Rev. Ernest D. Miller

The WW II era Navy Chaplain's Gear Case of the Rev. Ernest D. Miller, former pastor of the Fillmore United Methodist and Fillmore Community Churches, has been donated to the Smithsonian Institute, in Washington, D.C.
The Chaplain's Gear Case and military artifacts were of interest to the Smithsonian Institute for their historical value to the Division of Military History and Diplomacy, at the National Museum of American History. The items were presented to Smithsonian Associate Curator, Kathy Golden, in Washington D.C., on July 21, 2008, by Rev. Miller's son, Dan Miller.
After graduating from Andover Newton Theological School, in 1942, Rev. Miller joined the Navy, in June of 1943, and served as a Lt. in the Chaplain's Corp. He ministered to both marines and sailors. He served at sea and on land in the Philippines and New Hebrides, in the S. Pacific Theater of Operations campaigns, during WW II. He also served at Quantico, Virginia, as well as Camp Pendleton and El Toro Marine Bases, in S. California. Chaplain Miller was assigned to the USS Oakland, serving in China, after the war. In 1948 he returned to civilian life and served as a pastor with the United Methodist Church; S. California Conference. He died, in Fillmore, in 1982 while pastor of the Fillmore Community Church.
Rev. Miller's, widow, Ruth E. Miller, a retired Fillmore High School teacher, resides in Fillmore.

This past week, the Rev. Julie Morris from Trinity Episcopal Church invited youth ages 12 to 16 to share time nourishing their bodies, minds and souls. They discussed what it means to be healthy inside and out while preparing food for lunch each day. Thirteen youth participated in the week-long program, and they want to continue by meeting once or twice each month during the school year. Pictured above are those who were able to attend Friday, August 08, 2008 : Ashley Gonzalez (7th grade), Chelsy Fizgerald (7th grade), Rev. Julie, Rudy Gonzalez (9th grade), Brandon Aguilera (7th grade), Stephanie Gonzalez (12th grade), Erika Mendez (6th grade) and Arlinda Reyes (6th grade).

The National Right to Life Committee has obtained documents that prove presidential candidate Barack Obama has been blatantly covering up his actions as an Illinois state senator to actively defeat legislation to protect the lives of living, breathing babies who survive abortion attempts.

Douglas Johnson, the organization’s legislative director, released the documents from 2003 this week revealing that Obama voted for a “neutrality clause” amendment to an Illinois bill requiring treatments for the tiny abortion survivors and led the charge in committee to kill the amended bill by a 6-4 vote.

“The Illinois born alive bill is virtually identical to a federal law he now is saying he would have supported had he been in the U.S. Senate at the time the bill was voted on,” said Susan Armacost, Legislative Director for Wisconsin Right to Life.

The need for the legislation on both the federal and state levels was sparked by Jill Stanek, a nurse who worked at Christ Hospital in Chicago who blew the lid on the hospital’s practice of inducing premature labor in women seeking late-term abortions. However, some of these babies were born breathing and alive. Eyewitness accounts revealed that babies were left on the cold counter in the soiled linen room until they died.

In 2002, the U.S. Congress responded by enacting the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA) with not a single dissenting vote in either house. Included in the bill was a “neutrality clause” which read: “Nothing in this section shall be construed to affirm, deny, expand, or contract any legal status or legal right applicable to any member of the species homo sapiens at any point to being ‘born alive’ as defined in this section.” With this clarification that unborn babies were not included in the bill’s provisions, even solidly pro-abortion senators like Ted Kennedy, Russ Feingold and Hillary Clinton allowed the bill to be passed and it was signed into law by President Bush. The National Abortion Rights Action League also removed its opposition.

Since the bill only applied to federal law, many states introduced born alive legislation to protect abortion survivors in their own states. In 2003, after the 2002 federal bill with the “neutrality clause” had passed, Barack Obama was the chair of the Illinois State Senate Health and Human Services Committee which presided over the Illinois born alive bill which contained a “neutrality clause” virtually identical to the federal law.

“Barack Obama had the opportunity to right a terrible wrong that was occurring right under his nose,” said Armacost. “But instead, he used the power of his committee chairmanship to prevent Illinois doctors and nurses to attempt to save the lives of living babies, fully separated from their mothers, leaving them to die alone - in the dark - in filthy conditions.”
Obama has repeatedly stated during his presidential campaign that his votes on three separate occasions against Illinois legislation to provide treatment for babies who survive abortion attempts were because there was no “neutrality clause” and he feared that the legislation would negatively impact Roe v. Wade.

“Barack Obama is blatantly trying to cover up his infanticide votes,” said Armacost. “The heartlessness and callousness of this individual needs to be exposed. The vast majority of Americans care about protecting human life. They deserve to know the truth about Barack Obama’s utter disregard for human life.”

The Archdiocese Council of Catholic Women will meet at Santa Clara Church in Oxnard to hear our very own Fr. Art Gruszka speak on Poland - His homeland and The Priesthood - God's Gift. This special event is planned for Wed August 20th starting at 9:30AM with Fr Art speaking, Mass at 11AM and lunch at 12noon.

To reserve and pay for your spot, please see Susan Beyrl or Maggie at the Parish office before August 12.

The group's moderator is our very own Fr. John.

We would like a dozen or two ladies from our parish to support Fr. Art by attending this event. Let's go Saint Francis of Assisi Ladies!

Faith Community Church has an exciting VBS program, featuring the Christian Classic book “Pilgrims Progress.” It is the story of a journey to the Celestial City, the way to get there and the dangers along the way. We emphasize Jesus and The Bible! Each night we will have prizes, snacks, games, crafts, stories and more prizes! We have a color theme for each night and be sure to wear black on Sunday (the first night)! Our VBS program begins Sunday, August 3rd at 6 pm (registration begins at 5:45) and runs nightly through Thursday, August 7th. Grades K through 6th are welcome and there is no charge.

Faith Community Church is located at 355 “D” Street. The church has made children its top priority, and now has Pam Beardsley, Lori McDonnell and Amy Berger as Children’s Directors and a fulltime Pastor to Students, Dion Brooks. For more information call the church office at 524-5564 or 524-3344.

On Sunday, August 3, at 9:30 am a special service will be held at Wayfarer’s Chapel Lutheran Church here in Fillmore to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the dedication of its church building. The building was constructed in 1929 and is a beautiful example of architecture from that era. It was purchased by our congregation and dedicated to God’s service in 1983. all are cordially invited to join us as we celebrate 25 years of preaching the gospel in this place. A potluck will be served after the service. Wayfarer’s Chapel Lutheran Church is located at 461 Third St.(corner of Third and Central Ave.). If you have any questions, please call Pastor Lanier at 524-2818 or 524-3404.

Joining children for the final night of Vacation Bible School at the Fillmore Church of Christ, was Andy Klittich with a friend’s horse Dot, here seen with Myrna Robles holding Micah Hooker.

Children, youth, and adults (English and Spanish) are always welcome for Bible study at 9:30 A.M. on Sundays,
and 6:30 P.M. on Wednesdays.

Monday, July 28th through Friday, August 2nd from 9 AM to 12 Noon. “The King’s Good Sports” curriculum teaches Christian character through good sportsmanship as they learn about Jesus and will feature sports clinics, bible lessons, snacks and water games on the “BIG SPLASH”, our giant slip n slide every day and it’s free. Wear appropriate clothes to get wet in and bring a towel, also bring your baseball or softball glove. We are located at the corner of First and “C” streets. For more information call us at (805) 727-1720, you can also register on line at www.fbcfillmore.org.

Includes four evenings of drama games, art song prayer and story telling at Saint Francis of Assisi, Fillmore: Monday August 4th thru Thursday August 7th Parent, teen or other adult must offer one evening of supervision.
We are in need of teen leaders who enjoy humor and kids.
Five to seven-year olds year-olds may attend if accompanied by adult. Please also sign up to bring snacks.
Registration is at 5:00 PM on Monda,y August 4th, $20 per family or $10 an individual. For more information please contact Michael Lara at 524-1306 ext. 17. Parents, please join us for evening prayer and dismissal in the church.

Link to Billy Graham speaking at the TED conference in 1998:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/billy_graham_on_technology_faith_and_...

By REV. JOHN A. CORAPI, SOLT, STD
A large number of endangered, unwanted, and unborn children held a town hall meeting on the 4th of July--alarmed at the brutal and untimely killing of millions of their brothers and sisters in recent years. That the murderous war waged on them had the full force and respectability of the law made their plight all the more terrifying.
Their complaint was humble and it was simple. They were not distressed by rising gas prices, or the deteriorating economy in general. They were not even frightened by the exponential increase of natural disasters. The threat of global warming or global terrorism did not greatly disturb them.
They had become an endangered species, and little had been done to answer their terrified and silent screams from the womb. They decided that the barbaric treatment that they and their fellow unwanted unborn human beings have had to endure for perilous decades was unconscionable and unbearable. They cried out to their Creator for
inspiration and protection, and then unanimously they put forth a declaration. It began as follows:

“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS….”
THAT AMONG THESE IS LIFE; THAT AMONG THESE IS LIFE; THAT AMONG THESE IS LIFE!

The first and pre-eminent right is the right to life. This truth the Founding Fathers were sure of, and anyone with any common sense at all is equally sure of it. 232 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed the amount of common sense that seems to be operative in many spheres of influence—most notably the courts and the political arena--can easily be poured into a very small thimble.
The United States of America seems to have a death wish, and we have traveled far down the road to having that wish realized.
When law divorces itself from common sense and spawns the illegitimate offspring of distortions of law, resulting in illegal laws—based neither on the natural law nor divine law--this undermines law itself, generating disdain for the law. Erosion of trust in the courts, or the system in general, is inevitable.
The genesis of the death wish is rooted in the fall of man that we see in the Book of Genesis. The substance of the fall is wrapped up in Lucifer’s pride, transferred to Adam and Eve—“You can be like gods, knowing good and evil.” The unholy, yet inevitable, consequence of that pride is disobedience—eating the forbidden fruit. The ultimate end is death, as God said it would be. That’s the way it was in the beginning. That’s the way it is now. That’s the way it will be until time breathes forth it’s last moment.
The prototypical sin is pride, the pride that seeks to exalt the creature above the Creator:
“I can be like God.” Then, subjectively and arbitrarily, man tries to assert himself, imagining that he knows what’s good and evil for himself without reference to God and God’s law. This was the fall of the angels and the fall of man. The attempt by creatures to usurp what is only the province of God. Only God knows what is good for His creation.
In recent years it took the form of a self-inflicted heart wound when some dissident Catholics rejected the teaching of the Church, a teaching that clearly held that artificial contraception is intrinsically evil. Then, as Pope Paul VI had warned, it metastasized into abortion. From abortion it degenerated even further into partial-birth abortion. It was then a short and easy step to infanticide.
The exclamation point at the end of the death wish is that now there is yet another candidate for the office of president of the United States who has in an extraordinary way done everything possible to breathe life into all of the barbaric elements of the death wish. He and his party make no apologies for their support of abortion, partial-birth abortion, and even infanticide. It’s hard to believe that we have degenerated to the point that we’ll murder a helpless baby should it escape the violence of an abortion and be born alive. Can a Catholic vote for such persons? We are told, “yes” for a “proportionate reason.” What, I might ask, is the proportionate reason so weighty as to excuse supporting those responsible for what is tantamount to genocide?
The judges and politicians that support such barbaric practices are truly guilty of genocide: genocide—the deliberate and systematic destruction of an ethnic, racial, religious, national, or social group. “What is the group so targeted?” you might ask. The group is unwanted, unborn children--tens of millions of them.
The Supreme Court justices that gave us Roe v. Wade will have to plead temporary insanity in the court of history. There will be no defense in the highest Court that is the judgment seat of almighty God if they do not repent of the incalculable evil they have wrought.
Yet, despite the life and death importance of this travesty of authentic law, there will be no serious discussion among political candidates, or anyone else. It is as if society has been bewitched, blind to the splendor of truth, deaf to the cries of the most innocent, most vulnerable, and most utterly helpless.
From artificial contraception to abortion to partial-birth abortion, then on to infanticide we march toward the abyss of oblivion, a society marked for death. Is it any wonder we can rationalize the killing of the elderly or the sick through euthanasia? The tragic murder of Terri Schiavo is a logical extension of a morally numb society’s mad march toward its own suicidal death. She wasn’t sick. She wasn’t dying. They murdered her, starved her to death--one of the cruelest forms of death. She was innocent, yet subjected to a most cruel and unusual punishment. Why? Because she was helpless? Because she was too much trouble, too hard to look at?
As Abraham Lincoln asserted, “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
We are dying by suicide, moral and spiritual suicide, and the moral demise of a nation almost always precedes the ultimate demise of a nation.
Many of our leaders, political and legal, are reminiscent of the horrid witches in Act 1 Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” chanting shrilly to a morally sick public all too eager to be confirmed in their sins, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”
Good is evil, and evil is good. The truth is a lie and lies are the truth, hover through the fog of moral relativism and the filthy air of a world gone mad with the madness of sin.
The words of the prophet thunder through the ages, “ Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20).
We have inverted the poles of the moral power grid. We have begun to call the negative pole the positive, and the positive the negative. This inversion of reality begets disaster:
The power fails, the lights go out, darkness falls—and indeed, if your light is darkness, how deep, how very deep will the darkness be! (cf. Mt 6:23).
This death wish has marched toward its logical and inexorable conclusion with little opposition from leaders--political, legal, or religious. The world knows the Catholic Church and any self-respecting and faithful Christian roundly reject abortion and all of the other nails in the coffin of contemporary society, but the defense of life has been weak. Weak leadership, whether in society in general, or in the Church in particular,
is punishment for sin. The Old Covenant has examples enough of the Chosen People being turned over to exile and their enemies because of infidelity. They lamented, “We have no priest, prophet, or king.” These were taken away because of infidelity. In recent times large numbers of Catholics and other Christians rejected Pope Paul VI’s landmark and prophetic encyclical Humanae Vitae, on Human Life. A majority of the bishops of Canada did so publicly, formally, and in writing with their infamous Winnipeg Statement.
The great Archbishop Fulton Sheen lamented bitterly in the 1970s that the prophetic spirit of Christ had all but been extinguished in the contemporary Church. Today there are many CEOs, all too few Apostles. Are we afraid of a fight? Do we fear rejection, misunderstanding, or derision? Are we cowed and intimidated by fallacious notions of
the separation of Church and state? Could we be afraid of persecution? Could we be afraid of losing our tax-exempt status? Have we declared détente with evil?
The clock is ticking. Midnight is approaching. Time is running out for our nation, a nation that once was great, and could be great again if enough of us wake up and renounce this curse of a death wish. Will God turn his friends over to His enemies as He has done multiple times in the past? Will radical Islam overrun us? Will the planet cook?
Will one too many natural disasters grind us into dust? Will we collapse economically?
All of the above? Perhaps these are all merely effects of the underlying cause—a death wish that chokes the life out of us.
In the end it is likely that President Abraham Lincoln had it right: “Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.” Thus forgetting that we are one nation under God, we become a nation gone under (President Ronald Reagan).
And, indeed, “If destruction be our lot we ourselves will be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
May God grant us the grace to awake from this deadly moral slumber, renounce the death wish, and live like truly free men and women—in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
www.fathercorapi.com
©2008 REV. JOHN A. CORAPI, SOLT, STD

Saddle up and ride on down to Cactus Canyon, Vacation Bible School at the Church of Christ, 219 Mountain View at Hwy 126. Children ages 4-14 are encouraged to join the fun, July 7 to 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. There will be stories, songs, crafts, games and snacks each night, concluding with a program and barbeque for the families on Friday night.
There is no charge. For information or to enroll your child call 524-2851 or 524-3641.

Dayspring Anglican Church announces the upcoming visit of The Rt. Rev. Daren Williams, Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the West. Bishop Williams will be celebrating the Holy Eucharist on Sunday June 15, 2008, a reception will follow. Sunday Services for Dayspring Anglican Church are held at 12:30 p.m. at the Bardsdale Methodist Church, 1498 Bardsdale Ave. For more information please contact The Rev. Bob Hammond at 524-1697 (rlhammond4764@hotmail.com) or The Rev. Ron Ryan at 796-4200. Dayspring is a 1928 Prayer Book Church and a Mission of The Anglican Church in America.

Sponsored by Young Women of Destiny, Young Men of Destiny, Higgy Foundation, Ventura Public Health, Bautista Medical Clinic.
All are welcome.
Seminar topics are nutrition a gift to a healthy life (Ruth Ricards); Exercise a way of living for life (Michelle Pina); and Being as healthy community and family.
No cost, it’s free! Bring a friend. For more information please call 524-5807.

Former Fillmore resident Dorothy Lynch plans to sing Sunday, May 18, at First United Methodist Church of Fillmore, 421 Sespe Ave.
Dorothy is dedicating her solo to the memory of her former accompanist and Fillmore Methodist's church musician, Charles Gonzalez, who died suddenly on May 17, 2006. Charles' parents, Emma and Al Gonzalez of Newbury Park, plan to attend the service.
The well known vocalist moved to Marshall, Texas in April, 2008. She is now a member of First United Methodist Church in Marshall, is part of their large choir and is very active in that community.
Dorothy's 4 children; Matthew, Michael, Kevin and Kathleen, are all Fillmore High School graduates. During her annual visit to California, Dorothy will be staying in the home of her daughter in Ventura.
Services at the Fillmore church begin at 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

This Saturday, May 3, the Bardsdale United Methodist Church will hold its everpopular Courtyard Sale from 8 AM till noon in LeBard Hall and adjoining courtyard. There will be the usual rummage items as well as eclectic treasures to peruse. Home furnishings, gift cards and wrap, clothing and knick-knacks are plentiful this year. Every shopper will find a bargain. The church is located at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue, two miles south of Fillmore.

We live in a wonderful country! And God has blessed America in many ways. Each year, Christians gather all across our nation to celebrate God’s goodness and to pray for His guidance. This year Fillmore will participate again in the annual National Day of Prayer. Thursday, May 1st is that day. Christians from all across Fillmore will gather at this year’s chosen church, Faith Community Church, at FCC’s Central Campus at the corner of Central Ave. and First St. A number of Fillmore area pastors will participate.
There will also be singing and some congregational interaction. We will pray for our nation, our national & state leaders, our community & schools and other things related to our nation’s future.
Anyone who loves this country and wants to pray for its future is welcome to come. Meeting will be held at 7 pm. Refreshments will be served following the service. For information
call Faith Community Church at 524-5564.