EP Reflections
Post-Traumatic Growth
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 I have been pretty negligent in connecting with the Japanese-American community, but thanks to family...
An Explosion of New
I am about to do a new thing;now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19a Last Tuesday we had a very productive Presbytery meeting. There were so many new ministries celebrated that I honestly feel that years from now, we might look back on this...
Continuing IDI Work
“When there are no oxen, the stall is clean, but when there is a strong bull, there is abundant produce.” Proverbs 14:4 (CEB) As Wendy Gist reminded us last week, the Presbytery of San Gabriel is a Matthew 25 Presbytery committed to building congregational vitality,...
Embracing the Matthew 25 Invitation and Acting On It
San Gabriel Presbytery has become a Matthew 25 Presbytery, which means we pledge to encourage 20% or more of our congregations to become Matthew 25 churches and embrace these areas of focus: Building congregational vitality Dismantling structural racism Eradicating...
225th General Assembly of the PC(USA)
The 225th General Assembly of the PC(USA) was held in Louisville, Kentucky, at the national headquarters and online from June 18 to July 9. And no, that is not a typo, it was a three-week meeting, but more on that in a minute. For us in San Gabriel Presbytery, maybe...
The Practice of Seeing
So she (Hagar) named the LORD who spoke to her, “You are El-roi” (God of seeing or God who sees). Genesis 16:13 Over the past few months, I have found myself reflecting one of the stories of Hagar. In Genesis 16, she is introduced as the Egyptian slave of Sarai who is...
See you in September
God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:24b-25 It’s truly uncanny how any memory of life in the last two...
You are someone’s ancestor; act accordingly.
“Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.” Revelation 14:13 This last weekend I attended the memorial service for Virginia Moseley. I know her as the...
GA: Part 1
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 By the time the 225th General Assembly ended (early!) on Saturday, I was, and continue to be, overwhelmed with all that was decided, and the way it was done. I will just...
Executive Presbyter
Wendy has a creative, spiritual and prophetic way of seeing the world that offers deep insights for practical living. She believes the Church is renewed from the edges, not the center, when those who’ve been marginalized are embraced.