The Christian CallerMay 19, 2014

Galen Goben Preaching andLeading A Lunch Seminar on Grief

Sunday, June 1

Grief is one of the most life transforming experiences that we human beings encounter. Grief is universal in that everyone is subject to its embrace, while at the same time it is as individual of an experience as the bereaved person.  And grief is often not supported appropriately and grievers can be left to struggle with this life-long companion.  This seminar will provide you with some basics about grief. 

What it is, what it does to a person and how best to support grieving persons so that grief can be life-transforming in a positive, not a negative manner.

Galen is a Certified Thanatologist and is one of the Grief Support Coordinators for Forest Lawn in Southern California.  He is responsible for providing grief education and services to the community and to the grieving families served by Forest Lawn.  Galen is an ordained Disciple of Christ minister who served as a parish minister for 15 years.  He is currently attending Fuller Theological Seminary studying for his Doctorate of Ministry in Thanatology.  Galen is married to the Rev. Louise Sloan Goben, and they have three boys, Chris, Jeff, and Neill.

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Julie's Jar                      Sabbatical

Two months from now I will be on sabbatical. My last Sunday is June 15th. I will be around one more week before leaving to complete my duties for Quadrennial in Atlanta.

I am deeply grateful for this gift of time away from usual duties and for the generous impulses of the congregation where I serve God. Planning for this time began a year ago. I've struggled with what "to do" during a time that is supposed to be defined by not doing.

The word "Sabbath" comes from the Hebrew word that means, "cease". How does one make plans to "cease"? As you know, I am not much of a "ceaser".  Being useful and feeling useful give meaning to my life. Additionally, I do not want to squander the generous gift of time you are giving me.  It is important to me to be a good steward of that gift.

I am approaching this sabbatical time as a space and time to engage in practices I too often put off for later. Like many people I put off what is restorative for what is distracting. Music is a spiritual practice for me. The discipline of practicing is restorative. Taking lessons insures there is accountability for practicing so I will be taking lessons.

I have dabbled in a number of spiritual practices on my own. It's been a long time since I sought out the wisdom beyond books and personal learning.  Seeking out additional wisdom requires I go somewhere. I am attending at least three retreats and two different centers. One is with other Disciples of Christ leaders. It is an

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experiential retreat exploring a number of spiritual practices, including Reiki. I will be present to practice Reiki with others. The other two retreats involve direction in lectio divina (sacred reading) and Leadership and the Rule of Benedict.  Lectio divina  is a contemplative practice. The retreat I plan to attend will lead participants in ancient and modern versions of the practice. The other retreat is lead by an oblate of the Benedictine community who has taught leadership graduate studies for over 20 years.

My children and husband are part of my call and our family community is restorative. We are exceedingly blessed to have all of us together for a 2 week period this summer. It is such a gift to have this time with family during sabbatical when I must practice the discipline of ceasing from work and striving.

There are books on a list to read, writing I want to attend to regularly and of course, tending our garden along the way. I am resisting filling up the space of sabbatical so I have space for serendipity and leadings of the Spirit in the midst of the journey. Thank you for your support and generous gift. I will miss being with the community of faith and will pray for you and our congregation.

Easy Ways to Help Out

You can be part of the ministry of hospitality at FCC Pomona in many ways.  A few simple ways are to help with Coffee Hour, Greeting on Sundays and/or Communion Preparation.  Signup sheets are in the entryway.  You can also call or email the church office:  909-622-1144 or fcc@fccpomona.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

FCC Pomona Reiki Ministry at Hillcrest Health Fair

May 24th members of our Reiki Ministry Team will be participating in the Hillcrest Health Fair. We will provide Reiki to people interested in learning more about this practice for short segments. The event is in the Meeting House at Hillcrest Homes from 9 am to noon. Come by if you can and visit us and check out the health fair.

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Senior Adult RetreatTuesday and Wednesday, May 20 and 21, 2014

Mary and Joseph Retreat  Center, located in Rancho Palos Verdes. Check-in will begin at 1 P.M. on Tuesdayand the event will close by 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday.

Nancy Gordon, Executive Director of the Center for Spirituality and Aging,Anaheim, is our Keynote Speaker. She will make two presentations, one on Tuesday afternoon and one on Wednesday morning.  John Towey,  a member of our North Hollywood congregation, will be our entertainer on Tuesday evening. John is an actor and an accomplished pianist. He will be providing us with a concert of beloved piano classics. Members of the Older Adult Ministry Committee will be responsible for leading devotions on Tuesday afternoon,Wednesday morning and as we close the event early on Wednesday.

The cost of this event is $95 per person for those who share a room for theovernight stay, plus three meals. For a commuter, who will not spend the night, the cost is $65. If one desires not to share a room, which is an option, the cost increases to $115. Registration forms were distributed at the Elders and Deacons training event on March 1st at East Whittier. They will also be available from the Regional Office ,as well as on the Regional Church's website. For more information, please call Ed Linberg at 909-392-6688.

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YOUNG ADULT CAMP | MAY 30 - JUNE 1

Join young adults from the Pacific Southwest Region at Loch LevenMay 30-June 1 for the first ever young adult camp (not the first ever BTW). Young adults ages 18-35ish are invited.

The cost is $100 and covers all lodging and food. Scholarships are available. Contact the Regional Office for more information: 626-296-0385

Reiki Level I ClassMay 31st, 1-6 pm

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Learn the art of Reiki, a practice for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing. Reiki is effective for reducing and/or eliminating pain, for promoting spiritual growth and for enhancing overall health. Reiki is similar to other forms of healing that use the method of laying on hands to deliver energy. Physical and emotional trauma, and the wear and tear of ordinary life can cause our body and spirit to become imbalanced over time. Reiki helps restore the body's natural state of balance so it can operate more optimally. Anyone can learn Reiki.

What you can expect: The historical background of Reiki Guided meditation Instruction on the basics of Reiki Lots of guided practice

The course is taught by one of our pastors, Julie Roberts-Fronk, who is a Reiki Master Teacher. A donation is asked to cover the cost of the book. Contact Julie for more information.

Theology on Ice BYOBSunday, June 1, July & Mike's, 3pm

Bring your favorite beverage and/or a snack Discussion starter article, "Covenantal Economics: A Case for a Local

Economy", is available on the office desk by the phone or Tim can email you a scanned copy (call or email the church office)

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CELEBRATIONS AND PRAYER CONCERNSWe join together in prayer for

members of our community and our world.

CELEBRATIONS

We celebrate Christ!

HOMEBOUND &   CONVALESCING

Jean Weddle Hilda FaulknerDarlene Jones Jackie McCallister

Rhodes Thompson

PRAYERS AND CONCERNS

Charlie Han's Family Ed Ross Jose Mendiola Laura ZivnakTim Jacobs and Family Carolyn McKee Leonard Family Virginia GreeleyLorraine Rogers Doug Sabicer Tim Reed Brothers FamilyDick & Lillian Arbenz Bret Wiley Charlie Han Laddie DeWolfShirley Ewing & Family Brian Thies John Snell Donna BahmEllen Hamilton's Family Velma Sanders Allan Wilkin Dan BurtonEvelyn Lepire and Family

Roy Tomlinson Kenneth Wandell's family

Jim Bailey's Family Elizabeth Akin Teresa Crist's brother, OwenLois Thompson John Paulson Gabby Bernardino Ray AkinJohn and Dianne Snell

Gabby Bernardino, the teacher in the Infant room at our Child Development Center lost her father suddenly this last week. Even if you don't know Gabby, you are encouraged to send her a card of support and sympathy. She has two young children of her own who have lost their grandpa. For those of us who have experienced grief we know how much a card of

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support means. Cards may be sent to the church address.

CHURCH CALENDER

May 2014

Sunday

Monda

y

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursda

y

Friday

Saturday

1Choir,7 pm

2 3Men's Breakfast,9 am

4Bible Study: Luke, 9 am

Event for Families, after church

Elections Com

5 6 7 8Choir,7 pm

9 10

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturdaymittee,1 pm11Bible Study: Luke, 9 am

12Elder's, 7 pm, at church

13 14 15Choir,7 pm

16 17Church Picnic,lunch: 11:30 am -1 pm, activities before & after

18Bible Study: Luke, 9 am

Membership Inquiry Lunch, Noon

19 20General Board, 7 pm, conference room

21Logos Families Event, 5:30 -7 pm

22Choir, 7:00 pm

23Reiki at Hillcrest Health Fair,9 am - Noon

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25Bible Study: Luke, 9 am

Labyrinth Walk, 6:30 - 8 pm

26 27CDC Board, 9:30 am

Program Cabinet,7 pm, church library

28 29Choir,7 pm

30 31 Reiki 1 Class, 1-6 pm

We'd love to wish you a happy anniversary here in The Caller too!

If you would like to have your anniversary or anything else listed, contact the church office: 909-622-

1144 or fcc@fccpomona.org

May Birthdays 3 ~ Keith Fisher 4 ~ Brian Thies & Kristi Teeple 9 ~ Michael Godfrey21 ~ Virginia Galleano & Mary Bowman24 ~ John Weddle

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26 ~ Ken Mock, Michele Murillo & Rosanne Montoya28 ~ Mike Fronk and Chris Eckeard31 ~ Ross Church

From Lois Thompson,

I sure miss being with all of you!  We'll get all settled down one of these days.Lots of love to all!!

Lois Thompson

Welcome to our New Member!

Norma Putney transferred her membership to FCC Pomona on May 11th. Norma is not new to our congregation having served as choir director a number of years ago. After marrying David Putney the two moved to other parts of the country where they served several Disciples of Christ congregations. Norma always contributed her gifts of music wherever they served. She has been a music educator most of her life, primarily teaching piano. The Putneys moved to Pilgrim Place a few years ago. David died over a year ago and those of us who knew him miss him. It's great to welcome Norma back and for those of us who have yet to know Norma, we look forward to learning together and helping her feel at home once again.

BODY AND SOUL

FROM THE CLAREMONT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY WEBPAGE: CST.EDU

Monday, May 12, 2014 at 11:57AM

Bernard Hardy was not your average M.Div. student. By the time he arrived at Claremont School of Theology, Hardy had an established career caring for communities in need as a physician. His medical

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practice began in Alabama, where he primarily served a low-income community with little access to quality healthcare.

“I always knew I was called by God to serve others,” Hardy recalls. He explored that call to service in ministry while a student at CST. During that time, he served as a part-time minister for the First Christian Church in Pomona, a Disciples of Christ Congregation, an assignment that allowed him to live into this second call to caring ministry. In 2008, he graduated from Claremont School of Theology with his Master of Divinity degree and was ordained by the Disciples of Christ in 2013.

Today, Hardy serves as both a practicing physician and a supply minister for churches in the Pacific Southwest Region of the Disciples of Christ. On average, he spends sixty-percent of his time providing free medical services to the poor and undocumented in Inglewood, California. On the weekends, he often teaches seminars in area churches on the intersection of religion and health.

Hardy believes that his education as both physician and pastor enables him to treat his patients holistically. “My medical and theological training allows me to help people both spiritually and physically,” he says. “People who are suffering physically also often face spiritual issues…issues that [often] have to do with forgiveness, guilt, and shame.”

When asked about his experience at CST, Hardy expresses gratitude for the ways that the School prepared him to effectively integrate healthcare with pastoral ministry. Perhaps more importantly, his theological training validated his sense of spiritual calling: “My experience at Claremont helped me confirm that I was being called by God to preach the gospel.”

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facebook.com/fccpomona

About First Christian Church PomonaWe are an active, informed, progressive Christian Community worshiping and serving in the Pomona, CA community. Our congregation is associated with the Disciples of Christ Denomination. All are welcome to worship, take Communion and serve the world with us.

Join us for Bible Study:The Gospel of Luke

9 am Sunday

Join us for Worship:10 am Sunday

Contact Us www.fccpomona.org1751 N. Park AvePomona, California 91768First Christian Church Pomona909-622-1144

Communion Bread Needed 

We need volunteers to donate for the weekly communion bread.  The cost is $20 per month.  You can make a check out to the church and mark it "Communion Bread" on the memo line, or just give $20 to Laddie DeWolf.   Laddie purchases the bread and the juice for communion.

  

Thank you for your help.

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