2nd Saturday Prayer

"Wow! I've really missed this!" "Being here I realize how much I need this." These comments are among the many we heard this morning after our 2nd Saturday prayer meeting. I had to miss last month because I was in traffic school...my second ticket in 49 years of driving...And it was so good to be back in corporate prayer with others who love it too. We had 5 churches represented and one person from Corona Del Mar and one from Laguna Beach and two regulars were sick with the flu. As I looked around the table I realized that God is really happy with us coming together with such diverse backgrounds to join Him in His throne room to ask for the Kingdom to come in Long Beach as it is in heaven. People come in rubbing sleep from their eyes, they come in hurting or sick, they come not knowing quite why they're there and sometimes wishing they weren't, and always go away refreshed and energized and "re-faithed." We can't be in His presence and not be changed and there's just something about corporate prayer that is different than private prayer - maybe it's His pleasure in His kids being together!!??? We prayed, we repented, we invited His Holy Spirit, we worshiped His holiness, we prayed for churches and organizations in the City, and in particular the church going out to hand out Valentines with words of encouragement to people on the street. We laughed and we cried, we joked and we sought our Father's face on behalf of His people. So many different ways of praying, some louder, some quiet, some vocal, some with tears and all in love with the same Jesus...what a wonderful way to begin a week-end. As you can tell, I'm excited and can't wait until our next second Saturday meeting...who knows, you might like it too!
xoxox...judy

The world of policy governance and boards

They say that one way to not get old is to keep learning new languages. I became an official senior citizen in November, 2008 and I'm learning a new language that's as foreign to me as Japanese! It's called "Policy Governance" and "Board Formation". My previous 65 years have been spent studiously avoiding mysterious and unnecessary rules and regulations and I perceive them to be hampering, binding and stifling. Enter Brad Fieldhouse into my world and Kingdom Causes. As KC has grown and our visibility has increased and people want to connect with us, we have realized we didn't have the capacity to receive them in any kind of structured way. (that may not be quite the accurate word) We began to work with a consultant and develop a document that embodied our heart and gave structure and language in places we didn't have any. While much of it is still a mystery to me, it has been so valuable and opened my mind in a way I never even wanted it opened! It has provided our cities and our staff with guidelines for growth and daily business that we really need - and I'm learning how to do "monitoring reports". I'm the one who wants to talk with you and pray and invite God to come - not do reports!...and in seeing their value, my resistance is dwindling, thankfully. God at work, His wonders to perform!
As I began to look at the New Testament from a Jewish viewpoint, I discovered that our word for the old testament is law, and from theirs it's guardian. Big difference in how we relate to the same words. Same thing here. I'm seeing that policy governance isn't a bunch of rules and regulations to snuff the life out of Kingdom Causes, rather, it's a guideline for helping us to "achieve appropriate results for appropriate persons at an appropriate cost and avoids unacceptable actions and situations."
On to the world of boards...Brad has gathered such a wonderful group of people to serve on our Long Beach KC board. Seeing God at work in and through these people who love Him and our city makes my heart happy. We had our first official board meeting the first week of the month and hearing from each of them just is such a total faith builder in God's sovereignty. We have people in ministry, business, the pastorate, prayer and even a lawyer and all of them have joined us to help us best serve the City of Long Beach. Most of my life has been spent in prayer rooms and in local congregations and seeing this broader picture is causing me to stretch my heart and mind to receive more of Him and His body.
My mantra for this year of 2009 is "God is good, God is sovereign and I am grateful for whatever is in my life as His good provision." - even policy governance!!!!
Blessings to you all...judy

and counting...

"Everyone Counts"

2009 Homeless Count

On Thursday, January 29, 2009 volunteers will be counting people who are experiencing homelessness in Long Beach for the U.S. Department of Housing.  The homeless count happens every two years.  Long Beach is divided into 47 map segments.  Volunteers will be in teams of three people represented by a community volunteer, service provider, and homeless or formerly homeless person.  "Everyone Counts" is a great opportunity to meet our homeless neighbors and to be an asset to the city.  For more information call Susan Price, Homeless Service Officer, at (562) 570-4003 or see the flyer.

Attention: North Long Beach

Do you have any stories about North Long Beach?  Do you have any artwork you would like to contribute to the North Long Beach Anthology?  

Smolarcorp in conjunction with the Connected Corridor Project is now accepting written works and art works reflecting the experience in North Long Beach until March 15th.  Selected works will be published in a Book by Authors - North Long Beach Anthology.  It is an opportunity to contribute the real flavor of North Long Beach.  Be creative!

To learn more about the guidelines and submission of works please visit www.bookbyauthors.org

Seminar for widows

I received this request from a wonderful, caring pastor in the city.
Judy Wilson

I am sharing information with you regarding an upcoming 2009 Widows Retreat, specifically designed to minister to the special needs of widows. This is the fourth retreat organized and led by Donna Nunes and her ministry group called Widows Helping Widows, based out of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. This year's retreat is planned for Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25, 2009 at Murrieta Conference Center.

Originally, this was a small group that I started with nine years ago when I was widowed. This outreach has grown and sustains a continuing ministry to the special needs of widows & their children. I will be presenting, for the fourth year, a 2-hour grief support workshop during the weekend, as a grief support facilitator trained by Susan Beeney, Director of New Hope Grief Support Community. I consider it an honor and privilege to assist this ministry and come alongside other widows, as I have experienced and walked a similar journey to the one they are now traveling.

Attached are documents with the retreat flyer and registration form. This retreat is open to local churches, as this very unique ministry wishes to make the retreat available to the widows in our region.

In past years, I have invited local widows to attend the retreat with me and have provided some with transportation in my van. Let me know if there are widows who might be interested and would like to talk to me about attending.
There are a few scholarships available and sponsoring a widow to this retreat would truly be a blessing to her and your church.

Thank you for considering sharing this information with your women's ministry and the widows in your church & communities. We ask for your prayers for this retreat and ministry. For more information, please call me. God bless you.


In His service,

Genevieve Douglass-Beckham
562-421-4640 or 562-577-4561
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Agent Orange Widows Awareness Coalition
www.aowac.org

getting FED!

On September 3, 2008 I had a BBQ with Dan Pressberg, a local community activist and member of North Long Beach Community Action Group.  I nervously arrived at his beautiful historic home in North Long Beach.  I have met Dan before at large city meetings.  I have to admit, I was very intimidated by him.  I heard about his work in North Long Beach and knew that he was a mover and shaker in this city.  Here I was at his door step with an intern in tow.  He opened the door wearing a casual button down shirt and bright blue hawaiian shorts.  He was talking on the phone with several city leaders about politics in his boisterous voice.  His home was filled with beautiful antiques and photos of Long Beach way back in the day.  You can tell just by his home, his passion for history.  Right off the bat he said that you need to know your history before you start anything.  And let me tell you, he sure does know his history.  We met with Dan with the intention of learning about the history of North Long Beach, but we kept on going on tangents about all of Long Beach.

I could not imagine North Long Beach as a cattle farm, as it was in the 1900s.  Then it was made into sheep farms.  Eventually the land was split and sold.  During the 1930s there was a boom in housing development and North Long Beach was home for many workers.  In the 1940s the theaters were built.  In the 1960s and 80s the demographics greatly shifted due to immigration.

We continued to discuss the history of North Long Beach as we ate our yummy hamburgers.  He told us about the past, present, and near future of North Long Beach.  Dan shared his heart for Long Beach and that's when my nervousness melted away.  Dan was just another neighbor in North Long Beach that wants the best for it.  Rosie, the community development interns, asked how can churches change their involvement in North Long Beach.  Dan advised the church needs to feed the people, physically and spiritually.  He said whenever he meets with someone he always shares a meal with them, to create an equal level with each other.

So thank you Dan Pressberg for feeding me!

Art of Hearing God seminar

I have heard of a wonderful opportunity and want to pass it on to you. I have been aware of John Paul Jackson for a while now and have wanted to go to one of his seminars and they are seldom in this area. However, coming soon to a place near you!
The Light Christian Fellowship, one of our networked churches, is hosting an Art of Hearing God seminar at Light and LIfe Christian Fellowship at 5951 Downey Ave., Long Beach on September 18-20. If you want to register or check it out go to: Streams Ministries - www.streamsministries.com. I especially like his book titled Needless Casualties of War. I use it in all my prayer training classes as a foundational teaching. Let me know what you think....judy

Churches Connecting

How fun to be able to watch God at work!!! I don't generally attend night meetings as I live in Garden Grove and it's far to come back, but last Tuesday conspired to keep me at the office loooong and I wound up at our Emergency Preparedness Task Force Meeting. I haven't been in a while and was so blessed by what God is doing through the churches that have wanted to serve their neighbors by helping them prepare for the "big one". I have watched people go from using it to get to preach the gospel to wanting to BE the church and serve them, and I have watched as whole congregations have taken an active role in their neighborhoods to prepare and equip their surrounding "hoods". Last Tuesday several new congregations were present and learning how to be involved in this effort. As we were talking about HAM radios, CERT classes and Red Cross trainings there were so many connections between them to have shared classes and trainings and to share everything they've learned as they have gone down this road. We talked about KC being an information "clearing house" so that as classes and trainings are held, we can make them public information.
Good job all of you who have been involved for a long time - and welcome to the ones just now coming - there are rich resources to be mined here to take back to your congregations and neighborhoods.
Kingdom Causes exists to catalyze these kinds of happenings and connections.
I love it when a plan comes together!
.....and I love it when I get to watch!

Retreat in the vineyard

What a metaphor we were! We had opportunity to stay at a beautiful vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley for our KC retreat Aug 23-25. We were pruned, fed, fertilized, grafted and sunned! Actually we got off to a little rocky start...originally, we had the girls staying at a hotel in Solvang and the boys in the converted barn. However, when we got a look at the converted "barn" we (the girls) made an executive decision and relegated the boys to the hotel! They grumbled mightily but finally "graciously" gave us our way. http://www.saarloosgroup.com/thevineyard.html (if you are prone to jealousy, you might want to skip seeing where we were)
Go to their website if you would like to hear someones heart who loves his work.

God has blessed me in this later stage of my life to be in association with an amazing group of people. Everyone on staff in any position was at the retreat and I didn't know some of them at all and a few not very well. To be in a place where each person is excited about the Lord and His Church is an answer to my prayer and the fulfillment of a dream. These are quality people, doing a quality job, for a quality organization. We have very different backgrounds, theologies, calls, passions and lifestyles - and there is honor and respect and room given for differences as we gather around the "One Thing" which is Jesus.
We laughed!!!! we fellowshipped, ate together, prayed together, learned together, dreamed together and had lots of wonderful connection and conversation. My admiration grows for these people every time we're together. I get to work for Kingdom Causes!!! what a wonderful thing is that!
xoxoxox....judy

Meeting New Pastors

We were at Pastors Garon and Betty Harden's church last Wednesday for the Kingdom Causes Leadership prayer meeting. What shepherd's hearts they have for their community! One of pastor's passions is education for young people and he has started a Bible College just down the street in order to provide opportunity for young people in the area. He also has a pre-school thru 8th grade on his premises for the same reason. Pastor Harding was telling about his building project and he has completed the permit process with the City - and he still has a smile on his face!! They are such an engaging couple and you feel welcome in that place. Prayer seems to be high on their agenda as they have a prayer meeting every day except Sunday and sometimes two. They had just finished one when we got there for our pastors meeting and as we were finishing people were coming in and going into the prayer room and getting on their knees. No wonder he's gone from 30 people to 3 services on Sunday and needs a bigger facility! They are strategically placed in the northwestern-most corner of Long Beach and I'm thinking the Lord has some amazing things in store for this congregation.

Connected Corridor - North Atlantic Corridor

Kingdom Causes was one of eight organizations that were given a grant by Long Beach Leadership and The Knight Foundation to transform North Long Beach area around Atlantic Avenue.  There are and will be great opportunities in North Long Beach to take advantage of.  It was great to meet people with a heart for North Long Beach and a vision of creating community.  I cannot wait for the stories of transformation from these different organization.  One story of hope and transformation I heard from this first meeting was from Margaret, who is a member of Long Beach Leadership Steering Committee.  The nursing home in front of Carmelitos Apartments saw Carmelitos as the worse thing to happen to Long Beach.  A young woman who grew up in Carmelitos wanted to change their perspective and started to volunteer at the nursing home.  She broke down the barriers between the nursing home and Carmelitos and how they see each other.  Currently she still volunteers there along with other residents from Carmelitos.  I am very excited to hear more stories of neighbors connecting and building relationships with each other.

AIDS Walk Long Beach

Lord have mercy...it was SO hot today!! I think that I overheard on the tv as I was passing by that we broke a record today. My goodness!

My family and I (all 6 of us!) walked the 5k this morning in order to raise money for the ongoing local fight against the HIV virus. Kingdom Causes has been a part of a collaborative effort here locally (plans are going public next month so stay tuned about how you can get involved - or better yet, email one of us and let us know you are interested now!) and we walked with one of the other collaborating organizations called Global Lifeworks.

Our team of about 45 folks was the #1 fundraising team with cash money of about 10k. They are still tallying up the results. Way to go team! You can check it out for yourself HERE.

It was actually a great event today. It was good to see so many of the folks that we have been dreaming and strategizing with in our monthly HIV/AIDS collaborative meetings. This is truly a collaborative effort and we are excited about how plans are coming together. We are hoping to have a launch meeting on the evening of Tuesday July 29th. If you are interested in learning about what Dr Becky Kuhn (A local HIV/AIDS physician and the leader of Global Lifeworks) calls "the most exciting collaborative project engaging this cause that she is aware of anywhere in the USA" consider joining us!

I also saw and said hi to a few other folks that I recognized - Lance Lefler and his family (including dog), a whole gang of folks from Project Long Beach (aka Rock Harbor Folks).

I did find myself wondering why the only people there at the end of the 5k to congratulate me were two flamboyant drag queens and not representatives of the Church of the City. What a great idea for next year! There I go thinking out loud again...

WOW Jam 2008

Wow Jam was on June 6 at Houghton Park (in North Long Beach) and on June 7 at Poly High School (Downtown Long Beach).  This is the second year WOW Jam has taken place in Long Beach.  The first year there was such a great turn out they decided to have two WOW Jams in Long Beach.  It was my first time being at and participating in a WOW Jam.  I was not sure of what to expect or how I felt about the WOW Jam.  There were 60 churches that participated in WOW Jam.  Many provided volunteers and donated to WOW Jam.  There were many people at the first WOW Jam, but even more people showed up to the WOW Jam at Poly.  I was very impressed by the free gifts they had at the booths like the educational toys and shoes.  I was very tempted to go to the Samaritans Feet booth where they washed people's feet and gave them a pair of shoes.  They had really nice shoes like Jack Parcels and Converses.  But I am glad the neighborhood was blessed by them.  KC also had a booth.  We asked people to draw or write what they would want to make better in their community.  Many kids came to our table and colored.  Then we posted them on a board to show the hopes and dreams of the community.  My favorite was drawn by Josue.  He loves to skate board and has awesome scar stories.  His said "less gang violence" and he drew a drive-by shooting.  He told me these happen a lot in his neighborhood.  It is amazing what kids today are exposed to.  

Second Saturday Prayer

I haven't posted anything for a while, so.....I'm back!!
This Saturday was the second Saturday and thus - our SS Prayer at 6am!!!! People come sleepy, with wet hair, with big cups of coffee, not quite sure what they're doing there and wishing for the sheets and more sleep. And then we pray and I personally haven't heard anyone complain about the time spent in the throne room of the Most High God. We're building a core of faithful people and learning to pray together in spite of different styles and backgrounds and many times differing beliefs about various theological matters. All of that falls to the background as we come together on behalf of our City. This week there were 6 or 7 different churches represented. One guy was on vacation and his day began really early! Some people pray a lot, some a little, some not at all. Some people pray eloquently, some simply, some not at all (except in their hearts). Sometimes we pray according to the web-page prayer guide I put together monthly, sometimes we don't. Sometimes we pray over the local news and sometimes we pray over the churches represented. This week we were praying over the younger generation and their vision for the City. So to continue in that vein, we gathered around the young ones in the room and prayed for them and what it is that Abba has in store for them as they work to make the Kingdom come in Long Beach.
Each month I'm a little more excited about what God is doing. It's been a prayer of mine for many years to see the Church come together to seek God's heart for the city and here it's happening!!!!
Thank you to those who make that special sacrifice!

The Church in Long Beach - WOW!!!!

What a testimony to God at work in the City of Long Beach. Sixty churches worked together to support the WOW jam held at Houghton Park and Poly High on June 6 and 7. Pastors Bonnie and Paul Theimens headed the effort and did so much work to connect with and enroll all the churches and organizations that participated by giving of their time, talents and resources to this Kingdom effort. I let my hurting body talk me out of staying for the best part Friday evening and went home. Here is the story one of my friends told me. She was part of the altar call prayer people and one of the families she prayed with - parents and kids - had all raised their hands to accept Jesus. As she prayed over them she began praying for healing, restoration and protection and the woman was visibly impacted. The husband's response to his wife was to hold her in his arms and let her cry. The next person was a Hispanic woman who didn't speak English except to say, as she held her hands up, "It's a miracle!" over and over. A Spanish speaking worker then came and ministered to her. My friend says, "I don't know what will happen to these people now, but the Holy Spirit has touched them and it's His job now! I know God has impacted the lives of these people for eternity."
I have heard comments about the give-aways, about this not having lasting impact, and many others. Several of my friends were there and all of them report being so aware of the presence of God. I say, if nothing else, for 60 churches to come together in one accord to further the Kingdom, it's a win for God's side!!! My participation for this one was to pray with Pastor Paul over the sites and hearing God's heart for those people in that place was what I wanted. At our Second Saturday prayer meeting last Saturday we bathed everything again in prayer. We asked God to "complete the good work He began until the day of salvation" for each person who was impacted by this year's WOW jam. He's got a lot of work to do because at Poly alone there were 5000 people in attendance.
Kudos to each and every person who gave anything and Pastors Paul and Bonnie worked tirelessly to bring about an eternal impact in the City of Long Beach. Blessings to you!!!
As one of my main functions at Kingdom Causes is prayer, my encouragement to anyone who reads this blog is to continue to pray for this years' jam to begin now to intercede for next years'. Let's also pray for encouragement, support and refreshment for the Theimens.
Love to you all - Judy

Special Olympics in Long Beach

For many of you that know me, you know that I have a daughter 24 who has Cerebral palsy. Danielle has been swimming in Special Olympics for the past 10 years, and just because of who she is, she has gotten more press than all my family combined. Today Friday June 13th in the Press Telegram on page C4 she again was interviewed, quoted and photographed. Special Olympics is this weekend at Long Beach State College with opening ceremonies Friday June 13th at 6:30 at the Pyramid. They are always looking for volunteers to help with all the logistics of hundreds of athletes from around Southern Cal. that come and participate in these events. Come check it out June 13-15th on the CSULB campus. Check out the swimming, track, basketball and other events. Witness these often forgotten individuals as they attempt bravely and give it their all to win the prize.
Jim Schorr

Exciting Workshop for the Abused and the Abuser

I have a good friend who used to be a wife abuser. The Lord got hold of him and delivered him out of that. His ex-wife (the abused) started a ministry to abused women and children called Love Does No Harm and my friend is part of the workshop. Together they present a powerful, impacting day full of healing. Topics covered are: safety in relationships, communication, boundaries and forgiveness/reconciliation among others. If you have been impacted by this devastation or know someone who has, I highly recommend this seminar. It will be presented at Long Beach Christian Fellowship on May 31, 2008. It will begin at 8:30 and end at 5:00. I hope to see you there!!! Judi Noble is the presenter and you will hear from her (the abused) Jim (the abuser) and their son. She has done her homework well and presents from a sound Biblical as well as psychological basis. You will be blessed as well as informed and equipped to deal with this destructive family issue. Blessings on you....

Lighthouse Church of Long Beach

God has so many expressions of mercy and grace. His tenderness expressed through His Body touches my soul in special places. Last Sunday, May 4, I visited the Lighthouse Church on Studebaker in Long Beach. My friend Jim Schorr leads worship there and it was so good to see him doing what he takes such delight in doing - his love for Jesus and his desire to worship Him is infectious...and I caught it. I have experienced Pastors Paul and Bonnie's gentle ways in other contexts but never during their Sunday Service - and their whole congregation has them. From the time I walked in the door until the time I left, the presence and sweetness of the Lord was a felt thing. I loved the way they ministered to each other in prayer without any show and there were no superstars of prayer ministry, just people loving on each other and praying over each other. Pastor Paul made his message about Elijah and the prophets of Baal come alive with his description of Mount Carmel (I've been there too) and he made it easily applicable to our daily lives.
This is the church that's heading up the WOW jam initiative again in our City. Last year over 1000 people gave their lives to Jesus. This year he's got already 44 churches and other organizations enrolled so it should be even more wonderful. There are two locations, Houghton Park on June 6 and at Poly High on June 7. There are so many ways to serve and get involved and the rewards will be FOREVER. There will be flyer handouts into the neighborhoods, prayer walking the sites, ways to give service, money, time, face painting and so many other exciting things. The time, energy, resource and prayer this couple has sown into this event both this year and last, the warfare they've encountered and the way they're walking through it is an illustration to all of us of what Jesus talked about when He asked us to serve and love one another by laying down our lives.
So I guess I'm inviting you to check out both the church and the event...Our Father has something to say to us through the Theimens.
A side note: my daughter Melody, is now 28 and Pastor Paul's father Bernie was my pastor at the time and dedicated her to the Lord. What a small world it is!

CARE Clinic HIV/AIDS picnic August 16th

Seeking to support community support endeavors is a priority at Kingdom Causes. This is a communication I received from the facilitator of the picnic. If you have any interest in assisting this very worthwhile cause here is some advance information.

The picnic date for children and adults with HIV/AIDS and their families, is
Saturday August 16th.
Our needs are:
Decorations for a Round up theme. Red, yellow and brown balloons.
We also need some Mylar balloons in the same theme.
Deserts, side dishes are always needed.
We also need gift certificates $10.00-$20.00 to Albertson's and Big Lots.
Walmart and Target-can also be used for vitamins and prescriptions.
Also fast food or Local Restaurants (downtown LB), movie tickets.
The closer we get to the event I'll know how many volunteers we need to help the day of.
Thank you for your support.

If you have interest in this, email me at longbeach@kingdomcauses.org
and I'll pass along your information to the awesome lady who works so hard to serve this community.

Cover the Uninsured Week Breakfast

Just got this invitation and am choosing this blog spot to let you know about it too.

St. Mary Medical Center & Long Beach Health and Human Services
Invite you to a
Faith Leaders Breakfast & Discussion
Featuring Vice Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal (Confirmed)
Dr. Helene Calvet, Long Beach Health Officer, (Confirmed)
Other Elected Officials invited in Honor of Cover the Uninsured Week
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Begins promptly at 8:30 AM
Registration and light breakfast available at 8 am
St. Mary Medical Center
Health Enhancement Center
1050 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90813
For reservations, please call Rachel Plotkin at 562-491-9066 or
email rplotkin@chw.edu
Co-sponsored by: St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, Office of State Senator Alan Lowenthal, Office of Assemblymember Betty Karnette, Beacon House, Behavioral Health Services, The Children’s Clinic, Westside Neighborhood Clinic, Long Beach Ministerial Alliance, NAACP-Long Beach Branch, Long Beach Medi-Cal/Healthy Families Outreach Collaborative, Khmer Parents Association, City of Long Beach, American Cancer Society, Interfaith Community Organization (ICO)

April 17, 2008
Dear Faith Leader,
Today, 47 million Americans have no health insurance, including more than 9 million children. Eight out of 10 uninsured Americans either work or are in working families. Being uninsured means going without needed care. It means minor illnesses become major ones because care is delayed.
Tragically, it also means that one significant medical expense can wipe out a family's life savings.
The problem is getting worse. As the price of health care continues to rise, fewer individuals and families can afford to pay for coverage. Fewer small businesses are able to provide coverage for their employees, and those that do are struggling to hold on to the coverage they offer. It is a problem that affects all of us.
I would like to invite you to a breakfast and discussion of the issue on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 8:30 AM. This event is co-sponsored by St. Mary Medical Center and Long Beach Health and Human Services. Please RSVP to Rachel Plotkin at 562-491-9066 or rplotkin@chw.edu.
Sincerely,

Sister Gerard Earls, CCVI
Vice President, Mission Integration