Tag: life together

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Blog Celebrations Partnership Travel Unity Updates

Upson Downs 9.15.21

Greetings friends and family! To catch you all up on our recent “doings” I will start with the infusion of new folks into our midst. We welcomed Angie, Trevor, Andres, Isai, and Liesl this past week, so our weekend was spent on work “parties” (WHEE!) to help them get settled in. Yes, we are rather bursting at the seams. We are discussing visions for a new congregation somewhere and are anticipating a move in six months to a year. In the meantime, we will need to find  some extra space as the McCorkels are anticipating the arrival of baby #2 next year. 
Patty, Jack Read, and I recently spent time in Sellwood visiting and hopefully encouraging the brethren there. Jack just returned Tuesday morning and hit the ground running. 
Last weekend we had a Labor Day barbecue and welcomed many guests, friends old and new. We also celebrated Abby’s 4th birthday. It was a grand and glorious time.
Scott and Barb are currently in Atlanta helping with the grandkids and spending time with their daughter and son-in-law. We are glad for their chance to reconnect and pitch in but we will be thankful for their return next week. Speaking of grandparents, Jack M’s mom has been here loving and serving us and getting lots of time with her grandson Rocky, aka “Ruckus.”
My big news is that I finally retired from LAUSD after 37 years. It’s kind of weird and yet kind of wonderful. I discovered that it’s now much easier to lose track of days. Jack, Scott, and I are continuing to offer online exercise classes, and last week we also returned to in person fitness programs. It’s a bit surreal to exercise “socially distanced” and with masks on, but I am so glad to see people face to face (mask to mask?) and to be able to encourage them to be healthy and connect with others.
We are happily busy, celebrating the joy of being “neck deep in what is right and good and true.” We covet your prayers especially for Lyndsie’s health, a shared vision for moving ahead with a new congregation, loving and integrating our new partners, and continuing to love one another. May God’s Church be strong and faithful to God’s call, and may we exhibit the unity Christ appealed for in His prayer of John 17.
Thanks for your faithful friendship, love, support, and interest.
Grace and peace to you all,

For Church of the servant-King,

Regan

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Blog Celebrations Hospitality Nature and Purpose of the Church Partnership Unity Updates

Upson Downs 7.20.21

sparkler for july

The Garcia Reyes family has arrived from Peru! We are again given the honor of being hospitable. Romans 12:13 succinctly states, “Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.” And who knows? We may be “entertaining angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2) The Old Testament is also replete with admonitions to welcome the stranger. It’s a needed reminder to the Israelites that they were once strangers in a strange land. And so are we all, just beggars showing other beggars where to find bread. We have welcomed Jake and Joanna, Ramon, Molly and Paapa, Cassie, Jeff and Linda, the Dickersons, and the Williams in the time since our last update. It’s possible that I have even missed a few! We’re not finished yet as we anticipate the arrival of Liesl, Linda, and the Miller clan in August. I am confident that the Lord will bring more guests to our door. May we be found worthy.
We give thanks that the world is opening up again, and we look forward to what lies ahead. Some of what we are anticipating: Celebration of the Children, Wineskins, Rich’s Memorial, Nature and Purpose of the Church classes, and Member’s Retreat to name but a few. As always, we need “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” We are thankful for your prayers and partnership. Our world desperately needs to see unity manifested; thereby Christ is proclaimed. 
Grace and peace from Church of the Servant-King

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Blog Celebrations Hospitality Our story Special events Updates

Upson Downs 4.1.21

two lambs in a field
All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small...

Greetings! Tonight our men are reviving an old tradition- the baseball draft. I am giving thanks for the special memories that such celebrations bring. Jack Read has been participating in this event since his teen years; now he carries on his father’s legacy. Some things, of course, have been interrupted by Covid-19, notably dinner at Phillip’s and opening day at Dodger stadium. But many others remain the same, such as delicious varieties of hot dogs, haggling and negotiating over teams, and lots and lots of laughter. We have been watching The Chosen in anticipation of Easter and also plan to watch The Passion on Good Friday. We will join together for a celebratory meal on Easter Sunday. Easter is the ultimate joke on the Devil: “He is not here. He is risen!” He is risen indeed. Hallelujah! Sean, Kirsten, and Kristy came for a wonderful visit last week. We are so glad to be opening up again, albeit cautiously. It was especially great to enjoy a special meal on the Le’s first anniversary with much of the wedding party in attendance! Our international Bible study has been encouraging and kind of amazing too. Our visiting angels drop in from Mexico, Peru, Myanmar, and closer to home, Oregon. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we are teaching a Spanish Bible study and watching our kids. That’s a lot to cover for our little congregation. He is strong in our weakness. Well, that’s it for now. We are blessed to have the abundant life here, keeping us busy and living life with purpose. There truly is “never a dull moment.” Grace and peace to you all, and joyful Easter. God bless us all, everyone.

Regan

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Blog Updates

Upson Downs

Greetings all! Remember me? I’m so sorry I haven’t kept up on the latest info from us. I hope you are well, as we have been. Since our Covid encounter and quarantine adventures, we have all stayed negative. Who ever thought being negative would be a good thing?? We have had to undertake some traveling for Kingdom purposes, and we all have deemed this as acceptable risk, evaluating each need on an individual basis. As a result, some of us are currently observing a quarantine period, as will some others when they return. It is our hope and prayer that we will all be clear and available to celebrate Christmas together. This year promises to be bittersweet as we mourn the loss of a beloved one as we welcome three new little ones to their first Christmas.
Thanksgiving was wonderful albeit quite different from the past where we ministered together to the lonely and needy. We prepared 15 extra meals which we delivered to recipients who were alone or needing the sustenance of food and encouragement. We ate together outside with our small gathering and only 2 guests. Our traditional Dance of the Leftovers was modified to conform to Covid restrictions. But we remembered those who were not with us with a classic, “Werewolves of London,” and not just a few tears. Dancing six feet apart lacks the intimacy and some of the joy we have experienced over the years, but we did our best.
As we anticipate the advent of our Savior into our lost and broken world, we strategize for a modified version of Christmas caroling, celebrating the light and hope of the world. We pray for the year ahead, and look forward to a wedding in January, and all the adventure of life in the Kingdom.
Be well and be of good cheer. God rest ye merry!

Regan