But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; [...] she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she *saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. (John 20:11-12)
April 2018 Newsletter
Devotional Thought
When I took my first pastoral position in Saginaw, MI, I was just a few months out of seminary and still pretty green. I had – and still have, if I'm honest – a pretty strong tendency to joke around, occasionally, in places and ways which were... unhelpful. at best. I remember my first Sunday there as worship pastor. I was talking with several people after the service, getting to know them and enjoying their company. An older woman and her husband approached me to say hello and I greeted them. We had a short, pleasant conversation – or so I thought – and they proceeded on their way. Later that week the woman sent me an email and asked if she could meet me for lunch that upcoming Friday. I told her “certainly,” and we decided to meet at a local fast-food restaurant. When we arrived, she explained to me, very calmly and politely, that in the flow of the conversation that past Sunday, I had made a comment which she received as very hurtful and unnecessary. She said that she didn't want to get started out on the wrong foot with me and that she thought the best way was to bring it up to me face-to-face. I was completely caught off guard. It hadn't even occurred to me that my comment could've been perceived as anything other than entirely absurd and in jest. I explained to her my surprise at the reaction, my true intentions for the comment, and asked her forgiveness. We reconciled and had an excellent relationship from that day forward.
Several months later she swung by my office with a gift. She had taken up working with stained glass and had crafted a purple, green, and white cross specifically for me. It was a beautiful piece, and I had it framed in a weathered, splintery wood frame and placed on my window sill. To this day it sits in my window as a reminder of how God can take those places, situations, and relationships which can be rough and prickly and turn them into a beautiful testimony of His redemption. The story and imagery behind John 20, the first Easter celebration, and specifically verses 11-12 remind me that this truth is at the heart of the Easter message.
The women arrive at the tomb early on the morning of the first day of the week, ready to commemorate Jesus' body as was the custom. Already a situation dripping in discomfort. When they arrive, they find the tombstone rolled away and the body gone (imagine coming to pay homage to a loved one at a cemetery and finding at the graveside dug up with the casket splayed out on the lawn). After running and telling a couple of the disciples, they return, but find no further answers than when they came the first time. Undoubtedly in anguish and emotional exhaustion, Mary begins to cry. This had been a tough 3 days. She stoops into the tomb one more time to see the place where they laid Jesus' body, but, this time finds 2 angels – one at the head, one at the foot of where they had laid Him.
To the non-Jewish observer, this carries little significance other than the fact that she is now seeing angels. Has she had an emotional breakdown? Is she hallucinating under the weight of the situation? Our Modern, Post-Enlightenment tendencies might lean us in this direction of inquiry. However, the good Jew among us might readily note the picture that is being created by John. Scholars have long pointed out that the vision of the angel at the head and the foot is the same imagery we find on the top of the Ark of the Covenant, assembled by the Hebrews at the direction of Yahweh during the wilderness trek – the symbol and guarantee of the presence of God that was to rest in the Holy of Holies inside the temple. John seems here to be saying something profound about the nature of God's presence now that Christ has been resurrected.
John appears to be pointing to the revelation of Easter's altered reality. He seems to be saying that in the midst of the worst places, the most hopeless of times, and the darkest situations, God has now chosen to make his home. That which once was a barrier between a righteous, holy God and his beloved people has now become the very medium for that message. (Remember, dead human bodies and the temple were not to mix. Anyone found to be in contact with the dead were in need of purification before attending to the business of worship) Those places which we may want most to forget will now become the vehicle of His message of reconciliation to the world. Just as Mary found on that morning, when both the world and His closest friends expected to find death, God gloriously promised a powerful renewal of life. The message of Easter is that not only is death in all its forms defeated, but that even those instruments of death have now begun the process of being transformed into implements of renewal, wholeness, and life.
We may not understand how it works. In fact, we may not even see it at first. Perhaps we are only aware of just how truly awful the mess is. Like Mary, perhaps you can only grieve at the depth of sin you find yourself in contact with. Or, perhaps you never saw it coming. Just like my strained relationship with the church member in Saginaw, maybe you're caught in a situation you never in your dreams intended. Against these desperations, Easter says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And, He invites you and me as His body to rise up, cast off the grave clothes, and join Him in the fresh work of the good news.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.
Your District AdminRead More
District Assembly
Make D.A. plans for Friday and Saturday, June 1-2 on the campus of PLNU and SD First Church of the Nazarene. We'll be joined by G.S. Filiamao Chambo, Mark Bane, and a critical access missionary speaker. Click HERE for info and registration or continue reading below. 
Elevate 2018
Every year PLNU hosts Elev8 over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Registration opened March 1, so hurry over to elev8event.comfor registration and spread the word! 
Pastor's Family Picnic
All pastors and family are invited to a picnic at Escondido First Church on Saturday, April 7th from 11 AM to 2 PM. There will be games for all ages and bounce houses for the young and the young at heart. Please email Wink Davis at wink.davis@gracept.org or call at 909-210-1251 to register and for more details regarding the event. 
PALCON 2018
Check out all the info for this year's PALCON (Pastors and Leaders Conference) happening on Monday, July 30th to Wednesday, August 1st on the PLNU campus (Or see below)Position Openings
San Bernardino First Church of the Nazarene is looking to fill a part-time worship leader position. If you know of anyone who might be interested and capable, please visit the district job posting and contact Dr. Susan Carole by phone (989-980-8651) or email: susan.carole@gmail.com
Additionally, Living Water Nazarene in SD is looking for a leader for their children's program. Please contact Rev. Chris Nafis if you or someone you know would be interested and capable. you can contact Pastor Chris at chris@livingwaternazarene.com
SoCal Roundup
SoCal RoundUp is coming May 18-20, 2018. This family-centered event is an opportunity for groups to camp together in tents or structures, take part in numerous activities (swimming, crafts, obstacle course, derby racing, etc.). Times of praise and worship round out our time together offering an opportunity to get know both each other and our Lord better. The cost is very affordable and the fun starts Friday night and ends Sunday morning after our morning worship time together. Contact Janet Crow at janetloma@cox.net for more information or to arrange a tour of the campground. If you want to look at the campground information online, you can do so at http://www.indianhillscamp.com.
SoCal Work & Witness Trips
The SoCal NMI Council is dedicated to helping churches engage their people with Nazarene Missions around the world. We will continue to support Ojos Negros Baja Mexico, Haiti and this year we are adding a new project – Puerto Rico! We are hoping to involve our youth and college students with this project - no passport required! Please ask your church to pray about supporting our District Projects. We will be collecting church pledges during District Assembly. It is our goal to raise $25,000 to support these projects. For more info or to donate, contact Rob Altice: menifeenaz@hotmail.com
Below is a timetable for our W&W trips:
- Baja: April 27-29, 2018
- Haiti: July 3-11, 2018
- Puerto Rico: November 2018
If you are a RETIRED MINISTER please complete and submit your report by clicking on the following link: Annual Report Card for Retired Ministers
You can also find this link at SoCalNaz.org under the “Reports” tab.
If you are an ORDAINED MINISTER or LICENSED MINISTER but NOT RETIRED (just tired), please complete and submit your report by clicking on this link: Annual Report Card for Ordained or Licensed Clergy
You can also find this link at SoCalNaz.org under the “Reports” tab.
PALCON Info
PALCon (Pastors and Leaders Conference) is a quadrennial gathering of Nazarene clergy and spouses – pastors, chaplains, evangelists, staff ministers, and missionaries – co-sponsored by PLNU and the Church of the Nazarene. The conference features worship, fellowship, workshops and forums designed to inspire and equip women and men in ministry. We will be hosting it on PLNU Main Campus on Monday, July 30 - Wednesday, August 1.Check in will be Monday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM with a Thursday morning check-out.
Click this link to register pastors and spouses: http://palcon.org/register-here
Programs for the Whole Family
The 2018 PALCON will offer outstanding program and ministry options for youth and elementary aged children as well as child care for younger children. Children will be staying in rooms and eating meals with their parents. Youth registering for the “PK Retreat” will be in a separate area of the campus with their own housing and meals.
Click the links below for more information and to register youth and children. (Please note, you will need to register each child or teen individually.)
PLNU PALCON Childcare Registration (12 months - 4 years)
Registration Fee – No Charge! (Pre-registration Required)
https://goo.gl/Whj83B
PLNU PALCON Childcare Registration (5 years - 5th or 6th grade)
Registration fee: June 15 or before -- $99. After June 15 -- $109
https://goo.gl/AwzLuA
PLNU PALCON PK Retreat Registration (6th or 7th grade – 12th grade)
Registration fee: June 15 or before -- $80. After June 15 -- $90
https://goo.gl/BNRDb6
We look forward to seeing you there.
- Your District Admin
Prime Time Retreat
Mark your calendars for April 23-36. That week will be the SoCal District's PrimeTime retreat, being held again at Murrieta Hot Springs resort. Registration is soon coming.
Pastor's Kids Retreat
The Southwest Field NYI and Point Loma Nazarene University have partnered together to provide a special retreat for Pastors' Kids (PK's) who are between the grades of 7 and 12. We'll be gathering together from July 30th to August 1st on the PLNU campus. Our goal is to have lots of fun, build strong relationships, and provide a safe place for PK's to connect on issues that matter to them. Register at www.southwestnyi.org
3rd Wave 2019
Third Wave 2019 is a global leadership conference designed for emerging youth leaders in the Church of the Nazarene, who are between the ages of 16 and 29. This time it will be held in India and the Southwest Field is allowed to take 4 participants other than the coordinator and field chair. If you're interested in applying for one of the 4 Southwest Field NYI slots, click here. All applications must be in by March 1, 2018. More info at
http://nazarene.org/resource/third-wave
District Assembly Information
Mark your calendars for Friday & Saturday, June 1-2 when we'll gather at San Diego First Church and PLNU for our annual District Assembly. This year we'll be joined by newly elected General Superintendent, Dr. Filimão M. Chambo, Director of Evangelism, Mark Bane, and a critical access missionary speaker. You won't want to miss the stories of how God is working in and through the Nazarene Church across the world.
Housing, Meals, & Childcare
We encourage you to stay on campus at PLNU and enjoy meals in the Cafeteria for a significantly discounted rate for Assembly attendees. Also, quality childcare (for ages 0-4) will be provided in the church nursery.
Costs
Housing at PLNU = $20/person/night
Meals at PLNU = $8/breakfast, $10/lunch, $12/dinner
Nursery Childcare (age 0-4) = $10/child/day
Registration Link (For housing, meals, and nursery):
Reports
- Certificate of Election link (for registering delegates)
- NMI President report link
Friday, June 1
10:30am-1pm: Delegate Registration, Ellipse Chapel
12-1pm: Lunch
1-5pm: Business Session (Family Life Center)
5-6pm: Dinner
7-8:30pm: Worship Service (Family Life Center - Children's Church available for age 5 - 5th grade)
8:30pm: Refreshments (Friendship Plaza)
Saturday, June 2
7-8am: Breakfast
7:30-8:30am: Delegate Registration in Ellipse Chapel
8-11:45am: Business Session, Family Life Center
12-1pm: Lunch
1:15-3pm: Business Session, Family Life Center
4-6pm: Ordination Service, Brown Chapel
6-7:30pm: Refreshments, Friendship Plaza
NMI News
The intent of the Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Council is to keep you updated with information and resources so you can help engage your congregations in Mission Work.
This year, our annual Missionary Convention will be combined with District Assembly. Many districts around the United States are moving to this combined event. This format will still allow for lots of great Mission information and opportunities.
We will also be collecting Crisis Care Kits that weekend to drive up to Sacramento to the distribution center. Use the link provided to get information on filling your bags and boxes: Crisis Care Kit Instructions. (plus $12 per banana box) Please stick to the directions exactly. Last year our district collected 864 kits in just a couple weeks time. This year’s goal is 1000!
During the month of March, many churches focus on praying for missionaries worldwide. Did you know you can be part of the Prayer Mobilization Line (PML) and receive weekly emails with prayer requests and updates from Nazarene Missionaries all around the world? Please subscribe to the email PML here (English) or here(Spanish) to receive the updated requests.
If you would like to be added to our email distribution list, please email me and let me know at brenda.ritchie50@gmail.com. You can also “Like” us on facebook at Nazarene Missions International So-Cal
Save the Date: Summer Camps
- Mid High Camp - July 23-27, 2018 @ Pine Valley Christian Camp
- Sr High Camp - July 29-Aug 2, 2018 @ Palomar Christian Conference Center
District Events Calendar
- PrimeTime Retreat: April 23-26
- SoCal RoundUp: May 18-20
- District Assemble: June 1-2
- PALCON: July 30 - Aug. 1
- Men's Retreat: September 14-16
Copyright © 2018 So Cal District Nazarene, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Southern California District Nazarene
28465 Old Town Front Street#313
Temecula, Ca 92590
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