memories – Church of the Servant King

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

Upson Downs 7-4-2020

Dear friends, I just realized it’s been a while since I updated this post. I find myself often experiencing different aspects of grief that seem to drain motivation for certain endeavors. Nevertheless, I proclaim that God is good.

Since May 25th, my last submission, I observed what would have been my 47th wedding anniversary with brothers and sisters, recalling too many wonderful memories to count, sharing joy and sorrow with my church family. Later,we also celebrated Father’s Day, remembering our last Father’s Day in the hospital with Rich, enjoying (?) takeout pizza in less than perfect circumstances. This year, as we celebrated Rich in absentia, we received many words of love and care from far off places from those who had experienced Rich as a father and friend. And we honored the dads (and expectant dads) who take seriously the responsibility of being Godly fathers. We are graciously blessed.

The teachers here gratefully finished the weirdest school year in memory, adapting to remote teaching and missing daily face-to-face encounters with our students. Some of us adjusted considerably better than others (like me!) Although we don’t know what the future holds, we confidently affirm who holds our future. For that we should be abundantly thankful.

June has brought nationwide, even worldwide turmoil. Knowing that His Church must engage the world boldly and graciously, we have struggled with how best to respond. We know that God is a God of unity and reconciliation, always proclaiming that Jesus tore down the dividing walls; we must not rebuild them. This is a tough sea to navigate, knowing the way is strewn with many obstacles. At times those obstacles seem insurmountable, but we serve a mighty God.

We participated in one peaceful protest, a walk for peace, with New Mount Calvary MBC which took place in downtown Los Angeles, coordinated with the mayor and LAPD. Even then we were trying to balance the need for safety in the midst of Coronavirus, protecting our most vulnerable, yet also striving to be peacemakers in the Kingdom.

We also know that we are engaged daily in spiritual warfare. That may seem confusing to some reading this, but we believe that only with the weapons of the Spirit will the battle be won; we cannot rely on politics to save us.

We had a new experience attending New Mount Calvary’s first drive-in gathered worship. We were thankful that Jack was asked to speak words of peace at that occasion. It was a poignant reminder of our first attempts at reconciliation in 1992, and our gracious welcome from Pastor Lonnie Dawson. We thank God for the many ways we are able to continue our partnership to the present. That’s the Spirit!

May you all have a great long holiday weekend, praying for the God of peace to triumph in these days of challenge.

Best Regards,
Regan Read