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PAST AND PRESENT COPIES OF THE FELLOWSHIP NEWS MAY BE VIEWED AT www.scribd.com
2014 - ISSUE 08 April 22, 2014

Bixby Knolls Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) (562) 426-0428

Dear Church, Let me share an incident from my childhood. I was at a restaurant, and the friendly waitress was taking orders. When it was my turn, she looked at me and said, and what would you like, young lady? Her mistake was, I suppose, understandable; I hadnt yet hit puberty, and had a head full of blonde, curly hair. But I was still embarrassed and humiliated. Fortunately, that was an isolated encounter with a person who didnt know me. Imagine what life would be like if, every day, people identified you by the wrong gender, even people who knew you well; even your own family. Imagine that somehow your own body got this wrong, that somehow you got placed in the wrong body, one that did not match the gender that, in your heart, you knew you were. On Good Friday, I attended a Transgender Ally Training at the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Center. This training was led by two remarkable and courageous young people who experienced something similar in their lives to what Ive described, and have worked hard to present themselves as the gender they identify with, not the gender that society or even their own bodies declared them to be. Perhaps this is hard for you to understand. I myself

still wonder about it sometimes. But one of the facts shared with us at the training helped put it all in perspective: among transgendered persons, 41 percent have attempted suicide. Clearly, being a transgendered person is not something one does for fun or attention. Hearing this startling statistic, I couldnt help but make the connection sitting there on that Good Friday between the deaths, attempted deaths, and despair of countless individuals, and the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus was all about bringing hope to the hopeless, freedom to the oppressed, and wholeness to those who lived in brokenness (Luke 4:18-19). He died because he identified with those poor and oppressed, instead of with those who would oppress them. He most certainly died for those who have so little hope, that ending their life seems to them their only option. Bixby Knolls Christian Church identifies itself as an Open and Affirming congregation. We welcome and affirm all Gods children, including Gods transgendered children. We do this in the hope that they and all people might find wholeness in their world of brokenness, hope in their world of despair, and life in their world of death. By living out our identity, we can help other people live out their identity. The love we share will take people from death to new life. It will be a demonstration of our faith in the resurrection. Blessings, Pastor Danny

News From Loch Leven

Last Saturday, Pastor Danny & Ginger Bradfield and others who will be directing a week of camp this summer got a sneak peak at all the renovations at Loch Leven, including Campbell Lodge. This historic building, which has been unusable in recent years, now looks gorgeous! Stepping into Campbell Lodge, several of us who grew up going to camp at Loch Leven had tears in our eyes. Amazing things are happening at our camp! Of course, even more amazing than the renovations is watching how camp transforms the lives of campers. Sloan Hamilton, our camp site manager, shared with us some amazing statistics about how camp prepares people to succeed in life. In one study, 200 CEOs were interviewed as to what helped them succeed, and it turned out that every single one of them went to summer camp as a youth! On Saturday, May 31, 11:00-3:00, you are invited to attend a special Campbell Lodge Grand Re-Opening! This event is free, and food will be available to purchase. In the meantime, get those camp registrations turned in! Registrations are available at lochleven.org, or from Pastor Danny. June 29-July 5: Junior (grades 4-6) July 6-9: Mini (grades 2-3) July 6-9: Special Needs July 10-12: Parent/child July 13-19: Chi-Rho (grades 7-8) July 20-26: CYF 1 (grades 9-10) July 27-Aug 2: CYF 2 (grades 11-12 & 14 grads)

by: Bill Greer, Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul Your presence is a present to the world. You are unique and one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be. Take the days just one at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. You will make it through whatever comes along. Within you are so many answers. Understand, have courage, be strong. Do not put limits on yourself. So many dreams are waiting to be realized. Decisions are too important to leave to chance. Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize. Nothing wastes more energy than worrying. The longer one carries a problem the heavier it gets. Do not take things too seriously. Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets. Remember that a little love goes a long way. Remember that a lot goes forever. Remember that friendship is a wise investment. Lifes treasure are people together. Realize that it is never too late. Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Have heart and hope and happiness. Take the time to wish upon a star. AND DO NOT EVER FORGET . FOR EVEN A DAY HOW VERY SPECIAL YOU ARE ! Max Stephens (nephew of S. Dubon) Sumbal Sardar Virginia Lalla Keri Clark (daughter of Monica Lanz) Porter Family & Ruthie Atkins (friends of B. Smith) Nargis & family in Pakistan (family of Sumbal Sardar) Jean Woodward (friend of Becky Carroll) Keri France & family , Ellis Sparks, Jr., Venus (family and friends of A. Hillig)

April 27
Scripture: John 20:19-31 Sermon: "Different Ideas" We celebrate the diversity of our common life.

May 4
Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 Sermon: "Breaking Bread" We gather for the Lord's Supper, as often as possible, experiencing at this table the gracious, forgiving presence of Jesus Christ.

May 11
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23 Sermon: "What Do You Say?" We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.

May 18
Scripture: Romans 6:1-11 Sermon: "Baptized with Christ" We practice baptism of believers, which emphasizes that God's grace demands a response of faith and discipleship...

May 25
Scripture: Psalm 119:105-112; Luke 2:41-46 Sermon: "This is Not a Test" We hold the centrality of scripture, recognizing that each person has the freedom - and the responsibility - to study God's Word within the community of the church.

June 1
Scripture: John 17:1-5, 20-24 Sermon: "That They May Be One" 1. We hear a special calling to make visible the unity of all Christians. 2. We continue to struggle with how God's love may be known to others in different ways.

June 8
Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 Sermon: "Guided by the Spirit" 1. We structure our community around the biblical idea of covenant. 2. We affirm the priesthood of all believers. 3. We give thanks that each congregation is truly the church, while affirming that God's church and God's mission stretch from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

Check us out on Facebook

Blessings to All! Helen Tedesco 5/3 Caitlin Dubon 5/8 Karen Dubon 5/8 Adam Rugh 5/19 Shirley Dickison 5/29

www.facebook.com/bixbyknollschurch website: www.bixbyknollschurch.blogspot.com

The Fellowship News A publication of Bixby Knolls Christian Church of Long Beach (a Disciples of Christ Church) 1240 E. Carson Street Long Beach, CA 90807 Editor: Monica Lanz 562-426-0428 bkcchurch@aol.com fax 562-426-0429 www.bixbyknollschurch.blogspot.com Pastor: Daniel Bradfield The Fellowship News is published twice monthly.

Bob & Shirley Dickison 5/2 13 yrs. Leo & Patti Dittemore 5/18 41 yrs. Congratulations!!

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Bixby Knolls Vision Statement To know what the Lord requires of us; to do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8)

BIXBY KNOLLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CHURCH STAFF:

(Disciples of Christ)

SUNDAY SCHEDULE: 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for Adults 10:15 a.m. Morning Worship and Childrens Church OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday closed

BOARD OFFICERS: Ken Brown Pastor Daniel Bradfield -Board President -Minister Leo Dittemore Monica Lanz -Vice President -Church Secretary Pat Cohen Barbara Neal-Peebles -Secretary -Music Director/Organist Angela Hillig Christine Perkinson - Treasurer - Church Child Care Chrysan Naw Suzie Romero - Financial Secretary - Custodian -Church Clerk