Faith in the Desert and Central California

When I first moved to Bakersfield, California, from the Midwest, it didn't take me long to notice many big churches. My new neighbor told me the city is nicknamed "The Bible Belt West" due to Dust Bowl migrations from the southern Bible Belt. She invited our family to one of the big churches, assuring us that "everyone goes there." It certainly was a big congregation and the church had many bells and whistles. Yet, I wondered: How is it that the Central Valley has so many big, wealthy churches, yet ranks near the bottom in our nation for key measures of community well-being, like high school drop out rates, imprisonment ratios, and income inequality?

Instead of joining the big church, I began working with an interfaith organization, Faith in Action Kern County, to learn more about issues affecting families in our region and ways that people of faith could pool their energy and resources to improve people's lives. (Big churches are also welcome to participate with this organization.)

In general, most churches seek to aid people in distress through direct charity. These are important acts of care towards others, but charity does not change systemic issues that keep people in poverty and maintain inequality. In order to make change that reduces the need for charity, vital activities of listening, research, and understanding need to be practiced and action taken. Since my involvement with this faith-based group, I have had the pleasure of learning about community resource inequities and advocate for particular changes.

One thing I have loved the most about Faith in Action Kern County is its interfaith perspective. It is hopeful and inspiring to sit at the table with people who worship very differently and who hold very different spiritual beliefs, yet are engaged over issues we can agree on, letting our differences rest elsewhere.

Recently, my church conducted a listening session regarding issues affecting people in East Kern county. Guests came from Ridgecrest, California City, and Keene. Some guests were members of other churches or non-religious. We discussed joblessness, affordable housing, difficulties accessing various health and mental health services, and a host of other issues. We agreed to meet again on Thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at Tehachapi Community Church, at "E" and "Green" and to invite more folks. So this is your invitation. We hope to include some community leaders who can provide information, but regular residents provide some of the most helpful information. Through personal stories we gain a clearer understanding of our community's needs and the gaps.

It would be a pleasure to build a network of caring throughout our East Kern desert community. Working together makes the holes in the net a lot smaller. It can be discouraging when we think that issues are too big or too complicated to make any meaningful change. I have seen small grassroots steps that have led to significant changes. An Ethiopian proverb says, "When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion." Care to find out?

Blessings, Pastor Nancy

About Tehachapi Congregational Church:

No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here! The Tehachapi Congregational Church is an open and welcoming community of faith that believes that each person, created in the image of God, holds a piece of the truth. Therefore, we respect each person's unique spiritual journey. We invite you to experience the difference that religious freedom in a caring community can make in that journey. We are located at 100 East E St., in Tehachapi. Worship and Sunday School are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Please join us for coffee and fellowship at our Friendship Hall after worship (approximately 11:30 a.m.). All are welcome.