loFT leaDeRs
aTTenD TRANSFORM eVenT
According to leading author and Christian thinker
Phyllis Tickle, “There is probably no more pressing matter
facing the Church right now than the need to establish
missional communities that will both live/be/carry the
Word within the larger community we call ‘the culture’
and, at the same time, serve as a place of union and shared
activity between established churches and emergence
Christianity.” The Loft, now in its second year of existence at Westwood UMC, is one of this faith community’s
responses to that challenge. Having successfully launched,
now it is time to envision the “next steps” in the growth of
this vital ministry.
At the end of March, Bo Sanders and Chris Spearman
were joined by seven other leaders from The Loft in attending the annual gathering of TransFORM, an international,
trans-denominational missional community formation
network. In addition to gaining inspiration from speakers
and learning from others working in similar settings, The
Loft leaders
were also
seeking
ways to
strengthen
their own
community.
“It was an
opportunity
to hear from other missional communities while intentionally reflecting on the work The Loft is doing and what
direction we want to move in,” said Westley Garcia from
The Loft delegation.
The group returned with stronger ties to one another,
stronger ownership of the work that is already in place
at The Loft, and with new directions for going forward.
According to Westley, the conversation did not end with
identifying internal challenges. “Through multiple conversations we were able to isolate areas of need within our
community and articulate ways in which to begin addressing them.”
“It’s fascinating how connected you become with
people when you share a car ride from the west side to San
Diego. There’s something about being locked in a car with
three other people that encourages conversation, reflection
on common experiences, and all-around fellowship.”
the youngest granddaughter to our church’s preschool for
several years. Years later, all three of their granddaughters
had wonderful experiences participating in the Sierra Service
Project; a reason that Don and Roz continue to support that
program. About that same time, Don volunteered to become
the Church Treasurer, following Mac McKenzie. He held that
position for fourteen years until our present Treasurer, Keith
Price, volunteered. Don also served as Chairman of the Board
of Trustees for three years during the 1980’s and again during
the Belmont Village construction period.
BeYonD the Walls of the church
The Nelsons have been delivering Meals on Wheels to
homebound seniors in West Los Angeles each week for nearly
eleven years. This commitment was the result of a challenge
that Sharon Rhodes-Wickett made in one of her sermons: “to
get involved in helping other people.” While raising her family, Roz volunteered for the Junior League of Los Angeles and
the Nine O’Clock Players of the Assistance League of Southern California. Additionally, she served as Chairman of the
House Board for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She felt
a strong attachment to this sorority, having performed with
her sorority sisters in the annual Spring Sing at UCLA each
year and having served as the sorority’s Treasurer during her
college years.
Roslyn summed up the Nelsons’ belief in a simple
statement: “Our volunteer work is important to us and very
rewarding.” To this, I would like to say a powerful “AMEN”
and thank Don and Roslyn Nelson for sharing their gifts and
talents with so many people throughout the years. We are
truly blessed by such caring and dedicated people!
Bette