november 2015 courier
DESCRIPTION
Monthly newsletter of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Bellingham, WATRANSCRIPT
Share the Spirit Bazaar
Saturday, November 14, 2015
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 495 East Bakerview Road Bellingham, WA 98226
360-734-6820 [email protected]
bellinghamdisciples.org
Beverage and Cinnamon Rolls served from 9 - 11 a.m.
Lunch Served from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
CourierVol. 65, No. 11 Bellingham First Christian Church November 2015
TheC r rT
Consecration Sunday November 1, 2015 11 a.m. Worship
Rebecca Sumner, guest speaker 12:30 p.m. Catered Lunch
Please RSVP
Saturday, November 2810 a.m. - NoonGather in the sanctuary to prepare for the beginning of the Advent season. We’ll place greens, banners, candles, trees, lights, nativity scenes, and all manner of festive and sacred reminders of the One who is to be born in our worship space.Come be a part of the fun and festivities, then pile in your cars and we’ll head to a local fast food place to grab a bite to eat and fill our bellies to celebrate a job well done, afterward.
Shoe’s News
2 November 2015
495 East Bakerview Road Bellingham, WA 98226
360.734.6820 [email protected] www.bellinghamdisciples.org
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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 Us Ministers
Rev. Gary Shoemaker Pastor [email protected]
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman Director of Ed. & Community Outreach Courier Editor [email protected]
Michele Fode Finance Administrator [email protected]
Amelia Nye Accompanist
TBD Childcare Provider
Rev. Sandy Messick Regional Minister
Rev. Sharon Watkins General Minister and President
Sunday Schedule 10:50 a.m. Gathering Time 11 a.m. Worship 12:15 p.m. Fellowship Time 12:30 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch (4th Sunday) 2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal (2nd Sunday) Office 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
First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) Shoe’s News
“An Armed Jesus”
Our country had a visit from Pope Francis a few weeks ago. It was the first time he'd ever been in the United States. That alone was surprising to me, though it probably shouldn't have been. We somehow expect that if someone is a world leader, they've been in the U.S. at some point. But that was not the case. Apparently the world doesn't always rotate around the U.S.
He came preaching a message of peace and justice. He reminded us of the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." But then he had the gall to apply that to the immigrant/refugee situation across the world. It seemed odd to have the words one would expect to hear in a church echoing through the halls of Congress. But why not? Shouldn't we take the basic religious principles that are present in nearly every religion in the world and apply them to our everyday lives?
It was a bit surreal to have the Pope preaching peace and justice in the midst of a renewed national debate on gun control. Listening to the Pope, or to Jesus, or to...(fill in the blank with the name of most any pastor) gives us a different take on many global and national issues. It was also a bit surreal to see a group of pro-gun rights people in Roseburg picketing the President when he went there to console the families of those who had recently lost their lives due to gun violence. When I saw that, my first thought was, "Really?!? This is the time you think it's appropriate to stand up for gun rights???"
I just can't imagine the Pope carrying a gun, or Jesus, or...
Lest you think that I'm absolutely anti-gun, I'm not. I own guns. But I'd never think of carrying a gun around just because I have the right to do it. Unfortunately, there is a correlation between the availability of guns in a community and the amount of gun related violence. That pretty much dispels the theory that we just need more guns to answer the gun violence issue. Right now there are more guns than people in the U.S. If the presence of guns reduced gun violence, we'd be the safest country in the world. But we're not. Far from it.
People have the right to own guns. But what about regulations that require people to store guns in a particular secure way, or the new technology that prevents anyone but the owner from firing the gun? What about some common sense procedures before allowing a person to purchase a weapon?
Surely there's a middle way here. We follow a Jesus who practiced non-violence. Perhaps there's a role for the church in finding a solution to gun violence.
Pastor Gary
Remember to change your clocks and “fall back”
Saturday night, October 31.
Daylight Saving ends Sunday, November 1.
November 2015 Fall back Sat., Oct. 31! 3
Caring for God’s World
Thank You for Well Offering! What a generous congregation First Christian Church is! Thanks to everyone who collected coins – and even added a few checks – the October 4 offering for the well at Shekwa, Zimbabwe, totaled $731.72.
We are nearing the half way point with our offerings to date totaling $3252.72. The amount needed to dig the one well is $6,680 per well, including $200 for community training on use and maintenance of the well.
Those who have not filled their jars or want to fill a second jar may continue to do so until the last Sunday in January. That will mark the conclusion of our annual collection for the well. Jars will be available in the entry to the sanctuary and the church office.
The well, to be located at Shekwa Primary School, is a priority of the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe, one our Global Mission partners, in Africa. This well will mean girls will be able to continue in school and not be pulled out of class to collect water for family and school use.
Outreach Ministry
Help Deliver Warmth and Comfort to People Living on the Streets Interfaith Coalition’s Severe Weather Shelters welcome homeless men and women to come in off the streets on the coldest nights of the year. The two shelters --- one for men, the other for women and children --- are staffed by open-hearted volunteers who work from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. each evening the shelters are open. Interfaith needs many caring volunteers to staff the three nightly shifts. Our volunteers greet guests, prepare basic food, distribute sleeping mats, launder blankets, clean each shelter site and offer simple acceptance to people whose lives are difficult.
To join us in caring for our neighbors, volunteers are asked to attend one shelter training at the site where they would like to volunteer.
The men’s shelter training is offered at the Lighthouse Mission Drop-In Center (1013 W. Holly, Bellingham): Tuesday, November 3rd from 6:30-8:30 p.m. or Thursday, November 5th from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
The women’s shelter is at Garden Street United Methodist Church (1326 N. Garden, Bellingham). Please use the Magnolia Street entrance: Tuesday, November 3rd from 12:30-2:30 p.m. or Wednesday, November 4th from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
For more information call: Interfaith at (360) 734-3983
Socks Needed for CAST As the weather changes and cools, a reminder that First Christian’s Socks On The Street program for the CAST downtown homeless ministry needs your help. Please bring men’s new crew socks and place them in the bin in the Fellowship Hall. Or, if you don’t like to shop, give your cash to Brenda Riseland and she will shop for you.
Many cold feet will appreciate your donations of socks. Our wet and colder weather is on its way. Contact Brenda if you need more information.
4 November 2015
Sunday, November 1 Elders: Joe Plancich (O), Don Hoffman (C) Lock-Up: John Riseland In Home Communion: Leslie Pinkston Gregg Heyne Deacons: Jane Kletka, Lynn Plancich, Alexis Pinkston Reader: James Becker Greeters: Schmidling Family Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD Mower: Gary Shoemaker
Sunday, November 8 Elders: Leslie Pinkston (O), John Riseland (C) Deacons: Marian Overcash, Linda Heyne, Max Perry Reader: Lillian Moir Greeter: Jane Kletka Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, November 15 Elders: Melody Hoffman (O), Margaret Brown (C) Deacons: Lois Oswalt, Pat Whitney, Connie Page Reader: Charles Schmidling Greeter: Connie Page Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, November 22 Elders: Gregg Heyne (O), Brenda Riseland (C) Deacons: Kathy Wheeler, Ardythe Hannah Reader: Don Hoffman Greeter: Lois Oswalt Flowers: Esther Group Fellowship Time: Esther Group
Sunday, November 29 Elders: Lillian Moir (O), Joe Plancich (C) Deacons: Kathy Wheeler, Ardythe Hannah Reader: Melody Hoffman Greeters: Kathy Wheeler & Alisha Sanchez Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD
Bridget Naidu 1 Linda Botts 2 Pat McGovern 2 Mākena Schmidling 14 Sarah Hulbert 15 Ahline Botts 16 Ann Hall 21 Lois Oswalt 27
Bea Gilfilen 28
Happy Anniversary Bill & Debbie Ruther 12
Joys and Concerns Please submit written requests to update this list.
New to Our List: Ethan Powers, great-grandson of Marian Crim, celebrates he is now cancer free! Diana Findley, health concerns for herself and her son
Connie Eckler, sister Marsha’s upcoming surgery Please continue to pray for those listed previously.
For a complete list, contact the church office.
Remember to change your clocks and “fall back” on Saturday night, October 31.
Daylight Saving ends Sunday, November 1.
November
Who’s on First?!
An Update Received on Thelma Hicks We all miss our dear friend, Thelma. Marian Crim, who is probably our church’s best correspondent, has been kind enough to share a letter she recently received from Thelma’s daughter-in-law, Maura. Here is a brief excerpt.
“Thelma, unfortunately, is not doing well. She’s been transferred to a skilled nursing facility since Golden Meadows can no longer meet her needs.
“Thelma has had a couple of bouts of pneumonia and other health issues. She has been moving back and forth between San Gorgonio Hospital and the Cherry Valley Skilled Nursing Facility. This has been going on for several weeks now and it’s not looking good.”
If you would like to send words of love to Thelma, please contact the church office for contact info. In the meantime, remember to keep her and her family in your prayers.
Blessings on you, Thelma, as you read this newsletter. Please know how very much we love you and treasure the time we had with you here in our midst. And may God hold you tenderly, lovingly during this difficult time.
November 2015 5
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
All Saints Day 1Consecration
SundayDid you change your
clocks before you went to bed last night?9:30a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time12:30p Catered Lunch
2 3
Noon Bible Study
4
Bulletindeadline
6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal
5 6 7
7:30a Men’s Breakfast, Denny’s
89:30a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time2p Someone Cares Community Meal & Joseph’s Closet
9
6:30 pStewardshipMeeting
10
Noon Bible Study
11Bulletindeadline
6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal
12 13 14
7:30a Men’s Breakfast, Denny’s9 - 3 Share the Spirit Bazaar
15Courier Deadline
7:30a Elders’ Mtg9:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time
16
11:30 a.m.Esther Group
17
Noon Bible Study
18Bulletin deadline5:30 p.m .Prayer Vigil for Peace, Christ the Servant Lutheran6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal
19
6:30 p.m.Pub Theology, Hops ’N Headz
20 21
7:30a Men’s Breakfast, Denny’s
229:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time12:30 p Out-to-Lunch Bunch7p Book Group
23 24
Noon Bible Study
25Bulletindeadline
6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal
26 27 28
7:30a Men’s Breakfast, Denny’s10a Hanging of the Greens
29*
9:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time
30
November 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
November calendar
*Please note that the 2016 budget and slate of officers will be posted by Sunday, November 29 for viewing. The board will then take an electronic vote. The follow up congregational vote will be done at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, December 13.
The Christian Courier (USPS
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A 98226-9168. PER
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First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) A church of grace and welcome for all! 495 East Bakerview Road Bellingham, WA 98226-9168
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Courier Submissions are Due Nov. 15To go paperless: Subscribe to the e-Courier at [email protected].
To unsubscribe: Contact 360.734.6820, 495 East Bakerview Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, or [email protected].
Read the Regional NewsletterTo access the current issue of
Northwest Passages, the newsletter of the Northwest Regional Christian Church
(D i s c i p l e s o f Ch r i s t ) , go t o h t t p : / /www.d isc ip lesnw.org/s i tes/defau l t / f i les/doc/NWPassage15October.pdf
Save the Dates
Sun., Dec. 13 12:15 p.m., Congregational Meeting
Tues., Dec. 22 6:30 p.m., Longest Night Worship: A service of comfort for those who grieve during the holidays
Thurs., Dec. 24 Living Nativity & Candlelight Worship Service
Daylight Saving ends Sunday, November 1.