Hello Friends. What a week it has been for us in southern California! As far as I know, no one in our congregation has been directly affected by the fires, however I’m sure we all know someone who has been. I have been getting daily updates from the Southern California Nevada Conference of the UCC and a call from Paul Hardwick of the Pacific Coast Baptist Association to make sure our church was safe. I do know that at least a dozen of our UCC families here in So-Cal have lost their homes and many more have been evacuated. All of our church structures seem to have remained undamaged as of yesterday. If you are interested in helping there are a variety of ways for you to get involved. If you would like to be a UCC Long Term Recovery Task force member this would be a really valuable way to get involved with the UCC and truly have an impact on the people who have been so dramatically affected by the fires. Locally, the Islamic Society of Orange County is opening their doors to ALL those afflicted by the fires in Orange County. They will be praying for rain and relief this evening from 6:30-7:30pm. Wherever you are, I invite you to join the prayer.
My church in Murrieta, The United Church of the Valley, is very close to the fires in San Diego county and I know that our music director was evacuated on Monday. My friend and colleague, Pam Allison, the Orange County coordinator of Progressive Christians Uniting, worshipped with us on Sunday and evacuated her home on Monday morning. What must it feel like to have five minutes to choose between all that you own, grab it, and thrust it in the car knowing that you might not ever make it back? I spoke to one of you this week who said you’d begun packing up your things just in case the fires came our way, and while most of us didn’t have to pack up, I’m sure its crossed all of our minds –what would we do if we were forced to grab only a few of the many belongings we’ve accumulated?
Rev. Dr. Randy Leisey shared this poignant insight. “In graduate school one of my professors taught a session on “back-packing Christianity”, making the point that had we been among the 12 disciples we would have only been able to carry whatever possessions we could comfortably carry as we ministered to the world. The literature tells us that those who have had “near-death experiences” live out the remainder of their days unafraid of losing their lives. I wonder if those of us who have had this “near loss of possessions experience” will live out our days less worried about our accumulations and more appreciative of the wonder of this gift of life?” Food for thought…
This Saturday at the Sisters of St Joseph center the Interfaith Coalition for the Environment presents a conference on Caring for Creation. As these fires ravage our state, I can think of no better time than this present time to focus on how we might better Care for Creation. Please join me this Saturday at 9:30am to attend this most important conference.
Also THIS SATURDAY is our PUMPKIN PARTY!!!!! I know there is a lot going on –but we know all too well that even in the midst of chaos its important to gather together and have a little fun! We’ve invited the Armenian Church and Iglesia Fuente De Amor to join us for a fun harvest festival PUMPKIN PARTY! Some of you signed up in the last few weeks to bring different things –but we need more folks to bring food for the pot luck, and help with the games. We’ll have a bounce house! Face painting! Mummy Wrap! Ping Pong Toss! Karaoke! And a COSTUME CONTEST!!! Lots of prizes to be had by all! Please join us this Saturday afternoon here at the church for this fun social gathering!!! If you can help in anyway, please call the office at 714 545-4610 or reply to this email. THANKS!
Finally, this Sunday Dave Eastman and friends will be playing some tunes for us rockin’ the house as only Dave’s crew can! So join us for some fun music and meaningful worship! See you soon!
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The Wide, Wide World of Theology!
Lord, your divine light shines throughout the world. As the sun
pulsates energy into all of creation, so, too, does its light warm the cold and
awaken new life after winter’s death. As fire lit the way across the desert’s
night, we too search for light to guide us through the darkness of life. In the
glow of the fire, stories unfold and we come to know dearly the comfort of
friendship. Yet in its wildness and might, fire consumes creation -- the land and the living.
Lord of all people, let your love and justice burn like fire in the hearts of all.
Give us the courage to bring your light into the world.
We long to feel the quenching relief of water.
Pure water that flows with abundance, offering us renewal,
Cooling the heat of the earth.
Lord of all creation, let your love and justice flow like water through thehearts of all.
Give us the courage to bring your healing into the world.
Oh God Hear our Prayers!
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Holy One,
We have found ourselves literally in the line of fire,
We pray for relief.
May your waters soothe the sting of the fire,
And settle the smoke and ash,
May we remember that as the fire burns outside, a new fire can burn within.
We are your hands and heart in this world.
May we act with compassion.
Amen.
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Announcements
Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment presents
CARING FOR CREATION
Saturday October 27th 9:30am-3:30pm
Sisters of St Joseph
Register on line at: http://www.geocities.com/ocice_eco_faith/conference.html
A PUMPKIN PARTY
Join us on Saturday, afternoon on October 26th at our church for a PUMPKIN PARTY!
Let’s celebrate Halloween together and celebrate Autumn!
Children of All Ages –Come dressed Up! There will be prizes!
(Please no Super-Spooky costumes – we don’t want to frighten anyone!)
Contact Dave Eastman or HIT REPLY to this email to see how you can help!
The Vein of Gold
Facilitated Adult Christian Education Presents:
by Veda Atchley and Martha Blake
This is an 8 week growth group designed to open ourselves up to the Spirit.
Come and find your creative side, share, and grow with others!
You do not have to be at every session to participate in the group.
The session begins following the service and will go for about an hour.
Contact Veda Atchley, Martha Blake or hit reply to this email for more information.
Divine on the Vine
WORD AND WINE ON WEDNESDAYS!
Join us Wednesday at 6:30pm for wine and cheese and divine conversation!
THERE WILL BE NO BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!
FIND SOME KIDS AND PASS OUT CANDY!
Seeking the fire that burns within,
Sarah
