Chimes

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Page 6New Members

September 24, 2014 | Seattle's first church, caring for the needs of the city since 1853 | love. grow. serve

Page 2-3Fall Community Groups

The Chimes | 2September 24, 2014

The first part of our church’s mission is loving God and loving our neighbor. We make that happen in worship and fellowship. Here are some great opportunities for recreation, fun and fellowship to help you get connected to new and old friends!

Dinners for 7If you are looking for an informal social group that’s small enough to know one another really well, look no further! Dinners for “7” groups meet in one another’s homes or at a restaurant on a schedule chosen by each group. Each group has about 7-10 people; individuals and couples are welcome! Existing dinner groups will continue to meet with their group of 7-10. Sign up to join a new dinner group.

Pride + FaithLove, Grow, and Serve with the Pride + Faith group. The group invites LGBTQ people and allies to grow in faith and serve the LGBTQ community in love, support, and action. Activities include Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, Pride Parade, and monthly potlucks. For more info, email prideand-faith@firstchurchseattle.org

• Leader: Jonathyn Kraig

Worship Dance Combining Dance and Worship can be a very spiritual experience. We strive to incorporate movement into wor-ship services once every month. Rehearsals are set-up on a per piece basis. All dance experience levels and ages are welcome to participate!

Cinema Group Join fellow cinema lovers (or those that wish they saw more movies) as we… go to the movies! Each meeting will include sharing a movie, a walk, and a bite to eat. Please sign up if you’re interested, and at our first meeting we’ll decide our movie selection or the process of how we will program our time together. Before or after the movie, we will walk for 20 minutes, perhaps, walking from the church to the Uptown Theater, around the fountain at Seattle Center, or enjoying another nearby neighborhood. Whichever activity we do af-ter the movie will provide a chance for us to discuss the film.

Leader: Bruce HallWhen & Where: TBD

PiecemakersLove chatting over coffee & crafts? Grab your scissors and hot glue and join the fun as Piecemakers experiment

with craft projects. We’ll dabble in felting, collage, quilting, appliqué and much more. Projects will be suitable for both beginners and experienced crafters.

• Leader: Elizabeth Blanton• When & Where: 3rd Monday of each month, 6:30-8

p.m., First Church Fellowship Hall

Vintage AdultsFun activities for older adults. Past events have included trips to see plays and museums, a tour of the Theo chocolate factory or an outing to the Tulip Festival.

• Leader: Gwynne Dodge

Vintners (20s & 30s)Vintners target the church’s young adult population. Together, we serve meals at the Blaine Center, gather for lunch after services, and have monthly outings.

• Leader: Todd Peacock-Preston

Sanctuary ChoirWhether you’re an experienced singer or just getting started, the Sanctuary Choir is a great way to participate in the ministry of First Church. Our mission is to provide consistently great music, from a wide variety of styles, in support of worship. The choir has great fun at rehearsals!

• Leader: Glenn Gregg, • When & Where: Thursday evenings, 7- 9 p.m., First

Church Sanctuary

Handbell ChoirHandbell choir is a wonderful experience of music-making and friendship-building! Whether you’re an experienced musician or if you want to be involved musically but don’t know where to start, we’re the group for you. Bell roles are customized to your level, and your fellow bell players are always there to (literally) lend a hand. We meet on Thursday evenings from 6 - 7 in the sanctuary.

• Leader: Elisabeth Ellis• When & Where: Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., First Church Sanctuary

The second step in First Church’s mission is to help people grow in spiri-tual depth and in joyful living as individuals and within the community.

lectionary Discussion groupThe lectionary is a three-year cycle of weekly text readings built around the seasons of the church year. Join us for week-

love grow serveCommunity GroupsFall 2014

The Chimes | 3September 24, 2014

• When & Where: Sunday mornings 9 am, First Church, Room 301

Sermon Study GroupsThese groups will dig deeper into the weekly sermon topics about becoming our best selves.

• Parent’s Sermon Study (Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, First Church) Led by Patricia Beltran

• Queen Anne (Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 10am, Bayview Retirement Community) Led by Claire Gebben & Ann Bristow

Listening and RespondingYou are invited to join a group that will meet for five weeks to renew our skills as listeners. The topics will include learning how to draw out the real purpose of another person’s com-munication, learning how to respond to someone without giving an immediate piece of advice, reviewing the skills of questioning and paraphrasing and giving verbal support, matching verbal and non-verbal messaging. A workbook for sessions will be $6.

• Leader: Mary Ann Johnson• When & Where: Tuesday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m., First

Church (Room TBA)

John Wesley, the Founder of Methodism, believed that works of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, were a way to share God’s love--an important part of our spiritual life. Christ-like service to others helps us find joy and meaning in life.

Cooking it up for JusticeEvery night the church serves dinner to 60 homeless men at the Blaine Center. Our group gathers monthly to cook and fellowship, then to serve dinner and visit with Blaine Center guests. Do you like to cook? If so, you’ll love cooking for a cause. Join us and make a difference by your food and your joyful presence.

• Leader: Nancy Sherertz• When & Where: 3rd Thursday of the Month, 6-8 pm,

Blaine Center [150 Denny Way]

Prayer Shawl MinistryImagine those who are ill, anticipating surgery, or experienc-ing loss, wrapped in the warmth, comfort, and prayers of a shawl you crocheted or knitted. Experience knitting and cro-cheting as acts of compassion. Join us! All levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome!

• Leader: Beth Snyder• When & Where: 2nd Mondays, 6:30-8pm at First Church

ly discovery and discussion focused on the lectionary. Gather at 6:30 for a simple meal (bring your own the first week) and share together in community from 6:30-7 p.m. From 7-8 p.m. we’ll spend an hour looking at the scriptures for the upcom-ing worship service.

• Leader: Rev. Moe• When & Where: Monday evenings (beginning October

6), 6:30-8 p.m., First Church Room 302

Pub TheologyLooking for a place to speak candidly about your theological point of view? Craving some rousing debate on topics that don’t always come up in Sunday worship? Pub Theology is a weekly gathering of minds, where challenging questions and meaningful discussion are always on tap. What better place to loosen our tongues and open our minds than a pub, eh? Join us for a pint (of theology, of course) and a laugh.

• Leader: Cary Lee• When & Where: Capitol Hill: Tuesdays at 8 p.m., The

Stumbling Monk, 1635 E Olive Way

Pride + Faith Book StudyJoin our Pride + Faith group for a book study! They’ll be reading God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships: “Unique in its affirmation of both an orthodox faith and sexual diversity, God and the Gay Christian is likely to spark heated debate, sincere soul search ing, even widespread cultural change. Not only is it a compelling interpretation of key biblical texts about same-sex relations, it is also the story of a young man navigating relationships with his family, his hometown church, and the Christian church at large as he expresses what it means to be a faithful, gay Christian.” Leader: Jonathyn Kraig

• When & Where: Wednesday evenings (beginning Oc-tober 8), 7-8 p.m., First Church, Room 304

Pax Christi Yoga Music, themes, and scripture passages that use yoga tech-niques in a Christian setting. Bring a blanket and wear yoga-appropriate clothing. If you don’t have mats we have extras!

• Leader: Janet Crawley • When & Where: Saturdays (beginning October 4), 9

a.m., First Church Fellowship Hall

Sunday Morning Adult EducationHow does your faith inform your life? We will discuss books, videos, current events and occasionally invite outside leaders to help us examine and share our faith, our lives and the life of our community. Curriculum is set by the class working together to identify resources and topics of interest.

• Leader: Jennifer Anderson

The Chimes | 4September 24, 2014

Do you need to get in touch with Rev. Moe? Give her a call at the church office: 206-622-7278 or on her cell phone: 206-321-6189. You can also send her an email: sharon@firstchurchseattle.org. She’d love to hear from you!

Spirited Stirringsby Rev. Sharon Moe

Ministry Fair Photos (Sunday, September 21)

Friends,

Before I came to First Church in July, I was very glad to see that you have been actively supporting the I-594 initia-tive for Gun Responsibility. It's one of those critical social issues that I believe the Church needs to speak about and lend its support to being passed in November's election. I am continuing to meet with the local Faith Leaders and organizations to plan events and demonstrations leading up to the November election. First Church will soon be the location where people can pick up signs to encourage peo-ple to vote for this initiative ($5.00 each). And at a Rally, March and Demonstration for I-594 on October 19, all of us will be invited, and encouraged, to join in to demon-strate our support of the initiative. More information will be available soon about this event. But plan now to attend and participate in it. October 19 is also the date for our Annual Church Conference, which will take place immedi-ately following the 10:30 am worship. It will be possible to attend the Church Conference and then join the rally and march. The hope is that all along the march route, indi-viduals and congregations will join in--like streams flow-ing into a river--until the crowd really demonstrates the overwhelming support of people of faith for background checks when purchasing guns. The image that comes to

mind is from the prophet Amos and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King: "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteous-ness like an overflowing stream."

The increasing levels of violence in our world and in this country--in our homes, in our streets, in our school and shopping malls, and in the ever newly emerging battlefields of our world--demand our response of prayer and action. And they demand our witness as people of faith in this Seattle community.

Blessings,

The Chimes | 5September 24, 2014

Rev 2/12300-00072

Please be a part of our new family directory program–we need YOU to make our new family album complete!Let’s put names with faces. We have chosen to partner with Lifetouch for professional photographythat will connect our members and tell our story.

In your one-hour session you will: • Check-in• Be professionally photographed • Immediately view your portraits• Have an opportunity to purchase additional portraits

Portraits are valued family keepsakes. Watch for more information coming soon about the opportunity to schedule your portrait session.

We look forward to seeing you!

When was the last time you or your family had a professional portrait taken?

ConvenientLifetouch will photograph at our location.

Each family will receive acomplimentary 8x10 portraitand directory for participating

Exciting products turn your portraits into cherished memories Products may vary

Church Photo Directory - Coming Soon!Sign up online: firstchurchseattle.org/2014-church-directory or call the church office: 206-622-7278.

First Church Book GroupThe book group will meet on October 12 from 10:15 -11:15 in Room 302 to discuss Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. "New York Times bestselling au-thor Barbara Brown Taylor once again writes with wisdom, grace, and beauty as she seeks to rehabilitate what we have learned to fear -- the dark. Here she reflects on how our lives do not work only when everything is fully lit. We can't always see the light. It waxes and wanes and can go out altogether. What we need is a spirituality that works in the nighttime."

The Book Group is an informal group that meets monthly to discuss books of interest. If you are interested in this book, please read it and join us in the Adult Education Classroom (Room 301) in October.

Church ConferenceOn Sunday, October 19 we will have our an-nual all-church meeting with our Seattle Dis-trict Superintendent Rev. Patricia Simpson. The conference will be immediately after the 10:30 service in the sanctuary. Discussion will include First Church's ministry future.

Everyone is encouraged to attend.

October First Sunday Luncheonwith Kiantha Duncan, Program Manager at the Blaine Center

At our First Sunday Luncheon at First Church on Sunday, October 5th, Kiantha Duncan, the Program Manager at the Blaine Center Men's Shelter, will join us to speak about the Blaine Center and it’s role in helping the homeless in Seattle.

The Blaine Center is a 60-bed men’s shelter nestled beneath the First Church parking garage on Warren and Denny. The shelter is run in partnership with Compass Housing Alliance.

Join us in the Fellowship Hall after the 10:30 service.

Please bring a salad or dessert to share!

Join the Vintage Adult Fall Outing "Asia Experience" on Tuesday 10/21/2014! We will visit the Japanese Garden at the Arboretum to enjoy autumn leaves and gather around the No Host Chinese lunch near the church afterwards. Meet at First Church at 10 a.m., rain or shine.

RSVP to Gwynne Dodge by Sunday 10/12/14.

The pay-ahead fee of $5 required to reserve a spot. Acces-sible path available at the Japanese Garden. No age restric-tion. Everyone welcome!

Coming Up...

The Chimes | 6September 24, 2014

Congratulations Corner

Happy 91st birthday, Jerry West! Jerry, a resident of Bayview Manor, celebrated his 91st birthday on Sep-tember 14.

Do you have a milestone you'd like to share in The Chimes? Email editor Elizabeth Blanton: elizabethb@firstchurchseattle.org by the "next deadline" indicated on the last page of The Chimes.

Welcome New Members!

Brett Birkinbine

Elizabeth Detels

Vanessa Loud

Mary Ann Johnson

Calvin Goings

Lois Hines

Kathryn Nelson

Sunday SnapshotsOn September 21 at our 10:30 worship service it was a joy to honor our ushers, recognize Sunday School teachers, and receive new members into our congregation.

Clockwise from top left: Ushers Gerald, Gordon, Dean, and Edmond receive flow-ers and pins; Sunday School teachers De-borah, Scott, Diane, Jonathyn, and Justin; Rev. Moe welcomes new member Calvin.

The Chimes | 7September 24, 2014

The ChimesA bi-weekly publication of

Pastor | Rev. Sharon L. MoeEditor | Elizabeth Blanton

Next Deadline: Thursday, October 2, 2014

Church Office | 180 Denny Way Seattle, WA 98109 Office Phone | 206-622-7278

Rev. Sharon L. MoeEmail | sharon@firstchurchseattle.org

Office | 206-622-7278 Cell | 206-321-6189

Join us for worship each Sunday at 9 & 10:30 a.m.www.FirstChurchSeattle.org

Facebook.com/firstchurchseattletwitter.com/firstumcseattle

This publication is also available via email. Sign up at:

http://eepurl.com/d1gFL(capitalize only the “FL” at the end)

Through Sunday September 21, 2014 Pledged Unpledged Total Surplus

(deficit)

Budgeted $265,302 $29,174 $294,476

Received $252,735 $39,457 $292,192

Surplus (deficit) -$12,567 $10,283 -$2,284

Stewardship Update

Prayers from September 5

N'dri Affre requests prayers for his birthday on Sept 4.

The Arenivar's request prayers for safe travels to Texas.

Marlene Barnes requests prayers for a safe school year for all people.

Gwynne Dodge and Bruce Berglund request prayers for working together for peace in the Middle East.

Ralph Goldberg requests prayers for Daniel Nauser, in mission to Kenya.

Connie and Paul McCutcheon request prayers for Con-nie's brother Dick, who was hospitalized last week and is now at home on hospice care.

Jeanne Aston requests and offers prayers of thanksgiving for First Church friends who helped her celebrate her 80th Birthday.

Prayers are requested for the family of Reverend Edgar L. Starr, retired pastor, who passed away Sep-tember 5, 2014. A memorial service celebrating the life of Rev. Starr will be held at Des Moines UMC at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday September 13th; reception to follow in Stanton Hall at the Gardens.

Continuing prayers are requested for Jean Wiswell Millie Kugler June Whitson

Hear Our Prayersfrom our Prayer Team

Roger Whitson Chester Morgan Marge Dickey

Memorial Service: James Ross

Saturday, September 27, 1 p.m.Fauntleroy Community Church-United Church of ChristFellowship Hall (9140 California Ave. SW)

First Church member James Ross passed away on January 1, 2014. The funeral and burial service were held in Water-loo, Iowa on January 23.

The Chimes (USPS 105-520) Periodicals Postage Paid at Seattle, WA 98134. Published semimonthly by First United Methodist Church, 180 Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98109. Subscription: .60 per year. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Chimes, 180 Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98109.

Sunday, October 5 at 9 & 10:30 a.m.