When we were first starting the church, the word “familia” began to emerge among us slowly and steadily. It was a gift Pastora Inés first brought to us, not just through her preaching, but even more intimately from her own life and experience. Pretty soon, this word of “being” was “becoming” our identity. I still remember tender conversations a few years back, though, on whether or not “familia” might be a word too loaded for some to embrace. If family systems many have endured had proved too painful for a word like “familia” to be redeemed. And while we as a community have aimed to honor lament with such dignity and care, we also decided that some words were worth fighting for. Not for the words themselves, but for the truths we would choose to bear together through them.

I have come to see “familia” as a word of “Being and Becoming”, just like our new summer sermon series. And in each of these stops along the way – sitting with our vision and values language – we recognize these realities to be full of real life, especially life in community with one another. To that end, “familia” will never be a pristine, polished experience void of hardship and loss. But instead, we can simply aim to live into a redemptive embodiment of familia: an honest familia, a loving familia, and a familia that rejoices together, mourns together, and comes to one another’s care as often and true as possible. In this letter today, you’ll find opportunities aplenty to embrace familia. Not just as a static identity, but instead as a lived reality.

Familia In Need

Our very own Mindy Melgar is seeking help with childcare for their new baby boy. Here’s a note from Mindy Melgar:

Hi Church Familia!

We are looking for someone experienced in baby care to take care of our Leo for the four weeks of September. He will be 4.5 months old. We’re in El Sereno and will need someone from 9-3, M-F, and can be flexible if there are certain late mornings or early afternoons you need to adjust here and there. $20/hour / $600/week. We can also pay for some onboarding time the last week of August. If you or someone you know may be available and interested, please reach out to me (Mindy) directly! 678.596.9270.

As we look at familia within our broader Casa Grande context, Pastors Katerina and Fernanda shared a medical need with us last Sunday on behalf of one of the pastors of Conexión.

Pastora Adriana has struggled with chronic pain and medical interventions which have led her to need surgery in Colombia for a full hysterectomy. The pastoral family has a need for $5,000 for her to undergo this surgery in Colombia. Our church will be making a love offering from our Shalom and Justice fund. Should you wish to make a tax-deductible donation towards this medical mutual aid, please go to our Give page and choose “Community Partnership” fund on the donation designation. All donations towards the Community Partnership fund in the next two weeks will be sent to Pastora Adriana via Zelle. Should you have any questions about how to provide for the family, please email Pastora Inés.

Familia Celebrations

Just as familia comes to another’s side in times of need, so does familia need to celebrate the movements of the Spirit among us. To that end:

• Please join us July 21st for my final Sunday as one of the pastors of our Beloved Community. The vision of this service will be a celebrative remembrance honoring God’s faithfulness to and through my family among our church familia.
• Save the Date for August 25th. On that Sunday we’ll be celebrating both the church’s 4th Anniversary (!) as well as the incredible communal work of the Calvin Grant within our church over the past year together in worship.

These are going to be truly special Sundays in the life story of our church familia. And we can’t wait to celebrate together as one.

We’re so looking forward to fellowshipping together again this Sunday. Pastora Inés will be preaching on “Moved by the Spirit”, and we’re already anticipating the ruach of God to bring a mighty and gentle wind among us.

Speaking of wind, it’s going to be a hot weekend in Pasadena! Our air conditioning units in the sanctuary have not been installed yet. Pastor Juan Pablo (our facilities manager) has been told by the company that it will be another week as they have been swamped with work. We invite you to dress in clothes to keep you cool, we will have the fans going, and feel free to bring hand-held fans if you’d like! If you are heat sensitive, you can always watch our YouTube Livestream from home.

With so much love,

Bobby