Sierra Christian Church - An Open and Affirming Congregation
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A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF… MAY 2021
Sierra Christian Church
An Open and Affirming Congregation
Sunday, May 23, Pentecost Sunda
Pentecost, a moveable feast, is celebrated on the 50th day from Easter Sunday. It commemorates the
descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles “who were all together in one place” and other followers of Jesus
while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks. There was a "mighty rushing wind" (wind is a
common symbol for the Holy Spirit) and "tongues as of re" appeared. The gathered disciples were " lled with
the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance"
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PAGE 2 MAY 2021
Pastor’s Pitch: Mother’s Day, in the Bible’s Words
May 9 is Mother’s Day. I am a daughter of a wonderful mother and I am a mother myself, the most
blessed and magni cent and challenging task I have ever undertaken. Since motherhood is synonymous
with love, I thought we would let the Bible do the talking this month. Here are some quotes about love
and mothers culled from the Bible
➡“When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he
said to his mother, Woman, behold your son! Then he said to the disciple, Be-
hold your mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own
home.” – John 19:26-27
➡“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It
does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at
wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
➡“Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.” – Proverbs
23:22-25
➡“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful-
ness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-
23 Sierra Christian Church’s
➡“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land pastor is the Rev. Christine
Pobanz-Hartmire. Her con-
that the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12 sistent challenge to all of us is
➡“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: to not only remember, but also
‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” – Proverbs 31:28-31 embrace, the beautiful truth
that everyone is always wel-
➡“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father.” – Leviticus 19:3 comed at Jesus’ table.
➡“The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”
– Genesis 3:20
➡“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the
bread of idleness.” – Proverbs 31:25-28
➡“And Mary said, ‘My soul magni es the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the hum-
ble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.’” – Luke 1:46-4
➡“A gracious woman gets honor…” –
Proverbs 11:16
Four non-Bible Mother’s Day Quotes ➡“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,
“Nothing is really lost until your mom can’t find and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for
they are a graceful garland for your head
it.” (You can substitute “wife” for mom for some of us) and pendants for your neck.” – Proverbs 1:8-9
“It is never easy being a mother. If it were ➡“Only take care, and keep your soul
diligently, lest you forget the things that
easy, fathers would do it.” your eyes have seen, and lest they depart
“A mother’s love is the fuel that enables a nor- from your heart all the days of your life.
Make them known to your children and
mal human being to do the impossible.” your children’s children…” – Deuteronomy
4:
“Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.”
Continued next page…
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PAGE 3 MAY 2021
Mothers & Lov
Treating the Mentally Ill
Continued from previous pag
Instead of Jailing The
On the last day of any given month in 2009 there were
roughly 80,000 people in California jails, 15,500 of them
with mental health diagnoses, almost 20%. Ten years lat-
er, that gure jumped to 31%.
Recognizing a similar absurdity in Texas, the San
Antonio Police Department has initiated an effort to get
mental health offenses in treatment rather than jail, if
possible.
Ernie Stevens and Joe Smarro, the goal is to defuse
potentially violent encounters with the mentally ill and
steer them into treatment instead of jail, and the movie,
“Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops,” currently available on HBO
and Prime Video, depicts what would seem to many to
be obvious policing strategies. These two plainclothes
Texas lawmen go out of their way to avoid con ict, prac-
ticing compassion and courage as they attend to the dis-
tressed souls they encounter on this specialized beat
Norm Pobanz implores members of the church to
make the effort to view it. Moving in its humanity and
forceful in its pragmatism, Pobanz says the documentary
feels like essential viewing in these times, especially for
decision makers with the power to enact similar initia-
➡“And his mother treasured up all these things in her tives
heart—Luke 2:5 Pobanz, along with Liz Throne, represents Sierra
➡ “I have no greater joy than to hear that my chil- Christian Church in the Placer People of Faith Together
dren are walking in the truth—3 John 1:4 and serves on its Social Justice subcommittee.
➡ So. Now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but Spurred by the injustice of the incarceration of the
mentally ill instead of potentially treating them, the sub-
the greatest of these is love—1 Corinthians 13:1
committee is making plans to approach our area’s law
➡ Then the mother of the child said, ‘As the Lord enforcement agencies to seriously discuss approaches
lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ similar to the one depicted in the movie
So he arose and followed her.” – 2 Kings 4:30 After viewing it, please reach out to Liz with your im-
➡ As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort pressions and comment.
you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem—Isaiah
66:13
Join the Ventura County Interfaith Community for a Concert of Faiths at 7:00 PM on May 25th, 2021. Enjoy the
sounds and music from a variety of faith communities, including
• The Baháʼí community, Buddhists, Christians, Jews & The Church of Scientolog
This virtual concert will take place on Zoom and will be free to all, so share this information widely with friends and
family who may be interested. To join, click on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89381195816?pwd=SDRHQnFqc-
ER5NGZ5S3JTdVRGVkFlZz09 or join by phone by calling 669 900 6833 and entering the meeting ID (893 8119 5816)
and passcode (635639) when prompted. or join by phone by calling 669 900 6833 and entering the meeting ID (893 8119
5816) and passcode (635639) when prompted.
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PAGE 4 MAY 2021
Of Gardens and Bees
The Sierra Christian Church Community of Life Garden received a blessing a
blast of energy on Saturday, April 17. Pastor Christine, volunteers, several mem-
bers of the church’s Youth Group participated in the blessing and got busy planti-
ng and battling weeds. And, the church met its new bee hive. Worker bees are the
most numerous members of the hive, and a single hive can have around 4,000
worker bees. At speeds up to 15 mph with a range of more than 6 miles, worker
bees will visit up 100 owers in search of pollen and nectar. Bees are the only in-
sects that produce food that is eaten by human beings.
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PAGE 5 MAY 2021
Sierra Christian Church Monthly Calenda
May 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
25 26 27 28 29 30 1
9 am Men’s Fellow-
ship Breakfast
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10:30 am Worship 7 pm Prayer
Fellowship
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
6:30 pm
Youth Ministr
10:30 am Worship 7 pm Prayer
Partnered with 6:30 pm Books
Fellowship
Arden Christian That Bind
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
6:30 pm Board of 6:30 pm
10:30 am Worship Directors Meeting Youth Ministry
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Pentecos 7 pm Prayer
10:30 am Worshi 6:30 pm
Fellowship
Youth Ministry
Community of the Great Partnerships
Commission Sunday, May 9 is Mother’s Day. It is also the Sunday where
Online registration is coming! we will be worshipping (as hosts) with Arden Christian
Summer Camp 2021 Church. The service will be on our Zoom site (see link next
6/22 - 6/26 Jr. Camp 4th, 5th, 6th page). It is an exciting prospect, the partnering of congrega-
6/22 - 6/26 Chi Rho Camp (7th,
tions, the infusion of energy, fresh resources, a renewed sense
8th, and 9th
626 – 6/28 JOY Camp (Grandpar- of community and expanding table. On May 30th, Woodland
ents & Me) Christian Church will join our Zoom worship.
6/29 - 7/3 CYF Camp (10th,11th, Our Youth Group, preparing for a May 22 hike, will be
12th & ’21 grads
partnering with several groups across the Sacramento region
8/5 - 8/8 Young Adult/Adult Camp
for service projects and recreation.
Download Forms Here ...
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PAGE 6 MAY 2021
Zoom Links to Our May Gatherings
Unless noti ed, our link to all Sierra Christian meetings, gatherings and worships is
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4212017769?pwd=ZWs1UjQ4NHpFQjViUVJqVW5VRmdjUT09
The Meeting ID will be: 421 2017 769
The Password is: 543838
The phone number to dial in is:. 1-669-900-683
Please see our calendar and/or webpage for a listing of meetings and gatherings held on
our Zoom account.
Prayers & Celebrations & Notes of Note
‣ Celebrate with Pam Margo fresh from a family celebration in preparation for a wedding
‣ Healing prayers for Randy Margo and his troublesome knee
‣ Big news from Cliff Cole—his granddaughter has accepted an appointment to the United
States Air Force Academy
‣ Positive energy to Norm Pobanz beginning physical therapy to improve strength and stability.
‣ Prayers for Jay Coe that the trouble he is having with his eyes improves
‣ Karen Steinke’s grandson Nathan is coming home from Omaha, having earned his B.A. in three
years. He now prepares for his LSAT
‣ Celebrate with Pam Margo fresh from a family celebration in preparation for a wedding
‣ Traveling Mercies for Beth as she heads to Illinois for the funeral of a cousin
‣ And the staunchest of prayers and compassion for her granddaughter, who lost her 7-week-old
son to SIDs.
Workdays scheduled at the CG
Work is being done at the Community of the Great Commission in preparation for the
return of summer camps and gatherings and volunteers are sought for the weekend of
Friday, May 14 - Sunday, May 16, 2021
Projects include
•Painting exterior of Claar Hous
•Trail Clearin
•General Clean-U
Lodging is free. We charge participants $5 /meal/person
Arrival time on Friday is 12
Departure time on Sunday is 2P
Anyone is welcome to attend. Participants will need to RSVP to Tina Heck at tinasue-
heck@yahoo.com with # of people and time of arrival and departure so we may plan for
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PAGE 7 MAY 2021
May in Christian History
May 2, 1507: Martin Luther celebrates his rst ologian of the twentieth century and opponent of
mass (delayed by a month so his father could at- theological liberalism and political fascism (especial-
tend) as an ordained priest. Luther was so nervous ly under Hitler), is born in Basel, Switzerland.
that he nearly dropped the bread and cup. He be-
came so terri ed of the presence of Christ in the May 13, 1925: Florida's House of Representatives
sacrament that he tried to run from the altar passes a bill requiring schools to conduct daily Bible
reading
May 3, 1675: A Massachusetts law goes into effect
requiring church doors to be locked during ser- May 15, 1886: American poet Emily Dickinson, au-
vices. Of cials enacted the law because too many thor of many poems on death, eternity, God, and the
people were leaving before sermons were over afterlife, dies. Only 7 of her 1,775 poems were pub-
lished at the time
May 3, 1861: The Southern Congress approves a
bill installing chaplains in Confederate armies. The May 17, 1971: The musical Godspell, based on
American military did not normally employ chap- Matthew's gospel, opens at the Cherry Lane Theater
lains, but they became a permanent xture during in New York
and after the Civil War. Between 100,000 and
200,000 Union soldiers and approximately 150,000 May 20, 1960: Six months before John F. Kennedy, a
Confederate troops converted to christianity during Roman Catholic, is elected president of the United
wartime revival States, the Southern Baptist Convention condemns
the election of Catholics to public of ce. "When a
May 5, 1813: Christian existentialist Soren public of cial is inescapably bound by the dogma and
Kierkegaard is born in Copenhagen. The Danish demands of the church," it declared, “he cannot con-
philosopher believed no philosophical system could sistently separate himself from these.
explain the human condition; the experience of re-
ality was what mattered, not the "idea" of it. May 23, 1430: French mystic and military hero Joan
of Arc is captured by the Burgundians. They sold her
May 5, 1925: Dayton, Tennessee, teacher John to English, who tried her for sorcery and heresy
Scopes is arrested for teaching evolution in his
classroom. May 24, 1844: Samuel Morse sends the rst long-dis-
tance telegraph message: "What hath God wrought?
May 8, 1915: Henry McNeal Turner, the rst black
army chaplain in the United States, dies in Wind- May 24, 1854: Presbyterians found the rst black
sor, Ontario, embittered toward America for its college in the United States: Pennsylvania's Lincoln
racism. Many consider him to be the precursor of University
black theology for his statement, "God is a Negro.
May 30, 1431: French mystic and revolutionary Joan
May 9, 1983: Pope John Paul II speaks before a of Arc burns at the stake for heresy. Her last words
gathering of 200 scientists and apologizes for the were, "Jesus, Jesus" (see issue 30: Women in the Me-
suffering that Galileo Galilei had endured at the dieval Church)
hands of the church when he was forced to recant
his views of a heliocentric universe under threat of May 30, 1934,: The rst synod of the Confessing
torture in 1633. John Paul II indicated that the Church at Barmen ends. In uenced by Karl Barth,
church had renewed a review of the matter, which the synod produced the Barmen Declaration and
eventually led to a reversal of the Catholic Church's marks the formal establishment of the "Confessing
condemnation of Galileo in 1992 Church," led by Karl Barth, Martin Niemoeller, and
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in opposition to the Nazi "Ger-
May 10, 1886: Karl Barth, the most important th man Christian" churc
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