Background note:  Rev. Kevin A. Johnson and Mike Shear are BUMC members who moved to Palm Springs, California, in July 2002, to begin Bloom in the Desert Ministries, which is an interdenominational, inclusive Christian ministry including the Methodist (Broadway style) tradition. “Kevin’s Korner” is a monthly column reporting on their progress so Broadway and Bloom stay well connected in ministry together.  (www.bloominthedesert.org)

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Dear Broadway friends;

For me, being faithful to God means being on a journey that started before time and at some point in time later connects with eternity. For Bloom, a church that the Holy Sprit and Mike’s and my Broadway experience inspired, being journey-bound calls us to do something good that will enable progress. We will grow and get stronger roots as our Bloomers and friends continue to create experiences of faithful ministry.

That means we will have to take risks and give ourselves over.

Through the risks we’ve taken, and our giving thus far, we’ve made progress in certain areas – like 60 thousand sandwiches made last year for local homeless and working poor by our “Sandwich Mondays” ministry and all the faithful people who show up at The Well in the Desert every Monday morning of the year.

“BibleBites” on Thursday nights was new in 2010 and now we are in 2012. We’ve read and discussed several whole books of the Bible. People share and learn in ways and groups they’ve never done before. In some cases it is a person’s first experience with the Bible as a supporter instead of an attacker. One person calls it “The highlight of my week.”

We’ve started “BloomChoir” and loved its Advent debut. It was a wonderful experience of pretty music that shared our faith values and rehearsals provided meaningful human interactions. We look forward to its return and its strengthening. A choir takes long-term commitment. A group experience like that is a bellwether of Bloom’s long term viability.

We dream plans for more ministries and we are trying to find a weekday location to make more happen. It is going to take risk and commitment to make that work. And it will take us hearing the call of God to make it real.

We hope you will continue to be engaged with us on the journey. Our destination this side of eternity is a place filled with the rewards of goodness and the fun of love. When tough times come as they always do, we have each other’s love to rely on for active support. When celebrations occur, we share the joy.

Let’s keep in touch. This winter, come visit us. Please go to Bloom’s Web site and sign up for our weekly electronic newsletter, “BloomNotes.” And do keep all of us in your prayers. We do you.

Peace be with you,

Rev. Kev and Mike Shear