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Fresh Expressions On-Line Lenten Book Study

Last year when our church closed on Friday, March 13, 2020 to in-person ministries, I remember thinking, “Surely, we’ll be back by Easter, that’s five weeks away.” This has been a long year of learning that viruses and people chart their own courses.

This month we’ll begin Lent 2021 and we still don’t know when we’ll return to in-person ministries. However, we can use this time of Lent to prepare for Easter by gathering together for study, reflection and prayer. What does “doing church” look like after COVID-19? Is God calling our church to a new focus? How do we be the church to our Port Angeles community?

“This book is an essential group study for United Methodists who are serious about God’s mission. Well researched, clearly written, and insightful, this volume includes carefully developed Bible studies and reflection questions for every chapter.” —Elaine A. Heath, Dean, Duke Divinity School

The books are available at Port Book and News, 104 E 1st St, Port Angeles. They are being held behind the counter under “FUMC.” If you request a FUMC copy at the front desk, you’ll receive 20% off the price of the book.

Our first study will be on Wednesday, February 24, at noon. We will email the Zoom meeting address to everyone the week before.

— Deb Self

Invitation to Observing an Intentional Lent

George Herbert, a 17th century Welsh poet and Anglican priest, once suggested that the faithful observance of the Season of Lent requires “a face not fearing light.” With the Season of Lent nearly upon us, we will soon be finding our way in the half light of the shadows of the cross.

The designation “Lent” comes from the Old English word for spring, which refer-ences the seasonal phenomenon of the lengthening of daylight. The light that leads us through Lent is a mysterious light, indeed. One writer has suggested that this strange light “shows us our graves…exposes our dread, all our losses…discloses all the world’s unfairness, corruption, and violence, and our complicity in much of it.” But such light also reveals the outlandish love and grace of God and the sheer beauty and delight of feeling the salvation Christ brings deep in our bones. Laurance Hall Stookey put it this way: “Lent is not six and a half weeks of marching around Mount Calvary.” Stookey’s words remind us that good news is revealed even in the half light of Lent.

. . . .Continued on page 7

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TOWER ECHOES First United Methodist Church 110 East Seventh Street Port Angeles, WA 98362

Telephone: 360.452.8971 Email: office@pafumc.org Web: pafumc.org Pastor: Thomas G. Steffen Editor: Rosanna Yates-Bailey

Pastor’s February Devotional

In the introduction to An Al-tar in the World, a book that many of us read in 2015, Bar-bara Brown Taylor suggests that spiritual treasure is only discovered when it is “bodily engaged.” In-sights into the spiritual life are found at the intersection of “physical activities and exquisite attention.” (An Altar in the World, xvii)

This month will conclude the extended and dramatic sweep of Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, three almost palpable and exquisite liturgical seasons that belong together. Everything that we have read, heard and sung since November 29 points us to God’s commitment to paying attention to the physical. The lofty theological term is incarnation, which points to all that is animated and enlivened by the Mystery we call God or Spirit, grounded in the flesh-and-blood, life-and-death, give-and-take, success-and-failure stuff of this world.

To be a follower of the Christ, who was mysteriously fleshed out in Jesus of Nazareth, is to joyfully embody (the act of fleshing out) the love and grace of God in relevant, engaged, and passionate ways, even if we risk being misunderstood or criticized. Jesus was so thoroughly relevant, engaged, and passionate, i.e., thoroughly human, that he was (and remains) difficult to label, one who not only received mixed reviews but violent responses. He is remembered as the God Man or Incarnate God, because he so powerfully and convincingly reflected both in believable ways.

I remain hopeful that the world-wide United Methodist Church will continue to be an incarnational presence around the globe, but my deepest longing is that we—members and friends of FUMC, will continue to be in 2021 an incarnational presence at the intersection

of 7th and Laurel. During these days after the Epiphany, may all that we believe about Jesus find expression in all that we say and do. Merely human, think of it—God’s greatest gifts packaged in varying shades of plain brown wrapping, can become at the Spirit’s bidding the human face of God. Here’s to an exquisite February!

Until next month,

— Tom

The Transfiguration James Tissot 1886-1894

Volume 64, No. 2 February 2021

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The Hill We Climb Amanda Gorman

When day comes, we ask ourselves,

where can we find light in this never ending

shade?

The loss we carry, a sea. We must wade.

We've braved the belly of the beast.

We've learned that quiet isn't always peace.

In the norms and notions of what just is,

isn't always justice.

And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.

Somehow we do it.

Somehow we've weathered and witnessed

a nation that it isn't broken,

but simply unfinished. . . .

Thursday, 01/21/2021 GNW Area News, UMC

Complete text: www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a35268319/amanda-gorman-inauguration-poem-transcript/

Jerlen Riddle

It is with sad hearts that we announce that Jerry Riddle unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021. He and his wife Susan are members and were actively involved within our church. Jerry was our Treasurer in 2011.

Please join us in praying for Jerry’s wife Susan, his daughter Tamara and other family and friends.

“May light perpetual shine.”

NICHOLSON, Betty* 360-457-4689 81 Craftsman Court Sequim, WA 98382-4765 maynicholson@gmail.com

Our FUMC office will be closed for President’s Day, Monday, February 15.

February Worship: Sundays and Scripture Readings

Feb. 7 - 5th Sunday after the Epiphany - Rev. Tom Steffen preaching Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Cor. 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

Feb. 14 - Transfiguration Sunday - Rev. Tom Steffen preaching Valentine’s Day 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Cor. 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

Feb. 21 - 1st Sunday of Lent - Rev. Tom Steffen preaching Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

Feb. 28 - 2nd Sunday of Lent - Rev. Tom Steffen preaching Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38

New Contact Information

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through us such that we may remember with imagi-native wonder who and Whose we are. Within the Primary Respiration of our own inhale and exhale, Spirit’s Dynamic Stillness provides the divine movement within us which is yet another polarity relationship (articulated in last month’s article) in that a dynamic stillness ignites movement that is palpable by way of our felt senses if we dare to enter the mysterious wonder of its realm.

When we forget about God’s expressed invitation for us to move within the creative experience of imaginative wonder, we may feel lost in our fear. Using our senses to feel into the imaginative wonder within and around us helps us to remem-ber, believe and experience what is divinely true. Experiencing the polarities of a dynamic stillness and its subsequent mirrored relationship of move-ment may be as close as taking our next breath, and yet, its mystery may be veiled until we are ready and willing to remove the veil. Using the divine gift of our imagination invites us to break free from the confines of our mind’s rigid beliefs such that we can meet God in the wonder of his dynamic love that includes an energetic still-ness that ignites movement. What is it for each of us that has the texture of energetic stillness that so beautifully ignites a sweet-spot movement for feeling God more deeply?

For many months now, while on my daily walk, I have experienced an eagle gloriously positioned in its still-point stance at the tip-top of a fir tree, soaring through the forest’s pathway with its majestic-wing spread, or floating in the rising layers of warming air known as thermals. With-out flapping its wings, it appears close to the heavens for long periods of time when rising while resting in the thermal. You too, have likely stopped to gaze with amazement when an eagle catches your eye. You may likely know that the eagle is considered a sacred being, highly revered in my Cherokee heritage, symbolizing a deep closeness to God in the skies. And the eagle feather is ceremonially used for healing and puri-

Abundant Sweet Spots By Jules Steffen, LMHC

It comes down to love or fear. It’s really that simple, and yet, that complex. When we aren’t experiencing love, we are in our fear, whether it be our individual-

ized fear or a collective fear from having aligned with the thinking of a particular group. Given the magnitude of emotions that may have gripped us on January 6 when our U.S. Capitol was breached, fear was running deep within those who broke through the established boundaries as they brought terror and destruction to the hallowed halls. And fear captured the hearts and minds of those of us who watched in horror and disbelief. In the very moments when fear grips us in our hearts, minds and actions, no matter our perspec-tive, we have forgotten who and Whose we are.

When we don’t feel safe, fear reigns within us. Our feeling unsafe may be intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual, and/or energetic in nature, but the ultimate translation spells fear, that which is separate and distorted from God’s sole intent and gift of love. Our experience of true safety only comes from God. Because we are human and have a body, parts of us experience disbelief (fear/scarcity), while other parts of us resonate with the depth of the divine spark in our being (love/abundance).

God has gifted us with the capacity for the creative experience of imaginative wonderment which is an open doorway and invitation to commune with the Divine. And, yet, we can so easily stay stuck in the perpetual cycle of fear with the nonstop external noise of our world and the incessant internal voices in our heads. Imaginative wonderment comes into us from God’s breath-spark that ignites within us at our conception by way of what is called Primary Respiration, the flow of our inha-lation and exhalation where Spirit transforms into matter. Divine tide-like rhythms ebb and flow

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Who Chooses our New Pastor?

In The United Methodist Church, clergy appointments are made annually by the bishop. This unique system of deploying clergy dates back to John Wesley.

United Methodist pastors are itinerant - sent, not called or hired. "Itinerancy" refers specifi-cally to the commitment by pastors to go and serve wherever their bishops send them. In the early days of Methodism in America, a pastor, usually a circuit rider, might be sent to serve multiple churches in a large region. This prac-tice became the basis for the system The United Methodist Church uses today.

When bishops consider appointments, they consult with others who know the congregation and community, including the district superin-tendent, the pastor, and the pastor-parish rela-tions committee of the local church. The needs and desires of the pastor and the congregation are considered, but the mission of the church comes first.

After the consultation process, the bishop sets the pastoral appointments. Appointments are typically for one year at a time, though the bishop may move any itinerant pastor at any time. The goal of this process is to match, as much as possible, the gifts and graces of the particular pastor with the needs of a particular congrega-tion or ministry setting. This series of different pastoral leaders over time helps form and develop ministries in the church and community.

Rev. Belton Joyner explains, "In a connectional system such as United Methodism, the question from any individual congregation or from any individual [clergy] is not, 'What is best for me?' The question is 'What is best for us, the whole connection?'. . . .

https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-

fication. Years ago, I was gifted a large eagle feather by my teacher from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, as eagle feathers are holy ele-ments used during sacred ceremony. I learned then that being a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation authorizes me to obtain an eagle feather. An almost daily ritual has been for me to find eagle feathers under their nest, and in so doing, has deepened my sense of awe. I feel particularly blessed with an imaginary experience of the eagle: it seems to spread its wings within me as I inhale with my breath, offering within me a sense of sacred movement held by an underlying stillness of God’s presence. In this experience, I feel safe. Herein, is just one example of experiencing God’s invitation to be in the creative expression of imaginative wonderment where I sense him more deeply within me.

God’s invitation to utilize our imagination for the purpose of experiencing him more deeply is extended to each of us. As we welcome these openings into our daily experience, God reveals himself to us in exciting ways. What is it, in Nature or elsewhere, that draws us in for a deeper experience? With our imaginative wonder, what is it that provides us with a sense of both stillness and movement? By way of our unlimited imagi-nation, what brings us in close to rest in that sweet spot of sensing God’s safety? Blessings and love for the journey as we claim God’s abun-dance and receive these divine openings.

Domestic Violence Help If you feel your life or safety is in

jeopardy call 9-1-1 immediately.

National Hotline: 800-799-7233

24 Crisis Line: 360-452-4357

24 Crisis Line: 360-374-2272

Suicide Prevention Help Crisis Line: 360-452-4500

Nat’l Suicide Prevention: 800-273-8255

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Truth

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” —John 1.46

We've already decided no one from Nazareth should be taken seriously. Let's confess what I call our cultural fundamentalism: the belief that there is only one truth, and we own it. The belief that my group (however I identify it) alone matters, and we alone are entitled to decide what is Real, True and Important. We will not be dissuaded from our illusions by facts, because it's not the truth but who says it that matters. If the speaker is one of us and protects our entitlement (and magnifies our grievance at the loss of that entitlement) we will believe whatever they say. But the voice of an outsider simply doesn't matter. We are entitled to define what's True, Real and Important, and they are not. No one from Nazareth.

It's the way of religious fundamentalists, conspir-acy theorists, white supremacists, and other like-minded people. It's the basis of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and every form of discrimination, behind every crusade, pogrom, witch-hunt and genocide. Whites, Americans, men, Christians—we all suffer from it.

What's the antidote? “Come and see.” Humility. Willingness to hear another's truth. Listening. Taking the “other” seriously. Attending most deeply not to those defending their entitlement, but to those who have none.

God, help me listen deeply and humbly. Help me see all people as real, as whole, beloved people. Bid me always, “Come and see.”

— Steve Garnaas-Holmes Retired UMC pastor www.unfoldinglight.net

Katherine Parker Covenant Missionary January 25 2021

I am still here in the USA. The air-ports in Nepal have reopened since last Octo-ber, although there is a new travel ban again to limit the spread of the more contagious strain. But my main delay has been waiting for United Mission to Nepal (UMN) to sign its five-year agreement with the government, which is what allows me to have a visa and work permit. This has been repeatedly delayed (for compli-cated reasons I probably shouldn't put in writ-ing). The short end is that I would be in a more tenuous legal position to be working for UMN in Nepal than I am while working remotely. So, I continue to do that, although I am getting closer to the point of going back even if it means that I need to be a bit more circumspect about my work.

Sorry for not being able to provide a more clear answer. The challenges of 2020 continue to drag on. But this has been one of my most profession-ally satisfying years working as a missionary. I got to be part of three large studies of 1) multi-lingual education in Rukum, 2) ending violence for equality in Bajhang and 3) sustainable live-lihoods in Doti. While I only got to travel and do the direct interviews for the first, I got to work closely with Nepali colleagues in crafting ques-tions and analyzed the data in the last two, which has been a lot of fun (I'm still wrapping up the analysis of the 3rd). I've also gotten to be part of developing new tools for remote monitoring and scaling up our use of mobile phones to collect data, and pilot our use of a new planning and monitoring tool called Outcome Mapping.

Thanks for checking in!

Peace,

Katherine Advance # 15187Z

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Intentional Lent . . .continued from page 1

Even though this year’s observance of Lent will be done in relative isolation, we can still recommit ourselves to prayer and reflection, healthy eating and exercise, Scripture study and meaningful acts of kindness.

Unable to offer a Shrove Pancake event this year, we are, however, planning a Zoom Ash Wednesday Service, to be held on Wednes-day, 17 February at 7:00 PM. All you need is access to a computer/laptop or smart phone. Safely attached here is a small amount of ashes. We hope that you will smudge them on your forehead at the designated moment in the Ash Wednesday service, or whenever you decide to begin your Lenten journey. (I usually add a pinch of anointing oil, just so it stays on my thumb long enough to get it to the fore-head. But for one person doing their own, I suspect the little moisture on the thumb/finger will be enough to apply a good smug; it is ok to do it a second time to get a good mark.)

Here’s the invitation to join the Zoom service:

Ash Wednesday Service 2021 Time: Feb 17, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://greaternw.zoom.us/j/92093566839 Meeting ID: 920 9356 6839

Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Find your local number: https://greaternw.zoom.us/u/aeGp3Ehi9F

— Pastor Tom

State of Child Care in WA and Clallam Co.

Science tells us that children are born to learn. About 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years of life. A million new neuronal connections are made each second. These con-nections need to be strengthened and main-tained. For this to happen, the child needs to be in a nurturing, enriched, supportive and stable environment to really thrive.

High quality early learning has a lasting impact on our future workforce in increased lifetime pay (30%), increased HS graduation (30%), and a decrease (by 70%) in likelihood of arrest for violent crime.

Washington State spends just 1.1% of its budget on early care and education and ranks 39th in the nation in access to preschool. Less than half of Washington’s kids are ready for kindergarten.

The impact of lack of childcare statewide for employees is severe: 50% found no opening near home or work; 37% did not find nearby care that fit their work hours; 12% did not find care that accepted state childcare subsidies (which typically cover only 60% of the actual cost of providing care). In Clallam County, 61% of children under six live in homes where all adults work.

(Resourced from Power Point presentation pre-pared by Prevention Works! Childcare Task Force: https://www.pw4kids.org/158-no-small-matter-panel.html)

Learn more about the childcare crisis at www.childcareawarewa.org. Sign up for Pre-vention Works! digital weekly newsletter up-date that provides information about local ac-tivities, articles, research and events, all related to the world of young children and view the excellent new 7-minute childcare recruitment video featuring childcare providers in Clallam County at: www.pw4kids.org.

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United Methodist Women

2021 PNW UMW Spiritual Retreat: What We Need Is Here: Practicing the Heart of Christian Spirituality

March 19th 6:30-9 pm and March 20th 8:45-11 am

Are you looking for an ever-deepening rela-tionship with God? Are you finding challenges to growing spiritually? Plan to attend and let God be your Teacher in discovering the “givens” which will demonstrate how Jesus is enough. Sessions will include laughter, sharing, presen-tations, reflection, and worship. Take this time to retreat and find exactly what you need to draw nearer to God.

Spiritual leader for this Zoom event will be Rev. Brenda Tudor -- “I credit the development of my church leadership skills to the UMW units and faithful who encouraged me to become an ordained elder. My passion is for social justice, education, and improving the lives of all people.”

Special guest Harriet Jane Olson, CEO of United Methodist Women, will be joining us on Saturday morning.

The book for required reading is: What We Need is Here, Practicing the Heart of Christian Spirituality, by L. Roger Owens. It is available for purchase online.

Registration deadline is March 12.

E-mail registration forms to Susan Chamber-lain: susancchamberlain@yahoo.com or call her at 360-859-3740. Susan will send you the link to the Zoom Retreat after you register.

Registration form: https://pnwumc.org/umw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PNW-UMW-2021-Spiritual-Growth-Retreat-Registration-fillable.pdf

Flyer: https://pnwumc.org/umw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021-Spiritual-Retreat-Flyer.pdf

SAVE the DATES UMW Assembly 2022 May 20-22 Orlando, Florida

United Methodist Women Assembly 2018 in Columbus, OH was a time for fellowship, equipping for service and collectively experi-encing God’s call to mission with women, children and youth. Through moving worship, inspiring speakers, engaging exhibits, riveting workshops and town hall-style meetings, partici-pants left Assembly with knowledge, courage and determination to change the world as part of a daring and compassionate 150-year-old movement of women committed to turning faith, hope and love into action.

Watch a 3 minute video recap of the 2018 Assembly at: https://umwassembly.org/

World Thank Offering: We Act Together

given to the World Thank Offering through United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations. The World Thank Offering is an opportunity for individuals to respond to God’s abundant grace. When we share our gifts and they are combined with the gifts of others, our contributions make possible the support of National Mission Institutions and international projects and partners to meet the physical and social needs of women, children and youth.

If you missed making your annual offering in November, it’s not too late to send one to UMW unit treasurer, Barb Cammack.

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FUMC Members’ News Avamere, Sequim Rob Wilson

Crestwood Health & Rehab Center Shirley Richmond

Park View Villas Mary Hulse #103 Miriam Pittman

Sequim Health & Rehab Hayes Wasilewski #203A

Homebound Al Blood and Marge Jacobs

Out of Town James Cason 206-794-4527 753 NW 73rd Seattle, WA 98117

Wanda Steffen Golden Apple Unit #214 720 E Dustman Road Bluffton, IN 46714

Rev. William Thomas 2430 13th Street SE Havre, MT 59501-8800

For Prayer Concerns, contact, Susi Schmitt-Cates, 360-452-2610.

♥ Jerry Riddle, family and friends

♥ All those experiencing isolation

♥ Kat Osborne, what’s next for her

♥ Vivian Dooley, family and friends

♥ Carolyn Evans, brother-in-law’s health

♥ Shirley Partridge, post broken hip

♥ Pascal Duchesnes, visitation rights

♥ Barb Cammack, post surgery

♥ Will Branch’s family & friends

♥ Peg Becker, health

♥ Dale Knudsen, health

♥ Clallam County residents may they use good judgement regarding COVID-19.

♥ Deacon Erin, energy for the journey

♥ Sandy Granger, broken arm

♥ Dr. Schrodt Zeid, CDC Covid-19 response team

♥ Dignity, respect and safety for communities of color

♥ Victims of COVID-19

♥ Firefighters & healthcare workers

♥ Ruth Wyman, sister’s health

♥ Dory & Graham Hutchins

♥ Ron & Carolee Bauman

♥ Essential workers

♥ Jim & Barbara Johnson

♥ Ruth Wyman, brother-in-law health

♥ Katherine Parker, missionary to Nepal

♥ Leticia Sparkman and Brian Hogue

♥ Teachers, students and parents

1 Bonnie Hansen 2 Alan Burwell 4 Colleen Lamb 6 Eric Schaefermeyer 6. Barb Maynes 7 Rose Davidson 10 David Jones 14 Jim Cole

16 Mimi Wiggins 17 Harper Grimes 21 Graham Hutchins 23 Chuck Turner 24 Bob Sheedy 24 Bob Briggs 25 Joy Sheedy 26 Linda Dykema

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Church As Beloved Community

Excerpt of the Pastoral Letter from Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky – January 2021

...Racism Has No Place in the Church

The Church is the body of Christ. We cannot allow racism to infect the body by tolerating [racist] behaviors because they are inhospitable and dangerous for the beloved of our Savior. None of us can rest as long as our churches participate actively or passively in the sin of racism.

At Christian baptism, we pledge to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. Whether hot and hateful or gentle and well-intentioned, these comments and attitudes are harmful and they reinforce the narrow, fixed and insular scope of our congregations. Whatever good our churches do, it is necessarily compromised by the shadow cast by attitudes and habits that spring from normative white cultural assumptions.

“Open itineracy means appointments [of clergy] are made without regard to race, ethnic origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, or age.” ¶ 425.1 The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (UMC Discipline)

Throughout our lives, Jesus introduces us to new experiences, new people, fresh ideas. When our life paths cross with people from different parts of the world, with different life experiences, different cultural experiences, different aspirations that do not match our own, and may make us uncomfortable, our discomfort is often God at work, stretching and strengthening our love. Jesus invites us to set aside judgment and proceed to curiosity, asking: how is Jesus working through a new relationship to deepen our faith and strengthen the church or community?

The church must not value the familiar, tradi-

tional or comfortable over what is right, nour-ishing, emerging, and hopeful. God says “Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? (Isaiah 42:19a.)Embracing the new people and things God sends our way is a spiritual practice that breathes life into the church and through the church, into the world.

Your bishop watches over you in love.

My charge, as your bishop, is to oversee the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church. I name what I see and encourage the leaders and congregations under my care to grow in faith and witness for the kingdom/kin-dom of God. I see our spirits are not strong enough to follow Jesus into the beloved community he invites us to, nor do we have the courage to speak truth to a world that is awash in lies.

The United Methodist Church can and must become a movement that is awakening, learning, growing and moving toward racial awareness, intercultural competency and inclusive community.

In faithfulness to our baptismal vows, my cabinet and I are committed to working with pastors and laity to re-form our churches to recognize and acknowledge our sin and enter into a journey toward racial equity, justice and inclusion. Just as the members of the cab-inet have a monthly discipline of intercultural competency training, the cabinet will develop a process for working with congregations to assess and recognize attitudes and behaviors that give preference to white culture within the church, and to take steps to become more aware and competent in inter-cultural and cross-racial relationships.

“Cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments are made as a creative response to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the church in its leadership. Cross-racial and cross-cultural

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appointments are appointments of clergy per-sons to congregations in which the majority of their constituencies are different from the cler-gyperson’s own racial/ethnic cultural back-ground.” ¶ 425.4 UMC Discipline

The goal of the cabinet is to assist every church to become an outpost of God’s inclusive love in each place and for all the people. Underlying this goal, we firmly resolve not to allow racially offensive or exclusive comments and behavior within our congregations, to go unchallenged and untransformed. …

Full letter available at https://greaternw.org/church-as-beloved-community/

Interfaith 2021 Winter Spiritual Read Begins January 25

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Robin is a master storyteller, scientist, professor, mother, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

When: Starts the week of January 25, 2021, once a week for about eight weeks (depending on group agreement). We will gather weekly by Zoom to discuss, reflect, share resources, and build community.

To register: Contact interfaithclallamcounty@gmail.com to find an open group – there are several.

Pledged Income for

Actual Budget $ Over/ - Short

December $ 7,292 $ 18,726 $ - 11,434

Jan-Dec. $ 168,544 $ 189,598 $ - 21,054

Eggs for MANNA

2020 Summary: Support in 2020 reached an amazing $4,228 (all of this went to MANNA). The hens produced eggs to fill 518 two-pound packages. Thank you Carolyn Stimbert for sharing 54 pounds of extra eggs for MANNA. Total cost of production (feed and supplies) = $2,032. Four anonymous patrons provided $615, so Judy and Emil’s net cost was $1,417.

2021: Going toward more hours of daylight is helping the flock’s production. As of January 15, 50 pounds of eggs received $246 in dona-tions. We are off to a good start. Thank you for your support for MANNA (Ministry Assisting Neighbors in Need with Agape).

— Judy and Emil Moilanen, 360-928-3657

Finance Committee Report Jesus Calls Us

“Jesus calls us! By thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all” (UMH 398). These words are guiding my thoughts as I raise my voice to urge you to join me in supporting the ministries of our church. As of January 19, 2021 our church has received 51 pledges of support totaling $174,688. Our goal is $183,025 in pledges. Please help us raise another $8,337 when you make or increase your 2021 pledge. At our finance meeting January 19th we took a leap of faith to recommend to our church council that they adopt the 2021 budget. We are counting on each other to each take a part and share the responsibility to fully support the ministries of our church.

—Emil Moilanen Finance Chair

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USPS Identification Statement Tower Echoes Newsletter

Published monthly by First United Methodist Church

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Included in this issue… 2021 UMW Spiritual Retreat…………… 8 2022 UMW Assembly………………….. 8 Abundant Sweet Spots...…….………….. 4 Birthdays ………………………………. 9 Church as Beloved Community………… 10 Deaths……………..………...………….. 3 Devotional Thought………...………….. 2 Domestic Violence Hotline……………... 5 Eggs for MANNA ……………………... 11 Finance Committee Report …………..… 11 FUMC Members’ News …………….…. 9 Fresh Expressions Book Study…………. 1 Hill We Climb………………………….. 3 Interfaith 2021 Read Begins……………. 11 Invitation to Lent……………………….. 1 Katherine Parker.…………….…………. 6 New Contact Information…...………….. 3 Office Closed……………...……………. 3 Prayer Requests ....………………........... 9 State of Child Care……………………… 7 Suicide Prevention Hotline……………... 5 Sympathy……………………………….. 3 Truth……………………………………. 6 West Wing Build Out……………...…… 5 World Thank Offering...…………...…… 8 Worship Sundays & Scripture Readings ….... 3

If you wish to unsubscribe , please call the office at 360-452-8971 or email us at office@pafumc.org.