Agapé Journeys

05/27/2026

If you are looking for someone with a vision for the next ten years, look no further.
The hope to lift up the Common Good as a motto for the U.S.A. in the 21st Century has lots of merit.
Take a moment to read this review and then decide if you are going to read the book.

“Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America” By Senator Chris Murphy (FSG, 2026) There’s a moment in reading Senator Chris Murphy’s…

04/28/2026

Heaven on Earth – An official United Methodist view

"The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are but two phrases for the same thing. They mean, not barely a future happy state, in heaven, but a state to be enjoyed on earth...." John Wesley...

“The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are but two phrases for the same thing. They mean, not barely a future happy state, in heaven, but a state to be enjoyed on earth….” …

04/28/2026

Before we engage in a Church Visioning process, there are a couple of important lessons from the past we need to learn.
Otherwise, we will simply "keep doing what we've always been doing."

Whenever we engage in the process of Visioning, I think we need to be very careful. I see at least two significant problems with that process, and both of them have to do with our presumptions, bi…

07/27/2024

07/23/2024

In case you missed it, here's Vice-President Kamala Harris' first speech after receiving the endorsement of President Joe Biden to be the nominee of the Democratic Party in November 2024.
We are living in historic times of great change.

Vice President Harris addressed staff at campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. President Biden joined by phone. He said his decision to withdraw was "hard," but adds that "it was the right thing to do." He urged staff to back Vice President Harris' candidacy and help elect her in November,....

06/16/2024

And so the next God-appointed chapter begins.
The journey to full affirmation of the Call, the growth, the faith and the hope was recognized by the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist church.
Mark the day of Saturday, June 16 in the year of our Lord 2024 as a day when not only the angels danced in heaven, but we all danced with them here on the "Porch of Heaven."

06/15/2024

Way to go Zach!
We surround you with love, hope
and the promise of a life
filled with wonder and God's love.

Felicitaciones y oraciones
por un futuro lleno de maravillas
y del amor de Dios!!!!

The Villanueva-Romero-Van Hook-Adkison family (and many more) surrounds you with great appreciation for you and for what God has been doing in your life.

We celebrate a new generation stepping into the season of expanded growth, exploration, discovery and preparation for a hope-filled and blessed life!

Zachary Villanueva has graduated with honors in the Class of 2024 from International Polytechnic High School in Pomona, affiliated with Cal Poly Pomona.
He is enrolled as a Freshman at UC Berkeley in the fall!
What a glorious time of celebration and love!

06/08/2024

A great way to interact with your younger neighborhood!

05/15/2024

FREE FOOD.... LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH!
COMIDA GRATIS.... ¡ÚLTIMO SÁBADO DEL MES!
Noon to 2 pm / 12:00 a 14:00 horas

Our Food Partner: Feeding America/Riverside

at Montclair First UM Church / Arbor de Vida
9950 Fremont Ave., Montclair, CA.
www.montclairfirstunitedmethodistchurch.com

04/26/2024

MUST SEE SOON:
A timely 2022 Ken Burns documentary
on the U.S. response to the Holocaust of persecution and violence of WWII against Jews and others.
Available to stream on PBS / Passport
it's a three part series that's extremely insightful
and very relevant to our society today.

I recommend it for a Video study group,
where each participant can view an episode on their schedule,
then gather to discuss it by zoom, live, etc.
There, in prayer, reaction and questions of "So What?/How is this relevant today?", the group can explore what God may be leading them about it in light of the events of today.

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/us-and-the-holocaust/