Pacific Southwest District executive minister Russ Matteson earlier this week shared the following prayer request for the Conexion Pasadena congregation of the Church of the Brethren, which has been directly affected by the Eaton fire in the Los Angeles area, as well as other church members and congregations across the area.
“Hold pastors Juan Pablo Plaza and Adriana Rios and their children in prayer, as the church parsonage where they make their home was destroyed by fire overnight,” said the prayer request, in part. “They are scheduled to return from Christmas in Colombia at the end of this week, and are making decisions about when to travel with this news.”
On Thursday, Jan. 9, Matteson provided updated information that “the Pasadena church building and the second parsonage did not have any fire exposure or damage. For this we are grateful.” He added that there is still a possibility that other Church of the Brethren members in the great Los Angeles area may have been directly affected by the fires.
The full prayer concern as originally shared is in Spanish and then in English below:
Pastores y lideres / Pastors and leaders,
Por favor, tengan en sus oraciones al área metropolitana de Los Ángeles mientras soplan los vientos de Santa Ana y los incendios están surgiendo y propagándose rápidamente. En particular, el incendio de Eaton, que comenzó en el área de Pasadena/Altadena, que es donde se encuentra la congregación de Conexión Pasadena.
En particular, oren por los pastores Juan Pablo Plaza y Adriana Ríos y sus hijos, ya que la casa parroquial de la iglesia donde viven fue destruida por un incendio durante la noche. Tienen previsto regresar de pasar la Navidad en Colombia a finales de esta semana y están tomando decisiones sobre cuándo viajar con esta noticia. No tenemos ninguna información sobre el edificio de la iglesia ni sobre la casa parroquial donde vive la pastora Fernanda Navarrete, que se encuentran a poca distancia de la casa de Plaza Ríos.
Recuerden a los miembros de la congregación que tuvieron que evacuar sus hogares, así como a los miembros de otras congregaciones en el área de Los Ángeles que tienen miembros que están bajo órdenes de evacuación. Y oren por la seguridad de todos, especialmente de aquellos que están trabajando para combatir el incendio y proteger vidas y propiedades.
Please hold the greater Los Angeles area in your prayers as the Santa Ana winds blow and fires are springing up and spreading rapidly. In particular, the Eaton fire, started in Pasadena/Altadena area, which is where the Conexion Pasadena congregation is located.
In particular, hold pastors Juan Pablo Plaza and Adriana Rios and their children in prayer, as the church parsonage where they make their home was destroyed by fire overnight. They are scheduled to return from Christmas in Colombia at the end of this week, and are making decisions about when to travel with this news. We do not have any information about the church building or the parsonage where pastor Fernanda Navarrete lives, both of which are just a short distance from the Plaza Rios home.
Remember the members of the congregation who have had to evacuate their homes, as well as members of other congregations in the LA area who have members who are under evacuation orders. And pray for the safety of all, especially those who are working to fight the fire and protect lives and property.
Pace e bene, Paz y bien, Peace and all good,
Russ Matteson, District Executive Minister
Pacific Southwest District
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Registration closes Feb. 1 for FaithX older adult service trip to Camp Ithiel in Florida
- Intercultural Ministries Advisory Committee encourages churches to help members know their rights
- Brethren Disaster Ministries and two Church of the Brethren districts announce collections for those affected by California fires
- Brethren bits
- Children’s Disaster Services begins caring for children in shelters in Los Angeles area