February 4, 2014 Fellowship News
February 4, 2014 Fellowship News
February 4, 2014 Fellowship News
PAST AND PRESENT COPIES OF THE FELLOWSHIP NEWS MAY BE VIEWED AT www.scribd.com
2014 - ISSUE 03 February 4, 2014
Dear Church, Last week I enjoyed a visit from Sharon Stanley-Rea, who is the Director of Refugee and Immigration Ministries for the Disciples of Christ. She works to mobilize Disciples congregations around the country to offer hospitality to immigrants, to provide resettlement assistance to refugees, and to engage in advocacy on behalf of refugees and immigrants. Sharon was interested in Bixby Knolls Christian Church because of this congregations past involvement in this area. Indeed, some years ago BKCC (with help from several other Disciples congregations) did help resettle a Cambodian family. Is Bixby Knolls Christian Church ready to renew its commitment to immigrants and refugees? I told Sharon that I didnt know if we were in a position today to do what weve done in the past. However, as the conversation continued, I realized that things are not the same now as they were then. For one thing, Sharon told me that most refugees that come to the United States in 2014 are individuals or couples, rather than large families, which means a more manageable commitment for those who want to provide resettlement assistance. In other ways, BKCC is involved in providing hospitality to immigrants and refugees. Immigrants and refugees make up a large percentage of our congregations membership! And if one or two of our members take a special interest in this issue and are willing to provide some leadership, we may yet again become more actively involved in this important ministry. In the meantime, it is good to stay informed on issues of immigration. A good place to start is the Refugee and Immigration ministries website. Go to www.discipleshomemissions.org; at the bottom of the page, click on Refugee and Immigration Ministries link. Lately Ive been inspired to GO BIG when it comes to finding ways to share Gods love, and the hospitality BKCC has shown to refugees and immigrants throughout this congregations history is just one way we have done that. May we continue searching for ways to GO BIG in the months and years to come.
Blessings, Pastor Danny
February is for
Love. Pastor Danny is raising money to place the message LOVE IS FOR EVERYONE on a giant billboard in the heart of Bixby Knolls. Look for him at the corner of Atlantic & Carson collecting donations during the Feb. 7 First Fridays (6 to 9 pm), or give him your donation at church. African American History. On the three remaining Sundays of February, we will have special presentations during our 10:15 worship service celebrating African American History. Week of Compassion. With our fundraiser at Sorrento Italian Kitchen this week, and our special offering for Week of Compassion later this month, this is the time to celebrate and support this important aspect of our ministry: helping those in need.
Ladies, Tea Time is just around the corner on April 26, and preparations are underway. Hostesses are needed. While you are thinking about it take a moment to contact Sandy Jeglum 427.4387 and let her know you wish to host a table. Extra teapots, cups, saucers, plates and utensils are available to use.
Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobodys business. What we are asked to do is love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.
-Thomas Merton
taken online from The Newsletter Newsletter
Prayer Concerns:
Janie Oden (G. Kobel), Keri France (A. Hillig) Sean May (Kobels), Nargis & family in Pakistan (S. Sardar)
Barb
Pastor Danny recently enjoyed a visit with BKCC member Dorothy Volker, who said she enjoys looking through her copies of the Fellowship News and seeing the pictures of her church family. She agreed to let Pastor Danny take this photo so her church family could enjoy seeing her picture. A photo of the BKCC prayer circle at their most recent meeting. The prayer circle meets twice a month, on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
ing a schedule of the days' events are available online at www.chapman.edu/about/churchrelations. Registration is open now!
From the Fleet and Family Support Center of Yokosuka, Japan, thank you for your continued support . February is designated as Military Saves month. During this time, service members and families living within the Yokosuka, Japan community are encouraged to save money in various ways to includes shopping with coupons. With your support of continuously proving the coupons on a monthly basis, families are able to take advantage of this special opportunity as well as apply the savings throughout the year. Smoke from the Colby Fire drifted over Bixby Knolls Christian Church on January 16. A few days later, Johnny Wray, interim director of Week of Compassion, contacted Pastor Danny to see if anyone in the BKCC family was affected. The actual fire was some distance away and fortunately no one in the BKCC family was impacted. But isnt it good to know that Week of Compassion is there if and when we need it? Week of Compassion provides disaster relief all year long, around the world, and right here at home. If you wish to learn more about the Yokosuka Fleet & Family Support Center please follow the link at http://l.usa.gov/jximAk With an increase in shipping cost, time involved with clipping and packing coupons, we offer the following reminders regarding utilization of coupons in an overseas location:
* *
Coupons are only valid for six month after the expiration date Coupons from companies such Target, WalMart and restaurants are non-usable.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb 14-17 Feb 17 Mar 5 Mar 5 Apr 13 Apr 20 Apr 26 FebCamp (high school) Presidents Day - office closed Ash Wednesday Music Dept Pancake fundraiser Palm Sunday Easter Sunday Ladies Tea
Pastor Danny, Sumbal, Rajal & Madu took part in last months Kidical Mass bike ride. This family-friendly event takes place every 3rd Sunday in Bixby Knolls.
Upcoming Scripture
February 9 - Genesis 1:1-2:4
The Fellowship News A publication of Bixby Knolls Christian Church of Long Beach (a Disciples of Christ Church) 1240 E. Carson Street Long Beach, CA 90807 www.bixbyknollschurch.org Editor: Monica Lanz 562-426-0428 bkcchurch@aol.com fax 562-426-0429 Pastor: Daniel Bradfield The Fellowship News is published twice monthly.
the next
Monday, February 17
CHURCH STAFF:
(Disciples of Christ)
SUNDAY SCHEDULE: 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for Adults 10:15 a.m. Morning Worship and Childrens Church OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday closed
BOARD OFFICERS: Ken Brown Pastor Daniel Bradfield -Board President -Minister Leo Dittemore Monica Lanz -Vice President -Church Secretary Pat Cohen Barbara Neal-Peebles -Secretary -Music Director/Organist Angela Hillig Christine Perkinson - Treasurer - Church Child Care Chrysan Naw Suzie Romero - Financial Secretary - Custodian -Church Clerk