We write with urgent concern in care for Downey Memorial Christian Church in Los Angeles and the surrounding community. Yesterday, unidentified men in masks, plain clothes, and arms visited their church property and removed a pedestrian without explanation or documentation. When the men were invited to leave the church property, they responded by securing a weapon that was pointed at the pastor. 1 Corinthians 12:26 reminds us, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” We are committed to sharing the limitless love of God from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth, even when fear and intimidation visits our doorsteps, and confusion challenges our ministries.
How do we share together in the limitless love that connects us in our suffering and calls us beyond it?
1. We can share God’s covenant of love by lifting up Downey Memorial Christian Church in
our prayers. The congregation would welcome words of encouragement, support, and our prayers for these challenging times. You may direct your email to: [email protected].
2. If you live in the Los Angeles area, please consider showing up for them by being present in worship with them this Sunday, June 15 at 10:30am pacific time.
3. We can overcome fear and intimidation by clearing up misinformation and confusion. Please note and amplify the message that was shared by Pastor Lopez if you encounter misinformation:
“Today was a very emotional day. A couple of our Pastors and other
community members witnessed a man being detained and taken away by men that were masked and armed. They wore vests that said “Police”, but they refused to identify themselves. Our concern was for the man’s well-being. We don’t know if they were ICE agents or from any other law enforcement agency; the Downey Police Department confirmed they were not their officers.
As with any politically charged event, it’s very easy for misinformation and exaggerations to run rampant. To clarify:
1. The individual was a community member that was simply walking through our
parking lot and had no connections to the church.
2. Pastor Tanya was not pushed or shoved.
3. There was no altercation or obstruction; we wanted to ensure the individual was aware of his rights and encouraged other witnesses to document as much as possible.
We ask for civility as the news of this event continues to be shared and ask that people see past the emotions that drive us away from being able to see others as fully human and worthy of dignity. Let’s take the time to listen to one another and try to find shared values and ideas as people that care deeply for our communities and our country.”
We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. Our pastoral concern is for the well-being and wholeness of our congregations and communities, the integrity of our connections, and the ethics of care that impact our neighbors and our whole world. Our covenantal concern is about moving towards wholeness together as we do the difficult work of being the body of Christ in challenging times not about partisan politics. Disciples are Christians with a variety of political perspectives including conservative, progressive, republican, democrat, independent, and others.
Let’s care for Downey Memorial Christian Church and recommit ourselves to being the church we say we are especially in times like these.
Moving towards wholeness together,
Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President,
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
Rev. Richie Sanchez, Regional Minister and President,
Pacific Southwest Region
Raymond S Stewart
I am a member of The First Christian Church of Charleston SC and I fully support the written comments for continued civility and prayers and speaking out in truth and love for our sister Disciples congregation in LA. Thank you, Ray Stewart
Rev Donna Gunter
Praising God for your beautiful witness of care and concern for your neighbor. I’m grateful that those who stood up for this man fulfilled their mission of witness. My prayers will continue for this congregation and all who were involved. 🙇🏾♀️🙇🏾♀️🙇🏾♀️
Marla Finco
Let’s not jump to conclusions until all the facts are known.
Alice Prather
Grateful for the safety of those nearby. Many prayers for the detainee.
Cindy Crain-Barr
🙏RESIST✌️⏰️
Kathy Rowe PhD
I will share this with the contact in my Facebook page. The horrors of the past few days in Los Angeles are heartbreaking. I pray the the man that was taken in the Church parking lot obtained legal assistance and released.
As humans me must stand up for others as taught by Jesus.
Dale Elliott
Thanks for your willingness to responsibly report reality at a location confronted with the fear, hate, and tragedies so common today. Christians have for centuries faced such dilemmas, praying for courage and help.
May God help people to work for diverse objectives without resorting to such unnecessary treatment of others.
K Farmer
Prayers for our world and our churches during these difficult times
Patrice Johnson
To Downey Memorial Christian Church,
Rev. Terri Hord Owens, Rev. Richie Sanchez, and the Disciples of Christ family,
Grace and peace to you.
As a fellow minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), my heart is deeply concerned over the recent events at Downey Memorial. Please know that you are not alone — I am standing with you in prayer, asking God to cover your congregation with strength, wisdom, and peace in the face of fear and confusion.
In a world that feels more fragmented each day, we remain called to be a movement for wholeness. May God’s limitless love sustain you and your ministry as you continue to be a light in your community.
With continued prayers,
Minister Patrice Johnson
Hope Christian Church
Vicki Tolleson
Prayers of praise first that no one was hurt and though we are left with wounded hearts for the stranger that was apprehended, thank goodness for the safety of the church staff.
Now I pray that all of the hate and confusion in our communities will not prevail and that LOVE for all of God’s children will be restored. May everyone that is threatened or feels threatened be wrapped in God’s warmth. Those that are strong enough to speak up for others please Lord protect them.
AMEN
Rev. Matthew Harris-Gloyer
Thank you disciples.org for sharing this news. Having spent significant time in ministry in the Pacific Southwest Region, my heart breaks for the members of Downey Memorial CC and for the people in that community.
Esther N. Freeman
Thank you Matthew Harris-Gloyer,
You are a most sympathizing minister, and having been in the Pacific SW Region, you will know some of these members quite significantly. Bless you, Bless Downey Memorial Christian Church — and all Disciples of Christ nation and worldwide. Our heart breaks for them, but our Lord will prevail.
Esther Freeman
Annell George McLawhorn
Thank you for your words of support for this congregation.
Lou Ann Millett
I am a 78 year-old-Disciple of Christ in Indiana. I heart weeps for the man who was snatched from your church parking lot. It makes me angry that are neighbors and friends could disappear without a trace just because of prejudice and racism. From my experiences, our entire country would benefit in having a pathway to citizenship for those who have been here for many years and are gainfully employed, many times in jobs that no one else would want to do. Our friends need a way to get a driver’s license. My friends would like to have a legal driver’s license so they can teach their children to drive.
Laura DeMann
Rev. Laura DeMann here from First Church (DOC) in Bossier City, LA. My congregation and I extend our prayers to the members of Downy and the surrounding community for reconciliation and peace, and that no sword formed against you shall prosper.
Paula Reeder
I stand with you in these times and issues.
Esther Freeman
Dear Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of Disciples of Christ
Rev. Richie Sanchez, Regional Minister and President,
Pacific Southwest Region,
Your message is felt around the world. Thank you for being so dutiful in your prayers, in your letters, and most of all in your caring. My hope is that Downey Memorial Christian Church will find peace again. My prayers are that they will also be able to find who had done this to the pedestrian, profiling themselves as policemen. I know that our God reigns, and in the end all will be well, but for now there is no doubt that the members of Downey Memorial will have a deep sense of invasion. I pray that it will be resolved without further issue and that the members will find comfort in leaning into our beloved God.
Sincerely
Rev. Rita Cordelll
I stand with you in prayer today and until all treat others with the respect the Second Great Commandment calls us to: “Love they neighbor as thyself.”