"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." - John 3:16 - Lectionary
Finances and Faith Increase in Cal-Pac
Pausing for effect, Rev. Dr. Cedrick Bridgeforth, North District Superintendent, searched around for a response from those gathered.“God can do anything,” he stated a second time, quoting from Ephesians 3:20 (The Message).
From those seated came, “Amen! That’s right!”
It was a fitting start to the 2015 Budget Hearings held at Glendale First United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 15, 2014 and hosted by Archana Carey, Executive Director of Finance and Facilities and Conference Treasurer, the Treasurer’s Office, and the Cal-Pac Council on Financial Resources.
The day, which also included singing hymns led by Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Hundley, Executive Director of Connectional Ministries, was an opportunity for representatives of Essential Ministry Teams and specific ministries from across the Conference to share with one another inspirational plans to answer the call to ministry in this region.
Near the end of the hearings, Rev. Ken McMillan, Chair of the Cal-Pac Board of Pensions, raised his hand and shared from his heart that, “I have been coming to these budget hearings for a long time and this is the first time in a long time that we are not talking about cutting from camping, cutting from this or cutting from that. We are not competing with each other today and I think that is really remarkable.”
The atmosphere in the room, which was truly one of positivity and togetherness, was enlivened by a fact shared by Archana Carey: apportionment giving in the California-Pacific Annual Conference in 2013 was higher than in 2012 ($9.79 million, 81.5% of assigned apportionments, compared to $9.72 million, 80.6% of assigned apportionments).
Not mentioned, but also important to note, is the fact that the California-Pacific Conference gave almost $250,000 towards Typhoon Haiyan Relief to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
As well, extraordinary Imagine No Malaria efforts continue to be undertaken throughout the Conference. Wayne Aller, a retired professor and former missionary from Northridge United Methodist Church finished the Los Angeles Marathon in 7.5 hours, despite requiring medical attention, in order to raise funds for the death-preventing initiative. He said, “I would have quit at mile 19 if I were not running for Imagine No Malaria.”
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, Resident Bishop, shares that, “Connectional giving is core to who we are as United Methodists. It enables us to touch the world, from the local to the global, in transformative ways. I know that for some of our churches meeting even their fair share of the apportionments was difficult. I also know that others have met their fair share and stretched even more out of a grateful heart to God and a connectional spirit. I am thankful for each of our churches that gave their best effort.”
Now, as Journey to Wholeness: Annual Conference 2014 approaches, the California-Pacific Annual Conference is poised to continue to be the healing and encouraging presence of God in this region and beyond.
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Message from the Bishop
BISHOP CARCAÑO’S SERMON FROM THE ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY (ORANGE)Nothing grieves my soul more than to see a child on the immigrant journey. That the child Jesus was forced onto that cruel and inhumane immigrant journey, I know grieves all of our hearts. But as Joseph and Mary are forced to leave Bethlehem for Egypt with the child Jesus in their arms, we also receive the good news that God is active in saving Jesus for our salvation. As I encounter immigrant children today I am led to consider whether God is intervening in their behalf for our salvation in the precious name of Jesus.
I met a young couple on the border once, young and so in love, committed to making a good life for themselves. When I met them they had just been detained by the Border Patrol after spending four days in the desert with little food or water. The Border Patrol had given them crackers and water, processed them and then summarily dumped them on the Mexican side of the border fence. But they were not alone. With them was their 2 year old son.
I asked them what they were going to do. Mine was a practical question. Would they go home or try to cross the border again? Did they have any money? Was there someone to help them? Where were they going?
They were headed for Florida where work awaited them but they had no money, nor anyone to help them. I looked at their beautiful child and stroked its cheek. They must have seen the worry on my face and said, “We will wait until the weather is better because the desert cold was too harsh for our little boy.” They looked at each other then turning back to me smiled and gave me not the practical answer but the faith answer: “God will be with us,” they proclaimed, “Our God has never abandoned us.”
I knew the treacherous hills and mountains just ahead for this young couple and their child. In my mind even in the darkness of night I could see them before us. But when I heard this couple’s confession of faith my heart was immediately filled with the words of the Psalmist,
I will lift up mine eyes to the hills,
from whence cometh my help?
My help cometh from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.--Psalm 121:1-2
At that moment I ceased to be the pastor and became the recipient of the good news, ministered to by this young couple and their child as they gave incredible witness to God’s faithful goodness. My faith was renewed; the thirst of my soul for a word of saving grace quenched.Every time I am among our immigrant brothers and sisters, they and their children confirm that God is with them and God is with us. I have come to believe that immigrant children will be the salvation of the Christian church in the United States for they have seen the wondrous presence of our Creator God in the most perilous places of their lives, experienced Jesus the Christ bearing their suffering for them, and have known without a doubt that the Holy One has and will be with them come what may. In their confession they strengthen our faith and our hope.
But should we not also consider that in God’s merciful intervention in human history God calls upon human agents to serve God’s holy purpose of salvation. Joseph and Mary were the human agents God used for God’s own purpose of protecting the life of the Christ Child. Are we not the human agents being called upon by God today to save the lives of immigrant children; children whose witness into the days to come will build the reign of God among us?
As Christians we are called to be the people of God’s justice; a justice that goes beyond human laws, certainly beyond broken and immoral laws. The Christ Child in the arms of his earthly parents faced the immoral lust for power of King Herod. King Herod was the law maker, but that did not make his laws right or just. On this night in our country we live under the rule of law made by those who have been given the power to create such laws, but they are not always just laws.
We have today a broken and immoral immigration policy in this country built upon the economics of greed and overconsumption. We in the United States are not the victims of the immigration crisis. We are as a nation among the perpetrators of policies and economic agreements that with the Christ Child force children to be carried into the wilderness in the arms of their desperate parents to avoid their death; death from poverty and hunger, exploitation and oppression.
Through Holy Scripture we have been forewarned that trouble is in the land every time someone threatens the life of a child. And you and I with Joseph and Mary are called to stand and run swiftly as agents of God’s mercy and salvation.
I pray that as Christians, Roman Catholic and United Methodist, we will stand and run swiftly united in defense of the dignity of human life remembering our immigrant brothers and sisters; with them, demanding justice, extending compassion, and proclaiming good news – the God of justice is with us. Amen and Amen.
Originally delivered by Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop of The United Methodist Church, at the Ecumenical Prayer Service for Christian Unity hosted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange on Wednesday, March 19, 2014.
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The Latest
Volunteer for Art Camp and Visit Rally Day! (Camping)Lazy W Ranch, your summer camp located in South Orange County, is looking for a handful of additional volunteer staff for the Week in the Arts Camp, July 6-12.
Are you musically talented? Or maybe you’re into theater? Perhaps you have an eye and talent for videography or photography? We’re looking for folks who have some of these gifts and are willing to teach campers grades 6-12.
Interested persons can apply online at www.calpaccamps.org or if you have questions please call Cat Holbert, Lazy W Ranch Site Director at 949-728-0141 or email cholbert@calpaccamps.org
New Rates on Congregational Loans' New Website (Loans)
Do you ever dream of having that crack in the wall of your church building fixed?
Cal-Pac Congregational Loans provides churches the funding for renovation projects.
california_heights_03-19-14
CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC (LONG BEACH, CA)
A loan can help to improve the looks, functionality and accessibility of your facilities.
We offer loans at the NEW LOW INTEREST RATES of:
3.95%-4.75%
Read more about our services on our NEW WEBSITE: www.calpacloans.org
We are also happy to send you the loan application packet in paper format (free of charge): email your request to loans@calpacumc.org or make a phone call to (800) 244-8622 (Main Office) or (626) 568-7363 (Direct Line).
Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us at loans@calpacumc.org
Volunteer in Mission to The Holy Land
Are you ready to be transformed and renewed through the act of kindness, love and compassion?
This is your opportunity to make a change in the lives of the people of Palestine and Israel, this October 11-23, 2014.
Help harvest olive trees, help to bring a touch of color and art to a people looking to improve the quality of their villages, all the while experiencing the world renown Palestinian hospitality.
vim-flyerFor more information in Cal-Pac, contact Martina McRae (memcrae@mac.com)
Take United Methodism 101 Online! (UMCOM)
One Great Hour of Sharing Resources Available (UMC Giving)
Latest Job Postings
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Previously Mentioned
Ecumenical Prayer Service for Christian Unity
Young Adult Border Immersion Event (YPM)
Are Your Tables I, II, III Complete?
Updated Loss Control Workshops Continue (Finance & Facilities)
Clergy Transitions Workshop (Cabinet and Others)
Best Practices Summit (Conference Staff and Others)
-------Our mailing address is:
The California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
110 S Euclid Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101 United States
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