Reflection: Priorities

Reflection: Priorities

by | Jul 8, 2019 | Monday Morning Reflections, Uncategorized

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Reflection: Priorities

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” 

Luke 21:5-6

Amid all the uncertainties of life, we like to think that at the very least we are assured that we stand on solid ground.  This weekend forced us to confront the fact that even the earth on which we stand is subject to shifting, sometimes quite violently.

As a native Californian, I was almost relieved when the 6.4 magnitude earthquake came, because my understanding is that earthquakes happen when pressure is built up, so any release of pressure helps to prevent another, more catastrophic, quake.  It seemed odd that there were so many aftershocks, but it was the second quake, magnitude 7.1, that rolled for so long that it scared me.  While the earth shifted like a boat in choppy waters, I wondered whether I should dive under my desk, and prayed for the people close to the epicenter.

There have been thousands of aftershocks over the weekend, at times averaging one every minute.  While many were too small to be felt, I wondered how the residents around Trona and Ridgecrest felt as the earth continued to shake, split, and rumble so relentlessly.  There are few things we take as a given in our lives, and one is that the earth is solid beneath us—so how does it impact our sense of security when the earth is far from solid?

Throughout the Bible, we are reminded not to put our trust in temporary things—riches, buildings, human rulers.  At this time when buildings can tumble and expensive things are crushed, we are experiencing this teaching.  When even the earth seems transient, what is lasting? 

As people of faith, we are blessed to know that God, and the grace of Jesus Christ, and the healing and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, is ever with us.  As people of God, may we see past surface decoration and appreciate the dignity, the gifts, the searching and insight of every person we meet.  And as followers of Jesus Christ, may we prioritize the mission of our Lord, which is eternal and universal in scope, trusting that our Lord’s grace is sufficient.

And in so doing, may we be generous in offering aid to those whose lives have been shaken—by earthquakes, by violence, by governmental detention.  May this aid be a sign that no one is alone; that God has chosen to work through us to spread love and concern for those who most need it.

Last week I mentioned what is now hundreds of vigils being planned for this Friday, July 12.  You can go to https://www.lightsforliberty.org/localevents for a list; as of today there are vigils scheduled at Altadena Community Church at 7 pm, La Cañada Congregational Church at 7:30 pm, Montebello City Hall at 7 pm, and 391 S State College Blvd, Brea, at 8 pm.

Years from now, we will look back at this time when children are left to the care of other children, when pregnant women are made to sleep on concrete, when men were packed into pens too crowded even to lie down, and people will ask what did the people of faith do?  May we make decisions today that reflect our priorities as Christians, for the world to see, for our own conscience, and mostly in obedience to the call of Christ.  Even if you aren’t the demonstrating kind, find a way to respond to God’s call on your heart.

In prayer,

Wendy

 

 

Reflection: In Prison

by | Jul 1, 2019 | Monday Morning Reflections, Uncategorized

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Reflection: In Prison

“I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”

Matthew 25:36

We all have little bytes of data that make up our particular identity in this world.  I remember when I was in seminary, and we held an exercise in diversity during orientation.  We were to step forward if we identified with various experiences.  One experience that stuck with me was “I or someone in my family have been incarcerated.” 

Of course I let it go by.  I come from a family of ministers and schoolteachers; hardly the jailbird types!  But then it occurred to me that my mother and many family members were incarcerated in World War II internment camps; in fact one cousin was born in the camp.  I was paralyzed by the dilemma—I can’t step forward as if my family were imprisoned, as if one of my relatives had run aground of the law.  They hadn’t done anything wrong!  But that’s what has happened to so many people of color; they are accused of wrongdoing and imprisoned, often without any proof but for the color of their skin.

Like most people, I refer to the camps that imprisoned 120,000 Japanese-Americans, most of whom were citizens (like my mother, who had never even stepped foot out of the US), as “internment camps.”  But some people call them concentration camps, a term defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a place where large numbers of people (such as prisoners of war, political prisoners, refugees, or the members of an ethnic or religious minority) are detained or confined under armed guard”—though they point out that the term has often been used to refer to Nazi death camps, which has caused much sensitivity about the use of the term.  You probably have heard that this term has been used most recently to describe the detention centers holding asylum seekers from Central America.

As it turns out, there are some similarities.  Last Thursday night, I attended an event in Little Tokyo, protesting the use of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a detention center for migrant children from Central America.  Fort Sill is still an active Army post, first staked out in 1869.  But it has also been used for detention.  In 1894, Geronimo and 341 other Apache were kept at Fort Sill as prisoners of war; in fact, Geronimo died there in 1909.  During World War II, 700 Japanese-American immigrants (we call them issei, or first generation) were held there.  Three of the issei died at Fort Sill, including Kanesaburo Oshima.  He was taken to Fort Sill from Hawai`i.  His wife and eleven children were left at home, and he suffered a mental breakdown.  Unarmed, he attempted to climb the barbed wire fence, and was shot dead by a guard.

And now, there is a plan to detain as many as 5,000 children at Fort Sill.

Japanese-Americans have always sworn “never again” to this kind of mass incarceration—not only for Japanese-Americans, but any people detained without trial.  (Of course, even if there was a trial, we ordinarily do not hold children accountable for the actions of adults caring for them.)  So we feel called to speak up whenever we see others being persecuted for being a member of an ethnic or religious group deemed undesirable. 

I have been impressed with the strong positive response to Kristi Van Nostran’s ministry as Immigrant Accompaniment Organizer.  My guess is that many of us have been wondering how to help with this crisis.  Kristi has many different ways you or your church can help, so I encourage you to contact her.  You can scroll down for a flyer on her work.  And Presbyterian News Service wrote an article on our ministry, which is on-line here.

There is also a global movement to show our concern about immigrants being detained.  It is called Lights for Liberty, and the event will be held on Friday, July 12, at 7:30 pm in many locations.  Click here for a current list (note that CA for California comes after Canada).  Originally the vigils were planned for detention centers, so a major site will be at the detention center in downtown Los Angeles, at 535 Alameda.  But now there will be vigils wherever a group chooses to organize one.

Many of us have experienced personally, or in our families, trauma that in God’s grace leads to compassion for others who suffer.  If nothing else, if we want to show love for Jesus, he tells us how to show that love in Matthew 25.  As we hear renewed threats of deportation raids, as we hear horror stories of children dying in custody of the US government, as we learn that in desperation, ICE has at times released detainees by simply dumping them without anything in a strange city, there is much need for us to pray—with our hearts, with our faith, and with our hands and feet. 

So I ask for your prayers, and your compassion that leads to action, that includes visiting and welcoming the stranger, in prison or in our community.  I also ask your prayers for Al Lorenz and the people of Grace Presbyterian Church in Highland Park, who held their final worship service yesterday.  Even in these times of uncertainty, may our siblings in San Gabriel Presbytery—as well as God’s children fleeing violence and suffering—be filled and comforted by the Holy Spirit.  May all people feel the loving presence of Jesus Christ, that their souls be free, even if they are imprisoned by immigration, criminal action, or any other way that we are too often bound by the brokenness of ourselves, or of this world.

In prayer,
Wendy

 

 

Reflection: Mission Statement

Reflection: Mission Statement

by | Jun 24, 2019 | Monday Morning Reflections, Uncategorized

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Reflection: Mission Statement

Thus says the Lord:
Heaven is my throne
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is my resting-place?

Isaiah 66:1

We are coming up to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to step foot on the moon.  CNN produced a documentary that is comprised entirely of video, photos, and audio transmissions during the mission, and it is stunning.  I am always stunned by the enormity, and enormous beauty, of space, and it always affirms my Presbyterian understanding of the greatness and sovereignty of God.  If you ever want to be so inspired, I recommend visiting the APOD website (“APOD” stands for “Astronomy Picture of the Day”).

By the way, Presbyterian trivia time:  What do John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin, and Katherine Johnson (the lead in “Hidden Figures”) all have in common, besides their groundbreaking accomplishments with NASA?  They have all been dedicated Presbyterian elders!  So much so that Buzz Aldrin quietly took communion on the moon during that historic Apollo 11 landing.  (Ironically, I only learned of this because Margarita Reyes, who had just moved the First Rosemead church to become Puente de Esperanza in La Puente, invited me into a conversation on communion with her Catholic priest neighbor.  He wanted to understand the Presbyterian view of communion, to inform his adult education in his parish on ecumenism, because he was so intrigued by an article in “Guideposts” on the steps Elder Aldrin and his pastor took to be authorized to take communion on the moon—including contacting the Stated Clerk.)

The Apollo project was an enormous, ambitious, and stunningly complex mission, and arguably one of the highest achievements in all human history.  Yet we Christians believe that without God, we are broken and prone to self-centered triviality and destruction.  So regardless of our endeavors, we seek the will of God, knowing that without God our efforts fall short.  And in completing these endeavors, we do as Buzz Aldrin did—we pause to give thanks and contemplate God’s hand in all that we do.

So what does this mean for us today?

Last week I had the opportunity to have lunch with a few leaders from the Pomona and Claremont churches, and one elder asked about the vision for San Gabriel Presbytery.  It was compelling to me because the Presbytery tends to take a more supportive role in response to our member congregations.  And yet, we do have opportunity to work as a collective, and even the responsibility to act on issues that a congregation cannot.  We do the former (working as a group of churches) whenever we make decisions for the presbytery, join efforts on a presbytery-wide mission such as Living Waters for the World or the Tapestry youth ministry, or welcome each other and support each other when churches need help.  We act on issues that go beyond a single congregation when we offer advice based on collective wisdom, or help a church facing conflict or fraud, or decide on starting up, merging, or ending church ministries in a particular area.

We believe that presbyteries are formed as a result of God putting eher a particular group of people, through congregations, in a particular time and place, to proclaim the Good News to their community in the way most relevant and faithful to God’s vision for that moment.

In San Gabriel Presbytery, we are in a good place—many churches are thriving and serving God and God’s people faithfully; churches are welcoming new members, new partners, and new pastors; and churches who are struggling are getting direct support from sisters and brothers in the Presbytery.  There have been times of conflict, and now there have been several years of relative peace (so much so that some of us worry that the energy is “low”).  There have been initiatives to utilize our property assets to support ministry better, and renewed partnerships with House of Rest and Monte Vista Grove Homes.  The partnership with Monte Vista Grove was celebrated this last Saturday, when San Gabriel Presbytery and Rev. Jeff O’Grady of San Marino Community Church were given the 2019 Spirit Awards, and Lauren Evans’ chaplaincy at Monte Vista Grove (a ministry of our presbytery, funded by House of Rest) was lifted up as the most visible manifestation of this partnership.  And we continue to increase our mission beyond our church walls, including La Casa de San Gabriel, Pomona Hope, the LAC+USC Chaplaincy, Living Waters for the World, and now the Immigrant Accompaniment Ministry, led by Kristi Van Nostran.

After this lunch when the topic of the Presbytery’s mission was discussed, I thought that perhaps it is time for us to take a new look at what God wants of us.  Karen Sapio, who was at this lunch, will be Moderator of the Presbytery next year, so we may invite some conversation on this.  Karen also shared the vision that is coming into sight at Claremont Presbyterian—that rather than having a specific program of ministries that may (or may not) attract others to follow, that the church become a platform, or dare I say launching pad, for “gospel-formed dreams” as people are led to respond to God’s call for that community.  In light of this, I wondered whether the Presbytery needs to have a set program for others to follow, or do we continue to take a more supportive role, offering networks and services and resources as leaders answer God’s call?

As we seek to be faithful to Christ’s mission in our world, I am reminded that while I (and many Presbyterians) spend a lot of energy trying to decode God’s will for us in very specific ways, one of my seminary professors characterized God’s will more as a broad river, where each individual (like every fish and beaver) makes our own little decisions, but we are part of a much larger effort that we may never fully understand or even recognize.

As we are faced with seemingly impossible problems, such as the whiplash of massive deportation raids against our neighbors threatened and then delayed, it is worth our time to open up to God in prayer, asking “what would You have us be and do?”—as individuals, as churches, and as San Gabriel Presbytery.  And may we trust Jesus enough to obey, and go forth in faith, even beyond our understanding.

Blessings for the journey,

Wendy

Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash

 

 

Reflection: Father’s Day

by | Jun 17, 2019 | Monday Morning Reflections, Uncategorized

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Reflection: Father’s Day

The Lord brought Abram outside and said, “Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.”  Then the Lord said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

Genesis 15:5

I have mentioned before that one of the best days of the year for me is graduation day for Ted K. Tajima High School.  This year, the graduation coincided with Father’s Day weekend, so it became a wonderful time of celebration for the ways God uses one life to impact the lives of others.

For the last two years, the graduation has been held in Little Tokyo.  I’m not sure why they decided to hold the ceremony there, but it feels good, having the event in this old Japanese-American community even though the school’s student body is almost all Latino and immigrant (there were also two Filipino and two African-American students).

The principal of this school often refers to the “Tajima family.”  I love that when she says this, she is not talking only about my sisters and me, but she is talking about the students, their families, and the faculty and staff of the school—and us.  So I love that my Tajima family now includes people who are (or who love) kids who are almost always the first ones in their families to attend college, and who represent the best dreams of their own parents.  These kids have made it to graduation in spite of fears of parents being deported, some without stable homes, some working in after-school jobs to help feed their families.  Yet in this graduating class, all have been accepted to higher education, including 88% attending a four-year school.  I was astounded how many have been accepted to UC schools (as well as two going to Claremont colleges and one going to Barnard), all of which are extremely competitive and continue to be top universities in the nation.

About 10% of the student body are special needs kids.  By far the biggest cheer was raised for a student named Leonard, a special needs student with autism, yet who will be able to go to junior college.

Speaking to these kids and their families was the principal who remembered her own entry into college, and how she was once just like them—a young Latina student, the first from her family to go to college, entering UC San Diego, where few students in her college looked like her.  She spoke like an older sister, and she felt like she needed to warn these bright young students that the journey will be difficult at times, and lonely.  Her words reminded me of my father.  As a high school teacher, he transformed many young people’s lives with education—yet this calling was forged out of the discrimination and challenge he faced in his life.

True to his Christian faith and Presbyterian tradition, Dad believed in the power of education to transform lives, and our calling to offer support and hope to others, whether or not we know them.  The impact of Dad’s life continues to radiate out like ripples in a pool, through his church community that led to a family friend, Alliance Public Charter Schools Board member Dale Okuno, who came up with the idea of naming the school after Dad, and to all who contributed to the school.  Those ripples continued out to the faculty and staff who work so lovingly and tirelessly for the students, to the students and their families, and all who will be impacted by the students.  This phenomenon was joyously evident not only in the faces of the students, but in the cheers of their families.  One of the first things I noticed in the graduation was one student’s cap that said “I am the product of their sacrifice.”  I think all of us who come from families that struggled to make life better for us can relate.

There is a saying that comes from the Jewish tradition, and is also in the Qu’ran, that can be paraphrased as “Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if they destroyed an entire world.  And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if they saved an entire world.”

I am so grateful for being able to witness this celebration of hope and promise each year, but the important thing to remember is that this is not unique to my father.  Every one of us creates ripples around us, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, these ripples can travel out to parts and people unknown to us.  We are called to work to create ripples that carry the Gospel to these folks, and it is up to us to fulfill that call.

I hope that you all had opportunity to give thanks this last weekend for your father, and if that relationship isn’t a source of joy for you, give thanks for your heavenly Father who blesses, loves, guides, protects, and works through each of us.  And give thanks that whatever we offer to the family business, God can use to save so many worlds of hurting people. 

Thanks be to God!

Wendy

 

 

Reflection: A Waking Dream

Reflection: A Waking Dream

by | Jun 10, 2019 | Monday Morning Reflections, Uncategorized

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Reflection: A Waking Dream

Then afterwards
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.

Joel 2:28

On June 2nd, I played substitute moderator for the congregational meeting of Good Shepherd Taiwanese Presbyterian Church as they called their new pastor, Ming Hsu.  It was such a joyous day, to be with this vibrant church of committed Christians of all ages, so intently and gratefully anticipating what God is doing in their church.

What’s best is the realization, as I was driving away from the meeting, that most of my visits with churches these days have been filled with joy.  This is counter to my traditional joke, that when people see me at their church, it usually means something is wrong.  (I actually had an elder say that to me one Sunday:  “Oh, Pastor Wendy!  Why are you here?  Is something wrong?”)

Now there are still concerns, and that’s a big part of the job, but our presbytery is right now in a season of renewal and reconciliation.  Even when—or perhaps, especially when—church leaders make some difficult decisions, God has responded with abundant blessings beyond our own imaginings. 

Take what is happening at West Covina, for instance.  Our Presbytery meeting/Day of Service was held this last Saturday at the campus that was built by the faithful servants of Community Presbyterian Church of West Covina, now the Community Presbyterian Fellowship.  The leaders of the Fellowship welcomed the Presbytery meeting usuals, as well as several leaders and students of International Theological Seminary, who are getting ready to move onto the West Covina campus later this month, and a good number of youth, especially from San Marino Community Church but also young people from Arcadia, Claremont, and two youth from Westminster Pasadena, who represented the now seven young people going to Triennium this July.  This photo is the group who worked through the day—is that a glimpse of the Kin-dom or what?!

This meeting also honored the 107-year history of Grace Presbyterian Church in Highland Park, as they prepare to close their doors this June 30th.  I encourage all of you who can, to join in the celebration of their ministry, at 11 am at the church at 1500 N. Avenue 53, Los Angeles, CA 90042.  The church has been a place of welcome, creativity, and faithful service to God and to God’s people in the community for all these decades, and the members of the church have come to this point with grace and gratitude, a reflection of their own faith and the loving leadership of Rev. Dr. Al Lorenz, who will be retiring as well.  Grace also honored the wisdom of their youth, as Judie Evers mentioned her role in the Pastor Nominating Committee that called Al when she was 17 years old.

I am grateful for being able to walk with our churches in their various places in their life cycle.  One thing I am a big believer in, is the importance of inviting everyone God sends to us to participate fully in the ministry of the church.  It was clear that the young people at Good Shepherd are fully engaged in the leadership of that church.  And I loved watching the work crews all around the West Covina campus, as they included people spanning many generations (and coming from many different continents), working in a committed, professional manner.  I also want to give a huge shout out to Jim Conner, who organized many of the work teams on Saturday.  Jim is Board Chair of ITS, and lends his immense energy, vision, and gifts of community and property development to ITS, the ITS alums who are back in their home communities, and now the West Covina Ministry Center.

Finally, we were able to welcome Ming Hsu to San Gabriel as he begins his work at Good Shepherd on July 1st, and to pray for Vikki Randall as she begins her work on July 1st as temporary pastor at Westminster Presbyterian in Temple City. 

And we had another hugely successful gift card drive, this time for asylum-seeking families fleeing the violence that has overtaken Central America.  This was a great welcome for Kristi Van Nostran, who is working with us and with Pacific Presbytery through grants from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, to help with basic life needs for these families as they await their immigration court appearances.  You all brought $520 in gift cards that will be given to asylum seekers, as well as $782 with which Kristi will purchase additional gift cards and direct assistance for the families.  This included several significant gifts, including 50 cards worth $250 from Alhambra True Light church.  What a welcome!  And if you would like to meet Kristi or have her speak at your church, please contact her at PresbyWelcome@gmail.com or (360) 521-4096. 

We are blessed with a diverse Presbytery:  churches and individuals of all ages, races, gifts, and resources.  But we are all empowered by the one Holy Spirit, brought upon Christ’s church on Pentecost, and because everything we have and do comes from the one God, we are called to join together in using whatever we have to serve our Lord.  So let us continue to be a people of hope and service as we join in many ways to be Christ’s hands and heart for this world.  I’m thrilled to be part of it with you.

Blessings,
Wendy

 

 

Reflection: A Blessing to the Nations

by | Jun 3, 2019 | Monday Morning Reflections, Uncategorized

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Reflection: A Blessing to the Nations

Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 2:38-39

This Saturday we will have another Presbytery meeting, at the re-envisioned West Covina Ministry Center (aka Community Presbyterian Church of West Covina).  Our new tradition is for the summer Presbytery meeting to be short, followed by a time of service.  We will have a slightly longer Presbytery meeting because there are a few important decisions to make, so if you don’t want to join us for the meeting, we expect the schedule to be:

8:30 am      Registration
9:00 am      Stated Meeting
10:30 am      Service
12:30 pm      Lunch.

It is expected that this meeting will be a time of thanksgiving for the ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church in Highland Park, and the ministry of Rev. Dr. Al Lorenz.  We will also welcome Rev. Ming Hsu, who is being called as the new pastor for Taiwanese Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church.  Rev. Hsu has been a faithful and respected pastor for Formosan Presbyterian in Garden Grove.

We have two other new initiatives to learn about and celebrate.  If you have read the recent “Presbyterian Outlook,” you heard about International Theological Seminary’s new partnership with San Gabriel Presbytery.  The home base for this partnership is the West Covina campus.  Now that the Conditional Use Permit was approved unanimously by the Planning Commission of the City of West Covina, ITS will be moving onto this campus this June!  So a big part of our work day will be painting some classrooms, to spruce them up for our new partners.  During the meeting, San Gabriel member and ITS President Rev. Dr. James Lee will give a brief overview of ITS’ unique ministry, and we will show our support with our prayers, hands, and hearts.

Because ITS has already been taking care of the property for us, they and the members of Community Presbyterian Fellowship of West Covina are preparing to welcome us to the meeting.  The West Covina family now also includes site pastors Mary Ellen Azada and Jennifer Ackerman, as well as several members of our Baldwin Park church.

We will also have the opportunity to learn about another major new initiative.  Upon the invitation of Pacific Presbytery, and with the joyous support of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, we have received a grant to fund an organizer to help our churches to welcome asylum-seeking families, who have been left without resources while they await their asylum hearing.  We will be able to welcome Kristi Van Nostran, who was already doing much of this work as a volunteer.  Kristi will be working primarily with our two presbyteries, but also all of the synod of Southern California and Hawaii, to coordinate our efforts and invite more of us to show Christian welcome to our neighbors from Central America.  And we will start this Saturday, as our Presbytery offering will go to support these families, either through $5 and $10 gift cards, or financial contributions which Kristi will use for food and other urgent needs.

So come and worship, and pray, and celebrate, and serve.  We will be painting classrooms, doing some yardwork, learning about our new Immigrant Welcome ministry and writing notes of support and welcome, and putting together school kits for students displaced by emergency, in partnership with PDA.  See the separate article on the Presbytery offering for a shopping list for school supplies—and, most importantly, come in your work clothes!

So this Saturday will be a time of thanks and welcome, prayers with our hearts and with our hands, worship and praise and sorrow.  Let us gather in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and join in the life of our San Gabriel—and world—family.

They will come from east and west and from north and south,
from Highland Park and Baldwin Park,
from Taiwan and Cameroon and many peoples of Asia and Africa,
from Honduras and Guatemala and El Salvador,
and sit at table in the kingdom of God.

What a fitting time to prepare for Pentecost Sunday on June 9th!  We are truly blessed with the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to connect as siblings of Jesus Christ, here and all around the world.

Peace,
Wendy