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- Written by: Editor
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lenten book study group is open to the public at St. John’s Episcopal Church, March 16 through April 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The selected reading is “The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming the Heart and the Mind – a New Perspective on Christ and His Message, by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault.”
A simple supper will be offered before each evening's discussion at the Lakeport church, located on the corner of North Forbes and Clearlake Avenue.
“The Wisdom Jesus” explores the life and meaning of Jesus from various Christian traditions, both Western and Eastern Orthodox, as well as the Gnostic Gospels, especially the Gospel of Thomas.
Rev. Bourgeault is an Episcopal priest and mystic, founder of the Aspen Wisdom School and the Contemplative Society.
“'The Wisdom Jesus' is a masterful work,” says Jim Marion, author of “Putting on the Mind of Christ.” “Cynthia Bourgeault invites us to follow Jesus’ path of self-emptying love, and she describes wisdom practices that we Christians can use every day to transform our own minds so that we too can see with the eyes of Christ.”
Those wanting to participate in St. John’s book study should leave a message with the church office at 707-263-4765. Books are available at www.amazon.com.
St. John's is a visible, welcoming family of Christ resolved to deepen our relationship with God. See www.saintjohnslakeport.org/.
Follow St. John’s on Twitter at http://twitter.com/stjohnslakeport and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lakeport-CA/St-Johns-Episcopal-Church-Lakeport-CA/223536852800?v=photos&ref=ts#!/pages/Lakeport-CA/St-Johns-Episcopal-Church-Lakeport-CA/223536852800.
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- Written by: Office of the Attorney General
LOS ANGELES – On Monday California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris filed a lawsuit seeking restitution and civil penalties totaling $803,100 in a scam that defrauded 33 African American churches in Southern California.
Promoters promised that the leased computer kiosks would enhance the experience of parishioners, but the scheme ended up creating big debts for the churches.
The attorney general's lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Television Broadcasting Online, Ltd., Urban Interfaith Network, Willie Perkins, Michael Morris, Wayne Wilson, Tanya Wilson, Balboa Capital Corp. and United Leasing Associates of America Ltd.
It charges them with violations of the state's unfair competition and false advertising laws, and seeks restitution, civil penalties and an injunction to prevent any further illegal activities.
“This was a cruel and hypocritical scheme,” said Attorney General Harris. “The perpetrators preyed on institutions of faith. Let this be a lesson to others who may look to defraud our community organizations: you will be caught and you will be held accountable.”
The attorney general's complaint states that defendants Television Broadcasting Online, Ltd., Urban Interfaith Network, Willie Perkins, and Michael Morris “engaged in a nationwide scam”' in which they persuaded “195 African American churches in 15 different states to enter into expensive and onerous leases for shoddy computer equipment housed in wooden cabinets.”
They promised the churches the kiosks would be free, advertisers would make the lease payments and the churches would be under no financial obligation.
By 2006, the scam reached California, where 33 African American churches were persuaded to enter into leases for the kiosks. Twenty-four of the churches are located in Los Angeles County, five in Riverside County and four in San Bernardino County.
Defendants Wayne and Tanya Wilson – on behalf of Television Broadcasting Online, Ltd., Urban Interfaith Network, Willie Perkins and Michael Morris – pitched themselves to the California churches, according to the attorney general's complaint, as representing “a business/religious entity, national in scope, with strong ties to both the African American community and enlightened corporate sponsors” that wanted to help this religious community.
They said the computer kiosks would connect the churches and their parishioners to “national advertisers, government, businesses and even generate some revenue for themselves.”
When the churches failed to pay the monthly lease payments, Balboa and United filed collection suits, seeking full payment plus interest, attorneys' fees and costs.
According to the attorney general's complaint, the leasing companies, Balboa and United, are liable because the other defendants were acting as their agents and because, even after the leasing companies learned of the misrepresentations, they failed to alert churches to the scam and vigorously continued to enforce the terms of the leases.
Wayne and Tanya Wilson live in Rancho Cucamonga. Balboa Capital Corp. is based in Irvine. United Leasing is based in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Urban Interfaith Network, Inc. and Television Broadcasting Online, Ltd. are based in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Perkins and Morris were convicted in Michigan of racketeering, conspiracy, and false pretenses in connection with the scam.
Morris is serving five to 20 years, and Perkins is serving four to 20 years.
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- Written by: Editor
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – On March 6 the Sunday worship service at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church changes time to 11 a.m. and will feature Rev. Timothy Locke as the Sunday speaker.
In mid-January, Linda Diehl Darms, chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, held two church gatherings to asses the effectiveness of the addition of a noon service beginning last September.
“It was the consensus of the congregation that a single service is preferred and 11 a.m. is the compromise time,” Darms said. “We last changed worship time from 11 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the early 1980s after Middletown no longer shared a pastor with Lower Lake. We do have a very small membership so it is preferable to have a single service incorporating elements of the Spirit Alive service with our New Life Service.”
The Methodist Church continues to offer Bible study on Thursday evening but on March 6 will begin a 9:30 a.m. Bible study of the Hebrew scriptures, also known as the Old Testament.
For more information about programs and services of the Middletown Methodist Church email
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Sunday, Feb. 27, the eighth Sunday after Epiphany at Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road, worship service will begin at 10 a.m.
The message and a special time for the children will be presented by Rev. Martha Neff Stum, with special music by the Chancel Choir.
Communion will be served during service and all baptized believers are welcome at God's table.
On Tuesday, March 1, at 7 p.m., they will continue their Bible study series, which is looking at stories from the Apocrypha.
Come join us for study and fellowship. Coffee will be available for everyone.
Prayer Crafters had to be put on hold due to the weather. A new date for the first meeting will be announced soon.
The group will be making pocket prayer shawls and cross necklaces for men and women in the military and hats and scarves for the homeless here at home. No experience is necessary. This group will be co-ed. A light supper will be served at 6 p.m. followed by Prayer Crafters.
The church invites community members to join its friendly congregation in worship, Bible study and Prayer Crafters.
For more information or to view the church's calendar of events visit www.galileekelseyville.org .