january 2016 courier
DESCRIPTION
Monthly newsletter of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Bellingham, WATRANSCRIPT
7/21/2019 January 2016 Courier
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Courier
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Vol. 66, No. 1 Bellingham First Christian Church January 2016
New things are afoot in the new year. 2016 will bring many familiar and favorite activities. It also will introduce exciting,new challenges.
• “Jesus has Left the Building” is a new program which will take place on fifth Sundays. We will begin duringworship, gathering for a brief time of worship together. We will then break into two teams to work on serviceprojects. One team working from the church, the other will work out in the community. Please contact the churchoffice if you would like to plan the service projects. “Jesus Has Left the Building” dates will be:
• Are you interested in building a tiny house village? Stay tuned for info regarding a field trip to Eugene, tolearn about the possibility of creating a tiny house village on our church property.
• How can we assist refugees? Together with Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, Interfaith Coalition, Week ofCompassion, and Global Ministries we will look at how we, as individuals and as a congregation, can help.
• Do you have a heart for radical hospitality? Our Welcoming Task Force will be taking on new projects, with thegoal of truly making our church welcoming for all people.
There are so many possibilities. If we put our brains and hearts together, we can accomplish so much.
Stepping into the New Year
Stepping out in Faith
• March 29• May 31 • August 30
• November 29
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Shoe’s News
2 January 2016
495 East Bakerview RoadBellingham, WA 98226
www.bellinghamdisciples.org
Find us on Facebook
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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 Lord’s Table as God
welcomed us.
All of UsMinisters
Rev. Gary Shoemaker
Pastor
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman
Director of Ed. & Community Outreach
Courier [email protected]
Michele FodeFinance [email protected]
Amelia Nye
Accompanist
Katie Ramstead
Childcare Provider Rev. Sandy MessickRegional Minister
Rev. Sharon WatkinsGeneral Minister and President
Sunday Schedule10:50 a.m. Gathering Time
11 a.m. Worship12:15 p.m. Fellowship Time
12:30 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch
(4th Sunday)2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal
(2nd Sunday)
Office HoursMonday - Friday9 a.m. - noonOur 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.
OfficersDon Hoffman, ChairMegan Shoemaker, SecretaryCheryl Perry, Treasurer
First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) Shoe’s News
“Let’s Not Repeat Bad History!!!”
One of the biggest challenges we have as people of faith and ascitizens of these United States is to apply our dearest principles whenthe going gets tough. We've seen a sudden spike in Anti-Islamicrhetoric and violence in the past few weeks. When people get fearful,they often act in ways that would otherwise be thought of asinappropriate. When all is well, we have no difficulty embracing thediversity of peoples and faiths within our community and world. Butembracing diversity doesn't really count if we're only fair weatherpractitioners.
Some of you will remember the Japanese internment camps, whereover 127,000 of our country's Japanese-American sisters and brotherswere held prisoner as a result of fear. President Roosevelt signed an
executive order forcing American citizens of Japanese descent intoconcentration camps. (Yes, let's call them what they were!) Withoutreason, people were labeled as “suspicious” or “dangerous.” Therewas a lot of fear in the air so, we made some very bad decisions. Weended up disrupting the lives of people for generations.
Fear has a way of warping even the best among us. That's why it'simportant to get to know the facts before we jump to conclusions.One of our adult classes just completed a study on how to understandand relate to Islam and Muslims. It was a real heart opener. Welearned that the majority of Muslims don't even reside in Arabcountries. The largest number live in Indonesia. China has 20 millionMuslims. Christians in Arab speaking countries worship Allah, because
the word simply means “God.” There is much that we hold in commonwith Muslims. Perhaps the greatest commonality is our shared hopefor peace and harmony among all people and faiths.
Are there bad folks who are claiming Islam as the motivation forviolence? Yes. But the same could be said for Christians and Jews.Even if an overblown approximation of the number of radical Islamistsin the world is used, we're looking at approximately 1/300th of 1% ofthe total Muslim population. I wonder what percentage of Christiansand Jews fall into the extremist category?
It doesn't make me any less a follower of Jesus if I have compassionfor those who believe differently from me. In fact, in my opinion itmakes me a better follower of Jesus.
Our Muslim sisters and brothers are feeling threatened because of the Anti-Islamic rhetoric and violence surrounding us. Do what you can toeducate yourself, and then do what you can to help calm the watersand reassure our Muslim friends that we stand with them. Let's notrepeat bad history!
Pastor Gary
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Much Ado about BabiesThere is great activity around First Christian Church andthe mommies and daddies are hard at work to make asafe and welcoming space for their little ones. But theyneed your help. Our nursery and playroom are woefullyinadequate by today’s safety standards. The toys andsupplies are mismatched or just plain missing.
Please consider gifting our children’s program in one ormore of the following ways:
• A financial donation - to be used where it is mostneeded
• toys, music, and books
• furniture (pack ’n plays - small cribs)
• repairs (paint, fixing the doors, plumbing)
• curtains (to replace broken & missing blinds)
• Purchase a toy or supply from the gift chart, locatedon the “Children’s Wish List” bulletin board in thefellowship hall. (e.g. art supplies, toys, or basics, suchas cleaning supplies, coat hooks for the hallway, andchanging tables for the restrooms)
• Volunteer to assist with our little ones when ournumbers exceed state mandated ratios.
Thank you for your love, prayers, energies, andgenerosity. Our little ones are greatly blessed by all youdo for them.
Signed,The Mamas & the Papas
Welcome to the WorldMarguerite Eleanor Henderson
BornFriday, Sept. 25, 8:20 a.m.
8lb 4oz., 21in longMaggie is welcomed by over the moon parents Melissaand Paul Henderson, grandparents Maureen and DouglasThompson, Auntie Jessie Thompson, Great-Auntie LesliePinkston, and cousins Alexis, Aaron, and Preston &Brianna Pinkston.
What a Blessing the Blessing Bags Are!
At the final Wild Goose Worship gathering of 2016, the group assembled over four dozen bags, which are currentlybeing distributed around Whatcom County to those in need. As we continue to carry the bags in our cars, ever readyto hand them out, we must replenish bag stuffing supplies here at the church. Please bring any of the following itemsto the church office:
• 1 Gallon ziploc bags
• Crackers with peanutbutter or cheese
• tuna & crackers
• Fruit/applesauce/pudding cups (with orwithout plastic spoon)
• hand wipes
• pack of kleenex
• socks
• granola or cereal bar
• Small bags of nuts ortrail mix
• chapstick
• Mints, hard candy,cough drops or gum
• comb or small brush
• bandaids
• nail clippers
• toothbrush &toothpaste
• fruit juice or drink mixpacket or bottle ofwater
Winter Extras (optional):
• hand warmers
• warm gloves
• scarves & hats
Welcome to Our ChurchWe are delighted to officiallywelcome Katie Ramstead as ournew Childcare Attendant. Katie is
a student at Western WashingtonUniversity, from Everett, WA. Shehas a wide range of childcareexperience including being ababysitter, a nanny, working inthe nursery at her home church,
and being an assistant dance teacher. Katie, we feel sofortunate to have found you.
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Nurse’s Notes
Faith and Health"In the beginning God...." From our very beginning ashuman beings, created from a Sacred energy, we areof God. We are molded and shaped by Spirit, by aSacred presence into the beings we are today.
All people share this common Sacred genesisregardless of background, culture race, religion,
ethnicity. Many do not believe or connect with this ideaand act in ways that are, at the very least, rude or in ways that are violent anddistorted, that result often in the taking of human lives so as to advance theirparticular ideologies.
Very often we look at one another as the “other," the one different and thereforesuspect. The only people we can trust, we often believe, are those who look andact just like ourselves, believing that head coverings, dark skin, foreign accents,mosques, temples, synagogues, strange looking forms of worship are notacceptable.
Unfortunately, much of our opinions of others are formed through the media,internet, books, uniformed public speakers. We hear the worst (and often it isaccurate in terms of terrorism and random shootings), but often do not stop and
reflect that not all, or even the majority, of people of any culture or religion act inthis violent way. We allow ourselves to be taken in by fear and prejudice whichthen short-circuits our ability to look deeper to find the truth of the situation.
We, as human beings, share many of the same characteristics regardless ofwhatever else may be different. We all experience pain, joy, disappointment,success, failure, life, and death. When we understand this, we begin to realize the"other" is just that; the other person standing across from you shares the samehumanity.
One basic way we are similar in our humanity is our experience of health andillness. Throughout time, health and healing have been important components ofthe world's religions. Stressing attention to health, care for the sick, choosingpositive behavioral lifestyles are found in all cultures and religions. Here are just a
few:
• Baha`i: "All healing comes God.”
• Buddhism: "To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall notbe able to keep our mind strong and clear.”
• Christianity: "The prayer of faith shall heal the sick..."
• Islam: "The Lord of the worlds created me... and when I am sick, He healethme."
• Taoism: "Pursue a middle course. Thus will you keep a healthy body and ahealthy mind."
Our own faith community at First Christian Church and faith communities world
and cultural wide seek to bridge the gap of separation so as to bring healing andwholeness to all. ALL, no exceptions. As your faith community health nurse that ismy goal as well; to provide insight, resources, information, programs (such as ourrecent Health Ministries Sunday) to help you, as my faith community, towardwellness and connectedness, not only in health matters but in all matters of bodyand spirit.
Reflection: God of many understandings and names, help us, as your own, toembrace others in the arms of the grace of acceptance as we strive for health andwholeness in body , mind and spirit. Amen
Jane Kletka, RN FCNFaith Community Nurse
Nurse’s Notes
Joys andConcerns
Please submit written requeststo update this list.
New to Our List:
All Muslims, as anti-Islam sentiment grows
Ongoing:
Donna Fairchild, recoveringfrom a fall
Diana Findley , healthconcerns, as well as concernsfor her son’s health
Bill Pribilsky, recoveringfrom a broken hip
Mary Lee Wiser, health
concernsJoanne Harrell, healthconcerns
Ardythe Hannah’s lovedones Irina, Stevie and Jeremy,for healing in their lives
Cyndy Koehn’s friend TerryBuchanan, breast cancer
D i s c i p l e s H o u s eResidents, past, presentand future
Iglesia de Dios, as together
we share God’s love from thisspace
Raices Culturales and thechildren in their gardeningprogram in our field
K r i s t i n e T i s s i n g e r ,missionary partner in Ghana
Rev. Sandy Messick , RegionalMinister
Rev. Sharon Watkins ,G e n e r a l M i n i s t e r a n dPresident
O ur Ge ne r a l Chur c h ministries
Yakama Christian Mission
V i c t ims o f in j us t i c e ,violence, poverty, disease,and disaster worldwide
All troops involved in worldconflict
Peacemakers worldwide
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A joint statement of the leadership of the
United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) December 9, 2015
As people of faith, we are called to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind,
and with all our strength.” Jesus charges us to “love our neighbor as yourself,” telling us that “there is no other
commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31). We are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), and to
“pursue peace with everyone” (Hebrews12:14).
Recognizing that all people are created in the image of God, and heeding the words of our sacred scripture, we are
disturbed and concerned as we witness the divisive discourse in our country concerning our Muslim neighbors. The
rhetoric of exclusion and vilification runs absolutely counter to our understanding of God’s oikos, which is an
inclusive fellowship of God’s children and creation.
As leaders of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we offer our
ongoing solidarity with and support for all those who are increasingly fearful for their safety and well-being
as a result of the heightened vitriol. And we commit to continuing to pursue peace, to promote better
understanding among our communities, and to pursue justice in all that we do.
We are witnessing the convergence of a massive global refugee crisis, not limited to the displacement of over half
the Syrian population due to the tragic war there; a sentiment of fear resulting from heinous attacks in many places
in the US and globally; and the relentless nature of a US presidential campaign in which candidates exploit
circumstances and fears to put forward ever more restrictive and exclusivist programs to address perceived threats.
In this combination of circumstances, Islam and Muslims as a whole community experience an escalation in violent
rhetoric and action that is misplaced and unjustified—and that does not represent the ethos of nurturing stronger and
deeper intercommunal ties in our society that we seek to promote.
Our two churches are vocal and consistent in our condemnation of all forms of violence, including terrorism; in our
hope for a peaceful and swift end to the war in Syria; in our unwavering advocacy for humane and welcomingattitudes and policies towards refugees; and in our clear denunciation of language and actions that insult and harm
people of any identity, including religious, and specifically Muslims.
Daily we see the destruction of human life caused by people who employ ideologies, policies, systems, and
sometimes, religion. There are forces in the world that would choose death and destruction to life with abundance;
and we stand in clear opposition to those forces. Many victims of injustice go unreported, hidden, or denied. God
knows their pain; they do not go unnoticed. We are called to work for God’s kindom in this world.
In this moment, we own our Christian responsibility to lift up our voice once again to express our love and concern
for our Muslim sisters and brothers. We stand in solidarity with communities of faith in our abhorrence of the
xenophobic and racist attitudes that motivate such hate speech and actions. We live with the hope that peace and
justice will prevail for all of God's children.
Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister
and President
Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister
and President
Rev. Dr. J. Bennett Guess, Executive Minister,
Local Church Ministries
Rev. Dr. Ron Degges, President,
Disciples Home Missions
Rev. Dr. James Moos, Executive Minister,
Wider Church Ministries
Rev. Julia Brown Karimu, President,
Division of Overseas Ministries
Rev. Dr. Bentley DeBardelaben, Manager,
Justice and Witness Ministries
Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)In the United States and Canada
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Sunday, January 3Elders: Gregg Heyne (O), John Riseland (C)Lock-Up: Don HoffmanIn Home Communion: Margaret Brown
Brenda RiselandDeacons: TBD following Jan. Deacon meetingReader: Melody HoffmanGreeters: Charles SchmidlingFlowers: TBDFellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, January 10
Elders: Jane Kletka (O), Brenda Riseland (C)Deacons: TBDReader: Charles SchmidlingGreeters: Lois OswaltFlowers: TBDFellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, January 17Elders: Don Hoffman (O), Joe Plancich (C)Deacons: TBDReader: Gregg HeyneGreeters: Kathy Wheeler & Alisha SanchezFlowers: TBDFellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, January 24Elders: Leslie Pinkston (O), Margaret Brown (C)Deacons: TBDReader: Don HoffmanGreeters: Bekki & Russ WestonFlowers: TBDFellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, January 31Elders: Kelvin Smith (O), Melody Hoffman (C)Deacons: TBDReader: Bruce RadtkeGreeters: Jane Kletka
Flowers: TBDFellowship Time: TBD
Weekly Lawn Mowers: Gregg HeyneLeslie PinkstonGar Shoemaker
Attention: Elders, Deacons, Committee Chairs, and Task Force Leaders, 2016 calendarizing isunderway. Please get your 2016 events turned into the office ASAP.
January
Who’s on First?!
Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)
Find Weekly Lectionary Readings
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/
Be a Part of A Small Group (nurture your soul)
• Women's Spiritual Growth Groups - Please contactthe church office if you would like to be a part of a group.• Out-to-Lunch Bunch, 12:30 p.m., 4th Sundays - This
informal gathering, visits locally owned and runrestaurants.
• Book Group, 7 p.m., 4th Sundays - This groupexplores books to expand their minds and their hearts.
• Esther Group, 11:30 a.m., 3rd Mondays - this groupmeets for lunch and fellowship in a local restaurant.
• Bible Study, Noon, Tuesdays - Meeting in the churchlibrary, this group explores the lectionary scriptures.
• Wild Goose Worship, 6:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays- An alternative worship experience for young(ish) adults.
• 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 -supportivegroup of people who share life's journey together.
For more info on how to assist in any of these projects,please contact us at [email protected].
• Community Meal• Joseph’s Closet• Disciples House• CAST• Socks on the Street
• Food Bank collections• Blessing Bags• Hospitals & wells
(Africa) • Community Garden
Happy Birthday:Kathy Wheeler 1Normadene Padgett 4Chloe Gibson 8Danielle Foster 9Jane Kletka 10Mark Hoemann 10
Rachel Naidu 10Jordan Naidu 10John Riseland 11 Ana Gobledale 12Charles Schmidling 14Russ Weston 17
Bill Franks 20Nathan Klemann 23Ralph Gilfilen 24Kelvin Smith 26 Victoria Botts 27
Benjamin Shoemaker 29
Happy Anniversary:Tod & Ana Gobledale 1
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
January calendar
1 2
7:30a Men’sBreakfast,Denny’s
3
9:30a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time
11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time
4 5
Noon
Bible Study
6:30p Wild
GooseWorship,
location TBD
6
Epiphany
Bulletindeadline
6p Bell Choir7p Chancel
Choir
7 8
10:30a
MemorialService for
Lillian Moir
9
7:30a Men’s
Breakfast,Denny’s
10
9:30a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time
11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time2p Someone Cares
Community Meal & Joseph’s Closet
11
6:30 p
StewardshipMeeting
12
NoonBible Study
13
Bulletin
deadline
6p Bell Choir
7p ChancelChoir
14 15
CourierDeadline
16
7:30a Men’sBreakfast,
Denny’s
17
9:30a Sunday School
10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time
18
11:30 a.m.
Esther Group5:30 p.m .Prayer Vigil
for Peace inthe MiddleEast, location
TBD
19
NoonBible Study
6:30p WildGooseWorship,
location TBD
20
Bulletin
deadline
6p Bell Choir
7p ChancelChoir
21
6:30 p.m.
PubTheology,Hops ’n
Headz
22 21
7:30a Men’sBreakfast,
Denny’s
22
9:30a Sunday School
10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship
12:15p Fellowship Time
12:00 p Out-to-LunchBunch
7p Book Group
23 24
NoonBible Study
25
Bulletin
deadline
6p Bell Choir7p Chancel
Choir
26
5p Checkingin Group
27 28
7:30a Men’s
Breakfast,Denny’s
29
9:30a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship
12:15p Fellowship Time
30 31
NoonBible Study
Januar 2016
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TheChristianCouri e
r(USPS
0589-870)ispublished
monthlyat
FirstChristianChurch,495
East
BakerviewRoad,Bellingham,W
A
98
226-9168.PERIODICALS
POSTA
GEpaidatBellingham,
WA
98226-999
7
Postmaster:Sendad
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First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
A church of grace and welcome for all!
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, W A 98226-9168
PER IODIC ALS POS TAGE AT
Bellingham, WA 98226-9168
USPS 0589-870
C o u r i e r S u b m i s s i o n s
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~ M a r t i n L u t h e r K i n g ,
J r .