The Gathering Learning Conversations & Flu Shots

Flu Shots – Administered between 2:30-4:00PM

Faith Community Nurses from Hoag will be present at the November Presbytery Gathering to administer flu shots. Even though this date is slightly beyond the recommend date to be most effective against flu this season, we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to protect yourself from the flu. The shots are free and available to all in attendance. There will also be a limited supply of the senior vaccine (recommended for 65+).

For more details about the vaccine and answers to some frequently asked questions, please read the FAQ Article.

Learning Conversations (formerly called “Workshops”) are opportunities to engage with those who are wise, experts, or otherwise passionate about particular areas of interest to the presbytery, the denomination, and those of the faith in general. Each presenter will provide a brief overview of their topic, along with learning outcomes. Learning Conversations are intended to be venues for us to grow in wisdom and understanding as we actively listen and dialogue together. If you have topics you want to suggest for future Presbytery Gatherings, please contact Debbie Haley (dhaley@losranchos.org). 

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Facilitators: Rev. Mark Davis and Rev. Lynn Stone

Throughout the U.S. November 12-20 is “Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week” (HHAW). Homelessness has been a difficult challenge throughout L.A. and Orange Counties, from politics to personal encounters, and many churches wonder how to address it. Pastors Lynn Stone (Yorba Linda) and Mark Davis (Newport Beach) have been engaged in homelessness through the Faith Leaders Council of United to End Homelessness (U2EH), a division of the Orange County United Way. Lynn and Mark will be sharing their stories of how they got involved in U2EH, how it affects their work in their congregations and on their campuses, as well as some of the larger, systemic issues surrounding homelessness in our counties.

How can your church support the resettlement of refugees, our new neighbors, in our communities?

Facilitator: Minda Schweizer

When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.  Leviticus 19:33-34

Join us to learn how your church can form a Home Team to welcome and walk alongside a family who has been forced to flee their home country.  Home Teams are core teams of five people who accompany newly arrived refugee families for one year and help them resettle into their new community.  Each Home Team has a Home for Refugees coach who leads the team by providing training, helping with fundraising and then by coaching the team throughout the year as it helps the family achieve self-sufficiency, find hope, and fully experience a life of dignity in their new home in the United States. Home Team members build friendships with the family as they help the family with basic needs – help with home set-up, social services and healthcare, children’s education, ESL homework with the adults, finances, and job coaching. Churches often want to welcome a refugee family, but do not know how. Come hear about what is involved in this life changing experience.