Mission itineration 2012: first week

We are now well into our mission itineration - that's where we as GBGM (United Methodist) missionaries return to our home territory and visit our supporting churches, and potentially supporting churches.  Friday night Chin Cheak spoke to members of the Chinese congregation at First UMC, Alhambra.  Sunday morning I preached at Baldwin Park UMC (La Iglesia Methodista Unida).  Tomorrow we drive to Palm Springs where Chin Cheak will share with the United Methodist Women's unit.  Next Sunday we both preach for different services at China town UMC in Los Angeles, and the weekend after in San Diego. 

This is a mercifully loose schedule that allows us to get other homeside matters taken care of, including for me a final synthesis paper for my 1.5 unit spiritualty course at PSR. With that little paper I hope to clarify my own position vis a vis the relationship between contemplation and action.  I am beginning to come up with a formula that needs to be filled out and tested: Critical social consciousness + mystical awareness from contemplative practice = sustained ethical action.  Two ways this might be tested : 1) where there is a regular worshipping community, by inserting conscientizing praxis; and 2) where people are engaged in committed activity for mission, outreach, or social action, by bringing them together for regular worship encounters. 

After Christmas the itineration schedule will not be so loose. 
















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