Coffee-fueled ministry

OK, I’ll admit it…one of my guilty pleasures is an occasional grande skinny cinnamon dolce latte from Starbucks. I love Starbucks and I wouldn’t feel as much guilt if their coffee was Fair Trade, but the company does make impressive efforts to engage important soci-political issues. Their newest campaign, “Race Together” intrigues me. Discussing racial issues is tricky and I am wondering how my barista will get my fancy coffee order correct while juggling such a hot topic.

My church began a course on race and justice several weeks ago. It’s been really good. Church members and community speakers have been impressive and we’ve been learning a lot while sipping on a delicious cup of Fair Trade joe. Presentations have been made by Native Americans, African-Americans, history teachers, the current director of Faith in Action Kern County, a psychologist, education experts, and others.

On April 12th Dolores Velasco, the widow of Pete Velasco, one of the Filipino founders of what became the United Farm Workers will be our guest presenter. Pete helped lead the grape boycott in 1975. Dolores left a Catholic order she belonged to in order to marry and care for Pete when he was diagnosed with cancer. Dolores lives at La Paz and is neighbors with Helen Chavez, the widow of Cesar Chavez. She will discuss what she experienced within the Filipino community in the Central Valley. If you’re interested in learning more about race and justice, come and enjoy some guilt-free coffee Sundays at 9 a.m. The class ends before worship starts, so you wouldn’t even need to bother with “church.”

However, if church isn’t the worst possible thing, our Holiest Week is right around the corner. Good Friday, April 3rd, our sanctuary will be open. Symbols of people persecuted today will be placed on the altar, and their will be candles to light in prayer.

In our Friendship Hall a weaver will demonstrate her craft and everyone will be welcome to help create a community tapestry to hang in our sanctuary. Bring some special pieces of yarn or cloth and add your own prayers to this wall hanging! In addition, wood workers will display their crafts and you can try your hand at carving soap.

We will celebrate Easter morning, April 5th, with joyous worship at 10:30 a.m. and an Easter egg hunt for children after the service. Each year I enjoy watching the little ones hunting for beautiful eggs. Easter is a mystery to many of us. I think the hunt is key. Women and men who went hunting many years ago to find the body of the one they loved and found instead an unexpected miracle. What miracles might we find searching together for a resurrected Christ or some understanding about racial injustice? I don’t know. I do think that searching together improves the hunt. We’ll provide the coffee.

My church is Tehachapi Community Congregational Church located at 100 East E. St in downtown Tehachapi.

May God find you and surprise you with unexpected miracles,

Pastor Nancy