was the theme of Fontana's community prayer breakfast this morning.
People around the nation took and are taking time to pray.
I found myself again at the Woman's Club, although this time I had a brief moment on stage lending my voice to the altos of the ecumenical choir; Ace was singing soprano, of course. The choir itself practiced only twice on two songs - 'Let there be Peace on Earth' and 'God Bless the USA'. Pastor
Dan Burr of Crossroads Community Church, who I've always seen at these events over the past years, whipped us into shape in short order making us a meaningful and moving contribution to the program.
The most moving offering for me was he, his son Aaron, and a Donald Hayes, 'the Crossroads Three', resonating the room with 'Shine on Us'. His wife Karen was also an alto in the choir; our two churches have been closely linked in years past.
This was the first prayer breakfast without
Bea, and yet her presence was felt. I was saddened - she and I would always say we would get together for lunch, yet it never happened. Bea caused the cream in coffee to rise in people; she glowed with the sweetness of the Lord. It was a blessing to have her memory with us today. As a side note, it is my understanding that the local post office in South Fontana has been dedicated to Bea Watson's memory. Bea, let's have lunch! My thoughts and prayers are with you Larry.
To get back on point, the theme 'Complacency Kills' was based on Psalm 28:7. Scriptures were also shared from the Torah, the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Morman, and the Holy Qur'aan (read in native tongue and english). Councilwoman Janice Rutherford Lim was MC. While Mayor Mark Nuaimi, although expected, was unable to be present, Councilman John Roberts was also present. Many people from Fontana and other local civic offices were also present. I recognized many and appreciated seeing many, like an representative from
Amina Carter's office. The place was filled - it was truly the crux of our community in faith and culture.
Fire Department Division Chief Thom Wellman gave the keynote address on 'Complacency Kills'. I was convinced in his closing that complacency absolutely does kill, that it is an innocuous and pervasive parisite void of shape, smell, form and yet deadly. He compared it to nuclear fallout I believe. He spoke to time, distance, shielding; tactics used to survive nuclear exposure. Limit exposure, get as far away from it as possible, and shield from any exposure to it at all; especially when options one and two are diminished. He pointed out that due to the inconspicuous nature of complacency, we need our friends to identify we are tainted with it. It is difficult to identify for ourselves. He said complacency begins with a choice which in essence we commit to which leads to compromise. The point though is that in this day and age we must actively avoid the deadliness of complacency. Since, it cannot be laced with an identifiable odor like household gas, I agree. How horrible it would be to become complacent, to embrace lukewarm living, to invisibly expose others to deteriorated values and a diseased moral standard. That alone is enough to bring me to my knees.
Each table had a time to pray together about concerns we face in common. One specific of ours was to protect our children in the schools from violence and from inappropriate and harmful teaching, girding them up to identify and withstand such things and to be lights in darkened environments - that they would be protected from the fiery darts that surround them from day to day.
I was blessed for having been there and certainly glad to take the time with others to go before the Lord in this time of prayer.
In and around the area, the preparations for the day's activities were going on. You could hear the sounds of the snow machine, and bands, and see classic cars and floats lining up with their passengers, including the likes of Acquanetta Warren and Janice Rutherford. The crescendo of anticipated activity was only just beginning.
