profit somewhere else, but an attempt to keep from causing a sharp increase in shared giving for the churches.  The difference will be funded by Presbytery reserves, or from the sale of the South Hills property (net of the amount reserved for a new church start as a legacy for South Hills).  We have also increased the shared mission budget, in hopes that our churches will consider increasing their giving.  Some of our churches cut their giving during the recession, but never restored it now that the economy is booming.  Let’s hope you can increase your participation in the Presbytery mission next year.

As the PEC discussed this, a member who works at Fuller asked whether others besides the churches can contribute to shared mission giving.  I said anyone can contribute!  And Twila mentioned that if you go to the sangabpres.org website, you’ll see the word ‘DONATE” on the home page, which allows anyone to give to the Presbytery on-line.  And yes, in past years there have been individuals who have given directly to the Presbytery’s shared mission.  (Some have even given by check.)

In fact, I mentioned that in some other presbyteries, the minister members are invited to participate in the shared mission.  Some use the per capita as a guideline; many give more than that.  Some minister members consider the Presbytery as their “church” though I don’t know of anyone who fully tithes to the Presbytery.

However, the day after the PEC meeting, a PEC member did contribute—to the tune of $2,000!  What a wonderful and supportive response.  While I have given each year to the Presbytery, I am accepting this unspoken challenge and will match that gift.  And though you may not be prepared to give at this level, it will be appreciated if individuals choose to show support for our shared ministry in this way.

This gift from the PEC member is a tangible expression of what I have heard about the Presbytery’s ministry, that we are more active in supporting our churches, and in joining together in mission.  In 2018 so far, the presbytery has worked with 13 churches in various kinds of pastoral transitions, 9 churches on property and legal issues, 5 in conflicted situations, and 2 churches who are taking different approaches to understanding their denominational connections.  We have 5 administrative commissions and a sixth on the way—and while most people shudder at the thought of an AC, our ACs have been what they were meant to be—a way for the presbytery to provide focused and committed resources to work with a church on something the church can’t do by themselves.  I continue to be impressed and grateful for the work of the ACs.

In mission beyond our congregations, we continue partnerships with La Casa de San Gabriel, LAC+USC Medical Center, Living Waters for the World in Peru, and we celebrate and support the work of Community Presbyterian El Monte and Puente de Esperanza as they reach out to their immigrant communities.  We have a growing partnership with International Theological Seminary as well as Fuller and New Theological Seminar of the West.  Our 2019 Presbytery offerings have supported a church rebuilding in Joquicingo, Mexico; Pomona Hope’s Community Garden; the ministry of Ryan and Alethia White and the Iranian Presbyterian Church in Berlin; the Door of Hope as they help families keep their housing; and this November we will support Inland Valley Hope Partners; a multi-service agency in the Inland Empire that is actively supported by several of our churches on the eastern part of our Presbytery.  As I review the budget for 2019, I estimate that one-third of our total effort (financial and staff) are focused on mission outside our member congregations—that includes our contributions to the wider church mission but does not include the presbytery offerings or the special offerings that you give through the Presbytery!

I could go on and on . . . our Tapestry Youth Collective fall camp at Big Bear begins right after the November Presbytery meeting, plans for the February 2^nd WinterFest are already shaping up (do you have your church team ready?), we continue our June Presbytery Days of Service, and we were able to secure Synod grants for Korean Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church and Pasadena Presbyterian Church’s Korean Language Ministry, accessing funds that were earmarked for Korean churches in Southern California and Hawai`i.

I am writing this column from Louisville, where I’ve been invited to participate in an Anti-Racism/Cultural Humility Facilitators Consultation.  I am especially gratified for the invitation because I have not been as actively engaged in anti-racism training as in prior phases of my life.  I am hoping that I might be able to turn back to this, now that my term with the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board has ended.  But before I do that, I get to spend the first half of November in Japan, on a mission education trip with several ministries of the Kyodan, the Protestant church in Japan.  This will also be my first opportunity to see our family’s original farmhouse, which is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site (we were silk farmers once), and I will be preaching for the first time in Kyoto (with translation, of course).  Sadly, this means I will miss the November Presbytery meeting, when you will get to hear about chaplaincy in the Navy from Lt. Daniel Menza, receive a wonderful pastoral counselor based in Alhambra, Eun-Hyey Lok, and bless mission co-workers Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson as they retire from their work in Peru.  And I will miss Steve Wiebe’s ordination and installation at PPC this November 4^th at 2:30 pm, but I will get to participate in Jessica Vaughan Lower’s installation at San Marino this Sunday, October 28^th, at 10:30 am.

There is so much to celebrate, give thanks for, and yes, support in San Gabriel Presbytery.  Please consider what God might be leading you to do.

Blessings, and thanks for all the ways you already participate in this Presbytery’s ministry,

Wendy

Good morning.

I awakened this morning to the sometimes thundering sounds of strong winds rushing through leaves and slamming branches against walls.  The power is out, so there is no technological hum in the house, though I can hear a slight humming in my left ear.  I am hoping this is due to my left sinus being congested, probably from whatever is getting kicked up by the winds.

At first I thought about the devastation that was left by hurricane Michael (for information on the recent storms and the Presbyterian response, go to http://pda.pcusa.org/).  I looked out my window to see if there were any large trees near my bedroom that might be uprooted by the winds and fall on the house.  There are some large trees, but not near my bedroom.  So I got up, thankful that it is morning so I could get around without lights.  And as I was feeding the pets, I noticed the wind stopped for a bit, and there was silence.

In that moment, I felt peace.  Then I looked outside the front window and noticed quite a few cars driving by, more than usual.  So I started to fear whether there was something wrong with the roads that was forcing drivers to take a detour.  And then the wind kicked up again.

In the moment of quiet, I realized that the theme of kenosis has arisen several times this last week.  In last week’s column, I mentioned that Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett, President and Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, commented that the church needs to be kenotic, as we empty ourselves in order to welcome the world.  I had to look up the word “kenotic” because I hadn’t heard the word “kenosis” in the form of an adjective.  But I am familiar with the concept of kenosis, or emptying, thanks to my theology professor at SFTS, Dr. Leanne Van Dyk, who is now the president of Columbia Theological Seminary.  I would respond to her teaching by saying that it’s the vulnerability of theologians to attempt to explain God, because God is so much bigger than what we can understand.  She suggested that my perspective reflected kenosis, where instead of trying to fill in all the questions about God, we empty ourselves and our own will in order to open up to the holy mystery of God.

In the past week, I have heard about young people becoming so addicted to technology that they withdraw from direct personal contact.  I myself worry about the 24/7 messaging we get through texting, email, social media, phone, radio and television news, and even the occasional in-person meeting.  With all the inputs flying around, it’s hard to listen well to each other, and even harder to discern what messages are of God, what are of the world, and what may even be harmful to ourselves and our souls.

And for you lectionary readers, the gospel passage for this last Sunday was Mark 10:17-31, a version of the story about Jesus and the rich young ruler.  It struck me that when Jesus advised him to “sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me,” Jesus did so out of love.  Jesus wanted the man’s full commitment and attention, and he could only get that if the man let go of his attachment to his wealth.  Later on, Jesus suggests that we also need to let go of our attachment to family, home, and occupation.  This is true emptying!  Of course, it’s no more than what Jesus did himself, as he emptied his life for our sake.

We have ancient practices that would help us to make some open space that God’s Spirit may fill us, most notably fasting and Sabbath.  How often do we consciously turn away from the noise we generate ourselves or invite into our lives, through chatter, busy work, media noise, and other tasks and hobbies that fill our calendars but may not fulfill our souls?  Even our work at the church—and dare I say it, even what is sometimes overzealous adherence to our rules and traditions—can distract us from the still, quiet voice of God.  But as we lessen our attachment to all that distracts us from God, even as we deal with the sometimes unpleasant voices that come up from inside when we finally let the external noise subside, may we keep listening for God, and eventually tune our ears and our hearts to the quiet music of the heavens.

Thanks be to God,

Wendy

Hello from Chicago!

I am writing from the Mid-Council Leaders Gathering, an annual meeting organized by the Office of the General Assembly for synod and presbytery staff and stated clerks, known by veterans as the Polity Conference.  In even-numbered years like 2018, it’s a meeting to review what happened at the recent GA, and figure out what we need to do to follow up.  In odd-numbered years like 2019, the meeting is held in the host city of the upcoming GA, so we can scope out the conference site, hotels, and restaurants.  Regardless of the year, it’s a time to connect, to give feedback to national leaders, and gain some training.

Yesterday turned out to be a very enlightening and empowering day.  It started with Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett, the new President/Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, speaking at breakfast with her constant passion for mission, calling us all to be “love with skin no it” for the world.  She shared a compelling concept, that the church needs to be kenotic, as we empty ourselves in order to welcome the world.  I am so grateful to be on the team with Bong Bringas to call Diane to this critical position; she fulfills so well the most urgent request from the larger church—a person of faith who can communicate and inspire mission for the church.  I also heard from a couple of friends what Bong had already told me, that her first board meeting was a great initial start for the new design of the PMA and its board.

The morning continued with some insightful remarks from Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, the Stated Clerk.  He continues to challenge the church to be relevant, and to use our still-abundant resources to stand with Christ on the margins.  His call for hope and responsibility was magnified in the stirring sermon from Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, co-moderator of the General Assembly.  Focusing on Isaiah 58, Cindy asked what fast do we choose—do we put on mournful faces and focus inwardly on the loss of members and churches, or do we instead lift up our heads and fast from our attachment to being right, to shy away from risk or God’s call to us to move beyond our comfort zones.

Because it was World Communion Sunday, Rev. Kohlmann requested the worship leaders to find people who could participate in many languages.  What resulted was an intriguing illustration of the complexity of language and ethnicity.  For instance, I was approached by Jihyun Oh, who thought I could do the words of institution in Japanese.  I explained that I did not speak Japanese, and the best I could do would be to say “the body of Christ” and “the bread of Christ” in Hawaiian.  She approached Elder Elona Street-Stewart, Executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, whose heritage is with the Delaware Indian nation.  I approached two white leaders who have served among the indigenous people in Alaska.  If we all were able to participate, we could have had four indigenous languages represented.

Instead, the two white leaders could not participate, and Elona could not speak the language of her people, because the last person who was fluent in Delaware Indian just died, so effectively the language is dead.  So the only indigenous language represented was Hawaiian, but it was spoken by a Japanese-American woman from the North American continent.

Jihyun was able to locate others who contributed Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, and French.  But there was a moment that brought all of us to tears.  Rev. Raymond Meester, Stated Clerk of Homestead Presbytery in Nebraska, whose parents were deaf, had been using American Sign Language to translate the words of institution over the bread.  Then it was his turn to give the words of institution, which he gave silently over the cup.

I can’t explain the impact it had on all of us, to watch him signing to a totally silent room, but I get teary every time I remember it.  It was more than beautiful—I think ASL always is.  I thought it might be because Elona had just told me how her language had just died.  But others said that they also responded just as strongly to the silent words of blessing and sharing of the cup.

Perhaps it was just the fresh awareness of a totally new way to receive the word of forgiveness of sins, the new covenant sealed in the blood of Jesus.  Or perhaps it was a reminder of the importance to listen for the voices of the voiceless, voices that can be so lovely if we only stopped to listen.  I was reminded of the part of the confession A Brief Statement of Faith 10.4, when it says:

In a broken and fearful world
the Spirit gives us courage
to pray without ceasing,
to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior,
to unmask idolatries in Church and culture,
to hear the voices of peoples long silenced,
and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.

There are so many silenced people all around us, even in the church.  I even experienced being silenced at dinner the same day, as someone decided that my voice was not sufficient, until he turned to someone else to confirm it.

I pray that we can take more brief sacred moments when we stop, look to Jesus, and receive the message that we too often neglect.  And may our churches be those sanctuaries of grace, where the gospel is proclaimed through all forms of word, deed, gesture, and music; where those whom the world has ignored can be seen, heard, and respected; where all the nations of the world and all of Creation may rejoice in praise, bow down in worship, and reflect God’s glory.

I return Tuesday night, and look forward to some celebrations for La Casa de San Gabriel and Pomona Hope this week.  And a month from now, November 17^th, the West Covina Ministry Center plans to hold an open house and thrift store with some beautiful clothing and other items.  Details to follow.

Listening for God’s quiet voice,

Wendy