Reconciliation Ministry Special

Offering

 The 2013 Reconciliation Offering will be received on October 13th.  The Special Offering is used to fund our Church's mission priority to become a pro-reconciling/ anti-racist church through experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue across racial/ethnic difference. Funds from this offering are providing for leadership development in our camps, our communities and our congregations, as well as providing resources to promote small group study and community-action. Your giving is changing lives and building hope for the realm of God for our children and for Christ's Church!

Julie's Jar Gratitude and Thankfulness

Preparations were being made for the 130th Anniversary of First Christian Church of Pomona, or so I was led to believe. Instead, on September 15th the congregation surprised me with a celebration of 25 years of ministry. I was

ordained 25 years ago and I began serving this congregation not long after that.

"Thank You" begins to approximate my deep gratitude and humility for your recognition of 25 years of shar

ed ministry. I have served most of my ministry with the people of First Christian Church of Pomona. You have learned alongside me, taught me, and been willing to learn from me. We are shaped by the people with whom we share life. You continue to help shape me closer to the stature of Christ and for that I am grateful.

You blessed me in worship as the Elders laid hands on me and prayed. You gifted me with stories of remembrance: stories that remind me how privileged my life is to be allowed into your lives and bring an approximation of the holy through prayer and presence. You set a feast before me in the presence of the community of Christ.

It was humbling to receive so much. As I listened to the stories and the kind expressions, I wondered who you were talking about. I struggled with feelings and thoughts, "I really don't deserve this. There is so much I have left undone, didn't do, could have done more of, could have done better." I make this confession because I also recognize that these are feelings I hear expressed from many of you: you who are among some of the most faithful followers of Jesus I know.

There is always more we can do and I suppose, since none of us is perfect, there is often room for improvement. What I want to affirm is what you gave me: there is enough. Life is abundant.  Yes, there is always more to do, but what I am doing is valued. One of the things pastors struggle with is relevance. Is what I do relevant in this world anymore, a world in which "spiritual, not religious" is more the norm? I serve a religious community that has deep spiritual sensibility and commitment to a living faith. Our current culture is dismissive of religious community more out of ignorance and unfamiliarity. Thank you for the gift of relevance, which I experience as encouragement to keep pressing forward in ministry.

NEWS OF OUR COMMUNITYDear Friends,

I want to thank all of you who have sent me cards and/or come to visit me while I am having physical therapy at Inland Valley Care across the street from the church.  The cards and visits all mean a lot to me!  I also appreciate all the prayers.

Love to all!

P.S. I am coming home this week.

SEND US YOUR PICTURESDo you have pictures you've taken at First

We'd love to have your favorites and be able to share them in the future.

Email them toor post them on the church

Do you have news you'd like

Grandkids born? Graduations?

Let the Church office know if there is anything you'd like to share.

We Need Help!We still need someone to sign up to be a Greeter on October 6. reception area. You can also call or email the church

or fcc@fccpomona.org

Child Development Center   News

Welcoming our CDC FamiliesSunday, Sept. 29th - 10 am

   Blessing of the Backpacks   Pre-K Class Invited to Sing

   Children's Time in Worship   Mrs. Nelson's Book Fair

   Sandwiches and Snacks   Blessing our Teachers and Staff

We invite you and your family to join us for a special worship service at First Christian Church of Pomona. The service will focus on children, the gift of children in our lives and the sacred call of caring for children. Worship is child friendly with hands on "worshipful work". We also have a caring childcare provider, Miss Donna, who is available for children who prefer to explore play possibilities outside the worship space.

Here is a picture from the CDC recent Field Trip to the LA County Fair:

See more pictures on CDC Facebook website and "Like" to help spread the word about our great programs!

 UPCOMING   EVENTS Take the Leap: Travel with Us, The Artist's

WayAre you stuck in a rut? Have you always wanted to act, sing, paint, dance, write, tell jokes, or be a creative chef but never made the time to do it? Or would you just like to be more creative as you live your life? Come and be part of a group that wants to grow as creative human beings. The Artist's Way, a book, by Julia Cameron will guide our group that Julie J. is forming.

You are invited! Yes, you! We will meet Thursdays for about 12 weeks starting September 26th, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at First Christian Church Pomona, 1751 Park Ave. in Pomona. It's free.

Intrigued but not sure? Come and see what it's all about on September 26th. The Artist's Way book can be purchased at most bookstores, online, and some libraries have copies. I will also have a couple of copies available at the first class. We even have room for one or two of you to join us online if you can't get to Pomona.

Call 909 622-1144, if you are interested. Or just show up September 26th.

Talk to Mike or call the church office if you would like to carpool from the church: 909-622-1144

The FCC Chancel Choir Will Be Performing At This Event:

Reiki Level ICertification Course

October 5th

9:30-4:00

Presented by Julie Roberts-Fronk - Reiki Master Teacher

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 of the 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 to practice on oneself, your family, friends, even your pets.

What you can expect:

      Historical background of Reiki       Guided Meditation       Instruction on the basics of Reiki       Lots of guided practice

Call to reserve your place in class by Oct. 3rd. The cost for the book used is $20. Lunch is Potluck.

New Group After Worship: Painting the Stars DVD Discussion

Celebrating the communion of Science and faith, "Painting the Stars" explores the promise of evolutionary Christian spirituality. This seven part series was created by the same people who made "Living the Question." Session titles include: 1. Toward Healing the Rift , 2. A Renaissance of Wonder, 3. Getting Genesis Wrong, 4. An Evolving Faith, 5. Evolutionary Christianity, 6. Imagining a Future,  7. An Evolving Spirituality: Mysticism.  If you think you might be interested, Sunday school classes

begin October 6th after worship in the conference room.

https://www.csupomona.edu/~crs/

Fellowship Dinner with Rupert Nelson - Rings of a TreeSunday - Oct. 13that 5 p.m.

A prepared dinner will be served at 5 p.m. followed by a presentation by our own Rupert Nelson. One of the books Rupert wrote is a memoir entitled "Rings of a Tree". He will be talking about the book and how he came to write it. The book is a compilation of essays that detail some of the events of his life.  History is lived by regular people. Rupert's memoir is also a view of the country in which he grew up and the world in which he served as a missionary for the American Baptist church.

Make your reservations by contacting Tim in the church office, 909-622-1144.  If you'd like a copy of "Rings of a Tree" you can borrow it from the church library or purchase a copy from Rupert.

Sunday, October 20, 2013Walk for the Hungry

a 5K Walk around the Claremont Colleges  Claremont University Consortium (101 S Mills Ave., entrance on 1st

St.)  12:00 PM Registration - 1:00 PM Walk Begins

"I don't like to think what might have happened if we hadn't come here," says Linda (visiting one of Hope Partners' four food

pantries), "We would have had to make some really hard decisions."  

Linda, her husband Mark, and their two kids were dependent on Mark's income. Then Mark lost his job. Buying food went to the bottom of the

list, after paying rent, and paying bills. When school ended for the summer, they had to buy even more food, since there was no school

meals program. Thankfully, they were referred to one of our food pantries, and the staple foods are helping them get through. 

 We WALK, so people like Mark and Linda and their kids, our friends and neighbors, don't have to make impossible decisions.   Let's walk for

the hungry! 

Every $1 raised leverages 5 lbs of food, with that we can provide food for some 900,000 meals every year! 

Raising $$ is critical.

Register, set a goal, and send an email asking your family, friends, co-workers, people you do business with, teachers, church friends, and neighbors to support you in this walk. Or better yet, put a Walk team

together and raise money for the hungry as a team! Put it on Facebook, Twitter, and everywhere else to let everyone know you're Walking for

the Hungry and how they can support you.

And where do those donations go? 90% of your donations support our 4 food centers serving 13 local communities and 10% fights global hunger.Location:

101 S Mills Ave.Claremont, CA 91711

CHURCH   CALENDAR October

SundayMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

CDC Board, 9 am

2

 Theology On Tap , 7pm

3

 Artist's Way Group, 5:30-7:30 pm

Choir, 7:30 pm

4 5

Men’s Breakfast, 9 am

Reiki 1, 9:30 - 4 pm

6

Technology Group, after worship

 Painting the Stars Group starts, after worship

7 8 9 10

 Artist's Way Group, 5:30-7:30 pm

Choir, 7:30 pm

11 12

13

Fellowship Dinner-Storytelling, 5 pm

 Painting the Stars Group, after worship

14 15

CDC Board, 9 am

16 17

Choir, 7:30 pm

 Artist's Way Group, 5:30-7:30 pm

18 19

 Repertory Opera, Albert Herring, 2 pm

20

 Painting the Stars Group, after worship

21 22

Neighborhood Watch, 6:30 pm

23

 Repertory Opera, Albert Herring, 7:30 pm

24

Choir, 7:30 pm

 Artist's Way Group, 5:30-7:30 pm

25 26

 Repertory Opera, Albert Herring, 2 pm

27

 Labyrinth Walk, 6:30-8 pm

 Painting the

28 29

CDC Board, 9 am

30 31

Choir, 7:30 pm

 Artist's Way Group, 5:30-7:30 pm

SundayMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Stars Group starts, after worship

PRAYER CONCERNSWe join together in prayer for those members of our community and our

world.

Please pray for peace in Syria and around the world.

   OUR HOMEBOUND MEMBERSJim Bailey, Hilda Faulkner, Ellen Hamilton, , Darlene Jones,

Jackie McCallister, Jean Weddle.

We'd love to wish you a happy anniversary here in The Caller too!If you would like to have your anniversary listed,let Tim in the church office know, 909-622-1144

October Birthdays  1st ~ Ray Akin  6th ~ Janice Newborn15th ~ Wanda Sodoma20th ~ Lowell Godfrey22nd ~ Jewel Combs & Maria Kurtek26th ~ Brandon Fisher

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