Escondido Pride at Kit Carson Park: This one-day event was held on Saturday, July 24. It was Escondido’s first Pride event, and it is planned to take place every year in July. Vista UMC had a booth at this event and plans to do so each year it is held. The event itself was a fun, happy, very well-attended occasion, and many people stopped at our booth, often to thank our church for being an accepting and loving presence there for all of God’s children.
Pride Month: We acknowledged the celebration of June as Pride Month here and across our country through an article in our church monthly newsletter which recognized the contributions that LGBTQ members bring to our lives, enrich our community and our world, and to celebrate and uplift the diversity and beauty or our human race.
Christ Ministry Center: As part of the Church’s Lenten/Easter offering, the Reconciling Ministries Community sponsored donations to help Christ Ministries Center/Safe Harbors in San Diego. This organization led by Rev. Bill Jenkins, gives aid to immigrants, new mothers and their babies by providing housing, food and the basics of daily living. Their immediate needs were diapers, baby wipes and socks. Our congregation was very generous in donating a large amount of packages of disposable diapers, baby wipes and sock for babies and children, also a portable pack-n-play. In addition $360 in cash and checks was donated.
- We recognize the sacred worth, dignity, and value to the body of Christ of all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, ethnicity, physical or mental capacity, education, economic or marital status.
- We welcome full inclusion of all people in the life and ministries of our church as we journey toward reconciliation through Christ.
Celebrate Peace Day, Sept. 22
Please join us around the Peace Pole Sunday, Sept. 22, to celebrate world peace. We will have a time of prayer and
Our church has focused on peace by planting peace poles throughout the community, including ceremonies at
Vista High School, Masjid Al-Ittehad, the Vista Buddhist Temple and on Main Street in the city of Vista. The
Reconciling Ministries Community also sponsored a Peace Vigil last year and will do so again this year on Dec. 4, the
first Sunday of Advent.
This year’s theme for International Peace Day is climate change, but individuals and organizations can find numerous
ways to go peacefully in the world, in Vista, in our church, and in our homes. Go to www.internationaldayofpeace.org to find ideas about non-violence and social justice in the arts, environment, sports, health and education.
For more information, contact Lyn Berry
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From Annual Conference 2019, Reconciling Ministries
One worship led by the LGBTQ Task Force was powerful. The term used to describe clergy and others who serve/have served in the closet for decades and generations is “The Hidden Faithful.” They reminded all of us that they have ever been serving faithfully and fruitfully alongside us at the expense of their personal, mental, emotional and spiritual health, and only now are being themselves. The sermon encouraged us to see the image of God in others and allow God to move as HE wills in the life of each person. We were also reminded it is our job in “mishpat,” a Hebrew word used to refer to God’s actions of
justice and mercy embodied in the life of Jesus Christ.
Another highlight following commissioning was the introduction of one Maya Usher, 17, a candidate for ministry. Maya, having just completed 11th grade, told everyone that in 2028 she will be the Rev. Maya Usher! She shared a little of her story and her vision that all will be truly welcome and young people voices will have more say in the church and the workings for social justice. She left us with: “If you want to see a new church, just watch me!”
It is always a blessing to attend AC and to see how God works through so many to bring love, peace and justice into the world. I invite you to join us next year.
-Barbara Mitchell
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