Chief Honda kneeling at protests in Watsonville, CA.
We are celebrating “Peace with Justice,” Sunday for our Online Gathering on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. It’s a timely subject. I say, let’s get real with our faith.
My message includes an exclusive interview with David Honda, Chief of the Watsonville Police Department.
We talk about the tragic death of George Floyd, police violence, peaceful protests vs. looting, defunding the police, taking a knee and more.
We are excited to update you on our latest Online Gathering, slated to premiere this Sunday, April 26, at 10:00 am. See the links on this website for easy access. But I have a question first. Do you have a compass?
You know, one of those little dealies you might have used as a Boy or Girl Scout, to find your way around in the woods?
These days, most of us don’t have an actual compass sitting around the house. But there are plenty of ’em in the App store of your smartphone. They’re free and easy to use, and they help us figure out the 4 directions: North, East, South and West.
HINT: If you’d like to join me this Sunday, please use your compass to determine the directions at your home before we start. There’s a special blessing in store for you, and you’ll be able to join right in.
I’m also thinking maybe we need to make better use of our spiritual compass, too. United Methodist Pastor Charley Reeb puts it this way: “A compass always points to magnetic north to help us travel in the right direction. The good news is Jesus gave us “true north” in his teachings. When we are lost and confused all we have to do is remember Jesus’ most important lesson and we can get on the right path again.” That sounds good to me!
This week in our Online Gathering we celebrate Native American Ministries, one of the special offerings taken in United Methodist Churches to benefit Native people and their communities within our denomination. But that’s not all. My Native American friend Derrick Rainbow will be sharing a special prayer with us, too. Plus, there’s beautiful music and messages brought to you by our Worship Team. It’s definitely a group effort, and we hope you’ll come. Can’t make it Sunday? That’s okay too, as our Online Gatherings are posted on Facebook and YouTube, giving you plenty of time to find us. See you soon!
Peace,
Pastora Robin
“It is time for humanity to reset our spiritual compass from self-centeredness to other-centeredness.” Bernice King
Our church is part of an ongoing program where we normally distribute fresh food for families on the first Thursday of each month, in partnership with our local Second Harvest Food Bank. (AR & Fred Pointer oversee this program for us!)
However, back on April 2, the 35 families waiting in our back parking lot that day got nothing, because the food bank ran out of food! To remedy this, Second Harvest has agreed to provide us with 70 bags of fresh produce TODAY April 23 at our church, for pickup by families at 4:30 pm. Our Watsonville NETworX Coordinators led by Angelica Martinez are leading the effort, and safe distancing protocols will be in place. We’re asking folks to please patiently wait in line in the back parking lot inside your vehicle, and groceries will be put in your trunk until we run out.
Please let anyone know who is experiencing food shortage or financial difficulties about this. If they’re unable to make it, the Food Bank will also be giving out food at the fairgrounds tomorrow (Friday, April 24) beginning at 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville.
Thank you for your consideration and help, and please keep us and our community in your prayers!
Now more than ever we need the love of God. Please join us on Sunday at 10 am for a special Online Gathering as we learn to worship God in a new and exciting way. Don’t miss it!
