1604 W. Yakima Avenue,Yakima, WA 98902 (509) 575-6490 office@clcyakima.org www.clcyakima.org

Dean Stewart, Interim Pastor Joel Martyn, Associate Pastor Carol Nelson, Visitation Pastor

Lea Ramirez, Church Secretary Marcia Van Dyke, Bookkeeper/Editor

CENTRAL

LUTHERAN

MESSENGER

VOLUME 65 Number 2 February 2016

March Messenger Deadline February 19, 2016

You are welcome to e-mail articles to Central Lutheran Church

marcia.vandyke@clcyakima.org

Sunday, February 7 Boy Scout Sunday with Breakfast between services

Souper Bowl Sunday (see p.6)

Tuesday, February 9th, 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Wednesday, February 10, Noon and 7:00 p.m.

Ash Wednesday Service

Mid-Week Lenten Services, Noon and 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays, February 17, 24, March 2, 9, 16

Sunday, February 21

Thankoffering Sunday Dedication of the Multipurpose/Gym Building

9:45 a.m.

Sunday, February 28, 8:15 a.m. Bluegrass Liturgy

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2016 and Us Each January were greeted with images of Baby New Year, the diapered and top-hatted infant deliv-ered by the time stork. Then the child mostly goes off the radar screen till he re-emerges at the end of December as old Father Time with his scythe and hour glass. But its February now, and 2016 is no longer in its infancy, but not even close to its eclipse. On the way, but just barely down the road. Last month we Central staff members launched an exer-cise both separately and together, called New Year New Day New Way. Each of us has identified 4 areas that we each want to work on as areas of re-newal. And the ob-jective for these areas is to help create: a better informed congregation; better connected staff and congregation; bet-ter community presence for the sake of our mission/ministry; better prepared to welcome others; better prepared to wel-come and serve alongside Centrals new pastor. ` Feel free to join us in our re-newal. Februarys a good time to get on board, while were all still cute, energetic, full of curiosity and capable of learning by doing over and over gain. Happy not-quite-new-year. Happy and blessed re-newal year Pastor Stewart

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Ongoing Prayer Concerns (Please keep these people and concerns in your prayers ) Norma Smoke (health issues) Dinora Cochran (fighting cancer) Arlone Yerke (recovering from broken hip)

Emily Okelberry (recovering from a heart procedure) Lucille Clark (multiple health issues) Joe Ackermann (recovering from head injury and surgery) Christian Lybbert, 2 yrs old (recovering from multiple surgeries) Lynne Ryder, Crescent Convalescent, (health issues) Bert Carlson (health issues) Merry Herron and family with the death of her brother, David Herron

BIBLE STUDY SESSIONS

Monday Mens Bible Study 7 am (Yes, 7 am) Monday mornings in the cafeteria at Memorial Hospital (on Tieton Ave). Enjoy-able, serious, edifying, insightful conversations, great fellowship. You cant lose. And youre welcome any time! Bring a Bible or share with the guy next to you. Contact: Pastor Stewart (208)596-8517. dean.stewart@clcyakima.org

Tuesdays-Adult Bible Study10:00 a.m. The class continues on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Come join us in the Church library each week as we continue to read through the Bible. Sunday Morning Adult Bible and Faith: Studies and Conversations. 9:45 am in the Family Room (off the Fellowship Hall downstairs) With Pastor Stewart and friends Sunday, January 31Authentic worship #1 (Dance lessons) Sunday, February 14Authentic worship #2 (Becoming the gift we came to receive.)

Ongoing Prayer Concerns - Living With Cancer Sue Rowley Melanie Swift Elaine Terri Robbin Johnson Pat Hacker Jesse Oliver Sandy Raney Estasia Kerrigan Allison Hahn Jan Mowrey Anne Battle Steve Drapeau Laurie McCullough Butch Stout Christy Kraemer Ryc Cyr Lois Perkins Yolanda Pamez Kathleen Adamson Paige Mary Lou McGalliard Twila Whittiger

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JANUARY 2016 1/3 170 1/10 145 1/17 137 1/24 243 1/31 216

DEC 2015 YTD 2015 YTD BUDG

INCOME 77,104 490,474 566,944

EXPENSE* 44,024 473,682 566,944

INCOME LESS EXPENSE 33,081 16,792

*None of the Income or Expenses are for the gym, only on-going operating expenses.

THANK YOU Quilt Sunday is long over and thanks to the congregations response, we are well funded and can buy the supplies we will need for 2016. As you well

know, our supplies include sheets for backs of quilts,

thread, batting and yarn. We were able to give

contributions to Lutheran World Relief and the local food

bank, and quilts to local non-profit organizations includ-

ing Calvary and Union Gospel Missions, Life Choices, Epic, Salvation Army,

YWCA Family Shelter and Good Samaritan Nursing Home as well as for our

Baptisms and high school graduates. Piecemakers

Dear Friends at Central Lutheran Church, I would like to express my

gratitude for your generosity and love shown to our group of men. The Lord

is working with you and the volunteers to take care of His people. The food

and sleeping arrangements have been the best. But most of all is the caring

spirit to help men get to the next step in their spiritual health. It does not

always have to do with words. It does with actions that show we are under

Gods directions. Thank you Jesus and CLC, your Brother, Matthew. [Matthew is one of our guests at the Emergency Winter Weather Shelter.]

On Sunday, January 24th, we welcomed Gunner Steven

Walker into the Lords family through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Gunner is the 7-month-old son of Carl Walker and

Sarah Sielaff.

CONGRATULATIONS to the newly-elected President of the Church Council, Kevin Barnes; and Vice President, Jason Moos. Other council members: Anne Chapman, Irene Hausken, Steve Hill, Jeff Nelson, Angelica Reyes, Jean Seibert, Pat Ubelaker, Bella Vickers, youth member, Cheryl Bush, treasurer; David Lambert-son, Secretary.

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Women Gathering will meet on Tuesday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the

home of Merry Herron. All women are wel-

come to join the group. Its always a time for laughter and lively conversation. For more information, just call the

church office at 575-6490.

Diakonia Circle will meet in the Family Room on Feb. 10th after the noon Ash Wednesday service.

Fran Karn will be the hostess and Pastor Carol will pre-

sent the lesson entitled, Servant-shaped soldiers from Philippians 1:27-2:18. We hope you will join us for

fellowship and Bible study. For questions, call Carol Ackermann,

895-4571.

LENTEN MIDWEEK SERVICES will begin

on Ash Wednesday, February 10 and go through

Wednesday, March 16th. There will be two services

each Wednesday - Noon and 7:00 p.m. There will be a soup lunch

after each Noon service except on Ash Wednesday.. There is a

sign-up sheet in the Narthex if you would like to make soup, bring

bread, and/or help with set-up and /or clean-up for one of the

days.

THANKOFFERING SUNDAY will be February 21,

when all who have been saving their change in the

Thankoffering boxes bring them to the altar. Boxes are

in the Narthex for those who wish to bring them on Feb.

21. If you put your name on the box, it will be returned

to you for the following year. Some of the programs that are supported

with Thankoffering monies are ELCA Missionary Programs and Lu-

theran World Relief, with an emphasis on helping women. We appre-

ciate your help toward supporting these programs.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER on Tuesday, February 9th

from 5-7 p.m in the Fellowship Hall. Our youth and Youth & Family com-

mittee members will be serving pancakes and sausage. Join friends and fam-

ily at this delicious fellowship event! Please consider supporting Central

Lutheran College Scholarship Fund with a freewill offering.

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GYM UPDATE: We are busy moving into the new multi-purpose

building. The Youth and On the Corner are already making use of

the space. Watch for an announcement for Gym night coming

soon, a chance for everyone to shoot a few hoops, play a little vol-

leyball, or play some pool upstairs. Meanwhile, we are busy get-

ting some shelving in place and finalizing the building use and

rental policies. The formal dedication for the building will be Feb-

ruary 21 at 9:45 a.m. If you have any questions or want to see

the new space, contact Kevin Barnes at kejabarnes@charter.net.

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CELEBRATING OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Youre invited to help celebrate this great occasion. Your pres-ence is your gift for her. Please share a memory with her. If you

are unable to attend in person, please send memories to: Helen

Riehl, 714 N 56th Ave, Yakima WA 98908 or

riehl17@charter.net.

CONGRATULATIONS to Luz Monroy and her

son, Francisco, who became naturalized U.S.

citizens on Friday, January 29. What a

wonderful accomplishment. We share your

joy.

CONGRATULAIONS to Debby Hembree for being

awarded her 10-year chip from AA. Well done,

Debby!

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February Sunday Monday Tuesday

1 7:00 a Mens Bible Study 6:30 p Grace Creek Band 7:00 p Boy Scouts Troop

2 10:00 a Bible Study 11:45 a Ministry of Intercession 2:30 p On the Corner

7 Transfiguration Of Our Lord 8:15 am HOLY COMMUNION 9:20 am BOY SCOUT BREAKFAST 9:45 am SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 am ADULT EDUCATION 10:00 am FESTIVAL CHOIR WARM UP 11:00 am HOLY COMMUNION

8 7:00 a Mens Bible Study 6:30 p Grace Creek Band 7:00 p Property Committee 7:00 p Boy Scouts Troop

9 10:00 a Bible Study 11:45 a Ministry of Intercession 2:30 p On the Corner 5:00 p Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Feed 7:00 p Women Gathering

14 1st Sunday of Lent 8:15 am HOLY COMMUNION 9:20 am SUNDAY BREAKFAST 9:45 am SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 am ADULT EDUCATION 10:00 am FESTIVAL CHOIR WARM UP 11:00 am HOLY COMMUNION

15 OFFICE CLOSED 6:30 p Grace Creek Band 7:00 p Church Council 7:00 p Boy Scouts Troop

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10:00 a Bible Study 11:45 a Ministry of Intercession

21 2nd Sunday of Lent Thankoffering 8:15 am HOLY COMMUNION 9:20 am SUNDAY BREAKFAST 9:45 am SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 am GYM DEDICATION 10:00 am FESTIVAL CHOIR WARM UP 11:00 am HOLY COMMUNION 4:00 pm CONFIRMATION CLASS

Handbells at each service

22 7:00 a Mens Bible Study 6:30 p Grace Creek Band

7:00 p Boy Scout Troops

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10:00 a Bible Study

11:45 a Ministry of Intercession

2:30 p On the Corner 6:30 p OTC Committee

29 7:00 a Mens Bible Study 6:30 p Grace Creek Band

7:00 p Boy Scout Troops

28 2nd Sunday of Lent 8:15 am COMMUNION//BLUEGRASS 9:20 am SUNDAY BREAKFAST 9:45 am SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 am ADULT EDUCATION 10:00 am FESTIVAL CHOIR WARM UP 11:00 am HOLY COMMUNION

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2016 Wednesday Thursday Friday/Saturday

3 8:30 a Staff Meeting 6:00 p Pursuit

4 9:00 a Piecemakers 12;00 p Worship Committee 2:30 p On the Corner 5:30 p Youth & Family 6:30 p Handbell Choir 7:40 p Festival Choir

5 1:00 p Garden Guild Meeting

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10 Ash Wednesday 8:30 a Staff Meeting 12:00 p NOON SERVICE 1:00 p Diakonia 6:00 p Pursuit 7:00 p COMMUNION SERVICE

11 12:00 p Executive Meeting 2:30 p On the Corner 6:30 p Handbell Choir 7:40 p Festival Choir

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17 8:30 a Staff Meeting 12:00 p Midweek Service 12:30 p Lent Soup/Bread

Luncheon 6:00 p Pursuit Night 7:00 p Worship Service

18 9:00 a Piecemakers 1:30 p Hospitality 2:30 p On the Corner 6:30 p Handbell Choir 7:40 p Festival Choir

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8:30 a Staff Meeting 12:00 p Midweek Service 12:30 p Lent Soup/Bread

Luncheon 6:00 p Pursuit Night 7:00 p Worship Service

25 2:30 p On the Corner 6:30 p Handbell Choir 7:40 p Festival Choir

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On The Corner

We are all loving the new gym! Our Davis P.E. teacher volunteer is back and it is so nice to have room to play her games. Thanks to all those involved in making this happen. Volunteers Needed: Tutors for Kindergarten/1st and 6th - 8th Grade OTC needs a volunteer art person. You will work with Denise to put together projects for the kids and then facilitate them 2 Tuesdays a month from 3:30 to 5:30. Needed for our Art Contest (new or used): Acrylic Paint of various colors Paint Brushes Pastels

Please be sensitive to your pewmates. There are many folks who are

either allergic or very sensitive to strong perfumes or colognes.

Thank you so much for using them sparingly.

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Interim Period Update for February 1, 2016

Good news, you patient people. Bishop Martin Wells led a joint meet-

ing of the church council and the call committee on Sunday, Jan. 31.

The group discussed the progress of the Ministry Site Profile (MSP)

and affirmed a growing clarity among the group around Centrals hopes and needs for pastoral leadership into the future. The conversation was

thorough, and sufficient clarity arose for the completion of the MSP

soon. Bishop Wells plans to return to Central in mid-February, as the

call committee prepares for a forum of the congregation to discuss, and

hopefully to approve, the MSP. Thanks once again for the committees and the councils good work, and for the congregations support, prayers and encouragement along the way. Bishop Wells wants the

congregation to know that Central s progress is exactly on track with the first hoped-for estimation of the timeline.

For the call committee: Jason Moos, Call committee chairperson and

Interim Pastor Dean Stewart

Interim Period steps and revised projected timeline for

Central Lutheran Church 2015-16

Early February: When the call committee completes the draft MSP, that

group will call for a congregational forum in order to present that draft MSP

and elicit conversation to ensure that the draft MSP represents the congrega-

tions thinking.

Late February or Early March:: After presenting the draft MSP at the con-

gregational forum, and eliciting conversation in response at the congrega-

tional forum, the congregation council files the finalized MSP in the national

ELCA system by early December.

Late February and/or Early March: After the congregational council files

the finalized MSP, the congregation sets up a two or three Sunday block of

time to make nomination forms available for members to use in order to nominate pastors they believe match the qualifications described in the MSP.

Those nominations are sent to the Synod Office.

March: Bishop Martin Wells then sets a date to come and meet with the call

committee to present names of candidates. Then the interview phase begins

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CENTRALS CARE FOR OUR LIVING EARTH

HELPING TO KEEP IT ALIVE

RECYCLING QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION

Visit www.yakimacounty.us/646/Frequently Asked

Questions

BUYING RECYCLED

Visit Recycled Content Data-

base: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/RCP/

EPA Procurement Guidelines: www.epa.gov/

cpg/products.htm

National Association for PET Container Re-

sources: www.napcor.com

The earth is a relatively small living creature, in need of healing, part of a living community, alive and mortal. - ELW 771

To be a partner with Centrals Living Earth Green Team Contact one of the following: Susan Schowalter, Pat Ubelaker, Felicity

Pittman, Merry Herron, Janet Barnes, Suzanne Tarr

A mighty big THANK YOU to all the BELL RINGERS (Virg Umbarger with

grandson Bryan, Selma Umbarger, Kathy Ellis, Ardelle Ringhouse and Kathy

Buckingham, Barb & Kylie Beehler , Jeff and Carol Nelson, Dorothy Brink,

Tim Franks, George Nagle and Ebony Johnson AND the GRACE CREEK

BAND) who were able to turn in $397.44 for the Salvation Army. That is the

most we have ever gathered and I can't help but think that it was due to all

the beautiful music that was provided by the band, the Nelsons and the

Beehlers!!!!! That is a great amount for a one-day effort! The Salvation

Army gathered a total of $96,550.99 this year. In the TEN YEARS Central

participated the amounts varied from a little over $300 to almost $400 this

year!!! Thanks, of course, to all who donated to any of the kettles. Another

big thank you to those who donated to the kids' shopping trip and to those

who took the kids shopping! Let's do it again next year!!!!!

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Neighborhood/Life Groups

SAVE THE DATE

SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH

@ CLC 4:00 PM

Kickoff Event:

+ to meet your CLC neighbors

+ to have enjoyable (cottage) small group fellowship time

+ promote individual and group communication

+ to share our oneness as followers of Christ

Days for Girls Days for Girls International is a grassroots non-

profit creating a more dignified, humane and sustainable world for girls through advocacy, reproductive health awareness, education and sustainable feminine hygiene, because no girl should go without.

Come learn about this project and help cut out patterns and sew and assemble hygiene kits for girls in Africa, so they are able to continue in school and become educated. Being in school helps these girls discover their potential and self worth.

Needed items: 100% cotton flannel in darkish floral or geometric designs 50/50 or 100% cotton/polyester fabric also in geometric or flo-

ral designs for carry sacks. Also bias tape 5/8 wide or wider 100% polyester sewing thread in medium to darker colors Rotary fabric cutters (just to borrow not give forever) Persons with a serger machine and portable sewing machines Stipend (money) to buy fabric for this exciting project. Just worker bees willing to cut out fabric. For information, call Kirsten Monick @966-2790. Learn more about the program at www.daysforgirls.org

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WINTER SHELTER UPDATE

January is coming to a close and I wanted to update everyone on how

this program is working, the congregation agreed that we would try

this on a trial basis. We have been doing the shelter for about a month

and a half and the team working with the group report very minimal

issues that have been dealt with and resolved. My conversations with

the team have been positive and they feel blessed to be making a dif-

ference in the lives of those who stay here. We have a pretty stable

group of 8 to 13 men that stay most nights when overflow space is

needed and they have been cooperative, respectful and helpful to our

team and the Yakima Neighborhood Health Service monitors who stay

overnight. If anyone has questions or concerns please feel free to dis-

cuss them with me.

Kevin Barnes, Council President

It was interesting to me to learn that the majority of homeless in Yakima are

circumstantially homeless. For most, it is not a life choice. One life event is

often all it takes to push one over the edge from independence to depend-

ence. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to be an overnight monitor at

Central. These men, our guests, have been courteous, polite and apprecia-

tive of a dry, warm and safe place to sleep and enjoy a hearty breakfast

upon waking. The illusion is that we are helping them, the truth or reality (as

in most giving) is that our own lives are immeasurably enriched along the

way. Bruce Willis

"Upstairs, downstairs. Jesus is a man of the road." Jim Bodeen

We opened our Emergency Winter Weather Shelter (EWWS) doors on De-

cember 14, 2015, and we are currently housing 6-9 men each night. From

December 14thto January 18th Central has provided 225 bed nights! After many hours of work and getting the program up and running, Earl Hall Stepped down as shelter director at the beginning of the new year. Currently

Holly Gonseth, Felicity Pittman and Jim Bodeen are now serving as a

shelter team.

Central is providing evening greeters (8:30pm-9:15pm) to welcome our

guests to our church and morning greeters (6am-7:15am) to send our guests

with a loving farewell. Both morning and evening greeters check our build-

ing for safety and cleaning concerns. Our goal is to have a two person greeter

team each morning and evening, currently most greeter shifts are manned by

just one volunteer.

Two monitors stay the night with our guests. Monitors are provided by

Yakima Neighborhood Health (four are CLC members!)

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Central is receiving a monthly stipend from YNHS to off-set utility expenses. Central is providing evening/overnight coffee (mostly for shelter monitors),

morning coffee, breakfast most mornings (usually provided by am greeter),

occasional sack lunches for the guests (usually on Saturday

and Sunday mornings when YNHS is closed), daily laundry for bed sheets

and pillow cases and as needed laundry for blankets.

On Holidays we have kept the guests allowing them to remain in the build-ing until later in the morning. The Depot (YNHS) is not open on holidays and

neither are most locations our guests could find warmth. The am greeters and/

or monitors have stayed and monitored our guests during these times. There

are always at least two people monitoring on these days and at least one has

been a Central member. This was approved by council action in December.

Our guests are utilizing room 110 and both the boy and girl bathrooms down-

stairs near room 110. They are also using the family room for breakfast and

TV watching/lounging while waiting for the YNHS bus or on the days they

remained later. There have been a few days when there was a late pickup due

to heavy snow and ice and the men remained in building beyond 7:00am, but

were picked up before 8:00am.

The Shelter team had two requests for councils consideration on January 25th.Both requests were approved by council. The first request was for councils permission to offer our guests the opportu-nity to shower on a rotating basis. Two men are allowed to shower before bed

each night. All guests are continued to be monitored at all times. The second request was to allow walk in guests to come into our shelter un-der very limited conditions. The guest is a known guest to Central, has been

evaluated by the greeter, hospital or police and determined to be safe AND has been approved by shelter team member or YNHS Staff for entrance that

night.

There are situations where a guest is unable to join the group at 4pm check in

time at the Depot. These are usually situations where they are working or they

have been at the hospital/medical facility. Not inviting the guest inside would

result in the guest sleeping outside or wandering the neighborhood that night. The EWWS team would like to thank you for your continued support. If you

would like to volunteer or would like to receive more information please call

the church office or email our shelter team at clc.ewws@yahoo.com.

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NOTES ON THE 3-DAY SYMPOSIUM WITH JOAN FISET

Central Lutherans participation in Yakimas Extreme Winter Shelter Program, is roughly at the half-way point. The 3-day sym-

posium, Now the Day is Over: Community Conversation on

Homelessness with writer Joan Fiset, 22-24 January will hope-

fully deepen commitment and understanding among the congre-

gation, at the same time, that increased exposure will enlist more

supporters.

Presented by Church in Society Committee at Central, there was a

community reading of Joans work held at Oak Hollow Gallery and Inklings bookstore, with strong support from Central Lu-

therans congregation.

Joan gave a public reading, opened the conversation with the

community in Central Lutherans Sanctuary, and participated in the panel, moderated by Steve Hill. She gave two temple talks

and led a conversation during the Adult Forum hour between ser-

vices on Sunday.

The article in the Herald-Republic by Jane Gargas brought many

new faces to our church, and these faces contributed to the discus-

sion over the three days. There have been several members of our

congregation who have already asked about the possibility of a

writing workshop conducted by Fiset.

Joans response upon returning home is one word, Yes. She says, I was thinking maybe I could offer a Second Wind writing ex-perience at Central Lutheran, and if there's a fee it can go to sup-

port the Men's Shelter or La Casa Hogar. It could be titled "With

Befriends Withless" if you think that could fly. We could explore

how these two atmosphere's might get to know and befriend each

other via wisps, hints, and any stray dust motes. Just a thought.

In the meantime, anyone interested in participating in Centrals Shelter, should contact Holly Gonseth, Felicity Pittman, Jim

Bodeen, or anyone else on Church in Society Committee. The

entire weekend was videotaped, and as those videos get edited,

they will be posted on Central Lutheran Churchs Website.

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Photos from the Symposium, Jan. 23-24. Photos by Jim Bodeen and Joel Martyn

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