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In the Month of December, give thanks for the God's Most Precious Gift!
Local Climate Conference

The half-day discussion on climate science hosted at Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church on October 22nd provided good conversation about the scientific peer review - the process that subjects scientific claims to a level of critical rigor that enables consensus and that requires those claims to pass a soundness bar that includes scrutinizing a study’s methodology to ensure it is able to demonstrate repeatable evidence.

And, we heard a discussion about the role the psychological effect of cognitive dissonance plays in the two sides of the debate. These exchanges were punctuated by intermissions of vegan refreshments that highlighted the negative impact that worldwide meat consumption has on the environment.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to consider how to care take the earth.

 
Reflections of Faith

Bobbi Putnam is serving on the Presbytery Property and Finance Committee and has served as an Elder at Sherman Oaks Presbyterian Church for several years. Currently she is a free-lance writer.

Gifts of the Spirit
When was the last time you actually looked forward to the Christmas season? Have you found yourself getting more and more annoyed at the sounds of Christmas appearing without  warning on your favorite radio station while you choose Halloween costumes? Or fully-decorated Christmas trees being offered at the hardware stores the day after Labor Day.

Late September signals that the Christmas season is creeping closer and closer and we’d better get into high gear choosing the perfect gift. Has it occurred to you that you already have the perfect gifts and they will only cost you a little thoughtfulness and some of your time?

God has given us many gifts, but we don’t always recognize their importance or relevance in our busy commerce-driven society.

Of course, God’s greatest gift to us was His son, Christ Jesus. The Christ-child born in Bethlehem lying in a manger is arguably the most well-known story for Christians other than His death on the Cross and Resurrection.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 lists the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit as such: Word of Wisdom; Word of knowledge; Faith; Gifts of healing; miracles; prophecy; Distinguishing between spirits; Tongues and Interpretations of tongues. Romans 12: 6-8, Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Peter 4:11 also speak of the Gifts of the Spirit. But, how often do you put these gifts into practical daily life especially during this joyous time?

Do you have the gift of compassion? The gift of organization? The gift of gab? The gift of leadership? The gift of sympathy? The gift of musical or artistic talent?

Not good enough for a Christmas gift you say? Think about it.

There are dozens of elderly and infirm persons in convalescent homes who have led rich, full lives, but now sit alone for hours watching the changing world go by. They would be grateful to hear your gift of music. Do you sing? Play and instrument? Volunteer to entertain an hour a week. See what your gifts will bring to others. Invite past church members and friends to your church Christmas concert.

Known to be really organized? Check with your church about anyone needing a couple hours for long scheduled but unfinished home projects. If you’re organized you’re likely a needed commodity including clearing out church closets, attics and kitchen pantries that haven’t been touched since the seventies.

Serving holiday dinners to the needy are always important and your gift of gab will make people feel welcome and hopeful. They had lives before they ended up on the bottom end of the success ladder.  Or, teach a beginning art class at a local senior center.

Doctors Without Borders minister world-wide where medical personnel can use their gifts of healing, but local medical facilities may need your training as an aide if your licenses are still up to date. And, ask about taking your passive, friendly dog into a care facility to bring some joy to others. Many, many people feel “ware-housed” and sit alone for days at a time with only medical staff to check on them. Your gift of compassion is always needed more than you think.

Christmas is a celebration of life. The beginning of life for Jesus…The spreading of the word of our Lord God…the generosity of spirit that is within all of us. Deuteronomy 16:17 says: “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord the God which he hath given thee.”

We are all blessed with the gift of life and special abilities. ‘Tis the season to share those God-given gifts with others.
 
Homeless Count 2017

January 24-26, 2017 the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority will coordinate the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.  This is an on-the-ground census of our homeless neighbors in need of support.  Volunteers will help determine the number and scope of individuals and families residing on the streets, in shelters and other institutions serving the homeless.  Data from the Count will be used to target resources to those most in need. 

Volunteers are needed!  Everyone will be fully trained and provided with equipment and materials they need.  The time commitment is generally 3-5 hours on the day/night of the Count.  The San Fernando Valley’s Count will occur on Tuesday, Jan. 24 and the Antelope Valley’s Count will happen on Thursday, Jan. 26. 

For more information go to: https://www.lahsa.org/homeless-count/

To register as a volunteer visit: www.TheyCountWillYou.org

Help get resources for the homeless to the people and places they are needed most.  Volunteer for the Greater L.A. Homeless Count 2017!

 

The Baker's Dozen

Much of the news this past weekend concerned the death of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.  I was fascinated by a speech given recently by well-known Cuban dissident Armando Valladares upon receiving the 2016 Canterbury Medal by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.  In part of his remarks he said this: 

"I am not an extraordinary man, and I am quite ordinary. But God chose me for something quite extraordinary.

When I was 23 years old I refused to do something that at the time seemed very small. I refused to say a few words, “I’m with Fidel.” First I refused the sign on my desk at the postal office that said that, and after years of torture and watching many fellow fighters die, either in body or in spirit, I still refused to say those words.
 
If I just said those three words, I would have been released from prison."


He went on to recount that he was imprisoned and frequently tortured over a period of 22 years.

"Even though my body was in prison and being tortured, my soul was free and it flourished. My jailers took everything away from me, but they could not take away my conscience or my faith. . . .

Thank you for this award.  I accept it in the name of the thousands of Cubans that used their last breath to express their own religious freedom, by shouting, as they faced execution: “Long Live Christ the King.” 


His entire speech is not long.  You can read it here.

As we go through another Advent preparing to celebrate once again the birth of Christ, let's remember that there are many who have sacrificed for their faith in ways that most of us can't imagine.  But let's also remember that there are ways that we can bear witness to Christ our Lord through our words and deeds during this Advent season and in all the year ahead. 

La Crescenta Church Begins Recruiting for Summer Trip to the Dominican Republic

Last summer La Crescenta Pres sent 51 adults and senior high schoolers to La Romana, in the Dominican Republic.  Working in partnership with local churches in the D.R, their construction team continues work on the Beraca School where 300 children are now enrolled in pre-school-3rd grade.  A medical team conducts mobile health care clinics in the rural villages surrounding La Romana where many Haitian immigrants have settled to cut sugar cane.  Their hosts are Haitian-Dominican people who have migrated to the D.R. from neighboring Haiti.  The teams from La Crescenta work in partnership with the Beraca and Maranatha Churches.  These congregations have been reaching out to poor Haitian migrant workers since 1985. In addition to 5 full days of work, the schedule includes a tour of rural villages, daily Bible studies, worship and evening recreation.

If you would be interested in joining in this effort, or know someone who would, contact (818) 249-6137.

Synod Exec Doska Ross Retiring

Ruling Elder Doska Ross, our Synod Executive and Stated Clerk, gave a final farewell to the presbytery at our recent stated meeting.  Doska is retiring at the end of 2016, although she will keep her home in the San Fernando Valley.  Thank you Doska for your faithful service to Christ, our Synod and the support you have provided for our presbytery.  Rev. Mark Hong will be our new Synod executive and clerk beginning in January.




Il June Kang Installed as PSF Moderator

Rev. Il June Kang, pastor of Hanyang Presbyterian Church, was recently installed as the moderator of presbytery for 2017.  Il June has been a presbytery moderator before.  He was moderator of Hanmi Presbytery, the Korean-American presbytery which existed for about 30 years.  He brings to us a wealth of experience, plus a different perspective on the personality of our presbytery.  Thank you for serving Il June.  We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

Thanks for Dave Peterman, who is finishing his year as presbytery moderator and installed Il June to his new role.  CRE Ruth Mandernach, of the Encino church, is the Vice-Moderator for 2017.

Thank you for the book donations!

Representatives from Glad Tidings India came to the Presbytery office on Nov. 21 and carried off over 100 boxes and bags of books and magazines.  The donations were a combination of books collected from churches and individuals in this Presbytery and the Presbytery of San Gabriel.  Byron and Kathy Hack, the local Glad Tidings India representatives, were thrilled by the donation and wanted to make sure their thanks was passed on to all of you.  The sale of these books and magazines in India will help fund literacy projects, women’s sewing machine projects, evangelization efforts, and VBS programs.  While the Presbytery will probably not be coordinating another collection for quite some time you can continue to donate religious books to Glad Tidings India by contacting Byron at 909-957-9352.

2017 PRESBYTERY MEETINGS

February 27th, 2017
Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church
10158 Johanna Ave, Sunland, CA · 818-353-2500
E-MAIL: info@shadowhillschurch.org WEBSITE: http://shadowhillschurch.org/

April 24th, 2017
Hanyang Presbyterian Church 
13500 Branford St, Arleta, CA 91331;  818 891-1114;
E-MAIL:
ijkang4@hotmail.com

 

Presbytery-sponsored Bridges Training Conference Draws Over 50 Local Leaders

On Saturday, November 5th, Bridges, in partnership with the San Fernando Presbytery, successfully trained over 50 leaders from across California. The conference, hosted by Encino Presbyterian Church, and led by Fuller Seminary’s President, Dr. Mark Labberton, equipped local leaders to take the next steps in their callings to strategically and creatively serve those outside of church culture.

Beth Teran, a local Bridge Leader, who builds friendships among neighbors and school families says of her conference experience: “I'm still digesting such meat!! Exactly what I needed. Exactly!!!”

Several workshops were co-led by people who are experiencing the community problems that leaders are helping to address, problems such as homelessness, food-scarcity, and teen parenting. Other workshops helped leaders explore how to turn their vision into reality, through things like finding funding sources and obtaining non-profit status for their program.

Rev. Dr. Mark Labberton reflected on his experience with the leaders saying that Bridge Leaders are "people with invigorated faith, humble spirit and courageous love.”

Bridges is continuing to train members of local congregations through 6-week Missional Skills courses as well as support and nurture over 67 Bridge Leaders across the US. For more information on having Bridges come alongside your congregation or leadership, email Chief Catalyst, Jim Milley: Jim@BridgesUS.org.

We want your news!

The Wire is always looking for content.  Do you have a story about your church that could encourage and inspire others?  Are there ministry resources that need to be shared?  Do you have an announcement that the Presbytery should know about?  Email Rick Ridgway  rick.ridgway@yahoo.com.

Please use a docx format or include your content in the body of your email.   Please attach any images you would like used separately to the email or provide a link where they can be downloaded.


The Wire is edited by Elder Rick Ridgway, Burbank First Pres.
Copyright © 2016 The Presbytery of San Fernando, All rights reserved.
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