Dear church family, far and near,
Greetings from the setting side of summer! As a church family, we have hosted HERO HEADQUARTERS (our summer Vacation Bible School), sent seven young people on a service trip to South Los Angeles, had over two dozen people participate in Pastor Chris’ Bible study on hospitality, sent three kids and six staff to elementary camp, sent many girls and women to the School of Christian Mission, and sent ten youth to youth camp. And, these are just to name a few! Of course, you have all been faithful in continuing the regular ministries, teaching, and activities of our church. I want to extend a gracious “THANK YOU” to you each and raise a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all of the blessings that have been made known to us through God’s impacting mercy and love. As a supportive congregation, you have each been involved in these ministries and activities in some way.
After the wrap-up of Vacation Bible School, I was blessed with the opportunity to chaperone six of our high school students on a Sierra Service Project in South Los Angeles. Our students included: Andrew W., Adam W., Ivan D., Ingrid D., John C., and Miah F. From July 11 to July 17, we lived with a group of approximately 50 high school students and adult chaperones in the basement of Vermont Square United Methodist Church on the corner of Vernon and Budlong. The accommodations at the church were meager, and each day we were responsible for cleaning the bathrooms and the kitchen. Each adult (myself included) became responsible for six youth and each team was assigned to one specific work site in the neighborhood for the entire week. Work teams spent their days in various places, but mine labored at a UMC Mission called Casa Shalom on the corner of Pico and Vermont. We spent the week painting, laying carpet, and learning about the many struggles that the poor and homeless (especially in immigrant communities) face in the course of their daily lives. We were all shocked by the conditions in which we found many persons in the Los Angeles area. Serving in this community, while also meditating on the plight of our fellow Angelenos, was deeply transforming.
Apart from the rigorous daily schedule that we were forced to maintain by the service organization staff, we found time to walk Skid Row end hand out water bottles while visiting with the many people we found there, we spent one late afternoon at the beach and we were fortunate enough to be visited by six dolphins, we spent one evening doing a scavenger hunt on the campus of USC, and spent an evening in Bible study and personal reflection in Griffith Park, overlooking Los Angeles at night. Back at the church in Vermont Square, each morning and evening were filled with praise and worship, Bible study, and group prayer. Tuesday evening of the week brought a special treat as we were engaged in a social justice presentation by Rev. David Farley of Echo Park UMC and several other church leaders from the community.
Our urban immersion was truly a life-changing experience and we were able to participate in construction projects, conversations, and Bible studies that have and will continue to have transforming effects on all those who attended for years to come. Those of us who went and served will never be able to look or think about Los Angeles in the same way again. Living out the gospel in this way has given us new eyes.
Again, we thank you for your generous support and we pray that the seeds of a life of service to others in Jesus’ name will be nurtured in the hearts of our youth.
May God’s blessings abound for all in this city,
— Jonathan Tarman
