Comedian Ken Davis to Perform

Saturday, November 7th at First, Downey

When is the last time the truth made you laugh until you hurt? Ken Davis is among the great comedians of our time. He has appeared on stage and television around the world bringing laughter and life changing truth to audiences of every description.

Ken is the older brother of Candie Blankman, the pastor of First, Downey. They grew up in Minnesota in a town called Sax, a small farming town in the north. Ken jokes, “I think there was only two of us in Sax.”

When asked what makes her brother one of the most sought after speakers in America, Candie offers a personal insight, “All ages love him. He does physical humor for children. Then for youth and adults he exposes the comical side of everyday life that they can identify with. He sees the world through a different lense that he brings to light to get us laughing at situations we might otherwise only cry about."

Like many comedians, Ken’s sense of humor was formed by painful experiences in his youth. “I found comedy as a means to be accepted. I was beat up in high school. I was skinny. I was not accepted, and humor was a way to get acceptance. I quickly found that what I couldn't gain because my lack of social skills, I could achieve when I was standing in front of people doing a presentation and using humor.”

Today, Ken’s well-honed comedic talents are used to serve God. Although he normally performs in large venues like Soldiers Field in Chicago before an audience of 58,000 and mega churches across the country, he’s excited about performing next weekend at his younger sister’s more intimate Presbyterian church in Downey.

Candie promises, “This is the most fun you and your family and friends will ever have for $10. So get your tickets now.”

Saturday, November 7, 7:15pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Downey: 10544 Downey Avenue, Downey CA 90241 (562) 861-6752.You can buy advance tickets for $10 at the church or at the door $15. You can also buy tickets online.

Erin Dunigan Ordained to a New Position

Designated Tentmaking Evangelist

On October 18, 2009 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Erin Dunigan was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament as a "Designated Tentmaking Evangelist of category 301." If you are wondering exactly what that means, join the club!

Designated: Simply means that this position is created for no less than two but no more than four years, allowing both Erin and the partnership of churches from the Los Ranchos Presbytery (at the present time FPC Downey, FPC Santa Ana, Placentia, St. Andrews, St. Mark  and Village) to try out a new way of doing ministry outside of the four walls of the church building, with the intent to bring that learning back within the 'four walls.'

Tentmaking: This position will supply Erin with health insurance and a monthly expense stipend, but her primary income will still come from her 'tentmaking' activities such as photography, writing, website development and other communications within the church and in the larger world. For more text and photos on Erin.

Evangelist: In today's world, companies such as Apple Computers have created positions such as "Mac Evangelists" or "Technology Evangelists" meaning someone who is an enthusiast, supporter, and who desires to share the 'good news' with others. Often within religious contexts the word 'evangelist' can conjure up visions of street corner preachers yelling into a megaphone or other more negative images. However, in today’s increasingly flattening world, much of which is due to technology, can an 'evangelist' not use mediums such as photography, twitter, facebook, blogs, etc. to communicate the 'good news' of how God is already at work in the wider world?

In this newly created role Erin will split her time between the communities of La Mision (Baja California), Los Ranchos, and the wider world. We within the Los Ranchos Presbytery are looking forward to learning from her carving out of a new path.

To learn more about becoming a partner church, contact Bob Parker. If individuals or churches wish to financially contribute to this partnership checks can be made payable to Los Ranchos Presbytery with “Bridging Borders Partnership” in the memo line.