Black History Month is celebrated every year in February. In this country, it is a time to recognize, celebrate and honor Americans who would be classified as Black and to acknowledge their central role in the history of the United States.

This celebration began back in the early 1900s when Carter G. Woodson started to celebrate Black History as an event on a week-long basis yearly. However, it wasn't until 1970 that this became a month-long celebration, and it happened first at Kent State in Ohio. Then, six years later, it was being celebrated all over the country by different institutions, like community centers and colleges and universities. Finally, in 1976 Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month at our country's bicentennial celebration. He urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

The Bible is a book of history. God's story. He loves history, and he loves the truth. Throughout the Bible, there is an acknowledgment of the oppressed and those treated with injustice and calls us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and do justice and love mercy. Many resources speak to biblical justice. This month, take the time to read a book about it and listen to a sermon or podcast. Take this opportunity to learn more about this topic from a biblical perspective. Honor the less honored, love the historically oppressed, and acknowledge the truth of the history in our country. 

Here is Part 1 of a 3 part bible study on justice done by Robert Carillo by our sister church in Los Angeles to get you started, enhance what you already know, or get a great refresher.  

Bible Study on Justice, By Robert Carrillo

Come join us next week as we gather to worship, commune, and fellowship together with our special guest speakers, Gregg and Cathy Marutzky. With extensive backgrounds in both ministry and counseling, the Marutzky's will be sharing their wisdom with us as we look to continue to build our church around a heart for God and for people. You won't want to miss this!

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Dr. Gregg and Cathy Marutzky are the Senior Minister and Women’s Ministry Leader for the Antelope Valley Church of Christ in Lancaster, California. Gregg and Cathy have been married for 40 years having met in high school in Grand Junction, Colorado. Gregg and Cathy became Christians at the University of Colorado and graduated, Gregg with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a B.S. in Business Administration, while Cathy graduated with a B.S. in Education. Gregg worked as a civil engineer and Cathy a school teacher before they entered fulltime ministry. Cathy went on to gain a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of North Texas. Gregg continued his education at Pepperdine University receiving a M.S. in Ministry and a Master of Divinity. Gregg later gained a Doctor of Ministry degree from Abilene Christian University and M.S. in Clinical Counseling from the University of Nebraska. Gregg is currently finishing his dissertation for a PhD in Leadership from Johnson University. Gregg and Cathy are both national board certified counselors and licensed professional counselors. The Marutzkys have been in the ministry for 40 years leading churches in Denver, Dallas, Omaha, Los Angeles and San Diego. They have served campus ministries at UCLA, San Diego State, MIT, University of Colorado, Long Beach State University, University of Nebraska, and SMU. Gregg and Cathy have two daughters, Amanda married to Kyle living in Orange County and Megan lives in Dallas. The Marutzkys have four grandchildren (Sienna, Makenna, Dean, and Kensington). Gregg and Cathy are devoted to being used by God to change the world!

We continue to be refreshed and encouraged by the workshop from last weekend with Steve Brand. If you would like to continue learning about how to have overcome and healing, we have some resources for you on our website: Trauma Workshop Resources.

We have a list of available therapists. This includes information for Steve Brand, Julia Chaffin-Herrera (one of our own here in the Bay Area) and includes others.

We have the detailed exercise that Steve Brand did with us of how to write "your story." 

We have the list of books and websites Steve Brand mentioned during the workshop.

Finally, Disciples Today has a podcast, and their most recent episode is about truth, trauma, and theology. You can find it here:an find it here:

Disciples Today Podcast

Events are found on our "What We're Doing" page on our website.

Click here: SF Bay Fellowship Events