Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference

PSMC e-Update - January 16, 2021 - https://mailchi.mp/8966be3aa5db/2017-12-4157513

With a handful of persons leading worship and space distancing of 20 feet, Stanley W Green, Executive Conference Minister, spoke to the JKI Maranatha congregation in Northridge, CA, most of whom were gathered online via Zoom, on the theme of Grace and Freedom. Based on the text from John 8: 1-11, Green reflected on how we will engage with others in 2021. He commended the modeling of Jesus which calls us to repudiate judgment and condemnation - choosing instead to be instruments of grace and forgiveness, advancing the freedom and healing of those we engage with, as Jesus did.

To PSMC Family Wishing you all a wonderful Merry Christmas and a happy New year. I will like to share this poem by Madeleine L’Engle, I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me :... The ordinary so extraordinary He came, quietly impossible, Out of a young girl’s womb, A love as amazingly marvelous As his bursting from the tomb. This child was fully human, This child was wholly God. The hands of All Love fashioned him Of mortal flesh and bone and blood, The ordinary so extraordinary The stars shook in the sky As the Lord of all the universe Was born to live, to love, to die. He came, quietly impossible: Nothing will ever be the same: Jesus, the Light of every heart The God we know by Name. A friend sent me these pictures of the rainbow today, Christmas eve, after the rain, as we were sharing on that, the verse in Genesis 9:13-17 came to mind. With joy, we burst in praises and thanksgiving for the sign of His promise. The sign of the covenant He(GOD) established between Him and us, a sign to end destruction. As 2020 is winding down, join me if you would like to celebrate a sign of assurance given at the eve of commemoration of His birth. A sign just like the shepherd saw a sign in the sky, a sign of Hope and great promise of better things and days ahead. With that I say, Merry Christmas and a Hopeful, Healing, Healthy,Harmonious and Happy New year!! ANTHONIA ONYE REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINISTER

We continue to pray about the great loss that has come to our brother, Claude Flowers, pastor at Family Mennonite Church in Los Angeles through the death of his spouse, Jennifer Flowers. Today, we are able to share the funeral arrangements for Jennifer which the family has shared with us. The arrangements are as follows: Home going celebrations for Jennifer Flowers will be held on January 9, 2021 @ 11:00 am at Family Mennonite Church, 6520 S. Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles 90044, Masks and social distancing are required for attendance. The viewing will take place on Friday, January 8 at Angelus Funeral Home: 3875 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles Ca 90008, The time for the viewing will be announced at a later date.

PSMC e-Update - December 17, 2020 - https://mailchi.mp/c35cb92223a8/2017-12-4136625

PSMC e-Update - October 15, 2020 - https://mailchi.mp/6538ebf59d6b/2017-12-4090121

The PSMC Annual Assembly was held today - via ZOOM. Almost 100 persons participated representing almost every congregation in the conference. Led by Tina Schlabach, Moderator Elect, the gathering was welcomed by moderator, Art Montoya, into a rich feast of music, preaching, prayer, fellowship and story-telling/reporting during which several congregations introduced themselves to the participants, along with a report from Full Circle Thrift. During the gathering the conference... thanked and recognized Clare Ann Ruth-Heffelbower (retiring Executive Conference Minister) and Kate Wentland who resigned from her roles as Full Circle Project Director and Conference Administrator. The gathering also noted the passing of Pastor Jan Kouttjie and marked the closing of the GKII Zion congregation. Meghan Good, Teaching Pastor at Trinity Mennonite in Phoenix Arizona preached a message touching on the themes of conflict, unity and reconciliation from Ephesians. Stanley Green was welcomed and installed as the next Executive Conference Minister. He and Ursula led communion as the gathering was brought to a close.

PSMC e-Update - September 18, 2020 - https://mailchi.mp/958ddc69994f/2017-12-4068625

We just received the sad news that Jennifer, the wife of Pastor Claude Flowers, died of Covid today. She was hospitalized on Saturday and placed on a ventilator. Pastor Claude is part of the pastoral team of Family Mennonite Church. Claude has been in leadership roles at Family Mennonite for many years. Please remember Claude, his family, and Family Mennonite Church as they mourn the sudden loss of sister Jennifer.

https://anabaptistworld.org/california-wildfires-consume-f/

On Sunday 13th September, Florence Nwosu was licensed for Christian ministry by the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference at Royal Dominion Church in Los Angeles. Officiating were Anthonia Onye and the congregation’s pastor Femi Fatunmbi. Congratulations Florence and blessings in your ministry.

Good news! The Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department did a survey of all properties around the lake. "No damage in Keola."!!!

PSMC e-Update - September 11, 2020 - https://mailchi.mp/4820e7331925/2017-12-4063717

The remarks of Bishop Charles Opong and Pastor Charles Nwufo at their licensing by PSMC, Sunday 6 September 2020, at which Anthonia Onye, Regional Conference Minister presided.

On Sunday, 6 September 2020, Regional Conference Minister, Anthonia Onye presided at the licensing for ministry of Bishop Charles Opong and Pastor Charles Nwufo at All Souls Christian Center, Los Angeles. Congratulations and blessings to these servants of God, and thanks to Anthonia for her service and nurture of these leaders. Hear the reflections of both licensees in next post.

A major wild fire is raging near Camp Keola. As of 6:30 am Keola is safe. Fire crews using our new water system and back burns were able to hold the line. Thank you to those firefighters! There is still risk of the wind changing and Keola being in danger. We pray for the safety of those working to contain the fire and all others impacted by the fire--as well as for the safety of Camp Keola.

Welcome to Stanley Green, the new Executive Conference MInister for Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference! Stanley began this assignment on September 1. He and outgoing Executive Conference Minister, Clare Ann Ruth-Heffelbower, spent stime together for orientation.

PSMC e-Update - September 3, 2020 - https://mailchi.mp/b9a7507ce19a/2017-12-4057353

Barbara Ewy was ordained August 23 in PSMC's first online ordination! Barbara is on the pastoral team at First Mennonite in Reedley, CA. Her primary responsibility is children's ministry. Barb's husband, Alan, participated in the laying on of hands since others weren't physically present. Members of the congregation showed their support with a visual "thumbs up." It was a meaningful service!

PSMC e-Update - August 7, 2020 - Church of the Sojourners Joins PSMC - https://mailchi.mp/57291025171b/2017-12-4039841