The Christian Courier Vol. 64, No. 5 Bellingham First Christian Church May 2014 Talent Show Coming Enjoy having fun? Like to be entertained? Hankering for a good piece of pie a la mode for a delicious dessert? Then, for sure you will want to attend First Christian Church’s Talent Show, Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m.! The talent show will benefit the Bell Choir’s maintenance and music fund. A minimum donation of $5 is asked, but more will be accepted. It’s been nine years since our last Talent Show when a good time was had by everyone in attendance. Lots of great talent was discovered among our congregation and it was an evening of music and laughter to remember. Whether your talent is experienced, new, raw, or just plain silly, you are asked to participate in the show. Without you there will be no show. Please let John or Brenda Riseland know if you are willing to appear. Also, a stained glass lamp crafted by John Riseland will be raffled during the evening. Anyone needing transportation to the Talent Show should please call the church office for a ride. Mark Thursday, May 8, on your calendar now!!! 2014 REGIONAL ASSEMBLY "Together by Grace," we will celebrate our life as regional church and our participation in the wider church community known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Make sure your schedule has you in Kennewick, May 16-18, 2014, where you'll join with scores of other Northwest Regional Christian Church members, leaders and friends. Anticipate meaningful worship, explore our connection to the General Church and take your place to participate in the business of the Region. Look forward to connecting with new faces and reconnecting with those folks you know- leave Kennewick in the knowledge that we are as one, that we are Together by Grace. Featuring: Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon Professor of Ecumenical Collaboration in Interreligious Dialogue, School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University Jose Morales Executive Regional Minister, Central Rocky Mountain Region Cherilyn Williams Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communication at the Office of General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) For more information or to register, visit the regional website .
Transcript
The ChristianCourierVol. 64, No. 5 Bellingham First Christian Church May 2014
Talent Show ComingEn j o y h av i n g f u n ? L i k e t o b e entertained? Hankering for a good piece of pie a la mode for a delicious dessert? Then, for sure you will want to attend First Christian Church’s Talent Show, Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m.! The talent show will benefit the Bell Choir’s maintenance and music fund. A minimum donation of $5 is asked, but more will be accepted.
It’s been nine years since our last Talent Show when a good time was had by everyone in attendance. Lots of great talent was discovered among our congregation and it was an evening of music and laughter to remember.
Whether your talent is experienced, new, raw, or just plain silly, you are asked to participate in the show. Without you there will be no show. Please let John or Brenda Riseland know if you are willing to appear.
Also, a stained glass lamp crafted by John Riseland will be raffled during the evening.
Anyone needing transportation to the Talent Show should please call the church office for a ride.
Mark Thursday, May 8, on your calendar now!!!
2014 REGIONAL ASSEMBLY "Together by Grace," we will celebrate our life as regional church and our participation in the wider church community known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Make sure your schedule has you in Kennewick, May 16-18, 2014, where you'll join with scores of other Northwest Regional Christian Church members, leaders and friends. Anticipate meaningful worship, explore our connection to the General Church and take your place to participate in the business of the Region. Look forward to connecting with new faces and reconnecting with those folks you know- leave Kennewick in the knowledge that we are as one, that we are Together by Grace.
Featuring:Rev. Dr. Michael KinnamonProfessor of Ecumenical Collaboration in Interreligious Dialogue, School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University
Jose MoralesExecutive Regional Minister, Central Rocky Mountain Region
Cherilyn WilliamsAssistant Vice President for Marketing and Communication at the Office of General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
For more information or to register, visit the regional website.
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.
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.
First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) Shoe’s News
“There’s still work to do...”We've come so far. We're doing much better. It's not like it was 50 years ago!
You hear these sorts of remarks when we're talking about prejudice and race relations in our country. And then along comes a reminder that we've still got a long way to go. I was amazed (in a bad way) at the report that Hank Aaron still receives hate mail for breaking Babe Ruth's homerun record way back in 1974. Back then, as he was approaching the record, he received a ton of hate mail and newspapers reportedly kept obituaries ready in case he was murdered before and after he broke the record. It just doesn't seem possible. Now, as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of that event, the hatred starts up anew.
Earlier this week, our peace was broken again by hatred and violence. A man, who has a long history of hatred and an association with white supremacist organizations fired into a crowd in front of two Jewish Community Centers. As he sat in the back of the police car he could be heard to yell, "Heil Hitler!". It seems so unreal, so impossible that there could exist that level of hatred in this day and age. But it's there. For some people, it's bubbling just below the surface.
What can we do about it? It's easy to feel helpless, after all, our reach doesn't go very far. But we are called by God and instructed by Jesus to live lives that are based on love. I think that means that we ought to go beyond just not causing harm. It's not enough for us to simply refrain from words and actions that come from prejudice and hatred. I believe that we are to be proactive in our efforts to reverse and eliminate prejudice and hatred. We need to speak up when we see and hear people who harbor ill will towards others because of their religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender expression.
The time for silence has long passed. Jesus lifted up examples of kindness from those who were considered unworthy and outsiders - the Good Samaritan. He purposely challenged the prejudice and hatred of his day, including the outcasts, spending time with the rejected, spending a few days in a Samaritan village (thus sleeping under their roof and eating at their table). He rejected the notion of clean and unclean. His life reflected the all encompassing grace and acceptance of God.
This is not a message you’re reading for the first time from me. This, as you are well aware by now, is one of the major themes of my ministry. And yet, it hasn't made all that much of a difference. It has changed me, hopefully it has changed a few other people. But there's still so much to be done... as long as there is a person feeling the sting of rejection and hatred, our work continues.
Our work is nothing less than changing the world. I don't think we're near being finished, do you?
We are called to do the work of reconciliation and love. Join me...
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in women across the wor ld. W o m e n e x p e r i e n c e c a r d i o v a s c u l a r d i s e a s e differently from men, mainly due to differences in heart and blood vessel size. Hormonal
changes contribute to the difference as well. Women experience different symptoms and require different treatment than do men. The main focus of prevention and treatment for both men and women is in lifestyle management which involves making healthy changes to diet and activity level, plus reducing risk factors by quitting smoking, controlling body weight, and exercising regularly.
Heart disease is often under-recognized by both women and their health care providers, because women believe that the major cause of their death is cancer. Heart disease is still in large part considered a male disease. Research and clinical practice is mainly focused on men. Lately, however, a major shift is occurring for better recognition of the importance of heart disease in women, that heart disease is indeed gender specific. There is a growing awareness of differences in risk factors, treatment, preventative strategies, and prognosis of the disease in women.
Women experience symptoms of heart problems on average ten years later than men. The prevalence of angina in women over age 60 is higher than compared to men. Coronary heart disease in women frequently presents as angina, while in men it more frequently presents as a myocardial infarction. The risk of sudden death is the same in both cases. There are significant differences between men and women in the frequency, type and quality of symptoms. Symptoms for women include s leep disturbances, fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath. Other typical symptoms in women are chest pain or discomfort, sweating, arm or shoulder pain. Women tend to present less often with symptoms of angina than men.
Significant progress has been made in treating cardio vascular disease in women which includes management or prevention of diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications, lifestyle changes, and education.
Always be in touch with your health care provider on a regular basis by being aware of your individual health issues and reporting any conditions that seem different or troubling and that may indicate potential heart problems.
Prayer: May the strength of God pilot us, may the power of God preserve us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us this day and evermore. Amen (Patrick of Ireland).
Jane Kletka, RN, FCNHealth Ministries
News from the Pews
May 2014 3
Joys and Concernsof Our Congregation
Please submit written requests to update this list.
New to Our List:Sandy Grant, as she awaits a kidney transplant
Ongoing:Janet Franks, recovering from a broken shoulderDonna Fairchild, recovering from a fall and a compression fractureHelen Blaney recovering at homeNeilan Hart, four year-old friend of the Pages, acute leukemiaDaisy Shoemaker, regaining strength & appetite following chemoMac and Velma McDonald, health concerns and their son, Steve, as he struggles with health issuesDisciples House Residents, past, present and futureIglesia de Dios, as together we share God’s loveRaices Culturales and the children in their gardening programRev. Sandy Messick, Regional MinisterRev. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and PresidentOur General Church ministriesYakama Christian MissionRefugees around the worldAll troops involved in world conflictPeacemakers worldwide
Nurse’s Notes
Disposables are NOT Disposable!Did you know there was a very deliberate marketing campaign to consumers right after World War II? The message was this: We can make your lives easier. We can make things faster for you. You won’t have to wash things anymore. You can just throw them away.
And, what is the result? We have created a throwaway society. We don’t fix it. We throw it away. We don’t wash it. We buy disposables.
Here at First Christian Church, Bellingham, we are rebelling. We are fixing and washing. We are not contributing to the mountains of refuse and floating piles of garbage in our oceans. There will be times we will need to use disposables and recyclable items. But, when we can use the “real” thing, we will do so. When we can buy recycled products, we will do that, as well. And when we can go electronic, instead of print, we’ll do that, too.
Why? Because God’s first command was to care for this earth. We’re doing our very best.
Do You Know Your Shepherd?Yes, you know the Good Shepherd who watches over you day and night. But, did you know each of us have a shepherding elder who prays for us and tends to us in times of joy and sorrow? Here are the 2014 Shepherding Lists.
4 May 2014
Margaret Brown, ElderHelen and Jim BlaneyDoug and Margaret FarrarFrances ForhanDanielle and Marshall FosterBob and Karen GildaJan and Tom KeanSuzy Merrick
Gregg Heyne, ElderLee and Margaret BrownBob DawesWanda HallJane KletkaDebbie OʼNealBill and Virginia PribilskyFrances and Paul Van DykeJayne Witman
Don Hoffman, ElderLaurie and Thang DoElise and Warren KingClayton and Velma McDonaldMarian OvercashBrenda and John RiselandBekki and Russ WestonGaylen and Terry UdoEllyn ZenderKim and Peter Zuanich
Maija Haggith
Melody Hoffman, ElderWayne DemingArdythe HannahCyndy KoehnLois OswaltKelvin SmithJon and Linda Cavnar
Lillian Moir, ElderMelissa and Paul HendersonBobbie KiepElane MooneyIdella PetersonLeslie Pinkston
Aaron, Preston, AlexisGreg SmithMary Lee WiserDale and Pat Whitney
Leslie Pinkston, ElderDavid and Donna FairchildGregg and Linda HeyneNathan KlemannPat McGovernConnie PageBetty and Charles SchmidlingMakena SchmidlingSarah Wheeler
Alisha Sanchez, Tyler Sanchez Joe Plancich, Elder
Betty and Marlin EricksonEthan and Laurie Heyne
EchoBeth LeonardChuck and Darleen PageBill and Debbie Ruther
Ben, Kevin, DavidMary Ann TeetersKathy Wheeler
Brenda Riseland, ElderBob and Marian CrimBill and Janet FranksChloe Ann GibsonAnn HallMark and Renee Hoemann
Bethany, Andrew, ConnorDan and Yuwei Perry
ClaireGary Shoemaker
and Tamalyn KralmanBrett Kralman-ShoemakerMaria Worden
John Riseland, ElderAllan and Linda Botts
Veronica, Ahline, CrispinBea and Ralph GilfilenLillian MoirKim and Robert NaiduCheryl and Max PerryAllison and Marc Ronney
Sarah Hulbert, Abigail Hulbert, Cameron Hulbert
Megan and Zach ShoemakerBenjamin
Blair WhitneyGreg Smith, Elder
Bob Fisher and John BisclegiaVirginia HaldemanDon and Melody HoffmanSandy GrantDiana LinayaoRachel and Rob Naidu
Kasey, Jordan, TreyJoe and Lynn Plancich
Devon Martin, DIllon MartinDerek and Tristin Stanbro
MasonYou’re Invited to the Interfaith Coalition Choir FestivalEnjoy a concert of spiritual music by attending the Interfaith Coalition Choir Festival on Saturday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Church of the Assumption, 2116 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham. Our church choir will be performing with 11 other choirs. Individual performances by each choir will culminate in the performance of two compositions by a combined choir of over 200 voices. Each year, the Interfaith Coalition choir festival offers an opportunity for singers and audience alike to rejoice in the voices of our many congregations. An offering to benefit Interfaith Coalition programs, which provide homes, healthcare and shelter for all, will be gratefully accepted.
Socks on the Street Needs YouPlease remember that even though the weather is getting better, our neighbors who live on the streets of Bellingham and Whatcom County still need clean, dry socks on their feet. Thank you for your past support of this ministry for the CAST program but there continues to be a need for your
donations of socks into the SOS bin in the Fellowship Hall or if you’d rather donate money, that’s fine too. Brenda Riseland
May 2014 5
Thank you from Interfaith Coalition!
Dear Friends at First Christian Church:
Your congregational gift of the red cedar potting table helped to make the Interfaith Coalition Hope Auction a tremendous success. It raised $600 in our live auction. Thank you very much. The auction proceeds allow us to deliver hope to our most vulnerable neighbors. Hope in the form of a safe house for a struggling family. Hope in the form of healthcare for those without the means to pay for it. Hope in the form of warm shelter on a cold night for those with no place to stay.
Congregational gifts are traditionally some of the most popular items in our silent and live auctions. This year was no exception. It’s fun to see how members of a congregation work together to create a gift they think will be attractive and generate active bidding. What also makes our auction such a success is the involvement of individuals within your congregation who donate items, such as services, dinners, or crafts, and then who attend our event and bid generously. Your congregation was well represented.
For the efforts of your congregation as a whole, as well as the individual efforts of your members – all made generously, with compassion for some of the most vulnerable people in our community – we’re grateful.
In God’s love,Laura Harker
The Place Looks Lovely!Thank you to Darleen Page, who hired window cleaners to clean the outside of the church w indows - an unbelievably massive job, which none of us wanted to take on.
Thank you to Jane Kletka and Ann Hall, who hired gardeners to work on the planters in the parking lot.
Thank you to Jane Kletka and Bruce Radtke, who have spent COUNTLESS hours gardening around this place, pulling weeds and planting beautiful flowers in our garden beds.
Thank you to Elise and Warren King, who stopped by one afternoon to take on the mess on our playground and made it safe and secure for our children, once again.
Thank you to Betty and Charles Schmidling for their work in the Disciples House Garden and to John Riseland who consistently keeps that place in such good shape.
Thank you to all those who stayed after church on our clean up day and helped with the spring cleaning. It was a massive job getting into all the nooks and crannies around here and your assistance is greatly appreciated: Bob Fisher, Sandy Grant, Linda Heyne, Tamalyn Kralman, Connie Page, Chuck Page, Darleen Page, Bruce Radtke, Brenda Riseland, Betty Schmidling, Charles Schmidling, Gary Shoemaker, Mary Ann Teeters. (And anyone else we may have missed.)
And thank you to all the little church mice who sneak in at various times to vacuum, dust, empty trash cans, and take care of the many tasks that need to be done but who get no kudos, no awards, and certainly no pay. But, you do get our love!
Do You Know Luke?Traditionally, the author of this gospel has been seen as primarily interested in those marginalized by society: women, children, the sick, the poor, tax collectors, sinners, and Gentiles. But, Vanderbilt professor Amy-Jill
Levine challenges us to examine this more closely. She asks, “marginal to what?”
• The women in this gospel are free to travel.
• Children, of utmost value in Jewish culture, have parents and caregivers who love them so much they seek Jesus’ healing and blessing.
• The sick are presented as having caring social networks.
• The Jewish system mandated care for the poor.Dr. Levine writes, “To regard Jesus, appropriately, as caring for women, children, the sick and the poor, embeds him within Judaism rather than separates him from it.” And, there might be another mistake we make as we read this gospel. Levine notes that Luke depicts the synagogue as a place of violence, details Israel’s constant failures while highlighting the fidelity of Gentiles and Samaritans, and portrays the Pharisees quite harshly.“Constructive criticism” is a tricky thing. The ancient prophets criticized people in order to help them become right with God. Levine explains that Jesus’ criticisms against his fellow Jews were in that tradition. Now, take those words of Jesus, the words he spoke to his fellow Jews, in order to help them; take those words, put them in the hands of a Gentile writer who did not know Jewish ways and give them to Gentile readers, who do not know Jewish ways. What happens?To learn more about the Gospel of Luke and all the people about whom he wrote, talk to Tamalyn or pick up a copy of Dr. Amy-Jill Levine’s The Jewish Annotated New Testament.
Whoʼs on First?!
6 May 2014
Sunday, May 4Elders: Leslie Pinkston (O), Joe Plancich (C); Greg Smith, Gregg Heyne, (in home); Joe Plancich (lock up) Deacons: Betty Schimidling, Sandy Grant and Mary Ann TeetersReader: Bruce RadtkeGreeter: Megan ShoemakerFlowers:TBDFellowship Time: Max and Cheryl Perry
Sunday, May 11Elders: Margaret Brown (O), John Riseland (C)Deacons: Marian Overcash, Megan Shoemaker and Ardythe HannahReader: Mary Ann TeetersGreeters: Kathy Wheeler and Alisha SanchezFlowers: John and Brenda RiselandFellowship Time: Kathy and Alisha
Sunday, May 18Elders: Gregg Heyne (O), Brenda Riseland (C)Deacons: Lois Oswalt, Pat Whitney, Connie PageReader: Lillian MoirGreeters: Chuck and Darleen PageFlowers: Chuck and Darleen PageFellowship Time: Darleen Page
Sunday, May 25Elders: Don Hoffman (O), Lillian Moir)Deacons: Lynn Plancich, Kathy Wheeler, Linda HeyneReader: Virginia HaldemanGreeters: Sandy Grant and Lois OswaltFlowers:Esther GroupFellowship Time: Esther Group
Sunday, May 4Third Sunday of EasterActs 2:14a, 36-41Psalm 116:1-4, 12-191 Peter 1:17-23Luke 24:13-35
Sunday, May 11Fourth Sunday of EasterActs 2:42-47Psalm 231 Peter 2:19-25John 10:1-10
Sunday, May 18Fifth Sunday of EasterActs 7:55-60Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10John 14:1-14
Sunday, May 25Sixth Sunday of EasterActs 17:22-31Psalm 66:8-201 Peter 3:13-22John 14:15-21
This Monthʼs Lectionary
Checking-In GroupThis group meets at 5 p.m. the Fourth Thursday of each month and is an opportunity to talk about life! Location to be determined. Please contact the church office for more info.
Menʼs BreakfastAll men are invited to meet at Dennyʼs, 7:30 a.m. each Saturday for fellowship and food. A sense of humor is encouraged!
Deadline6 p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal
15Courier
Deadline
16 177:30a Menʼs Breakfast, Dennyʼs
187:30a Eldersʼ Mtg9:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time1:30p Spring Creek Worship5:30 p.m. Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East, TBD
19
NoonEsther Group
20
Noon Bible Study
21
Bulletin Deadline
6 p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal
22
5p Checking in Group, Location TBD
23 247:30a Menʼs Breakfast, Dennyʼs
25
9:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time6p Wild Goose Worship7p Book Group
26
Memorial Day
27
Noon Bible Study
28
Bulletin Deadline
6 p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal
29 30 31
7:30a Menʼs Breakfast, Dennyʼs
May 2014
Regional AssemblyKennewickMay 16 - 18
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Save the DatesMay 4 Potluck Lunch and “For the Bible Tells Me So” movie screening (rescheduled from 2/28 snow day)May 11 Mother’s DayMay 16 - 18 Regional Assembly, KennewickJune 19 - 21 Dream of God Lectures, Seattle (Borg, Chittister, Crossan)June 7 Gwinwood Campground PicnicJune 15 Father’s DayJune 22 Potluck Lunch and Presentation: “Beyond Gay and Straight”
Contact UsOffice [email protected] 360.734.6820Find us on Facebook First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Bellingham, WAFollow us on Twitter FCC Bellingham
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Wild Goose Time ChangesPlease note that Wild Goose Worship has made a change. Due to youngsters (and some working folks) needing to get to bed a little earlier, we will now be meeting at 6 p.m.
We will still meet on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays of the month.
Join us for dinner, an alternative worship service and a fun activity. For more info, please find us on Facebook or contact [email protected]
