Mission Yearbook: A new model for ministry takes root in California’s Central Valley

Image

Fuentes de Gracia worshiping in Sanger, California. (Contributed photo). 

In California’s Central Valley, where mandarin orange groves stretch across sunbaked fields, immigrant families from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Punjab work the harvests that feed America. As these hardworking communities buy their first homes in small valley towns, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is learning to be nimble enough to meet them where they are.

This is the place where pastor Alex Gonzalez fulfills his calling as a church planter and leadership developer. His multi-site vision of ministry to immigrant communities is transforming how the Presbytery of San Joaquin serves its rapidly changing communities. His new worshiping community, Fuente de Gracia, recently received a $50,000 Walton Award from the PC(USA)’s 1001 New Worshiping Communities movement — funding that will help construct the presbytery’s first new building in decades.

“We haven't built anything from the ground up for a while,” said the Rev. Ara Guekguezian, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of San Joaquin.“To be adding a property is exciting for people that have been a part of the presbytery for the past generation. They remember the days that they were building churches all over the place.”

Image

The Rev. Guekguezian and Pastor Gonzalez. (Contributed photo).

The Central Valley embodies California’s innovative spirit, Guekguezian explained, but it’s fundamentally an agricultural region where immigrant workers form the backbone of the economy. “When Armenians like my family came here, they worked in packing houses and worked in the fields, and then the Southeast Asian refugees came, same thing,” he said. “People from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Bolivia, Colombia — they come here and work, and they immigrate here and build lives here for generations.”

As communities shift within a single generation, Presbyterian churches struggle to adapt. “We’re not very nimble like the Roman Catholic Church, who can place priests who speak the language in the communities,” Guekguezian acknowledged. “We have churches where English is the second language for people surrounding the church, and for some it’s very weak. It’s hard for them to worship God in a language that they're not sure of.”

Fuente de Gracia offers a different model. Rather than a single congregation, it’s a multi-campus ministry currently operating in Sanger in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Sierra Pacific Synod. The new $850,000 building in northwest Fresno — funded through the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program,  presbytery resources and the Walton Award — will become Fuente de Gracia’s Fresno campus.

“Alex’s vision is that it will be a missional congregation,” Guekguezian said, noting the strategic location west of Highway 99, which functions as a barrier many residents never cross. “There isn't another expression of the Reformed faith on the west side of the major freeway that runs through the Central Valley.”

But Gonzalez’s vision extends beyond buildings. His calling, Guekguezian explained, is “to develop strong leadership, identify people with spiritual gifts and leadership qualities, and then partner with the presbytery and the denomination in equipping these leaders.”

The presbytery relies heavily on commissioned ruling elders — lay leaders who receive focused training to serve congregations. Gonzalez provides initial mentorship, then the presbytery offers advanced instruction through resources including online classes at Whitworth University and educational videos created by mid council leaders. “With the Fuente de Gracia people, Gonzalez’s training would be a little more intensive and a little deeper,” Guekguezian said.

This model is already proving replicable. Fresno Punjabi Church, another new worshiping community in the presbytery that currently meets at University Presbyterian Church in Fresno, is exploring a similar multi-site approach, with plans for campuses in Merced and Bakersfield. Meanwhile, Fuente de Gracia envisions additional locations in Madera and communities along the “orange belt,” where former citrus-packing towns need revitalization.

For Fuente de Gracia, the Walton Award funding arrives at a critical moment. “The cost of construction materials has increased in a substantial way, and this $50,000 gives us the ability to build the building we envisioned instead of having to cut back in any substantial way,” Guekguezian said.

With 20 congregations and five fellowships serving communities from 10 to 200 worshipers, the Presbytery of San Joaquin sees Fuente de Gracia as a model for sustainable ministry in immigrant communities. As Guekguezian put it, the project reflects “our commitment as a presbytery” to being present where the need is greatest. 

Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Laura Lee, Senior Designer/Production Specialist, Presbyterian Women
Sang Ik Lee, Translator, Global Language Resources, Administrative Services Group          

Let us pray:

God, help us to avoid double vision when we preach your gospel by thinking it’s either about evangelism or about justice. Help us to know it’s about both; loving Jesus means working for justice, too. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Holy humor - Exploring faith through cartoons

Who among us is not familiar with cartoons?

Image

Dr. W. Goddard Sherman, pastor and cartoonist, with one of his creations, 1974. Pearl ID: 360902. "Daddy says we have to cut our church pledge 'cause we bought a color TV!"

Whether on the television screen on Saturday morning or found nestled between the sports and film sections of the newspaper, the visual art of the cartoon has been persistent and popular within our culture since the Middle Ages, though the medium has developed and changed over time.

Cartoons are drawings that are typically humorous or satirical or present a figure in an unrealistic, caricatured style. Cartoons can be found in the form of films or animation, comic strips and books, and even in fine art. Cartoonists can also be found in many forms, including that of a minister. Dr. W. Goddard Sherman is the Methodist pastor whose pen makes you laugh — his artwork and name “appears in The New Yorker magazine almost as often as he appears in his pulpit,” says the caption. In this image from the Religious News Service collection, Sherman is shown “doing his ‘thing’ — cartooning — as he also thinks out his next sermon.” 

Image

Cartoon by Roger W. Palmquist for “In Step,” 1974. Pearl ID: 371249. "Gotta feeling we're gonna have some differences, but still be friends."

Sherman’s cartoons are not all religious in theme, though many poke easy fun at modern Christian life. In one, a man sits in his barber’s chair and smilingly says, “Anoint me with oil.” In another, a wife tells her husband to set the alarm clock an hour earlier than usual, explaining that it’s because she wants “to continue this argument before breakfast!” While Sherman’s illustrations mirrored everyday life at home and work, other artists decided to comment on other realms — like the military experience, for example.

This cartoon is yet another created by an artist who doubled as a religious leader. The Rev. Roger W. Palmquist imagines Martin Luther and John Calvin as military buddies. “Religious differences may be noted, but overcome by the eccentricities of military life, comments ‘Private Luther’ to his buddy ‘Calvin’.” This artwork was published in the bimonthly newsletter of the Lutheran Council in the USA’s Division of Service to Military Personnel, “In Step.” Palmquist said of his caricature, “Private Luther is more polished and less of a nuisance than other khaki-clad cartoon creations like Beetle Bailey or Sad Sack.”

But when attempting to portray that other religious character, the antagonist of Scripture, cartoonists like Palmquist do not aim for their creations to be “polished” or “less of a nuisance.” Caricatures that portray Satan can be found as far back as the Middle Ages, and the imagery of the devil that most of us are familiar with can be considered a comic in itself. The pointed ears and spiked tail, the dragon-like qualities of this demonic presence, and the persistence of Satan being portrayed as a red devil with a malicious grin — this is an iconography that stretches far into the past. 

The 1975 International Cartoonists’ Exhibition, installed and on display in Bordighera, Italy, was all about the man in red. The Religious News Service press release covering the event featured the headline “THE DEVIL TEMPTS THE CARTOONIST.” The theme of that year’s exhibition was the realm of the mystic, specifically “The Devil, Witches, Magic and Exorcism.” Founded in 1972, the coalition was formed by three cartoonists: Carlo Chendi (1933–2021), Luciano Bottaro (1931–2006) and Giorgio Rebuffi (1928–2014). They hoped to show folks how a comic page was created, offering a glimpse at the process of cartooning as an art. The first two instances of the exhibition did not require artists to stick to a particular theme, though the 1974 exposition did. That year’s theme was “women in comics,” spotlighting both female characters and heroes as well as authors and artists.

There are plentiful comics and cartoons to be found in the archives of the Presbyterian Historical Society — these are just a few highlights pulled from the Religious News Service collection. The topics of the artwork may vary, as can be seen in this curation, but the goal of each is the same: to elicit a smile or pull a laugh from the unsuspecting reader. 

McKenna Britton, Presbyterian Historical Society, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Ali Laswell, Accounting & Payroll Administration, Controller, The Presbyterian Foundation
Lee (DJ) Dong Jo, Lead, Korean Congregational Relations, Engagement & Church Relations, The Board of Pensions                       

Let us pray:

God, who created the world when all was chaos and void — as we wander, not knowing where we go, and when all seems dark — say again, we pray, “let there be light.” Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Illinois church brings community together with summer meal ministry partnership

Image

The sandwich-making team (Provided by Mary Wright)

First Presbyterian Church (FPC) of Charleston, Illinois, has been engaged in mission and ministry for over 190 years. Located in Coles County in east central Illinois, this congregation is aware of and concerned about the needs of the people in Charleston. According to the 2024 census, almost 19% of residents of the county live under the poverty line. Food insecurity has been a challenge for many years. The Charleston school system reports that 47% of the students are on free meal programs. Several years ago, FPC learned that the children received meals only Monday through Thursday during the summer school break. The members of the church organized to fill in the gap, and for two years, simple meals were prepared and delivered by the church to several neighborhoods on Friday. However, the situation changed, and the delivery program through a local volunteer program for Monday through Thursday fell apart. The leadership of FPC jumped into action and created a partnership to prepare and deliver simple meals every weekday to the same neighborhoods during the summer months. 

Teams from St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Christ First Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, FPC, and a chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization have joined together for the past three years to collect and pack nonperishable items for snack packs that accompany a freshly made sandwich, fresh fruit and a cheese stick. These efforts are all supervised by members of the churches who have undergone and passed the food safety program offered by the county.

The churches share in the financial cost, as well as collecting the items that make up the nonperishable snack packs. Fruit cups, small bags of chips, individually wrapped desserts, and a spoon and napkin are the basic items in the snack pack. Special treats are offered in the form of toys, coloring pages, crayons and gun safety information.

Amazingly, as the community learns of the summer meal ministry, monetary donations are sent to help the ministry. 

During the summer of 2025, this partnership prepared and delivered simple meals to four neighborhoods. Over 3,000 meals were served, while volunteers from the churches and organizations developed relationships with one another, as well as interacting with the people who received the meals. Faithful stewardship is practiced as extra sandwiches are given to several local organizations.

An extra effort last year added another snack pack delivered on Friday for the family. On the Fourth of July, individual pies and ice cream were distributed.

In the middle of the summer, a party at the local city pool is given to the participants of the summer meal ministry. FPC covers the cost of the pool rental, and the other partners help by bringing food for the guests. The families in the neighborhoods help one another by carpooling to the event.  

In our meetings, the partners discuss the joys of developing relationships among the volunteers as the various tasks are accomplished, and with the people of the neighborhoods as the food is distributed. The congregation of FPC is grateful for the spirt of generosity and the compassionate heart that God has created among the partners.

Rev. Mary E. Wright, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, Illinois

Let us join in prayer for:

Kristen Leucht, Senior Church Consultant - Los Angeles, CA, Engagement & Church Relations, The Board of Pensions
Clare Lewis, President & CEO, Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program              

Let us pray:

Gracious God, thank you for the opportunity to create new relationships among the people of your household as we minister together. May one day the need for food ministries be alleviated as the world comes to live as the wonder of your creation.  Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Daughter honors father’s defiance of Brazil’s dictatorship

From 1964 to 1985, Brazil was ruled by a military dictatorship, sometimes referred to as the Fifth Brazilian Republic. Estimates suggest at least 434 political dissidents were murdered or “disappeared” during the dictatorship, and at least 20,000 others were tortured. Despite these human rights atrocities, the regime enjoyed the support of the United States government. But others worked tirelessly to oppose the government’s horrific actions, including a Presbyterian mission worker from the United States, the Rev. James Nelson Wright.

Anita Wright Torres was a teenager in 1975, when her father stood alongside a rabbi and the Archbishop of São Paulo in front of a crowd of more than 8,000 at the city’s central cathedral. The gathering was an interreligious and ecumenical cry for justice, speaking out against the murder of Jewish journalist Vladimir Herzog at the hands of the Brazilian government. Brazilian military forces surrounded the gathering from all sides in a flagrant display of power and intimidation.

Image

Anita Wright Torres speaks in her father's honor at an event in São Paulo on Oct. 25. (Photos by Instituto Vladimir Herzog)

Fifty years later, on Oct. 25, 2025, Wright Torres — now a ruling elder in the United Presbyterian Church in Brazil — stood in the same place, in front of another crowd, to represent her father and honor the courageous actions he and his clergy colleagues took decades ago.

Wright Torres describes herself as a third-generation Presbyterian missionary, though she and her four siblings were born and raised in Brazil. Her grandparents came to Brazil in the 1920s as Presbyterian missionaries from the United States. Her father attended high school in Brazil but returned to the United States for college — which Wright Torres says was the custom for children of missionaries back then.

After attending what is now University of the Ozarks in Arkansas, Wright went on to Princeton Theological Seminary, where he met his wife, who was pursuing a degree in Christian education. Together they returned to Brazil to live out their careers as mission workers themselves.

Wright served in prominent leadership roles in the church, including as general secretary for the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil from 1968 to 1986. At the same time, he was also collaborating with the archbishop and other religious leaders to oppose and undermine Brazil’s military dictatorship, both publicly and in secret. He took a position working in the archbishop’s human rights office.

Image

A crowd gathers at the central cathedral in São Paulo on October 25th to remember the murder of journalist Vladimir Herzog by Brazil's military dictatorship in 1975.

He was known for his role in helping the archdiocese of São Paulo organize and publish “Brasil Nunca Mais,” a book that used verbatim transcripts of the government’s own records to divulge its use of torture and murder against dissidents. Wright Torres said they were ultimately able to copy all 7,000 records of prisoners.

The book was written entirely in secret over a period of five years, and Wright Torres said her father was responsible for smuggling out evidence and smuggling in funding for the effort, disguised by his travels to meet international church partners in Geneva. The book was published and distributed by the Catholic Church, and by the time the government became aware of its existence, it was already selling. 

Wright’s participation in the denunciation of the government’s murder of journalist and Communist Party member Vladimir Herzog was arguably his most public show of resistance. At the time, the government listed Herzog’s death as a suicide; it would be 37 years before his death certificate was revised to reflect the truth.

Wright Torres said her father didn’t hide the truth of his activities or the government’s oppressive regime from his children, though he did couple these hard truths with reassurance that their own family would be OK.

For Wright, the call to oppose the government’s violence and unjust actions was a matter of faith, but it was also personal. Wright’s younger brother, Paul, was one of those “disappeared” by the regime. 

Wright Torres carries the same understanding that the commitment to justice and human rights is a matter of Christian faith and honoring her family.

“I had him as an example of a man of faith, a man of courage, and that would do what he did … in the search for justice,” Wright Torres said. 

Layton Williams Berkes, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Rebecca Kueber, Operations & Production Associate, Publishing & Editorial, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks, Growing Faith Resources & Church Relations, Growing Faith Resources, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation

Let us pray:

Holy God, whose Spirit brings unity of purpose to people of faith from widely different backgrounds, bless the work of congregations in equipping us for Christian witness and service. In Christ’s name. Amen.

God's Mission Our Gifts: Your June Mission and Service Stories and more!

Philanthropy News - May 28, 2026 View this email in your browser

Scroll down for congregational stewardship news! 2026 Northern Indigenous Ministers Retreat The Northern Indigenous Ministers Retreat will once again offer space for rest and renewal in 2026. The United Church of Canada Foundation is reaching out by mail, email, and social media to invite your community to take part in supporting this gathering. A donation link is available for those who would like to make a gift, or include it in communications. We invite you to keep an eye on your mailboxes (physical and digital!) and share these resources when they are available. Your June Mission and Service Stories June 7 Created and Loved [Image credit: Juan Moyano]   Partners work across Canada and globally to create safe, inclusive, and affirming spaces for 2S and LGBTQIA+ individuals facing discrimination and violence. Rooted in the belief that everyone is unconditionally loved by God, this vital work ranges from local community care and safe spaces to life-saving international advocacy. Ultimately, these efforts help nurture communities of true belonging where all people can live safely, authentically, and with dignity. June 14 Making Joyful Noise [Image credit: Mary981 from Getty Images]   Two music programs at First-St. Andrew’s United Church in London, ON provide children and youth with affordable access to music, creativity, and shared meals. By lowering financial barriers, these initiatives encourage teamwork, reduce stress, and build lasting confidence. Ultimately, the programs offer a safe, inclusive environment where young people can thrive in friendship and joy. June 21 Campfires and Confidence [Image credit: Arthur Kidston memorial Camp] Arthur Kidston Memorial Camp in Nova Scotia offers children and youth a vital space to unplug, connect with nature, and build self-confidence. Through outdoor adventures and leadership training, campers of all backgrounds are encouraged to try new things and develop new strengths. The camp continues to encourage resilience and a deep sense of belonging for young people. June 28 Caring for Caregivers [Image credit: Photo by Reynold Anderson] The Northern Indigenous Ministers Retreat offers a crucial space for rest, trauma-informed support, and cultural healing for spiritual leaders facing extraordinary grief and burnout. Participants share experiences and engage in traditional crafts to find collective renewal. This ongoing initiative ensures that those carrying heavy community burdens receive the vital care they need. Congregational Stewardship and Generosity   It works!!! Bethany United Church in Halifax, NS is doing some good things. They have taken steps in the last month alone to look at some of their community events and fundraisers through a stewardship lens. They have done a Volunteer Expo and used PAR resources this month to boost consistent giving. They've had new sign ups. They are still waiting on data, but there has been really good feedback. A Community of Faith is Alberta made good use of the PAR Month resources and were absolutely thrilled with how well the people responded. It’s too soon for numbers, but they're noticing the culture of their Community of Faith changing away from a scarcity mindset. Small steps really work. A small-town church in South Western Ontario simply added one more donor on PAR, moving from 6 to 7. Not only did it change the financial picture, it also gave them the chance to be successful. Claiming their CanadaHelps page and letting people know they can give this way, saw an increase in donations. They even bought a Square brand card tap machine to use at community events, like their pasta supper, which realised an extra $70 in gifts. If they can do it, you can do it. (And we can help you) Let’s say thank you!    As PAR Month wraps up, please take the opportunity to thank your donors. Thank those who are newly signed up for consistent giving through PAR. They are making a statement about their commitment to the church and to their faith. Thank those already using PAR who increased their giving. They love their church. Thank those not using PAR, but still being generous. Generosity is a mark of discipleship. You cannot thank people too much or too often. Now is the time!   New Stewardship BLOG The Rev. Sarah Giles invites you to “Drink the Juice” this month! Mmmmm, tasty!!   Getting Started in Stewardship This is where it all begins. Communities of Faith completing this course have better outcomes. After this FREE 90-minute online course you will better understand: Stewardship is not fundraising. Stewardship is discipleship. Why people give? What can you do next? Find out more and sign up on CHURCHx.   Get the Stewardship support you need. The people and resources to help you succeed are here. Team Changes. Big News for Eastern Canada!! The Rev. Rob Shearer will be starting on June 1 as the Growth and Stewardship Animator for the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters region. He will also be covering the First Dawn Eastern Edge region for the foreseeable future. Those in his regions are welcome to reach out to Rob at rshearer@united-church.ca. Melody Duncanson Hales will also continue with some ongoing work in these regions. Thanks, Melody, for your help!

Gifts with Vision News Our small but mighty Gifts with Vision catalogue has been updated – featuring brand new gifts, as well as your existing favourites. Take a look now! Questions? Email Gifts with Vision. You can also call us at 1-844-715-7969. Why be a Mission and Service Volunteer? You love the Mission and Service stories and want to share them: you’ve been reading the stories on the website every now and then, and you think they would inspire your congregation – if only you could hear about how other people were using them! As a volunteer, you get a weekly email with information you can use, plus resources to help you spread the word about Mission and Service in your community and online.  You can also virtually meet other Mission and Service volunteers and learn what works for them!  Contact us today to learn more!      Mission and Service Volunteer Program    The United Church of Canada Foundation  ms@united-church.ca    1-800-465-3771  GOD’S MISSION, OUR GIFTS is your newsletter. We want to provide news and information that you can use in your community of faith, whether you’re a minister, a board member, an administrator, a treasurer, or anyone else who wants to make a difference.   What else would you like to see? What can we do to help your community of faith get where it needs to go? Send us your thoughts! Donate Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn   Your generosity enables the United Church to love, serve, and minister in the world. Make an online donation or learn more about your options to support the work of the church.

Copyright © 2026 The United Church of Canada, All rights reserved.