From the World Church Staff Newletter:

E-mail from Gary Monroe, Bishop, Greater Los Angeles Stake

Susan - I really like the changes you have made to NewsPEACE. It looks really good and was enjoyable reading. I have become involved in a new church plant here in the Los Angeles Stake, and thought your readers might be interested in what we are doing.

The new plant is called Basilela - An Open Door Community of Christ. Basilela is a greek word usuaUy translated as God's realm, or kingdom. Our Basilela community is a realm of freedom, a place where freedom, communion, and truth prevail as the defining relationships among human beings.

We particularly intend to be open to those who are marginalized by society (including that based on sexual orientation) and to bring social action back into our lives as a mode of worship. We try to follow a monthly schedule with each week given a special focus; sacramental worship, service to others as worship, personal and corporate spiritluality through small groups, and worship by study and education. On the months with a fifth Sunday, we gather to celebrate.

We have found that we are worshipping more by doing things together, than we ever did by sitting in the pew at the 11 o'clock hour. We are breaking down many preconceived notions as to "what is worship?".

We have been meeting as a house church for four months now, and we're loving it, The leadership of the plant is provided by Glenn Johnson, Gail Biller, and myself. We have a core group of approximately 15, but attendance has gone up to as much as 20 to 25 people. The word Basilela has almost become a greeting among the fellowship.

God's Spirit has blessed us wonderfully in our decision to redefine church and congregation.