Last Tuesday, I sat next to a Palestinian-American older woman who had lost 100 family members in the Gaza strip. I didn’t know what to say so I extended my hand to her in hopes that it would be okay for her to hold it. We both gripped our hands as she gave her own testimonio before staffers at this congresswoman’s office to uphold her dignity and humanity, and that of her Palestinian siblings. She thanked me afterward because she says she hasn’t been able to mourn her family, she holds her pain in her body and needs a hand to hold. To my left was a young man who left Gaza when he was 5 and he hasn’t seen his mom since. His childhood home is now a hole in the ground.
To be honest, I was appalled yet willing, to sit in solidarity with other faith leaders before this local government representative, to demand that she sign a ceasefire resolution. Appalled, because why did these people have to rip their hearts open to beg for basic human dignity? Willing, because what kind of Jesus follower would I be if I didn’t put my body on the line and speak up when atrocities are being committed? Pastor Bobby and I left that long meeting without the results we had hoped for. This will not keep us from continuing to stand with other inter-faith leaders in Pasadena who are organizing for a path that makes for peace. We will share with you other opportunities to join communal prayer vigils in front of this congressperson’s office until we receive a ceasefire signature. Every drop of water helps in this desert of destruction.
Even as we hold the grief that the world holds, it does not negate the graces around us and the opportunities we have to fight for the light. We want to offer a few opportunities our church is coming alongside to support the local work that cultivates belonging among us.
Hosting for the Holidays
We have a special opportunity as a church in our proximity – both in distance and relationship – to Fuller Seminary. As international students have sojourned to Pasadena from all over the world, there is a gift we can offer that will be long-lasting and uniquely meaningful.
Do you have room at your holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas) table to host a Fuller international student (or even a few)? If so, please fill out the Google form here. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole at nicoleboymook@fuller.edu.
Friendsgiving Potluck Bonfire
The OC members of our church familia are organizing a Friendsgiving Potluck Bonfire and they would like to extend the invitation to the rest of the familia to join them tomorrow Saturday, Nov 18th at 5pm at Huntington Beach. Please contact Ralonda or Alicia with questions.
OC United Christmas Store
Our brother, Caleb Parker will share this Sunday about his work with teenagers at OC United in Fullerton. Caleb and his team have put together an OC United Amazon Wish List here where you can buy gifts for teens and they will be shipped directly to Caleb. The deadline to receive these gifts (please check shipping & handling times) is December 10th.
OC United is also hosting an event this year at Hangar 21 at the Fullerton Airport from 3-7pm on December 17th! Families will have the opportunity to purchase gifts at affordable prices as well as enjoy food trucks, kids’ activities, live music, and dancing, and even have Santa flying in on a helicopter! But an event like this takes many volunteers to pull off! So if you’re interested in coming and helping out that day, you can email Caleb here to let him know! The OC United team would love to see our church show up again this year like we did last year!
Snuggle Day
Reminder that Alicia shared with us last Sunday about Snuggle Day and is inviting us this year once again to join in this initiative to buy gifts for social workers who will in turn purchase Christmas gifts for their case families. You are welcome to bring new and unwrapped gifts to church, the suggested price range is $15-30, for ages 0-18 years old, and Alicia will get them where they need to go! The deadline to bring gifts is Sunday, Dec. 3rd!
You can simply purchase gifts online through a Snuggle Day Amazon Wish List Alicia has created. This initiative not only supports social workers but foster moms like Alicia who do the work day in and day out the rest of the year!
This year, our Shalom & Justice Team has joyfully increased its giving to both of these initiatives from last year to $500. Thank you for your giving which makes our church familia a generous comunidad!
Sunday Sabbath Date Reminders
11/26: No Sunday Service
12/24: No Sunday Service
12/31: Zoom Service / No In-Person Service
I look forward to seeing each of you this upcoming Sunday as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month to center the land and indigenous storytelling and identity among us. We will have a special guest worship leader so please welcome her into our midst!
Familia, may this find you rooted and grounded in the soil of God’s own love for you.
Gracia y paz,
Inés