The Christian Courier The

CourierVol. 65, No. 7 Bellingham First Christian Church July 2015

TheC r rT

Sunday Fun DayJuly 19

9:30 a.m.Be a part of this fun

intergenerational gathering to bake bread for Sunday

worship.If you would l ike to ass is t in coordinating this event, please contact T a m a l y n a t 7 3 4 . 6 8 2 0 o r tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org.

Baby Showerfor

Melissa & Paul Henderson(and wee one)

Sunday, August 162 p.m.

P l e a s e n o t e : M e l i s s a i s registered at Target.

495 East Bakerview Road Bellingham, WA 98226

360.734.6820 office@bellinghamdisciples.org www.bellinghamdisciples.org

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lords Table as God welcomed us.

All of Us Ministers

Rev. Gary Shoemaker Pastor gary@bellinghamdisciples.org

Rev. Tamalyn Kralman Director of Ed. & Community Outreach Courier Editor tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org

Michele Fode Finance Administrator finance@bellinghamdisciples.org

Amelia Nye Accompanist

TBD Childcare Provider

Rev. Sandy Messick Regional Minister

Rev. Sharon Watkins General Minister and President

Summer Sunday Schedule 10:20 a.m. Gathering Time 10:3 a.m. Worship 11:45 a.m. Fellowship Time 12:00 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch (4th Sunday) 2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal (2nd Sunday)

Office Hours Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - noon Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the week. Please feel free to stop by during their office hours or make an appointment that fits your schedule. Officers Don Hoffman, Chair Megan Shoemaker, Secretary Cheryl Perry, Treasurer

News from the Pews

2 July 2015

First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)

A green chalice congregationShoes News A New Day, A New Way

Folks, we are constantly trying to reinvent the wheel. Now, that's normally seen as an exercise in futility, but in the church, it's really becoming a necessity. The way we've done church in the past has been more of an institutional model than anything else. We support the church because we want it to be there, we appreciate what it does for our lives and we want to continue its presence in the community.Churches in the past have tended to be more social organizations than missional forces. We went to church because we enjoyed the activities and the people. The fact that it was also a place of faith was a bonus, but the real reason we kept going was the interaction with the people. There's truly something to be said for that model, because we all need a place where we belong, where we know our role and we're appreciated. As the church evolves, we need to remember that there is also a social component - people need a place that feels like home.But, then along came the 60's and 70's, up to today. Institutions have lost their appeal. There is more questioning of authority and a need for purpose instead of only supporting an institution.When Jesus came along, I think that a lot of what he did was intended to shake up the religious community of his day and attempt to restructure society and the culture of the Roman world. No small task! Folks had become a bit complacent with their lot in life and synagogue. Jesus teaches a new way, loving one another, working for the benefit of the other, breaking down stereotypes (especially the negative ones that held people out of the group).Unfortunately, the work of Jesus was itself institutionalized into a set of beliefs and rituals. The work of Jesus is still needed. Think about the killings in Charleston, S.C. Here's a 21 year old person with so much prejudice and hatred in his heart (I wonder where he got that?) that he was able to walk into an historic and pivotal black church and simply snuff out 9 lives. The work of Jesus is still needed.The Pope has just released an encyclical on the state of the planet. We've placed profit above environment time and time again, tipping the balance of our ecosystem beyond the breaking point. And to think that God gave us stewardship over creation. I'd have to give us an 'F' in that class. We've got to reinvent this wheel once again. The work of Jesus is still needed!Pastor Gary

Ten Commandments of Good Health Exercise thy body Exercise thy mind Exercise thy spirit Exercise thy willpower Have a happy heart Play

Eat, drink and be merry sensibly Give up guilt, regret, negative thoughts Fear not the future (but plan as much as possible for it) Live now for this is the day the Lord has made.

A blessing: " May you live this day compassionate of heart, clear in word, gracious in awareness, courageous in thought, generous in love. May you always be kind to yourself and to those you encounter, nourishing one another with the gifts of encouragement, inspiration, and confidence. And may your work bring you true joy and deep satisfaction, welcoming you home to the depth of your heart." (John O'Donohue)

Jane Kletka,RN FCN Health Ministries Network

Nurses Notes Joys and Concerns

Joys and Concerns of Our Congregation

Please submit written requests to update this list.

New to Our List: Arlene Peightal, recovering from open heart surgery Chuck Page, who will be undergoing further medical treatment The families of Shane Ormiston and Gabriel Anderson, in the wake of their tragic deaths Michael Brewster and Kole Randall, as they recover from their injuries William Klein, the driver of the vehicle, and his family The gym teacher and the students of Windward High School Ethan Powers, great-grandson of Marian Crim, immune system is intact, hes in full remission & being weaned off his medications; his bone marrow is currently at 73% (needs to be at 90) Bill Thomas & family, nephew of Sue Cross, found employment in the Tacoma area

Ongoing: Janet Franks, recovering at home Mary Lee Wiser, health concerns Bill Franks, health concerns Terry Buchanan, friend of Cyndy Koehn, dealing with breast cancer Dale Whitney, recovering at home Helen Blaney, as she recovers from a broken femur Joanne Harrell, health concerns Donna Fairchild, health concerns Disciples House Residents, past, present and future Iglesia de Dios, as together we share Gods love Raices Culturales and the children in their gardening program in our field Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister Rev. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President Our General Church ministries Yakama Christian Mission Victims of injustice, violence, poverty, and disease worldwide All troops involved in world conflict Peacemakers worldwide

Nurses Notes

July 2015 3

A Request Received from Interfaith CoalitionInterfaith Coalit ion has opportunities for you to make a difference in the l i v e s o f p e o p l e i n Whatcom County. This summer we are doing e x t e r i o r maintenance and repairs on several o f ou r houses and wou ld welcome a hand if you could offer a couple of hours on things like: painting, tree/brush trimming, general carpentry, miscellaneous jobs, etc. Skilled or not skilled you can help maintain our houses for homeless families! Its not too early to plan for winter either: knitters can begin crafting warm hats and scarves for Project Warm Up to distribute this fall and winter. Call Interfaith at 734-3983 for more information to volunteer or find out more about these opportunities. Together we can shelter and serve our most vulnerable neighbors.

On Saturday, June 13, Renee Hoemann, received a Master of Arts in speech-language pathology from WWU. She hopes to find a job as a speech therapist working with either children or adults in a school or healthcare setting.

(Pictured here with her husband, Mark)

News from the Pews

July 20154

A visitor to Josephs Closet rejoices in the selection of purses, finding just what she was looking for and more! Austin Witman at his June 5 graduation from Lynden High

School. (See June 2015 Courier for more details.)

Congratulations to Our 2015 Graduates!

Makena Schmidling was awarded an Associate in Arts and Sciences degree from Whatcom Community College on March 27. The commencement ceremony took place Saturday, June 20.

July 2015 5

Kelvin Smith unwraps the peace pole, which has been purchased in memory of his late wife, Barbara, and will be placed in the church courtyard. The message of peace is written in 12 languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, German, Korean, Hebrew, Russian, Salish, Japanese, and Gaelic. Which will you read?Donations to assist with this project may be made to the church. Memo: peace pole.

Abrahams Garden is ready to harvest! We will pick carrots and peas to take to the Food Bank. The beans continue to grow strong and the volunteer squash is still unidentified! Come visit the garden and see what you think.

garden

Ab

ra

ha

ms

Pictured: Kade OHalloran and Alisha Sanchez

peace pole

Whos on First?!

July 20156

Sunday, July 5 Elders: John Riseland (O), Gregg Heyne (C) Lock-Up: Lillian Moir In Home Communion: John Riseland Leslie Pinkston Deacons: Jane Kletka, Sandy Grant, Mary Ann Teeters Reader: James Becker Greeters: Kathy Wheeler & Alisha Sanchez Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: Melody & Don Hoffman in honor of their birthdays This weeks mower: Gregg Heyne

Sunday, July 12 Elders: Brenda Riseland (O), Lillian Moir (C) Deacons: Marian Overcash, Linda Heyne, Ardythe Hannah Reader: Melody Hoffman Greeter: Lois Oswalt Flowers: Fellowship Time: TBD This weeks mower: Leslie Pinkston

Sunday, July 19 Elders: Joe Plancich (O), Don Hoffman (C) Deacons: Lois Oswalt, Pat Whitney, Connie Page Reader: Virginia Haldeman Greeters: John and Brenda Riseland Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD This weeks mower: Gary Shoemaker

Sunday, July 26 Elders: Margaret Brown (O), Leslie Pinkston (C) Deacons: Lynn Plancich, Kathy Wheeler, Jayne Witman Reader: Lillian Moir Greeter: Russ & Bekki Weston Flowers: Esther Group Fellowship Time: Esther Group This weeks mower: Gregg Heyne Please note: Additional people are needed to mow the church lawn. Contact the church office to assist with this project.

Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)

Happy Birthday Don Hoffman 1 Melody Hoffman 2 Tod Gobledale 7 Bekki Weston 7 Margaret Farrar 8 Wayne Deming 9 Robert Naidu 10 Chuck Page 13 Linda Heyne 15 Debbie O'Neal 15 Tamalyn Kralman 16 Marlin Erickson 25

Preston Pinkston 27 Debbie Ruther 28 Mandla Gobledale 28 Karen Gilda 31

Happy Anniversary Chuck & Darleen Page 11 Pat & Dale Whitney 15

July

Find Weekly Lectionary Readings http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Be a Part of A Small Group (nurture your soul) Out-to-Lunch Bunch, 12:30 p.m., 4th Sundays - This

group visits locally owned and run restaurants. Book Group, 7 p.m., 4th Sundays - This group explores

books to expand their minds and their hearts. Womens Esther Group, 11:30 a.m., 3rd Mondays -

this group meets for lunch and fellowship in a local restaurant. Bible Study, Noon, Tuesdays - Meeting in the church

library, this group explores the weekly lectionary scriptures. Wild Goose Worship, 6:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays -

An alternative worship experience for young(ish) adults. (On hiatus during the summer months.)

Pub Theology, 6:30 p.m., 3rd Thursdays - Beer, conversation, and God! (Or any beverage of your choice.)

Checking in Group, 5 p.m., 4th Thursdays -supportive group of people who share life's journey together.

Men's Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Saturdays at Denny's - All men are invited to this weekly breakfast group for fun and fellowship. A sense of humor is strongly encouraged.

Community Meal Josephs Closet Disciples House CAST Socks on the Street

Food for the Food Bank Blessing Bags Bolenge Hospital Wells for Africa

For more info on how to assist in any of these projects, please contact us at office@bellinghamdisciples.org.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1

Bulletindeadline

2 3 4

7:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

5

10:20a Gathering Time10:30a Worship11:45p Fellowship Time

6 7

Noon Bible Study

8

Bulletindeadline

9 10 11

7:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

12

10:20a Gathering Time10:30a Worship11:45p Fellowship Time2p Someone Cares Community Meal & Josephs Closet

13

6:30 pStewardshipMeeting

14

Noon Bible Study

15

Bulletindeadline

Courier Deadline

16

6:30 p.m.Pub Theology, Hops n Headz

17 18

7:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

5:30 p.m .Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East, FirstPresbyterian

199:30a Sunday Fun Day10:20a Gathering Time10:30a Worship11:45p Fellowship Time

20

11:30 a.m.Esther Group

21

Noon Bible Study

22Bulletindeadline

23

5p Checking in Group

24 25

7:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

26

10:20a Gathering Time10:30a Worship11:45p Fellowship Time12:00 p Out-to-Lunch Bunch7p Book Group

27 28 29

Bulletindeadline

30 31

Calendar

July 2015 7

July 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Have a safe and sane 4th of July.And, please remember that this day is very difficult for our vets with PTSD and for animals.

Out of consideration for them, and all those sensitive to the noise, please limit your fireworks to July 4.

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There is no path to peace. Peace

is the path. Gandhi

Save the Dates Sun., Aug. 16 2 p.m Henderson baby shower

Sun., Aug. 23 9:30 a.m., Sunday Fun Day Create crosses, doves or stars out of wood, nails and yarn

Watch for announcement of Health Fair, coming in September.